Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued an executive order to launch a pilot program using agentic artificial intelligence (AI) for regulatory reduction in Virginia. This initiative aims to leverage AI technology to reduce regulatory burdens and keep regulations up-to-date.
“We have made tremendous strides towards streamlining regulations and the regulatory process in the Commonwealth. Using emergent artificial intelligence tools, we will push this effort further in order to continue our mission of unleashing Virginia’s economy in a way that benefits all of its citizens,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The initiative marks the first time a state government will use agentic, generative AI to streamline its regulatory process. The AI tool will review existing regulations and guidance documents, identify contradictions with statutes, find redundancies, and suggest ways to streamline language. It will also empower state agencies to use AI for future reviews.
“The ‘Virginia model’ for regulatory modernization has become the gold standard across the U.S., with other states and federal agencies looking to replicate our reforms. With this newest initiative, Virginia will continue to lead the nation, becoming the first state to launch an agentic AI tool to power the regulatory reduction process,” said Office of Regulatory Management Director Reeve Bull.
Chief Transformation Officer Rob Ward expressed enthusiasm about working with the Office of Regulatory Management on this project: “The Office of Transformation continues to look for ways to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our state government. We look forward to working with our Office of Regulatory Management to apply the power of AI to our regulatory environment.”
Virginia has already exceeded its 25 percent regulatory reduction goal as set by Executive Directive 1 (2022) and Executive Order 19 (2022). The new initiative is expected to help agencies struggling with these goals and further streamline those that have already met or exceeded them.
