Learn the right way to use Generative AI to maximize its value while minimizing risks. Join Springbrook’s experts as they provide an insightful overview of this rapidly evolving technology.
OpenAI has just launched ChatGPT Gov, a new AI solution designed to increase artificial intelligence applications and unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation within U.S. government agencies. This specialized version of ChatGPT provides an additional channel for federal, state, and local entities to access OpenAI’s advanced machine learning models while ensuring compliance with the stringent data security and privacy requirements of the public sector. The initiative aims to support government agencies in tackling complex challenges with greater efficiency and accuracy, ensure that artificial intelligence is developed and deployed for the public good, and empower policymakers to responsibly integrate AI into government operations.
The move represents a significant step in OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen collaborations with the U.S. government, particularly as agencies explore new ways to integrate AI responsibly into their operations. In August, along with AI developer Anthropic, OpenAI signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to enhance AI safety protocols. To further its federal outreach, the company also hired Felipe Millon, a former senior manager in federal sales at Amazon, to lead its government-focused initiatives from Washington, D.C.
A Smarter, More Secure AI Solution for Government Agencies
OpenAI sees enormous potential for artificial intelligence to support the public sector in solving difficult problems. From improving public health and infrastructure to strengthening national security, AI-driven solutions like ChatGPT Gov offer transformative possibilities.
The application extends the capabilities of ChatGPT Enterprise, providing government agencies with advanced AI tools for various administrative and operational functions. In addition to text interpretation, creating summaries of documents and sharing conversations within other government offices, Chat GPT Gov also includes features, such as:
- The ability to save and share conversations within a secure government workspace.
- Access to GPT-4o, OpenAI’s flagship model, which excels in text interpretation, summarization, coding, image analysis, and mathematics.
- Custom GPTs that can be built and shared among government employees.
- An administrative console allowing CIOs and IT teams to manage users, groups, Custom GPTs, and single sign-on (SSO).
Government agencies have the flexibility to deploy ChatGPT Gov within their own Microsoft Azure commercial cloud or Azure Government cloud through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, ensuring a secure and controlled AI environment. By self-hosting, organizations can maintain direct oversight of security, privacy, and compliance, adhering to stringent cybersecurity frameworks such as IL5, CJIS, ITAR, and FedRAMP High. Felipe Millon, who leads federal sales and go-to-market for OpenAI, anticipates that agencies handling sensitive data—such as those in defense, law enforcement, and healthcare—will benefit the most from the product. Additionally, the infrastructure is designed to streamline internal authorization processes, allowing agencies to expedite the approval and integration of AI tools for managing non-public sensitive data.
In a recent demonstration, OpenAI solutions engineer Aaron Wilkowitz provided a glimpse into how ChatGPT Gov could assist government new employees in streamlining their daily tasks. The demo simulated a day in the life of a new Trump administration employee, who could log into ChatGPT Gov and create a structured five-week plan outlining key job responsibilities. The AI-powered tool would then analyze a photographed version of the same plan, now marked up with handwritten notes and annotations. Wilkowitz also demonstrated how ChatGPT Gov could draft a memo summarizing the AI-generated job plan for the legal and compliance department and seamlessly translate it into multiple languages.
ChatGPT can also streamline the delivery of citizen-facing services, handling common inquiries quickly and accurately, reducing the burden on staff and improving the responsiveness of government organizations. For example, it can answer frequently asked questions about services, deadlines, and procedures. It can also automate routine interactions to decrease the time and resources spent on repetitive customer service and free up human employees to focus on more complex tasks.
With ChatGPT, organizations can also provide residents with 24/7 access to government services and resources. The service can also help overcome language barriers or literacy challenges with clear and straightforward responses.
The Rise of AI Adoption in Government
President Trump’s Executive Order meant to eliminate obstacles to American leadership in AI, and the House Budget Committee’s first-ever Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report on AI highlight the increasing commitment to the technology among government organizations.
According to OpenAI, since 2024, more than 90,000 users across over 3,500 U.S. federal, state, and local government agencies have exchanged over 18 million messages using ChatGPT to support daily work. The federal government has been increasingly investing in OpenAI’s generative AI technology, with agencies such as NASA, the IRS, and Los Alamos National Laboratory integrating ChatGPT Enterprise into their workflows, positioning OpenAI as a frontrunner in supplying solutions across both defense and civilian sectors.
