posted on: 07/15/2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be everywhere lately. Even if you don’t have your own chatbot, AI is already embedded in search engines, email platforms, and social media feeds. And yes, it’s even finding a place in government relations.
For cosmetologists, AI will never replace the hands-on work and human connection you provide, but that doesn’t mean the technology won’t affect your practice. AI is beginning to influence how government agencies process info, organize public feedback, and modernize regulatory processes. Let’s open a chat and discuss where we’re seeing AI in the legislative world and what that means for professionals.
AI in Government Relations
AI tools can be powerful assistants, helping us process information quickly. But speed doesn’t always equal accuracy. In government relations, AI can generate a bill summary with key takeaways. The technology performs reasonably well, but it still lacks the ability to understand nuance. Legislative language is filled with exceptions, cross-references, and policy implications that can require human interpretation to get the facts right.
This past June, the Congressional Research Service reported that fewer than 3 percent of the 3,000 AI-generated bill summaries reviewed in 2024 met its accuracy standards. While AI continues to improve rapidly, findings like these reinforce an important point: Technology can help process information, but it still can’t replace human expertise when evaluating legislation and shouldn’t be your sole source for a quick policy breakdown.
The Chatbot Experiment
Curious about AI’s capabilities, AHP decided to put it to the test. We gave a chatbot a straightforward prompt:
“List all US cosmetology state boards with their respective mailing address, email, and phone number.”
At first glance, the response was impressive. Information appeared organized and comprehensive. But when we verified the data against official state board websites, more than half of the information was inaccurate or outdated. The lesson underscored that AI still requires verification and should be treated as a starting point, not a source of truth.
AI Filtering Public Commentary
One emerging use of AI in government involves filtering public comments during rulemaking. When receiving a large volume of written testimony, AI can help government staff organize submissions by identifying topics, grouping similar feedback, and combining duplicate responses. Using AI for these reasons sounds practical, but it highlights the importance of authentic comment participation.
We recently learned that a federal rulemaking affecting cosmetology used AI-assisted tools to help process public comments. While AI may help categorize submissions, it may also make it tricky for testimony to meet criteria and make it on the official record. Think of it like applying for a job and needing your resume to pass AI screening. A generic copy-and-paste written testimony may not stand out the same way a personalized response will.
This doesn’t mean hair pros shouldn’t submit comments and participate in advocacy efforts. You absolutely should. It simply means your own, authentic voice matters more than ever in this AI era.
AI with Guardrails
While AI’s role in government continues to evolve, some states are already exploring ways to balance efficiency with accountability. A strong example is California Senate Bill 1248, which proposes guardrails for how California regulatory boards use AI in licensing decisions. The bill would allow boards to use AI to speed up licensing processes but require human review before any adverse action is taken. It’s a smart strategy to embrace AI and modernize licensing processes without sacrificing fairness or human oversight.
AI Is an Assist but Not an Advocate
AI will likely play a larger role in GR in the years ahead. It may help summarize legislation, organize public comments, identify policy trends, and streamline administrative processes. Those efficiencies may benefit lawmakers, regulators, advocacy professionals, and cosmetologists alike.
But AI has a limitation: It lacks lived experience, and the human element still matters, especially in policy and professional regulation. Lawmakers need to understand how a proposal affects real professionals, businesses, clients, and communities. AI can help sort public comments, but it can’t write them from personal experience. AI can summarize legislation, but it can’t experience the real-world consequences of a new law.
So, while AI is becoming a part of government relations, it’s making human expertise more important. The future of advocacy will depend on cosmetologists who speak up and help shape policies that affect their profession. That’s a responsibility a chatbot can’t help you with.