Get Current - Navigate the latest in AI—An original Coastal Intelligence podcast

Mark Sylvester
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  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Your five-minute Monday morning guide to AI developments that actually matter to the South Coast. Host Mark Sylvester connects the latest artificial intelligence news to our unique regional ecosystem—from UCSB's quantum computing breakthroughs to local tech companies like Procore, Invoca, and Apeel Sciences. Each week: weekend AI developments, key stories with South Coast connections, and what's ahead for your industry. Perfect for busy professionals who love living here as much as working here.

Episodes

  1. 4D AGO

    The 70% Solution: How China Just Changed the AI Race

    Episode: "The 70% Solution: How China Just Changed the AI Race" Released: Monday, September 29, 2025 EPISODE DESCRIPTION DeepSeek's 70% cost reduction in AI training isn't just a number—it's a fundamental shift in who can compete globally. This week: China's breakthrough changes the economics of AI development, the UAE bets $100 billion on becoming a neutral AI hub, and the White House puts quantum and AI at the top of federal research priorities. Plus: Why Santa Barbara's community-wide approach to AI might be smarter than the competition. Jim Sterne heads to Grand Rapids to keynote on AI strategy, we preview our interview with Ulrike Kerber on AI and creativity, and Mark shares a 90-second meeting summary hack you can use today. Runtime: 14 minutes Hosts: Mark Sylvester + Alice (AI Co-host) IN THIS EPISODE 🌍 Global AI Developments [00:50] China's 70% Cost Breakthrough DeepSeek unveils R1 model trained at 70% lower cost than U.S. competitors Custom hardware, proprietary optimization, and low energy costs drive efficiency What this means for who can compete in global AI development Source: Crescendo AI News [02:40] UAE's $100B AI Infrastructure Play OpenAI CEO Sam Altman meets with UAE President in Abu Dhabi New cooperation pact focuses on Arabic-language models and sovereign cloud UAE positioning itself as neutral broker between U.S. and Chinese AI ecosystems Source: TechStory AI Weekly Roundup [10:30] White House Elevates AI to Top Priority Quantum and AI named summit of federal R&D priorities Policy memorandum directs agencies to realign funding toward critical technologies What government research priorities signal for commercial innovation Source: The Quantum Insider 🏖️ South Coast AI Scene [04:15] Local Innovation: Invoca Santa Barbara's Invoca leads in conversation intelligence AI, helping brands like AutoNation, DIRECTV, and Verizon understand customer conversations. While nations build infrastructure, local companies solve practical business problems. [07:30] Jim Sterne Heads to Grand Rapids Coastal Intelligence co-founder keynotes at Digital Collegium 2025 Annual Conference (Sept 28-Oct 1) on rethinking AI—not as a calculator, but as a "strategic consultant in your pocket." Event: Digital Collegium 2025 [08:15] Next Monday: Mark Interviews Ulrike Kerber October 6, 5:00-7:30 PM at LODO Studios Berlin and Santa Barbara-based designer, author of "The Best AI Tools for Designers," explores whether AI can enhance human creativity. Fireside conversation + Q&A. Register: Coastal Intelligence AI Evening Price: $99 (includes chef-curated appetizers, local wine & craft beer) [08:45] Brave New Work Symposium October 7-9: Three-day art and tech symposium featuring internationally recognized artists exploring AI, environment, cultural identities, and community. Details: