Govs. Jared Polis & Spencer Cox on education and technology: Full panel

July 31, 2026 - 18:06

Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Utah Governor Spencer Cox sat down for a joint interview focused on how their states are handling the rapid spread of new technology in schools. The conversation, moderated by Kristen Welker, was part of a series aimed at finding common ground between leaders from opposite parties. While the two governors disagreed on several points, they both stressed that the biggest challenge is not the devices themselves, but how to keep students focused and safe.

Polis, a Democrat, argued that schools should lean into artificial intelligence and adaptive learning tools. He said these programs can personalize lessons for each child, helping struggling students catch up faster. Cox, a Republican, took a more cautious stance. He pointed to rising rates of teen anxiety and screen addiction, saying Utah has pushed for stricter phone bans in classrooms. He called for more outdoor time and direct human interaction before adding more software.

Despite their differences, both governors agreed on one thing: parents need more control over what their children see online. They also backed federal guidelines for tech companies, though they stopped short of endorsing specific legislation. The panel ended with a handshake and a shared joke about how their own kids would rather be on tablets than talking to them. The full discussion is available for viewers who want to hear the entire back-and-forth.