This Month's Latest Tech News in San Bernardino, CA - Saturday May 31st 2025 Edition

San Bernardino emerged in May 2025 as a vibrant nexus in California's surging tech landscape, driven by a blend of educational innovation, clean energy leadership, and a robust workforce pipeline.

San Bernardino Valley College's launch of its first bachelor's degree in water resources management, alongside inspirational student stories from its STEM-MESA program, underscored local commitment to equity and opportunity in tech education according to SBVC's 2025 Spring highlights.

K-12 STEAM programs now span all district schools, nurturing the next wave of engineers and technologists with support from the SBCUSD STEAM Department.

The region's tech growth is powered by landmark projects such as the $1 billion Clearway Energy solar and storage site near Barstow and steady investments that have created 12,000 energy sector jobs and generated $1.68 billion in economic activity highlighted by San Bernardino County's clean energy initiatives.

As President Contreras remarked,

“Whether you are teaching, advising, or supporting our campus community, you have a unique contribution to make… Together, we can achieve remarkable things.”

The county's high demand for STEM talent and its investments in sustainable communities reinforce its pivotal role in shaping the future of California technology.

California's energy crisis is dramatically reshaping the trajectory of AI and tech growth across the state as surging data center demand strains the electrical grid and prompts significant legislative action.

In May 2025, the California Senate passed SB 57 - the Ratepayer and Technological Innovation Protection Act - to shield households from footing the bill for escalating infrastructure costs tied to artificial intelligence (AI)–powered data centers, which are projected to account for up to 12% of U.S. electricity consumption by 2028.

As Senator Steve Padilla explains,

“California ratepayers are already struggling to make ends meet and expecting them to pay for the infrastructure and energy needs of wealthy tech companies is unconscionable.”

Other proposed measures include tax incentives for sustainable operations and mandatory transparency on data center energy usage.

While some utilities, like PG&E, claim that new data center projects can actually lower customer bills through better grid utilization and spreading costs, experts warn that unchecked expansion could drive up both rates and emissions.

For example, in regions like Virginia, data center growth has contributed to projected grid rate hikes of up to 20%. The table below summarizes key energy and policy data:

Year	U.S. Data Center Energy Use (% of Total)	Projected Utility Price Hike	California Legislative Action
2023	4.4%	-	SB 57 introduced
2025	6.7–12% (proj. 2028)	Up to 20% (Mid-Atlantic)	SB 57 passed CA Senate (25-9)

To learn more about the legislative response and its wider implications, see the California Senate's SB 57 legislation overview, insights on data center regulation and grid impact from CalMatters, and how California is balancing innovation with resource protection in the AI era.

The California State University system has taken a bold step into the AI age, making headlines with its systemwide deployment of ChatGPT Edu for over 500,000 students, staff, and faculty, including every learner at Cal State San Bernardino.

With rollout for CSUSB students starting April 14, 2025, and faculty enjoying access since late March, this initiative cements CSU as the nation's largest public university system to offer free, institutionally protected access to advanced generative AI. ChatGPT Edu leverages OpenAI's GPT-4o model, delivering fast, multilingual support across more than 50 languages, robust data privacy, and the ability for users to build custom AI assistants.

As noted by the CSUSB Faculty Center for Excellence, data from campus users remains private and excluded from OpenAI's training pipelines, addressing central concerns about student equity and content security.

The integration aligns with CSU's broader commitment to close technology opportunity gaps while preparing graduates for a job market where AI fluency is increasingly essential - a vision echoed by CSUSB's Center for Cyber and AI, where director Vincent Nestler observes,

“AI is not going to replace humans, but humans using AI will replace those who don't.”

Student and faculty perspectives highlight both promise and challenge: some embrace the efficiencies and career potential, while others urge thoughtful guidance to ensure AI supports, rather than supplants, core educational values (see on-the-ground faculty and student reactions).

With support from tech giants and state leadership, CSUSB now stands at the forefront of making AI a productive, ethical companion in every classroom.

Governor Gavin Newsom's ambitious drive to bring generative AI into California's state government - touted as a first-in-the-nation leap for public service efficiency - has prompted both praise and sharp criticism.

While Newsom's executive order has launched projects to accelerate bill analysis, relieve highway congestion, and enhance customer service, oversight efforts lag behind the statewide technological rollout.