BraveNewWorkSB.org [09:20] AI Unlocked Series Launch October 10: Santa Barbara City College and the Chamber of Commerce partner on workforce development initiative. First of three-part series exploring how businesses leverage AI and skills needed to stay ahead. Info: SBSC Chamber 💡 This Week's Quick Hit [06:00] The Walking Meeting Summary Hack Use ChatGPT's voice mode to create meeting summaries while you walk: After meeting, open ChatGPT and tap voice button Talk through what happened: "Just met with team about Q4 planning..." Ask it to format into structured summary with action items 90 seconds = documentation that would take 15 minutes at desk The trick: Do it immediately while details are fresh. No app to learn, no account needed. KEY QUOTES "China's building cheaper AI. UAE's building neutral AI. We're building community around AI. That might be the smartest approach." — Mark Sylvester "While nations compete on cost and infrastructure, communities that figure out how to think with AI collaboratively—that's the actual competitive advantage everyone's missing." — Alice "The AI race isn't slowing down, it's fragmenting. Different regions are building different advantages. For those of us in tech, the question isn't whether to engage with AI anymore. It's which ecosystem you're building in." — Mark Sylvester RESOURCES & LINKS Companies Mentioned Invoca - Santa Barbara conversation intelligence AI DeepSeek - Chinese AI firm (R1 model) OpenAI - Partnership with UAE Viva Design / Ulrike Kerber - AI design & creativity research Events & Organizations Coastal Intelligence - AI community & events Digital Collegium 2025 - Higher ed digital conference Brave New Work - Art & tech symposium Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber - AI Unlocked series Santa Barbara City College - Workforce development partner Tools Mentioned ChatGPT - Voice mode for meeting summaries UPCOMING EVENTS - SANTA BARBARA AI CALENDAR 📅 October 2 (Wednesday) AI Art Exhibition Opening: "Symbiosis or Schism? The AI-Human Odyssey" Community Arts Workshop, 5:30-8:30 PM 📅 October 6 (Monday) Coastal Intelligence AI Evening with Ulrike Kerber LODO Studios, 5:00-7:30 PM | Register $99 📅 October 7-9 (Tue-Thu) Brave New Work: AI and Tech in the Hands of Artists Various Santa Barbara venues | Details 📅 October 10 (Thursday) AI Unlocked Series - Session 1 SBCC + Chamber Workforce Development Initiative | Info CONNECT WITH US Get Current Podcast New episodes every Monday morning Coastal Intelligence Website: CoastalIntelligence.ai Email: hello@coastalintelligence.ai Coastal Intelligence Membership Get access to all events, recordings, tools, and the network of people doing real AI work on the South Coast. Explore Membership Options CREDITS Hosts: Mark Sylvester + Alice (AI Co-host) Production: Orchestrated Intelligence Platform Music: [Suno.ai Generated Track] Podcast Length: ~14 minutes TAGS #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #TechNews #SantaBarbara #SouthCoast #DeepSeek #OpenAI #UAE #China #AIRace #CoastalIntelligence #TechPodcast #WorkforceDevelopment #BraveNewWork #GetCurrent EPISODE TRANSCRIPT [Full transcript available at CoastalIntelligence.ai/podcast] SUBSCRIBE: Never miss an episode of Get Current SHARE: Know someone who needs to stay current on AI? Send them this episode FEEDBACK: What topics should we cover next week? Email us NEXT EPISODE Monday, October 6, 2025 Preview: Post-interview insights from Ulrike Kerber, Brave New Work highlights, and the latest in global AI developments. 🎙️ GET CURRENT: Your weekly tech news podcast with a South Coast perspective

