He lost his ghost-writing job. She was let go as an app designer. Here’s how they think Utah should protect workers — and rein in AI.
A randomly selected group of Utah residents proposed stronger state oversight of artificial intelligence and data center development at the Utah Solutions Forum. Their recommendations include environmental and economic impact analyses, greater state control over data center campuses, and consistent statewide standards, partly in response to opposition to the proposed Stratos data center in Box Elder County.
Participants in the two-day Utah Solutions Forum developed 10 recommendations for addressing artificial intelligence risks, including improved public education, greater transparency and accountability, and statewide standards for AI and data centers. The group called for objective environmental and economic impact reviews and more state authority over whether data center campuses can be built.
The discussion was shaped in part by controversy over the proposed Stratos data center project in Box Elder County. Utah County resident Tierza Askren criticized officials’ initial response to public opposition, while Gov. Spencer Cox has acknowledged problems with the project’s rollout and proposed reforms to the Military Installation Development Authority, which enabled Kevin O’Leary’s proposal. The forum’s recommendations will be presented to state and local officials and could inform future legislation or policy changes.