What it means that a state “AI assistant” will handle your data (with Technology Sec. Jason Snyder)

Massachusetts is aggressively integrating generative AI across state agencies to improve service delivery and operational efficiency despite restricted budgets. Commonwealth Secretary of Technology Jason Snyder emphasizes a "human at the helm" philosophy, ensuring that all AI-generated outputs undergo human review before public distribution. To protect sensitive taxpayer, medical, and RMV data, the state utilizes a private, secure sandbox environment where information remains isolated and is not used to train external models. The administration prioritizes workforce training, offering tiered educational programs to help employees navigate AI tools voluntarily. While the state leverages AI for tasks like synthesizing grant information and streamlining highway engineering standards, it maintains strict contractual obligations with providers to prevent data leakage. This modernization effort aims to democratize innovation while mitigating risks through robust cybersecurity and a zero-trust infrastructure.