This Week's Latest Tech News in Berkeley, CA - Sunday April 6th 2025 Edition

Berkeley's tech scene is hitting new milestones this week with major developments in AI and policy. The Technology Competitiveness and Industrial Policy Center (TCIP) launched a fresh initiative for policy proposals, focusing on bridging the gap between research innovation and production.

The center, founded by former TSMC executive Mark Liu, is tackling everything from supply chain reliability to workforce development. In a surprising twist, UC Berkeley's research teams are making waves with a breakthrough in computer vision and robotics, achieving a 95% employment rate for tech graduates with starting salaries over $225K. The latest excitement comes from the upcoming AI Policy Research Symposium, featuring former Wired editor-in-chief Gideon Lichfield, where experts will tackle cryptography for AI auditing and user-driven privacy techniques.

With UC Berkeley's $1.2 billion R&D budget powering over 400 startups this year, the city's tech ecosystem is transforming from an academic powerhouse into a full-blown innovation hub.

The convergence of policy initiatives, breakthrough research, and startup activity is reshaping Berkeley's tech landscape, setting new standards for how cities can balance innovation with responsible development.

The Technology Competitiveness and Industrial Policy Center (TCIP) at UC Berkeley has launched its first-ever call for policy study proposals, marking a major step in strengthening U.S. tech leadership.

Founded by Joseph Davis, former executive chairman of TSMC and UC Berkeley alumnus, TCIP aims to tackle the disconnect between American innovation and production capabilities.

The center, which officially launched in February 2025, is focusing on critical areas including taxation, trade policy, workforce development, and regulatory frameworks.

Under the guidance of Faculty Director S. Shankar Sastry, the center seeks to bridge the gap between upstream research and downstream manufacturing of high-tech products.

The policy study initiative welcomes proposals until April 30th, 2025, with particular emphasis on supply chain resilience and manufacturing scale-up strategies.

The program aims to deliver practical policy recommendations based on historical lessons, case studies, and economic analysis, supporting data-driven decisions that can strengthen American technological competitiveness.

TCIP's non-partisan approach brings together experts from academia, industry, and think tanks to develop comprehensive solutions for maintaining U.S. global leadership in advanced technology development and manufacturing.

In a landmark legal battle, RealPage has filed suit against Berkeley over the city's ban on rental pricing algorithms, set to take effect April 24, 2025.

The ordinance prohibits landlords from using algorithmic software to set rent prices, which city officials argue leads to market collusion and increased housing costs.

RealPage's lawsuit claims the ban violates First Amendment rights, characterizing it as an unconstitutional restriction on lawful speech in the form of pricing recommendations.

The company's CEO Christopher Rodriguez emphasizes that their software users maintain complete discretion, accepting recommendations less than 50% of the time.

This case gains additional significance as the Department of Justice has filed separate antitrust allegations against RealPage, claiming their algorithm enables cartel-like price coordination among landlords.

The controversy extends beyond Berkeley, with similar bans enacted in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis. RealPage argues the ordinance scapegoats technology instead of addressing the real issue of housing supply shortages, while the city maintains the software has contributed to double-digit rent increases and higher vacancy rates.

The ordinance imposes fines up to $1,000 per violation, though implementation remains pending due to the legal challenge. This case represents a crucial moment in the intersection of technology regulation and constitutional rights, potentially setting precedents for how cities can govern algorithmic pricing tools in the housing market.

Berkeley undergraduate Ashmita Kumar is revolutionizing stroke detection through Code Blue, a startup born from personal experience after her grandfather's stroke and her father's health scare.

The innovation uses everyday devices like smartphones and computers to monitor for early stroke signs, analyzing speech patterns and facial expressions every 30 seconds.

In a country where someone dies from a stroke every three minutes and over 795,000 strokes occur annually, Kumar's solution couldn't be more timely. The technology alerts users and emergency services when stroke indicators are detected, while maintaining privacy by not storing analyzed data.

Currently, Code Blue is undergoing pilot testing at UC San Francisco with five patients, with plans to expand to 100 participants. The startup has already gained significant recognition through various UC Berkeley programs, including winning the Blum Center's Big Ideas Contest.

Kumar is now competing for the ACC InVenture Prize at the University of Notre Dame, where she could win $30,000 in funding.

The competition will be broadcast live on KQED, showcasing how this Berkeley-born innovation could transform stroke care by enabling swift intervention during those crucial early moments when every second counts.

UC Berkeley engineers have created a revolutionary bumblebee-inspired flying robot that's breaking records as the world's smallest wireless flying device.

Coming in at just 21 milligrams and less than a centimeter in diameter, this tiny powerhouse can hover, change directions, and hit specific targets with impressive accuracy.

Unlike typical drones, this robot uses a clever magnetic field system for power, eliminating the need for batteries or onboard electronics.

