Meta Corporation has officially made its Llama open-source AI models available to U.S. government agencies. This collaboration signals a new era for defense applications in artificial intelligence, with the tech giant’s models now primed for military and national security use. Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, emphasized the ethical and strategic importance of open-source AI for U.S. security.

According to Clegg, “responsible and ethical uses of open-source AI models like Llama will not only support U.S. prosperity and security but also help establish American standards in the global race for AI leadership.” Meta’s Llama models will integrate with defense applications, enhancing both the public and private sectors in defense technology.

Broader federal movement toward open-source AI

Under this collaboration, Meta partners with key industry leaders, including IBM, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, and Oracle. Lockheed Martin has already implemented Llama in its operations, while Oracle applies the model for processing aircraft maintenance documents. Meanwhile, Microsoft employs Llama for securing cloud solutions that handle sensitive data, underscoring Meta’s AI reach across critical sectors. Each partnership illustrates Meta’s commitment to advancing AI’s role in national security.

Meta’s contribution comes as part of a broader federal movement toward open-source AI. In recent months, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) affirmed support for open-source AI technologies. NTIA’s latest report signals no intention to limit companies from sharing these models with government and private sector partners.

Moreover, President Joe Biden’s recent executive order on AI development mandates developers to share testing results of high-risk AI models with federal agencies. Signed on October 30, 2023, this order strengthens the U.S. government’s commitment to securing the nation’s AI infrastructure, as developers must ensure that AI systems align with U.S. security standards.

Meta’s involvement adds weight to the executive order, marking a pivotal step toward technological dominance in the defense arena. The integration of Llama AI models within the defense sector promises to enhance the U.S. military’s capabilities while solidifying open-source AI’s role in America’s national security.