The California State University (CSU) system is introducing OpenAI's ChatGPT Edu — a version of ChatGPT customized for educational institutions — to more than 460,000 students and over 63,000 staff and faculty across its 23 campuses, including San Diego State.

Why it matters: ChatGPT is already transforming higher ed, giving students more access to professors' expertise and boosting efficiency, but many are still cautious about genAI's long-term effects on learning.

• OpenAI says this is "the largest implementation of ChatGPT by any single organization or company anywhere in the world."

Zoom in: The initiative aims to equip students with key AI skills to help them prepare and succeed in a workforce that's already becoming more AI-literate.

• Faculty in the Cal State system can use ChatGPT to develop curriculum and create interactive course-specific GPTs, while students can use it for personalized tutoring, study guides and research.
• CSUs will also connect students with apprenticeship programs in AI-driven industries.

Driving the news: CSU's new partnership with top tech companies creates the nation's first and largest "AI-powered higher education system."

• It also established an AI Workforce Acceleration Board with industry leaders, a representative from Gov. Newsom's Office and a faculty member to support the initiative.

Context: 1 in 10 employees in California, and 1 in 20 college graduates nationwide earned a degree from a CSU campus, according to the system.

The big picture: After initial bans of the technology, universities are now expanding AI offerings to integrate AI literacy and help students prepare for an evolving job market.

• 71% of leaders say they would rather hire someone less experienced, but with AI skills, than someone more experienced, but without AI skills, according to a 2024 Microsoft study.
• Meanwhile, a majority of college leaders agree graduates should have AI ethics and literacy, and that AI tools can improve higher education, particularly teaching, according to a recent Chronicle study.

Yes, but: Most of those higher education leaders say AI tools also pose a threat to campus operations and teaching, and raise concerns about cheating.

• Plus, many college students say they are unsure of when and how they're allowed to use AI in their coursework, per another study.

What to watch

High school students from 15 local public schools are tackling some of San Diego's biggest issues through the Aspen Challenge.

The big picture: The annual competition tasks students in cities around the country with creating tangible solutions to environmental, social, health and educational problems.

Zoom in: Leaders from local organizations posed this year's challenges at the kick off event Tuesday at Balboa Park. The topics include:

• Housing and homelessness
• LGBTQ+ advocacy
• Ocean pollution
• Technology and mental health
• Substance abuse

How it works: Teams have nine weeks to propose and implement their ideas before presenting them to a panel of local judges in April.

• The winners will share their projects at the annual Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado in June.

Flashback: Last year, students from Madison and Mira Mesa high schools, and the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts won for their projects reducing consumption of single-use plastics, improving mental health resources and addressing chronic absenteeism.

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🐊 Events.com, the La Jolla-based company that purchased the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival, is now also presenting the 22-year-old Gator by the Bay, a Louisiana-themed music festival. (Union-Tribune)

🏘️ San Diego officials adopted new rules limiting when property owners can sell housing units with income-restricted rents, as rules reserving 4,200 units for low-income renters are expected to expire by 2040. (KPBS)

✍️ A group looking to establish La Jolla as an independent city turned in 8,000 signatures last week. If officials determine 6,800 of those signatures are valid, the process will move to the next step in the secession process. (Voice of San Diego)

Wildfire smoke's toxic reach extends far beyond the flames, new research shows.

Why it matters: The health impacts of wildfires are proving more widespread and long-lasting than previously understood, affecting everything from brain health to fertility.

Driving the news: A recent study from the University of Washington found that people exposed to wildfire smoke face significantly higher dementia risk.

• It analyzed health care records of 1.2 million Southern California residents between 2008 and 2019, then estimated their exposure to wildfire smoke as a three-year rolling average.

Zoom out: The hidden harms of wildfire smoke don't stop there.

• A study released last May by Oregon Health & Science University showed unhealthy air quality from wildfire smoke can negatively impact those receiving fertility treatment.
• Additionally, a Human Rights Watch report last August revealed pregnant women exposed to wildfire smoke have a higher likelihood of adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight.

The bottom line: Scientists say addressing climate change is crucial to curbing the escalating wildfire crisis and its cascading health effects.

Super Bowl party prices will be a mixed bag this year.

Why it matters: Food is one of the most tangible ways consumers experience inflation, which appears stubbornly persistent — especially for groceries.

Zoom in: Prices for meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits, veggies, alcohol and soft drinks were all up in December 2024 relative to December 2019, per consumer price index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Pro tip: Consider cutting back on wings, deviled eggs or guac if you're still planning your menu for Sunday's game.

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