As AI’s presence in higher education continues to grow, it’s brought a new set of challenges for community colleges throughout the nation – AI-powered fraudsters.
People are increasingly using stolen identities to receive financial aid from community colleges, and they’re using AI tools to do it. These tools can help fraudsters complete assignments, email professors, take exams and more.
Southwestern College has experienced the impact of these fraudsters firsthand. Now, they’re hoping to beat them at their own game.
The Governing Board at Southwestern recently approved a contract with a company called N2N Services to implement a software program called LightLeap AI. Our Jakob McWhinney spoke with the CEO of N2N to find out just how their software works, and if it can really be the answer that community colleges are searching for.
N2N Services CEO Kiran Kodithala told McWhinney that the company initially created an AI tool that made it easier for students and administrators to access information. But what they found, specifically from community colleges, was a desperate need for an AI tool that could stop AI-powered fraud.
The company created a tool that has now been used at 36 community colleges in 20 districts and has identified hundreds of thousands of fraudsters.
Mayor Todd Gloria Is Outraged
The Local Agency Formation Commission, also known as LAFCO, on Tuesday decided the effort to separate La Jolla from the city of San Diego can proceed.
Background: As we reported in March, the Registrar of Voters determined that La Jolla secessionists did not collect enough valid signatures to make a separation happen. That decision triggered a 15-day period for the group to get more signatures.
Despite that setback, LAFCO offered a glimmer of hope a few weeks ago when an official said they may be able to find valid signatures in the thousands the Registrar rejected. It seems that they did.
“LAFCO staff will now proceed with initiating the administrative review of the proposed special reorganization,” wrote LAFCO Executive Officer Keene Simonds in a letter.
Mayor Todd Gloria called LAFCO’s decision “outrageous.” Not only that, he hinted that the city is going to put up a fight.
“To ensure full transparency regarding LAFCO’s override of the ROV’s Certification of Insufficiency, the City will issue a formal Letter of Objection and continue to explore the legal options available,” Gloria said in a statement.
County Reserve Proposal May Be DOA – For Now
A proposal by County Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery Steppe to let the county tap more of its large reserve funds may be dead on arrival – at least for now.
Our Lisa Halverstadt reported Monday on the two Democrats’ push to change policies to allow the county to access a potential windfall as it faces the prospect of federal cuts and budget challenges.
Approving that change would require three votes on the now-divided Board of Supervisors, something that doesn’t seem likely unless Democrat supervisor candidate Paloma Aguirre bests Republican challenger John McCann in a July special election.
In a Tuesday statement, Republican Supervisor Joel Anderson, a dealmaker often open to partnering with colleagues on the other side of the aisle, suggested he’s not on board.
“While I always support getting the highest and best use of the tax money that our constituents have entrusted us with, we can’t follow the state government’s lead of raiding every account for pet special interest projects,” Anderson wrote in a statement.
Fellow Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond’s office indicated he’s probably also not going to supply the third yes vote.
“Supervisor Desmond would need to see the full Board letter, but most likely he would be against dipping into the reserves,” spokesperson Miles Himmel wrote in a text message. “He would like to see the county cut back its spending.”
South County Report: Port’s Charging Station Plan Sparks Pushback
The Port of San Diego wants to build an electric truck charging station in National City, but many residents aren’t on board — and it’s adding to the already rocky relationship between the city and the port.
Port officials want Skycharger, a national electric vehicle infrastructure company, to build a 4.8-acre truck charging facility on port property in National City. Skycharger officials told our Jim Hinch that the facility will reduce air pollution in National City. But residents and city officials worry it will bring more trucks to an already clogged area.
The conflict is adding to an already tense relationship between city officials and the port. Disagreements like how much the port pays the city for municipal services such as policing and firefighting on port property have created some conflict in the past.
Also: South County’s four mayors met up for the annual South County Economic Development Council Economic Summit, and South County residents are one step closer to finally getting that loop trail around the Sweetwater Reservoir that was greenlit in 2008.
Read the South County Report here.
Song of the Week
Pet, “Window”: This song is an absolutely infectious tune. There’s a slight edge to the fuzzy-around-the-edges rock of “Window.” Galia Shakked’s sweet, almost-whispered vocals dance with the jangly guitars and driving drums. But the whole thing’s delivered with a nonchalance that’s impossible to fake.
Like what you hear? Check out the music video for Pet’s song “Pannetone,” or give the band’s entire EP a listen.
Do you have a “Song of the Week” suggestion? Shoot us an email and a sentence or two about why you’ve been bumping this song lately. Friendly reminder: all songs should be by local artists.
Live! From Soda Bar
It’s not too late to RSVP to our upcoming Brews and News.
Our VOSD Podcasts hosts and Voice of San Diego staff will be at Soda Bar on Wednesday, May 7, for a live recording of our podcast.
Our hosts will talk politics, play audience games and invite a few guests on stage. We are also giving away a baseball signed by Padres Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill.
Click here for more details.
In Other News
- A plan to transform much of northeastern Mission Bay into climate-friendly marshland and new recreation space just hit a snag after the California Coastal Commission deemed the proposal incomplete. (Union-Tribune)
- County officials unveiled a new dashboard on Monday for people to virtually track pollution from the Tijuana River into South County, including real time updates on beach water quality and sewage odor. (KPBS)
- Speaking of Tijuana River pollution, the County Air Pollution District still has air purifiers for people in South County communities impacted by odors from cross-border sewage from the Tijuana River. District officials are encouraging people to apply for the free purifier. (Union-Tribune)
The Morning Report was written by Tigist Layne, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, Lisa Halverstadt and Jakob McWhinney. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.