Today on Colorado Edition: we’ll learn about what the switch to a presidential primary will mean for Colorado voters. Plus, the limits, and potential, of artificial intelligence. We’ll also discuss how Colorado’s low unemployment rate is affecting the census, and we’ll hear about the rise in small batch chocolate-making in Colorado.
Primary Voting
The 2020 primary election here in Colorado is fast approaching, our state is scheduled to vote on Super Tuesday, which will be held on March 3.
Judd Choate, director of elections for the Colorado Department of State, joined us to explain what voters can expect.
AI Weirdness
This week, to celebrate the start of a new decade, we’re going to look at a technology that is still evolving quickly, even though it already has a big role in our lives: artificial intelligence, or AI.
When most of us think about AI, we think of advanced facial recognition technology or fancy robots. But is AI really as intelligent as we think?
According to Colorado-based author Janelle Shane, who runs the blog “AI Weirdness,” the answer is no. Her new book is called You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It’s Making the World a Weirder Place.
She joined us to explain what artificial intelligence is, and what it can, and cannot, do.
Hiring For The Census
The 2020 census is almost here — the count begins here in Colorado on April 1. But before that process can start, the census needs to hire enough employees to get a count.
And now is the hiring time. In Northern Colorado alone, the federal government hopes to recruit about 2,500 workers. But in our region with record-low unemployment, it’s hard to find good candidates. KUNC’s Matt Bloom reports.
Small Batch Chocolate
As Valentine’s Day fast approaches, we are turning to a topic on the minds of many: chocolate. We’re not talking about those giant heart-shaped boxes full of ordinary candy. Instead, we’re diving into a movement within the world of chocolate-making to use cacao beans that are ethically sourced, and to carefully oversee the entire process of creating a chocolate bar.
One chocolate maker in Fort Collins is right in the heart of this movement, according to Tamara Chuang, a reporter for The Colorado Sun.
She joined us with more on what ethically sourced chocolate is, and how it’s being made in our state.
Sound of Steamboat's record-setting firework was used with permission from @tylerdrichard via Twitter.
Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!
Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs. Other music in the show:
- “Mandelbrots in Winter” by Forest Robots
- “Open Flames” by Aeronaut
- “Le Marais” by The Sweet Hots
Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.
KUNC's Colorado Edition is a news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.