Read more about California's recent landmark proposal SB 1047 for ensuring safe and responsible development of large-scale artificial intelligence systems (AI) discussed in a recent virtual event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Carnegie).

Lindsey Hillesheim draws from her experience working for the Department of Defense as she leads AI strategy and solutions development efforts at Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She spoke with ESAL about how her Ph.D. in physics helps her engage the state’s science and engineer entrepreneurs and actualize their ideas for regional problem-solving.

Jeanne Holm serves as a senior technology advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, as well as deputy chief information officer for Los Angeles. ESAL interviewed Holm about how her scientific training informs her work in LA on infrastructure, mobility, and air quality.

Jennifer Robinson merges her data analytics job at SAS with local government solutions as a long-time elected official on the Town Council for Cary, North Carolina. In these roles, she works with governments and other stakeholders to harness the power of data analytics to improve local systems such as water use.

Rich Lechner is a lecturer at Stanford University and the VP of Business Development at UrbanLeap, a startup that provides a platform for local governments to harness innovative solutions. Previously at IBM, Lechner has a long background fostering urban sustainability through intelligent building design and smart infrastructure.

The inaugural post of our "Local STEM" series features the NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP). CUSP brings engineers and scientists together with city governments to tackle urban issues. We interviewed CUSP Executive Director Michael Holland to learn more about their work.