For example, the National Gallery of Art secured OpenAI licenses earlier this fall, while NASA expanded its commitment to the technology by purchasing an annual license after initial testing last year. The Internal Revenue Service also invested in 150 ChatGPT Enterprise licenses for use within the Department of the Treasury through a federal contractor. Additionally, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which maintains a research partnership with OpenAI, is utilizing ChatGPT Enterprise for scientific research and innovation. The lab’s Bioscience Division is conducting an evaluation study to explore how advanced AI models like GPT-4o can be safely integrated into laboratory environments to support bioscientific advancements.
In the Defense sector, the Air Force Research Laboratory, an organization delivering research and development work for the military, has partnered with OpenAI to utilize ChatGPT Enterprise for administrative tasks, improving access to internal resources and supporting AI education efforts. This marks OpenAI’s first full ChatGPT Enterprise partnership within the Department of Defense, following smaller scale projects with some DOD components, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Many state governments are also embracing generative AI to improve efficiency and service delivery. For example, Minnesota’s Enterprise Translations Office is utilizing ChatGPT Team to deliver accurate and cost-effective translation services for multilingual communities, significantly reducing costs and turnaround times. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is leading the way in AI adoption, launching a first-in-the-nation phased pilot of ChatGPT Enterprise in state government. Employees participating in the program reported saving an average of 105 minutes per day on routine tasks, such as analyzing project requirements, underscoring the power of generative AI for boosting workforce productivity and improving public services.
Across the country, local government organizations and municipalities are also increasingly leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and accessibility in public services. In Mankato, Minn., the police department is preparing to expand its use of AI-powered surveillance tools, including high-definition cameras and license-plate tracking, software powered by artificial intelligence and a nationwide law enforcement surveillance network. In Saratoga, Calif., officials recently introduced an AI platform called Hamlet, which generates summaries of City Council agendas, supporting documents, and meeting recordings to improve transparency and engagement. Similarly, Santa Cruz is employing AI for document translation to better serve its Spanish-speaking population and to streamline access to planning commission records. These initiatives represent safe applications of AI, powering operational efficiencies while minimizing risks.
Addressing AI Risks in the Public Sector
Despite the immense potential of generative AI, many government organizations have been cautious about adoption. In fact, 50% of state and local government agencies said they were unlikely to implement generative AI. However, avoiding the technology doesn’t effectively limit its risks. Nearly half of state and local government professionals have used AI as part of their work. “People are using these tools. I guarantee it”, said Tim Moreland, administrator for the Department of Innovation Delivery and Performance in Chattanooga, Tenn. “So, blocking it doesn’t really save us anything. We need to get in front of it and be proactive,” he said.
To facilitate responsible AI use, in tandem with a phased pilot of ChatGPT Enterprise with OpenAI, Pennsylvania has partnered with InnovateUS to provide government employees with training on AI integration and risk management. As the primary barrier to AI implementation in the next 12-18 months is a lack of staff with AI-related skills and knowledge, equipping employees with the necessary knowledge to leverage AI responsibly in daily operations can pave the path to safe adoption.
In addition to training, AI tools deployed within government agencies must be verifiably secure before processing the vast amounts of sensitive data public-sector agencies manage and ensure that AI models operate within regulatory frameworks. “Just as government employees undergo rigorous background checks and need security clearances, AI systems used in the public sector must also be verifiably secure before handling private information,” said Chester Leung, co-founder of Opaque, a platform designed to securely accelerate AI into production by running AI workloads on encrypted data.
Transparency remains another key concern. Emerging tools, like ChatGPT Gov, warrant the same rigorous evaluation that government technology officials have applied to other AI solutions. Most state and local governments will maintain their expectations for transparency and security from OpenAI, just as they would for any product that could expose sensitive public data to private entities.
To meet stringent requirements of the pubic sector, ChatGPT Enterprise, the foundation of ChatGPT Gov, is currently undergoing the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) certification process aiming to receive accreditation for handling nonpublic data. OpenAI is also exploring an expansion of ChatGPT Gov to Azure’s classified regions.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its integration into government operations is no longer a question of “if” but “how.” With growing adoption at the federal, state, and local levels, AI is proving to be a powerful tool for improving public service delivery. OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT Gov represents a significant step in this transformation, offering agencies a secure, purpose-built AI solution to enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and support mission-critical initiatives,
However, responsible AI implementation remains essential. As agencies embrace AI-driven solutions, they must also prioritize transparency, security, and ethical considerations. Proactive risk management, employee training, and adherence to strict regulatory frameworks will be key to ensuring AI serves the public good. OpenAI’s commitment to FedRAMP accreditation and its ongoing collaboration with government stakeholders signal a promising future for AI in the public sector—one that balances innovation with accountability.