OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Gov for the US Government: How It Functions

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Gov, a specially designed version of its popular AI model, ChatGPT, tailored specifically for use by US government agencies. The new tool aims to provide an additional way for federal and state agencies to access OpenAI’s frontier models.

This move comes as part of OpenAI’s broader mission to ensure that AI technology is aligned with democratic values and serves the national interest. OpenAI envisions ChatGPT Gov empowering policymakers, helping them responsibly integrate AI capabilities to improve public services for the American people.

AI for National Interest and Public Good

According to OpenAI, by making ChatGPT available to US government agencies, it aims to ensure that AI is used in ways that serve the national interest while also supporting democratic principles. ChatGPT Gov will help streamline the integration of AI into government work, making it easier for public sector organizations to deliver services that benefit the American people.

This launch comes with the goal of addressing some of the complex challenges faced by the government, including public health, infrastructure, and national security, as mentioned by OpenAI’s CPO, Kevin Weil.

Deployment and Features of ChatGPT Gov

OpenAI has enabled government agencies to deploy ChatGPT Gov within their own Microsoft Azure commercial cloud. This setup ensures that agencies can meet their own security, privacy, and compliance requirements. The platform includes access to many of the same features found in ChatGPT Enterprise, such as custom GPTs, but with added layers of security and control.

This arrangement allows agencies to safeguard sensitive data and adhere to strict cybersecurity standards, including IL5, CJIS, ITAR, and FedRAMP High. These measures also help speed up internal approval processes for handling non-public data.

Improved Security and Customization

In comparison to regular ChatGPT, ChatGPT Gov offers enhanced security features. Users can save and share conversations within secure workspaces, upload files, and interact with the model while ensuring the integrity of sensitive government data. ChatGPT Gov operates on the GPT-4o flagship model, allowing government employees to create and share custom GPTs for specialized tasks and projects, further increasing the tool’s adaptability to specific government needs.

Widespread Adoption Across Government Levels

The introduction of ChatGPT Gov follows the extensive adoption of OpenAI’s AI technology across various levels of government. More than 90,000 government employees have already used ChatGPT, generating over 18 million prompts for a range of tasks, including document translation, drafting policy memos, developing code, and creating applications. OpenAI sees this as a strong indicator of the demand and usefulness of AI in the public sector, signaling the growing role of AI tools in government operations.

Pursuing FedRAMP Accreditation for ChatGPT Enterprise

OpenAI is also working toward obtaining FedRAMP accreditation for ChatGPT Enterprise, which serves as the foundation for ChatGPT Gov. This accreditation will ensure that ChatGPT Gov meets the necessary security standards for handling government data, further solidifying its position as a trusted tool for government agencies.

OpenAI’s Commitment to Advancing AI for the Public Sector

The launch of ChatGPT Gov follows OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s announcement that the company plans to accelerate certain releases. Altman’s comments came shortly after the rise of the low-cost Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which disrupted AI-related stocks by surpassing ChatGPT in downloads on the Apple App Store. Despite this, OpenAI continues to push forward with its plans to integrate AI into government systems, showcasing its ongoing commitment to advancing AI for public sector applications.