Why it matters: Small and mid-sized businesses across Utah are navigating AI adoption with uncertainty about where to begin, not resistance.

The big picture: Mika Paulson, Director of Client Success at Integrated Companies, represents a growing number of family-owned businesses asking practical questions about how to stay relevant as AI reshapes their industries.

What they’re saying: “Our leaders in Utah really have our backs. They want small to medium-sized businesses to thrive, and they are building legislation that will help support that in the long term,” says Paulson. She feels hopeful that Utah is prioritizing people-first innovation and building long-term support systems to help businesses adapt rather than fall behind.

What to expect: Paulson’s approach is simple: start somewhere, find education, and ask practical questions like “What AI tools make sense for my type of business?” She plans to continue building her AI knowledge while keeping emotional intelligence at the center of her work, a combination she sees as critical for the future.

The bottom line: Small businesses don’t need to have all the answers about AI today. But they do need to start. And in Utah, they’re not doing it alone.