Things To Do In SW Florida

By MATT O’BRIEN, AP Technology Writer

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal President Joe Biden’s signature artificial intelligence policy when he returns to the White House for a second term.

What that actually means for the future of AI technology remains to be seen. Among those who could use some clarity are the government scientists and AI experts from multiple countries gathering in San Francisco this week to deliberate on AI safety measures.

Hosted by the Biden administration, officials from a number of U.S. allies — among them Canada, Kenya, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the 27-nation European Union — are scheduled to begin meeting Wednesday in the California city that’s a commercial hub for AI development.

Their agenda addresses topics such as how to better detect and combat a flood of AI-generated deepfakes fueling fraud, harmful impersonation and sexual abuse.

It’s the first such meeting since world leaders agreed at an AI summit in South Korea in May to build a network of publicly backed safety institutes to advance research and testing of the technology. read more

Florida condo owners won’t get any relief from potentially crushing association fees for future building repairs before the end of the year, Republican legislative leaders said this week.

By Dec. 31, many condominium associations must complete a reserve study to budget for those future repairs as part of condo reforms lawmakers passed to prevent another Surfside tragedy.

With that looming deadline, the governor said in recent months that he wanted lawmakers to address it before the end of the year to keep constituents from being “forced out” of their condominium who are facing steep repair costs. It now appears that’s not going to happen.

DeSantis has power to call lawmakers into session but hasn’t done it for this issue and his office has not said when it plans to address condo reforms or how. Republican legislative leaders Tuesday said the issue should wait until March, when the legislative session begins.

Sen. Nick DiCeglie, a St. Petersburg Republican who attended with some of his constituents a roundtable in Pinellas Park in September with the governor over the impending condominium fees, said he would be “very supportive” of dealing with the problem before the end of the year. read more

Orlando-based Falcon’s Beyond Global, an attractions master planner and producer, has positioned itself to operate Oceaneering Entertainment Systems, an Orlando-based designer of ride systems.

Letters of intent with the companies and a major Falcon’s investor were announced Tuesday.

“We’re so thrilled to fuse the amazing OES engineering legacy and competency with our extensive themed entertainment place making the capabilities and technologies at Falcon’s,” said Cecil D. Magpuri, Falcon’s CEO, during a news conference at IAAPA Expo. The company used a talk-show format for the announcement and other updates from the exhibit floor at Orange County Convention Center.

Falcon’s is a worldwide attractions planner, ride inventor and producer of animation, movies and gaming.  Oceaneering Entertainment, referred to as OES, is currently part of Houston-based Oceaneering International, a provider of engineered products and services.

IAAPA Expo: SeaWorld teaming with Mack Rides for flying theater read more

Twist-N-Shout spinning coaster in the Rides-4-U, Inc. booth at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Animatronic dragon in the Dinoscapes booth at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Mini Dance Party 360º family ride in the SBF Visa Group booth during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

The entrance to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Outdoor exhibits during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) read more

All AdventHealth and Orlando Health legacy hospitals received A grades in the latest hospital safety ratings released biannually by the independent nonprofit Leapfrog Group.

The eight AdventHealth hospitals in Central Florida and six Orlando Health legacy hospitals received the highest rankings available. The grades are based on factors including prevention of medical errors, infections and injuries.

“Patient safety is at the core of our mission at AdventHealth. I’m proud the commitment to excellence is embedded across all our hospitals in Central Florida,” Brian Adams, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division, said in a statement. “To once again be recognized by The Leapfrog Group speaks to our team members’ devotion and skill in providing whole-person care.”

The ratings mark the 13th consecutive A grades for Orlando Health South Lake and the seventh consecutive A grades for Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center and Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips. read more