OpenAI teams up with Pentagon for AI tools

The U.S. Department of Defense has signed a $200 million deal with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, to create smarter AI tools. This is the first time OpenAI and the Pentagon have worked together, and the project will focus on building AI solutions for national security needs. The work will mostly happen around Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia and is expected to wrap up by July 2026.

OpenAI’s new program, called OpenAI for Government, will give federal, state, and local agencies access to tools like ChatGPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Gov.. These are special versions of ChatGPT designed for government use. The company will also provide limited access to custom AI models built specifically for defense tasks.

Earlier this year, OpenAI launched a government-friendly version of ChatGPT, showing its growing focus on public sector projects. This deal marks a big step for OpenAI as it expands into the defense world, where tech companies like Microsoft and Google already have contracts.

OpenAI has promised to follow strict rules to ensure its AI tools are used responsibly. The partnership shows how fast AI is becoming a key part of government work, from managing tasks to tackling complex security challenges.