Governance

AI Learning Laboratory Program

Regulatory sandbox for testing AI innovations under relaxed rules.

How the laws define this

Both instruments agree that an AI Learning Laboratory Program provides a framework for testing AI products or technologies under carefully monitored conditions to evaluate outcomes, risks, and benefits. However, they diverge significantly regarding the regulatory mechanism and overall scope of the program. Under Utah SB 149 — Artificial Intelligence Policy Act, the program is specifically structured as a regulatory sandbox administered by state agencies, where approved participants operate under relaxed regulatory requirements while maintaining consumer protection baselines and following agency-issued implementing rules. Conversely, AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY AND CREATING THE AI LEARNING LABORATORY PROGRAM defines the initiative as an analysis and research program designed to invite technology developers to test AI technologies to gain insights into policy implications, risks, and benefits, without framing the testing as an agency-administered sandbox that offers relaxed regulatory rules to its participants.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
Utah, United States	Utah SB 149 — Artificial Intelligence Policy Act	In Force	Administered by state agencies with requirements for implementing rules and monitoring consumer protections during testing.
North Carolina, United States	North Carolina S747 - Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy and AI Learning Laboratory Program	Proposed	Focuses on analysis and research to assess risks, benefits, and policy implications from testing.

What it triggers

In Utah, approved participants can test AI products under relaxed regulatory requirements while maintaining consumer protection baselines.source

Definitions (2)

A regulatory sandbox program administered by specified state agencies that permits approved participants to test AI products under relaxed regulatory requirements while maintaining consumer protection baselines; agencies must issue implementing rules for participation and monitor sandbox outcomes and consumer impacts.

Utah SB 149 — Artificial Intelligence Policy ActDefinition 1 of 2

The Artificial Intelligence Learning Laboratory Program is an analysis and research program designed to invite technology developers to test AI technologies under carefully monitored conditions, providing insights into potential risks, benefits, and policy implications.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY AND CREATING THE AI LEARNING LABORATORY PROGRAMDefinition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

Division of Consumer Protection

Division of Consumer Protection is a Utah agency enforcing AI rules, while AI Learning Laboratory Program is the testing program it may oversee.

Testing environments

Testing environments refer broadly to regulated spaces for AI experimentation, while this term specifically names Utah's or North Carolina's program.

Sandbox/testbed

Sandbox/testbed is a general term for controlled AI testing environments, unlike this specific program under named state laws.

Questions and answers

What is unique about Utah's AI Learning Laboratory Program?

It allows testing AI under relaxed rules while agencies issue rules for participation and monitor outcomes and consumer impacts.

Does North Carolina's AI Learning Laboratory Program regulate AI use?

No, it is a proposed program for testing AI under monitored conditions to gain insights into risks and policy needs.

How does this differ from a general regulatory sandbox?

Utah's version maintains consumer protections during testing, while North Carolina's emphasizes research into AI implications.