Utah Leading the Future of Artificial Intelligence

October 30, 2024

Be a part of shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in Utah.

Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus
Karen Gail Miller Conference Center
from 8am-2pm

Immerse yourself in the forefront of innovation (AI) at Utah's premier AI event, where the future of AI-driven transformation is not just discussed but actively shaped. Utah, a state already celebrated for its forward-thinking policies and a workforce adept at embracing future challenges, is set to strengthen its leadership in AI through this dynamic symposium.
This isn't just a conference; it's a movement where Utah's leadership in AI policy, regulation, and innovation converges with the state's forward-thinking workforce and educational powerhouses.
Join Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox and the Utah Department of Commerce’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy in actively shaping the future of artificial intelligence in Utah and beyond.
This symposium is proudly supported by a collaborative network that includes the Utah System of Higher Education, Salt Lake Community College, Silicon Slopes, TechBuzz, the Utah Innovation Fund, the Utah Policy Innovation Lab, and the Women’s Tech Council.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, developer, student, researcher, government official, or investor, this is your gateway to the nexus of AI innovation and policy evolution. This symposium will convene experts from diverse sectors to champion regulatory relief, encourage cross-industry collaboration, and pave the way for workforce readiness in AI. Join us to not only learn but actively participate in shaping the future of artificial intelligence in Utah and beyond.

This gathering is more than just a conference; it's a collaborative platform. This AI Symposium aims to unite stakeholders from diverse sectors to engage in meaningful discussions and strategize on key areas such as Utah's advancements in artificial intelligence, innovative policy development, regulatory relief, responsible AI implementation, and workforce readiness.

This unique event offers attendees the opportunity to:

Hear a keynote address by Governor Spencer J. Cox on Utah’s AI leadership
Engage in insightful panels and keynote speeches
Participate in hackathon sprint groups for a hands-on exploration of AI’s potential across industries
Discuss and address regulatory frameworks that pave the way for AI technologies to flourish responsibly
Learn strategies to blend AI progress with workforce development and policies, boosting Utah's economy
Network with AI pioneers and industry leaders

Agenda

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Registration, Mingling, and Industry Showcase (Breakfast)

Attendees arrive, check-in, and enjoy refreshments while exploring the Industry Showcase featuring leading AI companies.
This time allows for networking and an informal introduction to the event's key themes.
Continental breakfast.

8:30 AM - 8:40 AM: Opening Remarks

Overview of the day's agenda and key objectives.

8:50 AM - 9:30 AM: Panel 1: Higher Education Panel: Workforce and Research (K-12, Higher Ed)

Discussing the importance of AI education in K-12 and higher education, with a focus on preparing the future workforce for AI-related roles.
- Moderator: Cydni Tetro (Women’s Tech Council/Swire Coca-Cola)
- Panelists: Vic Hockett, Alex Lawerence, Minesh Parashar, David Wingate, Sarah Young
- Audience Q&A

9:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Keynote Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox

The governor discusses Utah's leadership in AI, highlighting workforce, industry, university research, and innovative policies with responsible implementation.

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Break & Networking

10:15 AM-11:00 AM Panel 2: Industry

Highlighting the top innovations in a variety of industries involving AI
- Moderator: Clint Betts (Silicon Slopes)
- Panelists: Millicent Tracey, Caleb Sanders, Nate Walkingshaw, Adam Robertson, Chris Gibson
- Audience Q&A

11:05 AM - 11:25 AM: Presentation on Regulatory Relief and Learning Agenda

Presentation on regulatory mitigation (relief) authority, the Gen AI in mental health learning agenda, and other potential agendas.
Panelists: Utah Department of Commerce Executive Director Margaret Woolley Busse and Utah Office of AI Policy Director Zach Boyd, Representative Jeff Moss, and Senator Kirk Cullimore

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: "Hackathon" Sprint Working Groups

Break into groups to discuss different learning agenda ideas and shape the future of AI in different industries (60 minutes):

- Group 1: AI and the Future of Workforce
- Group 2: AI and the Future of Education
- Group 3: AI and the Future of Healthcare

12:30 PM - 12:50 PM: Hackathon Sprint Group Debrief

12:50-1:00 PM: Closing remarks

1:00 PM - Lunch and Networking

Governor
Spencer J. Cox

Spencer J. Cox, Utah's 18th governor, has a diverse background in public service, starting as a city council member and working his way up to governor. His administration has focused on tax cuts, education funding, water conservation, and mental health advocacy. Governor Cox is known for promoting respectful dialogue and bipartisan cooperation, with a strong emphasis on finding common ground in politics. His personal life, centered around his family and their farm in Fairview, reflects his commitment to community and service.

Millicent Tracey
Corporate Board Director

Millicent Tracey is a Corporate Board Director, Audit Committee Member, and Former Wells Fargo Senior Executive who provides governance and valuable insights across public, private, and early-stage Financial Services and FinTech companies, as well as non-profit boards. She draws from 22+ years across Financial Services Technology, legal, and accounting backgrounds to advise on B2B digital payments strategies, innovative technology solutions, product GTM launch, regulatory compliance, cyber security, fraud, treasury management, and risk mitigation strategies.

