The Golden State’s First GenAI Contract, Fortune 500 Companies Call CA Home, and AI’s Potential to Reduce Food Insecurity
Welcome to SV-AI (Silicon Valley - Accelerates Innovation), my newsletter focused on the responsible development and deployment of innovations strengthening California's global competitive edge. Please subscribe to receive upcoming editions. Here, I’ll share tech policy news and leadership insights that you need to know and how technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, are being used IRL. In this edition, I share news about California’s first generative AI technology contract, why CA remains home to the most Fortune 500 companies, and the potential of AI to help reduce food insecurity in our state.?
AI 101?
This week I recommend you read the latest post from SVLG SVP Peter Leroe-Mu?oz on the global mad dash to attract AI companies.?
Peter’s insightful piece is a reminder that we are in a global race for AI talent that continues to heat up.?
And, to me, it is imperative that here in the Bay Area we not rest on our laurels.??
My view is that our policy leaders must be innovative in driving policies that make our region and California the most competitive place for next generation AI companies to do business and for their employees to live and thrive.?
On the topic of attracting talent, under a pilot program, LinkedIn users can access new AI features to find more relevant jobs faster, update their resume, and submit job applications.
LinkedIn’s AI chatbots are based on real-life career coaches, who are compensated for the use of their work.?
AI tools are becoming more common on both sides of the hiring process. Recruiters are also using AI to help identify top candidates from large pools of applicants. If done right, AI-enabled tools could help us ensure a more diverse workforce.?
Have you used any of LinkedIn’s new AI features? Let me know in the comments!???
First GenAI Contract Awarded in CA
Earlier this week, the California Department of Transportation announced that it had awarded a first-of-its-kind government contract to software firm Inrix.?
According to Statescoop , Inrix will enable the department to “make predictions about every functional road in the state, from rural highways to busy city thoroughfares.” Inrix uses AI to analyze massive amounts of real-time and historical data, identity risk patterns, and make recommendations.?
The ultimate goal is to improve road safety and reduce traffic.
It’s the first of what I believe will be many contracts with companies that leverage AI to improve public services.?
And since California is on the leading edge of AI, it’s no wonder that our state is one of the very first to be moving forward with the use of AI to bolster the effectiveness of our public sector.?
CA Home to Most Fortune 500 Companies?
Fortune’s annual list of the Fortune 500 companies was released last week, and California beat both Texas and New York as home to the most Fortune 500 companies. The Golden State is home to 57 companies on the list. I think it’s further proof that California remains the epicenter of innovation, which will only continue as AI technologies and its associated companies scale.?
Just this week, Fortune 500 company Apple unveiled its AI strategy for the iPhone.?
Apple Intelligence will bring generative AI capabilities to iPhone users which “include a writing assistant, image and custom emoji generators, and a somewhat more capable Siri voice assistant,” according to Axios .?
I think this is all going to be game changing and I can’t wait to use these features myself on my iPhone.
领英推荐
CA Watchdog Studies AI and Food Insecurity?
The Little Hoover Commission, an independent California state oversight agency, is studying how AI could be used to reduce food insecurity for California families.?
According to their website, the study will “explore AI’s potential to efficiently enroll people in food aid, enhance food supply chain efficiency, and assist the charitable food system.” At the same time, the group will look to identify potential challenges like bias and privacy concerns.?
It’s an exciting prospect and one that other states are also looking into.?
For example, Hawaii is working to use AI and machine learning to predict gaps in food supply while Texas is developing an AI-based platform to help food pantries communicate better with donors, agencies, and each other.
AI IRL
The city of Stockton , CA is using AI to combat city code violations, like graffiti.?
Local law enforcement is working with company CityDetect which “uses predictive artificial intelligence to find graffiti, blight, or any other city violations just by using a camera on the roof of code enforcement trucks.”???
The goal is to lighten the workload for? the city’s 13 police officers charged with code enforcement. During one week, the tool identified 4,000 violations on 2,500 different properties.?
We’ll monitor the success of this model as it will be interesting to see the impact on communities and where other municipalities see value in similar use cases.
Final Thoughts?
It’s commencement season which means there are a lot of graduates and their families sitting through a lot of speeches.
While my own view is that the commencement speech format is often a tough one to really knock out of the park, every now and then the inspiration provided at the podium truly has the capacity to change lives.?
I think the commencement address tennis champion Roger Federer recently gave to Dartmouth graduates is one of these rare gems and I highly recommend that you all check it out.
Some of his advice really spoke to me:
And, his vulnerable yet confident delivery was truly authentic.
Though I am not someone who really follows tennis, I believe his advice translates to everyone, no matter where you are in your professional or life journey.?
All we can do is try our best, get back up when we inevitably fail, and learn from our experiences.
Doing so while maintaining integrity and treating all people authentically well sets one one up for a fulfilled life.??
Congratulations to all of the recent graduates out there! Sending my best to the class of 2024! ?
Like this newsletter?? Leave a comment, connect with me on LinkedIn, and subscribe to receive upcoming editions.? Thank you!