AGP Executive Report

Public Safety Tech: A new report details Flock Safety’s plan to turn ride-hail and delivery dashcams into a mobile license-plate tracking network across Georgia—raising fresh privacy concerns. Local Accountability: Savannah Police fired six employees after an internal review found 127 inappropriate searches tied to its Flock system, while a separate criminal probe continues. Health & Lab Safety: A Clayton County lawsuit alleges a Kaiser lab labeling mix-up led to an unnecessary hysterectomy after doctors reportedly diagnosed aggressive uterine cancer that wasn’t present. State Policy & Access: Georgia’s medical cannabis registry jumped more than 22% in a month after law changes, but officials say they’re struggling to process the surge. STEM & Research: UGA researchers report that social-media “status” drives travel choices for Millennials, while Gen Z shuns mainstream spots. Science in the Sky: The Perseid meteor shower peaks Aug. 12–13 with moonless viewing conditions. Education Outcomes: Georgia Milestones results show eighth-grade math proficiency slipping again in 2026 after years of gains.

Food Safety & Public Health: Georgia is watching a widening cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, now reported across 15 states with thousands of cases and hospitalizations; officials urge people to follow recall alerts and basic hygiene. Wildlife Conservation: Loggerhead sea turtle nesting in Georgia hit a 37-year high, topping 4,110 nests—another sign of a slow rebound for the threatened species. State Tech & Infrastructure: Georgia DOT moved surplus property auctions online to broaden access, with parcels ranging from tiny tracts to 17-acre sites. Elections & Systems: A Georgia committee is working toward a 2028 election overhaul focused on hand-marked paper ballots, after earlier deadlines around ballot QR codes. Privacy & Surveillance Tech: New reporting shows Flock Safety’s license plate readers are under growing scrutiny, including plans that could expand surveillance via rideshare/delivery partnerships, alongside local contract cancellations and misuse investigations. Research & Education: Georgia Research Alliance and UGA added two scientists to campus research programs, strengthening the state’s academic pipeline.

Surveillance Accountability: Savannah Police fired four sworn officers and two civilian staff after an internal probe into Flock Safety license plate reader misuse; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is also pursuing separate criminal cases, including claims of searches tied to personal acquaintances and unauthorized access by an outside agency. Privacy & Policy: ACLU of Rhode Island urged Cumberland to cancel its Flock contract after a federal lawsuit alleged a woman was wrongly arrested based on a camera image; the dispute adds to a growing wave of ALPR contract pullbacks. Research Hiring at UGA: The Georgia Research Alliance and UGA brought two new scientists to campus—Francisco Fernandez-Lima and Guo-Wei Wei—expanding the university’s research bench. Local Tech Economy: Fulton County rejected data center property tax reductions, arguing incentives would subsidize wealthy firms; the move highlights Georgia’s ongoing AI infrastructure push and backlash. Crypto & National Security: U.S. sanctions hit crypto exchanges and a network accused of laundering billions for Iran’s IRGC, naming a Georgia-based company tied to the alleged scheme. Healthcare Safety: An Atlanta-area woman sued Kaiser Permanente over a lab labeling mix-up she says led to an unneeded hysterectomy after a cancer misdiagnosis. Workforce Pipeline: Georgia Gwinnett College welcomed its largest-ever BSN cohort—47 nursing students—aimed at easing Georgia’s registered nurse shortage. AI Misuse Warning: A British woman whose photos were turned into sexual deepfakes called for stronger AI regulation after the case led to a prison sentence for the creator. Education Outcomes: Atlanta Public Schools celebrated state test gains, with district leaders citing improvements outpacing state averages in math, science, and social studies. Cyber-Physical Security: A Wisconsin case shows how a Flock alert left in the system led to a high-risk stop at gunpoint, underscoring operational mistakes can be as dangerous as tech failures.

