The Trump administration is exploring the implementation of Google Gemini in the drafting of federal regulations, starting with the Department of Transportation (DOT), according to ProPublica. This initiative aims to streamline the regulatory process to enhance travel safety, as DOT regulations oversee critical areas such as commercial aircraft standards and hazardous materials transportation.
Recently, agency attorney Daniel Cohen highlighted AI’s potential to radically transform the development of rulemakings, emphasizing its capability to produce drafts rapidly. Gregory Zerzan, the DOT’s general counsel, noted President Trump’s enthusiasm for this project, positioning DOT as the first federal agency fully equipped to utilize AI for drafting regulations. This move hints at a possible pilot program, with aspirations to expand AI use across additional departments in the future.
In internal discussions, Zerzan mentioned that the quality of regulations might not be prioritized, stating, “we don’t need the perfect rule… We want good enough.” Some critics express concerns regarding the reliability of AI in generating regulations, particularly given the potential consequences of errors in these critical frameworks.
The motivation behind this initiative lies in the speed it promises. Traditional regulatory drafting can be a lengthy process, often taking months, whereas AI could generate compliant drafts in a fraction of that time. A presentation from a DOT employee suggested that much of what constitutes regulatory text could be simplified, indicating that AI tools could manage the task effectively.
Despite the increasing use of AI in various capacities, skepticism remains regarding placing such responsibility on systems like Gemini to draft complex regulations. Critics argue that errors could lead to significant legal repercussions and even public safety risks. Mike Horton, former acting chief AI officer at DOT, likened relying on Gemini for regulation drafting to employing an inexperienced intern. Bridget Dooling, a professor specializing in administrative law, cautions that while there is merit in exploring these tools, they must be utilized with caution and scrutiny.
In light of a significant decrease in DOT personnel over recent years, including a loss of more than 4,000 staff members, the administration’s reliance on AI may reflect a larger strategy to address workforce challenges while aiming to modernize regulatory processes.
