Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, hosted a roundtable discussion at San José State University on Wednesday, August 26, bringing together leaders from higher education, industry, and economic development organizations to examine how artificial intelligence is transforming California’s 18th Congressional District, bridging the gap between the Silicon Valley and the Salinas Valley, and what it will take to make sure that transformation reaches every community and every farm.
Nicola Kerslake of Reservoir highlighted the agriculture industry’s embrace of “rugged AI” such as automated weeding and harvesting technology already at work in strawberry and celery fields across the region. Investment in the space is growing, led by a fast-expanding local ecosystem of roughly 20 agricultural technology startups working on everything from robotics to predictive groundwater modeling that will address resource constraints in the region.
Workforce development was a central theme. Participants praised the example of Hartnell College’s success connecting young people from farmworking families to careers in the sector and voiced strong interest in expanding ag-tech engineering pathways, including a farm robotics program linked to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership.
Infrastructure, specifically broadband deployment, was raised as a major obstacle, connecting nearly every issue discussed. Participants pointed to persistent broadband gaps across rural California. The district’s continued research partnership with NASA Ames was also highlighted as a resource to build on, alongside potential new applications of San José State University’s wildfire-research collaboration with NASA and NOAA for water conservation.
The roundtable included San José State University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson; SJUSD Board Chair José Magaña; Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Ahmad Thomas; Reservoir VC General Partner Nicola Kerslake; Monterey Bay Economic Partnership President and CEO Tahra Goraya; Synopsys Director of Government Affairs Victoria Tung; and, from San José State University, Dr. Crist Khachikian, Vice President of Research and Innovation, Dr. Jorjeta Jetcheva, Associate Professor and Chair of the Computer Engineering Department, and Dr. Katherine Cushing, Professor and Director of the School of Planning, Policy and Environmental Studies.
