Google will provide its Gemini artificial intelligence tools to US federal agencies at virtually no cost, the government has announced. A package of artificial intelligence and cloud computing services called "Gemini for Government" is designed to accelerate the adoption of the technology in the US government, the General Services Administration (GSA) said. (GSA).

"Gemini for Government gives federal agencies access to our comprehensive approach to AI innovation so they can perform their important functions," added Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

The artificial intelligence tools provided include video, image, and idea generation, as well as digital "agents" capable of independently handling complex tasks.

US agencies will pay a modest fee of less than one dollar for the artificial intelligence tools. The service is an extension of a previous agreement under which Google Workspace software was provided to the government at a significant discount. "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 competitor OpenAI said it would allow the US government to use a version of ChatGPT for one year for just $1, which is intended for business use. "By giving government employees access to powerful and secure AI tools, we can help them solve problems for more people faster," OpenAI said in a blog post.

Earlier this year, the US Department of Defense awarded OpenAI a $200 million contract to implement generative artificial intelligence in the military. OpenAI planned to show how cutting-edge artificial intelligence could improve administrative operations, such as how military personnel receive health care. There are also applications for cyber defense, the startup said in a post. | BGNES, AFP