The device works by using two small magnets that interact with an external magnetic field, spinning like a mini propeller to generate lift. This innovative approach makes it three times smaller than the next closest competitor, which measures 2.8 cm in diameter.

While the current version follows pre-planned paths and struggles with strong winds, the research team is already working on adding active control capabilities.

According to Professor Linda Lopez's latest research, future versions could be even smaller — potentially under 1 mm — and might operate using weaker magnetic fields like radio waves.

The applications for this technology are huge, from artificial pollination to searching tight spaces during rescue operations. The team's next big challenge? Adding sensors for real-time adjustments and developing swarm capabilities for tackling complex tasks together.

Cal's sharpshooter Ioanna Krimili struggled in her appearance at the 2025 State Farm College 3-Point Championship, scoring 11 points in the first round and placing sixth among competitors.

Despite the disappointing performance in San Antonio, Krimili's legacy in college basketball remains impressive. Her career total of 434 three-pointers ranks ninth on the NCAA's all-time list, making her the active leader in career games with at least five made 3-pointers (28).

This season, she drained 97 threes, setting Cal's single-season record and ranking 10th on the ACC's all-time list. She made at least one three-pointer in all but two games this season, demonstrating remarkable consistency.

Beyond the numbers, Krimili's journey from Greece to becoming one of only six players in college women's basketball history to surpass both 400 three-pointers and 2,500 career points showcases her exceptional talent.

While the championship contest didn't go as planned, with Alyssa Durazo-Frescas from Grand Canyon claiming the title with 23 points in the final round, Krimili's impact on the sport and her place in collegiate basketball history is secured.

Her achievements have helped elevate the women's game and inspired a new generation of shooters.

In a groundbreaking development, Kinaxis and Georgia Tech's AI4OPT have announced a co-innovation partnership that promises to revolutionize supply chain orchestration through scalable AI solutions.

The collaboration leverages Kinaxis's Maestro™ platform, which combines AI-infused supply chain orchestration with real-time transparency for enhanced decision-making capabilities.

The partnership focuses on bridging the gap between academic research and industry needs, addressing critical challenges from tariffs to extreme weather events.

According to Dr. Pascal Van Hentenryck, Director of AI4OPT, the fusion of machine learning and optimization could bring a dramatic improvement in supply chain management capabilities.

The implementation includes intuitive learning interfaces, automated data cleansing, and enhanced demand forecasting, enabling teams to focus on strategic tasks while maintaining high accuracy in operations.

The system serves major clients across various industries, including Unilever, P&G, Ford, and Lockheed Martin, demonstrating its versatility and reliability in real-world applications.

• Joint research projects - Collaborative efforts between academia and industry are crucial for driving continuous innovation and knowledge transfer.
• Guest lectures - Academia benefits from direct insights from industry experts which helps shape the educational curriculum to meet industry standards.
• Student internships - Opportunities for students to gain practical experience, preparing them for future careers.

The partnership represents a significant step forward in creating more resilient and efficient supply chains, with AI technology serving as the cornerstone for next-generation supply chain management systems.

In a groundbreaking advancement for medical technology, UC Berkeley and UCSF researchers have developed a brain-to-voice neuroprosthesis that enables real-time speech for paralyzed individuals.

The system has significantly reduced the previous 8-second delay to near-instantaneous output, allowing for continuous, natural conversation. Through innovative AI technology, the interface decodes brain signals at an impressive rate of 80 words per minute, a dramatic improvement from earlier systems.

The breakthrough involves a paper-thin implant containing 253 electrodes that capture neural signals from the brain's motor cortex, transforming them into audible speech using advanced artificial intelligence.

A notable success story involves Ann, a stroke survivor who regained her ability to communicate after 18 years of silence.

The system not only reproduces speech but also synthesizes the user's original voice and facial expressions through a digital avatar, creating a more personal and engaging communication experience.

Led by UCSF neurosurgeon Edward Chang, the team utilized machine learning optimization techniques to map brain signals to discrete speech units, achieving unprecedented accuracy in decoding intended speech.

The technology shows promise for wider application in treating various forms of paralysis and speech disorders, with clinical trials ongoing.

With support from multiple research institutions and funding agencies, including the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, this transformative technology is moving rapidly toward practical implementation, offering hope to millions affected by severe paralysis or speech impairments.

The Technology Competitiveness and Industrial Policy Center (TCIP) at UC Berkeley is revolutionizing tech policy research in 2025 through its groundbreaking initiatives.

Led by former TSMC executive chairman Mark Liu, the center focuses on enhancing American competitiveness in advanced technology, particularly in areas like AI and semiconductor manufacturing.

A significant aspect of their approach includes quarterly workshops and public forums that bring together diverse stakeholders, from local tech entrepreneurs to policy experts.

These sessions have attracted over 500 participants since the program's launch, creating a dynamic environment for policy dialogue and innovation. The center's work has become increasingly crucial as new federal initiatives reshape science agency priorities, particularly in areas of basic research and technology deployment.

