California is partnering with five companies to develop and test generative artificial intelligence tools, which can create content like text and photos in response to prompts. This technology could revolutionize state government agencies, making them more efficient and effective in serving the public. Potential applications include reducing customer call wait times and providing information on health and social service benefits in languages other than English. The state will conduct a six-month trial to assess the tools' effectiveness and risks before considering wider deployment, with experts emphasizing the need for safeguards and oversight to mitigate potential risks like job loss and misinformation.