ARUP Laboratories Named a Finalist in Utah’s Pro-Human AI Elevation Awards

ARUP Laboratories is honored to announce that it has been named as a finalist in the Utah Pro-Human AI Initiative's Elevation Awards. The awards, a joint venture of the Governor's Office of Economic Development and the Utah Department of Commerce, aim to showcase Utah-connected companies utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in responsible, human-guided, and human-enhancing ways.

Winners, who will be chosen in part by a public voting process, will be announced at the Utah AI Summit on December 8, 2026. Voting is live now at https://aisummit.utah.gov/2026-ai-summit/elevation-awards/ until Friday, November 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. MST.

ARUP was nominated in the Workforce Elevation category for its breakthrough research and application of AI-augmented tools that allow parasitology laboratorians to more easily and accurately detect parasites and their eggs in biological samples. Before development of the tool-the first of its kind in the world-highly trained technicians had to spend hours hunched over microscope slides to visually detect infections. With AI now conducting the visual search, technicians can better utilize their time reviewing and confirming suspected infections, and physicians and patients can begin treatment regimens sooner and with greater confidence.

Just as importantly, the AI tool reduces employee fatigue, repetitive stress injuries, low job satisfaction, and risks of diagnostic errors in an industry facing workplace shortages, all while keeping humans in charge of the decision-making. In one example from a series of studies published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Microbiology, confirmed positive tests for just one type of parasitic worm increased from 4.5% to 12.3% with the AI tools. Testing can also be completed 20% faster, which allows ARUP to increase testing capacity and help more patients. The technology has also been licensed for use in other reference laboratories across the United States.

Each of the Elevation Awards finalists was nominated in one of three categories:

• Workforce Elevation recognizes companies using AI to help their employees "do more, learn faster, build new skill sets, and take on greater responsibilities."
• Community Advancement recognizes companies using AI to address genuine community needs in areas such as healthcare, education, public safety, and government.
• Pro-Human Breakthrough recognizes companies building AI products and applications with accountability as a deliberate part of the design.

Finalists across all three categories will be considered for an overall Pro-Human Elevation Award, and the winner will be the company that best demonstrates that "responsible, human-centered AI enables long-term business success."

ARUP Chief Scientific Officer, Innovation Business Unit President, and Medical Director of Hematopathology Tracy I. George, MD, said the Elevation Awards nomination is a great honor since it validates one of the company's core beliefs about AI.

"ARUP is using AI to bolster our workforce, not replace it," George said. "This helps our teams make faster and more accurate diagnoses, improving healthcare for all Americans."

Eric Lewis
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