Judicial Appointments: Gov. Brian Kemp named Charles B. “Brad” Dixon and Billy Joe Nelson Jr. to the Superior Court of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, plus Catherine A. Sumner as DA for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit and Justin R. Arnold to the State Court of Sumter County. Education & Testing: Georgia Milestones 2025-26 results show continued gains, with math, science, and social studies holding steady or improving and several math grade levels hitting all-time highs. Metro Atlanta Schools: Atlanta Public Schools celebrated faster-than-state improvement on state math, science, and social studies exams, with hundreds more students reaching proficient or higher in math than last year. Public Safety Tech Scrutiny: Savannah fired six employees over alleged misuse of Flock Safety license plate reader searches, with cases referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Healthcare & Lab Accuracy: A Georgia woman sued Kaiser Permanente after a pathology labeling mix-up allegedly led to an unnecessary hysterectomy for “aggressive” cancer. Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: Georgia’s data center boom is drawing backlash, while separate reporting highlights growing concerns about cyberattacks targeting water systems. Public Health: CDC reports more ER visits tied to heavy marijuana use, including cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Invasive Species Watch: UGA researchers are asking the public to help track the spread of the invasive yellow-legged hornet.

Georgia Tech & health workforce: UGA School of Medicine hosted the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce’s first FY27 meeting, with updates on the state’s health workforce data and new rule proposals headed for public comment. Public health & biotech: Atlanta-area clinician-researchers warn that Candida auris is again spreading, with CDC reporting cases across 27 states this year, and discuss why the drug-resistant fungus can hide in hair follicles until patients are vulnerable. Medical liability: An Atlanta-area woman sued Kaiser Permanente after a labeling mix-up allegedly led to an unnecessary hysterectomy, highlighting how lab errors can cascade into major care decisions. Cybersecurity & critical infrastructure: Federal and regional officials say cyberattacks have disrupted municipal water operations across at least a dozen states, including Georgia, with Clayton County reporting pressure drops and a boil-water advisory. Law enforcement tech scrutiny: Savannah fired six employees after an internal audit found misuse of a license plate reader system, with cases referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Wildlife rescue: Georgia DNR and partners freed an entangled manatee off the coast in the state’s first documented entanglement, using tracking and coordinated response. Education outcomes: Georgia Milestones results show record math gains and steady improvement in science and social studies, with ELA reporting delayed due to new standards alignment. AI in schools: A student-built national K-12 AI policy framework, “The STUDENTS FIRST Act,” calls for human judgment, opt-out rights, and protecting the learning process. Local innovation: Georgia Tech researchers reported restoring function in worn-out immune cells using beds of silicon nanowires. Aerospace education: Georgia Tech awarded a master’s in aerospace engineering to Garrett Beebe during its 270th commencement.

Georgia Tech & health: Georgia Tech researchers reported restoring function in worn-out immune cells using beds of silicon nanowires, aiming to “wake up” aging T cells without viral gene editing. Education outcomes: Georgia’s latest Milestones results show continued gains in math, science, and social studies, while eighth-grade math dipped slightly; the state is also rolling out a $70M early literacy overhaul built around the “Science of Reading.” AI in classrooms: A metro Atlanta opinion piece argues parents need to shape how kids use AI for homework and advice, warning that early AI relationships can affect identity and judgment. Public safety tech debate: Gainesville’s police chief said there’s no identified misuse of Flock Safety license-plate data, while broader concerns about ALPR surveillance keep growing. Local innovation ecosystem: Georgia Tech is spotlighting Atlanta’s startup and research scene via the Tech Square Tech Hop during ATL Tech Week. Wildlife rescue: Georgia DNR and partners rescued a manatee entangled in crab trap lines near St. Simons—Georgia’s first documented entanglement.

Georgia Tech Research: UMD researchers report a fast, repeatable brain “learning switch” tied to the extracellular matrix—loosening within hours of practice and rebuilding in about a day to lock in skills, with enzyme disruption slowing learning and weakening performance. Public Safety Tech: A Morgan State student team won an IEEE aerospace cybersecurity award for onboard AI that can detect UAV attacks and keep missions safe when links fail. Surveillance Backlash in Georgia: Reporting highlights how Flock ALPR cameras have been tied to alleged misuse by multiple Georgia police departments, renewing privacy and oversight concerns. Cybersecurity & Water: Federal investigators say suspected Iran-linked hackers have hit water systems in at least 12 states, including Georgia, with operators forced into more manual control even as officials say drinking water remains safe. Health & Food Safety: Georgia is among states affected by a lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak, with FDA expanding the recall footprint as cases rise. Local Tech & Services: Stone Mountain approved a new code enforcement platform to cut paperwork and let officers file cases and notices from the field. Community Science: UGA Extension is running the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, inviting residents to track pollinators for two days to guide habitat action.

