Gilroy is working to rectify a process that allowed an Amazon data center to pass through without public input, with officials adopting a temporary ban on new projects. The Gilroy City Council on Monday unanimously approved a temporary 45-day moratorium on new data center development, giving city staff less than two months to return with...
San Jose may bar officials from signing nondisclosure agreements
As community distrust of data centers grows, San Jose is considering banning councilmembers from signing confidentiality agreements that bind them from publicly discussing development projects. The Rules and Open Government Committee on Wednesday unanimously voted to have the city manager create a policy to ensure transparency with developments, including data centers. The committee — comprised of five members...
South Bay coalition wants to protect workers from tech
From artificial intelligence to algorithmic surveillance, recent tech advances are rapidly reshaping the workplace. South Bay labor leaders are alarmed — and drawing together an industry-spanning coalition intended to give workers more say in how these technologies are deployed. Dozens of workers gathered in front of San Jose City Hall on Tuesday to unveil the...
San Jose residents push for data center moratorium
As San Jose hammers out local review standards for data center projects, some residents are calling for the city to follow the lead of other jurisdictions and enact an immediate moratorium on new developments. The proposed standards are expected to address widespread concerns that a glut of new projects working their way through the city’s...
Silicon Valley tech layoffs in 2026 close to 2025 total
Tech companies in Silicon Valley have jettisoned a noteworthy number of employees in the first half of 2026. Companies in the sector have laid off 7,295 employees in the first half 2026 — just 9% short of the number of jobs cut by tech companies during all of 2025, according to an analysis from Joint...
San Jose wants to set standards for data center development
As San Jose begins to create standards for building data centers, residents, advocates and researchers warn the city needs to develop robust safeguards for community health before approving any new projects. San Jose is kickstarting its community engagement process this month through September, gathering input on what these standards should look like. Outreach will consist...
AI transparency rule from Bay Area lawmakers kicks in Saturday
After several years of delays, legislation from two Bay Area lawmakers that is being called a landmark artificial intelligence transparency law by academics and advocates is set to go into effect Aug. 1. First passed in 2024, the law will require AI-generated content like images and videos to contain easily accessible embedded details about its...
San Jose to develop regulations for delivery robots
San Jose is drawing up the rules of the road for automated food delivery robots, as the industry eyes local expansion. New draft regulations, unveiled this week, could pave the way for a larger rollout of the delivery bots, which first hit San Jose’s sidewalks in April. That may include the introduction of larger and...
Is Google hiding a data center project in North San Jose?
Advocates say Google is hiding a data center inside a planned research and development lab in North San Jose. The tech giant’s plans at 5079 and 5087 Disk Drive call for demolishing an existing warehouse and parking lot to construct up to three research and development (R&D) facilities across nearly 483,000 square feet. Architectural blueprints...
Immersive art experience opens in downtown San Jose
A new venue is elevating FIFA World Cup watch parties and uplifting downtown San Jose economically. The Domes, located at 171 Post St. near San Pedro Square, will showcase the U.S. men’s national soccer team watch party and other sporting events. In addition, the immersive entertainment venue with space for 300 people, can host concerts,...