Artificial intelligence (AI) is often celebrated for its ability to connect ideas, people, and disciplines in ways that were once unimaginable. But as we marvel at the rapid pace of AI innovation, a quieter challenge lurks beneath the surface: the laws and regulations that shape how we work together are struggling to keep up—not just directly, but in subtle, indirect ways that can stifle progress.
The Hidden Side of Regulatory Lag
When we talk about regulatory lag, most people picture lawmakers scrambling to write new rules for emerging technologies. While it’s true that direct regulations—like those governing data privacy or algorithmic accountability—are important, there’s another layer that often goes unnoticed. These are the indirect legal barriers: rules and requirements that weren’t designed with AI in mind, but still have a profound impact on how innovation unfolds.
Think back to the early days of the internet. The biggest breakthroughs didn’t just come from new laws about digital speech or cybersecurity. They came when countries lowered tariffs, updated investment rules, and removed obstacles that had nothing to do with the internet itself, but everything to do with enabling global e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship.
AI’s Power to Break Down Silos
Today, AI is poised to do for interdisciplinary collaboration what the internet did for global commerce. By synthesizing knowledge across fields—like medicine and machine learning, or law and computer science—AI makes it possible to tackle complex problems that no single discipline could solve alone.
But here’s the catch: many professions are still governed by a patchwork of licensure regimes and rigid definitions of expertise. These rules, while often intended to protect the public, can make it difficult for professionals to cross boundaries and collaborate in new ways. For example, a healthcare professional who wants to work with AI diagnostic tools may face regulatory hurdles that slow down innovation and limit patient care.
Signs of Progress—and What Needs to Change
There are encouraging signs that some barriers are starting to fall. In healthcare, for instance, a few states have begun granting nurse practitioners and physician assistants greater autonomy, making it easier for them to collaborate with AI systems and deliver better outcomes. These changes show that it’s possible to rethink old rules in light of new technology.
However, in many other fields, professional silos remain firmly in place. If we want to unlock the full potential of AI-driven collaboration, policymakers and regulators need to look beyond the obvious. It’s not enough to focus on the visible “bark” of new technology; we must also tend to the hidden “roots” of our legal systems that quietly shape what’s possible.
Actionable Takeaways
- Review and update indirect legal barriers: Encourage lawmakers to examine how existing rules may unintentionally hinder interdisciplinary work.
- Promote flexible licensure: Support policies that allow professionals to collaborate across fields without unnecessary red tape.
- Foster a culture of innovation: Encourage organizations to experiment with new models of teamwork that leverage AI’s strengths.
- Engage stakeholders: Bring together experts from law, technology, and other sectors to identify and address hidden obstacles.
Summary: Key Points
- Indirect regulatory lag can quietly limit the impact of AI on interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Many legal barriers were not designed for today’s technology landscape and need to be reimagined.
- Positive changes are happening in some sectors, but more work is needed across the board.
- Policymakers, professionals, and organizations all have a role to play in fostering innovation.
- By addressing both direct and indirect barriers, we can unlock AI’s full potential to solve complex challenges together.