Utah’s approach to tech development has greatly benefited our economy and culture. More people come to Utah yearly, and millions of dollars are invested in the state’s economy, infrastructure, and residents’ skills. At the same time that tech industry opportunities have spiked in Utah, they have declined in states that have overregulated their tech industries, like California or even Colorado.

To maintain this momentum, Utah must approach the regulations on our tech sector with caution, lest our state become like Colorado. Colorado, for example, recently passed the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act (CAIA), a potentially devastating overregulation by the state’s government. Like the stifling regulations imposed on tech companies across Europe, which have driven out businesses and harmed Europe’s economy, Colorado’s CAIA will potentially create long-term hardships for the state’s economy.

AI development is a key economic story for the next decade. Instead of embracing AI advancements and balancing tech with regulation, Colorado has become the California of the Rockies, imposing regulations before fully understanding AI. This will hinder Colorado businesses in adopting new AI technologies and could deter students from pursuing AI studies. In contrast, Utah supports tech innovation with regulations that foster, rather than impede, development.

CAIA seeks to protect AI users but imposes excessive burdens on developers and small businesses. These entities struggle with costly, confusing regulations that are more stringent than their competitors face elsewhere. This law appears to address a non-existent issue, reflecting the views of leaders in Washington or San Francisco rather than Colorado.

Colorado’s AI regulation is ineffective. Other states, like Utah, should embrace innovation and avoid hasty legislation like CAIA. Utah has thrived on tech advancements and must remain innovative, steering clear of Colorado’s big government and limited economic growth.

Luke McDermott

South Jordan