Our state’s economy has been shaped by forward-looking leadership and carefully crafted positive public policy. We’ve cultivated a strong business environment through consistent, predictable governance, and we’ve seen the results: booming growth in technology, record job creation and a national reputation as one of the best places to build a business. But, to keep that momentum, we need to make sure our approach to perhaps the most transformative technology of our time — artificial intelligence (AI) — reflects the same commitment to growth that brought us this far, not the quick-to-regulate approaches of other states.
AI is changing the way entire industries operate. In healthcare, AI is streamlining hospital workflows. In agriculture, it’s helping to improve irrigation and crop management on our farms. In manufacturing, it’s helping companies build more optimized supply chains, detect faults in real time and train workers faster. These are far from distant hypotheticals, but are practical applications of a tool that has given businesses and institutions in our state, large and small, a competitive edge. The real promise of AI is in expanding what’s possible, opening new markets and increasing productivity across the board.
For those of us who have spent our careers advocating for local business, the message is clear: AI has the potential to energize and strengthen our economy, thus creating and delivering real gains for Utah workers, entrepreneurs and families. But to unlock those benefits, we need an appropriate regulatory approach, one that fuels innovation instead of hitting the brakes on it.
Investors don’t want to take big risks in states where rules change constantly or where innovation is weighed down by red tape. They are looking for consistency, clarity and a policy environment that welcomes growth. When we look to the overly broad, heavy-handed AI regulations from states like California and New York for guidance, the more we push that investment away from the places that are ready to build. In Utah, we’ve shown we can do better.
Our state should be a place where emerging technologies are welcomed and given the freedom to thrive. That means resisting calls to copy the kind of restrictive measures that have already been passed in other states — and led to an exodus of talent and capital. Instead, we should be working to build a climate where responsible innovation can flourish, where AI can be developed and deployed in a way that’s advantageous for business; good for workers; and safe, productive and positive for our long-term growth.
Much more than just economics is at stake. AI is also becoming a foundational technology for defense, infrastructure and national security. Whether it’s autonomous systems, cybersecurity or intelligent sensing for threat detection, the next generation of tools that will keep our country safe are being built on top of AI platforms. If we want to ensure America stays ahead of competitors like China, we can’t afford to stall our progress in this critical field with regulations that will chill the technological development of our industrial base and our innovators.
Utah has a role to play in that future. The Silicon Slopes are already home to some of the most exciting tech developments in the country. With the right approach, we can continue to lead, but that won’t happen unless we give innovators the freedom to build. If we want to keep our state growing, attracting jobs and investment, and contributing to America’s technological edge, we need to prove we’re dedicated to supporting AI and high-tech innovation with a policy environment that allows it to reach its full potential — not one that stifles it.