Mass. First State to Deploy ChatGPT Across Executive Branch

03:45PM / Sunday, March 01, 2026Print Story | Email Story

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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Pittsfield Seeks $28M Borrowing for Water, Sewer Infrastructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:32PM / Saturday, February 28, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is seeking a total of $28 million in borrowing authorizations to upgrade its drinking and wastewater infrastructure.

This includes $13 million for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and $15 million for upgrades to the Cleveland and Ashley Water Treatment Plants, which are located outside Pittsfield. The City Council referred the $15 million borrowing request to the Finance Subcommittee on Tuesday.

The full drinking water project is expected to cost $165 million over the next 8 years, with $150 million for long-term construction and $15 million for near-term needs. The initial ask would fund the final design and permitting for Phases 1-3, Phase 1 of interim updates, allowances, and contingency.

After the meeting, Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales explained that these are needed repairs so the current infrastructure can be stretched a little longer while design work is underway.

Pittsfield's two Krofta drinking water treatment plants were installed in the 1980s. The city says they are beyond anticipated useful service and at risk for catastrophic failure that could leave Pittsfield with a shortage of potable water.

Krofta is a compact filtration system that Pittsfield will continue to use. There are four units at the Cleveland WTP and two at the Ashley WTP. Morales said the system is "very good" but needs to be upgraded.

"We were one of the first to use that type of technology in the 80s, and it's outdated now, and getting parts and getting repairs to it is very costly because of the outdated technology that it's using, and we can replace that with better infrastructure," he explained.

"We need to build a chemical facility on the Cleveland side. We already have that done at Ashley with [American Rescue Plan Act] funds, largely, and then we need to build better tank holding systems at the plants to allow for chlorination to happen at the plant, instead of on its way down to Pittsfield."