• The Applied AI Association (AAIA) Newsletter
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  • AAIA's AI Beat Newsletter: Portland, OR/Southwest WA, San Diego, CA, India, and Charlotte, NC Chapter events, this week’s handpicked stories/reports: Grok 3 release, Big Business is still skeptical about AI agents, Trust in AI is much higher in China than in the U.S.

AAIA's AI Beat Newsletter: Portland, OR/Southwest WA, San Diego, CA, India, and Charlotte, NC Chapter events, this week’s handpicked stories/reports: Grok 3 release, Big Business is still skeptical about AI agents, Trust in AI is much higher in China than in the U.S.

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Applied AI Association
February 19, 2025

In today’s newsletter:

  • Recent and upcoming Chapter events (Portland, OR/Southwest WA, San Diego, CA, India, and Charlotte, NC)

  • Recent AI news stories that caught our (and Perplexity AI’s!) eye

  • Become an AAIA member

AAIA Chapter events and other events of note:

  • Portland, OR/SW WA USA chapter event: Applied AI & Innovation Stations

    • Thursday, February 27, 2025, 6:00PM - 9:00PM, Stoel Rives LLP

    • This event is an evening of hands-on discovery and expert insights. This interactive event features our unique “innovation stations” where you’ll rotate through dynamic sessions hosted by leading AI experts. Explore cutting-edge technologies, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and walk away with actionable ideas to implement in your own projects. Don’t miss this chance to experience the future of AI up close.

    • Learn more and register for the event here

  • San Diego, CA USA chapter event:  San Diego AAIA Networking Launch Event (Powered by AAIA & HyperGrowth)

    • Thursday, February 27, 2025, 6:00PM - 8:00PM PST, Venture X San Diego – Scripps Ranch

    • Join us for an electrifying evening as we kick off the San Diego chapter of the Applied AI Association (AAIA) at Venture X San Diego – Scripps Ranch! Whether you're an AI builder, a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or just someone curious about the fascinating world of artificial intelligence, this is the place to be. Hosted by Saad Durrani, Chapter President AAIA San Diego, and Founder of HyperGrowth, this launch event promises a lively atmosphere filled with engaging conversations and exciting opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals.

    • Learn more and register for the event here: https://lu.ma/yblw4isf

  • India chapter event: The Future of AI In ERP Systems

    • Friday, February 28, 8:00PM - 9:00PM IST, online event

    • Are you intrigued and interested in how AI adoption may happen in the ERP systems? Join the virtual event of India Chapter of the Applied AI Association (AAIA) to engage in meaningful discussions & insightful experiences about the future of AI and ERP. The event will feature a talk by Santosh Sapke, who is a seasoned Enterprise ERP Solution Architect with over 25 years of experience in designing, implementing, and managing complex ERP/OSS/BSS systems across various industries & over 20 countries.

    • Learn more and register for the event here: https://lu.ma/gpnrij2h

  • Charlotte, NC USA Chapter Event:  Navigating the IP Frontier: Intellectual Property in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

    • Thursday, March 13, 12:00PM - 1:00PM EST, online event

    • The objective is to explore and address the complexities and evolving landscape of intellectual property (IP) in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI), providing participants with diverse perspectives and practical insights from international legal experts, corporate leaders, and startup innovators. This discussion aims to foster understanding of the unique IP challenges in AI, examine global legal frameworks, and strategize on future-proofing IP practices in this rapidly advancing field.

    • Learn more and register for the event here

  • WomenInGenAI Summit & Awards: Pioneering the Future of Generative AI

    • Thursday, February 27 · 9am - 5pm PST

    • Fenwick & West LLP, 801 California Street Mountain View, CA 94041

    • Join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and recognition of outstanding women in the field of Generative AI. This in-person event aims to celebrate and empower women who are shaping the future of AI. Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and learn from industry leaders. Get ready to be inspired and motivated to make a difference in the world of AI!

    • More information and register here

  • StackX Days developer conference rescheduled to:

  • View the complete AAIA Events calendar here

  • Have an event you would like to share with AAIA members? Email details to: [email protected].

