Q&A: University of Houston expert dives into artificial intelligence in the classroom
Generative artificial intelligence has been making its way into many sectors across the U.S., and education is no exception. Since its release in 2022, generative AI tools like ChatGPT have given students access to technology that can complete tasks and assignments with a simple prompt, blurring the lines of academic integrity and sparking discussions on AI’s place in the classroom.
Community Impact spoke with Meng Li, founder and director of the Bauer Human-Centered AI Institute and Endowed C.T. Bauer Chair of AI at C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, to discuss the role of AI in academia.
Katy Triathlon, Boots and Brews: 8 events to attend in the Katy area through Sept. 13
There is plenty to do during August and September in Katy and Fulshear, including attending farmers’ markets and concerts. This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.
Katy Community Expo The event will merge the expo and the Katy Home & Outdoor Living Show featuring over 175 vendors.
Aug. 23-24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday), 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sunday)
6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy
Katy Triathlon The triathlon challenges participants with a 500 meter open water swim, 13 mile bike ride and 3 mile run.
Aug. 31, 6:45 a.m.
24566 Kingsland Blvd., Katy
Children's Entrepreneurs Market Kids run this farmers market at The Dryer by preparing food, engaging with customers, answering questions and handling money without any help from their parents.
Sept. 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
5339 E. 3rd St., Katy
Boots and Brews The official kick-off to the Katy Rice Harvest Festival will have live music, food, drinks and more.
Elyson community announces new park, racetrack for children
Elyson, a master-planned community in Katy, has announced plans for a new park geared for ages 2 to 7 near Katy Hockley Cut-Off Road.
The big picture: Speedway Park will feature a 400-foot racetrack for children, featuring a rubberized surface to reduce the Texas heat and prevent serious injuries, according to a news release from Elyson.
According to its website, the park will also offer:
Climbing areas
Swing sets
Green area
Notable quote: “We wanted Speedway Park to be a place where kids of all ages would be very excited to enjoy their free time,” said Heather Gustafson, marketing director for Brookfield Residential, Elyson’s developer.
Fort Bend County survey shows families continue to experience unmet health needs
New data from Fort Bend County Health & Human Services announced as part of the county’s Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan found area families are struggling to meet healthcare needs, with disparities across demographic groups.
Zooming in: The research, conducted in partnership with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and Rice University’s Kinder Institute, will “serve as a vital resource for Fort Bend County stakeholders, residents and cross sector community partners,” according to an Aug. 6 news release.
By the numbers: Residents self-reported generally positive physical and mental health, with only 11% and 13% rating it as “poor or fair,” respectively, data shows. However, 56% of residents reported having a chronic medical condition, with hypertension and high cholesterol being most common.
Only 12% of residents reported having no health insurance, data shows. Of those residents, young adults and Hispanics were most likely to be uncovered, at 22% and 23%, respectively.
Diving in deeper: Additionally, the study found that 73% of residents live in households with high or marginal food security, data shows.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
After a divine vision and a lifetime of inspiration from her entrepreneurial parents, Gloria Taylor traded real estate for the restaurant kitchen to openApple-licious Bakery Bistro, a soul food spot built on faith, family and second chances.
At Apple-licious Bakery Bistro customers can find honey crisp and granny smith flavored pastries from cheesecakes to pies and 20 different gourmet candy apples as well as breakfast tacos, apple wood smoked pulled pork, quiches, sandwiches, soups and salads.
Local Houston restaurant group Goode Company opens new bar in River Oaks (Read More)
Nourish Cafe is a ‘hidden gem’ within a wellness hub in Conroe (Read More)
New sushi restaurant opening in Manvel Town Center (Read More)
New Mexican-inspired restaurant with large, covered patio opening in Kemah (Read More)
ShanShan Su opened Mimi Garden TX in December to offer a comforting taste of home and to share the authentic art of Chinese dumpling making in The Woodlands. Rooted in his heritage, the restaurant embraces culinary creativity with handcrafted dumpling and bao dishes, he said.
“In Chinese, ‘mimi’ means secret. Our restaurant is nestled in the woods, like a hidden garden waiting to be found; a peaceful retreat where comfort, flavor, and quiet joy come together; a secret worth sharing,” Su said.
Texas House approves youth camp safety, flood relief bills following Central Texas flooding
What's happening: House lawmakers approved six bills Aug. 21, all of which were drafted in response to the July 4-5 floods that killed at least 137 people in Central and West Texas.
Lawmakers said the bills were designed to mitigate the damage of future floods by requiring youth summer camps to implement approved disaster plans, establishing licensing requirements for local emergency managers and facilitating the development of a statewide emergency communications plan.
What they're saying: “We have a chance now to right these wrongs, to say ‘Never again,’” Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said on the House floor.
Also of note: The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced the organization will invest $40 million into a housing fund for victims of the July 4 flooding.
At an Aug. 21 press conference in Kerrville, Gov. Greg Abbott said the nonprofit’s housing fund will help affected Texans receive new housing within months.
