Hey everyone! 👋

In appreciation of World Mental Health Day, our Executive Director Todd Terrazas would like to share a few words with you.

Here's the latest in the AI LA Community:

• Announcing this year’s AI LA Life Summit 2024 and keynote speaker Nick Lynch! The event is scheduled for 10/19 in Santa Monica. Use code AILA for 50% off!

• LA GenAI Happy Hour returns to Pasadena on 10/14 (LA Tech Week) and 10/21 (Pasadena Connect Week)!

• Join us for a Cybersecurity Happy Hour at Kindo’s office on 10/17.

• Check out our upcoming Cerebral Beach LA Tech Week events.

  • Tech Week Morning Starts: 10/14, 10/15, 10/16, 10/17, 10/18 (Playa Del Rey)

  • AI LA x Viggle AI: Cerebral Beach Coffee with AI Creators and Viggle 10/15 (Playa Del Rey)

• Additional Tech Week Events:

  • Crafting Tomorrow: When AI and Creator Economy Intersect – 10/16

  • Agentic & Vertical AI - VC Fireside Chat + Networking – 10/15

• Cerebral Beach Hacks 2024 is coming up fast on October 12-13th. We look forward to seeing all of our hackers there!

  • Hosted at 1217 Second St, this luxury office building offers an unparalleled environment where innovation thrives.

  • Please remember pre-approval is required for entry.

AI LA Life Summit 2024 – 10/19 (Santa Monica)

We're excited to share that Nick Lynch, CEO and Chief Impact Officer of Collidescope.io, will kick off our sixth annual Life Summit as our keynote speaker.

Nick Lynch is a seasoned digital media, analytics, and advertising technology executive with a passion for impact. He is a cancer survivor, a former Make-A-Wish recipient, and an avid patient advocate. Nick is the founder of Collidescope.io, a platform that connects nonprofits, corporate partners, and influencers to amplify impact, as well as the creator of the Inspiration Algorithm. With nearly two decades of experience at companies like MySpace, Fox, and Amobee, Nick has built profitable products and driven innovation. His work has been featured in major media outlets, and his book Impact Redefined was published in May 2024.

Join local leading industry experts, technologists, innovators, researchers, investors, and healthcare decision makers for a in-person experience that’ll inspire, inform, and motivate you to take your life to the next level!

This year's event will include thought-provoking panels on:
✨ Personalized Medicine & Value-Based Care
✨ Ownership of Health Data
✨ Diversity & Veterans Healthcare
✨ Drug Discovery & Development
✨ Healthcare Entrepreneurship

🕙 When: October 19, 2024 | 10 AM - 8 PM PT
🔗 RSVP here: https://lu.ma/lifesummit

We’re counting down—be part of the future of healthcare!

Use code AILA for 50% off the All-Access ticket price!

Cerebral Beach Hacks 2024

This weekend, LA’s largest Generative AI hackathon ever takes the stage at the stunning 1217 Second St. We are beyond excited to share that the event will feature over $180,000 in prizes provided by our generous sponsors Kindo AI, Twelve Labs, and Vast AI.

We’ve partnered with top companies like Kindo AI, Twelve Labs, Google, and Vast AI, and nearly every major LA investor will be there, ready to discover the next unicorn.

We can’t wait to see all of our registered hackers on Saturday morning for a historic event!

Venue: Welcome to Cerebral Beach HQ @ 1217 Second St

Welcome to 1217 Second St, Santa Monica—a newly developed, four-story luxury property that serves as the perfect backdrop for Cerebral Beach Hacks. Situated in the vibrant tech corridor of Santa Monica, this venue offers an unparalleled environment where innovation thrives.

Cerebral Beach HQ is now open for leasing. Schedule a tour today.

GenAI Meetups – 10/14 & 10/21 (LA Tech Week & Pasadena Connect Week )

​Join us for TWO casual evening AI meetup in the heart of Pasadena! These friendly get-togethers are the perfect opportunity for GenAI enthusiasts, hobbyists, experts, and newcomers alike to connect, share insights, and learn from each other in an informal setting.

This month, we’ll have two special editions of our GenAI Meetups: one for LA Tech Week on 10/14 and another for Connect Week on 10/21.

Cybersecurity Happy Hour – 10/17 (Venice)

AI LA is excited to host a Cybersecurity Happy Hour at Kindo AI's office in Venice, providing a platform for experts and enthusiasts to connect and discuss the future of digital security.

​Join us for an evening dedicated to exploring the latest trends and challenges in cybersecurity, including the role of AI in enhancing security measures. This event is designed for professionals seeking to expand their network and share insights in a collaborative environment.

Responsible AI – Made in LA – 10/18 (Playa Del Rey)

To kick-start the weekend of LA Tech Week, on October 18th, AI LA is hosting a special Responsible AI evening in Playa Del Rey, bringing together leading local voices in the field. This intimate rooftop gathering aims to elevate dialogue on Responsible AI development in the Greater Los Angeles area.

We are gathering four distinguished speakers to represent key perspectives on Responsible AI: academia, government, industry, and non-profits. Each speaker will share their unique insights on their Responsible AI work, engage in meaningful discussions on the state of the field in Los Angeles, and help shape the future of AI ethics in our region.

