Delaware weekly roundup: Local election security; AI at UD; Creative Vision Factory rebrands

Welcome to the roundup of the latest from Delaware's tech and entrepreneurship scene. Want this in your inbox? Subscribe for free.

What does election security look like in DE?

Election security in Delaware relies on high-tech like machine learning to detect suspicious patterns, but it’s low-tech, too: No voting booth can be connected to the internet, bluetooth or any other source of electric communications. 

I spoke with the Delaware Department of Technology and Information CSO Solomon Adote ahead of the primaries.

➡️ Read the interview here

UD is embracing AI for creating study tools

This semester is a first for the University of Delaware as it rolls out a new AI platform for faculty called Study AiDE. It helps create study guides for students using 20 years of archived lectures. 

I spoke with two of the technologists behind it, Jevonia “Nova” Harris and Erin Sicuranza.

➡️ Learn more about UD’s AI study tool

One of the industry’s most impactful events

Tens of thousands of women and nonbinary technologists will convene in Philly for the annual Grace Hopper Celebration this October.

Named after Rear Admiral Grace Hopper — one of the first women to receive a doctorate in mathematics — GHC 24 brings together technologists for networking and professional development, and to recognize the work women and nonbinary people are doing in the industry. With a stacked lineup of speakers and sessions, it’s a place to hear from like-minded professionals and uncover insights into the next big trends.

➡️  Join the community in Philly and virtually, Oct. 8-11

News Incubator: What else to know today

• Spotlight Delaware is running a new Election Day live blog as it canvases precincts up and down the state. The blog will run through today’s primary elections. [Spotlight Delaware]

• The Creative Vision Factory has been officially reborn as Recovery Café, located in Wilmington’s Little Italy. The new daytime drop-in offers a safe space and resources for anyone in the community seeking support for issues like addiction, domestic abuse and homelessness. [Delaware Public Media/Technical.ly]

• Five Delaware bills aimed at fighting climate change have just become law. One lays out a plan for moving forward with offshore wind farm contracts. [Delaware Public Media]

• Beach fave Surf Bagel is expanding to its first New Castle County location at the Dove Run Shopping Center in Middletown. Surfers Dave and Tom Vitella founded the NYC-style bagel shop in 2004 and sold it to Lewes-based SoDel Concepts in 2021. [Delaware Business Times]

• HBCU Delaware State University and science electronics manufacturing company Agilent celebrate three years of a STEM partnership that has offered internships and opportunities for students from underrepresented communities. Since 2022, the partnership has provided $3 million in scholarships. [Town Square Delaware/Technical.ly]

• How stressed are we? According to a recent WalletHub report, Wilmington and Dover are among the most stressed cities in the US, ranking at No. 25 and No. 62, respectively. Regionally, we’re even more stressed out: Philly ranks sixth. [Delaware Online]

• School is in, and Dover High’s student body of over 1,800 students is steadily growing. But so is the number of vacant jobs in its Capital School District, which is currently looking to fill 135 positions. [WDEL]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Friday, Sept. 13 — Book Talk with Don Lemon at Wilmington Library [Details]

• Saturday, Sept. 14 — Chancery Market’s Sip and Shop on the patio [Details]

• Saturday, Sept. 14 — Festival Hispano Wilmington [Details]

• Saturday, Sept. 14 — Soul of the City Festival at The Grand Opera House [Details]

• Saturday, Sept. 14 — Beer Fest at Constitution Yards [Details]

• Tuesday, Sept. 17 — Free Networking Mixer at the Post in Wilmington  [Details]

• Thursday, Sept. 19 — ChristianaCare talk: Unleashing Creativity: Generative AI and the future of UX [Details]

• Partner event: 1682 makes it’s post-COVID return on Oct. 18. Hosted in Center City at the fun Five Below HQ, the ticketed event ($500-$650) features a full day of workshops, panels and more on how AI and innovation are impacting the tech scene. [Register]