OpenAi is offering access to ChatgPT to US federal agencies for a symbolic value of $ 1 per year in a strategy to expand the adoption of its artificial intelligence chatbot.
The measure was announced after General Services Administration (GSA) approved OpenAI, along with Google (Alphabet Inc.) and Anthropic, as suppliers in its new marketplace that allows federal agencies to acquire AI software on scale. OpenAi’s offer includes the corporate version of ChatgPT, which includes advanced security and privacy features.
The US government’s central purchasing agency has used its negotiation power to obtain discounts with companies such as Adobe and Salesforce, but the price of $ 1 per year is the most aggressive so far – and the first of this kind involving an artificial intelligence company, according to a GSA representative. The terms of contracts with Gemini (Google) and Claude (Anthropic) were not disclosed.
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In addition to encouraging the use of chatgpt – which today has almost 700 million weekly users – OpenAi executives said the government discount helps to serve the White House action plan to integrate new AI tools into the work of federal agencies.
“The focus of this initiative is not to gain market advantage over competitors, but to expand the use of artificial intelligence throughout the federal labor force,” said Joe Larson, vice president of OpenAi government. “The private sector is adopting AI. We don’t believe the government should be left behind.”
The company will also create an exclusive community for government users, offer personalized training and establish partnerships with consultancies such as Slalom and Boston Consulting Group.
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OpenAi said it will not use federal employees data to train or improve their models and that agencies will not be required to renew their contracts.
Josh Gruenbaum, Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service of GSA, said the AI sector is dynamic enough so that there is no concern that the symbolic price gives OpenAi a monopoly on government contracts. After the first year, market prices will define the terms, he said.
“These technologies are changing and evolving at an impressive speed. We don’t want to compromise in the long run. In a way, this is like an initial test,” said Gruenbaum, who supervises more than $ 490 billion in annual purchases of goods and services for federal civil agencies. “We want to act fast, and we believe it helps us to advance quickly in this first stage.”
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The $ 1 deal announced on Wednesday does not apply to the OpenAi API, used to create personalized software about its models, only to Chatbot Chatgpt, according to Gruenbaum.
According to the company’s website, since 2024 OpenAi technology has been used by about 90,000 public servants in federal, state and municipal agencies in the US.