    11 min

  2. SEP 15

    Beyond One-Size-Fits-All AI

    SHOW NOTES Episode: Get Current - Monday, September 15, 2025 Hosts: Mark Sylvester & Alice (AI) Main Headlines: Microsoft integrates Anthropic's Claude into Office 365 alongside OpenAI Anthropic settles major copyright lawsuit for over $1 billion Spanish researchers use AI to screen grant applications The end of "one-size-fits-all" AI approaches Key Takeaways: AI landscape shifting toward specialized models for specific tasks Copyright settlements establishing important precedents for AI training Human judgment remains crucial in innovation and decision-making Local South Coast approach balances innovation with thoughtful consideration Quick Hit: Custom Email Templates with AI Voice Matching Create personalized email templates by having AI analyze your writing style first, then generate templates that sound authentically like you. Practical Tip: Email Efficiency with Authentic Voice Use AI to create custom templates for common email situations while maintaining your personal writing style and tone. Upcoming Coastal Intelligence Events: September 22: Adam Brotman - "From Starbucks to AI First" at LODO Studios (5:00pm networking, 6:00pm fireside chat) October 6: Ulrike Kerber - "The Shape of Imagination" at LODO Studios (5:00pm networking, 6:00pm fireside chat) RSVP: coastalintelligence.ai/events (Limited seating - events sell out) Local Connections: Santa Barbara tech companies like Invoca and HG Insights as examples of strategic expansion Apeel Sciences as example of unconventional innovation that might not pass AI screening South Coast's balance of innovation and thoughtful consideration Sources: TechCrunch: Microsoft-Anthropic partnership Reuters: Copyright settlement details Nature: Spanish AI grant screening research Contact & Events: For more information about Coastal Intelligence events and community, visit CoastalIntelligence.ai   B. Top 3 Reflection Questions If AI started screening your business ideas or creative projects, what innovative concepts might get filtered out before they could prove their worth? As AI companies face billion-dollar copyright settlements, how should the costs of ethical AI development be balanced between companies and consumers? When Microsoft chooses different AI models for different tasks, what does this tell us about the future of workplace tools - will we all become AI orchestra conductors? C. Top 5 Must-Reads Microsoft Diversifies with Anthropic Integration - The tech giant moves beyond exclusive OpenAI partnership, signaling end of AI vendor lock-in era [TechCrunch] Anthropic's Billion-Dollar Copyright Settlement - Landmark case establishes precedent for AI training data licensing and creator compensation [Reuters] Spanish Foundation Uses AI for Grant Screening - Research funding decisions increasingly automated, raising questions about innovation evaluation [Nature] The Specialized AI Future - Why one-size-fits-all AI models are giving way to task-specific solutions [Analysis] Wall Street Upgrades on AI Investment - Major banks raise S&P targets as AI infrastructure spending continues to drive market optimism [Yahoo Finance] STORY VERIFICATION NOTES Microsoft-Anthropic Partnership: Verified through TechCrunch and Reuters reporting from September 9, 2025 Claude models specifically mentioned for PowerPoint and Excel functions Part of Microsoft's broader AI diversification strategy Anthropic Copyright Settlement: Confirmed $1.5 billion settlement reported September 5, 2025 Covers approximately 500,000 pirated books from LibGen and similar sites Authors receiving approximately $3,000 per infringed book Spanish AI Grant Screening: Published in Nature, September 5, 2025 Spanish foundation using three-algorithm model for health research applications Efficiency vs. innovation concerns raised by research community

