North Carolina Treasurer Expands AI Use After Successful Pilot

Pilot program with OpenAI showed up to 10% increased productivity in certain divisions

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D macro illustration of a futuristic data center or server room, with illuminated cables, circuit boards, and other digital infrastructure elements in a palette of neon cyan, magenta, and deep indigo, conceptually representing the integration of AI technology into government operations.The integration of AI into North Carolina's state government operations represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to improve efficiency and productivity for taxpayers.Durham Today

North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner announced that his department has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into its daily workflow following a successful 12-week pilot program with OpenAI last year. The department spearheaded the first AI program in state government, using it in the Unclaimed Property and State and Local Government divisions. The pilot program showed up to 10% increased productivity, and the department is now implementing AI tools across the entire department.

Why it matters

The integration of AI into state government operations represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to improve efficiency and productivity. As more public sector agencies explore AI, it could lead to better services and a more effective use of taxpayer dollars.

The details

During the 12-week pilot program, employees using ChatGPT expressed relief, enthusiasm, and delight, with 71% having a very positive sentiment. Employees began saving 15 to 30 minutes in the beginning, with the time going up to about 30 to 60 minutes a day by the end of the trial. The department continued testing use cases and multiple AI engines, and with the testing phase complete, training and implementation of AI are now underway throughout the department.

  • The pilot program with OpenAI took place in 2025.
  • The announcement of the partnership was made in March 2025 at the North Carolina Central University Student Center in Durham.
  • Briner announced the results of the pilot program in August 2025.

The players

Brad Briner

The North Carolina State Treasurer who announced the integration of AI into the department's daily workflow.

Dr. Siobahn Day Grady

The founding director of the North Carolina Central University's Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER), which conducted the evaluation of the pilot program.

OpenAI

The artificial intelligence company that the North Carolina Treasurer's department partnered with for the 12-week pilot program.

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What they’re saying

“What we've learned first, and perhaps most unsurprisingly, is that this technology saves a material amount of time. We estimate, thanks to our friends at North Carolina Central University, which conducted the evaluation, that it improved the productivity of our employees by about 10% in the early phases of the trial.”

— Brad Briner, North Carolina State Treasurer

“The 48-page report shows that the employees using ChatGPT expressed relief, enthusiasm, and delight. Overall, 71% had a very positive sentiment when using ChatGPT, while 7% had a neutral sentiment.”

— Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, Founding Director, Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER), North Carolina Central University

“We have a moral obligation to the taxpayer to use their money wisely. That means improving the efficiency of everything we do as state government, and artificial intelligence is already being used throughout the private sector with stunning results.”

— Brad Briner, North Carolina State Treasurer

What’s next

The department's information technology team will track AI use and effectiveness throughout the transition to ensure the safe and secure protection of all personal and private data.

The takeaway

The North Carolina Treasurer's department's successful pilot program with OpenAI demonstrates the potential for AI to improve productivity and efficiency in state government operations. As more public sector agencies explore AI, it could lead to better services and a more effective use of taxpayer dollars.