Daily Business Report: June 25, 2026
A Charter School Spent $500,000 on AI-Powered Humanoid Robots. Was It Worth It?
By Jakob McWhinney | Voice of San Diego
In a strip mall in the sleepy San Diego neighborhood of Tierrasanta is one of the newest additions to San Diego’s education system.
It stands 6 foot 2 inches, with a dull gray silicone face. Under its bald, transparent skull, purple lights pulse. Its bright blue eyes blink and flit from side to side. Its brow scrunches and its lips purse, creating a disconcerting simulacrum of emotion. All the while, the exposed motors in its elbows and shoulders whirr.
Its name is Ameca, and it’s been touted by school officials as the “world’s most advanced AI-powered humanoid robot.” It’s one of two such ChatGPT-enabled robots purchased by local charter chain Altus Schools which, combined, cost them $500,000.
BY DEBORAH BRENNAN | CalMatters
In April, developers of the massive Imperial Data Center cleared a major hurdle after Imperial County Supervisors approved a plan to combine several tracts of land for the nearly one-million-square-foot facility in rural Southern California.
It would be the largest data center in the state; the parent company, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC describes it as a hyperscale facility, “designed exclusively for advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning operations.”
Last week, that progress came to a halt when the county board walked back its decision, declaring a 45-day moratorium on data centers and forming a public commission to advise the county on zoning policy for the facilities. Their reversal came after months of backlash, and a more than hour-long public hearing in which residents voiced sharp criticism of the sweeping project and its swift approval.
Free Educational Resources for Your Mid-Year Financial Review
by San Diego County Credit Union
San Diego County Credit Union® (SDCCU®), one of Southern California’s largest locally-owned financial institutions, is committed to helping educate the community by offering free financial education resources. Throughout July, SDCCU will present free weekly webinars aimed at educating the community on how to stay on track with their finances. Webinar topics include Making Home Equity Work, 10 Steps to Financial Freedom, Long-Term Care presented by OneAmerica, Mid-Year Financial Outlook presented by LPL Financial, and Achieving Money Milestones.
“The month of July is a great mid-year point to pause, review your financial progress, and make any necessary adjustments,” said Teresa Campbell, SDCCU president and CEO. “Through Financial Wellness Wednesdays, SDCCU is proud to provide free educational resources that empower the community to stay on track toward their financial goals.”
These webinars are part of Financial Wellness Wednesdays, an ongoing program hosted by SDCCU to help provide the community with access to free financial wellness information. Upcoming topics, dates, and times can be found at sdccu.com/fww.
