On July 30, Governor Spencer Cox announced the Utah AI Moonshot, a new $5 Million competitive grant program to support artificial intelligence research that improves the lives of Utahns. In a press release it was shared, “the program will fund projects that tackle important challenges across five focus areas, including mental health, water, healthcare, autonomous systems and an open category for emerging AI opportunities.” Applications must be sponsored and presented by the president of a Utah university. The application portal will be open Aug. 1 through Oct. 15 with winners recognized at the 2026 Utah AI Summit on Dec. 6.