Maryland Embraces AI for Transformative State Services

According to the Office of Governor Wes Moore, Maryland is embarking on a significant initiative to modernize state service delivery through a comprehensive partnership focused on artificial intelligence. The state is joining forces with Anthropic, a prominent AI research company, and Percepta, a General Catalyst Transformation Company, to leverage AI technologies in addressing critical areas such as child poverty, expanding access to housing, and enhancing the efficiency of government operations. This collaboration, supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, positions Maryland as a national leader in adopting a multi-agency approach to AI integration for public benefit.

The core of this partnership involves integrating Anthropic’s Claude AI models into the daily work of state employees. Percepta engineers will work alongside state agency teams to facilitate the adoption and implementation of these AI tools. The initiative aims to bolster Maryland’s capacity to expedite the delivery of benefits to residents and streamline the processes involved in housing development permits. This comprehensive strategy is intended to serve as a blueprint for other states seeking to utilize technology to improve citizen services and broaden opportunities. Key state entities involved in this endeavor include Maryland Benefits, the Department of Labor, the Governor’s Innovation Team, and the Maryland Department of the Environment, underscoring a unified commitment to the responsible integration of AI across state government.

Under the terms of the agreement, Anthropic will supply its Claude AI models to state workers and provide technical expertise to support the development and deployment of AI-driven projects. One anticipated application is the creation of a virtual assistant powered by Claude, designed to assist residents with benefit applications, information updates, and application tracking. This assistant will also be capable of identifying other programs for which individuals may be eligible. Anthropic’s emphasis on responsible AI development, including rigorous safety testing, is deemed particularly suitable for sensitive governmental applications.

Percepta’s role will involve deploying its engineering and technical personnel to accelerate ongoing AI initiatives within the state. The company will focus on improving the timelines for permitting and licensing processes and supporting Maryland’s objectives to increase housing development. Percepta, which collaborates with leading AI companies, will aid Maryland in architecting a solution that utilizes advanced AI tools. A central component of Percepta’s contribution will be its Mosaic platform, designed to enable rapid deployment of production-ready, industry-specific AI workflows.

This new phase of collaboration builds upon previous successful engagements between the State of Maryland, Anthropic, and Percepta. In June of the previous year, the state successfully launched a bilingual AI chatbot utilizing Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet model. This tool enhanced customer accessibility and reduced call volumes, notably assisting over 600,000 Marylanders in receiving SUN Bucks food support benefits for children during the summer. The administration of $72.5 million in SUN Bucks benefits represented the largest investment in combating childhood hunger during summer months in the state’s history.

Since July of the prior year, Percepta engineers have been working in conjunction with the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Information Technology’s Maryland Digital Service and Office of AI Enablement. Their joint efforts have focused on developing a self-service portal for environmental site assessments. This new platform is expected to expedite the development and financing of building projects throughout the state by making the investment process easier, faster, and more transparent.

The Rockefeller Foundation is contributing to this partnership as part of a national initiative aimed at assisting state and local governments in the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence to achieve greater impact, particularly for vulnerable communities. The Foundation’s investment in Maryland’s efforts is intended to bolster the state’s operational capabilities and demonstrate the potential for AI to enhance government effectiveness, equity, and responsiveness.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from The Office of Governor Wes Moore

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