OpenAI Commits $1bn to Give Critical Infrastructure Free Access to AI Cyber Defence Tools

OpenAI has announced a $1bn commitment to subsidise access to its Daybreak cyber models for organisations running essential services, starting in the US before expanding to partner countries. The Daybreak for Frontline Defenders initiative will help sectors such as water, electricity, local government, non-profits and banking integrate AI models into their existing cybersecurity workflows, including reviewing legacy code, analysing suspicious activity, identifying vulnerabilities, prioritising risks, and testing fixes.

As part of the rollout, OpenAI is piloting a collaboration with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), pairing Daybreak access with guided training and hands-on support for an initial group of public sector and water system defenders in the US. MS-ISAC already supports thousands of public-sector organisations with threat intelligence and incident response, and this partnership is expected to expand once a repeatable model is developed.

The announcement follows an open letter signed by more than 100 tech and cybersecurity companies, including OpenAI, warning of a 'narrowing window' to ensure defenders have access to AI tools before AI-enabled attacks escalate against critical public services. The letter specifically called on frontier AI companies to provide responsible model access and implementation support to critical infrastructure operators.