8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Registration, Networking, 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: Education & Workforce

Research

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, David Wingate, Matthew Winters, & Dr. Greg Peterson
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: Matt Marsh
Panelists: Millicent Tracey, Caleb Hicks, Nate Walkingshaw, Gilbert Lee, and Michael Secora
Audience Q&A

11:05 AM - 11:25 AM

Presentation on AI Policy and Regulatory Innovation

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, and Representative Jefferson Moss

11:35 AM - 1:05 PM

"Hackathon" Sprint Working Groups

Break into groups to discuss how to shape the future of regulatory frameworks in to enable innovation in different AI 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

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch, Hackathon Sprint, Group Debrief, and Networking

Enjoy a boxed lunch while our facilitators share insights and experiences from the hackathon sprint groups.
At the conclusion of the Group Debrief, make the most of the AI Summit by connecting with peers, mentors, and industry professionals passionate about AI in Utah. This is your chance to build relationships, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations.

Spencer J. Cox

Utah’s 18th Governor

Gov. Spencer J. Cox is a husband, father, farmer, recovering attorney, and Utah’s 18th governor. He served as the 2023-2024 chairman of the National Governors Association.

Gov. Cox has a long track record of public service, serving as a city councilmember, mayor, county commissioner and state legislator before being appointed as Utah’s lieutenant governor in 2013. He was sworn in as governor on Jan. 4, 2021.

During his first term in office, Gov. Cox has cut $1.1 billion in taxes, implemented landmark changes in water law, water conservation and infrastructure planning, locked in record funding for education and teachers, enacted universal school choice, and secured funds for affordable housing. A long-time advocate for suicide prevention and mental health resources, he’s become a national voice on protecting youth from the harms of social media. He also signed early education and workforce program funding, launched the One Utah Health Collaborative, and expanded opportunities for women, diverse communities and those living in rural parts of the state.

With a focus on solutions, Gov. Cox promotes respect in politics and innovation in government, works across party lines to find common ground, and regularly participates in hands-on service projects. These elements are the foundation of his NGA Chair’s Initiative, “Disagree Better: Healthy Conflict for Better Policy.”

A sixth-generation Utahn, Gov. Cox was born and raised in Fairview, a town of 1,200 in the center of the state. He met First Lady Abby Palmer Cox at age 16 and they married after he returned from serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico. He attended Snow College, Utah State University, and the Washington and Lee University School of Law, then clerked for U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart and worked at a Salt Lake City law firm. Several years later, Gov. Cox and First Lady Cox moved back to Fairview to raise their four children – Gavin, Kaleb, Adam, and Emma Kate – on the family farm. The governor, first lady and Emma Kate currently reside in the Kearns Mansion, also known as the Governor’s Mansion, in Salt Lake City.

Margaret Woolley Busse

Executive Director

Margaret Woolley Busse was appointed by Governor Spencer Cox in January 2021 to serve as a member of his cabinet as the Executive Director of Utah’s Department of Commerce, Utah’s chief business regulatory agency. With an MBA from Harvard University and degrees in public policy and economics from Brigham Young University, Ms. Busse brings a wealth of experience in public service, social impact, and strategy consulting to her role. Ms. Busse is passionate about bringing trust back to technology, as it is crucial for Utah’s economy to thrive. Under her leadership with direction from Governor Cox, the Department of Commerce has played a key role in holding social media platforms accountable for their harm to minors by helping to craft appropriate legislative measures and by filing lawsuits against TikTok and Meta. In the emerging field of artificial intelligence, Ms. Busse, in partnership with the Utah legislature, has driven forward an innovative approach to AI, which includes the creation of the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, which is tasked with both providing regulatory relief to qualifying AI-focused companies and making regulatory policy recommendations through its policy learning lab. This new office will enable Utah to encourage innovation, protect the public, and proactively observe and learn when it comes to the substantial new powers of AI.