Caleb Hicks
Founder, and Angel Investor

Caleb Hicks is a multifaceted educator, founder, and angel investor, boasting over 15 years of expertise in instructional design, learning experience design, educational leadership, and involvement with early-stage startups. He is the visionary behind SchoolAI, a pioneering initiative dedicated to crafting AI-powered tools that transform the educational landscape for teachers and school leaders, making schools more engaging and effective. His commitment extends beyond SchoolAI to Factor, a non-profit organization he established. Factor is instrumental in offering students unique opportunities to explore various careers and lifestyles by collaborating with professionals from prestigious companies like Apple, SpaceX, and the San Antonio Spurs. Hicks' rich background includes significant roles, such as teaching and leading instructional design teams in the Alpine School District and at Apple, as well as co-founding Lambda School. His passion lies in leveraging technology to enhance educational outcomes and in mentoring the next generation of educators and leaders.

Cydni Tetro
Entrepreneur

Cydni Tetro is a prominent entrepreneur and technology leader, known for her remarkable achievements in consumer products and technology. As the 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a visionary approach to consumer products, and a profound impact on technology. As the CEO of Brandless, she grew the company by $100M in 24 months through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. She also founded ForgeDX, a platform that drove a collective growth of $1B for clients like Verizon, Adobe, and Microsoft. Passionate about empowering women in tech, she founded the Women Tech Council and inspired over 40,000 high school girls to pursue STEM careers through the SheTech program. Tetro holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in computer science, and she serves on several boards, including SelectHealth/Intermountain Healthcare and the Utah Board of Higher Education.

Nate Walkingshaw
Entrepreneur

Nate Walkingshaw is an innovative entrepreneur and product and technology leader with a deep-rooted passion for improving humanity through technology. His career began as an EMT, where he quickly identified the need for better patient transport systems. This led to the creation of Paramed, his first startup, which revolutionized patient transport and was later acquired by Stryker Medical. Walkingshaw is renowned for his Directed Discovery methodology and has been at the forefront of human-centric product design, building several successful hardware and software companies, including Brightface, acquired by Strava Corporation. As the Chief Experience Officer at Pluralsight, he played a pivotal role in democratizing technology skills, leading to the company's IPO in 2018. Currently, as the CEO and Founder of Torus, Nate is dedicated to combating energy poverty and promoting sustainable energy solutions. Torus, born from his family tree farm, reflects his commitment to environmental sustainability and his vision for a world powered by renewable energy. Nate Walkingshaw's career is a testament to his innovative spirit, love for humanity, and dedication to solving complex problems with technology.

Hackathon: Break into groups to discuss different learning agenda ideas (60 minutes):

- Group 1: AI in the Future of the Workforce
- Group 2: AI in the Future of Education
- Group 3: AI IN the Future of Healthcare

“Hackathon” Sprint Group 1: AI in the Future of the Workforce

In this working group, participants will delve into the multifaceted implications of AI on the future of the workforce. The session will explore how AI technologies are reshaping job markets, altering demand for specific skills, and what this means for workers globally. Key topics will include the identification of jobs most susceptible to automation, strategies for workforce re-skilling and up-skilling, and the ethical considerations of AI deployment in workplaces. The goal is to develop actionable solutions that ensure the workforce transition toward AI integration is equitable, inclusive, and beneficial for all workers.

“Hackathon” Sprint Group 2: AI in the Future of Education

This working group focuses on AI’s transformative potential within the educational sector, from kindergarten through higher education. Participants will examine how AI can personalize learning experiences, automate administrative tasks to free up teacher time, and provide predictive analytics to identify and support at-risk students. Discussions will also cover the challenges of implementing AI in education, including data privacy concerns, the digital divide, and ensuring AI tools are inclusive and equitable. The aim is to outline strategies for leveraging AI to enhance educational outcomes while mitigating potential downsides.

“Hackathon” Sprint Group 3: AI in the Future of Healthcare

The healthcare working group will explore AI’s revolutionary impact on the healthcare industry. This includes AI's role in improving diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment plans, and managing patient care more efficiently. Participants will address the pressing challenges of integrating AI into healthcare systems, such as ensuring data privacy, overcoming regulatory hurdles, and the ethical considerations of AI in patient care decisions. The session aims to identify innovative ways to harness AI to enhance healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and make healthcare more accessible and affordable.

Industry Showcase

We are excited to extend an exclusive invitation to innovative companies to display their products or services at our upcoming event with a table in our Industry Showcase. This is a unique opportunity to present your brand in front of a curated audience of pioneers, enthusiasts, and thought leaders in the AI space. Our event promises to be a vibrant platform where the most groundbreaking ideas meet the keenest minds.

By participating in our showcase, you will not only gain visibility but also have the chance to engage directly with potential collaborators, investors, and customers. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate how your company pushes the boundaries of what's possible in technology and beyond.

By participating, you'll gain visibility, receive valuable feedback, and form long-term partnerships. If your company embodies innovation and creativity, we would be honored to have you join us. Elevate your profile and explore new possibilities in the AI space with us.

Meet with an Office of AI Policy Team Member

In a private and confidential one-on-one session, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your product or service with a team member from the Office of AI Policy. This will provide you with insights on potential regulatory relief, or you can choose to participate in a current or future learning agenda in the AI Learning Lab.

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