North Carolina Treasurer's Office Expands AI Deployment Across Agency
The North Carolina Treasurer's Office is deploying ChatGPT and other AI tools throughout the agency following a successful 12-week pilot program. State Treasurer Brad Briner announced the expansion Monday, citing a 10% productivity increase in divisions that tested the technology.
The office will purchase 150 ChatGPT licenses for roughly $51,700 annually. It also bought Microsoft Copilot and GitHub Copilot licenses six months ago, spending about $16,200 and $45,100 per year respectively. The NC Investment Authority is negotiating a separate purchase of Claude by Anthropic.
"We have a moral obligation to the taxpayer to use their money wisely," Briner said. "Artificial intelligence is already being used throughout the private sector with stunning results."
Pilot Results Drive Decision
The Unclaimed Property and State and Local Government Finance divisions tested ChatGPT during the pilot, which ran for 12 weeks. The evaluation found the tool saved time and increased output in specific areas of work.
Briner expects the productivity gains to extend across the entire department once AI tools are integrated agency-wide. The office used ChatGPT for free during testing before committing to paid licenses.
Labor Concerns Surface
The State Employees Association of North Carolina cautioned that AI's impact on workers remains uncertain. Executive Director Ardis Watkins said the union is not opposed to technological progress but wants transparency and employee involvement in implementation.
"The treasurer's office is huge and covers many issues important to state employees and retirees, who want to know that their health care and retirement security are not in jeopardy," Watkins said.
She called for a clear plan that protects the workforce and involves employees in decisions about how AI tools will be used. The office manages state pension investments, employee health insurance, unclaimed property funds, and monitors local government finances.
Data Security Assurances
The Treasurer's Office said personal data will remain secure as it expands AI use. The office has not provided additional details about data handling protocols or specific safeguards beyond this statement.
Your membership also unlocks:
