At a recent Silicon Slopes Friday Conversation, Utah Business Executive Editor Catherine Bennett discussed how the 40-year-old publication is modernizing, emphasizing transparency, credible storytelling, and authentic engagement with Utah’s evolving business community.

Palladyne AI, formerly Sarcos Robotics (Salt Lake City, UT), has transformed from building exoskeletons to developing embodied AI software powering autonomous drones and robots, securing Air Force contracts, key patents, and a growing defense-tech footprint.

Paul Burgon’s Exit Ventures (Provo, UT) merges with KittyHawk Ventures (Los Angeles). Burgon joins as partner, focusing on energy and infrastructure, leveraging corporate partnerships, and accelerating strategic exits across frontier technologies, including AI and climate tech.

Universities face a critical AI talent gap. At an AI in the Workforce event, UVU explores curriculum, mentorship, and industry partnerships, emphasizing human-centered skills, authenticity, and resilience to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce without replacing human judgment.

Commissioner Geoffrey Landward explores reforms emphasizing experiential learning, mentorship, and microcredentials, preparing students and the community to adapt, thrive, and maintain human-centered skills in an evolving economy.

At the Organized Intelligence 2025 Conference, Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Josh Coates explored AI’s role in faith, ethics, and discipleship, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and innovations like LDSbot that support religious learning and personal spiritual growth.

PhotoPharmics (American Fork, UT) completes enrollment in its 350-participant, fully remote Phase 3 trial testing the Celeste® light-therapy device for Parkinson’s, a non-drug, home-based treatment targeting non-motor symptoms through photo-neuromodulation.

Jen Easterly and Nate Walkingshaw explored leadership, cybersecurity, and distributed energy at the 2025 Zero Gravity Summit, emphasizing culture, moral courage, and collaboration as critical to innovation and national security.