This report constitutes a comprehensive Technographic Audit of OpenAI, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence research laboratory, with the specific objective of determining its Digital Complicity Score in relation to the State of Israel’s military, surveillance, and occupation apparatus. In an era where “dual-use” technology has become the standard for both Silicon Valley innovation and modern warfare, the distinction between civilian AI infrastructure and military capability has eroded. This audit proceeds from the premise that digital complicity is not limited to direct kinetic engagement—such as the deployment of autonomous weapons systems—but encompasses a broader spectrum of involvement. This includes the integration of supply chains, the reliance on vendor ecosystems deeply embedded in state intelligence services, the provision of critical cloud infrastructure that ensures “data sovereignty” for military operations, and the capitalization of defense-adjacent technologies through executive investment portfolios.
The target of this audit, OpenAI, represents the vanguard of the generative AI revolution. Its models, particularly the GPT-4 and O1 series, serve as foundational layers for the global digital economy. However, as this report will detail, the architectural integrity, security posture, and distribution mechanisms of OpenAI are inextricably entangled with the Israeli technology sector. This sector is uniquely characterized by its symbiosis with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), specifically the elite signals intelligence (SIGINT) Unit 8200. The flow of capital, talent, and algorithmic capability between OpenAI and this “Silicon Wadi” ecosystem creates a feedback loop that materially supports the technological superiority of the Israeli state apparatus.
For the purposes of this audit, “Digital Complicity” is evaluated across four distinct vectors:
The following analysis synthesizes data from corporate disclosures, technical documentation, government procurement records, and investigative reports to map these entanglements with exhaustive granularity.
The most immediate and structural form of complicity identified in this audit is OpenAI’s reliance on the Israeli cybersecurity ecosystem to protect its own infrastructure. OpenAI’s proprietary models—its “weights and biases”—are its most valuable assets. To secure these assets, OpenAI has integrated a stack of vendors that are not merely “Israeli companies” but are direct commercial spin-offs of Unit 8200. This unit, often compared to the US National Security Agency (NSA), serves as the primary incubator for Israel’s high-tech sector. The result is a “revolving door” dynamic where the defensive posture of the world’s leading AI laboratory is maintained by technologies and personnel derived from state-level offensive cyber capabilities.
Operational Role: Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP)
Origin: Founded by Assaf Rappaport, Ami Luttwak, Yinon Costica, and Roy Reznik (Unit 8200 Alumni)
Wiz stands as the central pillar of OpenAI’s cloud security architecture. The relationship between the two entities is deep, public, and strategic. In early 2024, Wiz positioned itself as the first CNAPP to offer an “OpenAI SaaS connector,” a specialized integration designed to secure AI pipelines and monitor the usage of OpenAI’s own models within enterprise environments.1 This integration provides Wiz with unprecedented visibility into OpenAI’s cloud configurations, effectively granting a firm founded by Israeli intelligence veterans an intimate map of the AI lab’s infrastructure.
The significance of this partnership extends beyond software procurement. Wiz represents the archetype of the “Unit 8200 Unicorn.” Its founders previously established Adallom, which was acquired by Microsoft, cementing their status within the global cyber elite. By selecting Wiz as a core vendor, OpenAI has validated the company’s technology, contributing directly to its meteoric rise to a $10 billion valuation—the fastest in SaaS history.1 This valuation is not merely a financial metric; it represents the capitalization of the Israeli cyber-defense sector. The revenue generated by Wiz flows back into the Israeli economy, sustaining an ecosystem where military service is the primary credential for technological entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, Wiz actively utilizes OpenAI’s brand equity to market its services to other enterprises, creating a reciprocal legitimacy cycle.1 When OpenAI trusts Wiz, it signals to the Global 500 that Israeli cyber-tech is the gold standard. This branding power is critical for the Israeli tech sector, which views cybersecurity exports as a strategic diplomatic tool. The audit finds that OpenAI’s reliance on Wiz is a form of structural dependency on the Unit 8200 alumni network, embedding the logic of Israeli state security into the foundation of American AI development.
Operational Role: Network Security, Threat Prevention, “Infinity AI Copilot”
Origin: Founded by Gil Shwed (Unit 8200 Veteran)
Check Point Software Technologies is the progenitor of the Israeli cybersecurity industry, established in 1993 by Gil Shwed, a veteran of Unit 8200. The audit confirms a sophisticated integration between Check Point’s “Infinity AI Copilot” and the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.2 This partnership allows Check Point to leverage OpenAI’s Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate up to 90% of security administration tasks, such as event analysis, policy tuning, and threat hunting.2
The implication of this integration is twofold. First, it demonstrates that OpenAI’s technology is being used to “supercharge” the capabilities of a major defense contractor. Check Point is a primary supplier of cybersecurity solutions to the Israeli government, military, and critical infrastructure. By embedding GPT-4 into its Infinity platform, Check Point enhances the resilience of these state assets against cyberattacks. OpenAI, through its partnership with Microsoft, effectively becomes a backend provider for the digital Iron Dome that protects Israeli networks.
