Mass. First State to Deploy ChatGPT Across Executive Branch

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BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced the launch of the ChatGPT-powered Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistant for the state's workforce. 
 
The AI Assistant will be implemented as a phased approach across the executive branch and will provide a safe and secure environment that protects state data, stated a press release. Massachusetts will be the first state to adopt the technology for the entire executive branch, which includes nearly 40,000 state employees. 
 
"This is about making government faster, more efficient, and more effective for the people we serve," said Governor Healey. "AI has the potential to transform how government works, which is why we're excited to partner with OpenAI on this AI Assistant, which will ensure a safe and secure environment for employees and improve their ability to deliver better service to the people of Massachusetts. I'm grateful to Secretary Snyder and Secretary Paley for their innovative leadership on this and to the state workers who are eager to embrace this new technology."  
 
Following a competitive procurement process, the state and OpenAI have agreed to a contract to deploy ChatGPT at scale across Massachusetts state government. The rollout will take a phased approach, starting with staff in the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (TSS). Additional secretariats and executive branch agencies will be onboarded over the coming months. In conjunction with the rollout, the state is offering a series of optional training programs designed to provide employees using the Enterprise AI Assistant with a baseline understanding on best practices and strategic use of the tool. 
 
The rollout of ChatGPT will be within a walled-off, secure environment that protects state data and ensures that employee chat inputs do not train public AI models. Use of the tool is governed by terms and conditions set by the TSS Privacy Office, and regularly updated policies that govern the use and development of AI. While other states have launched limited pilot programs for ChatGPT, Massachusetts will be the first enterprise-wide deployment of the tool.
 
More information on the tool, training and other Frequently Asked Questions can be found at mass.gov/ai. 
"The Human Resources Division is excited about this employee-focused resource," said Melissa Pullin, Chief Human Resources Officer. "This partnership will be able to assist state employees in the course of their work and provides a cutting-edge tool to support the Commonwealth's workforce."  
 
The launch of the Enterprise AI Assistant builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration's broader strategy to position Massachusetts as a global leader in applied AI. Through the Massachusetts AI Hub, the Administration is coordinating state support for the AI ecosystem, expanding access to critical infrastructure like compute resources, deepening partnerships with industry and research institutions, and ensuring Massachusetts remains the place where AI is developed, tested, and turned into real-world solutions across sectors like life sciences, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and health care. 
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Thunder 16U Holds Off Force in Weather-Shortened Contest

By Ben McDonoughFor iBerkshires.com Sports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Greylock Thunder capitalized on an early offensive surge and held off a resilient Berkshire Force squad for an 11-7 victory in a game that was called after five innings because of weather in 16U division of the Battle of the Berkshires Tournament on Friday.
 
Greylock wasted little time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. Consecutive singles put runners on the corners before another base hit brought home the game’s first run. The Thunder continued to apply pressure as a fielder’s choice kept the inning alive and Bayleigh Tatro ripped an RBI double to left field. An ensuing sacrifice fly plated another run, giving Greylock a 4-0 advantage.
 
Berkshire answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. After retiring the first two Thunder batters, Greylock pitcher Avery Lane saw the Force string together quality at-bats. A single put a runner aboard before Madilyn Demary’s RBI double got Berkshire on the scoreboard. Another run-scoring single followed, trimming the deficit to 4-2 after one inning.
 
The Force went ahead, 5-4, in the second thanks to RBI singles from Alliah DiPietro and Mollie Crawford.
 
The Thunder then scored four times in the third to take the lead for good. Gianna Witek got the rally started with a double to left, and Greylock took advantage of a couple of errors and a bases-loaded walk worked by Lane to go ahead, 8-5.
 
Berkshire continued to battle and nearly erased the deficit in the third. The Force put runners on base with a walk and aggressive baserunning kept the pressure on. A runner crossed the plate during a steal attempt, and Berkshire added more traffic on the bases before Greylock's Lane recorded a swinging strikeout to end the threat with runners on first and second.
 
Greylock was able to pull away with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth and one more in the fifth to go ahead, 11-7.
 
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