Artificial intelligence company OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, is facing sharp criticism after reports that its AI models were approved for use within the confidential government networks of the Pentagon.
According to a report by Forbes, more than 1.5 million users canceled their ChatGPT subscriptions within 48 hours of the announcement. However, the reported figure has not been independently verified. OpenAI has not issued any official statement addressing the alleged subscriber losses.
Users Shift to Rival AI Platforms
The report also noted that rival AI firm Anthropic declined to grant the U.S. government “unlimited access” to its AI models—a stance that received positive reactions across social media platforms.
Following the controversy, some users reportedly switched from ChatGPT to Anthropic’s Claude chatbot. Over the weekend, the Claude app briefly climbed to the top of the download charts on the Apple App Store, temporarily surpassing ChatGPT in popularity. Analysts say it remains uncertain whether this trend will have a lasting impact on the competitive AI market.
Pentagon Contract Sparks Debate
OpenAI recently signed a contract with the Pentagon allowing its AI technologies to be used within secure and protected government systems. The disclosure of the agreement triggered criticism online, with some commentators accusing the company of indirectly supporting military operations by providing advanced technology to defense institutions.
A boycott-focused website claimed that three key issues contributed to the reported subscription cancellations: a previous contract involving the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, reports that OpenAI President Greg Brockman donated $25 million to MAGA Inc., and the newly revealed Pentagon agreement.
Neither OpenAI nor the parties mentioned have publicly responded to the allegations or the reported subscriber losses.
The controversy has once again highlighted growing public scrutiny over the role of artificial intelligence companies in government and military partnerships, raising broader questions about transparency, ethics, and corporate responsibility in the AI sector.
