Austin AI Job Shakeup, Texas Grid Expansion, and Hackathon Countdown | AITX Newsletter #26

Hello everyone! AITX Team here with more updates this week.

If you’re new here, welcome! 👋 At AITX, we aim to:

• Connect you with like-minded peers passionate about AI.

• Provide a space for sharing ideas and receiving feedback on AI projects you’re building.

• Share helpful tools and invaluable resources.

AITX Hackathon Countdown ⏰ 

Hey AI enthusiasts! Our epic hackathon is just around the corner. Here's a quick refresh on the essentials:

Quick Details:

• Pre-Event Kickoff: Thursday, July 18th | 5:30 - 7:00 pm

• Main Event: Saturday, July 20th | 8:30 am - 7:00 pm

• Register Here (Don't miss out!)

Agenda Highlights:

• Team building & judging criteria overview (July 18th)

• Build your project, preliminary and final judging, prizes and networking (July 20th)

Current Judges So Far:

• Dustin Williams - Executive advisor to Google Cloud's most innovative partners

• Brendan Fulcher - Machine Learning Engineer @ Lambda Labs

These industry pros are ready to be wowed by your AI creations!

Remember, we're still handing out prizes for Best Hack, Best Vision-based Hack, and Smartest Dumb Use of AI. Time to get those creative juices flowing!

A big shout-out to our sponsors Lambda Labs, Antler VC, and Google Cloud for making this possible!

Can't hack but want to get involved?

We're still looking for judges and mentors. Reach out if you're interested!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Demystifying AI: Understanding LLMs and Transformers 😶‍🌫️ 

• When: Thursday, July 11 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM CST

• Where: Atlassian 1401 E 5th St. building 2 · Austin, TX

• What: Explore the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence in this engaging talk, designed to unravel the complexities of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Transformers. This session will offer a clear and concise overview of these cutting-edge technologies, culminating in a live demonstration of a simple AI chatbot.

🤠 AITX San Antonio - Monthly Meetup 🤠 

Yes—we have a meetup in San Antonio now too!

• When: Tuesday, July 9 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM CST

• Where: Boeing Center at Tech Port 3331 General Hudnell Dr Acc Rd, San Antonio, TX 78226, USA

• What: A monthly meetup for AI entrepreneurs, operators, and enthusiasts in San Antonio, Texas. At AITX, we're passionate about fostering a diverse and thriving AI community in San Antonio where like-minded individuals can connect with each other, share ideas, and inspire innovation.

Austin LangChain July Meeting 🦜 🇺🇸 

• When: Wednesday, July 10 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM CST

• Where: 1204 San Antonio St 1204 San Antonio St · Austin, TX

• What: The perfect platform for you to connect with like-minded individuals in the Austin area who share your passion for LangChain AI technology.

Artists & the Age of AI: July 2024 Meetup 🖼️ 

• When: Thursday, July 11 | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM CST

• Where: 701 Brazos St 701 Brazos St · Austin, TX

• What: Connect with other artists, creatives, and technologists and stay updated on the latest developments in the arts and AI-tech space.

Can AI be a moral agent? Why should we care? 😇 

• When: Thursday, July 11 | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM CAT

• Where: Panera Bread 4625 West William Cannon Drive · Austin, TX

• What:
  Can AI (or computer or robot) be a moral agent? Why should we care? Some would say AI/robot systems are not moral agents because they lack the intentionality, free will, consciousness, and empathy typically associated with moral agency. Robots are programmed to operate based on data and rules and don't have innate preferences or the ability to make independent moral judgments.

COMMUNITY STORIES

Austin's AI Job Market Shakeup: 10% of Workers Face AI Displacement 😀 

A recent study by (un)Common Logic places Austin as the 6th highest U.S. city for AI job displacement risk. Over 126,000 Austin workers (10% of the workforce) could be affected, with budget analysts, loan officers, and accountants among the most vulnerable professions. However, the study also highlights jobs less likely to be automated and emphasizes AI's potential to enhance rather than replace certain roles.

Need-to-know:

• Austin ranks 6th in the U.S. for AI job displacement risk

• Approximately 126,000 Austin workers (10% of workforce) face potential AI-related automation

• High-risk jobs include budget analysts, loan officers, accountants, insurance sales agents, and paralegals

• Low-risk jobs are hands-on professions like dancers, firefighters, and plumbers

• AI is predicted to impact high-income workers more than previous automation waves

• Other Texas cities in the top 50: Dallas-Fort Worth (23rd), San Antonio (22nd), Houston (49th)

• Some professions may use AI to enhance decision-making rather than face complete automation

• The study suggests AI's impact varies by state, depending on workforce composition

Learn more here.

Texas Powers Up: State Fund for Grid Expansion to Double as Energy Demand Surges 👾 

In response to projected skyrocketing energy demands, Texas is set to double its Texas Energy Fund from $5 billion to $10 billion. This move, announced by Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, aims to accelerate the development of new gas-fueled power plants through low-interest loans. The decision follows ERCOT's forecast that the state's power needs will nearly double by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for grid expansion and modernization.

Need-to-know:

• Texas Energy Fund to increase from $5 billion to $10 billion

• Fund offers 3% interest loans for new gas-fueled power plant construction

• ERCOT predicts Texas power demand will almost double by 2030

• $39 billion in loan applications received, nearly 8 times the initial fund size

• New power plants expected to take 3-4 years to complete

• Transmission line projects estimated to require 3-6 years

• Fund also supports infrastructure weatherization and modernization

• Move follows the 2021 winter storm that exposed grid vulnerabilities

• Bonuses offered for plants connecting to the main grid by June 2029

• Initiative aims to enhance grid reliability and meet growing energy needs

Learn more here.

AI Misuse Leads to Arrest: Montgomery County Man Charged with Child Pornography 

A 30-year-old man in Montgomery County, Texas, has been arrested for allegedly using artificial intelligence to digitally undress a photo of a 17-year-old girl. This case highlights the growing concern over the misuse of AI technology and its potential legal consequences, especially when it involves minors.

Need-to-know:

• Roman Shoffner, 30, arrested in Montgomery County for AI-related crime

• Accused of using AI to alter a 17-year-old girl's photo, removing her clothing

• Investigation began in May after authorities learned of the incident

• Shoffner's phone was forensically examined by Precinct 3 detectives

• Charged with intentions of possessing child pornography

• Arrest warrant filed based on probable cause from the investigation

• Shoffner was arrested on June 28 and booked into Montgomery County Jail

• Case raises concerns about AI misuse and privacy implications

• Highlights need for legal and ethical frameworks around AI technology

• Demonstrates potential criminal applications of readily available AI tools

Learn more here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT

This week, we’re highlighting one of our judges for the hackathon—Brendan Fulcher

Brendan is a solutions engineer at Lambda Labs who focuses on providing engineering consultation and solution recommendations to Lambda’s customers.

Prior to his time at Lambda, Brendan worked for Google as a senior engineer on the Applied AI product incubation team where he focused on industry applications of LLMs and other conversational AI products.

We’re excited and honored to have him as one of our judges for the hackathon, so thank you again!