Guest opinion: Expanding AI in Utah
From Park City to Lehi, Utah has become a thriving tech hub for technology companies due to its supportive government, access to venture capital, workforce and culture of innovation.
According to a report from the trade association CompTIA, Utah is poised to outpace all other states in tech employment growth between 2024 and 2034. With the rise of artificial intelligence, Utah is in a prime position to leverage this technology, elevating our state to the forefront of the national tech scene and bolstering America’s global technological dominance.
AI is the driving force behind the wave of technological innovation sweeping across Utah. It’s revolutionizing industries, tackling long-standing issues and uncovering new possibilities, instilling a sense of hope and excitement for the future.
Take Silicon Slopes, located in Lehi, which is home to tech innovation. Here, AI is being used to develop advanced data analytics tools, revolutionize health care with predictive diagnostics and enhance the efficiency of manufacturing processes. These initiatives are not only attracting startups and adding jobs but also positioning Utah as a key player in the AI revolution.
Ogden has also emerged as one of the fastest-growing innovation hotspots across the Mountain West, seeing a 34% increase in utility patents, well over the national average of 11%. Additionally, Utah’s tech scene has seen great success due to partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense, with some notable partnerships including with the U.S. military include Hill Air Force Base, Utah Test and Training Range and Dugway Proving Ground.
However, this success could easily be lost without a supportive ecosystem. Technological innovation and AI have emerged as the heart of geopolitical strategy, and countries worldwide, such as China, are working to be the first to bring new innovations to market and lead the world in innovation.
AI is expected to contribute more than $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and boost local economies by 26%. For Utah, this could mean a significant increase in tech employment, a surge in venture capital investment and a rise in the state’s input to U.S. gross domestic product. It is crucial that American companies, especially those in Utah, seize these economic opportunities.
To do so, policymakers must support pro-innovation policies that allow American technology companies to innovate and bring cutting-edge AI products to global markets. Slowing innovation in the United States would put our nation behind, stifling economic growth, venture capital activity, job creation and more — all while leaving a gap to be filled by China and its technology companies.
Just as important are the geopolitical implications of falling behind in AI. Technology and AI underpin our military, secure our digital airwaves and strengthen our supply chains. AI also protects us from cyberattacks, and China could use AI to advance its cyber hacking abilities.
China has pushed its efforts full throttle, working hard and quickly to develop AI systems, and America must do the same. U.S. technology companies are investing billions in AI, and we cannot let our foot off the gas.
Utah has established itself as a model for tech development and each of our state’s regional technology centers, including Silicon Slopes and Salt Lake City, have the potential to push the United States’ technological abilities even further, helping to secure America’s economic and national security.
Grayson Massey is a partner at Sugarhouse Strategies.
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