Second, the collaboration illustrates the “Azure Proxy” mechanism. While OpenAI may not have a direct contract with Check Point for these services, the Azure OpenAI Service acts as a conduit.3 Microsoft’s infrastructure enables the seamless transfer of algorithmic capability from San Francisco to Tel Aviv, bypassing direct scrutiny while ensuring that Israeli defense firms have access to the most advanced generative models available.
Operational Role: Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), XDR
Origin: Founded by Tomer Weingarten and Almog Cohen
SentinelOne, a global leader in AI-powered endpoint security, is another critical node in the Unit 8200 stack. The company’s “Purple AI” platform utilizes generative models to accelerate threat detection and response.4 Technical documentation reveals deep integration patterns where SentinelOne agents can trigger automated workflows based on AI analysis, such as “mitigate threats” or “disconnect machine from network”.5
While SentinelOne is a publicly traded US company, its R&D and ideological roots remain firmly planted in the Israeli security establishment. The firm’s “Singularity” platform is widely deployed across the defense industrial base. The integration of OpenAI’s API into SentinelOne’s threat hunting workflows represents the militarization of the LLM for defensive cyber operations.6 In the context of the Israeli ecosystem, this enhances the operational capacity of a firm that competes for dominance in the XDR market, further entrenching the economic viability of Israel’s cyber exports.
Operational Role: Privileged Access Management (PAM), Identity Security
Origin: Founded by Udi Mokady (Headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel)
CyberArk is the global leader in securing “privileged access”—the keys to the kingdom for any enterprise IT environment. The audit finds that CyberArk is both a consumer of OpenAI technology and a critical infrastructure provider supported by OpenAI.
The strategic context of CyberArk involves significant market consolidation. Reports indicate that Palo Alto Networks—founded by Nir Zuk, another Unit 8200 alumnus and early Check Point employee—entered negotiations to acquire CyberArk for approximately $25 billion.10 This potential merger would create a colossal Israeli-American cybersecurity conglomerate. OpenAI’s technology, embedded within CyberArk’s operational tools, becomes a value-add in this transaction. By enhancing the efficiency of CyberArk’s products, OpenAI materially contributes to the asset value of a key pillar of the Israeli tech economy.
Operational Role: Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Protection, Industrial IoT Security
Origin: Incubated by Team8 (Nadav Zafrir, Unit 8200 Commander)
Claroty specializes in securing Operational Technology (OT)—the industrial control systems that run power plants, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing lines. The firm was incubated by Team8, a venture foundry founded by Nadav Zafrir, the former commander of Unit 8200.12 Claroty’s deep ties to the Israeli defense establishment are evident in its leadership and investor base, which includes Team8 and heavy industrial partners.13
While the research snippets do not explicitly detail a direct API integration between Claroty and OpenAI in the same manner as Wiz, the connection is ecosystemic. Team8’s “company building” model relies on leveraging the Unit 8200 network to solve critical security challenges.12 As a portfolio company of Team8, Claroty operates within a sphere of influence where access to cutting-edge AI is assumed. Furthermore, the protection of critical infrastructure is a primary concern for the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Technologies developed by Claroty are inherently dual-use, serving to protect both civilian utilities and military-industrial facilities. Any enhancement of Claroty’s capabilities through the broader AI ecosystem indirectly bolsters the resilience of Israel’s critical national infrastructure.
Operational Role: Venture Group / Company Builder
Origin: Founded by Nadav Zafrir, Israel Grimberg, Liran Grinberg (Unit 8200 Leadership)
To understand the “Unit 8200 Stack,” one must analyze Team8. This entity is not merely a venture capital fund; it is a “company builder” that systematically commercializes the methodologies of military intelligence.12 Team8 explicitly markets its connection to Unit 8200, stating that “the unit is an excellent hub… for thinking outside the box”.12
Team8 manages over $1.2 billion in assets and has launched companies like Claroty, Sygnia, and Illusive Networks.14 The foundry model involves identifying a market need, assembling a team of Unit 8200 alumni, and funding them to build a solution. OpenAI’s ecosystem intersects with Team8 through investment rounds (e.g., Popai, co-led by Team8 and NEA) and the integration of Team8 portfolio companies into the global tech stack.15 The success of OpenAI creates demand for the advanced security solutions that Team8 companies provide, ensuring a continuous flow of capital into this military-civilian fusion model.
