Educators can learn caution mistakes with artificial intelligence in Los Angeles and San Diego. But they also face pressure to adopt AI technology quickly.
Tech
Posted inHousing & Development
Apple says it’s funding a housing project in Santa Cruz later this year — but local officials say ‘it’s news to us’
Apple’s newsroom announced an anticipated 2024 groundbreaking for a housing project in Santa Cruz that it is funding through its new Bay Area housing initiative, but details are few. The initiative’s goal is to help developers deliver “high-quality units faster and for significantly less” than current Santa Cruz costs.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The techie next door: New novel looks at how Silicon Valley is changing Santa Cruz
First-time novelist Olivia Gatwood used family history and her own lived experience to explore how Silicon Valley values are shaping life in Santa Cruz in her new book, “Whoever You Are, Honey.” She’ll be at Bookshop Santa Cruz to discuss it July 10.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California is investing $500M in therapy apps for youth. Advocates fear it won’t pay off.
California launched two teletherapy apps as part of the governor’s $500 million foray into health technology with private companies. But the rollout has been so slow that one company has yet to make its app available on Android, and social workers worry youths who need clinical care won’t get referrals.
Posted inEducation
Ron DeSantis or ChatGPT? When is it cheating? UCSC chancellor on artificial intelligence in education
The emergence of ChatGPT and other generative AI applications has marked an inflection point in education, technology and beyond. UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive sat down with local tech heavy hitter Guy Kawasaki for an insightful conversation about education in this new era, what Larive considers cheating and the role of a teacher in a world when knowledge sits at the tip of our keyboard.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Why news organizations should rethink social media comments
Santa Cruz digital marketer Cade Wright is tired of all the angry and often toxic comments to articles posted on social media. He has a radical idea — get rid of them. Here, he explains his reasoning about why impulsive reactions can distort information and undermine journalistic integrity. He is sure there is a better way.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
With growing popularity of tech like ChatGPT, county restricts AI for hiring, requires more public disclosure
In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved a policy on artificial intelligence aimed at “harnessing the potential but also recognizing some of the risks, in particular on data privacy.” Big decisions will remain in human hands, a spokesperson said, but the county wanted a policy that could allow it to use AI as a tool while acknowledging its blind spots.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz medtech company Capstan Medical raises $31.4 million in new funding round, looks to local expansion
Capstan Medical, founded in 2020, is developing a minimally invasive technology to treat mitral and tricuspid valve disease. The Santa Cruz company recently raised $31.4 million in a Series B fundraising round led by Palo Alto-based venture capital firm Eclipse. The funding will help with hiring in four key areas — software and controls engineering, mechanical engineering, clinical and operations.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Could Dave have talked HAL into opening the pod doors if HAL was an advanced AGI?
Doug Erickson, Santa Cruz tech guru and founder of Santa Cruz Works, helps us understand artificial intelligence by taking us back to 1968’s cult classic “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Could that fictional scenario of machines taking over for people happen with today’s AI? He leads us through some scenarios.
Posted inLatest News
As California fires worsen, can AI come to the rescue?
Cal Fire is the first fire agency to use artificial intelligence to look for signs of wildfires and directly alert dispatch centers.