This image was AI generated

Is There a Future for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Idaho Government?

By Heather Scott, Idaho State Representative District 2

Five years ago, I spent 12-15 hours a month analyzing and simplifying monthly proposed changes in Idaho administrative rules, regulations, and fees in order to make the information understandable for the average citizen.  Three other volunteers assisted me to refine the information, spending additional time.  Our hope was that citizens would be interested enough to provide feedback to government overreach in their daily lives.  We were making progress…

Then, Covid happened and in an attempt to keep up with the tyranny my constituents were facing, my time was better spent helping folks keep their jobs, avoid being forced to vaccinate, and helping them push back on the Governor’s mask mandates, essential employee designations, and business lockdowns.

Well, a lot has changed since 2020 and since then I have been introduced to a new tool, Artificial Intelligence (AI) that may have saved me a lot of time in the past.

AI is defined as the ability of a computer or robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.

The Idaho legislature actually passed legislation this year to address possible misuses of AI use in elections. We also set up a committee to research which Idaho government agencies are currently using AI and for what.  As this technology continues to develop, I imagine we will see more of this type legislation in the coming years.

I skeptically decided I would try to use AI as a tool to combat big government and out-of-control bureaucracies and wanted to share my experience:

As an experiment, I prompted AI to help me with that same 12-15 per hour a month task of organizing and simplifying the thousands of pages of rules regulations and fees.  And not just for one month’s data, but for the monthly changes made from January to October.

And guess how much time it took me?

• 3 minutes to find the monthly administrative rules, regulations and fees website
• 3 minutes to upload the documents for analysis
• 2 minutes to get the analysis
• 1 minute to save the document

For less than 10 minutes of my time, I was able to prepare what would have taken possibly 180 hours, or seven and a half (24-hour) days.

Here is a link to the AI generated results of the summary of the rules for you to take a look at.  Although it is a very high-level summary, it may spark some interest into digging deeper and commenting on specific rules that will personally affect you.  Although it is too late to comment to the governor’s office on many of these administrative rule changes, it is never too late to contact your legislators with concerns.  In January, when we are back in session, we will have the opportunity to accept or reject each new proposed rule.

What I have learned from this AI experience is that AI technology can be used for good or evil and is likely here to stay.  It appears that AI may be a very valuable research tool easy enough for anyone to use.  I remain cautiously optimistic of this new technology and will continue to learn ways to use it to control our out-of-control bureaucracies and make positive changes in Idaho.