September Survey, Upcoming Meetups and A Local AI Founder | AITX Newsletter #35

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.

Dear AITX Community,

With our San Antonio being a few meetups into full swing, we realize it's the perfect time to pause and hear directly from you.

We haven't done many surveys before, but as we expand to more cities, we want to ensure we're growing in a way that truly serves our community.

👉 Take Our First Community Survey (2 Minutes)

Why Now?

• We're expanding to new cities, and your input will guide our growth.

• This is one of our first surveys – we're committed to listening to you.

• As we evolve, we want to keep our newsletter relevant and valuable to you.

How Your Feedback Will Help:

• Tailor Content: Ensure our newsletter covers topics you care about.

• Plan Local Events: Help us organize meetups where you are.

• Build Connections: Foster a community that reflects your interests.

• Shape Our Future: Directly influence the direction of AITX as we grow.

What's in it for you?

• A newsletter that speaks to your specific AI interests and location.

• Events and networking opportunities closer to home.

• A chance to shape the AI community in Texas.

🚀 Just 2 minutes of your time will help us serve you better for years to come! 🚀

Click Here to Start the Survey

Your insights are invaluable as we take this next step in our community's journey. Let's work together to make AITX the most vibrant, useful AI community across Texas!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Austin LangChain AIMUG September Showcases and Mixer 🥳 

• When: Wednesday, September 11 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM CST

• Where: ACC - RGC 3000 1218 West Avenue · Austin, TX

• What:

  1. Informative Sessions: Engage with talks and demonstrations on the latest advancements in LangChain technology.

  2. Hands-on Learning: Participate in interactive sessions and apply your knowledge in practical labs.

  3. Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of AI professionals, hobbyists, and students.

  4. Project Showcases: Get inspired by innovative projects developed by our community members.

Artists & the Age of AI: September 2024 Meetup 🖼️ 

• When: Thursday, September 12 | 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.

Discussing AI for DevOps [September Meetup]

• When: Thursday, September 26 | 5:45 PM - 7:45 PM CST

• Where: 10801 N Mopac Expy #100 10801 North Mopac Expressway · Austin, TX

• What: Join us at Quali's Austin office for a wide-ranging discussion on all things pertaining to AI for DevOps and platform engineering teams tasked with navigating this space, including:

(N.Aus) Austin Generative Art Meetup # 2

• When: Tuesday, September 10 | 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM CST

• Where: Easy Tiger (Linc) 6406 N Interstate 35 · Austin, TX

• What: Connect with artists, developers, collectors,& enthusiasts who are passionate about fusion of art & technology. All types of computer art welcome, including generative, algorithmic,AI, & more traditional methods.Bring physical prints of your art to share, engage in inspiring discussions, & network with like-minded community individuals

Austin AI Social Hour 🍸️ 

• When: Wednesday, September 25 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM CST

• Where: The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen 6015 Dillard Cir A · Austin, TX

• What: The perfect spot to mingle with a friendly mix of people who share an interest in AI and its potential. Whether you're looking to share your latest project, seek feedback and advice, or simply connect with like-minded individuals, this is the perfect opportunity to unwind and make new connections in a relaxed, casual environment.

COMMUNITY STORIES

Austin Fights Fire with AI: New Early Detection System Deployed

Austin city leaders have unveiled a plan to combat wildfires using artificial intelligence. The city has partnered with Pano AI to implement an advanced early detection system that covers Austin and surrounding counties. This AI-driven technology aims to significantly improve fire response times, potentially changing the game for wildfire mitigation efforts in Central Texas.

Need-to-know:

• Austin Energy and Austin Fire Department have collaborated on this AI-powered fire detection project

• The system uses AI cameras to automatically detect fires and alert authorities

• It's described as a modern version of traditional fire lookout towers

• Coverage extends beyond Austin to most of Travis County and parts of Hays, Williamson, Bastrop, and Burnet counties

• The technology is expected to reduce the time needed to locate and respond to fires

• Local officials and residents express optimism about the system's potential to protect communities

• This initiative demonstrates Austin's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for public safety

Learn more here.

The Dallas Morning News Sets Clear AI Guidelines for Journalism

The Dallas Morning News has established comprehensive guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in its newsroom. Prioritizing transparency, accuracy, and fairness, the newspaper is taking a cautious approach to AI integration while exploring its potential benefits for journalism.

Need-to-know:

• The Dallas Morning News does not use generative AI to produce content for publication

• Basic AI tools are permitted for non-content tasks like transcribing and grammar checking

• Any use of AI for data analysis or filtering will be explicitly noted in publications

• A cross-departmental team is continuously evaluating AI usage in the newsroom

• The newspaper commits to full transparency with its audience regarding AI practices

• The guidelines aim to maintain journalistic integrity while exploring innovative technologies

• The Dallas Morning News emphasizes that its highest duty is to truth and its readers

Learn more here.

Texas Lawmakers Consider AI Protections for Artists

Texas is exploring legislation to protect artists from AI-generated fakes, particularly in the music industry. The state's Senate Business and Commerce Committee recently heard testimony on the potential misuse of AI technology to create unauthorized replicas of artists' voices and work.

Need-to-know:

• Musicians like Josh Abbott are advocating for stricter AI regulations

• Concerns include AI-generated voice impersonations and unauthorized content

• Texas lags behind states like Tennessee and Illinois in AI-related artist protections

• Federal legislation on AI and artist rights is also under consideration

• Texas lawmakers are expected to address this issue in the 2025 legislative session

• The debate highlights the balance between AI innovation and protecting artistic integrity

Learn more here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT

This week's spotlight is on AITX member Austin Johnson, a successful e-commerce entrepreneur and software engineering consultant.

Austin is a mainstay in the local AI scene, having competed in AI hackathons hosted by local VC firms, and served as a panel AI expert with the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Austin is currently a member of the upcoming Antler VC Fall Residency, where he will be ideating on potential AI-related startups in the tax-focused FinTech space.

He is looking for potential co-founders interested in solving real world problems with AI.

Connect with him here.

Thanks for your contributions, Austin!