Governor Spencer Cox announced a new grant program to fund artificial intelligence research that "improves the lives of Utahns."
The $5 million AI Moonshot program aims to fund projects that help officials solve what the announcement called challenges the state faces in mental health, water, healthcare, autonomous systems, as well as giving Utah a jump-start on emerging opportunities that utilize AI.
"Mental health across the state has been increasing in recent years," said Angela Smith, CEO of Nucleus Institute, which is administering the program. "We see AI as an opportunity to help work on solving some of these issues."
Researchers shared how the need is already here.
A Rand study released this year found nearly one in five Americans between the ages of 12 and 21 have used an AI chatbot for mental health advice. State leaders hope research can help turn that growing use into tools that are both safe and effective.
"We're looking for big ideas that are going to impact as many Utahns as possible," Smith said. "Success looks like we're making a positive difference."
One researcher believes AI's biggest impact may not be replacing mental health providers, but in giving them more time with their patients.
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"The biggest impact is going to be increasing human-to-human time through taking a lot of those bureaucratic tasks and automating them," explained Dr. Warren Pettine with the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
That could be as simple as handling billing, scheduling, and other administrative work, while researchers continue studying how to use AI safely.
"The tech is not going to stop moving," added Pettine. "People aren't going to stop using these things. What we need to do is come together and really understand the impacts."
The program, which is funded through the Higher Education Research Funding Pilot, will work to include student and rural researchers, along with established institutions.
Available grants range from $50,000 to up to $1 million, with an application portal set to open Saturday.
"We are stepping forward with the ingenuity that has always defined our state," said Cox in a statement. “Actively guiding the future of technology to enhance the lives of every Utahn."