Dr. Zachary Boyd

Division Director

Dr. Zachary Boyd joined the Utah Department of Commerce’s newly established Office of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Learning Lab in June of 2024 after the office was established by the Utah State Legislature with the enactment of SB149 to foster innovation and ensure the ethical and equitable use of AI technologies across Utah.

Dr. Boyd is also a faculty member at Brigham Young University's mathematics department, where he teaches applied and computational mathematics. His research lab focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and mathematical modeling in social science applications, such as psychology, economics, and social networks.

Before working at BYU, Dr. Boyd was a postdoctoral research associate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an NDSEG Fellow at UCLA, a research associate at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and a Presidential Scholar at BYU. He lives in Pleasant Grove with his wife and four young children.

Clint Betts

Executive Director and Editor-in-chief of Silicon Slopes and Beehive Startups.

Clint Betts is the executive director and editor-in-chief of Silicon Slopes and Beehive Startups. In 2013, Betts founded Beehive Startups to tell the stories of Utah entrepreneurs and startups. In 2016, Beehive Startups created a new nonprofit organization and joined forces with Silicon Slopes inside of that entity to empower Utah's tech community to learn, connect, and serve.

In addition to his duties as executive director and editor-in-chief, Betts also hosts the Deseret News Silicon Slopes Hour on KSL News Radio every Sunday at 7 am; is the publisher of the quarterly Silicon Slopes Magazine; and founded Startup Santa, a state-wide children's book drive to help eradicate childhood illiteracy. A Utah native, Betts studied journalism and political science at Utah Valley University and resides in the Beehive State with his wife and four kids.

Kirk Cullimore

Utah State Senate

Senator Kirk A. Cullimore Jr. has represented District 9 in the Utah State Senate since he was elected in 2018.

He received an associate’s degree in music from Utah Valley University. Kirk then served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Philippines. After returning, he continued his education and received a bachelor’s degree in music from Brigham Young University. He subsequently taught music for six years and managed a music teaching studio. He then went on to pursue a law degree at the University of Oklahoma. He began his law career in Oklahoma, primarily in Federal Indian Law, including tribal business transactions, gaming law, organization and development of tribal policies and procedures, and administrative law. His practice in Oklahoma also included areas of general business and contract law, property management, fair housing, homeowner association, and collections.

He returned to Utah to work for his father's practice, which focuses on property management, fair housing, collections, and real property.

In his spare time, he continues to volunteer his time to music and education as a Chairman of the Board for the Suzuki String Institute, Accompanist for the elementary school choir, former Co-Chair for the Brookwood Elementary School Community Council, and Board member for the Utah Valley University Alumni Association. He also formerly served as the government affairs chair for the Utah Apartment Association.

Cullimore currently serves on the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee, Co-Chairs the Infrastructure & General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, the Business and Labor Standing Committee, the Judiciary, Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Standing Committee, and the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force.

Senator Cullimore and his wife Heather live in Sandy, Utah, with their six children. They stay busy with their kids’ activities, including violin, cello, soccer, etc.

Vic Hockett

Associate Commissioner of Talent Ready Utah

Hockett oversees Talent Ready Utah, a center legislatively created to represent the voice of industry in developing short-term and long-term workforce development strategies. Talent Ready Utah is industry-facing and focuses on workforce alignment by convening government, industry, and education partners to create and expand workforce training programs, K12 pathways, certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees executed by the state’s higher education institutions and public school system.

Hockett has over 13 years of operations and executive leadership experience in the advanced manufacturing sector. He has served in engineering, plant management, and C-Suite roles, was over Process Engineering & Product Development for a multi-billion dollar Fortune 100 Company, and owned a corporate consulting company specializing in organizational leadership, quality management implementation, lean six sigma, and safety compliance. While in industry, he served as an adjunct instructor for Dixie State, wrote curriculum and developed manufacturing programs for Dixie Tech College, and later served five years as the Executive Vice President of Dixie Tech College before returning to industry to lead a large manufacturing company as COO. Hockett excitedly returned to the public sector in 2021 to pursue his passion for workforce development and statewide impact as he accepted the Director of Talent Ready Utah role at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.

