Emerging Tech

The Midwest state is the fifth in the nation to enable residents to take their licenses digital. But officials said Wednesday that does not replace a physical ID — which is still needed for driving and interacting with law enforcement.

The California Department of Human Resources has released professional development courses in generative artificial intelligence. The classes were created with InnovateUS, which worked with New Jersey on similar courses.

The Alabama Blockchain Study Commission, created by legislative resolution in May, met for the first time Tuesday. State lawmakers, and public- and private-sector representatives chose its leaders.

The National Association of Counties’ AI Exploratory Committee has released a report for local governments on integrating artificial intelligence. It offers use cases, and examines risks and opportunities.

Tulsa Innovation Labs has received a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant to develop an innovation hub that will look at ramping up advanced manufacturing for autonomous systems, from agriculture to transportation.

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.