In a groundbreaking partnership that could reshape how government agencies operate, OpenAI has secured a landmark deal with the US government to make its advanced AI models available to federal employees. For just $1 over the next year, agencies can now access cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology through a collaboration with the General Services Administration (GSA).

CEO Sam Altman highlighted the significance of this move, stating that putting AI “in the hands of the people serving the country” is crucial for ensuring technological benefits reach everyone. The partnership aligns with President Trump’s AI Action Plan, which aims to accelerate technological innovation in the United States.

The agreement isn’t just about accessibility, it’s strategically designed to address government technology needs. OpenAI recently launched two open-weight models that can be run locally and customized for specific use cases, which is particularly attractive for agencies requiring high levels of data security. Importantly, OpenAI has committed that interactions with federal employees will not be used as training data for ChatGPT.

This collaboration comes at a time of increasing interest from AI companies in government partnerships. The potential is immense: government agencies possess massive datasets that could be valuable for AI development, while simultaneously seeking ways to modernize operations and improve efficiency.

The Department of Defense, with its proposed $1.01 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, a 13.4 percent increase, represents a significant potential market for AI integration. Agencies like the Food and Drug Administration have already been in discussions with OpenAI about implementing AI tools.

While the partnership promises exciting technological advancements, it also raises important questions about AI’s role in government infrastructure and the balance between innovation and responsible implementation. As AI continues to evolve, partnerships like this could fundamentally transform how public services are delivered.

The OpenAI-government collaboration signals a new era of technological integration, where artificial intelligence becomes a standard tool in public service delivery.