Gary Silverman
Columnist
Last week’s paper included an opinion lauding Republicans for their quick adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to streamline regulations. That is simply wrong. Using AI is not a partisan issue. AI comes with both promises and challenges that both parties are wrestling with. It is a tool that can be useful but certainly has yet to be perfected. In fact, AI will often result in outcomes that ask the human user to double-check for accuracy – it is amazingly fast but is still quite unreliable. Readers may want to reflect on their own frustrating experiences going through phone trees to get an answer to a problem, only to be stymied by AI’s lack of understanding. Questions about AI’s reliability in making good choices are everywhere.
Virginia is now trying to streamline government by using AI to scan all regulations to identify problems, including inconsistencies and unclear language. Sounds good – but let’s think about this a bit more. Do we want A1 to be making decisions about human lives? Should a regulation be changed to decrease the minimum size wiring in building a home? It certainly would decrease the builder’s costs – with savings probably passed down to the homeowner. But if this happened, who would be responsible for the increased number of home fires that would surely result? Should regulations change so that extra parking spaces for people with disabilities are no longer required in public parking lots? These spaces certainly are not cost efficient – but do help a segment of the public. These value questions do not have simple solutions and opinions vary – what should we expect AI to decide for us?
Everyone wants streamlined regulations – no one is a fan of more bureaucracy. Somewhat ironic is in trying to minimize government here in Virginia by using AI, the first step was to create the Office of Transformation, adding to state bureaucracy. Surprising too may be learning when the federal government last had bureaucracy under financial control, with revenues exceeding expenditures. It was during the Clinton administration, from 1998 – 2001, with the national debt shrinking during that time. The last time the federal budget was balanced during a Republican administration was in 1960, during Dwight Eisenhower’s final year as president. At the federal level, both parties have recently expanded government much quicker than expanding revenue, which is why our national debt is the highest it’s ever been. Of course, at the state level, having a balanced budget is required by law. Currently our state budget is healthy, reflecting the strong state and national economies during 2024.
Virginia is now engaging in an interesting experiment using AI to help government streamline and become more efficient while promoting future growth. This effort is consistent nationally, with all 50 states having introduced legislation this year to try to appropriately control the use of AI. It’s not a partisan idea – it’s important for government to figure out how AI can best be used safely and productively. Going forward, party positions may become important about how freely AI should be used, and how much care should be taken in its use without human oversight. It should be important, and interesting, to hear from our politicians and candidates their specific ideas for the best use of artificial intelligence going forward.