The second vector of complicity moves from the corporate supply chain to direct state operational enablement. This centers on Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion government tender to migrate the Israeli government and defense establishment to the cloud. While the primary contract was awarded to Google and Amazon Web Services (AWS), the broader digital transformation of the IDF relies heavily on Microsoft Azure. Through the Azure OpenAI Service, the Israeli military has gained access to OpenAI’s frontier models, effectively bypassing OpenAI’s public stance on military engagement.
OpenAI has publicly stated that it “does not have a partnership with the IDF”.16 This statement relies on a corporate veil: OpenAI licenses its models to Microsoft, which hosts them on Azure. The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) is a major Azure customer.
Investigative reports reveal that Microsoft classifies the Israeli military as an “S500” client—a designation reserved for its most significant and strategic enterprise accounts globally.17 This classification ensures top-tier support and access to advanced features. Furthermore, leaked documents confirm that the IMOD purchased 19,000 hours of engineering support consultant services from Microsoft, valued at $10 million, between late 2023 and mid-2024.18 This support was specifically designated for “special and complex systems” and “sensitive workloads”.19
The timeline of engagement correlates directly with the intensification of the conflict in Gaza. Following the October 7, 2023 attacks, the Israeli military’s consumption of Microsoft and OpenAI cloud services reportedly spiked 200-fold.16 This massive increase in compute usage indicates the operationalization of AI at scale during active combat operations.
The specific OpenAI services procured by the IMOD via Azure include:
The integration of these models into the IDF’s intelligence cycle accelerates the “sensor-to-shooter” loop, or the “kill chain.”
The IDF utilizes Microsoft Azure to compile vast troves of information gathered through mass surveillance in Gaza. An Israeli intelligence officer confirmed relying on Azure to “compile information gathered through mass surveillance,” utilizing AI to transcribe and translate phone calls, texts, and audio messages.17 OpenAI’s Whisper model is uniquely suited for this task, capable of transcribing multilingual and noisy audio with high accuracy. This capability allows intelligence units to process SIGINT at a scale that human analysts cannot match, feeding the “target bank” with potential leads.
While OpenAI models may not be the final decision-maker in a kinetic strike, they serve as the data processing engine for systems like “The Gospel” (Habsora) and “Lavender.” These AI systems generate targeting recommendations by analyzing behavioral patterns and social connections. GPT-4’s ability to structure unstructured data (e.g., turning interrogation reports or intercepted emails into structured databases) is a critical enabler for these systems.20 By reducing the time required to analyze intelligence, OpenAI technology helps the IDF maintain a high tempo of strikes, a strategy that has been linked to high civilian casualty rates in Gaza.22
Microsoft service agreements with the IMOD explicitly list subscriptions for specific military units, including “8200” (SIGINT) and “9900” (Geospatial Intelligence).17 This confirms that the very units responsible for targeting and surveillance in the occupied territories are the end-users of the Azure/OpenAI stack. The availability of these tools to Unit 9900, which specializes in visual intelligence, suggests the potential use of multimodal models (like GPT-4V) for analyzing satellite imagery or drone feeds, although text and audio remain the primary documented use cases.
To satisfy the strict data sovereignty requirements of the Israeli security establishment, Microsoft launched the “Israel Central” Azure region.23 Located physically within Israel (likely near Modi’in or Petah Tikva), this infrastructure ensures that sensitive data processed by Azure—including data run through localized instances of OpenAI models—remains within Israeli borders.
Strategic Implication: The establishment of “Israel Central” allows the IMOD to use commercial cloud AI without violating classification protocols that prohibit shipping military data to servers in the US or Europe. By deploying its models to this region, OpenAI (via Microsoft) has acquiesced to the creation of a “sovereign AI” capability for the Israeli state. This local infrastructure is immune to external internet cutoffs or international sanctions that might affect cross-border data flows, ensuring the continuity of AI-driven military operations.23
The third vector of complicity involves the “civilian” application of surveillance technologies. Israel has pioneered the rebranding of military-grade tracking systems as “Retail Tech” or “Loss Prevention” solutions. These dual-use technologies, powered by computer vision and AI, are deployed in commercial settings but retain the capability for mass surveillance and biometric identification.
