Google Aims to Lead AI Adoption in the Public Sector

Highlights:

• Google Distributed Cloud allows customers to deploy the Google Cloud software stack on their own data center servers and operate it locally.
• Gemini in GDC will launch on Google Public Sector in early 2025, giving on-premises public sector agencies access to advanced AI capabilities for the first time.

Google LLC is set to introduce its most advanced artificial intelligence models to public-sector institutions with the release of Gemini on Google Distributed Cloud for handling Secret and Top Secret workloads, scheduled for early next year. In short, Google aims to lead AI adoption in the public sector.

The announcement was made recently at Google’s Public Sector Summit, an event highlighting the latest advancements in Google Public Sector, a specialized version of Google Cloud designed for government agencies.

Google Distributed Cloud allows customers to deploy the Google Cloud software stack on their own data center servers, enabling them to run applications locally. This approach lets customers use the same Google Cloud APIs, control planes, hardware, and tools for their on-premises applications as they do for their cloud-hosted apps. The service has gained particular popularity among government agencies with strict privacy and compliance regulations, preventing them from moving their data to the cloud.

Gemini in GDC is scheduled to launch on Google Public Sector in early 2025, providing public sector agencies utilizing Google Cloud services on-premises with access to advanced AI capabilities for the first time. This will allow them to develop next-generation AI tools, such as coding assistants to aid developers in writing code, and copilots to help government employees quickly extract insights from data, improving decision-making.

Although the Gemini models have been available on the standard Google Cloud platform for several months, they have not yet been introduced to Google Public Sector due to the elevated security demands of government agencies. Gemini in GDC addresses this by offering air-gapped versions of Google’s powerful large language models, ensuring they meet the strict security, compliance, and privacy standards required to safeguard sensitive government data.

A guide to Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers (CAIOs)

In addition to launching its Gemini models for public sector customers, Google announced that it is collaborating with federal agencies to help them comply with a recent White House executive order, which mandates the appointment of a CAIO by the year end.

To support this effort, Google enlisted the analyst firm International Data Corp. to develop The Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Playbook, which it describes as a “practical guide for advancing AI innovation in government.”

Google states that the playbook offers U.S. federal agencies guidance on defining the duties and responsibilities of the CAIO. It addresses both the challenges and opportunities associated with the role, provides comparisons to similar positions, and offers advice on clearly defining the role, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring project success.

Financing AI skill development

Public sector agencies are not only seeking leadership in AI but also require the skills to leverage the technology effectively. Once again, Google aims to assist in this effort. During the event, it announced a USD 15 million funding initiative for the Partnership for Public Service and InnovateUS to help enhance the U.S. government workforce’s capabilities in responsible AI practices.

Google states that the grants will support the creation of a Center for Federal AI, serving as a hub for developing AI leadership and expertise within federal government agencies. Additionally, the funds will be used to offer free, self-paced AI training courses, programs, and workshops tailored to public sector organizations.

Advancing biomedical research

Lastly, Google is partnering with 11 independent software developers to launch the Google Cloud NIH STRIDES Marketplace, designed as a comprehensive platform for biomedical researchers.

The marketplace was introduced as part of the National Institute of Health’s STRIDES initiative (Science and Technology Research Infrastructure for Discovery, Experimentation, and Sustainability). The initiative aims to assist scientists at public sector organizations in accessing, purchasing, and implementing various cloud-based services from Google and its partners to enhance biomedical research efforts.

The initial partners include Redis Inc., Box for Life Sciences, Augmedix Inc., Sorcero Inc., MongoDB Inc., Weka.io Inc., Form Bio Inc., Red Hat Inc., Rhino Health, and Aiforia Technologies Inc.