April 13, 2026

North Carolina Treasurer’s Department adopts AI tools, enhancing efficiency

In a significant move towards integrating artificial intelligence, Brad Briner, the elected North Carolina state treasurer, has made his agency the first in the state to implement AI tools department-wide. Following a successful 12-week pilot program with OpenAI, Briner purchased over 200 custom licenses to enhance efficiency in tasks such as coding and research, investing approximately $113,000 in the technology. While acknowledging concerns over AI’s potential to replace jobs—highlighted by Goldman Sachs’ report of around 16,000 job losses per month—Briner emphasized the safeguards integrated into contracts and training to address these issues. North Carolina’s Department of Information Technology has also established guidelines for the responsible use of AI, focusing on maintaining human oversight and transparency, which align with Briner’s commitment to fostering a balanced approach to technological advancement.

OpenAI: OpenAI develops generative AI tools including ChatGPT for various applications. The company collaborated with North Carolina’s treasurer’s office on a pilot program testing AI in public data divisions, leading to broader deployment with safeguards against data training. Contracts ensure privacy and compliance exceeding state policies.
ChatGPT: ChatGPT is OpenAI’s conversational AI model used for tasks like research and coding. North Carolina’s treasurer department adopted custom licenses after a pilot demonstrated workflow integration benefits in finance and unclaimed property divisions. Usage includes human oversight and restrictions preventing training on state data.
Brad Briner: Brad Briner serves as North Carolina’s elected state treasurer, overseeing fiscal responsibilities including state and local government finance and unclaimed property. He spearheaded the department’s AI adoption through a pilot with OpenAI, securing custom ChatGPT licenses for enhanced efficiency in coding, research, and brainstorming. Recently, he advocates for faster government AI uptake, including at an April 2026 UNC-Chapel Hill conference.
Ardis Watkins: Ardis Watkins is executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, advocating for public sector workers. She supports AI progress but stresses transparency, employee involvement, and workforce safeguards in agency implementations. Her group monitors technology’s effects on state employees.
Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs is a major global investment bank conducting economic research on technology impacts. Its recent analysis examines long-term ‘scarring’ effects of AI-driven job displacement on workers’ careers. The study is referenced in discussions of AI’s workforce implications within North Carolina’s adoption efforts.
North Carolina: North Carolina is a U.S. state whose government agencies are beginning to explore AI integration amid limited disclosures on usage. The state treasurer’s department leads as the first to implement AI tools department-wide following a pilot program, with guidelines from the Department of Information Technology emphasizing responsible use. Other agencies like Public Instruction and Agriculture have shared some records on AI activities.

AI Research: Goldman Sachs highlights persistent career setbacks from AI job substitution in recent studies.
State Guidelines: North Carolina’s Department of Information Technology framework promotes human-centered AI with privacy and transparency focus.
Agency Pioneering: Treasurer’s office emerges as first in North Carolina for department-wide AI commitment post-pilot.

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