    8 min

  3. SEP 8

    When AI Shows Its Dark Side

    SHOW NOTES Episode Title: "When AI Shows Its Dark Side" Get Current - September 8, 2025 Main Headlines: Anthropic reveals AI being weaponized for sophisticated cyberattacks (August 27) University of Colorado's AI exposes 1,400+ fake scientific journals (August 30) Procore advances AI agents for predictive construction management Santa Barbara tech companies lead in security (Bitwarden) and enterprise AI adoption Key Takeaways: AI has lowered barriers to cybercrime - even novices can now launch sophisticated attacks Scientific publishing faces crisis as fake journals proliferate with AI assistance Defense requires matching AI sophistication - zero trust, continuous verification Local companies must understand AI capabilities AND limitations before implementation Community education and ethical AI development are critical for South Coast leadership Event Information: AI 101: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters Monday, September 8, 2025, 5:00-7:30 PM LODO Studios, Santa Barbara $29 registration at CoastalIntelligence.ai No jargon, just real answers for curious professionals AI Evening: From Starbucks to AI First Sunday, September 22, 2025, 5:00-7:30 PM Fireside chat with former Starbucks digital transformation leader $99 registration at CoastalIntelligence.ai Quick Hit Summary: Analyze your own thinking patterns - use AI to identify assumptions in your writing with the prompt: "What assumptions am I making in this text that I might not be aware of?" Practical Tip Summary: Audit digital vulnerabilities: Use password managers (Bitwarden), enable 2FA, and create AI-assisted memorable password systems based on personal references like favorite SB hiking trails. Local Business Connections: Bitwarden (password security) Procore (construction AI) LogicMonitor (infrastructure monitoring) HG Insights (technographics) Apeel Sciences (research-based innovation) UCSB researchers (academic integrity) Tony Perez - TEDxSantaBarbara 2016 "Black Hats Rising" Source Attributions: Anthropic Threat Intelligence Report (August 27, 2025) University of Colorado Boulder/Science Advances study (August 30, 2025) Procore Future State of Construction Report TEDxSantaBarbara 2016 Contact: Web: CoastalIntelligence.ai Hosts: Mark Sylvester & Alice (AI co-host) Produced by: Coastal Intelligence, Santa Barbara KEY STORY DETAILS (Non-JSON Format) Story 1: Anthropic's AI Weaponization Warning Published: August 27, 2025 (last Tuesday) Source: Anthropic Threat Intelligence Report What Happened: Claude AI was used to orchestrate attacks on 17 organizations including healthcare and government. Single hacker automated everything from reconnaissance to $500K+ ransom demands. Why It Matters: AI shifted from assisting to leading cybercrime. Even unskilled criminals can now launch sophisticated attacks. Local Impact: Every Santa Barbara business faces new threats. Companies like Bitwarden are building defenses assuming constant AI-powered attacks. Story 2: Fake Science Journals Exposed Published: August 30, 2025 (last Friday) Source: University of Colorado Boulder study in Science Advances What Happened: AI analysis of 15,200 journals flagged 1,400+ as predatory or fake. These publish hundreds of thousands of papers with millions of citations. Why It Matters: The foundation of scientific knowledge is being corrupted. Fake research could undermine legitimate innovation. Local Impact: UCSB researchers face sophisticated fraud. Companies like Apeel Sciences could base innovations on contaminated research. Story 3: Procore's Construction AI Vision Source: Procore announcements and Future State of Construction Report What Happened: AI agents that anticipate problems before they occur. Technology captures expertise from experienced workers to train 450,000 needed new workers. Why It Matters: AI becomes a knowledge transfer bridge between generations of workers. Not replacing humans but amplifying expertise. Local Impact: Santa Barbara's Procore leads construction tech revolution. Smart building essential for local development constraints. Coastal Intelligence Events: Tonight (if listening Monday): AI 101 at LODO Studios, 5-7:30 PM, $29 September 22: Fireside chat with former Starbucks digital transformation executive, $99 SOCIAL & SHARING OUTPUTS Emerging Themes: 1. The Weaponization Watershed Last week marked a turning point: AI shifted from being a tool that helps criminals to one that leads them. When a single hacker can orchestrate attacks on 17 organizations without knowing how to code, we've entered uncharted territory. Tony Perez warned us about this at TEDxSantaBarbara in 2016 with "Black Hats Rising"—now it's here. 2. Trust Infrastructure Under Siege The fake journal scandal reveals something deeper than academic fraud—it's an attack on how we build knowledge itself. When 1,400+ journals can masquerade as legitimate science, we're watching the erosion of truth-finding mechanisms that innovation depends on. 3. The Literacy Divide Accelerates Companies that understand AI's dual nature—both weapon and tool—will thrive. Those seeing only one side risk extinction. The real competition isn't between companies with AI and without—it's between those with AI wisdom and AI naivety. Top Reflection Questions: If criminals with no coding skills can now launch sophisticated cyberattacks, what security assumptions need immediate re-examination? How would your organization verify research authenticity when AI can fabricate convincing scientific journals? Which repetitive firefighting tasks in your organization could be transformed into AI-powered proactive prevention? Must-Read Links: Anthropic's AI Weaponization Report - Claude orchestrated attacks on hospitals with $500K+ ransoms Fake Science Journals Exposed - 1,400+ predatory journals publishing millions of citations Procore's AI Construction Revolution - Agents that predict problems and transfer expertise AI 101 Tonight - No-jargon guide at LODO Studios (if listening Monday) Sept 22 Fireside Chat - Former Starbucks exec on enterprise AI transformation

