TLDR: North Carolina’s State Treasurer Brad Briner announced the successful conclusion of a 12-week pilot program with OpenAI, showcasing how generative AI tools like ChatGPT can significantly improve public sector efficiency. The initiative led to enhanced workflow, better customer service, and the identification of millions in potential unclaimed property, all while adhering to strict ethical guidelines regarding personal data.
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer (DST) has successfully concluded a groundbreaking 12-week pilot program in collaboration with OpenAI, demonstrating the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in government services. State Treasurer Brad Briner announced the initial findings, highlighting significant improvements in operational efficiency and the identification of millions of dollars in potential unclaimed property.
The partnership, initiated on March 27, 2025, aimed to explore how AI, specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT, could be safely and responsibly integrated with publicly available data to enhance public service delivery. “Our team set out to find out how we could modernize our department, while still providing top-notch service to folks across the state,” said Treasurer Briner. He added, “We work with huge amounts of data in everything that we do, and the majority of it is public information. As this pilot program wraps up, we are thrilled to say our divisions were able to take that publicly available information and utilize ChatGPT in ways that resulted in tangible and measurable improvements to their daily workflow.”
A key success of the program was the integration of ChatGPT into the Unclaimed Property Division, commonly known as NC Cash. This allowed the division to more efficiently identify and contact business entities that may be holding unclaimed property. Preliminary findings indicate that the scope of these newly identified unclaimed properties could total in the millions of dollars, which will eventually be returned to their rightful owners.
Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, lauded the collaboration, stating, “This partnership is a powerful example of how AI can help government better serve the public.” Chan Park, OpenAI’s Head of US and Canada Policy and Partnerships, emphasized, “We believe the best way for governments to understand AI’s potential is to use it directly, and we’re excited to partner with the North Carolina Treasurer’s Office to inform how AI can help improve the delivery of services to residents.”
Throughout the pilot, a “bright red line” was maintained regarding sensitive personal information. Treasurer Briner assured that OpenAI did not gain access to private data, such as patient information from the State Health Plan. This commitment to ethical AI use and data privacy was a cornerstone of the program.
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Following the pilot’s success, the DST and OpenAI have teamed up with North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) Institute for Artificial Intelligence. This collaboration will conduct an independent, third-party analysis of the program, with a comprehensive report detailing its successes and challenges expected in the coming weeks. This initiative positions North Carolina as a leader among public agencies exploring AI to streamline services and deliver better outcomes for taxpayers.