A recent report revealed 200 agencies claimed no use of high-risk automated systems, baffling experts given documented use of algorithms that affect unemployment benefits and criminal justice decisions - a contradiction strong enough that one analyst remarked,

“There's no way those two things can be true… They're talking out of both sides of their mouth here.”

Meanwhile, in response to business concerns and after Newsom's intervention, California's privacy watchdog scaled back initial sweeping rules on AI, dropping requirements for most behavioral advertising and narrowing the scope of “automated decisionmaking” - changes that reduce compliance costs for businesses by over $600 million but, according to advocates, may undercut meaningful oversight (California regulator weakens AI rules, giving Big Tech more leeway to track users).

Newsom's approach aims to safeguard innovation while expanding AI applications in state agencies, yet critics warn that weak reporting standards and muddled definitions of “high-risk” AI leave Californians vulnerable and transparency lacking (State claims there's zero high-risk AI in California government).

As lawmakers and privacy advocates debate a patchwork of new tech laws and federal preemption risks, the state's evolving AI landscape reflects broader challenges of balancing innovation with accountability (California lawmakers push back on federal AI regulation ban).

San Bernardino County is making headlines with the remarkable achievements of Alisa Perales, a 10-year-old prodigy set to become the youngest graduate in Crafton Hills College's history.

Having started her college journey at age 8, Alisa will receive two associate degrees, boasting a near-perfect GPA, and has set her sights on advancing to Stanford University to pursue a path in artificial intelligence and space technology.

Her early love for learning started with reading at age two and algebra at five - a journey encouraged by her father through intensive homeschooling. Alisa's story has inspired her community not only with her academic strengths but also with her initiative, such as using her political science coursework to file a federal lawsuit advocating for youth voting rights.

“It's very fun to me. It's almost as fun as playing outside or riding a bike or doing whatever. I just enjoy learning. There are so many interesting things out there,” said Alisa, highlighting her genuine passion for discovery and innovation.

For a detailed feature, visit the New York Post profile of Alisa Perales.

Learn more about her educational journey in the ABC7 coverage of San Bernardino's youngest-ever graduate.

For further background and inspiring educator quotes, check the original interview highlighting Alisa's future plans in artificial intelligence.

Her trailblazing accomplishments reflect the dynamic ambition fueling San Bernardino's place in California's rapidly evolving tech ecosystem.

San Bernardino hospitals are stepping into a new era of patient care through a partnership between digital health leader Equiva and AI-driven patient engagement platform Belong.Life.

This collaboration brings validated conversational AI mentors - such as Dave, the highly-praised oncology specialist, and Fred, a health and weight management expert - directly to patients at the bedside and in their homes via Equiva's digital health platforms.

These AI mentors empower patients to ask real-time health questions, translate complex medical documents, prepare for appointments, and receive emotional and behavioral support, all without needing to download additional apps.

As Belong.Life CEO Eliran Malki put it,

“By integrating Dave and Fred into Equiva's widely deployed platform, we are putting powerful, intelligent, and compassionate support in the hands of patients exactly when and where they need it. This partnership supports our mission to humanise digital healthcare experiences and to provide scalable, smart solutions that bridge the gap between patients and their care teams.”

The technology is backed by years of patient-provider insight and billions of data points, aimed at reducing information gaps and streamlining clinical workflows.

The impact is reflected by positive endorsements from healthcare professionals and users alike: “Dave can accurately address patients' questions in an empathic, compassionate, and reliable way… and reduce the pressure on an already busy and overwhelmed medical staff,” notes Dr. Daniel Vorobiof, Chief Medical Director at Belong.Life.

The partnership not only promises high-value engagement but showcases how local hospitals are at the forefront of AI-driven healthcare transformation. For more details, read the official announcement on how Equiva and Belong.Life bring AI mentors to healthcare providers, learn about the innovative features of Belong's AI health mentors, and see how Belong launched the world's first AI oncology mentor to revolutionize patient support.

Feature	Description
Dave (Oncology Mentor)	First real-time AI oncology mentor; tested by 10,000+ cancer patients; provides 24/7 personalized, empathetic answers.
Fred (Health & Weight Mentor)	24/7 support for weight loss and wellbeing; gives nutritional advice, lifestyle tips, and curated support.
Integration	Accessible on hospital bedside tablets and mobile devices at home; no additional downloads required.

San Bernardino's banking landscape is set for a major transformation as California Coast Credit Union (Cal Coast) and San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) announce plans to merge, creating a $13.5 billion financial powerhouse that will operate 65 branches across Southern California - making it the fourth-largest credit union in California and the 16th-largest nationwide.

