In the Know - AI & Utah’s Future

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AI & Utah’s Future: How Do We Harness the Opportunity Without Losing the Human Element?

Join Utah Department of Commerce Commissioner Margaret Busse and Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity Commissioner Jefferson Moss for a timely conversation about Utah's role in AI and how we can use this powerful technology to strengthen businesses, workers, and our communities.

About Our Guest Speakers:
Margaret Busse, Commissioner, Utah Department of Commerce, Co-chair of Utah's Pro-Human AI Task Force

Margaret Woolley Busse was appointed by Governor Spencer Cox in January 2021 to serve as Commissioner of Utah’s Department of Commerce. She holds an MBA from Harvard University and degrees in public policy and economics from Brigham Young University, bringing extensive experience in public service, social impact, and strategy consulting.
 
As Utah’s chief business regulator, Ms. Busse has reduced regulatory fees, reduced professional licensure regulatory barriers, and streamlined licensure pathways for Utah professionals trained in other countries.
 
Ms. Busse has led Utah’s innovative approach to artificial intelligence, including the creation of the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, passage of landmark legislation establishing guardrails and innovation pathways for mental health chatbots, data portability and interoperability on social media platforms, and transparency requirements for AI deepfakes. Under Governor Cox’s direction, Ms. Busse initiated and now co-chairs Utah’s Prohuman AI Initiative, opens in a new tab, opens in a new tab, working to infuse “prohuman” values throughout the state’s efforts on AI across six pillars: workforce development, regulatory policy, learning & education, academic research, industry innovation, and state government deployment.

Finally, under Governor Cox’s leadership, she has advanced legislation and litigation to hold social media platforms accountable for harms to minors, including actions against TikTok, Meta, and Snap. A Utah native, she and her husband have five children.

Jefferson Moss, Commissioner, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
 
Jefferson Moss was appointed by Governor Spencer Cox in May 2025 to serve as commissioner of Utah’s Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.
 
Moss was previously the Associate Commissioner of Innovation, Commercialization and Economic Development at the Utah System of Higher Education and Managing Director of the Utah Innovation Fund. In this capacity, he led USHE’s involvement in the major economic development efforts and was responsible for overseeing the strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations at the Innovation District at The Point and coordinating innovation efforts throughout Utah. Moss also served as AVP of central advancement at UVU and the COO for the UVU Foundation. In these positions, he launched the UVU Wolverine Fund, a student-run venture capital fund, and the Excellence and Innovation Initiative. Prior to UVU, Moss served as a wealth strategist at Key Bank and Credit Suisse and launched several successful businesses. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University. He also served in the Utah House of Representatives as well as on the Utah State Board of Education and the Saratoga Springs City Council and Planning Commission.