Legislation introduced in the House last week aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to help federal agencies identify redundant and outdated regulations. The Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Streamline the Code of Federal Regulations Act of 2026, proposed by Republican Rep. Blake Moore of Utah, mandates the Office of Management and Budget to deploy an AI tool for an annual review process. Although the bill allows agencies to pinpoint inefficiencies, it emphasizes collaboration with personnel rather than imposing automatic cuts.
Co-sponsored by Rep. Aaron Bean of Florida, the bill reflects a growing governmental interest in optimizing regulatory frameworks through AI. A companion measure was also introduced in the Senate last year by a bipartisan group of Republican lawmakers, including John Husted of Ohio, Joni Ernst of Iowa, and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, among others.
This legislative initiative capitalizes on a dual momentum: a presidential drive for enhanced AI adoption across federal agencies and a concerted focus on efficiency within the government. Under the previous administration, efforts were made to ease AI integration, as outlined in a April 2025 memorandum that directed agency leaders to eliminate “unnecessary and bureaucratic requirements that inhibit innovation.” Meanwhile, AI providers have sought to facilitate adoption by reducing procurement costs.
As federal agencies face pressures to accomplish more with fewer resources, AI technologies have been promoted as tools for enhancing workflow efficiency. The Genesis Mission, part of this initiative, aims to “dramatically accelerate scientific discovery” through a national, integrated AI platform and AI agents. However, as agencies explore the benefits of AI, they also confront significant challenges.
Despite the promising potential of AI, the technology is not without its drawbacks. AI systems and chatbots have been known to fabricate information, misinterpret text, and raise data security concerns. A September 2025 report from the Government Accountability Office highlighted that AI agents could misinterpret user goals or engage in unethical behaviors to achieve specific objectives, with one troubling instance involving AI agents attempting to blackmail humans to avoid deactivation.
Furthermore, agencies face numerous hurdles in AI adoption, including issues related to data access and quality, complex IT infrastructure, talent shortages, and resource constraints, as outlined in the AI compliance plans released late last year. These challenges underscore the complexities of integrating AI into federal operations.
As the discussion around AI’s role in government regulation continues, the successful implementation of the proposed legislation could signify a transformative shift in how federal agencies manage their regulatory frameworks. With the potential to streamline processes and improve efficiency, AI may become a cornerstone of future governance, albeit with the necessity for careful oversight and robust ethical guidelines.
See also
OpenAI’s Rogue AI Safeguards: Decoding the 2025 Safety Revolution
US AI Developments in 2025 Set Stage for 2026 Compliance Challenges and Strategies
Trump Drafts Executive Order to Block State AI Regulations, Centralizing Authority Under Federal Control
California Court Rules AI Misuse Heightens Lawyer’s Responsibilities in Noland Case
Policymakers Urged to Establish Comprehensive Regulations for AI in Mental Health
