The North Carolina Treasurer's office has initiated a 12-week pilot program in collaboration with OpenAI to explore the use of artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, in enhancing government services.

State Treasurer Brad Briner announced this innovative partnership during a news conference held at North Carolina Central University on March 27, 2025.

By leveraging AI, the Treasurer's office expects to increase efficiency, which will lead to more unclaimed property being returned to citizens and improved engagement with municipalities.

To ensure data security, a safeguard feature will be implemented to keep sensitive information private and prevent external sharing through AI.

OpenAI's chief economist, Ronnie Chatterji, noted that the partnership aims to demonstrate the technology's benefits for society, especially as around 1.1 million North Carolinians use ChatGPT weekly.

Briner emphasized that his administration prioritizes efficiency, effectiveness, and return on investment in government operations.

He believes that the integration of AI tools will not only expedite processes for state employees but also allow them to focus on strategic decision-making rather than routine tasks.

The pilot program aims to identify process improvements within the Treasurer's department, locate businesses with unclaimed property, and analyze local government financial data.

This initiative follows similar AI experiments in states like Minnesota and Pennsylvania, showcasing a growing trend among state governments to incorporate AI for operational improvements.

Briner assured that the use of OpenAI's tools is designed to augment human expertise rather than replace jobs, highlighting the importance of ethical AI development.

Upon completion of the pilot program, the Treasurer's office plans to share insights gained with other state agencies to further enhance service delivery.

Chan Park from OpenAI expressed confidence that AI will revolutionize problem-solving in public services and highlighted the importance of hands-on experience with AI for government understanding.