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The U.S. Senate Adopts ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot

🛠️ AI Tools·Tom Levy·

The U.S. Senate Adopts ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot

The U.S. Senate Adopts ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot
Key Takeaways
1The U.S. Senate authorizes the use of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot for official tasks, according to an internal memo.
2Copilot, integrated into Microsoft 365, is already being used to draft, edit, and analyze documents in the Senate.
3Claude, the chatbot from Anthropic, remains under evaluation, partly due to ongoing litigation with the Trump administration.
💡Why it mattersThe adoption of these AI tools by the Senate could transform how lawmakers manage and analyze information, potentially influencing political decision-making.
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Full Analysis

Use of AI Tools by the Senate

Senate staff are now authorized to use three main AI chatbots for official work. This includes ChatGPT from OpenAI, Gemini from Google, and Copilot from Microsoft. Legislators and their teams have already begun experimenting with the use of AI over the past year.

A memo sent to Senate offices on Monday, obtained by Business Insider, indicates that the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Sergeant at Arms' office has approved the use of these three AI chatbots with Senate data. The existence of this memo was first reported by the New York Times.

The memo specifically highlights Copilot, noting that it is integrated into the Microsoft 365 tools that Senate staff already use. It specifies that this tool can be used for:

  • Drafting and editing documents
  • Summarizing information
  • Preparing talking points and briefing materials
  • Conducting research and analysis

It is unclear why the Senate has not authorized Claude, the AI chatbot developed by Anthropic. A message on an internal IT site of the Senate, reviewed by Business Insider, indicates that Claude is among several AI tools still under evaluation. Anthropic is currently embroiled in litigation with the Trump administration regarding restrictions on the use of its Claude technology for mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to cease using Anthropic's technology, although this order does not apply to the legislative branch.

The House of Representatives has already approved the use of ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Claude for official use, according to the POPVOX Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on modernizing Congress.

There are indications that Senate staff have already used AI tools in their work, albeit unofficially. Several senators told Business Insider in late 2025 that they were supportive of their staff using AI for tasks such as research and drafting talking points, although some offices are still developing their own internal guidelines.

"We certainly do not discourage it," said Democratic Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut at the time.

Memo Details

CIO Notice

Approved AI Platforms for Use in the Senate

The office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Sergeant at Arms (SAA) has approved the use of three Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms with Senate data. Microsoft Copilot Chat is now available to all Senate employees at no cost. Google Workspace with Gemini Chat and OpenAI ChatGPT Enterprise have also been approved for use with the allocation of a Senate license.

The SAA will provide each Senate employee with a generative AI license at no cost for either Google Workspace with Gemini Chat or OpenAI ChatGPT Enterprise. More information regarding the license for these two platforms will be provided by the CIO within thirty days.

About Copilot Chat

Copilot Chat is an AI assistant integrated into the Senate's Microsoft 365 environment. It can assist with the Senate's routine tasks, including:

  • Drafting and editing documents
  • Summarizing information
  • Preparing talking points and briefing materials
  • Research and analysis

You can access the Copilot Chat web application here or download the app on your mobile device. You can also see Copilot offered as a sidebar tool in Microsoft applications like Word and Excel.

Important Note: Copilot Chat does not have access to Senate data unless that information is explicitly shared in a prompt. Copilot does not autonomously search internal drives, shared folders, emails, Teams discussions, or other Senate resources. Copilot Chat operates in Microsoft’s secure government cloud and complies with federal and Senate cybersecurity requirements. Data shared with Copilot Chat remains within the secure environment of Microsoft 365 Government and is protected by the same controls that safeguard other Senate data.

To learn more about Copilot Chat, follow the training on Copilot Chat.

The use of artificial intelligence tools is governed by the Senate AI Policy and applicable office-level policies. For more information on AI initiatives in the Senate, visit the AI webpage.

If you have questions or need assistance regarding the platforms or AI policies, call 202-224-8377 or email the Technology Experience Partners.

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