State workers in New Jersey are undergoing a voluntary training course to learn best practices for responsible generative AI use and how to identify and mitigate potential biases. This initiative comes alongside the introduction of the NJ AI Assistant, a secure tool hosted on state servers to ensure data privacy and security.
On Wednesday, New Jersey launched a voluntary training course aimed at teaching state workers best practices for responsible generative AI use and identifying potential biases. Concurrently, the state introduced the NJ AI Assistant, a secure generative AI tool hosted on state servers, equipped with security and privacy protections, and ensuring that state data isn’t used to train third-party AI models.
Governor Phil Murphy highlighted the initiative as a transformative step for government operations, stating that it equips public servants with necessary skills to leverage AI responsibly. These efforts are part of an executive order that created the New Jersey AI Task Force and mandated the development of AI policies by the State’s Office of Information Technology.
The training program, developed with industry, public sector, and federal input, aims to help employees use AI for tasks such as translating complex information into plain language and summarizing documents. The New Jersey Office of Innovation has already applied AI to improve communication efficiency in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and to enhance call center operations in the Division of Taxation.
Governor Murphy expressed enthusiasm for the potential applications of this technology in streamlining government services and improving public engagement.