When not at work, Hockett loves to spend time shanking balls around any golf course, woodworking, home improvement projects, enjoying the family cabin, and spending as much time as possible with his incredible wife and three kids. Hockett is also a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Indian Nation of Southeast Oklahoma.

Caleb Hicks

Multifaceted Educator, Founder, and Angel Investor

I'm an educator, founder, and angel investor with 15+ years of experience in instructional design, learning experience design, educational leadership, and early-stage startups.

Currently, I'm running SchoolAI, where we're building AI-powered tools for teachers and school leaders to make their schools magic. They are passionate about [your areas of interest or expertise], and enjoy [something you enjoy doing in your profession].

In addition to my work at SchoolAI, I also founded and continue to support Factor, a non-profit helping students test drive careers and lifestyles by working with professionals from cool companies like Apple, SpaceX, and the San Antonio Spurs.

Caleb Hicks is a long-time teacher, instructional designer, and school leader. He's worked in Alpine School District in Utah, led an instructional design team at Apple, cofounded Lambda School, and is now the founder of SchoolAI.

Jefferson Moss

Associate Commissioner of Innovation, Commercialization and Economic Development, Utah House of Representatives

Jefferson Moss is The Point’s Innovation District Project Director. In this capacity, he leads USHE’s involvement in the major economic development efforts at The Point. Moss is responsible for overseeing the strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations at the Innovation District. He will work in close consultation with The Point Executive Director and Operations Director to help implement practical solutions that improve Utahns’ quality of life. Formerly, Moss served as AVP of central advancement at UVU and the COO for the UVU Foundation. In these positions, he launched the UVU Wolverine Fund, a student-run venture capital fund, and the Excellence and Innovation Initiative. Prior to UVU, Moss served as a wealth strategist at Key Bank and Credit Suisse and launched several successful businesses. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University. He currently serves in the Utah House of Representatives and previously served on the Utah State Board of Education and the Saratoga Springs City Council and Planning Commission.

Michael Secora

Chief Financial Officer at Recursion

Michael Secora, Ph.D., has served as our Chief Financial Officer since March 2020. Prior to joining us, Dr. Secora worked at Laurion Capital Management, as an asset manager based in New York City from July 2010 to February 2020, where he was Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets and Venture. During his time at Laurion, he developed, executed and managed fundamentally grounded investment strategies as well as built business partnerships and technological infrastructure for investing in event-driven, fundamental and macroeconomic contexts.

At Laurion Capital Management, Dr. Secora was active in venture, crossover, capital markets, public and special situations investing particularly within emerging technologies and the life sciences. Dr. Secora received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in Applied and Computational Mathematics and B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Nate Sanders

Entrepreneur & Product Development Expert

Nate Sanders is a seasoned entrepreneur and product development expert currently serving as the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) at SchoolAI, an innovative educational platform that enhances classroom learning through artificial intelligence. He previously co-founded and led Artifact, a company specializing in predictive customer experience

Nate Walkingshaw

Entrepreneur and Product and Technology Leader

Nate Walkingshaw is a driven inventor and entrepreneur whose career began as an EMT, where he identified the need for safer patient transport. This insight led to the creation of Paramed, his first startup, which innovated patient transport products now used in 70% of the world's hospitals and was acquired by Stryker Medical in 2009. Nate is recognized for his human-centric product design and Directed Discovery methodology, particularly at Pluralsight where as Chief Experience Officer, he transformed the learning platform, contributing significantly to its successful IPO in 2018. Currently, he is the CEO and Founder of Torus, an energy storage and management company originating from his own tree farm, aimed at ending energy poverty and promoting sustainable energy solutions. Nate is also a best-selling author of two books which have sold over 40,000 copies worldwide in more than 16 languages and is a sought-after speaker for his expertise in product leadership and innovation. His dedication to improving lives through technology and design has earned him numerous accolades, including Innovator of the Year.