AI in classrooms: Metro Atlanta educators say they’re navigating AI tools without clear district-wide rules, with many policies focused on student use rather than practical guidance for teachers. School safety tech: Forsyth County is rolling out Centegix panic-button badges for staff under state law, aiming to speed lockdown alerts to law enforcement. Autonomous mobility: Uber says it’s building the infrastructure for commercial self-driving at global scale, with operations live in seven cities and more launches planned by year-end, including Atlanta. Georgia Tech biomedical breakthroughs: Georgia Tech researchers report a way to “wake up” exhausted immune cells, aiming to improve responses against cancer and infection. Public health & food safety: A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has expanded to 15 states, prompting continued warnings for affected products. Cancer care and access: A study links federal housing assistance for older NSCLC patients with higher guideline-concordant treatment and lower 2-year mortality. Surveillance debate: A local opinion piece argues that license-plate camera systems run through private networks weaken public accountability. Local infrastructure: Sandy Springs approved a 10-year, $280M transportation master plan largely funded by TSPLOST. Data center governance: Bulloch County delayed a data-center prohibition zoning change while Lowndes County discusses drafting its own data center ordinance.

Public Safety Tech Scrutiny: Coweta County Sheriff’s Office employees resigned after an internal audit flagged misuse concerns tied to Flock Safety cameras, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation asked to look into the allegations. Water & Lab Innovation: CDM Smith expanded its Bellevue Research and Testing Laboratory by 1,100 square feet to speed up testing for water, wastewater, PFAS, and emerging contaminants, adding new R&D leadership. AI in Revenue Workflows: Clari + Salesloft partnered with allGood to use AI to read and route high-intent email replies, aiming to tighten the handoff between marketing and sales. Transportation Planning for Big Events: Arcadis and other engineering partners helped cities manage World Cup traffic using scenario planning, traffic simulations, and unified command centers—lessons that could inform future Olympics-style events. Wildlife & Field Science: Georgia DNR helped free a manatee from crab trap entanglement near St. Simons using multi-agency coordination and a satellite tracking tag. Local Tech in Schools: Georgia and Florida are testing pepper-spraying drones for campus safety, raising both hopes for faster intervention and concerns about deployment. Environment Watch: Georgia agriculture officials report trapping 866 invasive yellow-legged hornets and destroying 44 nests so far this year.

Cybersecurity & Water Safety: Federal investigators are probing cyberattacks targeting water utilities, with Georgia incidents in Clayton County and Columbus Water Works; officials say drinking water wasn’t compromised, but the attacks highlight weak spots in operational systems and the need for stronger protections. Medical Tech & Patient Safety: A metro Atlanta woman sued Kaiser Permanente after a tissue mix-up allegedly led to a false cancer diagnosis and an unnecessary hysterectomy, raising questions about lab labeling and clinical decision-making. Public Safety Tech Oversight: Savannah placed six employees on leave after an internal audit alleged misuse of Flock license plate reader data, fueling renewed debate over surveillance tech and accountability. Invasive Species Research: UGA researchers say invasive yellow-legged hornets are spreading along Georgia’s coast, threatening pollinators; the state is urging residents to report sightings and help track nests. AI, Jobs, and Policy: DOJ reached a $3.2M settlement with OpenAI over claims of discrimination against U.S. workers tied to hiring practices for visa holders. Education & Leadership: UGA and UIC researchers won a grant-backed math leadership program, training school leaders and teachers to boost instruction across participating districts. Autonomous Transport: Waymo launched public robotaxi rides in Dallas, expanding its driverless service beyond Atlanta and other U.S. cities. Healthcare Access in Georgia: Enrollment jumped after lawmakers eased access to Georgia’s medical cannabis program, with industry leaders calling it pent-up demand finally meeting new rules.

