Governments Use AI to Identify and Streamline Outdated Rules

Federal and provincial governments are employing artificial intelligence to analyze and modernize outdated regulations as part of a coordinated effort to reduce bureaucratic red tape. Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali met with provincial and territorial ministers responsible for red tape reduction in Toronto on Thursday to discuss strategies for cutting costs and improving productivity by streamlining complex rules.

The initiative involves using AI tools to scan laws, regulations, and government forms to identify rules that are obsolete or unnecessarily complicated. A spokesperson for Ali’s office stated that several provinces are exploring how AI can be used to review internal processes, handle applications and approvals more efficiently, and improve overall service delivery.

At the federal level, officials are using a platform called BizPal, which outlines permit and licensing requirements across different jurisdictions. This platform employs AI to translate complex legal and regulatory language into plain language summaries. Similarly, the Ontario government’s website indicates it is using AI to analyze its laws and forms to find outdated rules.