Poppy: California’s Digital Assistant

Poppy: California Digital Assistant banner

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
- Cost: Free for participating state entities during the pilot
- Enrollment starts: September 25, 2025
- How to enroll: Each state entity’s AIO or CIO submits one Case request
  - Provide a user list of up to 100 participants
  - Users may be added or removed at any time, as long as you stay at or below a total of 100 users
- How to Join the Poppy pilot.

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.

Why join the Poppy pilot?

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.

Ai technology, Artificial Intelligence. Businessman show technology smart robot AI, artificial intelligence deep learning, Futuristic technology transformation. Technology smart robot AI agents.

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.

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.

Business people are using AI technology, artificial intelligence, planning strategies. and business development Using a mobile smartphone on a global network

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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.

What State employees are saying about Poppy

“I’m excited about the potential for this tool to significantly streamline and accelerate form completion processes, particularly for PAL and PDL. Additionally, I see strong value in leveraging its capabilities to perform comparative analyses between solution features and regulatory requirements, helping us identify and address compliance gaps with California regulations and policies.”

Valerie
Office of Technology and Solutions Integration (OTSI)

Office of Technology and Solutions Integration logo

“I found the State Digital Assistant [Poppy] to be a sophisticated tool for finding and delving deeper into topics. As an example, I asked for a summary of the Federal H.R.1 Legislation and then delved deeper into components and the impacts to California. At times I would question the conclusions and the tool would provide me with the details, including research, that backed those conclusions. This tool saves a lot of time over conventional ways of completing research.”

Jim
California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

California Department of Social Services logo

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 role	User role examples	Examples 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

How to join the Poppy pilot

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Step 1
Build your Poppy user list

The state entity’s Agency Information Officer or Department’s CIO identifies up to 100 users representing diverse roles and daily work needs.
- See the User role and Poppy use & benefits table above for examples of roles and work needs.
Complete the Poppy User Listopens in a new window template.
- Each state entity may include up to 100 users.
- Rolling enrollment: Add or remove users via a new Case, but not exceed 100 total registered users at this time.

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Step 2
Submit your interest

Submit one (1) Case for your state entity via the Poppy: California’s Digital Assistant Pilot request in the CDT IT Service Portalopens in a new window.
- Enrollment starts September 25, 2025.
- Case must be submitted by the state entity’s AIO or department CIO, or they must be an approver of the request, if submitted by someone other than the aforementioned.
- Only 1 request per state entity.
- Individual user requests may be cancelled.
Review the Poppy Terms of Use.
Attach the Poppy User Listopens in a new window to the Case as part of the submission.

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Step 3
Onboard and engage

Our CDT team will contact and guide you to get started.
Share your feedback.
- You will be provided a feedback tool to help measure Poppy’s impact on your business outcomes and contribute to continuous improvement for all state employees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Poppy Pilot?

The Poppy: California’s Digital Assistant is an AI-powered solution being piloted by the California Department of Technology (CDT), specifically designed to empower California state employees.

The Poppy Pilot aims to facilitate access information, streamline tasks, and support compliance – all while protecting the business interests for California state entities.

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.

Who can participate in the pilot?

Participation is open to interested state entities.

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?

Contact your CDT Account Lead or visit the Poppy: California’s Digital Assistant website.

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.

Questions?

Your CDT Account Lead can assist with business alignment, while the CDT Service Desk (916-464-4311) remains your first stop for technical support needs.