Meta has announced that it is making its Llama series of AI models available to US government agencies and contractors in national security, in a move to combat concerns that its "open" AI is aiding foreign adversaries. The company is partnering with several major tech firms, including Accenture, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft, to bring Llama to government agencies.
The decision comes on the heels of a report that Chinese research scientists linked to the People's Liberation Army used an older Llama model to develop a tool for defense applications, sparking debate over the risks and merits of open AI. Meta has stated that the use of the older model was "unauthorized" and contrary to its acceptable use policy.
The use of AI for defense is a controversial topic, with some arguing that it poses dangers due to its reliance on personal data and vulnerabilities such as biases and hallucinations. Employees at several big tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, have protested over their employer's contracts to build AI tools and infrastructure for the US military. Meta's move is seen as an attempt to address these concerns and ensure that its AI technology is used responsibly.