Poppy Pilot

Poppy state flower logo and title: Poppy, California's Digital Assistant, Powered by the Department of Technology

Powering business transformation in State government

Accelerate Productivity. Reduce Costs. Ensure Compliance.

Poppy pilot details

  • Launch date: September 29, 2025
    • Onboarding will be fulfilled based on capacity during this free-to-state entities period to ensure an optimal experience for users.
  • Pilot ends: June 30, 2026
  • Poppy Pilot Decommission

    Phase & Access LevelDatesCustomer Actions
    Phase 1: Full Access
    (Environment open for normal use)
    July 1 – July 31
  • Continue normal activities
  • Prepare for transition
  • Begin exporting your data
  • Phase 2: Read-Only Access
    (Environment frozen, data can only be viewed and exported)
    August 1 – September 30
  • Review your data
  • Phase 3: Decommissioned (No Access)
    (Environment closed, data deleted)
    After September 30
  • No access
  • All pilot data is permanently deleted and unrecoverable beginning October 1

  • NOTE: After June 19, 2026, new Poppy Pilot participation requests or changes (add, removals) to Poppy Pilot user lists will not be accepted or processed. This allows our team to focus on decommissioning the pilot environment, reducing capacity and operational costs, and prioritizing the successful transition to the production launch. 

What is Poppy: California’s Digital Assistant?

The California Department of Technology’s (CDT) Poppy is an enterprise Generative AI solution designed for California’s state entities. Built by state employees, for state employees, this platform will create an efficient, effective, and secure GenAI environment for state entities – significantly enhancing government operations, protecting state data, and realizing cost savings, all while keeping your business goals at the center.

Poppy’s benefits

Poppy is purpose-built by state employees, for state employees – making your daily work easier, safer, and more cost-effective.

Poppy is your secure, intelligent partner for automating tasks, answering questions, and collaborating – all within a trusted, state-managed environment.

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Cost-effective

  • The pilot is offered at no cost.
  • After the pilot ends on June 30, 2026: Poppy’s centralized, shared service model leverages economies of scale to keep ongoing costs lower for state entities.
  • Eliminates the need for redundant solutions.
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Efficient

  • Access to multiple leading Large Language Models (LLMs).
  • Set up and manage the information the way you need it (i.e., state-specific data workflows) .
  • Streamline repetitive tasks.
  • Helps you make better decisions that fit the unique needs of California state government.
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Secure

  • State-approved, vendor-agnostic infrastructure.
  • Information never leaves California’s trusted environment.
  • Enterprise security standards ensure your data stays protected, compliant, and managed with public trust in mind.

How can Poppy assist you?

Poppy supports a broad range of business functions. Discover practical ways Poppy streamlines your daily work, enhances productivity, and supports your business goals across state government.

User role and Poppy use & benefits

User roleUser role examplesExamples of Poppy use & benefits
Senior Staff
  • Agency Heads
  • Division Chiefs
  • Executive Directors
  • Managers
  • Instantly access policy summaries and regulatory updates
  • Generate quick executive summaries
  • Track key metrics
  • Inform strategic decisions with up-to-date information
Data Specialists
  • Data Analysts
  • Information Officers
  • Data Managers
  • Automate data quality checks
  • Summarize and visualize complex datasets
  • Instantly retrieve required data for reports and audits
  • Stay compliant with state data management standards
IT Security Specialists
  • Security Analysts
  • Cybersecurity Officers
  • Compliance Managers
  • Automate data quality checks
  • Automate incident reporting
  • Compile audit logs
  • Access real-time threat intelligence
  • Get support for compliance documentation, all while safeguarding sensitive information
Developers
  • Application Developers
  • Solution Engineers
  • Systems Architects
  • Generate code snippets
  • Automate documentation
  • Access best practices and technical standards
  • Troubleshoot faster by querying AI for common development challenges
  • Secure sharing of technical resources
Analysts
  • Policy Analysts
  • Business Analysts
  • Research Analysts
  • Summarize legislation, policies, or complex reports
  • Support comparative analysis
  • Prepare decision-support documents
  • Automate gathering of statistical or policy-related insights tailored for California operations
Program Staff
  • Project Coordinators
  • Program Managers
  • Field Staff
  • Customer Service Representatives
  • Automate completion of forms
  • Streamline scheduling and reservations
  • Get instant answers to program or service policy questions
  • Summarize program data for reporting or public communication
HR/Administrative
  • Human Resources Specialists
  • Benefits Coordinators
  • Office Support Staff
  • Automate onboarding documentation
  • Answer common staff questions instantly
  • Generate compliance reports
  • Streamline administrative scheduling and document management
Procurement & Finance
  • Buyers
  • Contract Managers
  • Budget Analysts
  • Accountants
  • Access and complete purchasing or finance forms quickly
  • Generate financial summaries and procurement reports
  • Streamline tracking of expenditures
  • Ensure processes and documentation align with current policies and regulations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does it improve business outcomes?

Poppy drives efficiency, reduces redundant work, and supports safe, compliant operations – yielding operational savings and letting teams focus on strategic goals.

Are there licensing limitations for our state entity?

Each state entity can have up to 100 participants.

Is my state entity’s data secure?

Yes, Poppy uses state-compliant technology platforms and robust privacy safeguards.

What can I use Poppy for?

Per the Terms of Use for Poppy: California’s Digital Assistant, 4. Authorized Use – Poppy may only be used for purposes that (a) support official State businesses, (b) are authorized under a State entity’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and (c) are not otherwise prohibited under this TOU. Types of official use may include:

  • Accessing and retrieving state entity-specific information, policies, and procedures.
  • Receiving assistance with routine tasks and workflows (e.g., FAQs, scheduling, document retrieval).
  • Drafting internal content.
  • Navigating internal systems or public services.
  • Supporting productivity and operational efficiency.
  • Engaging in professional, respectful, and constructive communication.

NOTE: Please review the Terms of Use for Poppy for additional information on the use of Poppy including limitations on data input, prohibited use, and other requirements.

Where can I get more information or support?

What if I need support during off peak or non-business hours?

As a Pilot, Support Hours and Coverage are as follows:

  • Poppy support hours (pilot): Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST)
  • No weekend or after-hours support will be provided for Poppy-related tickets during the pilot
  • Outside support hours: Callers should be advised to submit tickets through the standard ticketing system; non-urgent issues will be addressed the next business day by the AI Engineering and Operations support group

Who do I contact for technical issues?

CDT Service Desk at 916-464-4311 or submit a ticket in the CDT IT Services Portal.

Is there any training on how I can use Poppy?

No specific training, but we do have the Poppy: California’s Digital Assistant User Guide & FAQs and our technical staff will help address questions.

Will I need to complete a 5305-F to use Poppy?

No.

What browsers and devices are supported?

Chrome, Edge, Firefox have all been used and tested. But please provide any feedback if issues are seen.

If you have questions

Your CDT Account Lead can assist with business alignment, while the CDT Service Desk remains your first stop for technical support needs.