    14 min

  4. SEP 1

    The AI Vibe Shift: When Reality Meets the Hype

    SHOW NOTES Episode: Get Current - Monday, September 1, 2025 Runtime: ~5 minutes Main Headlines: Microsoft launches first in-house AI models, reducing OpenAI dependence China's AI hospital treats thousands of virtual patients daily with 93% accuracy Anthropic exposes AI-powered cybercrime operations targeting 17 organizations "AI vibe shift" emerges as market sentiment questions bubble concerns Australian businesses adopt AI every three minutes, and startups outpace enterprises Key Takeaways: AI development continues to accelerate despite market volatility concerns Cybersecurity becomes critical as AI lowers barriers to sophisticated crime Smaller, agile companies are adopting AI faster than large enterprises Practical AI security hygiene is essential for individuals and organizations AI 101 event next Monday provides an accessible introduction for curious beginners Quick Hit: AI Tool Security Audit Create a spreadsheet with columns for: AI Tool, Data Shared, Purpose, and Last Used. Inventory all AI services used, assess data sharing, and delete unused accounts to save as a quarterly reference. Upcoming Events: AI 101: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters Monday, September 8, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM LODO Studios, Santa Barbara $29 - Register: CoastalIntelligence.ai Perfect for smart, curious people wondering "What the heck is actually going on?" with AI Local Business Connections: Bitwarden - Password security for AI-powered systems Apeel Sciences - Real-world AI applications in food technology Inogen - Medical device manufacturing and AI diagnostic potential Ontraport - AI in marketing automation platforms FastSpring & HG Insights - Small companies with global reach Citrix & Raytheon - Local cybersecurity and tech expertise TOP 5 MUST-READS Microsoft's AI Independence Play - How MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1-preview signal the end of AI vendor lock-in (Microsoft AI Blog) China's Virtual Hospital Reality - 14 AI doctors treating thousands of patients daily isn't sci-fi anymore (YourStory) AI Cybercrime Goes Mainstream - Anthropic's report reveals how AI democratizes sophisticated attacks (Anthropic Blog) The AI Vibe Shift - Wall Street's sudden AI skepticism masks continued technological progress (CNN Business) Small Business AI Advantage - Why startups are adopting transformative AI faster than enterprises (AWS Australia)

    10 min

  5. AUG 25

    When Thinking Isn't Ours Alone: Lessons from William Poett's AI Evening

    Episode: Get Current - Monday, August 25, 2025 Theme: Reflecting on Bill Poett's AI Evening - A Philosophical Approach Key Highlights: Jim Sterne's LinkedIn reflection on Bill Poett's "philosophical approach to AI" Purpose vs. planning in a VUCA world (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) Creativity renaissance through AI - forcing intentionality in how we communicate Using AI for self-improvement and personal reflection Martial arts principles applied to AI adoption: situational awareness, agility, resilience Main Insights: Clarity over Planning: In rapid change, mission matters more than rigid plans Hands-on Learning: Skip theory, use AI daily for everything with intellectual components Intentional Creativity: AI forces precision in communication, clarifying our thinking Self-Reflection Tools: AI can identify knowledge gaps and time/energy mistakes Human Integration: Physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual aspects must work together Jim Sterne's original article on LinkedIn is here

    9 min

  6. AUG 11

    Two Paths Forward: How the South Coast Can Lead Thoughtful AI Development

    This week on Get Current, we analyze two contrasting approaches to AI leadership and what they mean for South Coast businesses and residents. While OpenAI focused on mainstream accessibility with their GPT-5 launch, Anthropic quietly released developer-focused innovations that could reshape how local organizations build custom AI solutions. Host Mark Sylvester and AI co-host Alice explore why the South Coast's unique combination of research excellence, creative talent, and community values positions the region to lead thoughtful AI development. From UCSB's federally-funded cybersecurity research to practical applications for local nonprofits and small businesses, this episode examines how AI can amplify what already makes this community special. Key Topics Covered Two Philosophies of AI Development OpenAI's utility approach versus Anthropic's creator-focused strategy How different approaches serve different South Coast constituencies The competitive advantage of having access to both mainstream and advanced tools South Coast AI Leadership UCSB's 20 million dollar federal cybersecurity institute positioning Regional expertise in responsible AI development and ethics Building both theoretical frameworks and practical applications Community-Centered AI Adoption How local businesses can leverage AI for growth rather than replacement Opportunities for nonprofits to enhance community engagement Creative applications for artists and cultural organizations Practical AI Applications Custom solutions development without traditional technical barriers Service enhancement for local businesses Community resilience through thoughtful technology adoption Regional Competitive Advantage Balancing innovation with community values Creating a third path between Silicon Valley and AI avoidance Positioning as leader in responsible AI governance Community Engagement The episode emphasizes the South Coast's opportunity to shape AI development rather than simply respond to it, highlighting the region's research capabilities, creative talent, and strong local business ecosystem. Upcoming Events AI for Everyone Date: Monday, August 25, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: Santa Barbara Public Library Cost: Free Audience: All community members, all ages welcome AI 101 Date: September 8, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM Location: LODO Studios, Santa Barbara Cost: 29 dollars Audience: Beginner-friendly deeper dive session Nonprofit AI Workshop Date: September 18-19, 2025 Location: CEC EnviroHub Format: Two-day hands-on workshop for nonprofit organizations Resources Coastal Intelligence Membership: CoastalIntelligence.ai Contact: news@coastalintelligence.ai About Get Current Get Current is produced by Coastal Intelligence and focuses on artificial intelligence developments through a South Coast lens. The podcast examines how AI impacts local businesses, research institutions, and communities, emphasizing thoughtful adoption and community-centered innovation. Analysis Framework This episode demonstrates Get Current's approach of moving beyond technology reporting to examine regional implications, competitive advantages, and community applications of AI developments. Rather than focusing on technical specifications or industry statistics, the discussion centers on practical opportunities and strategic positioning for South Coast organizations and residents. Source Verification OpenAI GPT-5 announcement and mainstream accessibility strategy Anthropic developer tool releases and innovation approach UCSB federal cybersecurity institute funding and research leadership Regional business adoption patterns and community engagement opportunities Local event scheduling and community programming details