Operational Role: Computer Vision for Autonomous Retail
Origin: Founded by Michael and Daniel Gabay (Elite IDF Intelligence Veterans)
Trigo develops “frictionless checkout” technology, similar to Amazon Go, which uses dense arrays of ceiling-mounted cameras to track shoppers and automatically charge them for items.25 While marketed as a convenience, the underlying technology is persistent, high-fidelity surveillance of individuals in physical space—a direct adaptation of military tracking systems.
The OpenAI Connection:
Operational Role: Facial Recognition, Vision AI
Origin: Israel (Holon/Tel Aviv)
AnyVision (rebranded as Oosto) is notorious for its facial recognition technology, which has been documented at Israeli military checkpoints in the West Bank to track Palestinians.30
Technographic Intersection:
Operational Role: Computer Vision for Retail, Shelf Monitoring
Origin: Israel / Singapore
Trax provides computer vision solutions for retail, utilizing mobile apps, fixed cameras, and robots to monitor shelf inventory.34 Like Trigo, Trax utilizes AI to convert physical reality into digital data. The company has raised hundreds of millions of dollars and is a “unicorn” in the retail tech space.
Relevance:
Trax exemplifies the “dual-use” nature of Israeli computer vision. The ability to recognize products on a shelf is algorithmically adjacent to recognizing objects in a drone feed. By advancing the state of the art in computer vision—and potentially utilizing OpenAI models for data analysis or reporting 35—Trax contributes to the broader capacity of the Israeli vision-AI sector.
Entity: World (formerly Worldcoin)
Leadership: Sam Altman (Chairman/Co-founder)
Worldcoin is Sam Altman’s parallel project, sharing the same ideological DNA and leadership as OpenAI. It uses a biometric device called the “Orb” to scan irises and create a unique digital identity (“World ID”).
Israel Operations:
OpenAI’s penetration into the Israeli market is not just direct; it is mediated by a layer of “Integrators”—Israeli platforms that embed OpenAI models, effectively becoming distribution nodes for the technology. These platforms normalize the use of OpenAI in the Israeli economy and make it accessible to a wide range of actors, including potentially defense contractors.
Operational Role: Work Operating System (Work OS)
Origin: Israel (Tel Aviv)
Monday.com is ubiquitous in the Israeli tech and business sectors. It acts as a central nervous system for project management and collaboration.
Operational Role: Web Development Platform
Origin: Israel
Wix, a dominant web development platform, integrates OpenAI for content generation, coding assistants, and SEO tools.43 This integration cements OpenAI’s role as a fundamental utility for the Israeli digital economy. By powering the websites of thousands of Israeli businesses, OpenAI becomes essential to the nation’s economic resilience.
Operational Role: Sales Analytics, Revenue Intelligence
Origin: Israel (Founded by Amit Bendov and Eilon Reshef)
Gong.io records, transcribes, and analyzes sales calls. It uses OpenAI models to summarize conversations and extract insights.45
Operational Role: Software Supply Chain Platform
Origin: Israel
JFrog provides tools for managing software binaries and artifacts. The platform integrates with Azure OpenAI to support private connections, allowing secure analysis of code and artifacts.47 This is critical for defense contractors who need to maintain secure software supply chains while leveraging AI for code analysis.
The audit identifies a significant “Ideological Complicity” factor centered on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. His engagement with Israel goes beyond standard business diplomacy, reflecting a deep financial and ideological commitment to the “Startup Nation” narrative.
In May 2024, Sam Altman personally invested in Apex Security, a startup founded by Matan Derman and Tomer Avni—both officers from Unit 8200.48
In January 2024—amidst the ongoing bombardment of Gaza—OpenAI quietly removed the explicit ban on “military and warfare” from its usage policies.18
During his 2023 world tour, Altman visited Israel, meeting with President Isaac Herzog and visiting Microsoft’s R&D center. He stated: “I am sure Israel will play a huge role [in the AI revolution]… The talent density and the relentlessness… are optimal”.51 This rhetoric reinforces the “Startup Nation” brand, which serves to whitewash the occupation by framing Israel as a center of technological progress rather than military control.
Based on the evidence detailed in this Technographic Audit, OpenAI is assigned a Critical / High Digital Complicity Score.
OpenAI is no longer a neutral tool provider. It has become a component of what scholars call “infrastructural entanglement”—where sovereign military capabilities are embedded within privately governed digital systems.53 By providing the cognitive layer (LLMs) to the Israeli military’s cloud infrastructure (Project Nimbus/Azure), OpenAI has integrated itself into the machinery of the occupation.
Entities seeking to disengage from this complicity stack should consider the following:
End of Report
