We Will Be Divided (we-are-divided.com)

An open letter from employees at Palantir and Anduril has surfaced, expressing support for the Pentagon's efforts to facilitate military access to AI models, including those developed by Anthropic. By invoking the Defense Production Act, the Department of War aims to pressure companies into developing AI systems that cater to military applications, particularly in areas of mass surveillance and autonomous warfare, raising concerns about ethical implications in AI deployment. This development is significant for the AI/ML community as it highlights a growing rift over the ethical responsibilities of AI companies. With 2,330 employees backing this push, the letter signals a potential shift towards prioritizing military interests over caution regarding technology's societal impacts. The competitive pressure generated by this initiative could lead to accelerated advancements in AI applications for surveillance and military use, potentially sidelining essential discussions about human oversight and ethical governance in AI, embodying a critical crossroads for the future of responsible AI development.