Decoding AI in the Central Valley

The local's guide to the startups, research labs, and people driving the next industrial revolution in our backyard.

Latest Local AI Updates

Stay informed on the AI developments shaping the valley's future.

Latest Aug 18, 2026

Meta ties 8,000 job cuts to AI push; Valley programs recalibrate training

DealBook reports Meta’s May 20 layoffs tied to AI spending. State filings show where cuts hit in California as Fresno State and the local workforce board shift training.

Meta began about 8,000 layoffs on May 20, citing AI investments and reassigning thousands to AI groups. California WARN filings list 2,212 cuts at Menlo Park, plus hundreds in Burlingame, San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Fremont and Playa Vista.

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Aug 17, 2026

Teens turn to AI chatbots for support; Fresno Unified posts safety guidance

National use of AI chatbots for teen advice is rising. Fresno Unified has published safety guidance and families are weighing how to keep kids safe on chat apps.

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Aug 16, 2026

Bakersfield insurer's AI 'Angelica' made 800,000 calls to boost Medi-Cal renewals

Kern Family Health Care used a phone-based AI to reach 387,000 members as Medi-Cal rules tighten. State officials say plans can remind members but counties decide eligibility.

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Aug 16, 2026

Kern Family's AI 'Angelica' made 800,000 calls to Medi-Cal members since 2025

Bakersfield-based Kern Family Health Care says its AI caller is boosting renewals as California resets Medi-Cal rules, while state officials and researchers warn on oversight.

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