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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Berkshire County Firefighters Graduate from Mass Firefighting Academy

STOW, Mass. — The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy this week graduated 45 firefighters from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, including six Berkshire County firefighters.
 
Graduating from Career Recruit Class S44 were Shamus Gaherty of Monterey; Broc Healey, Carolina Jones and Scott Matteson Jr. from Pittsfield; and Paul Hernandez and Michael Meagher of Stockbridge. 
 
"Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever," said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. "The hundreds of hours of foundational training they've received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely."
 
Career Recruit Class S44 trained in Springfield. Its 21 members represent the fire departments of Agawam, Holden, Marlborough, Monterey, Northampton, Palmer, Pittsfield, Springfield, Stockbridge, and Turners Falls.
 
The 24 members of Career Recruit Class BW38 trained in Bridgewater and were expected to graduate last week — but the ceremony was postponed after the Blizzard of 2026 dropped more than 30 inches of snow on the campus. They represent the fire departments of Bourne, Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Fall River, Hanover, Harwich, Kingston, Milton, North Attleboro, Provincetown, Rockland, and Scituate.
 
Maurice Jarmman Jr. of the Marlborough Fire Department, graduating with S44, and Jacob Warmington of the Duxbury, class BW38, were presented the Richard N. Bangs Outstanding Student Award.
 
The award is named for a longtime chair of the Massachusetts Fire Training Council and reflects the recruit's academic and practical skills, testing, and evaluations over the course of the 10-week program. It is given to one recruit in each graduating career recruit training class.  
 
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