In a letter to the editor, a Santa Cruz resident points out that using AI for customer service cuts humans out of the process and means less payroll tax into the U.S. Social Security system.
artificial intelligence
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
How buying a washing machine became an AI comedy: Why the AI customer service revolution is a failure
“We are repeatedly told that artificial intelligence will provide faster, more personalized and more efficient service, Stanford scholar Robert M. Kaplan writes after a series of chatbot misadventures. “Yet consumer frustration with AI interfaces has become commonplace, and many problems remain unresolved. “
Posted inBusiness & Technology
AI is helping gas stations collude to raise California fuel prices, lawsuit says
Software powered by artificial intelligence has allowed gas station operators across California to illegally collude and drive up prices at the pump, according to a federal lawsuit.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California admits using high-risk AI — including systems it failed to report last year
State officials have found they are using six high-risk AI-like systems. One year ago, they reported using zero.
Posted inLatest News
California judges are testing a new AI clerk, and you won’t know if it’s looking at your case
Courts in Los Angeles and Riverside counties are testing an artificial intelligence tool and deciding whether it can be used in high-stakes criminal cases.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
After AI layoffs, Newsom orders state government to find ways to ease the pain
In an executive order, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called on state officials to study everything from job subsidies to stock compensation policies to mitigate tech-driven layoffs stemming from the use of artificial intelligence.
Posted inLatest News
California turns to AI as whale deaths spike
Whales have often gone unnoticed by mariners, but an artificial intelligence-powered detection network launched this week is designed to track them day and night. The effort comes amid an alarming rise in gray whale deaths in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Data centers are guzzling California’s water. We have no idea how much
Data centers are expanding into water-stressed California communities, but lax disclosure rules keep the public in the dark about actual usage.
Posted inEducation
Cal State struck a deal with OpenAI. Some students and faculty refuse to use it
California State University’s $17 million contract with ChatGPT maker OpenAI is up for renewal. Some students and faculty say equal access to artificial intelligence is important for preparing students for the workforce. Others say the implementation of AI tools has been confusing and opens the door to cheating.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics. See how much
Tech giants involved in AI and cryptocurrency spent $39 million last year to influence California lawmakers and policy. It’s the start of what could be a spending blitz in the upcoming election.
