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How old-school tech protects your vote
Several election-specific technologies and monitoring procedures will play a crucial role in safeguarding the democratic process in Allegheny County before, after and on Election Day.
Like in 2020, Pennsylvania requires a paper ballot to ensure a physical record for post-election audits. Allegheny County also uses several offline devices, like ballot scanners and flash drives, to record and transfer votes digitally.
Pennsylvania has intensified its election security efforts this year due to increasing threats against poll workers, as well as public concern over potential voter fraud and foreign interference.
➡️ Learn how your vote is protected
A news startup built on bipartisanship
This news startup wants readers to escape their political echo chambers. The Flip Side, a daily newsletter founded by Annafi Wahed, has amassed over 200,000 subscribers by delivering news that presents both sides of political issues.
“We have at least one liberal and one conservative eye on the newsletter and worked very hard to develop a bipartisan audience,” Wahed said.
Wahed and her team are attempting to transform The Flip Side from a media company to a platform, like Twitter, that would algorithmically incentivize “bipartisanship and thoughtfulness.”
➡️ Discover what inspired Wahed to create The Flip Side
News Incubator: What else to know
• Six candidates are on the ballot for Pennsylvania’s attorney general, and the winner would oversee legal approaches to topics like AI, data privacy and consumer protections. Where do the candidates stand on the issues? [Technical.ly]
• Pittsburgh-headquartered financial counseling platform MoneyStack announced a $250,000 investment from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to grow its platform, GamFin, to help those with gambling addictions. [BusinessWire]
• Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new method for photonic in-memory computing, using light instead of electrical signals to process and store data. This discovery could enable faster and more energy-efficient computing in the future. [University of Pittsburgh]
• Homestead-based robotics startup Edge AI Solutions secured $3 million in seed round funding to accelerate the development of robots that inspect wastewater pipes. [Pittsburgh Business Times]
• Local AI security startup Preamble, Inc. was granted a patent for technology that protects against cyberattacks in which hackers use malicious prompts to compromise the security of AI systems. [Preamble, Inc.]
• Carnegie Mellon University announced a new degree program, a master of science in AI management, that will teach students how to use and manage AI systems at scale. [Carnegie Mellon University]
• The University of Pittsburgh has entered into a research collaboration with French biotech company TreeFrog Therapeutics to explore how specialized immune cell clusters help the body fight cancer. [Pharmaceutical Technology]
• California company Mainspring Energy plans to build a manufacturing facility in Allegheny County with a $87 million grant from the US Department of Energy. The facility will create 600 jobs and be the first high-volume linear generator manufacturing site in the US. [Allegheny Conference on Community Development]
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➡️ Donate to the Journalism Fund today!
On the Calendar
• Got an innovative idea for space tech but lacking funds? Learn about the Keystone Space Innovation Challenge, which offers $200,000 in awards, at the Keystone Space Collaborative’s third annual space conference on Oct. 28 and 29. [Register]
• Interested in starting your own urban farm? Attend this workshop by Grow Pittsburgh on Oct. 29 to learn about organic farming practices and how to navigate certification standards. [Learn more]
• Enjoy a spooktacular networking event featuring prizes and refreshments with 3D printing supplier Tronix3D on Oct. 30. Wear a costume for the chance to win a brand-new 3D printer! [Reserve a spot]
• Experience a productive workday with other passionate professionals at InnovatePGH’s CoworkDays event, featuring a catered lunch and networking opportunities, on Oct. 30 at Avenu: Meyran. [Learn more]
• Looking for a job? Discover diverse employment options at this workshop and networking event on Oct. 31 at UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center. [Get tickets]
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