The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission is embracing artificial intelligence and automation to tackle its expanded regulatory responsibilities, according to Chairman Mike Selig's congressional testimony, despite a substantial decline in the agency's workforce under the Trump administration. With approximately a quarter of the CFTC's staff departing since 2025, the agency is leveraging AI tools like Microsoft's Copilot to enhance productivity and support its oversight of rapidly growing cryptocurrency and prediction markets.
Selig assured lawmakers that the CFTC is operating more efficiently, with AI facilitating investigations and surveillance. The agency is prioritizing enforcement, with a focus on digital assets and prediction markets, where numerous investigations are ongoing.
Despite staffing constraints, Selig is committed to moving forward with rulemaking, including a preliminary rule process for US prediction markets, and has pledged to request additional support from the committee if needed.