Good morning, North Texas,
Yesterday, I attended an event featuring a panel of artificial intelligence leaders, many of whom are working to ensure Dallas is the nation’s leader in AI. Here are a few takeaways:
AI and your job
Panelists said we must learn to use it or be left behind. If your job can be described on a piece of paper and doesn’t require individual creativity, it can be replaced with AI. Learning about AI now can expand employment opportunities.
AI in your everyday life
When asked how they use AI to improve their lives, panelists said they’ve used it to read lengthy documents, make vacation itineraries, and even as a sounding board for creative ideas. A few people mentioned using it to clean up their email inboxes, and one person referenced a local mechanic using an intelligence system to create renderings for him, allowing him to save time and scale his business.
AI and politics
US Rep. Beth Van Duyne was interviewed at the event. The Republican represents Texas’ 24th Congressional District, which spans from Keller to University Park. She’s a staunch supporter of the data centers that make AI development possible.
While major data center arguments center on skyrocketing energy bills and massive water use in a state experiencing a long-term drought, Van Duyne said the benefits outweigh the negatives. She supports regulations at the state and national levels to mitigate concerns, but admitted that these centers are receiving significant incentives that reduce their tax obligations. Listen to her comments here.
AI and the unknown
All the speakers admitted that there’s so much they don’t know, and that’s the scariest part for the average American.
In the coming weeks, you’ll see COURIER Texas ramp up our reporting on AI and data centers. It’s an important topic that touches on our environment, economy, health, and safety and security. Political campaigns run on these topics, and I want to make sure you know what you’re voting for when you choose candidates in the upcoming elections.
If you have any specific questions about this topic, send them in, and we’ll do our best to answer them in future coverage.