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.

Dr. Greg Peterson

9th President of Salt Lake Community College

Dr. Greg Peterson is the ninth president of Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). He was selected to lead Utah's largest two-year higher education institution in April 2024. Throughout his tenure in higher education, Dr. Peterson has demonstrated his commitment to the community college mission—aspiring to provide all students with access to and success in higher education and in life.

A first-generation community college student himself, Dr. Peterson has launched many initiatives focused on student learning and success. He led college promise programs at several two-year institutions and pioneered the nation's first Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning associate's degree. Dr. Peterson also has a strong track record of establishing partnerships with community and industry leaders to strengthen workforce pipelines, enabling students to translate their education into family-sustaining careers. Additionally, Dr. Peterson has led efforts in improving transfer rates among community college students. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Education recognized his work in this area. Most notably, at one institution, Dr. Peterson oversaw a 45% increase in transfers for Native American students, a 39% increase for Black students, and a 13% increase for Latinx students.

President Peterson is active in several national education organizations. He serves on the governing board of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the Excelencia in Education's Presidents for Latino Student Success. He also currently volunteers his time to the American Association of Community College's Commission on Institutional Infrastructure & Transformation and previously served on its Commission on Economic and Workforce Development.

Before taking the helm at SLCC, Dr. Peterson was the President of Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona. He holds a doctorate in educational administration with an emphasis in community college leadership from the University of Texas at Austin, a master's degree in postsecondary, adult, and continuing education from Portland State University, and a bachelor's degree in English from Brigham Young University.

Cydni Tetro

Entrepreneur & Technology Leader

Cydni Tetro is an accomplished 3X CEO with over a decade of experience driving
profitable growth and delivering exceptional P&L performance across diverse industries.
As the 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year, she is recognized as a visionary leader in
consumer products and a nationally renowned technology innovator. Cydni has
consistently paved the way for women in business and technology while generating
record-breaking fundraising results.

She recently joined Swire Coca-Cola where she leads Data, Digital, and Technology
initiatives, driving transformative changes. Prior, as CEO and Board Member of
Brandless, she propelled the company’s growth by 400%, adding over $100 million in
revenue through strategic acquisitions and organic expansion. Her leadership at
ForgeDX and 3DplusMe resulted in multi-million-dollar partnerships with global brands
and led to successful acquisitions.

Cydni’s entrepreneurial expertise extends to her role as EIR at Disney Imagineering,
where she led transformative innovation projects. Her earlier career includes executive
roles in high-growth technology companies, driving scale and growth that impacted
hundreds of millions of users.

A passionate advocate for women in technology, Cydni founded the Women Tech
Council in 2007 and has inspired over 40,000 young women to pursue STEM careers
through the SheTech program. Her academic contributions include teaching at Babson
University and BYU. Cydni holds a master’s degree in business administration and a
bachelor’s degree in computer science and is the recipient of numerous awards,
including Most Influential Women, CEO of the Year and Innovator of the Year.

David Wingate

Machine Learning Scientist

David Wingate is an associate professor of computer science at Brigham Young University, where he works at the intersection of machine learning and social science. His research leverages large-scale language models, such as ChatGPT, to address pressing social problems like racism, conspiracy thinking, opinion manipulation, and political polarization. He received his BS and MS degrees in computer science from Brigham Young University in 2002 and 2004, a PhD in computer science from the University of Michigan in 2008, and was a postdoctoral fellow and research scientist at MIT from 2008-2010.

