Federal Government Seals agreements with OpenAI to Disperse ChatGPT across Various Departments Nationwide
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has announced a partnership with AI company OpenAI to provide federal agencies with access to advanced AI tools. This partnership, under the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan, aims to modernise government operations and deliver better services to Americans.
Through the GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), federal agencies will have access to leading AI models via ChatGPT Enterprise at deeply discounted rates. The agreement includes unlimited use of advanced models for an initial 60-day period, access to government-specific user communities, and training resources to help employees adopt AI responsibly.
Experienced partners such as Slalom and Boston Consulting Group will support secure and responsible AI deployment across agencies. However, concerns regarding data privacy and security are front and centre, given the sensitive nature of government information.
Federal agencies are concerned about sensitive data possibly being leaked into AI model training sets, which could risk confidentiality and national security. Questions remain about how government data will be safeguarded, including whether OpenAI will use on-premises deployments or private cloud environments to enhance security.
Officials have emphasised the importance of responsible AI use, including legal and policy oversight to prevent misuse, waste, fraud, and abuse. The partnership underscores the need for robust data protection measures and clear governance to address the inherent privacy risks safely.
GSA Acting Administrator Michael Rigas stated that the partnership is critical to demonstrating the U.S. as the world's AI leader. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed pride in partnering with GSA to make ChatGPT available across the federal government.
However, some users have raised concerns about the data OpenAI may access through its work with federal agencies. One user wrote, "None of us voted for you to be able to collect sensitive information at a massive scale from our government’s employees. We do not consent to this." Potential use of such information to further train the company's AI models was a concern voiced by some users.
Despite these concerns, the partnership reflects a growing trend in government adoption of advanced AI tools. Federal employees will have access to educational tools, including a dedicated government user community, introductory training resources, and customised learning platforms. The agreement includes an additional 60-day period of unlimited use of OpenAI’s advanced models.
In conclusion, the partnership between the GSA and OpenAI marks a significant step towards integrating AI widely within the federal government. While it promotes modernisation and innovation, it also highlights the need for clear standards around accountability, data governance, and the ethical use of machine learning in public systems. Agencies interested in participation are advised to coordinate with their CIO or Chief AI Officer or contact GSA/OpenAI directly for implementation details.
Artificial-intelligence will be introduced to federal government magazines as a result of the partnership between the GSA and OpenAI, aiming to modernize government governance through advanced technology tools. The agreement involves a provision of unlimited access to AI models and training resources to assist federal employees in adopting AI responsibly.
