Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Tuesday, Oct. 6, signed an executive order that sets rules for how the state's own agencies use AI. It tells them to use AI to cut wait times and improve services, but to avoid AI tools that fail the state's "pro-human" principles, such as keeping people in control of the tools that shape their work and lives. "The choice between innovation and safety in government is a false one," Cox said. "AI represents a generational opportunity to better serve Utahns, but technology must always remain accountable to the people."
The order covers departments and offices in the state's executive branch, including the State Tax Commission, the National Guard and the Board of Pardons and Parole. It does not cover state universities, the State Board of Education, the Attorney General's, Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, the Legislature or the courts, among others. Agencies must make sure the workers it applies to complete AI training, which will teach the basics of how AI works, practical uses of the AI tools the state approves, and the ethical principles for using them. Workers who lead AI projects at each agency get extra training, and the state is told to give priority to Utah-based providers when it picks who delivers the courses.
Agencies are told to look for places where AI could cut wait times and make public services easier to reach, with a person reviewing any decision that affects someone's individual rights. They must also write down how AI systems, including what goes into them, what comes out and what role they play in decisions, fit into work that affects the public. The Department of Government Operations will help agencies choose tools and must set up protections against cyberattacks and against unauthorized or rogue AI agents. An AI agent is AI that can carry out tasks on its own, such as using apps and websites, instead of only answering questions.
Where it fits, the department will also build on and use Utah's state-endorsed digital ID framework, which is meant to let people and organizations prove who they are online while keeping control of their personal information. The order says it should help stop identity fraud, impersonation, unauthorized activity by AI agents and fake digital content. The order builds on the Pro-Human AI Initiative Cox started in December 2025, and it took effect when he signed it. It does not change agencies' duties under existing state and federal privacy and public records laws.
The head of the Department of Government Operations owes the governor a first progress report by July 1, 2027, and one every year after that. The order sets no budget and names no AI products. It does not spell out how agencies will judge whether an AI tool keeps people in control, and it does not say whether the records agencies keep on their AI use will be published.