Introduction to OpenAI’s New Agreement
OpenAI has announced an agreement to supply more than 2 million workers for the US federal executive branch access to ChatGPT and related tools at practically no cost: just $1 per agency for one year. This deal was made possible after the US General Services Administration (GSA) signed a blanket deal to allow OpenAI and its rivals, like Google and Anthropic, to supply tools to federal workers.
What Does the Agreement Include?
The workers will have access to ChatGPT Enterprise, a type of account that includes access to frontier models and cutting-edge features with relatively high token limits, alongside a more robust commitment to data privacy than general consumers of ChatGPT get. ChatGPT Enterprise has been trialed over the past several months at several corporations and other types of large organizations. The workers will also have unlimited access to advanced features like Deep Research and Advanced Voice Mode for a 60-day period.
Benefits of the Agreement
This agreement is seen as a way to improve efficiency among federal workers. By having access to powerful AI tools, workers can spend less time on red tape and paperwork, and more time doing what they came to public service to do: serve the American people. A limited deployment of ChatGPT for federal workers was already done via a pilot program with the US Department of Defense earlier this summer.
The AI Action Plan
The AI Action Plan, which was introduced by the Trump Administration, aims to expand AI-focused data centers in the United States while bringing AI tools to federal workers. This effort delivers on a core pillar of the plan by making powerful AI tools available across the federal government.
How the Agreement Will Work
After the one-year trial period, the agencies are under no obligation to renew. This means that the federal government can try out the AI tools and see if they are beneficial without making a long-term commitment. OpenAI has heralded this announcement as an act of public service, and it will be interesting to see how the agreement plays out in the coming year.
Conclusion
The agreement between OpenAI and the US federal executive branch is a significant step forward in bringing AI tools to federal workers. With access to ChatGPT Enterprise and other advanced features, workers will be able to streamline their tasks and focus on serving the American people. As the use of AI in the federal government continues to grow, it will be important to monitor the effectiveness of these tools and make adjustments as needed.
FAQs
Q: How much will the agreement cost the federal government?
A: The agreement will cost the federal government just $1 per agency for one year.
Q: What type of access will federal workers have to ChatGPT?
A: Federal workers will have access to ChatGPT Enterprise, which includes access to frontier models and cutting-edge features with relatively high token limits.
Q: How long will the trial period last?
A: The trial period will last for one year, after which the agencies are under no obligation to renew.
Q: What is the AI Action Plan?
A: The AI Action Plan is a plan introduced by the Trump Administration to expand AI-focused data centers in the United States while bringing AI tools to federal workers.
Q: How will the agreement benefit federal workers?
A: The agreement will benefit federal workers by giving them access to powerful AI tools, which will allow them to spend less time on red tape and paperwork, and more time serving the American people.
