North Carolina Treasury Employees: Bridging the Gap Between Citizens and Their Money
In the heart of North Carolina, dedicated treasury employees are hard at work reuniting citizens with the money they’re rightfully owed. From unclaimed property to assisting local governments in balancing their books, the mission is critical and often intricate. But now, with the incorporation of AI technology like ChatGPT, these professionals are revamping their workflow, accomplishing tasks more efficiently.
A Game-Changer: The ChatGPT Pilot
According to a recent report from North Carolina’s ChatGPT pilot program with OpenAI, AI integration has profoundly impacted employees’ productivity. Participants in this groundbreaking initiative reported time savings of 30 to 60 minutes per day, with a striking 85% of users expressing a positive experience. This pilot was conducted over three months within the Department of State Treasurer, targeting key offices such as Unclaimed Property and State and Local Government Finance, from March to June of 2025.
Unpacking the Findings
An independent study led by the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research at North Carolina Central University shed light on the clear benefits of employing AI in government work. Initially, participants gained an average of 15 to 30 minutes of free time daily. However, as employees became more adept at using the tool, this number climbed significantly to between 30 and over 60 minutes. This growth in efficiency reflects not just the potential of AI, but also the learning curve that comes with its use.
Treasurer Brad Briner emphasized the importance of this technology, stating, “Adopting this innovative technology has helped us deliver improved results to our constituents and to taxpayers.” The initiative, according to Briner, combines the rapid processing of AI with the invaluable human insights of state employees, making it a key component to achieving greater productivity.
How ChatGPT Enhanced Employee Workflows
ChatGPT has been embraced as a versatile assistant by North Carolina’s treasury employees in various capacities:
- Drafting Communications: Employees used ChatGPT to draft professional reports, memos, and general communications.
- Simplifying Technical Language: The AI was also instrumental in translating complex technical documents into language that is easier for the public to understand.
- Content Generation: It facilitated brainstorming sessions for policy documents, training materials, and public outreach initiatives.
- Research Support: Employees leveraged the tool to ask clarifying questions when navigating unfamiliar topics.
Moreover, participants received training on prompt engineering, ensuring they could maximize their productivity with the AI tool.
Navigating Challenges with AI
Despite the impressive benefits, the pilot project highlighted several challenges and limitations of AI.
One critical lesson was that while ChatGPT can perform various tasks, it cannot supplant human judgment. The task of combining the AI’s output with personal expertise remained paramount for achieving the best results. Users reported occasional inaccuracies, with ChatGPT sometimes generating incorrect statements or citations. Tasks that demanded high precision—like coding or complex mathematics—often led to dissatisfaction among users.
Privacy concerns also emerged as significant roadblocks. Employees were cautious about the information they could safely input into the AI, reflective of broader anxieties regarding data security.
A Broader Trend: Other States Testing AI
North Carolina is not alone in exploring the potential of AI in government. Pennsylvania recently completed a similar pilot with OpenAI, involving the state’s Office of Administration. Participants in that study reported time savings of an impressive 95 minutes per day, underscoring a nationwide trend toward the adoption of AI tools in public service.
As these states embrace artificial intelligence, they’re not only enhancing productivity but also unlocking new avenues for improving public service. The successful implementation of ChatGPT in North Carolina continues to pave the way for innovative solutions in government, ensuring that fiscal responsibilities are met and constituents are served with efficiency and care.
