OpenAI, Google and Anthropic win US approval for civilian AI contracts
GSA officials said the models from the three companies — OpenAI's
ChatGPT
, Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude — were evaluated by several performance and security measures.
The agency didn't immediately disclose the terms of the contracts. But it's used its buying power to negotiate deep discounts with software providers like Adobe Inc., Salesforce Inc. and Google.
Other leading-edge AI companies would also be considered for the marketplace. The first three vendors were simply further along in the procurement process, the officials said.
'We're not in the position of picking winners or losers here. We want the maximum number of tools to provide to all federal government employees to make them as productive as possible,' said GSA Deputy Administrator Stephen Ehikian. 'There's going to be different tools for different use cases.'
The move comes just days after President Donald Trump signed three executive orders aimed at reshaping the government's role in AI, including a mandate that federal agencies only procure language models 'free from ideological bias.'
Enforcing the presidential ban on what Trump calls 'woke AI' would be an agency-by-agency process, according to the GSA.
'But at the same time, this is a race, right? And as the president said, we're going to win this race,' said Josh Gruenbaum, commissioner of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service.
Adding the three companies to the multiple award schedule — which makes commercial IT products more readily available to agencies — means federal bureaucrats can begin using large language models that had previously been restricted to smaller pilot projects or national security use. The Pentagon has already awarded
AI contracts
to OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI, which are separate from the GSA's announcements on Tuesday.
Many agencies, including the Treasury Department and Office of Personnel Management, have already expressed interest in using the new platform, according to GSA officials. Under the previous presidential administration, federal agencies identified potential uses for AI such as processing patent applications, detecting tax fraud, reviewing grant submissions and copy-editing press releases.
Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor said he envisions using AI to develop customer service chatbots and to summarize tens of thousands of public comments on rulemaking — a process that previously bogged down changes to regulations.
But he said agencies will also have to hire savvy employees. 'We're probably missing people who are super conversant with very modern, AI-related stuff,' he said.
'Clearly, we can't just throw things against the wall and see what sticks,' Kupor said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
5 minutes ago
- First Post
Trump says he 'does not know anything about' US imports of uranium, fertilizers from Russia
Trump on Tuesday said he was unaware that the United States imports uranium and fertilisers from Russia, a point India has raised while defending its oil trade with Moscow against Western criticism. read more US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was unaware and 'don't know anything about' United States imports uranium and fertilisers from Russia, a point India has highlighted while defending its trade ties with Moscow amid growing Western criticism. Responding to a question about US imports of Russian uranium and chemical fertilisers, even as Washington targets India's oil trade with Moscow, Trump said, 'I don't know anything about it. I have to check…' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US imports from Russia quietly rise #WATCH | Responding to ANI's question on US imports of Russian Uranium, chemical fertilisers while criticising their (Indian) energy imports', US President Donald Trump says, "I don't know anything about it. I have to check..." (Source: US Network Pool via Reuters) — ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025 His remarks come even as American imports from Russia continue to quietly rise. Between January and May this year, US imports jumped 23 per cent year-on-year to $2.1 billion, driven by sharp increases in palladium (up 37 per cent), uranium (28 per cent), and fertilisers (21 per cent). While this marks a partial rebound, overall US merchandise imports from Russia had fallen to $3 billion in 2024, down 90 per cent from 2021, the year before the Ukraine war began. Trump ramps up pressure on India Trump earlier ramped up pressure on India, warning of a sharp increase in tariffs within '24 hours' over its continued oil purchases from Russia. 'India hasn't been a fair trading partner. They do a lot of business with us, but we don't get the same in return,' he said in an interview with CNBC. 'We had settled on a 25 percent tariff, but I'm going to raise it significantly because they're buying Russian oil and fueling the war machine,' he added. India hits back over 'unjustified and unreasonable' tariffs India hit back strongly on Monday, calling the threat 'unjustified and unreasonable' and asserting it would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests and economic security. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed out that India has been repeatedly targeted by the US and EU over its energy imports from Russia, even as many Western nations continue trade with Moscow. 'In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified. Like any major economy, India will act to protect its interests,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hindustan Times
5 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump reacts to India citing US trade with Russia amid tariff threat: 'Don't know...'
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reacted to India citing the United States doing trade with Russia and yet criticising New Delhi for doing business with Russia. "I don't know anything about it, I'd have to check, but we'll get back to you on that," he said in reply to a reporter's question. US President Donald Trump reacted to India's remarks citing America doing trade with Russia.(REUTERS) Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports and unspecified penalties last week, ahead of his August 1 deadline for tariffs to come into effect even as talks for a deal are ongoing. Later, Trump threatened to hike that rate due to New Delhi buying military equipment and oil from Russia, calling India "Russia's largest buyer of energy, along with China". Hitting back at Trump's tariff move, India pointed out to the US imports from Russia. 'Where the US is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals,' Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Citing this, New Delhi called Trump's targeting of India 'unjustified and unreasonable', and reiterated that the government would safeguard its national interests and economic security. Even in the face of Trump's tariff threats, the Indian government has reportedly not issued any directives asking importers to reduce trade with Russia. India clarified its stance on sourcing energy in particular, saying the country was "guided by what is on offer in markets and prevailing global situation". India also stated that the relationship it shares with any country should not be viewed through the prism of a third nation. 'The sourcing of defence requirement is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments. Similarly, the sourcing of our energy are guided by what is available in the markets and by prevailing global circumstances," Jaiswal said during a press briefing last week. According to a Reuters report, in 2024-25, India purchased Russian oil worth $50.2 billion. India ramped up imports of discounted Russian commodities after the US and its western allies imposed sanctions on Russia as its war with Ukraine began in 2022.
