Today’s newsletter is presented by Port of San Diego Waterfront of Opportunity.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- Disability advocates are looking to the next governor to help deal with the Trump Administration’s cuts to Medi-Cal.
- Voting centers are now open for in-person voting around San Diego County.
- El Cajon police say a man lying in the street was killed after being hit by a car.
Jennifer Vigil
News editor
Top story
Plan to expand AI translation at courthouses halted after advocates find fault with lengthy pilot project
AI fears are bubbling to the surface. This may not surprise you because you may be feeling them too.
But researchers at a Southern California campus who annually survey Americans on their greatest fears say AI has now broken into the Top 10.
This year, researchers from Chapman University posed questions about artificial intelligence, including whether it could be used to interfere with the political process or hurt the economy.
In results released last week, concerns about AI’s effects on politics shot up to No. 3, behind fear of corrupt government officials and the possibility of a worldwide conflict.
Almost 52% of the 1,221 adults surveyed were wary about AI’s effects on politics, while just under 50% expressed unease about its economic impact.
There have been many questions about how all levels of government will use AI. One local agency, San Diego Superior Court, for instance, was part of a pilot project to use an AI translation tool to provide limited services, such as seeking restraining orders, outside the courtroom.
But that project ended last spring and the statewide Judicial Council recently canceled a bidding process to provide more AI translation following a flurry of criticism from advocates who used public records to collect numerous examples of flawed translation by AI tools. They argued, as contributor Sophia Sleap reports, that human translators can pick up nuances that machines currently cannot.
Sophia has more on the documents the court advocates discovered showing the instances in which the AI tool was overmatched by awkward phrasing, confusion over context, court jargon and more.
The court situation is just one small subset of wider AI anxieties. And, according to another new survey, two-thirds of Americans would really like to see lawmakers step up. They want more regulation of AI before anyone’s fears come to fruition.
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Stories you should know about
🧑🚒 They fight wildfires. Housing is another battle: This instability is only one of many deep-rooted issues wildland firefighters encounter, including poor pay, low morale and a staffing shortage.
🌊 Flood warning set for Sunday with tides as high as 8 feet threatening to reach San Diego: High tides are expected to reach 7.5 to 8 feet or higher starting Monday morning.
🎃Find delights and frights for pets and humans alike at Halloween in La Mesa Village: What started as a trick-or-treating event has expanded to include stilt walkers and the Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Contest, which attracts about 50 to 75 registered pets.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
In case you missed it…
Weekdays get busy—we know. And with so much from Times of San Diego, good stories can slip by. Here are a few worth your time:
📚 Grossmont to bring back librarians next school year, ending labor complaint. Read it here.
📱 ‘That sounds like bad news.’ Text messages reveal how Gloria’s office reacted to its trash fee error. Read it here.
🚑 San Diego will seek EMS bids despite questions over former chief’s role with potential bidder. Read it here.
💰One of San Diego’s largest landlords settles security deposit lawsuit for $19.25 million. Read it here.
🎤 WAR’s Lonnie Jordan, a San Diego native, reflects on decades of creating ‘universal street music.’ Read it here.