Every technology vendor has an AI pitch right now, and local government buyers have learned to be skeptical of it. That’s because government leaders evaluate AI against different criteria than the private sector does—and the gap is wide between an AI feature list and an AI that provides measurable value in a government workflow.

In our customer conversations, some of the questions we hear most are about where AI actually belongs in the plan review process. And our customers aren’t alone. A June 2026 study of 2,000 U.S. public sector workers found that 44% named human oversight and accountability as a top responsible AI priority.

AI is most useful in government when it addresses a specific operational need while keeping people responsible for decisions that require professional judgment and public accountability.

At Avolve, we describe this as human-centric AI: technology that augments human expertise rather than replacing it.

Where AI Is Most Useful in Plan Review

Today, too many plan reviewers end up spending their workday wading through administrative tasks rather than reviewing work. They end up losing time to confirming a submittal has the right sheets, titles, references and file information before they can evaluate the plans themselves.

These tasks don’t require professional judgment and expertise, but rather attention and time, both of which are in short supply at most local agencies. The result is permit turnaround times that keep stretching longer, which slows development, cuts into revenue generation for the city, and delays the services the community is waiting on.

Roanoke, Virginia illustrates this broader capacity challenge. The city’s planning department was recently reported to be 20 positions short, while one local builder described unusually long permitting delays—the longest in 20 years.

AI cannot solve a staffing shortage, but automating these more rote, administrative tasks with AI helps agencies do more with less. Avolve AI Submit, for example, flags common issues such as missing titles, sheet references and other basic submission errors before applications reach reviewers. Catching these issues earlier can reduce avoidable resubmittals and give reviewers more time to focus on decisions that require professional judgment.

Where Human Judgment Still Belongs

It’s important to remember that plan review still depends on decisions that require professional judgment: interpreting code in context, assessing unusual site conditions, resolving conflicts between requirements and determining when an issue warrants consultation across departments. Those decisions carry public accountability, and that accountability remains with the jurisdiction.

At Avolve, we call this intentional AI: purpose-built for government plan review and designed to augment, not replace, professional expertise. Our approach draws on more than 20 years of plan review experience and work with more than 350 government agencies. Built on Microsoft’s enterprise-grade AI infrastructure, Avolve AI delivers transparent, explainable assistance while keeping reviewers in control.

What This Means for Public-Sector Teams

What makes AI useful in government is not how much work it can take over, but whether it is applied to the right work. In plan review, AI can handle routine checks that consume staff time, while reviewers remain responsible for decisions requiring professional judgment and public accountability.

Request a demo to learn more about Avolve AI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is AI most useful in plan review?

AI is most useful for routine, time-consuming checks, such as identifying missing titles, sheet references and other basic submission errors before an application reaches substantive review.

Can AI replace government plan reviewers?

No. AI can support reviewers by handling routine checks, but decisions that require code interpretation, assessment of unusual conditions or coordination across departments remain with reviewers and the jurisdiction.

What is intentional AI?

Intentional AI is Avolve’s human-centric approach to applying AI where it can support government plan review while keeping professional expertise and accountability with the jurisdiction.

What does Avolve AI Submit do?

Avolve AI Submit flags common submission issues, including missing titles, sheet references and other basic errors, before applications reach reviewers. This can reduce avoidable resubmittals and preserve staff time for substantive review.