Leadership Series Part 2: Shaping AI Policy In the East Bay
Recap of the second installment of the 2026 East Bay Leadership Series.
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping communities from proposed data centers and rising energy demands to questions of economic opportunity, infrastructure, and public trust. Against this backdrop, the second part of the Leadership Series convened business, government, and community leaders for a timely conversation on what thoughtful, responsible AI policy leadership should look like at this pivotal moment.
Camille Crittenden sits for moderated Q&A
Featuring a keynote from Camille Crittenden, Executive Director of the CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, followed by a moderated panel discussion with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, the program explored how the East Bay can foster ethical, human-centered innovation, strengthen public protection, and ensure communities and workers are prepared for an AI-driven future.
In her keynote, Crittenden demystified how AI systems are built and deployed, highlighting their implications for public trust, workforce transformation, and high-stakes decisions in areas like hiring, lending, and healthcare. She also underscored the environmental and infrastructure considerations tied to AI growth, including the energy and water demands of data centers and the importance of aligning innovation with sustainability.
From left to right: Camille Crittenden, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and Mark Orcutt.
She was then joined by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan for a panel discussion moderated by EBLC President & CEO Mark Orcutt, which delved deeper into how policy can be used as a tool to address these challenges. Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan discussed a range of legislative efforts shaping California’s AI landscape, including measures focused on platform responsibility and harmful content (AB 1705), establishing independent oversight and auditing of AI systems (AB 1405), and increasing transparency around the energy and infrastructure demands of data centers (AB 1577).
Together, the speakers emphasized the importance of developing policies that provide clear expectations for industry while supporting continued innovation and economic growth. They also reinforced the need for cross-sector collaboration and forward-looking leadership. As AI continues to evolve, strong partnerships between business, government, and community stakeholders will be essential to ensuring these technologies are deployed responsibly and equitably.
EBLC is proud to convene leaders around this critical issue, creating space for thoughtful dialogue at the intersection of innovation, policy, and regional impact. We are grateful to our Title Sponsor, Kaiser Permanente, and all of our sponsors for their continued support in advancing these important conversations for the East Bay.
Access the complete slide deck presented by Camille Crittenden.