SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — California has entered a new partnership with artificial intelligence company Anthropic to expand the use of its Claude AI assistant across state government. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the agreement Monday and said the move will help state employees work more efficiently while improving public services.
Newsom said the partnership focuses on supporting government workers instead of replacing them. He added that artificial intelligence should help employees complete tasks faster, solve problems more effectively, and deliver better results for Californians.
The agreement gives California state agencies access to Claude AI at a 50% discount. In addition, Anthropic will provide free workforce training, technical support, and workflow assistance. State officials believe these resources will help employees learn how to use AI responsibly in their daily work.
Claude will become the first artificial intelligence productivity tool available through the California Department of Technology’s new Statewide Information Technology Shared Services portal. As a result, state agencies will have a centralized way to access the technology.
Furthermore, California cities and counties can also take advantage of the same discounted pricing if they choose to use Claude AI. State leaders hope the wider availability will encourage local governments to improve services through responsible AI adoption.
Newsom said California wants to lead the nation in using artificial intelligence in a safe and transparent way. He said the partnership reflects the state’s commitment to putting technology in service of people while protecting public trust.
Kate Jensen, Anthropic’s head of Americas, also welcomed the agreement. She said the company has focused on building AI responsibly from the beginning. She added that the partnership puts that goal into practice by helping government employees serve residents more effectively.
Several California agencies have already tested Claude AI in real-world projects. For example, the Department of Motor Vehicles has used the technology to improve customer service efforts. Meanwhile, the California Department of Health Care Services has relied on Claude to support internal workflows and improve staff productivity.
Although the state highlighted those early projects, officials did not reveal how much the agreement will cost. They also did not estimate how much money or time the state expects to save through wider AI use.
Even so, Newsom said the partnership represents California’s approach to technology. He said the state plans to use artificial intelligence responsibly, transparently, and in ways that benefit the public.
The announcement comes as Anthropic continues to face federal attention over one of its advanced AI systems. The company’s powerful Mythos model recently faced restrictions because of national security concerns. However, officials later restored limited access to the model under specific conditions.
Despite that separate issue, California continues to move forward with its broader artificial intelligence strategy. State leaders have promoted AI as a tool that can improve government operations while increasing efficiency and reducing routine work.
At the same time, California also wants to understand how artificial intelligence affects workers. Last week, Newsom’s office introduced a new tracking tool that monitors whether AI contributes to job losses across the state. Officials said the system will help policymakers better understand the technology’s impact on employment.
