Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has hired three researchers from OpenAI to bolster his company’s work on artificial intelligence. This strategic move aims to guide Meta Platforms through its current AI challenges. The social-media corporation brought aboard Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, and Xiaohua Zhai, all of whom previously held positions at OpenAI’s branch in Zurich, as per sources privy to this information. These individuals established OpenAI’s location in Zurich towards the end of last year. Prior to their time at OpenAI, they collaborated closely within Google DeepMind, which is the organization’s artificial intelligence division. A representative from OpenAI verified that the three scientists have departed from the organization. Zuckerberg has been on an intense recruiting drive To correct the company’s AI initiatives following the underwhelming reception of its most recent model, he has sometimes proposed giving researchers up to $100 million to become part o...
HASTINGS, Neb. (News Channel Nebraska) – The Hastings City Council has initiated proceedings aimed at restricting the number of consecutive terms that individuals serving on city boards and committees may hold.
During Monday evening’s gathering, the council members revisited Ordinance 4798, aiming to implement term limits for every role within the city boards and committees of Hastings.
Councilman Brad Consbruck from Ward 2 did not attend Monday’s meeting.
During their meeting on May 12th, the city council previously considered the same ordinance, but it did not pass with a tally of 3 votes for and 5 against. The 'yes' votes were cast by council members Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, and Marc Rowan, whereas Larry Consbruck, Maggie Esch, Brad Consbruck, Brian Hoffman, and Matt Fong opposed it with their 'no' votes.
Ordinance 4798 was brought back to the city council on Monday, because the council only has three sessions after the initial vote for a reconsideration of a previous vote.
Councilman Larry Consbruck from Ward 2 mentioned that he reintroduced the ordinance for another look since he intended to switch his vote to 'yes' this time around.
I initially opposed this ordinance because I believed that the mayor could appoint anyone without restrictions," stated Consbruck. "Upon deeper reflection, considering the next five to ten years, if we do not have individuals ready to step into leadership roles when needed, city codes include term limits which address this.
The suggested law aims to introduce term limits for members of boards and committees, restricting anyone from serving more than two consecutive terms on the same municipal board or committee. After completing these two terms, an individual must wait four years before being eligible to serve again on the same board or committee.
Additionally, an individual was allowed to serve on only one city board or committee simultaneously.
At present, the Mayor of Hastings holds the authority to veto the selection or reelection of any member serving on a city board or committee.
Councilwoman Maggie Esch from Ward 3 stated her general approval for term limits; however, she recommended that the council explore alternative approaches when discussing the proposal to impose term limits on board and committee roles.
Before imposing term limits on volunteer roles, we ought to establish some precedents for our own actions," stated Esch. "Given that we're considering term limits for volunteers, why not start with elected offices, which presently lack such restrictions? If we were to apply term limits initially to those serving in elected capacities, I'd be more supportive of implementing them for individuals in voluntary positions.
Following each council member’s expression of views regarding the ordinance, the motion to revisit the decision was approved with a tally of 5-3, Mayor Jay Beckby’s affirmative vote contributing to the majority.
I strongly support innovative concepts; I detest complacency," stated Beckby. "In my view, indefinite terms result in inertia and diminish novel perspectives and youthful talent. It’s crucial for me that long-standing affiliations aren't established among members who serve for 15, 20, even 30 years on these panels. These committees wield considerable influence over proposals brought before the city council, often more so than many realize. The thought of entrenched partnerships neglecting collaboration with newcomers doesn’t sit well with me.
The subsequent vote approving the ordinance also resulted in a 5-3 tally. Larry Consbruck altered his stance to affirmatively support it since the meeting on May 12th, whereas all other council members maintained their previous votes.
The ordinance needs to pass through two additional approvals at subsequent city council gatherings to formally integrate into the Hastings City Code.
Click here To sign up for our KSNB Local4 daily digest and breaking news notifications sent directly to your email.