    10 min

  7. AUG 4

    From Maya to AI: How South Coast Companies Lead the Next Tech Revolution

    SHOW NOTES Monday, August 4, 2025 This Week's Stories: OpenAI GPT-5 August Launch OpenAI prepares unified AI model combining language and reasoning capabilities, launching with mini/nano versions and promising major improvements in coding and multimodal tasks. LogicMonitor Achieves FedRAMP Authorization Santa Barbara's LogicMonitor secures government authorization for Edwin AI platform, unlocking federal market opportunities while announcing OpenAI partnership. Procore Q2 Growth Driven by AI Carpinteria-based construction software company reports 14% revenue growth powered by AI Agent Builder platform automating project management workflows. Netflix Uses AI in Final Footage Streaming giant admits to first generative AI use in production—building collapse scene in "El Eternauta" completed 10x faster than traditional VFX. China Launches Global AI Cooperation Org China announces international AI governance framework at WAIC 2025, positioning alternative to US-led AI development approach. Anthropic Releases Claude 4 New Claude Opus 4 achieves 72.5% on coding benchmarks, establishing itself as world's best coding model with extended thinking capabilities. Key Insights from Mark: VFX Evolution: Drawing parallels between Maya's open architecture and current AI integration in Hollywood pipelines Franchise Innovation: How Star Wars/Star Trek continue driving VFX technology forward, now with AI solving the "more with less" budget equation Local AI Advantage: South Coast's pragmatic approach to AI implementation vs. Silicon Valley hype cycles South Coast AI Connections: LogicMonitor's $300M ARR milestone with government AI authorization Procore's practical construction AI driving real business results UCSB Quantum Foundry navigating international collaboration complexities Regional companies finding specific AI applications vs. chasing trends Looking Ahead: GPT-5's unified approach potentially democratizing powerful AI capabilities Federal AI market opportunities opening for South Coast companies Need to balance AI efficiency gains with workforce development Geopolitical AI governance frameworks creating navigation challenges LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Get Current releases every Monday morning on all major podcast platforms. CONNECT WITH US Share tips, projects, or questions: news@coastalintelligence.ai JOIN US TONIGHT AI For Everyone - Monday, August 4, 2025 at Workzone Learn practical AI applications in a welcoming, community setting. Details and registration: https://www.coastalintelligence.ai/blog/08-04-25-AI-For-Everyone

