April 8, 2025 (Saint Paul, MN) – The State of Minnesota is advancing its artificial intelligence journey by introducing secure, generative AI capabilities to executive branch agencies. Beginning this week, Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) will support state agencies in exploring the use of Copilot Chat, a generative AI tool integrated within Microsoft 365 Government, designed to meet the security and compliance standards for government data. This initiative is part of the state’s ongoing digital transformation efforts.

"This marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to empower state employees with AI, enabling them to work more efficiently while upholding the highest standards of data protection," said Tarek Tomes, Commissioner of Minnesota IT Services and State of Minnesota Chief Information Officer. "Our commitment to innovation goes hand in hand with our responsibility to safeguard Minnesotans' data, ensuring that AI is used securely and effectively to enhance public services."

The State will be among the first government organizations in the nation to make available this technology. As agencies choose to adopt the tool, employees can use it to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and foster innovation while ensuring compliance with Minnesota’s data protection policies.

Key features of the new tool: 

• Secure AI integration: Built within Microsoft 365 Government, ensuring compliance with state data protection regulations. 
• Enhanced productivity: Employees can leverage AI to draft emails, summarize documents, manage meetings, and brainstorm ideas. 
• No additional cost: Available as part of the state’s existing Microsoft contract.

MNIT remains dedicated to providing employees with the tools they need to excel. By introducing secure generative AI, the state takes a meaningful step toward enhancing workplace efficiency and increasing productivity for State of Minnesota employees.

About Minnesota IT Services

Minnesota IT Services, led by the state’s Chief Information Officer, is the Information Technology agency for Minnesota’s executive branch, providing enterprise and local IT services to over 70 agencies, boards, and commissions. MNIT employs more than 2,800 people. Together, we build, maintain, and secure the State’s IT infrastructure, applications, projects, and services. MNIT sets IT strategy, direction, policies, and standards for enterprise IT leadership and planning. We also serve Minnesotans by connecting all 87 counties, 300 cities, and 200 public higher education campuses across the state on the MNET network. Through public-private partnerships, our team proactively protects the state’s information systems and the private data of 5.7 million Minnesotans. 

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