Key Takeaways
- The Virginia Coalition for Open Government played a crucial role in modernizing land records in Virginia’s courthouses 25 years ago
- The goal of modernization was to increase transparency, confidence, and accessibility of public records
- Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve access to and understanding of public records, but it must be approached with caution and careful consideration
- Pilot projects and small-scale experimentation can help determine the best way to integrate AI into live county land record systems
- The next generation of public servants must prioritize the public interest and ensure that AI is used to augment, rather than replace, human oversight and official records
Introduction to Modernization
Twenty-five years ago, change came to Virginia’s courthouses in a quiet and incremental manner. As stated by the author, "change did not arrive in Virginia’s courthouses all at once. It came quietly — one scanner, one database, one policy argument at a time." This modernization effort was led by the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, under the leadership of Forrest "Frosty" Landon. The goal of this effort was not to simply adopt new technology, but to increase transparency, confidence, and accessibility of public records. As the author notes, "The goal was never technology for technology’s sake. It was transparency. It was confidence. It was making sure the public records that define ownership — the backbone of our property system — were open, understandable and dependable."
The Impact of Modernization
The modernization of land records in Virginia had a significant impact on the state’s property system. As the author notes, "Those reforms opened courthouse doors digitally. Online access, uniform indexing and electronic filing did more than speed up transactions. They strengthened public trust." This increased transparency and accessibility of public records helped to ensure that the public had faith in the system and could easily access the information they needed. The author also quotes, "Today, we are at a similar moment. AI will not replace clerks of court. It will not replace lawyers, surveyors or bankers. And it should never replace official records. But used wisely, it can help people access, understand and use the public records they already own faster, better and cheaper."
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to further improve access to and understanding of public records. As the author notes, "Across the country, early examples hint at what this might look like. At Stanford University, researchers used AI to examine millions of historical deed records, identifying and mapping racially restrictive covenants buried in legal language." This project demonstrates the potential of AI to help uncover hidden information and make public records more accessible. However, as the author cautions, "Accuracy and trust matter. One mistake in public records can echo for decades." Therefore, it is essential to approach the integration of AI into live county land record systems with caution and careful consideration.
The Next Generation of Record Keepers
The next generation of public servants will inherit digital records, but it is up to them to ensure that these records are connected, consistent, and easy to understand. As the author notes, "The generation entering public service will inherit digital records — but not always connected, consistent or easy to understand. AI offers a way to bridge that gap, but only if approached with the same care that guided modernization twenty-five years ago." This requires a commitment to the public interest and a careful consideration of how AI can be used to augment, rather than replace, human oversight and official records. The author concludes, "The choice before us is whether we shape how it serves the public record — or allow it to shape that record by default."
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the modernization of land records in Virginia 25 years ago was a significant step forward in increasing transparency, confidence, and accessibility of public records. As the author notes, "The work ahead is not entirely new. It is simply the next chapter in a long story of stewardship— one that began with courthouse books, passed through computer screens, and now stands at the threshold of something more powerful." The next generation of public servants must prioritize the public interest and ensure that AI is used to augment, rather than replace, human oversight and official records. The author recommends, "A member of the 2026 Virginia General Assembly may choose to take the first step — through a study resolution, budget language or a letter requesting a JLARC or joint subcommittee review— so the Commonwealth can examine whether and how to modernize Virginia’s land records once again." By taking a careful and considered approach to the integration of AI into live county land record systems, Virginia can continue to lead the way in making public records more accessible and transparent.