Artificial Intelligence

A surveillance tower monitor, with a background landscape of a brown fence, river and mountains.

Technology

California’s ‘Trump-proofing’ likely won’t include AI — at least not yet

President-elect Trump has vowed to rescind an executive order that imposed AI safeguards, and could use tech to enable mass deportations. How far will California go in the other direction?

By

Alex Shultz

• November 21, 2024

A student writing on a white board under a banner for the AI club in a classroom.

Education

California students want careers in AI. Here’s how colleges are meeting that demand

The governor’s recent deal with Nvidia will boost AI education at community colleges and open the door to similar deals for public four-year universities in California. Meanwhile, computer science programs are adding AI concentrations and majors to prepare students for a range of "blue collar" and technical AI jobs.

By

Delilah Brumer

and

Jeremy Garza

• October 29, 2024

A conference hall with attendees and colorful signage related to artificial intelligence.

Economy

Why Gavin Newsom vetoed California’s bold bid to regulate AI

The legislation would have required tech companies to test AI for harm to society. It attracted opposition from numerous members of Congress and major AI companies including Google, Meta, and OpenAI.

By

Khari Johnson

• September 29, 2024

A side view of four people, a mix of lawmakers and officials, sitting behind a dais on the left side iof in a conference hall with attendees on the left side.

Elections

‘Steam engine’ or cautionary tale? Experts weigh in on AI role in California elections

At its 50th anniversary event, the state’s campaign finance watchdog looks to the future with a discussion on artificial intelligence. Attorney General Rob Bonta warns AI companies about state laws against voter deception.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• September 11, 2024

Two individuals look at a screen with an AI generated face on it, as the the words "DIGITAL HUMANS WITH UNITY" appear on the wall above the screen. To their left, another face looks out towards the space.

Technology

What California lawmakers did to regulate artificial intelligence

The California Legislature passed more than a dozen bills to regulate artificial intelligence in recent days, though some ambitions fell short.

By

Khari Johnson

• September 6, 2024

A person wearing glasses, sits behind a dais in a grey suit. A name tag next to to them read "Scott D. Wiener." In the left corner, a person is out of focus while wearing a face mask.

Technology

California’s big AI regulation bill is headed to Gavin Newsom

A California bill requiring makers of large AI systems to test them for potential harm cleared the Legislature today. It could still face a veto by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By

Khari Johnson

• August 28, 2024

Capitol

California tried to make Google pay news outlets. The company cut a deal that includes funding AI

State lawmakers give up on bills to force tech companies to pay media outlets for using news. Instead, they agree with Google on a program to help local newsrooms and to explore artificial intelligence.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• August 21, 2024

A person in a button up shirt and blue jeans stands in front of a large screen displaying colorful variations of the term AI.

Technology

Why Silicon Valley is trying so hard to kill this AI bill in California

The sprawling California legislation offers protection to whistleblowers and citizens. The coming weeks could decide its fate.

By

Khari Johnson

• August 12, 2024

Illustration of a chalkboard obscured by a purple cloud of abstract shapes, including a network of circles; a student is in the foreground looking confused

Technology

California’s two biggest school districts botched AI deals. Here are lessons from their mistakes.

Educators can learn caution from AI mistakes in Los Angeles and San Diego. But they also face pressure to adopt the technology quickly.

By

Khari Johnson

• August 6, 2024

An angled photo of Mark Zuckerberg in front of a red, blue and white screen with the words AI in white.

Commentary

California shouldn’t buy Big Tech talking point that AI regulation will hurt innovation

Silicon Valley companies say a bill that would establish safety requirements for AI development will tamp innovation and chase companies outside of California. Their fearmongering could not be more wrong.

By Sunny Gandhi • August 5, 2024