OpenAI Ends Free/Discounted Pilot, Charges US Agencies 50% of Retail
Federal agencies that built workflows around free or near-free AI access now face real costs and usage constraints. The shift introduces budgeting and approval processes where none were previously required.
OpenAI has ended a promotional period that gave U.S. federal government agencies free or deeply discounted access to its models. Agencies previously received either unlimited free AI services or access for $1 per year under a pilot program. They will now pay usage-based pricing at 50% of standard retail rates. Government agencies will need to ration usage and obtain approval for token budgets, with significant administrative overhead expected as a result.
OpenAI ended a pilot program that had given U.S. federal agencies either unlimited free access or access for $1 per year, moving them to usage-based pricing at 50% of standard retail rates, according to accounts published September 17.
Under the new structure, agencies must ration usage and obtain approval for token budgets, with significant administrative overhead expected. The 50% discount was characterized as "still a great deal".
OpenAI terminates $1/year federal pilot; agencies move to usage-based pricing at 50% discount
I send one email each morning with the stories that moved. If you would rather just read here, that works too.
Subscribe free