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.
artificial intelligence
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.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California enacts laws restricting chatbots and banning teens from ‘addictive’ social media
California teens will be barred from “addictive” social media products and limited in their interactions with chatbots under two of the 13 bills signed into law Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom to protect kids online.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Paystand branches into AI agents; court hearing for former Scotts Valley executive; Barilla snaps up Goodles
In this week’s survey of local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the rollout of a new AI tool for Santa Cruz-based fintech company Paystand, notes a court date for a former executive of Scotts Valley’s Ambient Photonics and runs down other numbers, names and dates to know.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The data center backlash is here — and Big Tech is spending big to combat it
The public has turned against data centers, prompting a flood of legislation in California. Business interests are trying to blunt the backlash.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz County housing market stalls, then rebounds as AI wealth boom looms
The Santa Cruz County housing market looked similar in July to what it has for most of the summer, despite sales temporarily dipping as prospective buyers leave for vacation and school gets back into session.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits
With the rise in popularity of chatbots and the use of artificial intelligence in mental healthcare, California lawmakers are pushing legislation that they say is needed to protect consumers.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
The City of Santa Cruz drew the line on facial recognition and Flock cameras. AI is testing us again.
The City of Santa Cruz led the nation in 2020 by restricting facial recognition technology, yet new artificial intelligence tools are quietly expanding the reach of surveillance, writes civil libertarian Steve Pleich. Before these systems become commonplace, he believes local cities and the county board of supervisors should establish clear rules that continue to protect both public safety and civil liberties. He insists privacy should not disappear simply because technology evolves.