Looking ahead, TCIP is addressing the growing need to bridge the gap between research and manufacturing, with Liu noting that "globalization has decoupled upstream research from downstream manufacturing of high-technology products." This challenge is being tackled through innovative federal research partnerships and updated compliance frameworks that align with the latest federal guidelines.

• TCIP's workshops and forums have attracted over 500 participants, fostering dynamic policy dialogue.
• New federal initiatives are reshaping priorities, making the center's work increasingly crucial.
• Efforts to bridge the gap between research and manufacturing are underway through federal partnerships.

The center's efforts are already showing impact, with a 60% increase in community engagement since 2024 and growing participation from tech industry leaders who are helping to test and refine policy proposals.

Under the leadership of Faculty Director S. Shankar Sastry and Dean Tsu-Jae King Liu, TCIP is positioned to establish Berkeley as a premier hub for tech policy innovation, focusing on practical solutions that enhance both economic prosperity and national security through advanced technology development.

The tech world is buzzing as RealPage challenges Berkeley's ban on rental algorithms in a groundbreaking lawsuit filed on April 3, 2025.

The ordinance, which passed with an 8-1 vote, sparked intense debate among Berkeley residents and businesses. While RealPage CEO Linda Martin argues the focus should be on addressing housing supply issues, the company claims the ordinance violates First Amendment rights, describing it as an unconstitutional ban on lawful speech.

The Department of Justice has already filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, alleging their software enables landlords to share sensitive pricing information, potentially decreasing market competition.

Local business owners express concern about compliance costs, while tenant advocates support the ban, citing concerns about algorithmic price fixing. The ordinance, set to take effect on April 24, 2025, includes fines up to $1,000 per violation.

RealPage maintains that their software provides recommendations based on property-specific objectives, with landlords retaining full discretion over pricing decisions.

As similar bans emerge in cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia, Berkeley's case could set a precedent for how cities regulate AI-driven pricing technologies in the housing market.

The community remains divided, with upcoming city council meetings expected to address proposed amendments to the ordinance, highlighting the challenge of balancing technological innovation with consumer protection.

As Code Blue looks ahead following its remarkable performance at the 2025 InVenture Prize, the startup is revolutionizing stroke detection through AI-powered technology.

Founded by Thomas Williams at UC Berkeley, Code Blue secured top honors by developing a system that utilizes smartphone cameras and microphones to analyze facial expressions and speech patterns for early stroke detection.

The startup has garnered attention for its innovative approach, particularly its focus on privacy-conscious design that processes data without storing analyzed images or sounds.

According to industry projections, the AI sector is expected to reach $243.7 billion in 2025, with healthcare applications leading growth.

This aligns with Code Blue's trajectory as they partner with UCSF for an upcoming pilot program, integrating their tech into existing healthcare frameworks.

The startup's rapid progress mirrors broader trends in AI healthcare innovation.

Recent healthcare data shows that 48% of doctors reported burnout symptoms in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for AI solutions that can assist with rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Code Blue's technology addresses this challenge by providing instant analysis and emergency service alerts, potentially saving crucial minutes in stroke response time.

Their commitment to developing privacy-first solutions while maintaining clinical effectiveness has positioned them as a leader in the next generation of medical AI applications.

Looking ahead, Code Blue aims to expand their AI capabilities while maintaining their commitment to ethical AI deployment.

The company's approach aligns with growing industry awareness of responsible AI development, balancing innovation with privacy concerns. As more healthcare providers seek AI-driven solutions to enhance patient care and reduce physician workload, Code Blue's platform stands ready to meet this expanding market need while prioritizing user privacy and clinical effectiveness.

Berkeley's innovation ecosystem continues to evolve with remarkable momentum in 2025. The 2025 ClimateCAP Summit at Berkeley Haas brought together over 500 attendees, including 359 MBA students from 43 schools, demonstrating the city's commitment to sustainability leadership.

The newly established Technology Competitiveness and Industrial Policy Center is actively working to enhance U.S. technology development and manufacturing capabilities, with proposals due by April 30.

The city council's recent support for startups is evident through the unanimous vote to update zoning regulations, allowing over-the-counter approvals for R&D uses under 20,000 square feet in key commercial areas.

This change has made Berkeley even more attractive to early-stage tech companies, particularly in clean technology and biotech sectors. The innovation landscape is further enriched by UC Berkeley's strategic initiatives in resilience education, with new courses focusing on technology innovation and entrepreneurship.

Local startups are benefiting from expanded tax waiver opportunities and improved infrastructure, while established tech companies continue to leverage Berkeley's robust research capabilities and talent pool.

The ecosystem's strength lies in its integrated approach, combining academic excellence, policy innovation, and practical business support, positioning Berkeley as a leading force in technological advancement and sustainable development.