Groundbreaking AI: Pennsylvania's Shapiro Administration Partners with OpenAI for State Employee Pilot Program

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, under the leadership of Governor Josh Shapiro, has embarked on a pioneering initiative to integrate generative AI into its state government operations. In partnership with OpenAI, a prominent AI research and deployment company, Pennsylvania's Office of Administration (OA) is launching a groundbreaking pilot program that aims to demonstrate how generative AI tools can be safely and securely used by Commonwealth employees.

The announcement indicates that the state of Pennsylvania, under Governor Josh Shapiro's leadership, is taking a pioneering step in incorporating generative AI into its government operations.

ChatGPT Enterprise for OA Employees

The pilot program, known as ChatGPT Enterprise, will offer enhanced cybersecurity measures and support to OA employees. These AI tools will be employed in various tasks, including content creation, policy language refinement, job description drafting, eliminating duplication, code generation, and more. The goal? To enhance productivity and streamline operations within state government.

Governor Shapiro emphasized the importance of responsible generative AI use, acknowledging both its potential benefits and risks. By establishing a Generative AI Governing Board and collaborating with leading universities, such as Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania is committed to ensuring ethical and responsible AI deployment.

“Governor Shapiro’s Administration in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with OpenAI, is launching the first-in-the-nation pilot program for generative AI use in state government employee operations.  The pilot aims to enhance productivity and empower the Commonwealth’s workforce by understanding and incorporating generative AI tools. Launch Consulting applauds Pennsylvania for setting the foundation for responsible generative AI usage, emphasizing an employee-centered approach that prioritizes safety, security, and privacy.”  – Davood Ghods, MD, Government – Strategy and Solutions

The pilot program, set to commence in January 2024, will initially involve OA employees, with the potential for expansion to other state agencies in the future. The program's enhanced security features ensure that no data input by the Commonwealth will be used to train ChatGPT or other OpenAI products. Additionally, sensitive information, including personally identifiable information, will not be used in day-to-day operations.

Here are a few ways we envision Governor Shapiro’s announcement leading the way for future government work with AI:

Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency

• Automating routine tasks with AI can free up government employees to focus on more complex issues, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
• AI-driven analytics can aid in better decision-making by processing large datasets, potentially improving policy outcomes and service delivery.
• Streamlining internal and external communications through AI can make information dissemination and public engagement more effective and efficient.

Focus on Security and Privacy

• Prioritizing cybersecurity in AI applications is crucial for protecting sensitive government data, ensuring trust and integrity in government operations.
• Emphasizing privacy and data security in AI tools aligns with regulatory compliance and public expectations, crucial for maintaining public confidence in government use of technology.

Responsible and Ethical AI Adoption

• Establishing a governing board for AI reflects a commitment to ethical AI use, focusing on fairness, transparency, and accountability.
• Collaboration with academic institutions can aid in developing ethical guidelines and best practices for AI, ensuring responsible technology deployment.

Collaboration Opportunities

• The collaborative nature of the pilot program encourages multi-sector partnerships, fostering innovation and shared expertise in AI application.
• Such collaborations can lead to comprehensive solutions that leverage strengths across government, industry, and academia.

Guidance and Training in AI

• Emphasizing training for government employees in AI indicates a commitment to developing a skilled workforce capable of leveraging AI technologies.
• Effective change management strategies will be necessary to integrate AI into government operations smoothly, ensuring employee adaptability and acceptance.

Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

• The pilot program may influence the development of new policies and regulations around AI, setting standards for its ethical and responsible use.
• These evolving policies will shape how AI is integrated and managed within government operations, ensuring that its deployment is aligned with legal, ethical, and societal norms. ‍

Benchmark for Other States and Entities

• A successful pilot program in Pennsylvania could serve as a model for AI adoption in other states and government entities, potentially leading to broader implementation across the country.
• The experiences and outcomes of this program could provide valuable insights, best practices, and lessons learned, informing similar initiatives and encouraging responsible AI integration in various government contexts.

The Responsible Use of Generative AI for Government Operations

Governor Shapiro's vision for Pennsylvania is to become a national leader in the responsible use of generative AI within government operations. This initiative reflects Pennsylvania's commitment to innovation and its determination to harness AI's potential while safeguarding privacy and security.

The pilot program aims to provide valuable insights into how AI tools can enhance state services and improve the daily work of employees. Lessons learned will guide the identification of additional state government jobs that could benefit from generative AI. Furthermore, this initiative will help shape employee training and resource needs in the context of AI adoption.

The pilot program's success is expected to guide the wider government modernization by integration of generative AI technology into state government operations to enhance productivity and empower the Commonwealth’s workforce. The ultimate goal is to be a proactive leader in the adoption of generative AI to improve government operations and services to Pennsylvanians.

As the integration of AI programs in the public sector expands, Launch Consulting looks forward to contributing its expertise in AI to assist governments in navigating these new technological advancements while upholding ethical standards and ensuring the responsible use of AI.

For more details on this initiative, you can read the full article here.