Results Summary
Survey responses indicate that legislative staff, both partisan and nonpartisan, have begun to use generative AI tools to aid legislative work, and even more are considering their use, including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Sonix. Staff are using these tools to write emails, transcribe hearings and debate, assist with formulas and programming, edit text, conduct research, develop position descriptions and job postings, create summaries and to enhance cybersecurity.
Results from the survey also show that legislative offices have begun to regulate staff usage of generative AI tools, but these approaches vary widely, and many legislatures have not yet adopted policies or guidance. Many staff emphasized the importance of verifying the accuracy of AI- generated output, while others shared that there have been no conversations about or plans to use generative AI in the near future.
Staff also mentioned that some legislatures and legislative offices have initiated study groups or worked with other state government entities to help determine policies for staff usage or to provide recommendations to legislative leadership and management.
The survey results, including the applications being used or considered for use by legislative staff, are summarized below. Pie charts show responses by number and percentage and text boxes indicate answers to open-ended follow-up questions, which respondents were prompted to answer if they chose “Yes” for any of the questions asked.