Kevin Williams

Founder of MadBrains.ai

Kevin Williams, founder of MadBrains.ai, advises boards, executives, and investors on generative AI opportunities and risks. A sought-after keynote speaker and panelist, he has presented on AI to thousands of senior executives and leaders. As an operator, Kevin has launched two LLM-based SaaS products in the last 18 months. His consultancy focuses on building capacity from within by building “AI Ambassadors throughout organizations via 12-week intensive programs.

With a background in machine learning, digital marketing, and direct-to-consumer product development, Kevin brings a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. His experience includes founding multiple startups and serving in C-suite roles for angel and PE backed companies, offering valuable insights into AI's potential for investors.

Dr. Cole Hooley

Mental Health Services Researcher

Dr. Hooley is a faculty member in the graduate program of Social Work at Brigham Young University. He is a mental health services researcher who studies how we get what works to everyone who needs it rapidly, lastingly, and equitably. In particular, he studies how we scale-up services. He received his MSW from Smith College and his PhD from Washington University where he was a National Institute of Mental Health Fellow. He has been a mental health therapist for 15 years and has worked across various behavioral health sectors.

Matthew Winters

AI Education Specialist

Matthew Winters is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Educational Specialist for USBE, the Utah State Board of Education. He was formerly a product manager and statewide trainer for Utah Education Network, specializing in Google Workspaces for Edu. He was also the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET) President for 2022-2024, our Utah ISTE affiliate. He is one of the International Society for Technology in Education’s 20 to Watch in 2023 and Tech & Learning’s Best Example of Professional Development. He is a former English Language Arts teacher at the secondary and college level. He has been a podcaster for several year with Edtrex Rewind, The UCET Podcast, and UEN Homeroom.

Rich Nye

Senior Advisor for Education

Rich Nye recently joined Utah Governor Spencer Cox’ administration as senior advisor of education. Nye has been the superintendent of Granite School District since 2021. He previously served as superintendent of Ogden School District, as well as deputy superintendent of student achievement at the Utah State Board of Education. As a career educator, he occasionally provides adjunct faculty services for the University of Utah and Utah State University, teaching courses in educational policy and leadership. Nye earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Weber State University, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Arizona State University and a Ph.D. in teacher education and leadership from Utah State University. He completed a Broad Academy Executive Fellowship and earned a certificate in education finance from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

Devrin Carlson-Smith

Founder and Chief AI Architect

Devrin Carlson-Smith is the founder and Chief AI Architect of Extraordinary AI, a strategic advisory firm dedicated to advancing AI literacy, education, strategy and implementation for business leaders and organizations. With nearly 30 years in the technology industry, Devrin has played a pivotal role in helping enterprises leverage AI to drive innovation and competitive advantage. His work spans AI use-case development, strategy, and practical integration across various industries, including property, retail, and sustainability sectors. Before founding Extraordinary AI, Devrin spent significant time at Microsoft, and began using early versions of machine learning and AI technology in 2015. Devrin's expertise in AI has made him a trusted resource for organizations aiming to understand and implement effective AI-driven solutions. He lives in Park City, Utah, with his wife and two teenage sons, where he enjoys outdoor adventures year-round and is a coach for the current Utah State Champion Park City HS MTB team.

Matt Marsh

Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Charles Thayne Capital

Matt Marsh is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Charles Thayne Capital. He is responsible for management of all aspects of the firm.

Prior to co-founding CTC, Matt was a Partner and Managing Director at Sorenson Capital, where he led technology investing at the firm. Previously, Matt worked as an investment banker in the Global Technology Group at UBS. He began his career as a founding member of the boutique investment bank Thorpe Capital Group.

Matt holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he received the 2009 Joseph P. Wharton Award for Leadership. Matt also holds an MA in International Relations from The Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and Bachelor's degrees (with Honors) in Finance and Spanish from the University of Utah. He also serves on several company and philanthropic Boards.

“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 to 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.

Utah Office of AI Policy 15 Minute Consultation

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.

Utah AI Summit: Leading the Future of Artificial Intelligence

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

Agenda