Exclusive: Microsoft Copilot AI lands in the House
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The House of Representatives will start using Microsoft Copilot in an effort to modernize the chamber and embrace AI, according to an announcement shared first with Axios.
Why it matters: The House now wants AI integrated into its daily operations, and Microsoft is just the start.
How it works: House members and staff will have access to the Copilot chatbot, which will have "heightened legal and data protections," per the announcement.
- The M365 Copilot, a chatbot that can be synced to email and OneDrive files, will be offered to a limited number of staff in each house office.
- Technical staff started testing the products in June. They will expand to early adopters and leadership staff this month and will continue through November.
- Up to 6,000 licenses will be made available for a year.
Driving the news: House Speaker Mike Johnson will announce the new tech for members during the Congressional Hackathon on Wednesday, an event he's hosting with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries focused on how digital platforms can be used in the legislative process.
- Johnson and Jeffries launched the Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence last year.
Zoom in: Many AI companies are now offering their services to the U.S. government for just $1. Johnson's office said this offer applies to Congress and that they are discussing that pricing with this agreement.
- The House's Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor wrote to congressional offices in an email obtained by Axios that the House is entertaining $1 offers from other AI companies and "actively engaging in discussions to determine whether these short-term offers are viable for the House and how we can test these platforms' enterprise levels over the next year."
What they're saying: "Fortunately, from the outset, the House has been tracking developments with AI closely and has prepared to deploy this technology," Johnson will say in a speech.
- "And here's why it matters: AI tools don't just make us faster or smarter.
They unlock extraordinary savings for the government and add to Congress' capacity to better serve the American people."
Flashback: Last year, the House banned congressional staffers' use of Microsoft Copilot.
What's next: Johnson's office said more details on how the Microsoft products will be rolled out will be announced in the coming months.
- The chamber is also "rigorously" evaluating ChatGPT Enterprise, Claude Enterprise, Gemini Enterprise, USAi and more, with plans to implement more tech over the coming year, Johnson's office added.
Axios' Andrew Solender contributed to this report.
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