California
How Californians can use a new state website to block hundreds of data brokers
A tool called DROP lets California residents fill out a few forms to keep their personal data from being tracked or sold by data brokers.
California tax revenue getting a boost from AI boom — but for how long?
As talk of a possible AI bubble grows, so does uncertainty around an important source of California tax money.
How an AI agent can help caseworkers maintain the ‘human relationship’ with clients
In California, Riverside County is experimenting with an AI agent that aims to help caseworkers focus more on supporting public benefit recipients and less on administrative tasks.
Why a new California law could change the way all Americans browse the internet
A new California law enhanced privacy for consumers nationwide by providing browser settings to block the sale of personal data.
‘Game on’: LA ramps up tech ahead of major sporting events
The city is set to host the World Cup, Super Bowl, Olympics and Paralympics in the coming years, and it is looking to AI to help improve its services.
California rolls out AI-powered ID verification for benefits
The state’s Employment Development Department now evaluates an applicant’s device and whether their IP address is domestic or foreign, all part of analyzing different signs of risk.
OpenAI just cut a deal with California. Critics say it’s full of holes
OpenAI is converting to a for-profit and settling an investigation by California’s attorney general. Experts and advocates have concerns.
New California law forces chatbots to protect kids’ mental health
California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved mandatory monitoring and reminders when kids use chatbots. Child advocates backed a different bill.
GIS data helps California utility prepare for increasing wildfire threats
In southern California, where water can be hard to come by, one utility is increasingly relying on GIS data to proactively prepare critical resources to combat wildfires.
Newsom just vetoed a bill to regulate license plate readers — even as fresh evidence of misuse emerges
The measure would have required regular purges of license plate databases and regularly audited how automated readers are used.
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Google wasn't against this privacy bill, officially. Behind the scenes, it orchestrated opposition
Google organized business owners against California legislation to force its Chrome web browser to safeguard personal data.
California, New York could become first states to enact laws aiming to prevent catastrophic AI harm
The bills aim to define frontier AI models and regulate the developers that make them.
California cities turn to AI to streamline permitting
Lancaster and San Jose both said they would use the technology to make it easier and faster to get a building permit by pre-screening and validating applications.
Three bills would protect California workers from AI management, but will costs stand in the way?
Three bills before the California Legislature would govern how companies use AI in employment decisions, but they may be in jeopardy because of costs.
Free AI training comes to California colleges — but at what cost?
California education leaders are striking deals with tech companies to provide students with opportunities to learn AI.
Should Lyft and Uber charge more if your battery is low? California may soon ban that
California lawmakers are backing a bill to ban rideshare services from using customers' information like a cellphone’s battery life, model and geolocation data to set different prices.
Why cities are turning to AI for property assessments
The technology can identify flaws or damage to infrastructure more efficiently than humans, which experts say can help streamline efforts to improve housing conditions and availability in communities.
California's fire protection agency made an AI chatbot. Don't ask it about evacuation orders
The bot fails at some basic questions about fires. Cal Fire says it is working on fixes.
California colleges spend millions to catch plagiarism and AI. Is the faulty tech worth it?
Colleges and universities renew Turnitin subscriptions year after year even though its flawed detectors are expensive and require students to let the company keep their papers forever.
Santa Monica, California, revamps procurement ‘bottleneck’
The city has turned to Glass to run a new e-commerce platform that allows staff to make quicker purchases, keep track of contracts and maintain more transparency into the process.
