What you'll accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll use a free AI tool (Claude or ChatGPT) to research complex policy and regulatory questions in 15–30 minutes instead of hours. You'll get plain-language explanations of dense federal regulations, OMB circulars, and agency guidance — then verify key points against primary sources before using them in official work.
What you'll need
- A free Claude account (claude.ai) or ChatGPT account (chatgpt.com) — no paid subscription needed to start
- Access to the specific regulation, OMB circular, or policy document you're researching
- Your agency's internet access policy confirmed for using commercial AI tools (check with your IT or security office)
- Time needed: 20 minutes setup; 15–45 minutes per research question thereafter
- Cost: Free for Claude.ai basic / ChatGPT free tier; ~$20/month for either paid plan (faster, longer documents)
How-To Guide: Use AI to Research Policy and Regulatory Questions
Step 1: Set up your AI account
Go to claude.ai or chatgpt.com and create a free account using your personal email. Do not use your official government email unless your agency has an enterprise agreement and approved use policy for that tool.
Important: If your agency hasn't addressed commercial AI tool policy, use your personal email to create an account, and treat the tool as a research aid — not an official system.
What you should see: A chat interface where you can type messages and receive responses.