Utah high school students are being invited to propose specific classroom technology rules through a policy congress and essay contest, an initiative launched by the Sutherland Institute on Sept. 1, 2026, to give students a direct role in shaping how artificial intelligence is implemented in schools.
Student Participation and Requirements
The Sutherland Institute's program, which includes the "Shaping Utah's AI Future" student essay contest and the Utah Student AI Policy Congress, requires participants to submit original essays of 1,000 to 1,500 words. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12 at a public, private, or home school program within the State of Utah.
According to the Sutherland Institute, the contest requires participants to address specific policy recommendations that identify whether the proposed rules should be implemented at the state, school district, individual school, or classroom level. The program seeks to bridge the gap between student experience and formal policy creation by focusing on actionable recommendations.
Policy Framework Focus Areas
The essay contest focuses on six primary policy framework areas designed to address the complexities of classroom technology. These categories include instructional use and teacher discretion, student use and academic integrity, privacy and student protection, AI's role in student decisions, equity and access, and tools, procurement, and governance.
Under the instructional use framework, students are encouraged to consider how much freedom a teacher should have to allow, limit, or require AI use in their classrooms. Other areas prompt students to explore the boundaries between AI assistance and academic cheating, the protection of personal information from AI tools, and the potential for AI to assist in making decisions regarding student discipline, class placement, or graduation.
Submission Guidelines and Topics
The Sutherland Institute has established specific guidelines for the contest, noting that entries must be submitted by Oct. 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Students must submit their work in English, and the essays must not have been previously published or awarded a prize in another contest.
The contest aims to address critical questions regarding the use of AI, such as whether students should be required to disclose when they have used AI for an assignment. The framework also asks participants to consider the implications of AI-generated content, including the potential for deepfakes, and how schools can ensure equitable access to AI tools regardless of a student's ability to afford paid versions of the technology.
Legislative Context and HB0168
The student-led initiative follows legislative efforts to formalize AI oversight in the state's education system. In the 2025 General Session, the Utah Legislature moved forward with HB0168, titled "Artificial Intelligence in Education," which was introduced on Jan. 21, 2025.
HB0168 was designed to establish the Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force, a diverse committee tasked with studying and making recommendations to the Legislature and educational institutions. The bill's provisions included the creation of a task force composed of legislators, education officials, teachers, administrators, higher education representatives, privacy experts, and an AI industry professional. The bill itself was slated to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Task Force Objectives and Mandates
The task force established by HB0168 is charged with monitoring national and international AI education trends and identifying best practices for integrating AI into curricula. The group is also required to explore collaboration between educational institutions and the AI industry and coordinate with the state's Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy.
According to the bill text, the task force is intended to serve until July 1, 2028. It is required to submit an annual report to education committees by Nov. 30 each year, detailing its activities and recommendations regarding student privacy protections, AI literacy, and the potential risks and benefits of AI integration in the classroom.
Governance and Oversight
While the Sutherland Institute's contest focuses on student-driven policy recommendations, the state's legislative approach through HB0168 focuses on high-level governance. The task force, as outlined in the bill, includes members appointed by the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the chair of the State Board of Education, ensuring a mix of political and educational expertise in the state's AI strategy.
Future of AI in Utah Schools
The intersection of these student-led efforts and state-level task forces highlights a growing focus on how artificial intelligence will reshape the Utah educational landscape. Both the Sutherland Institute and the legislative framework aim to address how AI tools are procured, how student data is protected, and how teachers can effectively utilize these tools in a modern classroom environment.
