At a gathering in OpenAI’s Washington, D.C., office, chief executive Sam Altman told federal officials that the government must keep pace with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. He said the administration should actively adopt the technology to remain capable as it evolves. Altman warned that upcoming years will demand extraordinary governmental responses, and familiarity with AI tools could improve the quality of those decisions.
More than two dozen cabinet agencies and other federal entities that already use ChatGPT tools were present, according to an OpenAI spokesperson. The attendance underscored the breadth of interest across the federal landscape, signaling that multiple departments are exploring how generative-AI applications can be integrated into their daily operations and policy workflows.
OpenAI and the General Services Administration recently unveiled a new consumption-based OneGov discount aimed at federal users of ChatGPT models. The plan offers a fifty-percent reduction on token-based usage and includes free platform access beginning on October 1, replacing a prior arrangement that charged each agency one dollar per year and expired on September 30. Some procurement analysts have voiced concerns that the revised pricing could ultimately raise agency expenses if staff expect uninterrupted access.
OpenAI’s head of civilian, state and local government, Felipe Millon, praised the partnership with GSA, saying the OneGov 2.0 deal has generated strong feedback and daily growth in adoption, and that it delivers a good deal for taxpayers. Meanwhile, Adam Starr, chief information officer of the Office of Personnel Management, affirmed that the agency will continue to lean into AI deployment, noting that the second phase of OneGov provides some of the world’s best AI pricing while supporting an AI-ready workforce.
Altman’s remarks highlighted a belief that governmental familiarity with generative AI will be essential for making informed choices as policy challenges become more complex. By urging agencies to integrate tools like ChatGPT, he suggested that the technology could enhance decision-making speed and accuracy, positioning the federal government to respond more effectively to emerging societal and security issues.