North Carolina Treasurer’s office expands use of AI throughout the agency
Aerial view of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.
The State Employees Association of North Carolina cautioned that AI’s effect on workers is “a great unknown.” Its adoption in other sectors has sometimes been accompanied by job losses.
This story was originally published by NC Newsline.
The North Carolina Treasurer’s Office is going all in on AI with the announcement Monday that artificial intelligence tools are being deployed throughout the agency.
“We have a moral obligation to the taxpayer to use their money wisely,” state Treasurer Brad Briner said in a statement. “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.”
However, the State Employees Association of North Carolina cautioned that AI’s effect on workers is “a great unknown.” Its adoption in other sectors has sometimes been accompanied by job losses.
The decision to integrate AI into the Treasurer’s office follows a 2025 12-week pilot program where the agency’s Unclaimed Property and State and Local Government Finance divisions tested ChatGPT.
A report evaluating the pilot project determined that using ChatGTP was a time-saver.
“Our 12-week pilot program with OpenAI showed up to 10% increased productivity in certain divisions,” Briner’s statement said. “We expect that implementing AI tools across the department will replicate that productivity increase across our entire team, leading to a better return for your taxpayer dollars.”
Personal data will be secure, the office said in a news release.
The office used ChatGPT for free during the 12-week test.
Last month, the office purchased 150 ChatGPT licenses for about $51,700 a year. Additionally, the office purchased Microsoft Copilot and GitHub Copilot licenses six months ago. The Microsoft AI costs about $16,200 a year, and GitHub Copilot costs about $45,100 a year.
The new NC Investment Authority is negotiating a purchase of Claude by Anthropic, according to an information sheet the Treasurer’s Office provided.
The Treasurer’s Office has wide-ranging responsibilities. It manages state pension plan investments, state employee health insurance policies, is a repository for unclaimed cash, and monitors the fiscal health of local governments.
SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins said in a statement that investment in AI requires a clear plan.
“SEANC recognizes that AI may enable state employees to better assist North Carolinians. We’re not opposed to progress,” her statement said. “It’s a great unknown for everyone at this point, though, how much it will affect all workers.
The public needs to know more about how the office is going to use AI, Watkins said.
“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. “Any adoption of AI tools must be transparent with employees, involve them in the process, and commit to protecting the workforce that makes these agencies function.”
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