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Why a Mayor is Training 1,000 Workers to Use ChatGPT
And Why You Should Take Notes
When you think about cities getting smarter, your mind probably jumps to drones or futuristic buildings. But in San Jose, California, the real transformation is happening behind desks.
Mayor Matt Mahan just launched an effort to train 1,000 city employees to get better at using digital tools like ChatGPT to work faster and think sharper. No technical background required. No complicated systems. Just learning how to ask better questions and get more done.
One department used it to write a grant proposal—and they walked away with $12 million to install EV chargers across the city. That’s not hype. That’s real money, earned through smart use of the tools already in front of us.
What This Means for Creators, Freelancers, and Builders
If local government employees—who often work within rigid, slow-moving systems—can unlock that kind of efficiency, what’s stopping you?
Whether you're:
Drafting emails to clients
Naming your next product
Coming up with fresh marketing angles
Or just trying to spend less time stuck staring at a blank screen…
The same tools are available to you. Right now. For free or nearly free. The only real difference is whether you’re using them to your advantage—or watching others do it first.
✅ The Real Takeaway:
You don’t need to become a tech expert.
You just need to become curious enough to try.
Because the people who learn how to think with these tools—who use them to generate ideas, improve workflows, and move faster—aren’t going to be waiting for permission. They’re going to be leading.
> Want to read the full story?
👉 San Jose Mayor Wants 1,000 City Workers Using AI