OpenAI secured a contract worth up to $200 million with the US Department of Defence (DoD) to deploy AI tools across a range of administrative functions, part of a wider drive to integrate the technology within government operations.
In a statement, the company explained it is launching the OpenAI for Government initiative to provide AI expertise to public servants and support the US government in deploying the technology for the good of the public good.
The overriding aim of its work is to enhance the capabilities of government workers, helping to cut down on red tape and paperwork.
Its first partnership under the new initiative will be a pilot programme with the DoD through its Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. It will help identify and prototype how frontier AI could transform administrative operations including improving how US military members and their families access healthcare, streamlining programme and data acquisition, and supporting proactive cyber defence.
OpenAI added the initiative consolidates its existing government projects under one area, including the development of a version of ChatGPT for government workers, along with its work with space agency NASA and the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Through the initiative, OpenAI will offer US federal, state and local governments access to its most advanced ChatGPT models, custom set-ups for national security, hands on support and an insight into future AI advancements.
OpenAI added it is just getting started and is looking forward to helping US government leaders “harness AI to better serve the public”.