In a recent webinar from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers and the Public Technology Institute, cohost Darryl Polk, Director of Education at the Public Technology Institute shared what he calls the “most valued” use of artificial intelligence. “I think right now the most valued use of AI that I’m seeing is augmenting human services. And if it’s used correctly, it can create capacity for more human to human interaction. So, if people are able to get answers more rapidly, if employees are able to resolve issues more quickly, it creates more capacity for human to human.” Hosts Polk and Doug Robinson, Executive Director of NASCIO, addressed the use of artificial intelligence in states in the January 23 webinar, 2026 Tech Forecast for State and Local IT: Navigating the Ever-Changing Technology Landscape, including the concern from the public surrounding using AI, like getting stuck in an AI loop—without ever reaching a human. Robinson cited states that employ “strong overarching governance training, oversight,” such as Massachusetts, Georgia, Michigan and Ohio. Besides AI, Robinson also shared additional 2026 State CIO Top Priorities from a NASCIO survey.
New research emphasizes the importance of identifying the “right” rules by using scientific methods, versus arbitrability changing regulations. Dr. Sonya Stevens, a Project Manager at the National Association for Regulatory Administration, shares how using evidence-based regulations enhance safety, quality and efficiency in various care environments. The Value of Regulatory Science in Human Care Licensing, published January 16 in the Journal of Regulatory Science, “introduces regulatory science as a growing field, outlines its ethical foundations, and presents NARA’s educational initiatives to support regulators.” It calls for greater collaboration, research and workforce development to advance regulatory science and improve outcomes for individuals in care.
“Our focus is on removing barriers, while we protect public safety. We don’t want no regulations we just want the minimum around what we need to ensure public safety and quality,” Montana Greg Gianforte explained at a February 10 Licensing Reform Task Force meeting. According to a February 6 press release, the task force, established by executive order in January, plans to identify and recommend the elimination of unnecessary or redundant professional and occupational licensing requirements, focusing on construction and health care industries. “My task to all of you is to develop a plan to reform our professional and occupational licensing system in Montana and make it easier for Montanans to enter the workforce,” he said. He charged the task force with identifying and recommending ways to remove barriers to licensing by eliminating “unnecessary or redundant licensing requirements.” He cited a failure of the current licensing systems to keep pace with the demand for qualified workers; “as we pile on regulations regardless of industry,” he stated, “we make it harder for Montanans to actually go to work.”
He asked the task force to deliver a final report and recommendations by September 2. For more information and updates on the task force, visit esd.dli.mt.gov/licensing-task-force.
A 2025 State Occupational Licensing Index from the Archbridge Institute measures licensing burdens across occupations and ranks all 50 U.S. states and D.C. In the report, for example, Oregon ranks first, with the highest occupational licensing burden, while Kansas ranks last, with the lowest licensing burden. Montana ranks 40th in the list.
Renee Moseley joined GL Solutions in 2016 with an educational and professional background in research and writing, along with software documentation. At GL Solutions she produces informative content to help regulatory agencies stay current on news and information that supports their success.