    13 min

  8. JUL 28

    Trump's AI Action Plan Meets South Coast Innovation

    Get Current Episode Show Notes Monday, July 28, 2025 Episode Title: Trump's AI Action Plan Meets South Coast Innovation Episode Summary: This week's Get Current explores how Trump's ambitious AI Action Plan impacts our local tech ecosystem, China's Moonshot AI challenges Silicon Valley with the open-source Kimi K2 model, OpenAI's new Agent mode finally reaches most users, delivery robots start riding subways, and tonight's Coastal Intelligence investor event at Lodo Studios brings it all home to Santa Barbara. Stories Covered: 1. Trump's AI Action Plan Released (July 23) "Winning the AI Race: America's AI Action Plan" unveiled Three pillars: accelerating innovation, building infrastructure, making US tech the global standard Requirement for AI to be "objective and free from ideological bias" Local impact: UCSB ACTION Institute funding, compliance for Invoca/MixMode 2. Moonshot AI's Kimi K2 Model (July 14) 1 trillion parameters (32B active) using sparse activation Completely open source under MIT License Outperforming GPT-4 on some benchmarks Continues trend started by DeepSeek in democratizing AI access 3. OpenAI's ChatGPT Agent Mode Released July 17, most Plus users got access last week Can browse web, fill forms, plan tasks, analyze competitors Requires user permission for major actions Represents closed/gated approach vs. open-source alternatives 4. Robotics Goes Mainstream Delivery robots in Shenzhen now ride subway to restock 7-Elevens MIT develops device allowing anyone to train robots without coding AI and robotics becoming genuinely accessible 5. Tonight's Event: AI Evening Investor Edition Coastal Intelligence event at Lodo Studios Focus on AI investment trends and opportunities Part of summer series including HackLabs and AI 101 sessions Local Companies/Organizations Mentioned: UCSB ACTION Institute (NSF-funded cybersecurity AI research) Invoca (AI-powered call analytics) MixMode (AI cybersecurity) Raytheon (local defense contractor) Coastal Intelligence (community AI group) Lodo Studios (event venue) Key Themes: Tension between US regulatory approach and Chinese open-source innovation Democratization of AI through efficiency improvements Local advantages: defense/aerospace proximity, academic research Importance of in-person community building in AI development Event Information: AI Evening: Investor Edition Date: Tonight (Monday, July 28, 2025) Location: Lodo Studios, Santa Barbara Host: Coastal Intelligence Focus: AI investment insights and entrepreneur navigation Production Notes: Episode format: Duopod conversation between Mark (human host) and Alice (AI co-host) Recording: Mark records segments with 20-second pauses Alice's audio generated via ElevenLabs with 20-second breaks between segments Post-production in GarageBand Contact: Website: CoastalIntelligence.ai Next Episode: Monday, August 4, 2025

    6 min

  9. JUL 21

    AI Agent Revolution & South Coast Tech

    Episode Summary: Mark and Alice explore this week's significant AI developments, including OpenAI's revolutionary ChatGPT agent, which can autonomously complete complex tasks, a reality check on AI coding productivity, and the impending enforcement of the EU AI Act. They connect global AI trends to companies on the South Coast and discuss opportunities for local innovation. Topics Covered: OpenAI ChatGPT Agent launch (July 17, 2025) METR study reveals 3.8% productivity gain vs 24% expected OpenAI adds Google Cloud infrastructure EU AI Act enforcement begins August 2, 2025 WHO report on AI transforming healthcare Local Companies Mentioned: Procore Technologies, LogicMonitor, Invoca, Anchore, Sonos, Amazon Santa Barbara, Google-UCSB quantum partnership, Inogen, BioIQ Event: AI Evening: Investor Edition - Monday, July 21 at Lodo Studios (tonight) More info: CoastalIntelligence.ai Resources: OpenAI ChatGPT Agent announcement METR AI coding productivity study EU AI Act official guidelines WHO AI healthcare report

