California is embracing innovation with Poppy, a new AI-driven digital assistant designed specifically for state employees. This tool streamlines processes and enhances collaboration within a secure framework, ensuring that government data remains protected on official networks.
Poppy, named after California’s state flower, is a generative artificial intelligence developed exclusively for state workers. It functions within a secure network operated by the state, pulling information solely from official CA.gov websites to safeguard sensitive data from being compromised.
Launched in September as a pilot initiative, Poppy aims to enhance data sharing and cooperation across various state agencies.
Jonathan Porat, the chief technology officer at the California Department of Technology, reported that Poppy has over 2,600 active users distributed among 66 departments. During the pilot phase, the tool is offered at no cost to participating departments, with a cap of 100 users per agency.
Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting improvements in their efficiency and confidence. Legal teams are utilizing it for policy analysis, human resources personnel rely on it for succession planning, and others appreciate the convenience of completing state forms.
“The core concept behind Poppy is that it is created for state workers, by state workers. Everything is designed around the needs of those who will use it,” Porat explained in an interview. “It’s remarkable that we have an AI tool that is not only accessible but also secure and built upon state data.”
Poppy’s introduction aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2023 executive order, which mandated state agencies to assess the implications of generative AI on their operations, the economy, and energy consumption in California.
Unlike public AI services, Poppy functions entirely within California’s internal infrastructure. As officials noted, this ensures that queries, documents, and responses remain within the state’s secure environment.
Shera Mui, deputy director of platform services at the technology bureau, emphasized that such a closed system protects sensitive policy information, internal procedures, and compliance data. Poppy is thus playing a vital role in linking isolated data, enhancing collaboration among government departments, and fostering greater operational efficiency while ensuring tight control over information access and usage.
“We’re building knowledge repositories and facilitating how information is shared across various programs. Whether you’re an analyst or a manager, it provides information in clear and straightforward language,” Mui mentioned in an interview. “I believe this has been incredibly beneficial, bridging gaps between different levels of the workforce, which I’ve experienced firsthand.”
Poppy is also programmed to flag any data that contains personally identifiable information. It may decline to process tasks or will redact sensitive details when necessary.
“If you attempt to input a Social Security number, it will respond with, You cannot use this data. Similarly, if you pose a personal question regarding an individual, it will state, I’m sorry, I cannot answer that,” Mui explained. “We aim for Poppy to be fair and impartial, avoiding any assumptions about individuals.”
Despite the success reported by Porat and Mui, there have been some complaints from users regarding limitations in functionalities beyond the state government infrastructure. Looking ahead to the end of the pilot program in June, the state plans to expand access to Poppy and provide additional training to promote responsible use of such AI tools.
“Understanding user expectations and offering proper training will be crucial going forward,” Porat concluded. “Many users approach Poppy with inquiries that may be better suited for a traditional search engine.”
