OpenAI tapped for voice control tech in U.S. drone swarm trial

OpenAI has partnered with two defense technology companies that the Pentagon has selected to compete to develop voice-controlled, drone swarming software for the U.S. military, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

OpenAI’s technology would only be used to translate voice commands from battlefield commanders to digital instructions for the drones, according to two of the people. It wouldn’t be used for the operation of the drone swarm, weapons integration or targeting authority, the two people said. All of the people asked not to be named to discuss sensitive matters that aren’t public.

The effort is part of a $100 million Pentagon prize challenge announced in January that’s intended to deliver prototypes for technology that can command swarms of drones capable of making decisions and execute missions without human intervention. The six-month competition will progress in phases, depending on the success and interest of the participants, the people said.