NEWS
Microsoft and GSA deal to accelerate AI adoption across US government
The US General Services Administration( GSA) has signed an agreement with Microsoft to provide federal agencies with expanded access to cloud and Artificial Intelligence tools. the arrangement supports its OneGov strategy and is expected to deliver US $ 3 billion in cost savings in the first year through a unified pricing model.
The deal will make Microsoft 365 Copilot available at no cost for up to 12 months to millions of existing Microsoft G5 users. GSA said
According to the agencies, the agreement is designed to support goals outlined in the America’ s AI Action Plan. Federal departments will gain access to AI-enabled productivity tools, cloud services and security features already integrated into widely used Microsoft products.
The offering includes Microsoft 365 with Copilot for workflow automation and data analysis, AI agents that can be deployed for citizen services such as enquiries and case management and Azure cloud discounts with waived data egress fees to support modernisation and collaboration.
Additional services include Dynamics 365 applications for operational efficiency and security platforms such as Entra ID and Sentinel to strengthen identity management and threat detection.
GSA said the agreement aims to improve federal operations and service delivery while advancing cybersecurity and cost-efficiency. Microsoft said the partnership will provide agencies with technology to adopt AI at scale while maintaining compliance and security standards.
Why smart health trackers are at the heart of government’ s 10-year health plan
The UK government has placed wearable technology at the centre of its recently published 10-Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future – signalling a major shift in how healthcare will be delivered across England. Embedding wearables into everyday care, from hospital-level monitoring at home to proactive disease prevention, will be transformative for delivering care more efficiently, reducing pressure on hospitals and empowering patients to take control of their health. cutting costs associated with preventable hospital admissions.
“ Wearable technology is no longer just a consumer gadget, it is a vital piece of NHS infrastructure,” said Orlando Agrippa, Founder and CEO of Sanius Health.“ This plan shows how, over the next decade, we can put the UK at the forefront of digital healthcare, empowering patients while supporting clinicians with the data they need to act earlier and more effectively.”
The plan outlines how wearables will be a cornerstone of future healthcare delivery. The plan references wearables 24 times, underscoring their critical role in reshaping the NHS. From enabling hospital-level care at home to providing real-time data for proactive interventions, wearable devices will be an integral part of the UK’ s healthcare infrastructure – enabling more conditions to be managed in the community, reducing the reliance on in-person consultations, freeing up clinician time, increasing productivity and
10 INTELLIGENT GOV. TECH www. intelligentgov. tech.