Residents in San Bernardino and neighboring counties will soon benefit from expanded access to financial tools, modern digital services, and a commitment to financial literacy and community initiatives.

With over 1,400 employees, no branch closures, and a continued focus on innovation, both credit unions emphasize their dedication to a seamless member experience and job retention.

As both organizations combine their resources, the merger promises “expanded branches and ATMs, plus a stronger, more resilient organization that is ready and able to embrace the evolving financial services landscape,” according to SDCCU President and CEO Teresa Campbell.

For a look at the merger's scale and upcoming integration, see the table below:

Credit Union	Members	2024 Earnings	Branches	Employees	Combined Assets
SDCCU	~428,000	$65.8 million	39	~1,000	$13.5 billion
California Coast CU	207,000	$21.8 million	27	~400

“This merger creates a partnership between two large service-oriented and financially strong credit unions with deep, rich histories throughout Southern California,” said Campbell. “Additionally, no jobs will be lost as a result of the merger as both organizations are committed to retaining talent and providing opportunity for growth.”

Learn more in the official merger announcement from California Coast Credit Union, the press release by San Diego County Credit Union, and the latest coverage on how this move will reshape the region's financial landscape.

Beginning June 1, 2025, WhatsApp will discontinue support for several older devices, including iPhones running versions earlier than iOS 15.1 and Android phones on versions below Android 5.1, impacting models such as the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S3, and Sony Xperia Z. This move, designed to enhance security and introduce new features reliant on recent operating system APIs, follows a notice period that enabled users to prepare and back up their chats.

Importantly, devices like the iPhone 6s and SE (1st gen), which support iOS 15.8.4, remain unaffected for now. As WhatsApp serves over 3 billion users but only about 5% of iPhones still run iOS 15 or earlier, the practical impact is limited in much of the U.S., though areas with slower upgrade rates may notice more disruption.

For those affected, experts recommend upgrading devices, exploring alternatives like Telegram or Signal, and ensuring chat data is safely backed up via iCloud or Google Drive.

As one Reddit forum user remarked,

“Telegram still supports iOS 12 on iPhone 6 and gets recent updates,”

highlighting alternatives for older hardware.

The following table provides a quick reference to affected models:

iPhones Losing Support	Android Devices Losing Support
iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus	Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, HTC One X, Sony Xperia Z, Xperia Z1, LG G2, and any device on Android 5.0 or earlier

For more details on the affected devices and steps to transition, read the comprehensive update guide from The Times of India WhatsApp support discontinuation article, regional insights from 9to5Mac's report on WhatsApp dropping support for older iPhones, and user commentary at MacRumors forum discussion on WhatsApp iPhone support changes.

This month, Silicon Valley witnessed an unusual - and concerning - intersection of technology, public infrastructure, and cybersecurity as crosswalks across Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City were hacked to play AI-generated voices imitating Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

Originally designed to aid visually impaired pedestrians, the hacked crosswalk buttons replaced essential safety guidance with mocking, sometimes personal messages from deepfaked tech moguls, including lines like, "You know, they say money can't buy happiness… but it can buy a Cybertruck, and that's pretty sick, right? F***, I'm so alone," and Zuckerberg references to “undermining democracy” and AI intruding on daily life reported by Business Insider.

City officials quickly disabled the voice features and are investigating the breach, which exploited outdated software and potentially default device passwords - a known vulnerability in accessible pedestrian signals as detailed by TechCrunch.

While many found the prank humorous on social media, advocacy groups emphasized its serious impact: “Swapping safety for Elon Musk's voice isn't clever – it's a reminder of how easy it is to break accessibility when you're not thinking about who really depends on it,” said blind tech professional Jessie Lorenz.

“Disabling voice announcements even temporarily endangers blind pedestrians' safety and violates civil rights,”

reminds the Legal Aid Society, highlighting the deep civil rights implications explained in LF Legal.

These events underscore both the promise and the peril of smart city technologies - showcasing not just California's tech-forward infrastructure, but its growing need for stronger cybersecurity safeguards to protect the most vulnerable users.

The latest 2025 tech city rankings reveal a rapidly evolving landscape, with California still holding a commanding lead - but new competition is heating up nationwide.

San Francisco remains a powerhouse with the highest innovation and entrepreneurship scores and a robust startup ecosystem, while Los Angeles and San Jose continue to offer some of the nation's top IT salaries.

