Environment
Fact check: Is Sam Altman right that almonds use more water than ChatGPT queries?
Altman claims 38,000 ChatGPT queries equal one almond's water use.
Artificial Intelligence
Environment
Newsom vetoed a data center water bill last year. Will he sign it this time?
Two bills requiring data centers to disclose water use head to Newsom’s desk.
Technology
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.
Technology
AI led to mistakes in Nevada County criminal cases. Should the DA be sanctioned?
A judge will investigate how AI-based errors affected criminal cases in Nevada County, where the district attorney has already acknowledged that mistakes appeared in four cases.
Economy
State Farm defense lawyers admit AI generated fake cases in LA lawsuit
Lawyers for a former Los Angeles homeowner find AI-generated “hallucinations” in filings by State Farm.
Mental Health
As AI ‘therapists’ dish out advice, California lawmakers try to set some limits
With the rise in popularity of chatbots and AI use in mental healthcare, lawmakers are pushing legislation that they say is needed to protect consumers.
Technology
Brazil gives parents social media controls for their kids. Why doesn’t California?
California is leading on kids’ data privacy in the U.S. but still lags internationally.
Commentary
Why California’s AI transparency law for state government use was destined to fail
California's attempt to make state government use of AI more transparent was an interesting experiment, but ended in failure, as many experts and watchdogs warned.
Technology
Kaiser nurses say technology is making their jobs — and patient care — worse
Call center nurses at the health giant said workplace surveillance tools and AI prioritize speed and cost savings over quality and safety.
Politics
Newsom’s parting gift: A budget that delays California’s deep cuts to 2027
Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers reached a final budget deal last week that largely relies on AI revenue projections and new taxes to delay social service cuts and shrink future deficits.