After a Google announcement this week, California school districts will have to decide whether to keep Google’s artificial intelligence tools and search engine — or sacrifice both.
artificial intelligence
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz County’s AI plan needs a real off switch
Santa Cruz County is embracing artificial intelligence, but its safeguards need to keep pace, writes behavioral scientist Gleb Tsipursky, who has written a book on the psychology of AI adoption. Before giving AI agents access to sensitive records or the power to act, the county must prove that humans can stop the machines, he writes. That means creating clear limits on what AI can do, installing independent monitoring and a reliable human-controlled off switch. Innovation is welcome, he writes, but accountability must come first.
Posted inEducation
Google will cut off search access for students at schools that reject AI tools
Students using Google software in the classroom will not be allowed to access the company’s search engine unless their school system also opts in to artificial intelligence tools, the tech giant said Tuesday.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
How Prop 45 could reshape California’s fight over data centers
Proposition 45, billed as a pro-housing development measure, could have the unintended consequence of making it easier to build data centers, opponents say.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California has more revenue than expected thanks to AI. Should the state save it?
Proponents say Proposition 2 would allow the state to shore up its reserves for an economic downturn. Critics say it would only allow state leaders to spend more in the future.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
California cities pull the plug on data centers after state regulations don’t scale up fast enough
Despite seven new statewide laws regulating data centers, at least 26 resolutions, moratoriums or bans on data centers have been passed or proposed in California since June.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Visit Santa Cruz County adds AI trip planner; La Bahia earns Michelin Key
In this week’s look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko notes an artificial intelligence-powered addition to Santa Cruz County’s tourism website, a big distinction for the luxury beachfront La Bahia Hotel & Spa, a new downtown listening lounge and much more.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom clamps down on California data centers as voters turn against the industry
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed seven data center bills into law on Monday, signaling a tide change toward regulation of the industry.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Is artificial intelligence threatening Santa Cruz’s art scene? Could it be a first step in creation?
Artificial intelligence is hovering over the work of creative people, especially those in the graphic arts, writes photographer and writer Donna Maurillo. Instead of feeding human imagination, AI, she writes, is giving us the equivalent of fast-food meals. Here, she applauds Lookout’s recent focus on art in Santa Cruz and explains how AI is affecting several artists – particularly graphic designers.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Proposed ballot measure requiring voter approval for AI data centers fails
A proposed ballot measure that would have required voter approval on artificial intelligence data centers failed to move forward at Tuesday’s Santa Cruz County supervisors meeting, with elected officials saying there is not an “urgent need” as there are no projects being proposed in the county.