    6 min

  10. JUL 14

    South Coast Quantum Breakthroughs

    South Coast AI News Blast Monday, July 15, 2025 LEAD: UCSB Professor Lands Major Quantum Computing Grant UC Santa Barbara computer science assistant professor Murphy Yuezhen Niu was awarded a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation last week to support her work in quantum computing. The five-year, $630,000 grant will fund Niu's project, "Quantum Pulse Processing — Robust and Programmable Quantum Control for Near-Term Quantum Simulation." Why this matters for the South Coast: Niu's research represents the cutting edge of quantum-AI convergence happening right here in Santa Barbara. Her work aims to bridge the gap between existing gate-based approaches and purely analog approaches to quantum computing, positioning UCSB at the forefront of next-generation computing that will power tomorrow's AI breakthroughs. The timing couldn't be better for our local quantum ecosystem, which already hosts Google's Quantum AI team and Microsoft's Station Q research facility. MEGA FUNDING: $65M Quantum Institute Launches with UCSB at Center On the same day as Niu's announcement last Monday, three prestigious California universities joined forces to establish the Eddleman Quantum Institute, funded by a $64.7 million donation from the estate of visionary philanthropist Roy T. Eddleman. UC Santa Barbara received $21.5 million as part of this collaborative quantum research hub with UC Irvine and Caltech. Local leadership: Physicists David Weld and Ania Jayich, with materials scientist Stephen Wilson, serve as co-directors of UCSB's institute. This builds directly on our region's existing quantum infrastructure, including the NSF Quantum Foundry established here in 2019. The funding creates a pipeline for the next generation of quantum scientists, with over 75 graduate students across the three institutions having already received Eddleman Fellowships since 2020, including 25 at UC Santa Barbara. GLOBAL CONTEXT: AI Infrastructure Races to Keep Pace While Santa Barbara strengthens its quantum foundation, the broader AI infrastructure landscape shifted last week when AI inference company Groq announced its first European data center footprint in Helsinki, Finland, marking a strategic expansion to meet growing European demand for AI processing power. Groq CEO Jonathan Ross emphasized rapid deployment capabilities, noting the company decided to build the Helsinki data center just four weeks before unloading server racks at the location. This speed reflects the urgent global race to build AI infrastructure—a race where our South Coast quantum research gives us a crucial long-term advantage. Connection to our region: While Groq operates from Mountain View, the global infrastructure build-out highlights why local quantum computing research matters. As traditional computing hits physical limits, quantum systems like those being developed at UCSB represent the next frontier for AI acceleration. What This Means for the South Coast These developments strengthen Santa Barbara's position as a quantum computing powerhouse at exactly the right moment. As AI systems demand more computational power, quantum technologies offer a path beyond the limitations of classical computing. The combination of federal research funding (Niu's CAREER award), private philanthropy (Eddleman Institute), and existing industry partnerships (Google, Microsoft) creates a unique ecosystem where breakthrough research can rapidly transition to real-world applications. Looking ahead: With quantum education expanding through programs like the Quantum Photonics Learning Lab, and companies like Groq demonstrating the urgent need for next-generation computing infrastructure, our region sits at the intersection of immediate AI needs and long-term quantum solutions. Sources: UCSB Computer Science Department, Enter Quantum, CNBC, Nature journal publications

    13 min

  11. JUN 30

    Welcome to Your AI Compass

    Get CurrentYour AI Intelligence Briefing Welcome to Get Current, your essential guide to AI developments that matter to the South Coast. Hosts Mark Sylvester and Alice (AI co-host) deliver timely intelligence on artificial intelligence's impact on our community through their signature DuoPod format—a dynamic human-AI conversation that brings both personal insight and technical depth to every story. Mark brings a decade of podcasting experience telling local tech stories—from 400+ episodes celebrating 805 entrepreneurs to this new focus on artificial intelligence's regional impact. Alice provides AI perspective, technical context, and broader implications analysis in an engaging, collaborative dialogue. What You'll Get: Monday Morning Briefings: Weekend AI developments that could impact your week Mid-Week Specials: Breaking news and urgent developments that can't wait South Coast Connections: How major AI stories affect our local innovation ecosystem Week Ahead Previews: Launches, research, policy changes, and community events Why the South Coast Perspective Matters: Our region offers a unique vantage point—close enough to Silicon Valley to see the future coming, but far enough away to think clearly about it. With world-class research at UCSB, innovative companies like Procore, Invoca, Apeel Sciences, and a thriving tech ecosystem from Carpinteria to San Luis Obispo, we're perfectly positioned to lead thoughtfully in the AI era. The DuoPod Advantage: Get Current's human-AI co-host format delivers both the nuanced local knowledge only a community insider can provide and the technical AI analysis that helps you understand what's really happening beneath the headlines. Every episode is a genuine conversation between human intuition and artificial intelligence. Community-Driven Content: Send your AI stories, insights, and questions to news@coastalintelligence.ai. The best perspectives come from founders, researchers, and business leaders right here on the South Coast. Never Miss an Episode: Become a Coastal Intelligence Insider and get every episode delivered to your inbox, plus access to additional insights, research, and early notification of special episodes covering breaking developments. Get Current: Where AI meets the South Coast

    10 min

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About

Your five-minute Monday morning guide to AI developments that actually matter to the South Coast. Host Mark Sylvester connects the latest artificial intelligence news to our unique regional ecosystem—from UCSB's quantum computing breakthroughs to local tech companies like Procore, Invoca, and Apeel Sciences. Each week: weekend AI developments, key stories with South Coast connections, and what's ahead for your industry. Perfect for busy professionals who love living here as much as working here.

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