The Utah Department of Commerce’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy (OAIP) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Doctronic, an AI-native health platform, enabling an AI system to legally assist in medical decision-making for prescription renewals. This agreement, revealed on Tuesday, aims to streamline the prescription renewal process, which accounts for approximately 80 percent of medication activities.
Since its inception in July 2024, OAIP has offered regulatory mitigation agreements through its Learning Lab, allowing companies to navigate regulatory frameworks while fostering innovation in AI applications. The initiative is designed to facilitate the growth of Utah businesses engaged in artificial intelligence, with necessary consumer protections in place.
Director Zach Boyd previously noted that OAIP was focused on exploring the broader societal impacts of AI rather than its internal use within state government. In a 2025 interview with Government Technology, Boyd expressed optimism for expanding collaborations as interest from various companies grew, indicating that the office was “just getting started.”
In addition to Doctronic, OAIP has previously partnered with ElizaChat to investigate AI’s potential in mental health and with Dentacor to assess AI applications in dental care. These partnerships are part of a larger strategy to evaluate the deployment of AI in healthcare while maintaining open lines of communication and data sharing with the state regarding safety and compliance.
As part of the new agreement, Doctronic will use its autonomous AI platform to prescribe routine medication refills under Utah’s regulatory sandbox framework. This pilot program will be closely monitored by OAIP to evaluate safety protocols, patient experience, and effectiveness. Metrics such as medication refill timelines, patient satisfaction, safety and cost outcomes, and overall workflow efficiency will be assessed during the pilot.
OAIP has characterized this initiative as the “first state-approved program in the country” to permit AI systems to participate in the medical decision-making process concerning prescription renewals. “By creating a supportive environment for companies like Doctronic AI, the Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy provides the certainty necessary for them to develop impactful solutions while prioritizing the well-being of Utahns,” stated Margaret Woolley Busse, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce.
Findings from the collaboration with Doctronic are expected to be shared publicly, with the goal of informing AI policy discussions at both state and federal levels. Matt Pavelle, co-CEO of Doctronic, hailed the agreement as a significant milestone, emphasizing its potential to enhance access to care and improve health outcomes. He expressed hope that other states would emulate Utah’s proactive approach.
Utah is not alone in promoting AI exploration through similar sandbox models; states such as Arizona and Massachusetts have also established environments for safe experimentation with AI technologies. For instance, Arizona has created sandbox spaces for agencies to collaborate with vendors, while Massachusetts has implemented its own framework with specific terms and conditions. By fall 2025, New Jersey’s AI sandbox was reportedly utilized by approximately 20 percent of state employees, according to Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole.
This collaborative environment between the state and AI companies is aimed at addressing critical questions surrounding accountability and safety in AI deployment. As artificial intelligence continues to permeate various sectors, the outcomes of Utah’s initiatives could serve as a template for future regulatory frameworks across the United States.
For more information on OAIP, visit the Utah Department of Commerce.
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