Pasadena’s Connect Week 2024: Local Innovation Helps Shape National Tech Policy

Pasadena’s annual Connect Week return next week for its 2024 edition, showcasing the city’s expanding role in tech innovation and policy-making. The event, running from Oct. 21-27, brings together local talent and industry leaders to explore cutting-edge topics like AI regulation and space technology.

Organized by Innovate Pasadena, Connect Week 2024 features a series of tech-focused events under the theme “Innovation in Action.” The week-long program aims to demonstrate Pasadena’s legacy of not just conceiving but also implementing innovations.

Events will take place at various locations around Pasadena, including ArtCenter College of Design and Pasadena City College. Key events include a Gen AI Meetup, a panel discussion, and a hackathon.

Two headline events stand out in this year’s lineup. A panel discussion on “Regulating Innovation: Policy, Privacy, and Creator’s Rights” is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 23, featuring prominent figures in tech and policy.

Sanford Williams from the Federal Communications Commission, Bill Gross from Idealab, Maggie Hendrie from ArtCenter, and Todd Terrazas from AI LA will participate in the panel. All speakers have ties to Pasadena, underscoring the city’s local talent and influence.

The Spacetech x AI Hackathon, set for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26 and 27, is another key event that exemplifies the intersection of space technology and artificial intelligence, two areas where Pasadena has shown significant expertise.

“Pasadena’s thriving tech ecosystem, home to institutions like Caltech and innovative AI startups, can play a key role in shaping national conversations on AI regulation,” Terrazas, the Co-Founder and CEO of FBRC.ai, said. “AI startups that embrace Responsible AI early on will be better positioned to gain public trust and maintain a competitive edge.”

Terrazas also pointed out that only a small percentage of executives report fully implementing these practices.

Recent legislation, such as California’s SB896 (Generative AI Accountability Act), has brought AI regulation to the forefront.

“While California’s SB896 (Generative AI Accountability Act) focuses primarily on state agencies – requiring them to disclose when generative AI is used in communications with the public and conducting risk analyses for potential threats – it signals a broader shift toward ensuring accountability in AI,” Terrazas said.

Connect Week has evolved over its decade-long history to reflect Pasadena’s growing importance in the tech industry. Pasadena’s tech ecosystem, which includes institutions like Caltech and numerous startups, has positioned the city as a hub for tech innovation. This ecosystem’s influence extends beyond local boundaries, potentially shaping future national tech strategies.

Terrazas also discussed the recent global decline in public trust towards AI, underscoring the need for transparency and responsible practices. He mentioned public-private partnerships like CalCompute as potential solutions for addressing ethical challenges while promoting economic growth.

To register for Connect Week Pasadena, visit https://lu.ma/q86vdfz7.