AI in business and the enterprise news:

Here’s news that caught our and Perplexity’s attention as notable stories over the last week:

  • Elon Musk’s xAI releases its latest flagship model, Grok 3 (TechCrunch, February 17, 2025)

    • “Grok, xAI’s answer to models like OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Google’s Gemini, can analyze images and respond to questions, and powers a number of features on Musk’s social network, X. Grok 3, which has been in development for several months, was optimistically slated for release in 2024, but missed that deadline. Monday’s is an ambitious launch.”

  • Top AI Trends in 2025: Transforming Businesses Across Industries (Appinventiv, February 17, 2025)

  • Enterprise tech spending to hit $4.9 trillion in 2025, driven by AI, cloud, and cybersecurity (Computerworld, February 12, 2025)

    • ““Over the next five years, technology investments will reshape industries at an unprecedented pace,” Michael O’Grady, principal forecast analyst at Forrester said in the report. “GenAI, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity will take center stage, transforming how businesses operate and deliver value.””

  • Big Business is still skeptical about AI agents (Runtime newsletter, February 13, 2024)

    • “The Wall Street Journal conducted a survey of attendees at its CIO Network Summit this week, and 82% of respondents said they were either experimenting with AI agents or not even entertaining the idea. As has been the case for several months, attendees said the accuracy of the results produced by the current generation of AI agents is simply not good enough for them to consider putting agents into production.”

  • AWS and Memorial Sloan Kettering Partner to Advance AI in Cancer Research (IndexBox, February 18, 2024)

    • “Amazon Web Services (AWS) has solidified its focus on advancing AI in healthcare by announcing a collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) aimed at enhancing cancer research and treatment methodologies. According to a report by Yahoo Finance, the partnership intends to develop a comprehensive data resource that will improve cancer patient care through precise tracking of disease trajectories over time.”

  • GenAI can make us dumber — even while boosting efficiency (Computerworld, February 17, 2025)

    • “A new survey and analysis by Carnegie Mellon and Microsoft of 319 knowledge workers who use genAI tools (such as ChatGPT or Copilot) at least weekly showed that while the technology improves efficiency, it can also reduce critical thinking engagement, could lead to over-reliance, and might diminish problem-solving skills over time.”

  • Global AI Pitch Summit Silicon Valley 2025 Recap (Bay Area Founders Club, February 16, 2025)

    • A Comprehensive Summary of Panels, Keynotes, and Fireside Chats

    • “The Bay Area Founders Club (BFC) recently hosted its highly anticipated Global AI Pitch Summit in Silicon Valley from January 12 to 13 at Plug and Play Tech Center, bringing together over 350 AI startups, 100+ venture capitalists, and more than 1,000 attendees. This landmark event showcased the latest developments in artificial intelligence and provided a platform for industry leaders to share their insights on the future of technology.”

  • Exclusive: Trust in AI is much higher in China than in the U.S. (Axios, February 13, 2025)

    • “Edelman's latest research found that 72% of people in China trust AI, compared with just 32% in the United States.”

      “It's not just AI that's facing a lack of trust. The tech sector, once one of the most trusted sets of institutions, has seen significant decline in recent years. While nearly three-quarters of Americans said they trusted tech companies a decade ago, that number is now 63%.”

      “"This shift reflects a growing perception that technology is no longer just a tool for progress, it is also a source of anxiety," Edelman Global Technology Chair Justin Westcott said in the report.”

Have a newsworthy story or industry report/insight to share with AAIA members and community? Email details to [email protected].

Our list of AAIA Chapters continues to grow! If you live in a Chapter city/region and would like to get involved, email the Chapter President.

AAIA is the premier global industry association dedicated to integrating AI technologies into business and facilitating knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation through a network of chapters, industry committees, and comprehensive reports. Join us in shaping the future of AI in business by connecting with thought leaders and innovators. Visit our website to learn more about membership.

Questions?  Email us at [email protected]

Until next time!