Regulatory Reform for Agentic AI: Addressing Governance Challenges in Federal AI Adoption

Abstract

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly agentic AI systems capable of autonomous decision-making, has exposed significant gaps in existing federal regulatory frameworks. This paper examines the regulatory barriers inhibiting AI innovation and adoption identified in the Office of Science and Technology Policy's (OSTP) Request for Information (RFI) on regulatory reform. We analyze five categories of barriers—regulatory mismatches, structural incompatibility, lack of clarity, direct hindrance, and organizational factors—and propose a comprehensive governance framework integrating technical standards, risk management protocols, and policy recommendations. Drawing from extensive literature on AI governance tools and frameworks, we present actionable solutions for modernizing federal regulations to foster responsible AI innovation while maintaining public trust and safety.