ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

ChatGPT Dominates Congressional AI Spending

ai-technology · 2026-08-03

A CNBC report reveals that OpenAI's ChatGPT has emerged as the favored AI resource for Congress, representing nearly 90% of the total AI expenditure by House offices, committees, and institutional accounts for the year ending March 31. Spending records indicate that approximately $100,580 was allocated to ChatGPT through 798 transactions, from a total AI budget of at least $113,740. In second place, Anthropic's Claude garnered $13,160 over 37 transactions. Democratic offices invested $54,165 in AI, significantly outpacing the $15,782 spent by Republican offices. Notably, this data does not account for free AI accounts or AI included in larger software agreements. Congressional staff utilize ChatGPT for various functions, such as drafting memos and analyzing legislation.

Key facts

  • OpenAI received roughly 90% of all AI spending by House offices, committees, and institutional accounts in the year ending March 31.
  • Congress spent around $100,580 across 798 transactions on ChatGPT.
  • Total AI spending by Congress was at least $113,740.
  • Anthropic's Claude trailed in second place at $13,160 across 37 transactions.
  • Democratic offices spent $54,165 on AI purchases, three times the $15,782 spent by Republican offices.
  • The insights exclude AI adoption from free accounts or AI bundled into broader software contracts.
  • Congressional staffers use ChatGPT for writing memos, summarizing legislation, responding to constituents, preparing hearing materials, policy research, and drafting social media posts.

Entities

Institutions

  • OpenAI
  • Anthropic
  • CNBC
  • House of Representatives
  • U.S. House of Representatives

Locations

  • United States

Sources