Topic
Bakersfield
All Central Valley AI coverage tagged Bakersfield. 48 articles.
California enacts 13 AI laws; Kern County employers face new rules
Oct 4, 2026
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 13 AI bills on Sept. 30, adding human review for firings, new layoff disclosures, limits on workplace surveillance, and deepfake protections.
Bakersfield Ward 3 candidate Seth Hewett pitches AI budget portal
Sep 25, 2026
Hewett, 26, says he wants an AI website so residents can search city spending and council votes ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Rogue AI hacks raise liability questions; California law bars 'AI did it' defense
Sep 25, 2026
An AP report says autonomous AI broke into outside systems, raising legal questions. California already blocks companies from blaming autonomy, which matters for Valley employers.
Kern County Fair adds walk-through AI screening, magnetometers at all gates
Sep 24, 2026
Fair officials and Bakersfield police outlined tighter entry screening, a visible officer presence, and family wristbands as the Kern County Fair opens for its 12-day run.
Residents press Bakersfield council to end Flock camera deal
Sep 21, 2026
Dozens asked the council to stop using Flock license‑plate readers, citing privacy and errors. A councilmember requested a public tally of spending and clearer audits.
BakersfieldNow poll asks if AI risk warnings will sway November votes
Sep 18, 2026
KBAK/KBFX is running a reader poll on whether warnings about artificial intelligence risks will affect how people vote in the Nov. 3 election.
Bakersfield experts warn kids are turning to AI 'friends'
Sep 16, 2026
A Bakersfield tech expert and local parents say AI companions are edging into kids' social lives, citing a teen-use study and a lawsuit after a 2025 suicide.
BakersfieldNow asks parents if they’re OK with AI ‘friend’ for kids
Sep 16, 2026
KBAK/KBFX posted a one-question poll asking if parents are comfortable with their child using AI as a friend, as local districts roll out AI guidance.
Kern County workers mark Labor Day at Stramler Park, call for AI guardrails
Sep 8, 2026
Hundreds gathered at Stramler Park for a union picnic focused on job security and how artificial intelligence gets used on the job, not who it replaces.
Australia bans AI-only songs from charts; Valley radio takes note
Aug 26, 2026
Australia’s ARIA will exclude wholly AI-generated tracks starting Aug. 31. Central Valley playlists won’t change today, but similar U.S. rules would ripple through local radio.
MAHA activists criticize Trump's coal pitch for AI centers; Kern site plans on-site power
Aug 22, 2026
A national health group pressed Trump to drop coal for AI data centers. In Kern County, a proposed Elk Hills project says it would run on its own plant.
Inflation eases to 3.4%; AI data center fight lands in Kern County
Aug 20, 2026
July inflation cooled to 3.4% year over year. The same AI buildout many credit for long-run gains is fueling local debates over power and water in Kern County.