The Utah Valley University Herbert Institute for Public Policy and the Center for National Security Studies (CNSS) have announced a new partnership with Provo-based startup SureMark Digital Identity Services to launch a pilot project aimed at combating deepfake artificial intelligence in elections. The program will evaluate the impact of AI-generated deepfakes on Utah's electoral processes through July 2024 until newly elected officials are sworn into office in January 2025.
Project goals and timeline
The pilot project will utilize academic panels and the production of white papers to analyze technological threats to democracy. This initiative is part of a broader focus on emerging technologies at UVU, where Brandon Amacher serves as the director of the Emerging Tech Policy Lab for the Intermountain Intelligence, Industry, and Security Consortium (I3). The lab, which operates under the CNSS, focuses on critical areas including cybersecurity policy, advanced technology security policy, and cyberwarfare.
Amacher's professional background
Amacher, an instructor at the CNSS, brings professional experience from the private sector, having previously worked as a strategic consultant and cyber intelligence analyst for prominent cybersecurity organizations such as Mandiant and FireEye. His expertise encompasses nation-state cyber operations, artificial intelligence security policy, and quantum information sciences.
Institute history and recent events
The partnership arrives as the Herbert Institute continues its work following a period of significant unrest. According to the institute's 2025 Annual Report, the organization continued its programming despite the traumatic assassination of Charlie Kirk on the UVU campus last fall.
Recent high-profile programming
The institute’s recent programming has included hosting high-profile figures such as Dr. Ben Carson, Ambassador Jeff Flake, and Senators John Curtis and Mark Kelly. On November 12, 2025, Senators Curtis and Mark Kelly participated in a public event hosted by the Herbert Institute to discuss finding solutions to the epidemic of political violence, an event moderated by CNN's Dana Bash.
CNSS mission and academic programs
The CNSS remains a central hub for these discussions, maintaining its status as a premier national security program since its establishment in January 2016. The center employs a multidisciplinary approach to study intelligence, homeland security, and emerging technology. It operates as part of the I3SC, a large-scale collaboration co-led by the CNSS and Utah State University’s Center for Anticipatory Intelligence (CAI).
Students at the center can pursue various credentials, including a Bachelor or Bachelor of Science in National Security Studies, a minor in the field, and specialized certificates of proficiency in areas such as Intelligence, Geospatial Intelligence, and Advanced Technology and National Security.
While UVU focuses on high-level security policy, other Utah institutions are managing immediate community safety and public health concerns. The Cache County Sheriff's Office has issued a scam alert to residents regarding fraudulent phone calls from individuals posing as law enforcement. These scammers reportedly demand payment via gift cards or other methods by threatening the issuance of arrest warrants.
The Sheriff's Office clarified that it will never request payment over the phone for a warrant and advised residents to contact the office directly at (435) 755-1000 to verify any legal obligations.
In Southern Utah, Intermountain Health continues to provide regional medical services, including emergency and specialized care at Cedar City Hospital. The facility offers 24/7 emergency services with a goal of seeing patients within 30 minutes of arrival, alongside services such as oncology, cardiology, and neurosurgery.
At the Bryce Valley Clinic in Cannonville, providers like Dr. Mitchell R. Miller and Dr. Colin T. Marshall offer family and primary medicine. The healthcare network also provides educational resources regarding public health issues, such as the importance of prostate cancer screening—noting that Utah has one of the highest incidents of prostate cancer in the country—and managing pediatric fevers.
As the summer season progresses across the state, recreational venues like Deer Valley Resort have transitioned to summer operations. Since April 23, 206, the resort has offered Summer Access Passes for mountain biking, hiking, and scenic chairlift rides. The resort also provides seasonal benefits such as discounts on dining and retail, as well as early access to concert and festival tickets.
