Federal administration's announcement of partnership with 'Gemini for Government' aims to bolster Trump's initiatives in artificial intelligence utilization within the public sector.
The United States government has taken a significant step forward in its adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and other federal agencies set to benefit from Google's flagship generative AI platform, Gemini.
The federal adoption of Gemini comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in contexts where intellectual property (IP) rights are central. The USPTO's involvement underscores the complexities that federal agencies face when relying on AI tools.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has announced a landmark agreement with Google for the "Gemini for Government" platform. This agreement provides federal agencies with access to a range of AI tools, including enterprise search functionality, video and image generation tools, and the NotebookLM AI platform.
The deal also offers federal agencies access to Google's AI-optimized and accredited commercial cloud services, Gemini models, and agentic capabilities. This agreement is designed to centralise the procurement of commercial AI tools and cost-effective solutions in federal agencies.
The "Gemini for Government" platform is equipped with built-in data handling, privacy, security, and compliance features, making it suitable for handling sensitive government information. The agreement emphasises streamlined access to AI tools across multiple agencies, aiming to reduce administrative effort and standardise procurement processes.
The plan established three primary objectives: accelerating AI innovation, building American AI infrastructure, and leading international AI diplomacy. Karen Dahut, CEO of Google Public Sector, stated that the agreement includes "transparent pricing and a predictable path to realizing value, helping agencies future-proof their AI investments."
However, the agreement is not without controversy. Google's Imagen AI model training has been the subject of copyright claims, alleging that Google copied billions of images without permission. A trademark lawsuit was filed against Google's rebranding from Bard to Gemini in September 2024, alleging infringement on pre-existing marks. Google's motion to dismiss the claims in both the trademark and copyright cases is currently pending.
The USPTO has also utilised classification and prior art searches with DesignVision, an AI-powered design patent image search tool launched by the USPTO in July. DesignVision enables design patent examiners to query industrial design databases from more than 80 global intellectual property registers.
The search results do not contain information about which authorities are involved in the "Gemini for Government" agreement with Google or the timeframe of this agreement. The agreement establishes pricing of $0.47 per year, per agency, for Google's AI tools.
This move aligns with the Trump Administration's AI Action Plan, which utilises federal agencies to accelerate the adoption of U.S. based AI tools and provides ample flexibility to customise models to their own needs. The deal builds on GSA's prior OneGov arrangement with Google, which provided Google Workspace at a 71% price reduction.
The plan reflects broader industry-wide challenges for generative AI, with approximately a dozen lawsuits filed against AI companies in California and New York. The copyright cases are part of these industry-wide challenges.
In conclusion, the US government's adoption of Gemini highlights a significant step towards integrating AI tools into federal agencies. While the move is not without controversy, it underscores the government's commitment to leveraging AI for innovation and efficiency.
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