However, cities like Austin, Raleigh-Durham, and Atlanta are closing the gap with fast-paced job growth, rising venture capital, and thriving university-driven talent pipelines.

Notably, Austin secured over $5 billion in venture funding in 2024 alone, and Raleigh features more than 2,000 tech companies and one of the fastest-growing broadband infrastructures in the country.

Rank	City	Key Strength	Notable Data
1	New York City, NY	Talent & Startups	204,000+ IT jobs, 9,000+ startups
3	San Francisco, CA	Innovation	79 unicorns, 16,000+ tech companies
6	Raleigh, NC	Internet & Growth	2,000+ tech enterprises, 288 Mbps broadband
7	Austin, TX	Startup Funding	$5B+ VC funding (2024), 5,775 tech companies
10	Frisco, TX	Livability & Salaries	$95,516 avg IT salary, low crime

As summarized in a comprehensive 2025 tech innovation report, newcomers like Denver and Pittsburgh are redefining their legacies with clean tech and AI, while business-friendly tax climates in Texas and North Carolina lure established firms and startups alike.

Despite cost-of-living pressures, California's robust tech talent pool and massive share of U.S. venture funding keep it atop the national charts as described in studies like Workwell Global's Best States for Business 2025.

Yet, “there's a critical need for professionals to align their goals with the right markets. For aspiring tech talent, DC offers unparalleled entry-level tech jobs, while cities like San Jose offer top-tier salaries,”

- Ryan MacDonald, Chief Technology Officer at Liquid Web

reinforcing the advice from Liquid Web's latest industry analysis.

For San Bernardino and all of California, the challenge lies in leveraging their historical edge as new rivals rise swiftly, driven by diverse industries, fresh investment, and a nationwide competition for digital talent.

In San Bernardino, the drive to use AI for community good continues to accelerate, with powerful local partnerships transforming both patient care and regional outreach.

The launch of the Viz Oncology Suite by Viz.ai exemplifies how advanced, data-driven platforms are streamlining oncology workflows, making it easier to identify high-risk patients and connect them with timely, lifesaving treatments.

At the grassroots level, county programs such as the Healthy Communities Initiative foster collaboration among public agencies, schools, and nonprofits to create environments that support health and equity for over two million residents - through technical assistance, policy recommendations, and local coalition-building.

Further, educational alliances are preparing the region's workforce for an AI-powered future: the recent 2025 PROPEL AI Symposium at Cal State San Bernardino convened leaders from education, health, and industry to explore AI's impact on student success, digital equity, and economic mobility.

As local health leaders emphasize, building trust and fairness into AI tools is vital; as one expert put it,

“Historically in times of technology advancements, health care disparity gaps have widened. AI runs the same risk, but it has a much greater opportunity to avoid further exacerbating the disparities among populations. We have a chance to introduce culturally competent care and to understand the determinants that affect the outcomes.”

Through these intertwined initiatives, San Bernardino demonstrates how AI - when anchored in partnership and responsible innovation - can equitably expand patient support and strengthen community wellbeing.

San Bernardino's tech landscape in May 2025 illustrates how local strategies and ambition resonate with - and sometimes set the tone for - the greater California innovation ecosystem.

While the county drives economic growth by fostering entrepreneurship across electric mobility, space technology, and winemaking, it's also pioneering resilience through initiatives such as a $3 million nonprofit revolving loan fund, supporting critical services in the face of fiscal uncertainty with flexible, community-focused finance.

Meanwhile, statewide shifts - such as new tax limitations on R&D credits and NOL deductions - are poised to impact tech businesses' bottom lines, prompting careful navigation and adaptation for firms rooted in San Bernardino and beyond; expert advisors strongly recommend proactive planning in light of these 2025 policy changes according to the latest analysis.

Simultaneously, California's participation in high-profile international economic summits highlights the region's enduring global appeal and shows San Bernardino's inclusion in the state's largest-ever foreign investment delegation, underscoring its status as a hub for both innovation and opportunity.

As the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development observes,

“California is incredibly proud to be the number one U.S. state for jobs supported by foreign owned companies - with more than 814,000 jobs and $89 billion in total wages supported from foreign investment”

as detailed in recent investment reports.

These threads - diverse business growth, community investment, and global economic ties - show how San Bernardino is not just keeping pace with California's fast-moving tech sector but actively shaping its future.