June 24 Daily Briefing: AI addressed at conference, Swim Center designs reviewed, and more

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Being a member of a city board or commission is no easy task. Without any compensation, you attend monthly meetings, review extensive paperwork about budgets and projects, and make difficult decisions that impact everyone in town. Sometimes, you even get to throw out the first pitch at a baseball game! That’s why we want to recognize Johnny Coladonato, who was honored last night by his fellow Parks and Recreation Commission members for 10 years of service as he nears the end of his final term later this month. Such a long-term commitment is truly impressive!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Blister In The Sun” by Violent Femmes

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs launches inaugural AI and Creativity Expo to establish tech industry foothold

Palm Springs hosted its first AI and Creativity Expo on Monday, drawing hundreds of attendees to the Convention Center for a daylong exploration of artificial intelligence’s potential to reshape the desert community’s economic future. The event represents efforts to establish technology as a fifth economic pillar alongside the region’s traditional drivers of tourism, clean energy, healthcare and arts.

Driving the news: City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein called it a “landmark recurring event” designed to position Palm Springs as a hub for ethical technology innovation, capitalizing on a “tech migration” bringing remote workers and industry retirees to the Coachella Valley.

Why it matters: While 97% of Palm Springs Unified School District students qualify as socioeconomically disadvantaged under federal standards, Bernstein argued AI’s emergence creates a chance to level the playing field:

• “We’re all at day one,” he said. “That means our students aren’t behind yet.”

The speakers: Emmy-nominated host Baratunde Thurston delivered the morning keynote, emphasizing community engagement in shaping AI’s future, while filmmaker Rob Minkoff reinforced AI as a collaborative tool rather than replacement for human creativity during his talk.

• Thurston outlined “three A’s” for approaching AI: accelerate unwanted tasks, augment human capabilities, and accommodate underserved populations.

The programming: The expo featured three tracks targeting residents, businesses and students, including workshops on digital safety, customer engagement case studies, and hands-on AI applications in music, video and visual arts.

What’s next: Organizers hope to make the expo an annual occurrence as part of broader efforts to attract technology companies and workers to the region.

• Event speakers cautioned against allowing AI development to follow historical patterns where power concentrates in Silicon Valley, arguing Palm Springs can chart a different course.

The bigger picture: Wayne Olson, the city’s chief economic development officer, closed the event by outlining a three-part economic development strategy focused on technology, including plans to cultivate tech clusters in health and wellness, creative media and climate resilience.

• “We cannot cut our way to prosperity,” Olson said, referring to the city budget. “The most effective and sustainable way to fund the services our residents deserve is to grow the local economy.”

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

🏊‍♀️ Some Swim Center designs get first look

Palm Springs residents will get their first look at proposed designs for a $7 million renovation of the Palm Springs Swim Center during a public meeting Thursday. On Monday evening, it was the Parks and Recreation Commission’s turn.

• The schematic design by Interactive Design Corporation includes a new steel pavilion structure, dual entrances and renovated locker rooms. Maria Song, the firm’s principal architect, said the design addresses current facility shortcomings while improving accessibility with an upper deck at the same elevation as the main walkway.
  
• The facility will remain open during construction, though temporary facilities will be provided during locker room renovations. The parts of the project reviewed Monday deal with building improvements and ADA compliance upgrades but do not include changes to pool infrastructure. 
  
• Up next: The public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Leisure Center at 401 South Pavilion Way. An agreement with Interactive Design Corporation will eventually go to City Council for approval to move forward with the project.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs International ShortFest
11 a.m. | Festival Theaters
Hosted by the Palm Springs International Film Society, this weeklong event kicks off today showing both national and international short films. Awards handed out at this festival are academy-qualifying. ($20) 

PSUSD Board of Education
6 p.m. | PSUSD Headquarters
The Palm Springs Unified School District will hold their monthly Board of Education meeting tonight. A livestream of the event can be found here. An agenda of tonight’s meeting can be found here.

Palm Springs Power
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
Your Palm Springs Power will take on the Colton Nighthawks tonight. Reminder that Tuesday is $3 beer night. ($10)

Summer Cabaret Series
7 p.m. | CV Rep
The series continues tonight with Alix Korey, a seasoned Broadway performer with credits that include Prates of Penzance, Chicago, and more. ($60)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Swim Center Community Meeting on Thursday at 5 p.m.
  
• Virtual traffic signal installation meeting Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
  
• 2025 All American 4th of July Weekend July 3-5 in Palm Springs.
  
• Your Extraordinary Mind on July 12 at the Cultural Center.

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet the magnificent Kazi,  this 11-years-young Domestic Longhair is one of the newer guests at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, with staff saying that he’s a real affectionate guy.

• Staff also said Kazi loves to play with toy mice. 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at 760-416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.