Utah creates Office of AI Policy to study risks, offer regulatory relief for innovators

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah officials described a newly created Office of AI Policy onstage at a state business and commerce forum, saying the office will run a “policy learning lab” and a regulatory mitigation program intended to both protect the public and let companies test new AI products without immediate regulatory penalties.

Margaret (presenter) said the office has three goals: foster innovation, protect the public, and maintain an active learning posture so policymakers can adapt as technology changes. “We wanted to have an active way to observe and learn what was happening so we could make good decisions as policymakers,” she said.

The nut graf: The office will conduct deep dives on specific sectors, recommend statutory or regulatory changes to the legislature, and negotiate time-limited mitigation agreements with companies that want to pilot AI products in Utah. Officials presented the mental-health sector as the first deep-dive topic and outlined preliminary recommendations intended to balance consumer protection with paths…