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.
Government
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Santa Cruz County Jail expands free video visits for families amid increased ICE activity
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is expanding its free video visits for people in the county jail for the next 30 days amid increased enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the area.
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Santa Cruz County Measure E: What to know about the proposed temporary half-cent sales tax
Santa Cruz County’s Measure E would impose a five-year, half-cent sales tax increase expected to raise about $27 million annually to help address a worsening budget outlook and potential losses in healthcare and other safety-net funding.
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Medida E del condado de Santa Cruz: lo que hay que saber sobre el aumento temporal propuesto de medio centavo en el impuesto sobre las ventas
La Medida E del condado de Santa Cruz impondría un aumento de medio centavo en el impuesto sobre las ventas durante cinco años. Se espera que genere aproximadamente 27 millones de dólares al año para ayudar a enfrentar el empeoramiento de las perspectivas presupuestarias y las posibles pérdidas de fondos destinados a la atención médica y otros programas de protección social.
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Capitola City Council: Meet the five candidates vying for three open seats
In Capitola, five well-known names in the community are on the ballot competing for three open seats on the city council. The top three vote-getters will win. This is also the last election cycle under Capitola’s at-large system.
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Capitola City Council candidates agree on budget, rail trail — but differ slightly on housing
Five candidates for the Capitola City Council discussed a variety of issues affecting the city, including the city budget and the Coastal Rail Trail, during an election forum Wednesday evening.
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Santa Cruz appoints 25-year veteran Jose Garcia as interim police chief
Jose Garcia will become Santa Cruz’s interim police chief on Oct. 31, succeeding retiring Chief Bernie Escalante. Garcia has served as the department’s deputy chief since 2020.
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Nancy Bilicich seeks Watsonville council comeback as Ed Acosta calls for ‘something new’
Nancy Bilicich and Ed Acosta will face off for the District 7 Watsonville City Council seat. The winner will replace termed-out City Councilmember Ari Parker.
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Watsonville reducirá las cámaras de vigilancia Flock de 37 a 20 y endurecerá las reglas sobre los datos
El martes, el Concejo Municipal de Watsonville votó 5-2 a favor de reducir el uso de las cámaras Flock por parte del departamento de policía, después de una discusión de casi cinco horas que por momentos fue tensa.
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Watsonville to cut Flock surveillance cameras from 37 to 20, tighten data rules
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday voted 5-2 to scale back the police department’s use of Flock Safety cameras after an often-tense, nearly five-hour discussion.
