Utah’s Responsible AI Movement Is Growing—And You’re Invited
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes ingrained in everyday life, there’s an urgent need to ensure it’s developed and used responsibly, from protecting private data to providing broad access to AI tools and training. In Utah, the Responsible AI Community Consortium—a network of educators, technologists, policymakers, and community members—has been working together under the stewardship of the University of Utah One-U Responsible AI Initiative to make sure AI serves the public good.
“For Utahns, it’s about protecting privacy, preventing bias, and making sure AI benefits everyone—not just a few,” said Jared Hoskins, a consortium member and the CEO of Summit V, a cybersecurity company based in Salt Lake City. “Whether it’s diagnosing disease, predicting wildfires, or improving education, the stakes are high. Responsible AI is how we make sure innovation doesn’t outpace ethics.”
The One-U Responsible AI Initiative launched and continues to support the consortium, although it’s an independent, volunteer-led cooperative that’s already about 200 members strong. At its core are five Special Interest Groups (SIGs), each focused on a key area where AI is shaping our future. All six groups are open to anyone who wants to guide AI in a direction that benefits all Utahns.
“Over the next 20 years, AI will shape how business is done, how we learn, how we work, and how we connect,” said consortium member Kevin Williams, CEO and principal investor at Ascend AI Labs, which helps organizations create and execute AI strategies. “That’s why responsible AI is not just a tech issue or a regulatory issue. It is a community issue.”
Read on for a breakdown of each group and consider joining one that resonates with your interests.
1. Community Consortium: A Hub for Responsible AI Collaboration
The Community Consortium serves as the central gathering place for anyone interested in the ethical, social, and practical aspects of responsible AI. It brings together people from across sectors and disciplines to share ideas, build partnerships, and shape the future of AI as a force for good in Utah. SIG work funnels into the consortium.
Activities: Monthly meetings, collaborative workshops, and the development of formal AI guidance documents, including those drafted in the SIGs.
Impact: By fostering broad collaboration, the consortium ensures Utah’s approach to AI is transparent and grounded in community values. It establishes Utah as a leader in using AI responsibly to drive innovation and solve societal problems.
2. Community Engagement SIG: Putting People First in AI
The Community Engagement SIG ensures the voices of everyday Utahns are heard in the decision-making surrounding AI and its use. This group focuses on building trust, promoting transparency, and creating space for public dialogue about how AI affects our lives—from healthcare to education to public services.
Activities: Monthly meetings, public forums, educational workshops, and partnerships with local organizations to co-create guidance on community-centered AI practices. This SIG also shares community concerns directly with the decision-makers shaping AI policies, practices, and use.
Impact: The group educates community members and gives them an informed seat at the table when it comes to AI policy and implementation in Utah, ensuring AI advances responsibly and serves public interests.
3. Workforce Development and Education SIG: Preparing Utahns for the AI Economy
The Workforce SIG helps organizations and their employees use AI in a responsible and practical way. It breaks down the complexity of AI into clear steps that make sense for organizations of all sizes. It also provides ways to measure success and prepare for changes as technology evolves.
Activities: Monthly meetings, the development of an AI playbook designed to be immediately practical for organizations of all sizes, and collaborations with employers and educational institutions to align training with real-world needs.
Impact: The group fosters a future-ready workforce that is both skilled and socially responsible.
4. Policy SIG: Guiding Smart, Inclusive Governance
The Policy SIG connects researchers, policymakers, and industry members to shape thoughtful, forward-looking AI policies. It tracks existing and emerging AI policy frameworks and works toward developing policy models for Utah.
Activities: Monthly meetings, policy brief development, and discussions between government, industry, and academic leaders.
Impact: The group helps Utah lead the way in crafting responsible AI policies.
5. Frameworks and Best Practices SIG: Defining What “Responsible AI” Means
The Frameworks SIG is dedicated to advancing responsible AI by developing practical, scalable frameworks that prioritize privacy, security, and integrity. Through cross-sector collaboration, the group promotes best practices and risk-mitigation strategies to foster public trust and support long-term regulatory development.
Activities: Semiregular meetings to develop ethical frameworks—particularly in support of the Policy SIG—and tools to evaluate those frameworks.
Impact: The group establishes a strong ethical foundation for AI development across various sectors in Utah.
6. Infrastructure SIG: Building the Tools for Ethical Innovation
The Infrastructure SIG focuses on the technical systems that support responsible AI—like data platforms, computing resources, software tools, and expertise. It identifies Utah’s responsible AI infrastructure needs, shares implementation strategies, and showcases relevant tools and practices.
Activities: Monthly meetings, the development of infrastructure guidance documents, and identifying gaps in access to AI tools and resources.
Impact: The group ensures that Utah’s AI infrastructure is secure and accessible to all.
Whether you’re a policymaker, educator, student, or concerned citizen, there’s a place for you in Utah’s responsible AI ecosystem. The consortium and its SIGs are open, collaborative spaces where your voice can shape the future. Together, these groups can make Utah a leader in responsible AI—rooted in community, guided by ethics, and built for everyone.