Google to provide Gemini AI tools to US government
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US agencies will pay a scant fee of less than $1.29 for the AI tools.
PHOTO: UNSPLASH
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SAN FRANCISCO - Google will provide its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) tools to US federal agencies practically free, the government announced on Aug 21.
A suite of AI and cloud computing services called “Gemini for Government” from Google is intended to speed up the adoption of the technology across the US government, the General Services Administration (GSA) said in a joint statement.
“Gemini for Government gives federal agencies access to our full-stack approach to AI innovation,” added Google chief executive Sundar Pichai.
“So they can deliver on their important missions.”
AI tools being provided include generation of video, images or ideas, as well as digital “agents” capable of independently tending to complex tasks.
US agencies will pay a scant fee of less than US$1 (S$1.29) for the AI tools, building on a previous agreement that saw Google Workspace software provided to the government at a major price discount, according to the GSA.
“Federal agencies can now significantly transform their operations by using the tools in Gemini for Government,” said GSA acting administrator Michael Rigas.
The deal comes just weeks after Google rival OpenAI said it was letting the US government use a version of ChatGPT designed for businesses for a year for just US$1.
“By giving government employees access to powerful, secure AI tools, we can help them solve problems for more people, faster,” OpenAI said in a blog post announcing the alliance.
Earlier in 2025, the US Department of Defence awarded OpenAI a US$200 million contract to put generative AI to work for the military.
OpenAI planned to show how cutting-edge AI can improve administrative operations, such as how service members get healthcare, and also has cyber-defence applications, the start-up said in a post. AFP
