Written by Derek Monson and Ford Copple
February 10, 2026
-
While debate over AI in news and social media often focuses on controversy, AI is creating positive, pro-human change behind the scenes.
-
AI is already improving our daily lives through its positive impacts in education, government, health care, and family life.
-
Supporting AI innovation in Utah is just as important as defending against harmful uses of AI.
At the 2025 Utah AI Summit, Gov. Spencer Cox and other state leaders articulated a “pro-human” approach to artificial intelligence.
“Pro-human AI empowers workers with better tools, strengthens communities through accessible innovation, and enables problem-solving at an unprecedented scale,” Gov. Cox said at the event.
This comes amid public debate over the development, uses, and impacts of large-language models, often called artificial intelligence (AI), which frequently overshadow an important reality: AI is already a part of our day-to-day in ways that improve life now and promise to benefit us more in the future.
If Utah is to experience the vision for pro-human AI development articulated by Governor Spencer Cox, then AI regulation should at the very least not jeopardize the proven ways that AI is benefitting human beings, including in education, good government, healthcare, and family life. It is contradictory to call AI safeguards pro-human if they eliminate the present or future human benefits of AI. To aid policymakers in striking the proper balance in AI innovation and regulation, this report briefly outlines 25 ways AI innovation is leading to positive contributions.
Read the full PDF version of report by clicking the button below.
Impact Analysis: Extended research, data, and policy recommendations from Sutherland experts. For elected officials, public policy experts, and members of the media.
-
While debate over AI in news and social media often focuses on controversy, AI is creating positive, pro-human change behind the scenes.
-
AI is already improving our daily lives through its positive impacts in education, government, health care, and family life.
-
Supporting AI innovation in Utah is just as important as defending against harmful uses of AI.
Read More
How Utah Fits All is helping students with special needs and other learning challenges
Education choice programs can change the course of a child’s life, expanding their knowledge and increasing their confidence, especially after a season of struggle with profound challenges. Utah should expand its education choice programs and offerings so more families have these experiences and more children can thrive.
Rethinking Head Start | Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams
On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn speaks with Alex Adams, Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about his efforts to reduce ineffective federal regulations and give states more room to innovate.
Sutherland Institute announces 2026 Congressional Series
Sutherland Institute announces its 2026 Congressional Series.