Cybersecurity & Water Infrastructure: Clayton County’s water authority issued a boil-water advisory after low pressure tied to a pump-station failure, with officials raising the possibility of unauthorized cyber activity amid FBI reports of similar attacks on water systems in multiple states. Medical Safety & Lab Accuracy: An Atlanta-area lawsuit alleges a tissue-sample mix-up at Kaiser Permanente led to an incorrect endometrial cancer diagnosis and an unnecessary hysterectomy. AI Governance in Practice: Airlock Digital unveiled “Agentic AI Control & Governance,” aiming to give enterprises command-level visibility and policy enforcement for trusted AI agents on endpoints. Public Safety Surveillance Backlash: Georgia law enforcement agencies face ongoing scrutiny over Flock Safety license-plate camera misuse, as investigations expand and communities debate privacy and accountability. Climate & Coastal Science: UGA researchers report that Georgia’s salt marshes look healthy above ground while much of the belowground root system is being lost, linked to sea level rise. Education & Math Leadership: A UGA-led team and University of Illinois Chicago secured a $4.3M federal grant to expand math leadership training for principals and teachers in Georgia and beyond. Health Research (Augusta): A Georgia Prevention Institute study suggests daily multivitamins may help older adults maintain everyday functional health over three years. Local Innovation: The Georgia Peanut Commission launched a $10,000 innovation contest for new peanut-based products. Tech & Mobility: Waymo’s robotaxi crash rates are reported as substantially lower than human driving, while the Uber-Waymo partnership dynamics continue to shift.

Extreme Heat Response: Atlanta City Council ordered Mayor Andre Dickens’ office to build an “extreme heat” safety plan after criticism of the Fourth of July response, including more cooling centers, targeted outreach, and faster alerts. School Tech & Privacy: Georgia’s new HB 651 tightened rules for school zone speed cameras, prompting Garden City to stop using the tech; meanwhile Fulton County Schools is using Linewize to flag threats and self-harm risks from student device activity. Cybersecurity for Water: Clayton County Water Authority is investigating a suspected cyber campaign after pump stations went down, with attention on vulnerable control systems. Materials & Manufacturing Research: Georgia Tech will lead an NSF-funded national “cloud lab” for remote, AI-guided materials experiments and robotic testing. Health & Medicine in Georgia: UGA welcomed its first class to a new School of Medicine, while Georgia State researchers reported an oral antiviral candidate that blocked measles-like spread in ferrets. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Savannah police investigations into alleged Flock misuse continue as officials promise accountability. Space & Defense: The U.S. Navy reclassified 19 Virginia Payload Module submarines as guided missile boats, expanding conventional strike plans into the 2030s. Education Tech Rollout: Another wave of Georgia districts returned to class Tuesday, including Dawson County’s use of an AI “human in-the-loop” detection system. Environment & Community: UGA research suggests people may volunteer for litter cleanup more when messages highlight personal benefits alongside environmental impact. NOAA Marine Science: NOAA completed a Gray’s Reef ecosystem assessment off Georgia’s coast, mapping seafloor and documenting species for conservation planning.

Antiviral Breakthrough (Georgia State): Researchers at Georgia State University say an oral antiviral candidate, GHP-88310, blocked airborne and direct-contact transmission of a measles-like virus in ferrets, with teams now preparing for human clinical testing. Public Health & Food Safety: Publix expanded a frozen blueberry recall in multiple states, including Georgia, after reports of E. coli illness; separate reporting also flags the first U.S. cyclosporiasis deaths in a Michigan outbreak. Heat-Readiness Tech (Emory + Georgia Tech): Emory and Georgia Tech are developing a “bio patch” that aims to alert people to dangerous heat conditions early, targeting heat stroke prevention before hospital-level emergencies. Local Tech Policy (Fulton TSPLOST): Fulton County commissioners approved a November referendum to renew the county’s transportation sales tax extension, expected to generate about $650M for projects across North and South Fulton. Surveillance Oversight (Savannah Flock): Savannah police placed six employees on leave and referred cases to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after alleged misuse of Flock license plate reader searches. Energy & Data Centers (Lakeland): Lakeland approved a one-year moratorium on new high-power data centers while staff draft permanent rules amid public concerns. Neurotechnology Watch (Georgia Tech): Georgia Tech’s Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society is pushing public conversations about how brain-connected tools could reshape society.

