California is testing new generative AI tools. Here's what to know

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Generative artificial intelligence tools will soon be used by California's government.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration announced Thursday the state will partner with five companies to develop and test generative AI tools that could improve public service.

California is among the first states to roll out guidelines on when and how state agencies can buy AI tools as lawmakers across the country grapple with how to regulate the emerging technology.

Here's a closer look at the details:

*WHAT IS GENERATIVE AI?*

Generative AI is a branch of artificial intelligence that can create new content such as text, audio and photos in response to prompts. It's the technology behind ChatGPT, the controversial writing tool launched by Microsoft-backed OpenAI. The San Francisco-based company Anthropic, with backing from Google and Amazon, is also in the generative AI game.

*HOW MIGHT CALIFORNIA USE IT?*

California envisions using this type of technology to help cut down on customer call wait times at state agencies, and to improve traffic and road safety, among other things.

Initially, four state departments will test generative AI tools: The Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the California Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Health, and the Health and Human Services Department.

The tax and fee agency administers more than 40 programs and took more than 660,000 calls from businesses last year, director Nick Maduros said. The state hopes to deploy AI to listen in on those calls and pull up key information on state tax codes in real time, allowing the workers to more quickly answer questions because they don't have to look up the information themselves.

In another example, the state wants to use the technology to provide...