ChatGPT Offered to Government at Just $1

OpenAI on Wednesday announced it will offer its ChatGPT Enterprise product to U.S. federal agencies for $1 through the next year, making its technology available to the federal executive branch workforce at “essentially no cost.”

The company has been working to deepen its ties to lawmakers and regulators in recent months, and it will open its first office in Washington, D.C., early next year.

OpenAI said participating agencies will get access to its frontier models through ChatGPT Enterprise, and it will also offer access to features like Advanced Voice Mode for an additional 60-day period.

The company has partnered with the U.S. General Services Administration to launch the initiative.

“Helping government work better – making services faster, easier, and more reliable—is a key way to bring the benefits of AI to everyone,” OpenAI said in a blog post.  

In June, OpenAI launched a new offering called OpenAI for Government and said it was awarded a contract of up to $200 million by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The company is currently engaging in talks with investors about a potential stock sale at a valuation of roughly $500 billion, as CNBC previously reported.

OpenAI announced a $40 billion funding round in March at a $300 billion valuation, by far the largest amount ever raised by a private tech company.

ChatGPT Offered to Government at Just $1: A Bold Move to Drive AI Adoption in Public Sector

In a groundbreaking move that could redefine the role of artificial intelligence in governance, OpenAI has extended an unprecedented offer to governments worldwide — access to its flagship AI tool, ChatGPT, for just $1. The gesture, aimed at accelerating digital transformation in the public sector, signals a significant shift in how governments might soon interact with citizens, streamline operations, and implement policy.

A Strategic Push for Widespread Adoption

The $1 offer isn’t just symbolic; it represents OpenAI’s growing interest in embedding AI into critical public systems. Governments — often bound by tight budgets, legacy systems, and bureaucratic red tape — have historically lagged behind the private sector in adopting cutting-edge technologies. This initiative aims to remove financial barriers and demonstrate the tangible value AI can bring to public administration.

Sources close to OpenAI suggest the offer is designed to support governments in trialing the technology without the usual cost constraints. The plan is expected to involve controlled access to ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities, including document analysis, citizen engagement, language translation, and real-time support across public service platforms.

Potential Benefits for Governance

By integrating ChatGPT into government operations, agencies could automate repetitive tasks, improve citizen interaction through AI-powered chat interfaces, and enhance policy research with faster data analysis. Applications range from helping citizens navigate tax filings or legal inquiries to translating regional languages in multilingual countries like India.

Experts say this could also reduce administrative bottlenecks, speed up grievance redressal systems, and make e-governance more accessible — especially in remote or underserved areas.

Transparency and Ethical Considerations

While the initiative has been welcomed by many, it also raises questions about data privacy, transparency, and AI bias. OpenAI has maintained that the $1 offer includes strict compliance with regulatory standards and responsible usage guidelines. Governments will likely need to conduct thorough assessments and enforce strict oversight mechanisms before deploying the system at scale.

Civil society groups have also called for clear policies to ensure the technology is not used for surveillance or discriminatory purposes.

A Glimpse into the Future of Digital Governance

This symbolic $1 offer could be a turning point in public technology infrastructure, encouraging governments to embrace AI responsibly and inclusively. As pilot programs roll out and early results emerge, the world will be watching closely to see whether this bold move translates into lasting, meaningful change.

For now, the initiative stands as a bold invitation: a dollar for the future of governance. Whether governments seize the opportunity — and how effectively they do — remains to be seen.