The public has turned against data centers, prompting a flood of legislation in California. Business interests are trying to blunt the backlash.
Tech
Posted inLatest News
What Meta’s $17B social media addiction settlement means for California teens
Meta’s landmark settlement agreement with states is unprecedented in that it forces the social media giant to redesign key features of Instagram and Facebook for teens.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction
Meta has agreed to pay $17 billion and add child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to end a landmark trial over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 states, state attorneys general announced Wednesday.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Opening statements set to begin in Meta’s federal trial over child safety
Opening statements are set to kick off Tuesday in a pivotal trial for Meta Platforms in a federal court in Oakland, where states are seeking billions of dollars in damages for social media harms to children.
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
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 inEducation
Cabrillo College, UCSC among schools affected by nationwide cyberattack
Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz were among thousands of schools nationwide impacted last week after a cyberattack on Canvas parent company Instructure forced temporary shutdowns of the learning management platform just as students were preparing for finals. Officials at both campuses said Canvas has since been restored.
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 inBusiness & Technology
California will soon have more than 300 data centers. Where will they get their water?
A 330-megawatt data center proposed in the Imperial Valley would need 750,000 gallons of water a day. Satisfying the thirst of 24 more facilities expected to open in the state by 2030 will be challenging, experts and officials say.
