California has entered a partnership with Anthropic to provide state agencies access to its Claude AI assistant, aiming to enhance government service delivery through automation and training. The agreement allows agencies to purchase Claude at a reduced cost while receiving free workforce training and technical support to integrate generative AI into their operations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize state workflows and improve efficiency without displacing public employees.

Key Features of the Partnership

The collaboration focuses on deploying Claude for tasks such as drafting and condensing documents, reviewing information, and supporting daily operations. Agencies can access the AI tools through the California Department of Technology’s SITeS portal, which centralizes procurement and displays pricing tied to specific business uses. The portal is designed to streamline software purchases and reduce friction for departments seeking new technology.

Agency Applications and Testing

Several state departments have already tested Claude in various capacities. The California Department of Technology and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) are utilizing Claude Security and Claude Code for cyber defense tasks. Additionally, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Department of Health Care Services are applying Claude to customer service and internal process improvements. Other pilot programs include work related to Engaged California and an internal tool named Poppy.

Strategic Alignment and Workforce Impact

Gov. Gavin Newsom emphasized that the technology is intended to assist rather than replace human workers, stating that AI should help employees move faster and solve problems more effectively. The partnership aligns with prior state actions, including executive orders, workforce training programs, and legislation focused on transparency for advanced AI systems. Government Operations Agency Secretary Nick Maduros highlighted the necessity of modern tools for state teams, while California State Chief Information Officer Chris Given noted that leveraging the state’s purchasing power would facilitate faster and more cost-effective procurement.

Anthropic’s Role and Perspective

Anthropic’s Head of the Americas, Kate Jensen, described the project as a home-state responsibility, expressing the company’s commitment to building AI responsibly and in service of people. The partnership reflects Anthropic’s approach to deploying generative AI in practical, workforce-supportive applications within the public sector.

Anthropic's models are now available on NVIDIA GB300 in Microsoft Azure.

The integration allows users to access Anthropic's AI models using NVIDIA's GB300 infrastructure within the Azure cloud environment.