Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Tuesday signed an executive order directing state government agencies to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools using "pro-human" principles. The order aims to promote responsible AI use within government, enhancing public services and improving efficiency while maintaining safeguards for human agency, data privacy, and trust, according to the governor’s office.
This executive order establishes a "structured, pro-human framework for artificial intelligence integration across state government," as stated by the governor’s office in a news release. It is designed to advance Utah’s Pro-Human AI Initiative, an effort launched in December 2025.
Under the new directive, state government agencies are required to implement AI literacy training for their employees. These employees will also be directed to utilize AI tools to "streamline internal processes and radically improve citizen-facing applications." Governor Cox emphasized that the state can both innovate and ensure safety. "The choice between innovation and safety in government is a false one," Cox said in a prepared statement. He added that AI presents a significant opportunity to better serve residents, insisting that "technology must always remain accountable to the people." Cox also stated that by ensuring a "human-guided and human-enhancing" approach, Utah aims to lead the nation in deploying advanced technology while preserving individual liberty, privacy, and human dignity.
The Department of Government Operations has been tasked to lead the state in applying AI-driven process improvements, selecting tools that align with Pro-Human AI principles. Additionally, the Division of Technology Services is required to collaborate with the Division of Human Resources Management. Together, they will design and implement a comprehensive AI literacy training strategy for all state agency employees, alongside specialized training tailored for agency AI leads.
All state agencies are also mandated to evaluate how AI technology can optimize and transform state government business functions cost-effectively. They are further directed to actively investigate and propose areas where AI can responsibly optimize or transform citizen-facing government processes and automated workflows.
Marvin Dodge, commissioner of the Utah Department of Government Operations and a member of the Pro-Human AI Task Force, issued a statement reinforcing the importance of the new approach. Dodge stated that state government must "exemplify both operational excellence and ethical responsibility" as these powerful technologies are adopted. He noted that through comprehensive employee literacy, robust technical safeguards, and privacy-preserving digital identity frameworks, the workforce is being empowered to innovate safely and deliver "faster, more transparent outcomes for all Utahns."
Margaret Woolley Busse, commissioner of the Utah Department of Commerce, and Jefferson Moss, commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, who co-chair Utah’s Pro-Human AI Initiative, released a joint statement. They applauded the executive order as a "vital action" for their initiative. Busse and Moss said that by setting these standards, state agencies are empowered to harness AI tools dynamically and efficiently while preserving public trust, transparency, and accountability. This initiative signifies a significant step for Utah in integrating advanced technology into its governmental operations while prioritizing ethical considerations and citizen welfare.
