California state government, personalized for YOU

A government that’s efficient, effective, and engaged

Explore how we’re saving time, money, and lives by redesigning services around real people. Data, technology, and empathy power every improvement.

Modern DMV services built around you

California’s DMV is delivering better experiences statewide. Most services are now online. All 176 field offices have higher satisfaction scores. In-person services have shorter wait times. Thousands of hours of staff time have been saved.

90% of transactions now available online

2.5/5 average customer satisfaction in 2018

4.1/5 average customer satisfaction in 2025

Efficient government through innovation and new tech

The Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) is California’s in-house problem-solving team. They are designers, data scientists, and developers who have worked shoulder-to-shoulder with over 30 state agencies to date to rethink and rebuild how services are delivered. Their human-centered service design is powered by data and guided by empathy and real-world experiences.

They’re data scientists, developers, and designers for social good — building a government that works for you.

ODI’s 65-person team blends NASA-level data science, user experience design, and plain language communication to make state services more accessible, efficient, and equitable for millions of Californians.

Featured case study

Housing pipeline
intelligence tool

ODI partnered with the Department of Housing and Community Development to build a first-of-its-kind digital tool that tracks affordable housing development in 539 jurisdictions. It helps local leaders clear bottlenecks and build homes faster.

A person shopping for government benefits on a phone

Featured case study

Benefits Recommender

Too often, Californians miss out on benefits they qualify for. ODI partnered with over 10 state programs on the Benefits Recommender, which helps people apply for multiple programs at once — making it easier to get the help they need. Its pilot phase led to thousands more applications.

A highway sign warns of extreme drought conditions

Featured case study

Drought forecasting

To better protect Californians from water shortages, ODI partnered with the State Water Board to build a tool that tracks usage across 2,866 communities and pinpoints those most at risk — faster and more accurately.

By spotting risk early, the state can deliver drought relief faster — helping communities stay ahead of water shortages before they become emergencies.

2,866 communities assessed
Reduced data collection time by 95%

Technology that works for people

With tools like Generative AI, California is cutting through bureaucracy, updating legacy systems, and solving problems faster than ever before — whether it's streamlining permitting or responding to climate threats.

AI-powered permitting reform

AI tools to speed up fire recovery and rebuilding

After the devastating Los Angeles fires, Governor Newsom announced the launch of a new AI-powered permitting tool — in partnership with local agencies and philanthropic partners — to help communities rebuild faster.

Local governments are integrating the tool into existing systems to cut red tape and make permitting faster and easier to navigate, reducing approval times from months to weeks.

AI in firefighting – speed that saves lives

Smarter wildfire response through AI

In 2024, AI-enabled camera spotters detected nearly a quarter of California’s wildfires — and 38% of those were before a human could. That early warning is saving lives.

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, CAL FIRE assessed over 4,000 fire starts in real-time with satellite technology. This helped crews respond faster than ever before.

“California is once again harnessing innovation to meet the moment — getting rid of bureaucratic roadblocks and accelerating recovery for families impacted by disaster.”

— Governor Gavin Newsom

Generative AI: helping government work smarter

Imagine being able to spot a traffic jam before it forms. Or simplify a complicated policy into plain language. That’s what Generative AI is helping California do — every day.

This isn’t tech for tech’s sake. It’s innovative tools that make government work better for real people — like using AI to map where super commuters lose hours in traffic, so the state can fix it faster.

GenAI helps public agencies:

Understand and predict where services are breaking down
Make faster decisions using better data

6,000 vacant positions eliminated

A picture of the capitol building's dome

This saves approximately $1 billion over two years — without cutting essential programs.

The state is also reducing travel, printing, and modernizing IT systems — delivering $3.5 billion more in taxpayer savings. They’re just a few of the operational efficiencies making California leaner.

A better government starts with better conversations

A person looking at the Engaged California website on a phone

Engaged California is creating new ways for Californians to shape the decisions that affect their lives. It invites people across the state to share ideas, offer feedback, and join respectful, solution-focused conversations.

It’s powered by the latest technology and built on transparency and inclusion.

What it looks like in action:

In less than 2 months, 7,800 people signed up to take part in Engaged CA.

Easy-to-join online discussions on major policy topics
Plain-language materials to break down complex issues
Real-time feedback loops that connect your voice to government action

AI and tech partners

We’re partnering with leaders in AI and tech to make California more engaged, efficient, and effective. We have contracts and agreements with leading AI companies.