Artificial Intelligence for Processing Public Comments

This technical report outlines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the public comment processing workflow utilized by environmental regulatory agencies. It details the current workflow, which involves multiple stakeholders including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), primary contractors, and external contractors. The report identifies significant operational challenges such as manual processing inefficiencies and inconsistencies in comment categorization. It presents opportunities for AI technologies to enhance document processing, content classification, and quality assurance, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy. The report also discusses the technical implementation approach, emphasizing the importance of maintaining data ownership and security protocols. Additionally, it highlights potential operational benefits, including reduced processing time and improved consistency in comment categorization. However, it also addresses technical limitations and risks associated with AI systems, recommending pilot projects to explore AI applications while ensuring regulatory standards are upheld. The report concludes with strategic recommendations for gradual AI integration into regulatory workflows.