Utah Invites Public to Vote for Nine Pro-Human AI Finalists
Utah residents can vote through November 20 for nine finalists in the inaugural Pro-Human AI Elevation Awards, recognizing companies putting people first in artificial intelligence.
Ecosystem
Statewide competition recognizes Utah-connected companies putting people at the center of artificial intelligence; winners announced December 8
Salt Lake City, Utah — November 13, 2026
Utah is asking its residents to help decide which companies are getting AI right.
The state's Pro-Human AI Taskforce has announced nine finalists for the inaugural Pro-Human AI Elevation Awards and opened public voting to recognize Utah-connected companies using artificial intelligence to empower workers, strengthen communities, and build human-centered principles into technology.
Voting is open to Utah residents through November 20. Participants can select one company in each of three award categories and separately identify their choice for the overall grand prize. Winners will be announced December 8 at the 2026 Utah Pro-Human AI Summit.
“Artificial intelligence should make people’s lives better and help workers succeed,” said Gov. Spencer J. Cox. “These companies are showing what that can look like in practice. As we prepare for next month’s Pro-Human AI Summit, we want to recognize their work and challenge more businesses to put people at the center of how they build and use this technology.”
Organized by Utah’s Pro-Human AI Taskforce, the awards spotlight companies taking a different approach to AI: one that emphasizes human agency, dignity, and accountability rather than simply automating tasks or replacing people.
The nine finalists were selected across three categories. Public voting will determine the winners in each category and help select the overall grand prize recipient, the organization that best represents Utah's pro-human approach to artificial intelligence.
“Utah has built a strong innovation economy, and we’re seeing a wave of companies develop and leverage AI in ways that put people first,” said Jefferson Moss, commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “The Pro-Human AI Elevation Awards give us an opportunity to recognize those companies, share what they’re doing, and encourage more of this kind of innovation. We want to cultivate an economic environment, and a Summit, that make it clear that human-centric AI is how Utah does business.”
Nine Finalists, Three Categories
The finalists represent three distinct approaches to putting AI to work for people.
Workforce Elevation
Recognizes companies using AI to help employees do more, learn faster, develop new skills, and take on greater responsibilities.
Community Advancement
Recognizes companies using AI to address genuine community needs in areas such as healthcare, education, public safety, and government.
Pro-Human Breakthrough
Recognizes companies building AI products and applications with accountability as a deliberate part of their design.
How to Vote
The competition is open to Utah residents, who must affirm their residency and may submit only one ballot.
Each voter can:
- Select one finalist in the Workforce Elevation category.
- Select one finalist in the Community Advancement category.
- Select one finalist in the Pro-Human Breakthrough category.
- Separately nominate one of the nine finalists for the overall Pro-Human AI Elevation Award grand prize.
The public vote will determine the winners in all three categories and contribute to selection of the grand prize recipient.
Voting closes November 20.
Utah residents can review the finalists by viewing their videos here, or above, and cast their ballots through the official online voting form.
Winners will be announced and recognized at the 2026 Utah Pro-Human AI Summit at the Grand America on December 8.
Learn more at aisummit.utah.gov.