Hindustan Times
5 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Gallows room mystery: An execution chamber to hang freedom fighters or tiffin room delivery lift? Delhi Assembly debates the martyr's memorial
In what may as well be the script of a historical documentary on an OTT platform – or more likely political satire – the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday found itself wrapped in an unusually spirited debate: was a section of its century-old building once a gallows chamber for hanging freedom fighters, or simply a rope-operated lift room meant to deliver tiffins? A room with pulleys, which was at the centre of the discussion. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO) The bizarre discussion unfolded on Tuesday as members across party lines offered clashing versions of history, invoked AI tools like ChatGPT for validation, and accused each other of rewriting the colonial past – all while a British parliamentary delegation led by House of Commons deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani watched on from the visitors' gallery. Speaker Vijender Gupta set the tone early in the day by questioning the historical accuracy of the 'fansi ghar' (gallows room) that was inaugurated with much fanfare by former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and then speaker Ram Niwas Goel three years ago. The space was unveiled on August 9, 2022, to commemorate 75 years of Indian Independence and was dedicated to 'unknown martyrs who were hanged here', according to the plaque installed there. 'There is no history of any such space. There was never an execution room here,' Speaker Gupta told the House. 'We went through national archives, consulted experts, and what has been presented as gallows is actually a lift room. A rope-operated lift used to bring up tiffin boxes for members. There are two such lift shafts in the building – one on each side.' He added, 'It is being shown to foreign delegates as a gallows room. One must wonder – is this a fansi ghar or a lunchbox delivery system?' The section in question was revamped in 2022 into a memorial space spread across two floors. It features murals of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, a symbolic hanging rope, red-brick-style heritage walls, and glass partitions. There is a plaque crediting then CM Kejriwal and speaker Goel, and a memorial board that claims: 'Innumerable unknown freedom fighters have been hanged here.' The upper floor shows a pulley mechanism, and the ground floor has a wooden platform beneath the shaft, further fuelling the symbolic interpretation. 'Lift not a noose' But the BJP, which controls the Assembly, said fiction was dressed up as patriotism. The party's chief whip Abhay Kumar Verma said, 'In the 2020-25 assembly period, the former speaker said that they found gallows. He also said that there was a tunnel which went from assembly to Red Fort… but maps from 1911 show that this was simply a tiffin room. It used a rope and pulley to deliver food. No hangings happened here. A similar structure exists symmetrically on the other side of the building.' He said that other parts of the Assembly also had clearly defined uses on record – the current speaker's office was once a library, and the deputy speaker's room was earlier marked as the Viceroy's room. 'They even had a smoking room. Every part is documented. This so-called gallows was never meant for executions. It was just a tiffin room.' PWD minister Parvesh Verma went one step further, saying: 'Without any inquiry, they named it phansi ghar. They found some ropes and old shoes – which probably belonged to construction workers. They misled the public. We will now portray the site as it truly was.' Later in the day, Verma visited the site and said the materials placed there would be removed and corrected to reflect the accurate historical context. ChatGPT weighs in In yet another twist, ChatGPT also entered the debate. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Jarnail Singh said the AI tool 'confirmed' the AAP's version. 'In front of the British delegation, the black deeds and crimes of colonial rules are being whitewashed. I asked ChatGPT if there was an execution room in the complex. It clearly says that one room used a gallows room,' Singh said. BJP's Karnail Singh responded with deadpan sarcasm, 'Even ChatGPT is developed by the West. Of course, it will say that.' Verma then said he asked ChatGPT a different question: 'who first claimed there was a fansi ghar'; and said the chatbot pointed to former Speaker Goel. Speaker Gupta interjected, clarifying that 'ChatGPT is not a reliable source — it collects data already on the internet, including false claims. That's not evidence.' The speaker also dismissed previous claims of a tunnel connecting the Assembly to the Red Fort, saying that such features were probably underground ventilation ducts, common in colonial-era architecture. Then, BJP MLA Kulwant Rana gave it a paranormal twist. 'If so many hangings happened here, there must be ghosts too! They've turned this place into a bhoot ghar (house of ghosts),' he said to laughter in the House. AAP responds cautiously AAP MLAs, on the backfoot, pushed for due process. MLA Virender Kadian said, 'There must have been some documents or justification behind this decision. If there has been a mistake, we can rectify it. But don't target individuals without evidence. The former speaker isn't even here to defend himself.' Leader of the opposition and former Delhi CM Atishi responded by stating that 'Delhi has a large number of problems but such matters were being discussed.' In a statement, Atishi said: 'What is the point of discussion in the Assembly today? Running a session of the Delhi Assembly costs lakhs of rupees every hour. This is the hard-earned money of Delhi's people—of taxpayers—money we earn through our labour and give to the government. And yet, you won't allow a discussion on jhuggis, on schools, on the shortage of medicines in hospitals, or the worsening law and order situation. Instead, the only thing BJP wants to talk about is 'hanging room'? Is that what this Assembly has been reduced to? They just want to waste the House's precious time.' Speaker Gupta clarified that his remarks were aimed at correcting public misinformation, not individuals: 'We respect the former speaker. This was a government decision. CM Kejriwal inaugurated it. But it's time to review the facts. I direct AAP MLAs to present their documents tomorrow.' The Delhi Assembly building, constructed in 1912, originally hosted the Imperial Legislative Council. The Rowlatt Act of 1919 – a law that allowed detention without trial – was passed here. Leaders like Motilal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Madan Mohan Malaviya debated in its chambers. Mahatma Gandhi visited twice to observe sessions. It remained a key legislative venue until the Parliament House was inaugurated in 1927. The disputed room lies in the heart of this historic structure — a building that has seen laws written, freedoms debated, and now, debates over tiffin boxes and nooses.
