The U.S. government has approved Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic as authorized vendors for providing artificial intelligence services to federal civilian agencies, as reported by Bloomberg. These companies will offer their AI tools through the Multiple Awards Schedule (MSA), a new federal contracting platform that simplifies the procurement process for government agencies. This approach enables agencies to access AI vendors with pre-negotiated contracts, enhancing efficiency and lowering costs. The General Services Administration (GSA), overseeing the MSA, evaluated the companies based on security and performance criteria. This announcement follows executive orders from former President Donald Trump aimed at advancing AI development, including adjustments to environmental regulations to support data center energy supplies and a mandate for federal agencies to utilize AI that is free from ideological bias. This initiative marks a significant step in integrating cutting-edge AI technologies into government functions while maintaining a focus on security and compliance.
Source link
