WSJ Tech News Briefing: "OpenAI Is Getting Into the Business of War"

Release Date: December 5, 2024

Host: Danny Lewis
Reporter: Deepa Sitharaman
Personal Tech Columnist: Nicole Nguyen
Producer: Julie Chang
Supervising Producer: Kathryn Millsop

Introduction

In the December 5th episode of the WSJ Tech News Briefing, host Danny Lewis navigates listeners through a blend of everyday tech frustrations and groundbreaking industry shifts. The episode delves into the reliability of weather forecasting apps and, more notably, explores OpenAI’s newfound collaboration with the defense sector, signaling a significant pivot in Silicon Valley’s relationship with the Pentagon.

The Trust Issues with Weather Apps

Discussion with Nicole Nguyen

Timestamp: [00:34] – [04:20]

Weather apps have become indispensable tools for planning daily activities, yet their occasional inaccuracies can be a source of frustration. Personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen unpacks the reasons behind these discrepancies and offers strategies for obtaining more reliable forecasts.

• Why Are Weather Apps Sometimes Inaccurate?

  Nicole Nguyen:
  “Weather apps use data from these publicly available models, and these models spit out a bunch of numbers, and it's up to our weather apps to simplify those numbers and turn it into an icon, say partly cloudy, rainy, et cetera. It doesn't have much nuance, so it's making its best guess. And when that guess is wrong, you are stuck in the rain, unfortunately.”
  [01:38]

• Advancements in Weather Forecasting Technology

  Nguyen highlights the evolution of weather forecasting, emphasizing the role of supercomputers in enhancing prediction accuracy over longer periods.

  “The accuracy has gone from a good forecast looking ahead three days to a good forecast looking ahead over the next seven days. I talked to a meteorologist who worked in the 70s and he said the accuracy has gone up by a day per decade.”
  [02:08] – [02:53]

• Tips for More Accurate Weather Predictions

  To combat unreliable forecasts, Nguyen suggests using multiple weather apps and leveraging tools like Forecast Advisor for location-specific accuracy rankings.

  “The trick is to look at many different apps... there is a tool called Forecast Advisor which looks at forecast accuracy for your zip code or city or state.”
  [02:59]

  Additionally, focusing on short-term forecasts and utilizing radar apps can provide more precise real-time data.

  “Instead of a seven day forecast, just look at what's happening tomorrow or within the next three days... radar maps, it becomes self evident.”
  [04:20]

OpenAI’s Foray into Defense: Partnership with Anduril

Reporter: Deepa Sitharaman
Timestamp: [05:16] – [12:08]

The episode takes a profound turn as it examines OpenAI’s strategic move into the defense sector through a partnership with Anduril, a prominent defense startup specializing in drones and anti-drone systems. This collaboration marks a significant shift from OpenAI’s previous stance on military applications of their technology.

• Overview of the OpenAI-Anduril Deal

  Deepa Sitharaman:
  “OpenAI is allowing Anduril to use its technology in the company's defensive tools. So, like counter drones and things like that... the company subsequently confirmed that it was working with the Defense Department on a slew of different projects.”
  [05:56] – [06:43]

  The partnership aims to integrate OpenAI’s advanced AI models into Anduril’s systems to enhance the detection and neutralization of drone threats, thereby increasing operational efficiency and reducing potential casualties.

• Changing Policies on Military Use of AI

  OpenAI has progressively relaxed its restrictions on military applications, transitioning from an outright ban to selective partnerships that focus on defensive and analytical functions rather than offensive weaponization.

  “The company subsequently confirmed that it was working with the Defense Department on a slew of different projects... they have drawn a red line for now is we don't want these tools to be used to explicitly kill people.”
  [08:01]

• Broader Industry Trends and Implications

  This deal is part of a larger trend where major tech companies are forging deeper ties with the U.S. Department of Defense. Other notable collaborations include:

  • Microsoft partnering with the military on various AI projects.
  • Meta allowing the use of its AI models for defense purposes.
  • Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI executives, partnering with Palantir for military applications.

  Deepa Sitharaman:
  “All these deals are such a striking contrast from 2018... but we've seen a reengagement there too, with Google.”
  [09:35] – [11:29]

  This shift signifies a redefinition of tech companies from global enterprises to American strategic assets, integral to national security amidst growing AI competition with countries like China.

• Impact on the Tech Industry’s Identity

  The alignment with defense projects alters the perception of tech firms. CEOs are now seen not just as global leaders but as pivotal partners to the American government, embedding these companies deeper into the national security framework.

  “What is happening now is that these companies are increasingly portraying themselves as partners to the American government... that's just accelerating in this past year.”
  [11:34] – [12:08]

Conclusion

The December 5th episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing provides a compelling juxtaposition between the mundane challenges of everyday technology and the profound strategic shifts within the tech industry. While users grapple with the reliability of weather apps, the episode underscores a significant transformation in Silicon Valley as giants like OpenAI align more closely with defense initiatives. This pivot not only redefines the role of tech companies in national security but also reflects broader geopolitical dynamics influencing technological advancements and partnerships.

Notable Quotes:

• Nicole Nguyen on weather app inaccuracies:
  “Weather apps use data from these publicly available models... when that guess is wrong, you are stuck in the rain, unfortunately.”
  [01:38]

• Deepa Sitharaman on OpenAI’s defense collaboration:
  “OpenAI is allowing Anduril to use its technology in the company's defensive tools... the idea being that that minimizes casualties among U.S. troops.”
  [06:50] – [07:50]

• Deepa Sitharaman on industry trends:
  “What is happening now is that these companies are increasingly portraying themselves as partners to the American government... that's just accelerating in this past year.”
  [11:34] – [12:08]

This episode highlights the evolving landscape of technology’s role in both personal and geopolitical spheres, offering listeners insightful analysis on how daily tech tools and strategic industry partnerships shape our world.