OpenAI Data Center Deal in Effingham: Effingham County approved incentives for a proposed OpenAI data center near Rincon, with a reported $20B investment and 1,000 jobs, plus a 15-year 50% property tax abatement—while residents raise concerns about environmental impacts, energy costs, and whether incentives outweigh benefits. Surveillance Cameras Backlash: A bipartisan pushback against license plate readers is intensifying, with critics calling them an unregulated mass-surveillance dragnet and pointing to misuse cases, while police argue the tech is vital for public safety. AI Policy Costs for Georgia Tech: A Georgia Tech researcher estimates a potential U.S. ban on Chinese open-weight AI models could cost U.S. businesses up to $12B annually, based on model-switching price gaps and token usage. Robotaxis Get Federal Green Light: Amazon’s Zoox won NHTSA approval for limited paid robotaxi deployment without steering wheels or pedals, with oversight requirements and crash reporting. Grow-Back Tree Planning Tool: UGA’s Grow Back Project is building an interactive, ZIP-based tree selection site (with Georgia Power and others) to help Augusta-area homeowners replant after Hurricane Helene. Agriculture Watch—Cotton Jassid: Experts report cotton jassid monitoring remains active across the Lower Southeast, with 2026 detections tied to okra and cotton after a quiet winter/spring. Space Science: NASA’s NIAC program awarded $3.2M for 18 early-stage aerospace concepts, including three led by JPL researchers. Planet Atmosphere Clue: Scientists report signs an exoplanet in the habitable zone (LHS 1140b) may have an atmosphere, a potential first for rocky worlds. Georgia Tech & AI Research in the Wild: Emory and Georgia Tech researchers unveiled CapuchinAI, using AI facial recognition to run controlled cognition tests on capuchin monkeys in a forest.

Humanoid Robotics in Georgia’s Industry Orbit: Hyundai Motor Group says it will deploy more than 25,000 Boston Dynamics Atlas humanoid robots across Hyundai and Kia plants starting in 2028, with early parts-sequencing tasks and broader assembly roles later—raising the stakes for factory labor and automation planning. Robotaxis Expand in the Southeast: Amazon’s Zoox won U.S. approval for limited paid robotaxi service, with testing already reported in Atlanta and other cities, signaling faster rollout pressure on local transit and safety rules. Georgia’s Surveillance Backlash Gets Local: Henry County police seek a suspect accused of vandalizing Flock cameras, part of a wider wave of physical tampering and misuse probes across Georgia. Privacy vs. Policing, Again: Savannah placed six employees on leave after an audit flagged alleged misuse of its license plate reader system, with cases referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Space Tech Funding: NASA’s NIAC program awarded $3.2M to 18 early-stage space concepts, including three led by JPL researchers—small bets that could shape future missions. AI Skepticism Hits the Business Case: A report highlights growing doubt that AI spending is delivering productivity gains, even as firms ramp up model use and costs keep rising.

AI in Youth Mental Health: Georgia Tech and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are building an AI tool that flags teens (ages 13–17) who may be at risk of a harmful mental health event using donated social media data, aiming to trigger timely support. Public Safety Tech Under Fire: Henry County police are seeking a suspect accused of vandalizing two Flock cameras, while Savannah placed six employees on leave over alleged misuse of Flock license plate reader searches; Georgia’s GBI is handling independent criminal investigations. Healthcare Research: The VA is launching a national clinical trial testing semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) for alcohol use disorder in more than 600 veterans across 18 medical centers. Local Food Access: Winterville’s Marigold Collective runs a weekly market that accepts EBT and redistributes surplus produce to help address Athens-Clarke County’s food desert status. Semiconductor Workforce: TSMC Arizona highlights college partnerships and internships that bring students—including Georgia Tech—into its talent pipeline. Tech Policy & Privacy: A new legal fight centers on a CBP agent in Atlanta allegedly erasing a phone during a warrantless search, raising questions about digital privacy and authority. Education Leadership: Ogeechee Technical College named Lisa Meehan dean for academic affairs in health sciences.