New York is putting AI to work on a major government modernization challenge: reviewing the state’s vast collection of rules, regulations, and policies. Governor Kathy Hochul said her team is using AI to analyze “every single rule” to identify outdated or unnecessary requirements.
The potential impact is significant. Hochul noted that a manual review could have taken around five years at the staff level, while AI can help surface issues much faster for human officials to evaluate. Examples cited include antiquated rules like a fee for taking a dog hunting and outdated work-permit requirements.
AI as a tool for smarter government
This is a promising example of AI helping public institutions tackle slow, complex administrative work. By accelerating the discovery of obsolete policies, the state can focus human expertise on judgment, reform, and implementation.
- Faster review: AI can scan large bodies of legal and regulatory text at scale.
- Less red tape: Outdated rules can be flagged for potential removal or revision.
- Better public service: Modernized regulations can make government easier for residents and businesses to navigate.