Hey there! 👋

Here's the latest in the AI LA Community:

• This Monday in Vegas: The AI Filmmaking Mega-Party at NAB 2024 Use Code: AILAFRIEND and reply back if you are attending NAB!

• NEW EVENTS: LA ClimateTech Mixer (4/18), AI Fintech Connect (4/30), AI Space Mixer (5/2), and AI x Medtech x Digital Health MasterMind (5/15)

• Earth Summit 2024 is back on April 18th! Join us at the stunning and newly-opened UCLA South Bay Campus overlooking Catalina Island and the Golden Coast. Use promo: AILA

• AI on the Lot is coming up on May 16th at LA Center Studios and SynapseVP. Use promo: AILA

• Check out some pics from our LA GenAI Meetup earlier this week and Dhruva’s latest Regulatory Roundup

Upcoming Events

AI LA Earth Summit 2024 – 4/18 (PV)

The annual AI LA Earth Summit is back on April 18th for its landmark fifth year, illuminating the intersection of technology and sustainability while empowering participants with education, inspiration, and connectivity. Join us at the stunning and newly-opened UCLA South Bay Campus in Palos Verdes, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.

​The summit is a collaborative environment bringing together Los Angeles' foremost sustainability advocates, tech innovators, startups, and enterprises, catalyzing a community-driven movement toward sustainable development. By emphasizing innovation, practical solutions, and strong partnerships, we aim to foster a culture of sustainability that drives impactful change across the city and beyond.

Featuring Evan Rapoport from Google as our keynote speaker, this session will teach you how your choices and innovations can drive significant change, from battling climate change to enhancing biodiversity. It will inspire you to reflect on your legacy and the positive impact you can create by merging technology with a deep commitment to our planet.

Other speakers include leading industry experts from Google, NASA JPL, Starburst, Hydrosat, Blue Bear Capital, Aegeon Asset Management, and more!

Please join us on this transformative voyage and emerge as the catalyst for the change our planet needs.

Use promo code AILA for 50% off

AI on the Lot – 5/16 (DTLA)

Join us at AI on the Lot on May 16th, the premier summit where Hollywood's creative minds meet the innovators of AI technology. This event is set to revolutionize how we think about filmmaking and storytelling and demystify Gen AI filmmaking as not just button-pushing but a legitimate production process.

We are excited to have Dell, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Synapse VP, Cooley, showrunners, and a ton of industry thought leaders speaking on the topics of navigating the strategic, legal, and technical frameworks necessary for implementing generative processes within your organization, what AI can and can’t write, Simulation and AI Agents, Virtual Production, and Reaching Targeted & Customized Audiences with AI.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness the future of film and television, where independent filmmakers, studio executives, and AI tech leaders come together to redefine the boundaries of creativity and technology.

Use promo code: AILA

LA ClimateTech Mixer – 4/18 5-8:30pm (Palos Verdes)

Join us at the breathtaking and newly-opened UCLA South Bay campus for our inaugural LA ClimateTech Mixer, co-hosted by AI LA, The Carbonauts, and Climate Techies by 4ward.VC

This event starts at 5pm and will include a speaking panel, "Metrics for Investing in Earth’s Future: VCs, Private Equity, and the Environment", featuring figures in the climate investment and technology scene, amidst the beautiful glow of a Palos Verdes sunset.

After the discussion, enjoy a happy hour with fellow climate tech founders, investors, academics, and community enthusiasts.

Tacos and drinks will be provided.

📣 Note: this event is a part of AI LA Earth Summit 2024 and is included in the summit ticket. Please only purchase tickets using this page if you are not attending the full summit.

AI Fintech Connect – 4/30 (Culver City)

Join us at our second-ever fintech Happy Hour, a casual networking event that offers a unique opportunity for like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs to connect, share insights, and discuss the latest trends in the Fintech space.

AI Space Mixer – 5/2 (El Segundo)

​Back by popular demand! Join us for an in-depth exploration of recent innovations utilizing AI for aerospace applications, and the challenges and opportunities that exist in this ecosystem.

AI x Medtech x Digital Health MasterMind – 5/15 (Newport Beach)

Join us for a special collaboration between AI LA and Medical Innovation Exchange! This MasterMind event will provide an unique opportunity to synergize communities that are passionate about AI, innovation, technology, and applications in healthcare.

Limited early bird tickets available until April 24th!

Pics from Tuesday’s LA GenAI Meetup

Thank you to everyone who attended our inaugural LA GenAI Meetup yesterday, hosted at Kings Row Gastropub! The event had a great turnout and featured a fantastic mix of people from across LA's tech landscape.

Stay tuned for details on our next GenAI event happening in May!

AI Regulatory Roundup

This week I am writing about the recent passage of the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (“ELVIS”) Act in Tennessee.  The ELVIS Act is described as “first-of-its-kind legislation” to “include protections or songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals’ voice from the misuse of artificial intelligence.”

The ELVIS Act amends Tennessee’s right of publicity laws to encompass (i) unauthorized uses of one’s voice or likeness, or (ii) distributing, transmitting, or making available an algorithm, software, tool, or other technology, service, or device, whose primary purpose is the unauthorized production of one’s voice or likeness. Practically, this language would encompass most generative AI tools and their outputs. 

The ELVIS Act highlights two tensions.  First, it highlights the continued tension between creatives and the AI community. At the star-studded signing (including celebrities like Chris Jason and Luke Bryan), the bill’s advocates highlighted that the bill was meant to “protect our voices” from AI.   Second, the bill highlights the tensions of the United States regulatory framework. The ELVIS Act is notably a state law with an expansive scope. This raises complex and nuanced questions about which individuals can use and enforce the protections of the bill (and, as the other lawyers will know, has been an ongoing issue for right of publicity protections generally).  As the regulatory framework in the United States continues to develop in a patchwork-fashion, further inquiries about the scope of protections will continue to develop.