Rules as Code for a More Transparent and Efficient Global Economy

Abstract

Rules as Code (RaC) is the process of encoding legislation into machine-executable formats to enhance public service delivery by improving non-expert access to complex laws, automating the downstream impacts of legislative changes, facilitating AI use in governance, and enabling agencies to simulate policy impacts before implementation. RaC offers a cost-effective way to modernize governance with minimal upfront investment, achieving goals of improving government efficiency and enhancing digital public services. The G7 should establish a Regulatory Innovation Task Force, overseen by the Digital & Technology Working Group, to research and provide recommendations to G7 Digital and Tech Ministers on implementing machine-executable legislation, promote knowledge-sharing, and support national RaC initiatives among G7 members. RaC should be integrated into the rule-drafting process from the outset, with G7-backed pilot projects in politically feasible areas, focusing on high-impact, accurate prototypes like machine-executable benefit assessments and promoting open-source tools.