Hey friends! 👋

Here's the latest in the AI LA Community:

• LA Founders & Investors is back! Join us on August 14th at Techstars.

• Cerebral Beach returns this Sunday, August 11th. Join us for a beach hangout, volleyball, and Olympic-style games! RSVP here 🥳

• We’re hosting our first-ever Cybersecurity Happy Hour on August 26th in Sawtelle.

• Also new: join us for our first AI Policy Fireside Chat with Justin Wales (Head of Legal at crypto.com) in Santa Monica on Monday, August 19th.

• LA GenAI Meetup returns to Pasadena on Monday, August 12th.

• AI Policy Happy Hour returns to DTLA on Thursday, August 8th.

Recap: AI LA IDEAS Cohort 2 Graduation Ceremony

Last month, during AI LA’s 7th Annual Responsible AI Symposium, we celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of the IDEAS Program. This cohort, which focused on AI in Healthcare, saw ten talented students from underrepresented backgrounds successfully complete the rigorous coursework and hands-on projects. The graduation ceremony was a momentous occasion where students were awarded completion certificates for their hard work and dedication. Throughout the program, they engaged in mentorship sessions with Providence Health, career acceleration activities with Nuleep, and in-depth research discussions, all of which have equipped them with valuable skills for future careers in the healthcare and biotech industries.

We are incredibly proud of our graduates and the progress they have made. Their achievements underscore the importance of providing inclusive and supportive learning environments. If you are interested in joining our next cohort or supporting our mission, we encourage you to get involved by contacting us or filling out our interest form. Together, we can continue to foster innovation and diversity in the field of AI.

Recap blog post written by Rita Sargsyan, IDEAS Program Lead

Life Summit Call for Speakers

Are you passionate about Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, and Health Equity? We want you to share your passions at the 6th annual AI LA Life Summit during LA Tech Week.

AI LA’s Life Summit is a one-day event designed to convene academia and industry to showcase the latest advances in exponential technologies, discuss healthcare’s most pressing issues, and empower a new generation of data-driven startups transforming the healthcare industry to improve patient outcomes.

If you are an expert in the industry, a researcher, or just inspired to share your experiences, we want to hear from you. Topics of interest include but are not limited to personalized medicine, value-based care, data ownership and integrity, and drug development and discovery.

Please submit your proposal here: https://go.joinai.la/ls24-speaker

If selected, an AI LA Health & Equity committee member will contact you about the next steps.

Submissions are open until August 30th, 2024

Recap: ML Models & Bottles

On August 1st, we hosted an incredible group of engineers and researchers for the first-ever ML Models & Bottles event, organized by Aditya Bahl and Buildnow AI. The evening was a success, featuring technical ML research presentations, wine, and insightful business strategy discussions against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset.

We look forward to future technical discussions, with the next Models and Bottles event scheduled for September.

Recap: Hikes!

Another weekend, another AI LA x Cerebral Beach event! It was great to hike at Runyon Canyon with this crew.

Join us next Sunday (8/11) for a beach hangout and Olympics in Playa Del Rey: https://lu.ma/beach 

Upcoming AI LA Events

Cerebral Beach Hangout & Games– 8/11 (Playa Del Rey)

In honor of the Olympic Games, Cerebral Beach is bringing the spirit of friendly competition to the shores of Playa Del Rey! Join us for an unforgettable beach hangout featuring Olympic-style games like beach volleyball, cornhole, flip cup, and a sandcastle competition. Whether you're here to participate or just chill, come soak up the vibes, make new friends, and enjoy the perfect blend of tech talk and beachside fun!

AI Policy Fireside Chat w/ Justin Wales – 8/19 (Santa Monica)

AI LA is excited to host Justin Wales, the Head of Legal for the Americas of Crypto.com for a conversation around digital assets and AI.

​Justin has recently published his authoritative book “Crypto Law Handbook,” which has been acclaimed for its in depth discussion of cutting edge crypto issues. The conversation will discuss issues surrounding crypto and its intersection with AI as both fields develop exponentially.

LA Founders & Investors Mixer – 8/14 (Culver City)

The community-favorite LA Founders & Investors Mixer is back once again! Join AI LA and Emerging LA at Techstars Culver City for a fireside chat with a local serial entrepreneur.

AI Policy Happy Hour – 8/8 (DTLA)

Join us for an AI Policy happy hour in the vibrant heart of downtown LA! This unique event brings together curious minds in artificial intelligence, policy-making, and tech innovation to exchange ideas and insights.

LA GenAI Meetup – 8/12 (Pasadena)

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

Cybersecurity Happy Hour – 8/26 (Sawtelle)

AI LA is excited to host our first-ever Cybersecurity Happy Hour at Sorry Not Sorry LA, 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.

The Carbonauts Sustainability Mocktails – 8/8 (Arts District)

Experience the future of cleantech and sustainable solutions firsthand at an open house reception hosted by The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and The Carbonauts, showcasing the people and technology that are propelling the green economy forward.

This event promises to inspire, educate, and connect you with the forefront of environmental innovation.