8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com After a family member’s water ran brown when an AI data center set up shop next to their home, CSU Monterey Bay student Andres Chavez was motivated to attend a protest on campus against the AI that has become ubiquitous on campus. About 20 people gathered on the Student Union lawn on Monday, Oct. 12. The protesters held up signs against AI to protest California State University’s contract with OpenAI for ChatGPT Edu, citing environmental impacts and the degradation of the ability to think for oneself. “You should consult your own brain,” says Zara McClure, a first-year marine science student. Their protest was part of a larger week of action on other CSU campuses. Cori Lopez, organizer of the protest and president of the CSUMB Sunrise Movement chapter, says they sense a broader dislike for AI among students. CSU partnered with OpenAI in 2025 to provide 460,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff members with their product, ChatGPT Edu. According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Edu is an enhanced version of its regular chatbot, and can help with data analysis, planning and coursework. The February 2025 contract cost CSU $17 million for 18 months. They renewed it in 2026, agreeing to pay OpenAI $13 million annually for three years. The tool is provided for free to students. In a statement, CSU spokesperson Amy Bentley-Smith said CSU respects the rights of students to voice their opinions, and that higher education has a responsibility to prepare students for shifts in industries due to AI. The students who use ChatGPT Edu at CSUMB far outnumbered the students protesting against it: About 83 percent of 1,335 CSUMB students polled in 2025 said they used it, according to a San Diego State University poll. Despite the widespread use, students haven’t completely bought into the technology: Of 1,381 CSUMB students polled, nearly 70 percent said they disagreed with the statement that they trusted AI algorithms to provide accurate information. A few hundred feet away from the protest, students studied inside the Otter Student Union. There, third-year biology student Robby Torres says that he supported the contract, and that ChatGPT had been helpful with breaking down difficult concepts and planning his schedule. But as a tutor, he notices some students becoming dependent, reaching for it to do their homework for them. “It’s a useful tool as long as people know not to abuse it,” Torres says. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Oct. 13 to permit the Sheriff’s Office to enter a contract with Axon Enterprises to spend $3 million on drones until 2034. The lone dissenting vote was Supervisor Luis Alejo, who wanted a smaller contract. The Sheriff’s Office would deploy Skydio drones through Axon Enterprises. They say that the drones could be used as first responders to reply to calls for service, and quickly cross large geographies. The stock of drones would reach a peak of 18 by 2030, and the contract is structured to refresh the amount of drones available over their lifetime. Cmdr. Scott Davis said that Sheriff Tina Nieto promised she would include the future funding in the existing budget rather than ask for more money. Supervisor Wendy Root Askew expressed her disdain toward repeated budget requests from the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office would cover a roughly $115,000 price tag for the first year, and then account for it in future budgets. Davis asked for three different Skydio drone models with varying capabilities: one can provide thermal imaging, another is barely a foot long and can navigate indoors, and another nearly 5-foot-long drone that can travel at 100 miles per hour. All of the multiple public commenters spoke against the drones. Michelle Welsh of the Monterey County chapter of the ACLU, called for studies of the technology. Commenters also mentioned that the ask came on the heels of the county denying a $1.7 million contract with Flock to maintain a system of 63 cameras over the course of 10 years. In regards to privacy concerns, Davis reasoned that drones couldn’t simply be deployed around a neighborhood without a reason to look for something, which Supervisor Kate Daniels noted was the exact reason she opposed Flock. The Sheriff’s Office created its drone program in 2016, including policies for use. They currently have two functional drones. Chat It Up CSUMB students demonstrate against CSU’s contract with OpenAI to provide ChatGPT. By Chrissa Olson NEWS PREPARE FOR THE WORST The next Carmel Prepares series focuses on earthquakes, tsunamis and El Niño. Speakers include Earth scientist Gary Griggs and Carmel Police Chief Todd Trayer. 10-11am Saturday, Oct. 17. Sunset Cultural Center, Carpenter Hall, 908 San Carlos St., Carmel. Free. (831) 624-6403. BE PROTECTED Salinas Valley Health offers a community flu clinic open to all. 4-7pm Monday, Oct. 19. Alisal High School, 777 Williams Road, Salinas. Free. (831) 759-1890, salinasvalleyhealth.com/flu. ON THE DAIS Monterey County Board of Supervisors meet to consider various County business items. Public input is accepted. 9am Tuesday, Oct. 20. Board of Supervisors chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas. Free. (831) 755-5066, countyofmonterey.gov. HIRING NOW Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to connect local employers in the transportation industry with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés. 1:30-3:30pm Wednesday, Oct. 21. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Suite 205, Salinas. Free. (831) 796-3335. Register at montereycountyworks.com. ROAD WORK Caltrans and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County host a meeting about the Highway 101 South of Salinas project. Learn more about the long-term corridor improvement plan. 3:30-6pm Wednesday, Oct. 21. Ag Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 1428 Abbott St., Salinas. Free. bit.ly/ Hwy101SouthofSalinas. BEFORE THE STORM Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels hosts a meeting about El Niño preparation. 5:30-7pm Wednesday, Oct. 21. Virtual. Register at bit.ly/Oct21D5ElNino. PLAN AHEAD Learn how to prepare for a fire and evacuate in case of an emergency. North County Fire and other agencies share information. 6:30pm Wednesday, Oct. 21. Prunedale Grange, 17890 Moro Road, Prunedale. Free. (831) 633-2578, ncfpd.org. SCREEN SAFE Families can learn how to keep teens safe online. Community Schools and the Youth Safety Network present a workshop on cybersecurity and the dangers of social media. 5:30pm Thursday, Oct. 22. Pinnacles High School, 690 Main St., Soledad. Free. (831) 678-3950, soledadusd.org. Taking Flight Board of Supervisors approve a $3 million contract with Axon for drones for the Sheriff’s Office. By Chrissa Olson About 20 students gathered on Monday, Oct. 12 to protest the CSU system’s contract with OpenAI to provide ChatGPT Edu to students. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “You should consult your own brain.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==