In a groundbreaking move to bring advanced technology into the public sector, Google is stepping up by offering its cutting-edge Gemini AI tools to US federal agencies — at a symbolic cost of less than US$1.
Announced yesterday by the US General Services Administration (GSA), this initiative—called “Gemini for Government”—marks a major shift in how the federal government can harness artificial intelligence to improve services and operations.
According to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, the offering is more than just a bundle of tools.
“Gemini for Government gives federal agencies access to our full stack approach to AI innovation,” he said.
“So they can deliver on their important missions.”
The AI suite includes tools for generating video, images, written content, and even digital agents—virtual assistants that can manage complex tasks independently. It’s not just about automation—it’s about empowering government workers to make a bigger impact, faster.
This nearly free offering builds on an earlier arrangement where Google provided its Workspace software to federal agencies at a significant discount. Now, with Gemini, the government will gain access to even more powerful capabilities at a nominal cost.
Michael Rigas, acting administrator at the GSA, emphasized the transformational potential:
“Federal agencies can now significantly transform their operations by using the tools in Gemini for Government.”
This move also comes shortly after OpenAI revealed it would be giving the government access to a business-tier version of ChatGPT for just US$1 over the span of a year. That collaboration aimed to show how AI could improve systems like healthcare access for military personnel and strengthen cybersecurity.
Earlier this year, OpenAI secured a US$200 million contract from the Department of Defense to explore AI’s military applications.
The message is clear: powerful AI isn’t just for tech companies and startups anymore. It’s being put directly into the hands of public servants—those who solve real problems for real people, every day. And tech giants like Google and OpenAI are leading the charge to make this shift accessible, secure, and transformative.
