This week's Manufacturing Minute highlights key advancements in robotics, aerospace, and AI-driven manufacturing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmJpn0xrMjQ Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the video player above. Tesla's Optimus Bot...
News & Insights
We’re changing the narrative of the manufacturing industry one story at a time. CMTA’s award-winning storytelling team showcases California’s 30,000 manufacturers by uplifting the voices of our makers. Find industry news and the stories from those “Making California” below.
Global leader in launch and space systems Rocket Lab joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Rocket Lab to the organization today. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Long Beach, Rocket Lab is a space company that designs, manufactures, assembles,...
PG&E CEO Announced as Keynote Speaker at CMTA’s Annual Membership & Board of Directors Meeting: Manufacturing Minute
This week's Manufacturing Minute highlights key developments shaping the future of manufacturing and innovation. https://youtu.be/mbhCd5z_rIA Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the video player above. CEO of PG&E Announced as CMTA Annual...
Voltek Ace Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new member Voltek Ace to the organization today. “Our small and medium-sized manufacturers make up a large sector of California’s economy, with 64% of the Golden State’s...
BlueForge Alliance and CommerceWest Bank Join CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed two new associate members, BlueForge Alliance (BFA) and CommerceWest Bank, to the organization today. “I am excited to welcome our two newest associate members to CMTA, both...
Manufacturing Minute: Manufacturing Giant Bosch Awarded $225M to Expand Northern California Facility
In this week’s Manufacturing Minute, we highlight exciting economic developments and California’s leadership in growing the manufacturing industry. https://youtu.be/mqoklWrZSgA Watch the latest Manufacturing Minute episode in the video player above. Bosch’s...
CMTA Hosts Manufacturing Roundtable with Senator Wahab in Fremont
The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) hosted a Manufacturers Roundtable with Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab in the City of Fremont. Wahab represents Senate District 10, covering the cities of Hayward, Union City, Newark, Fremont, Milpitas,...
California Holiday Gift Guide: Unique Presents from the Golden State
Celebrate the Holidays with California-Made Gifts The holiday season is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by supporting California’s vibrant manufacturing community. With over 34,000 manufacturers creating everything from handcrafted treasures...
CMTA Update: New 2025 Laws for California Manufacturers
Sacramento, Calif. – Hundreds of new California laws are about to go into effect starting January 1, 2025. As a Golden State manufacturer and employer, are you ready for the latest rules set on businesses? As a CMTA-member exclusive benefit, continue to read for new...
Nexamp Solar Joins CMTA
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) welcomed new associate member, Nexamp Solar, to the organization today. “I am honored to welcome our newest associate member to CMTA,” said Lance Hastings, CEO & President of...
Press Release
Op-Ed: AI Needs Carefully Crafted Regulations That Foster Innovation
-This commentary was originally published in Capitol Weekly’s September Issue, written by Lance Hastings and Samantha Corbin. Hastings is the President and CEO of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), and Corbin is the Senior Policy Advisor with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.
OPINION – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the industries, from health care to finance, by enhancing diagnostics, improving manufacturing processes and streamlining financial transactions. As we embrace this AI-driven transformation, it is vital for policymakers to craft regulations that foster innovation while safeguarding public and economic stability.
What AI Is and What It Is Not
AI is often misunderstood, shrouded in misconceptions and Hollywood myths. Contrary to these portrayals, AI is not an omniscient oracle or a rogue intelligence. It is a tool designed by humans to process vast amounts of data and perform specific tasks more efficiently than traditional methods. For instance, in health care, AI enhances diagnostic accuracy through advanced imaging analysis, improving patient outcomes by complementing human expertise.
While AI has proven its value, it is not without its limitations. AI lacks consciousness, emotional intelligence and moral reasoning — key elements of human decision-making. Its effectiveness depends on the quality of the data it is trained on and the algorithms it follows, which can be biased or flawed. Therefore, AI should be seen as an assistant in decision-making, providing data-driven insights that require human interpretation and ethical judgment to be truly effective.
Integration and Benefits Across Key Industries
AI’s impact is profound across several sectors. In health care, AI processes vast data to improve patient outcomes but cannot replace the empathy and ethical considerations of human practitioners. In manufacturing, AI boosts productivity and safety, enhances energy efficiency, reduces emissions, lowers costs and improves product quality.
In finance, AI rapidly analyzes large datasets, transforming trading, risk management and fraud detection, making these systems faster and more reliable. Insurance companies use AI to streamline administrative tasks and claims processing, modernizing risk assessment and increasing efficiency. These advancements highlight AI’s transformative power across key industries.
The Need for Thoughtful AI Policy
The deep integration of AI into critical sectors underscores its potential to drive economic growth and improve services. However, this integration also presents challenges that require careful, sector-specific policy formulation. The goal should be to encourage innovation while ensuring AI does not introduce new harms, exacerbate inequalities or compromise privacy and security.
In California, robust consumer protection laws serve as a model for managing AI’s integration by safeguarding privacy and ensuring transparent data handling. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need for regulations that empower consumers to understand and, if necessary, challenge AI-driven decisions affecting their lives. This approach not only protects individual rights but also fosters great trust in AI technologies.
Safeguarding the Future
As we explore AI’s potential, public policy should focus on creating frameworks that promote responsible AI development an duse. This includes investing in AI research aligned with human values and ethics, setting standards for data quality and algorithmic transparency, and implementing systems to evaluate AI’s ongoing efficacy and impact. International cooperation on AI governance is also essential.
AI holds immense promise for societal advancement, but only if we approach its integration thoughtfully. It is not just about harnessing AI’s capabilities but also about guiding industries without sacrificing ethical standards or economic stability. Flexible, forward-looking policies that can adapt to new AI applications and their implications are crucial for navigating this dynamic landscape effectively.
Through carefully crafted policies, we can ensure that AI augments our abilities and enriches our lives — without replacing the human touch that underpins meaningful decisions in health care, manufacturing, finance and beyond. By doing so, we can embrace the AI revolution while maintaining our commitment to ethical standards and economic stability.