Virginia Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg joined Quorum to discuss how state leaders are using AI, and why thoughtful adoption matters more than flashy use cases.
When people hear “AI in government,” they often imagine robots writing laws or chatbots replacing legislative staff. But the reality — and the opportunity — is far more grounded. As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, state lawmakers are quietly integrating them into daily operations, using AI not to replace their judgment, but to enhance it.
During a recent Quorum webinar, we hosted Virginia State Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg — a legislator, educator, and policy wonk — for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI is transforming legislative work in practical, measurable ways. His message was clear: AI’s real value lies in improving the quality and efficiency of legislative work, not in speeding things up at the expense of rigor.
Here are the key takeaways for government affairs professionals and public sector teams navigating the next wave of innovation.
AI Should Assist, Not Automate
A year ago, Senator VanValkenburg didn’t have a formal philosophy on using AI. That changed quickly.
“I don’t want us to depend on it for anything,” he shared. “But I want us to use it as a tool to make our efforts stronger, better, more efficient.”
In his office, AI is used to draft outlines for form constituent responses, gather policy research, and compare how other states approach specific issues — all under human supervision.
The senator emphasized a “trust but verify” mindset. AI can speed up the first 20% of a task, but the remaining 80% still requires human input: refining tone, adding local context, and ensuring accuracy.
Where AI Fits in Legislative Workflows
Here’s how AI is already proving useful in the day-to-day work of a state legislative office:
- Constituent Communications: Drafting templates for common inquiries, especially on recurring issues like healthcare or transportation. AI can suggest structure and tone, which staff then personalize.
- Policy Research: AI helps summarize how other states regulate issues like housing, zoning, or testing standards. It’s a fast entry point — not a final answer.
- Regulatory Analysis: Tools can assist in identifying redundancies or bottlenecks in permitting and oversight processes, especially when exploring opportunities to modernize infrastructure or reduce red tape.
Where AI Doesn’t Belong (Yet)
Sen. VanValkenburg was unequivocal: “Writing a law… that is really a no-go.”
He pointed to the complexity of legislative language — the nuances of legal code, the deliberate pacing of the drafting process, and the need for collaboration. “Words matter so much in lawmaking,” he said, “and how things are drafted tends to be a communal process.”
Other areas he flagged for caution:
- Personal constituent responses (not form letters)
- Public-facing op-eds or messaging in his voice
- Research that isn’t independently verified
In each case, his standard is consistent: AI can support the work, but it can’t replace the thinking behind it.
Why Staff Capacity Shapes AI Adoption
Most state legislative offices have small teams, often with just one or two full-time staff. As a result, the use of AI is often driven by staffers, depending on their workload, comfort with technology, and writing ability.
“Some offices embrace constituent service and see AI as a tool to do more,” VanValkenburg said. “Others may use it because they don’t have strong writing skills or they’re simply stretched too thin.”
That means AI usage varies widely between offices. Younger legislators don’t necessarily use AI more — their aides often lead the charge. For government affairs professionals engaging these offices, it’s important to remember that behind every message, there’s a unique team with its own norms and capacity.
In Education, AI Changes the Rules — And the Assignments
Sen. VanValkenburg teaches government in a Virginia public school. He’s seen firsthand how AI upends traditional learning. Overnight, assignments that required critical thinking and writing became frictionless to complete — but harder to assess.
His response? Rethink the approach. Blue books are coming back. Class discussions matter more. And AI is being positioned as a research tool, not a shortcut.
“If you ask it the right questions, it helps you learn faster,” he said. “But students still need to do the work — read the case, understand the history, form the argument.”
This dual lens — as legislator and educator — reinforces his belief that AI is only as useful as the human judgment applied to it.
Legislation on AI: What’s Coming Next
With Congress slow to act, states are increasingly stepping in to regulate AI and related technologies. Virginia has already explored:
- Consumer protections around algorithmic decision-making in housing and rent pricing
- Privacy laws and guardrails on data use
- AI guidance for state agencies through model policies
- Education policy to address academic integrity and testing
He expects much more to come — especially as AI reshapes how schools, courts, and agencies operate. But he also cautions: policymaking must keep pace with the technology, and that means continuous updates and oversight.
Sen. VanValkenburg believes Congress should lead, but until it does, “states will be the laboratories of democracy” — experimenting with frameworks that other jurisdictions may eventually adopt.
AI and the Future of Governing: A Call for State Capacity
Looking ahead, VanValkenburg hopes AI can address one of government’s biggest barriers: capacity.
Government doesn’t always fail due to bad ideas — it often stalls due to limited staffing, process friction, and legacy systems. If AI can help agencies analyze permit backlogs, accelerate infrastructure reviews, or clean up duplicative rules, then it becomes a force multiplier.
“It’s not just about saving time,” he said. “It’s about building the capacity to govern better.”
What Government Affairs Professionals Should Take Away
AI’s growing role in state legislatures isn’t about automating policy. It’s about enabling teams to work with greater precision, clarity, and impact — while avoiding shallow speed.
If you work in public affairs:
- Don’t assume one-size-fits-all adoption. Each legislator and office is different.
- Respect the human layer. Even if a message was drafted by AI, staff and legislators will expect clear, authentic engagement.
- Support responsible innovation. Many legislators want to use AI — they just don’t have a roadmap. Your expertise can help fill that gap.
Final Takeaway
AI is becoming part of the legislative process, but not in the way most headlines suggest. Its true impact lies in how it enhances workflows, deepens research, and frees up capacity for more meaningful work. For legislators like Senator VanValkenburg, AI is not a replacement for good governance. It’s a way to do more of it.
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