Introducing our speakers:

- Jen García – Founder & CEO, Employ California
- Amy Tong – Secretary of Government Operations of the State of California
- Kareem Saleh – Founder & CEO, FairPlay AI
- Sarah T. Roberts, Ph.D. – Associate professor at UCLA, Co-Founder of the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry

This panel will be moderated by Paul-Marie Carfantan, Founder & Head of the AI LA reading group.

This event offers not only a platform to learn from Responsible AI experts but also to network with influential figures in a relaxed, picturesque setting

Cerebral Beach LA Tech Week Events – Playa Del Rey

Cerebral Beach Morning Start

Dive into LA Tech Week with a refreshing start! Take a morning plunge in the ocean, grab a hot coffee, and kick back before diving into your day.

RSVP for all of our sessions! 10/14, 10/15, 10/16, 10/17, 10/18

Cerebral Beach LA Tech Week Recovery

​Let's recharge and enjoy a fun day at the beach after LA Tech Week!

Blog Post: From Discussions to Hackathons: Join Us in Shaping the Future of AI Safety

AI LA recently hosted a spring AI Policy Mixer in DTLA, which inspired the launch of the Responsible AI Reading Group. This initiative engages a diverse community in weekly discussions, monthly meetups, and lively online debates, exploring ethical considerations in AI.

We’ve also announced the Responsible AI Challenge: Hack for Change at the Cerebral Beach GenAI Hackathon on October 12-13. Participants will integrate responsible AI practices into their projects, no matter the track.

Finally, join us on October 18th in Playa Del Rey for Responsible AI - made in LA, featuring local thought leaders from academia, industry, and government.

Full blog post written by Kim Owens and Paul-Marie Carfantan

Join Our Growing Responsible AI Reading Group

Whether you’re an engineer or data scientist, non-tech professional or policy maker, student or educator, or are simply curious about the ethical implications of AI, we welcome you to the perks of our community:

- Attend our weekly discussions and monthly mixers
- Participate in our upcoming Hack for Change and Responsible AI - made in LA event
- Contribute to shaping the future of AI safety by providing your feedback (similar to the comments formalized on the AI misuse risks)
- Stay connected through our Discord channel and email updates

Learn more and join us in our mission to establish Los Angeles as a hub for community-driven Responsible AI solutions and advocacy by clicking here.

Let's shape the future of AI, responsibly and together.

Crafting Tomorrow: When AI and Creator Economy Intersect – 10/16 (Santa Monica)

​Join us at an LA Tech Week featured event where a panel of founders, investors, and executive from TikTok's creator team will chat about how AI and technology plays a role in the creator economy.

The panel discussion will feature:

• ​Fei Mei - Head of Creator Networks and Partnerships Growth @ TikTok

• ​Todd Terrazas - Executive Director & Founder @ AI LA

• ​Brandon Hoffman - GP @ Sunset VC; Host @ Emerging LA

• ​Jay Rosenkrantz - CEO & Co-founder @ Heroic Story

• ​Rachel Li (moderator) - CEO & Co-founder @ Jamalytics

  RSVP today!

Agentic & Vertical AI - VC Fireside Chat + Networking

​​Untapped Ventures, in partnership with USC Marshall School of Business, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and AI LA, is hosting an exclusive Agentic & Vertical AI - VC Fireside Chat + Networking event at LA Tech Week. This event offers a unique opportunity for early-stage AI founders to connect directly with leading AI venture capitalists in Los Angeles.

​Designed to accelerate startup growth and secure the right investment, this event is a must-attend for serious AI entrepreneurs. The intimate fireside chat will feature top VCs in the Agentic & Vertical AI space, sharing insights on the future of AI, investment criteria, and scaling challenges. Founders will gain invaluable perspectives on attracting top-tier investment and building strong industry connections.

​In addition to the fireside chat, dedicated networking time will allow founders to engage with VCs and fellow AI entrepreneurs. This event promises to be a highlight of LA Tech Week, uniting the AI community for knowledge sharing, networking, and potential partnerships.

Ashar Rizqi - Founder of Bounti.ai
Jonas Diezun - Co-founder & CEO of Beam
Shan Kulkarni - Co-founder & CEO of Nullify
Yipeng Zhao - Managing Partner of Embark Ventures

Harnessing the Power of AI: Key Moves for Business Growth and Innovation – 10/24 (Newport Beach)

​Join us for an engaging discussion as we delve into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in modern business landscapes. As industries worldwide adapt to the rapid advancements in technology, the strategic implementation of AI has become a cornerstone for achieving competitive advantage. This event is designed for business leaders, strategists, tech enthusiasts, and anyone interested in AI who is eager to understand and harness the capabilities of AI while maintaining a commitment to ethical standards.

Here are the main topics of the event:

• Strategies to Mitigate Bias and Ensure Fairness

• Best Practices for Data Privacy and Security

• Ethical AI Design and Implementation

This event promises a comprehensive overview of AI’s capabilities tailored to ethical applications, ensuring that businesses not only thrive but also adhere to the highest standards of integrity. Don’t miss the opportunity to transform your business strategy with the power of AI!