Emerging Tech

Technology execs are critical of state Sen. Scott Wiener’s Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act. The San Francisco Democrat said Thursday it is narrower than the European Union AI law.

The group, established in March by legislation, will have its first meeting Friday and discuss how the Pacific Northwest state can foster artificial intelligence while ensuring it is controlled.

The technology company joins Amazon, Microsoft, OpenAI and others in agreeing to voluntary measures around artificial intelligence. These will include testing AI systems for security flaws and risks.

The proposed bill is the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act. It would regulate “development and deployment of advanced AI models,” in part by creating a new regulator, the Frontier Model Division.

The site, long home to steel manufacturing, is expected to land billions in investment from California-based tech company PsiQuantum, which is working to build the first commercially viable quantum computer.

The New York Police Department will install gun detection scanners at a handful of subway turnstiles this week. An advocacy group says disclosure requirements have not been met.

The state announced the release earlier this month of a course on using generative artificial intelligence, for public-sector staffers in New Jersey and elsewhere. More coursework is coming later this summer.

Ada County, Idaho, has launched a tool that lets the public view ballot images and cast vote records, using it for new local elections for the first time in May. Now, other counties might also adopt it.

Using large language models, and with some adult supervision, the chatbot would coach young people on how to identify and respond to messages from online predators.

The Hawaiian Electric Co. has begun installing high-resolution video cameras with artificial intelligence technology, to spot ignitions early in areas near its equipment that have elevated fire risk.

A workshop on July 26-27 for students as well as the general public will feature presentations, panel discussions, group activities and lectures by scientists on the materials and devices behind brain-inspired computing.

After two fires at battery energy storage facilities in less than a year, staff for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will create standards for future projects in unincorporated areas. The issue could go to a vote as soon as August.

Plus, Waymo reports 50,000 weekly driverless taxi rides in three major cities, research finds investments in renewable energy are paying off and parrots, it turns out, like to FaceTime their friends.

The state’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy details how agencies will leverage the technology for predictive analysis, to improve resident services and drive workforce development. Ethics and security are part of the plan.

The Elk Grove Police Department plans to add three aerial drones to assist in the line of duty, a trend that many law enforcement agencies have recently adopted to contribute to service.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee announced the group’s membership, and that he would host its inaugural gathering, on Friday. Members will assess the risks and opportunities in artificial intelligence.

The New Orleans-based nonprofit MakeGood is now creating customized assistive technology that is intended to help people with disabilities solve the problems they encounter in daily life.

Experts say crypto ATMs have become a vehicle for international criminal enterprises, and that millions of dollars’ worth of fraud is carried out using the machines in the U.S. alone.