How the AIC sandbox will work
The first AICs won't launch into open waters. They'll operate inside a 30-month regulatory sandbox: a supervised testing ground that lets Delaware watch autonomous businesses operate in daylight, and gives the General Assembly a complete record before writing permanent law.
Who lets you in
Admission requires approval from an oversight committee:
- Delaware Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court
- Chair of the state AI Commission
- Outside attorneys and technologists
What you can ask for
Applicants can request exemptions from specific Delaware regulations, codes, or licensing requirements, granted case by case. Two things are never on the table: consumer protection and criminal law apply in full, and banking is prohibited outright. Officials keep the power to suspend authorization, revoke licenses, and petition the Court of Chancery for dissolution.
The expected formation flow
Anticipated, based on the June 2026 draft; final steps depend on the legislation as passed.
aic prepare --charter
Prepare the entity
Define the AIC's purpose, appoint the AI agent that will manage it, and designate the single human or organizational member.
aic capitalize --minimum
Meet the capital requirement
Fund the entity to the statutory minimum. Liability is tied to available capital; undercapitalization pierces the member's shield.
aic apply --sandbox
Apply to the sandbox
Submit to the oversight committee, including any requested exemptions from specific Delaware regulations or licensing requirements.
aic disclose --counterparties
Operate with disclosure
Once admitted, every counterparty is notified they're dealing with an authorized test entity, complaint procedures included.
aic log --everything
Log everything
Maintain the statutory record of all transactions and decisions. The state retains suspension and dissolution powers throughout.
Want priority help with a sandbox application?
Waitlist members get the founder's guide when the final text lands, and hands-on support when the committee starts accepting applications.