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The Washington Post’s recent launch of “Ask The Post AI” showcases the media industry’s increasing use of generative artificial intelligence for reader engagement — and its potential pitfalls. Even as the region’s attention fixes on the aftermath of last week’s deadly mid-air crash and Elon Musk’s growing influence over government tech systems, AI remains a concern for experts following its engergy demands and regulation.
Keep scrolling for Technical.ly’s weekly roundup of top news in the region.
News Incubator: What else to know
• Crews started to remove the major plane wreckage from the Potomac River on Monday. The operations followed the American Airlines jet’s deadly crash with an Army helicopter that killed 67 people, including ice skaters, steamfitters and business owners in DC, Virginia and Maryland. Investigators are still searching for the cause, but preliminary data shows conflicting readings about the altitudes of the commercial jet and the helicopter. [WTOP/WUSA/Baltimore Banner/Associated Press]
• Nonprofits are reeling after the Trump administration put a pause on federal grants and loans, which a federal judge eventually put on temporary hold before the White House rescinded it. [Technical.ly]
• Federal workers at the Technology Transformation Services, housed within the General Services Administration, are being asked to defend their projects and code to people without government email addresses in Elon Musk’s orbit. Meanwhile, the tech workers helping him at DOGE are largely young adults, with one potentially still in college. [Wired]
• DC’s water tech company Xylem is restructuring and laying off workers across all operations. [Washington Biz Journal]
• Tickets are live for Technical.ly’s Builders Conference in May. Attend to meet fellow technologists and entrepreneurs across the Mid-Atlantic. You can also apply to be a speaker. [Technical.ly]
• The Trump administration is targeting federal workers who not only directly worked in DEI roles but also took part in initiatives like an affinity group or diversity training. [Washington Post]
• Take a rare look inside NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. [Washingtonian]
🗓️ On the Calendar
• Partner Event: HBCUniverse Summit returns to Morgan State on Feb. 8 for a full day of skill-building workshops, panels with industry leaders, a founder expo, a career fair and more. Use the discount code “HBCU50” for half-off tickets. [Details here]
• Partner Event: Learn about how tech plays into disaster relief on Feb. 19 at the World Trade Center Institute AGILE Global Innovation Series. [Details here]
• Pick up lessons local founders who took part in accelerators at the next DC Tech Meetup on Feb. 5. [Details here]
• Get brunch on Feb. 9 with Women & Gender eXpansive Coders DC. [Details here]
• Meet your match at this Valentine’s Day-themed event DC Tech Party’s hosting for developers, founders and VCs on Feb. 12. [Details here]
• Founders: Hear about best fundraising practices from investors at a panel hosted by the Founder Institute on Feb. 13. [Details here]
• Cowork with fellow developers at the next DC Code and Coffee on Feb. 16. [Details here]
• Connect with founders and investors at VC in DC’s next Third Thursdays on Feb. 20, co-hosted by the DC Tech & Venture Coalition. [Details here]
• Georgetown Entrepreneurship is hosting its third annual venture capital summit on Feb. 21. [Details here]
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