Talking Tech with Assemblymember Evan Low

Autonomous vehicles, drones and internet privacy were among the topics covered on Tuesday (Nov. 1) when the Bay Area Council’s Government Relations Committee held a policy roundtable featuring Assemblyman Evan Low, Co-Chairman of the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus. The recently established Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus is comprised of a bi-partisan and bi-cameral group of legislators who want to ensure that California remains the global leader in technology and innovation. The Assemblyman and members were provided with a brief overview of the Council’s Bay Area Science and Innovation Consortium (BASIC) initiative, chaired by Vice President and Lab Director of IBM – Almaden Research Center Dr. Jeff Wessler, and its goal of ensuring the continued growth of the Bay Area’s innovation economy. Assemblyman Low provided Bay Area Council members with the goal and mission of the Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus and an exclusive preview of the issues the state Legislature may take up in 2017 that impact the technology and innovation economic ecosystem in California. These issues include autonomous vehicles, drones, and internet privacy. The Assemblyman and members also discuss the importance of adequately funding the University of California for research and development to continue to spur California’s innovation economy.

The Bay Area Council and its Bay Area Science and Innovation Consortium looks forward to working with the Legislative and Technology Caucus and will ensure that our voice and insights are heard to ensure that the Bay Area remains the epicenter both in California and globally for technology and innovation. To learn more about BASIC contact Sean Randolph and to engage in the Council Government Relations efforts contact Policy Manager Cornelious Burke.