OpenAI expands government footprint with AWS deal, report says
12 hour ago / Read about 9 minute
Source:TechCrunch

Image Credits:Getty Images

OpenAI signed a deal to work with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to sell its AI products to the U.S. government for classified and unclassified work.

AWS has confirmed the deal to TechCrunch. The Information was the first to report.

The partnership comes after OpenAI signed a deal with the Pentagon to allow the military to use its AI models in its classified network — a win that came in the midst of conflict between Anthropic and the Defense Department. Anthropic has since been named a supply chain risk by the DOD after it refused to back down on allowing its tech to be used for mass surveillance of Americans and to power fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic has sued the Pentagon in response.

OpenAI’s AWS deal sees the AI giant stepping onto Anthropic’s home turf. Amazon has invested at least $4 billion in Anthropic, and as such, Anthropic uses AWS as its main cloud provider. Claude models are integrated into Amazon Bedrock, AWS’s AI platform for enterprise and government customers, and Claude is one of the most deeply integrated frontier models in AWS GovCloud for public sector use.

The tie-up not only helps OpenAI support the Pentagon through its new contract, but it also expands the AI firm’s federal footprint by positioning it to serve multiple government agencies through AWS’s existing cloud infrastructure. AWS, a major cloud provider to U.S. agencies, has agreed to distribute OpenAI products across its public-sector customer base, an AWS spokesperson told TechCrunch. That includes Amazon Bedrock in government cloud environments like AWS GovCloud and AWS Classified Regions for Secret and Top Secret workloads, per an OpenAI spokesperson.

The OpenAI spokesperson told TechCrunch that while its models will be available through AWS, it will retain control over its technology by deciding which models are made available. AWS must also provide notice before enabling especially sensitive government agencies, including intelligence customers. OpenAI will coordinate directly with customers on deployment terms, security requirements, and operating conditions; and it can require additional safeguards for particular deployments.

The deal could unlock more enterprise contracts, since companies often see government contracts as a stamp of trust and reliability.

Techcrunch event

Disrupt 2026: The tech ecosystem, all in one room

Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $400.

Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit

1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediately

Offer ends March 13.

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026
REGISTER NOW

This article has been updated to include comment and more information from OpenAI and AWS.