OpenAI has introduced an initiative allowing federal employees in the United States to access its ChatGPT Enterprise model for a nominal fee of just $1 per year. This program, announced in partnership with the US General Services Administration (GSA), aims to enhance the use of artificial intelligence within the federal workforce. The GSA, responsible for the government’s centralized procurement, recently expanded its list of approved AI companies, which now includes OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.
The $1 offer will be available for the next year and includes an additional 60-day period of unlimited access to advanced features. OpenAI has also established a dedicated user community to assist federal employees in becoming comfortable with AI technologies. This community will provide custom training platforms and guided learning resources to facilitate exploration and effective use of the chatbot.
According to OpenAI, this initiative aligns with a key objective of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan. The company stated, “This effort delivers on a core pillar of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan by making powerful AI tools available across the federal government so that 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.”
One of the significant features of the ChatGPT Enterprise model is its commitment to data security. OpenAI emphasized that the enterprise version will not utilize business data, including any inputs or outputs, to train or enhance its models. The same safeguards will be applied for federal use, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected. The GSA has also issued an Authority to Use (ATU) for ChatGPT Enterprise, underscoring its dedication to maintaining rigorous security and compliance standards.
Since the beginning of 2024, over 90,000 users from more than 3,500 federal, state, and local government agencies have engaged with ChatGPT, sending over 18 million messages to assist in their daily functions. This statistic highlights the growing reliance on AI tools in government operations and the potential for further integration in the future.
OpenAI’s initiative represents a significant step in democratizing access to advanced AI technology for federal employees, aiming to streamline operations and enhance productivity across the public sector. As the adoption of AI continues to evolve, programs like this may pave the way for more innovative applications in government services.