Gov. Newsom introduces AskCA, a new AI-powered tool for Californians

SACRAMENTO – Governor Newsom today introduced AskCA, a new AI-powered digital assistant to help Californians better navigate state and local services. AskCA is designed to be a single entry point, guided by what Californians need, to make navigating state and local government programs easier than ever before. Starting today, Californians can sign up to be part of the pilot.  The new prototype came from California’s response to the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.

When a Californian needs help, they shouldn’t have to become an expert in government to find it. We’re using the best technology California has to offer to make government more efficient, effective, and more engaged — meeting people where they are, making it easier to navigate services, and ultimately delivering stronger results worthy of their tax dollars.

Governor Gavin Newsom

The prototype was built by the Office of Data and Innovation to navigate people through life events including, for example:

• Finding a job

• Starting a business

• Family services

• Disaster recovery

“With AskCA, the state is utilizing AI to deliver services faster, reduce administrative complexity, and connect people to the right resources without unnecessary barriers,” said Nick Maduros Secretary of the Government Operations Agency. “By creating a single entry point for government services, we are removing steps in the process and improving efficiency for Californians.”

“For too many Californians, accessing government services seems like a maze. With AskCA, California is harnessing a culture of innovation to respond to the needs of the state’s 39 million residents to connect with services,” said Daniel E. Ho, Stanford University, Director of Stanford RegLab, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI). “Stanford RegLab is proud to partner with the state to pioneer a framework to rigorously learn, evaluate, and improve such a system through rapid technological change.”

“The real test of an effective government chatbot is launching one that serves the needs of its communities and earns their trust. We’re proud to be a part of that work in California,” said Phillip Hunter, Lead Volunteer at U.S. Digital Response. “Our U.S. Digital Response team developed the evaluation and testing methodology for AskCA that helps the state confirm the chatbot is pulling from legitimate government sources and giving residents accurate answers. Trust in a tool like this comes from testing it that rigorously, not from hoping it works.” 

Help us create AskCA

Californians are being invited to help refine AskCA’s responses. Starting today, the Office of Data and Innovation is looking for beta testers for the next phase of the project.  Testers must be 18 years or older and a California resident.  Learn more about the sign up process at ask.ca.gov.

Subject matter experts from across state government are continually helping to inform the responses to improve AskCA’s accuracy. This ensures that answers provided are backed by verified sources, providing clear and actionable guidance rather than simple chat functionality.

Reimagining the journey of Californians in need

The prototype was researched and tested early with:

• 140+ fire recovery leaders and Altadena wildfire survivors

• A dozen job seekers at a recent CalHR job fair

• More than 100 general user testers

“Californians should not have to understand how government is organized just to get basic help,” said Director Jeffery Marino of the Office of Data and Innovation. “This digital assistant moves from traditional web search to a vision of a service-integrated tool, explaining services, streamlining logins, and unifying department services into a single experience.” 

Key partners supported AskCA in this bold effort. The California Office of Data and Innovation built AskCA’s knowledge base in collaboration with Anthropic’s Claude model, with security support from the California Department of Technology. Through its partnership with the state, announced in July, Anthropic also provides strategic guidance and technical assistance. Through the California Innovation Counciland Emerging Technology Accelerator, U.S. Digital Response and Stanford’s RegLab help measure performance and improve the tool’s effectiveness, and a partnership with 211 further strengthens AskCA’s impact.

Use AskCA to help match skills to state jobs

CalHR is the first department to deploy the AskCA prototype in a live public service, powering a new AI‑driven job‑skills‑matching feature launching September 30 on CalCareers.ca.gov. Using the same engine behind California’s digital assistant, the tool helps job seekers understand how their experience aligns with state job classifications by allowing them to upload a resume and receive matching state roles — an approach early testers called especially helpful for those new to public service.

“CalHR is proud to be the first department to put the AskCA prototype into action to improve services for Californians,” said CalHR Director Monica Erickson. “By powering our new job skills matching feature, job seekers can better understand how their experience aligns with opportunities in state service. This pilot reflects our commitment to responsible innovation and to making CalCareers more accessible and supportive for everyone looking to serve California.” 

CalHR will launch the feature as a pilot with full public access, allowing ongoing refinement while ensuring privacy; the tool does not store personal information or require a CalCareers account.

Leading in government efficiency 

Governor Newsom has made efficiency and innovation — with appropriate safeguards protecting privacy, safety, and civil liberties — a top priority since the start of his administration. Governor Newsom has:

• Established the Office of Data Innovation, a group of technology experts dedicated to supporting other state agencies, departments, and employees to utilize data, technology, and principles of human-centered design common in the private sector to improve the delivery of services to Californians.

• Overhauled and modernized the Department of Motor Vehicles to reduce wait times, expand online services, and improve customer service.

• Implemented new cutting-edge technologies to fight wildfires, including cameras across the state and data modeling to improve incident reporting and to predict where wildfires might occur and where drones should be deployed. 

• Issued executive orders in 2023 and2026 directing state agencies to responsibly implement Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into state government operations and help support the work of front-line employees, with the appropriate privacy, security, and civil liberties guardrails.

• Developed a new AI tool, “Poppy,” specifically tailored for government use. 

• Launched the Emerging Technology Accelerator, leveraging pro bono technical expertise from UC Berkeley, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, Mozilla Foundation, Nava Labs, Tech Talent Project, and US Digital Response to modernize government service delivery. 

• Launched the Breakthrough Project with industry executives to support efficiency initiatives. The Breakthrough Project has helped save $12 million through pooled IT contracts, digitized 40,000 water rights records, expanded access to the Golden Bear Pass Program, and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by digitizing outdated printing processes. 

• Expedited the procurement process through an innovative Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2), which allows state agencies to quickly test technology through safe and secure environments. 

Improving government services through engagement

Last year, Governor Newsom launchedEngaged California, the first-of-its-kind digital platform that offers a virtual town hall setting to empower Californians to engage and share insights about a particular topic. The pilot project involved people impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. They aligned on a rebuilding and recovery process through a six-month conversation with 2,500 comments from Californians. The tool also solicited input onefficiency ideas from state government employees. Currently, the platform seeks to give Californians a stronger voice in AI policy and assess its impact on the state’s economy and workers. This is the first statewide use of the tool, open to every resident.