Elon Musk’s DOGE builds an AI tool that targets federal regulations

The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has introduced a new artificial intelligence tool designed to reduce federal regulations. The news was initially reported by The Washington Post. This initiative looks like a part of the Trump administration’s broader push for deregulation, which aims to eliminate half of federal rules by January 2026.

According to internal documents obtained by The Washington Post and confirmed by multiple officials, the AI system, named the "DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool," reviews approximately 200,000 existing regulations. Its purpose is to identify and recommend cuts to an estimated 100,000 rules deemed no longer necessary by law. The tool has already completed regulatory reviews at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

According to the reports, the development of this AI tool stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which requires agencies to repeal ten regulations for every new one issued. White House spokesman Harrison Fields stated that "all options are being explored" to meet the president's deregulation goals, emphasising that "the DOGE experts creating these plans are the best and brightest in the business.”

AI vs. Federal Regulations

Reportedly, the use of AI in such a far-reaching capacity has generated concerns among critics and some federal employees. Despite internal scepticism and legal questions regarding the AI's accuracy and whether its recommendations will withstand court challenges, the Trump administration plans to expand the tool's deployment across all federal agencies in the coming months, with a stated goal to "Relaunch America on 20 January 2026."

James Burnham, former DOGE legal chief, defended the strategy, calling it a "creative deployment of artificial intelligence to advance the president's regulatory agenda."

Elon Musk, who was involved in the DOGE initiative, reportedly led efforts to improve government efficiency, though he departed the administration in May. The AI tool is expected to save a significant amount of labour, potentially reducing what would typically take millions of work hours by automating the deregulation process with minimal human input.