This Month's Latest Tech News in Anchorage, AK - Saturday May 31st 2025 Edition

Anchorage's tech landscape in May 2025 reflects both bold innovation and persistent challenges as local startups join national momentum and seek sustainable growth.

The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has ramped up support for entrepreneurs through AI workshops and an AI Resource Program, aiming to streamline operations and level the playing field for businesses across the state (Alaska SBDC resources).

Accelerators like gBETA Alaska and the Tech Deployment Track Program are driving opportunities for climate, hardware, and e-commerce startups - recent gBETA participants have captured national grants, earned retail partnerships, and advanced weather data solutions for remote regions (Alaska gBETA Accelerator).

These local efforts sync with a record $82.7M in economic impact cited in recent SBDC reports, while major national funding rounds spotlight sectors ripe for Anchorage's adaptation, from generative AI and healthtech to sustainable energy (National Tech Funding Trends May 2025).

As one program manager put it,

“This program not only supports these five companies but brings opportunity and economic development to the entire state of Alaska.”

Despite ongoing barriers in funding access and infrastructure, the north's tech community is building momentum to meet both local needs and global challenges.

Alaska Communications and Slalom have announced a major partnership to deliver next-generation managed cloud and AI solutions for Alaska's enterprises and government organizations.

The collaboration leverages powerful platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft, enabling use cases ranging from efficient, sustainable oil and gas exploration to real-time collaboration in public education.

Their managed services include planning and migration, automation and innovation, as well as optimization and modernization - each tailored to help businesses maximize efficiency, cost savings, and competitive edge.

A key differentiator is Slalom's AI and data expertise, which allows Alaskan companies to harness advanced analytics and automation. Reflecting on the partnership, Dale Knipp, Senior Vice President, Business at Alaska Communications, stated,

“Alaska's tough hiring market makes it challenging to find IT professionals with the specialized skills needed to operate cloud environments at peak efficiency. Alaska Communications is the gateway of modern technology for our clients in Alaska, and we're excited to help our clients maximize the benefits of cloud services, AI and data in the most cost-effective manner possible.”

Discover the full scope of this initiative and its impact on the region through detailed coverage from BusinessWire's report on Alaska Communications and Slalom's partnership, financial insights at Yahoo Finance's managed cloud solutions article, and analysis of service features via MarketScreener's announcement.

Below is a breakdown of their service offerings:

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a pivotal tool in the urgent effort to preserve Alaska's Indigenous languages, such as Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian, many of which face extinction as fluent speakers age.

AI-powered technologies can accelerate the documentation of these complex languages - characterized by unique grammatical structures and flexible word orders - and create interactive learning experiences, helping to safeguard linguistic heritage for future generations.

However, Alaska's language advocates emphasize the necessity of building AI tools in trustworthy environments, underscoring, as Microsoft engineer Nathan Bennett notes,

“In order to truly make the experience cultural and impactful to learners, they need to represent our culture and the only way for us to do that is to build these models in trustworthy environments where they're protected.”

Despite global gains, a significant digital divide persists: most AI models are English-centric and often underperform on languages with limited digital data, systematically excluding many cultures from the benefits of modern technology - a challenge illustrated in Stanford's recent findings.

Success stories, such as community-driven data collection and collaborative projects, show promise, but ethical concerns around data ownership, consent, and cultural representation remain central.

For a deeper look at local innovations and community perspectives, visit the article on how AI could help preserve Indigenous languages in Alaska, learn about the Sealaska Heritage Institute's work on technology-driven language revitalization, and read Stanford's research on the digital divide in AI impacting non-English speakers.

Anchorage is taking bold steps to modernize city operations with the appointment of Brendan Babb as its first Chief Innovation Officer - a role he's held since 2016, bringing a wealth of expertise in mathematics, computer science, and hands-on experience with NASA's Mars Rover project.

Babb has led initiatives focused on open data, process improvements, and the use of human-centered design to benefit residents, drive efficiency, and make local government more accessible, including digital tools that enable citizens to check bus statuses or benefits eligibility by text message.

Under his leadership, Anchorage is embracing generative AI to reduce friction in accessing city services and experimenting with solutions like ChatGPT, code interpreter tools, and behavioral nudges to improve enrollment in programs like property tax relief for seniors.

As Babb emphasizes,

“People who are closest to the problems usually have the best ideas on how to solve them.”

Anchorage participates in the national What Works Cities initiative and is steadily developing an innovation culture based on quick feedback and collaborative experimentation.

To learn more about Anchorage's embrace of technology and Babb's philosophy of empowering public servants to innovate, see in-depth reporting in Generative AI Learnings from Anchorage, Alaska - ICYMI, his feature profile as a Top 25 Doer, Dreamer & Driver, and his perspective on federal innovation funding in How federal funding is changing the work of municipal chief innovation officers.

Alaska Airlines is revolutionizing the travel experience for international flyers out of Anchorage by integrating AI-powered biometric identity verification - powered by Jumio - directly into its mobile app.

This innovation allows travelers with U.S. and Canadian passports to skip traditional check-in lines, verifying their identities in real time using secure biometric and AI technology before ever setting foot in the airport.

In the words of Natalie Bowman, Vice President of Digital Experience at Alaska Airlines,

"Through this partnership, guests can verify their travel documents directly in their Alaska Airlines app, saving time in the airport lobby and at their gate."

The airline aims for guests to reach security in under five minutes, aligning with broader aviation trends as major carriers invest heavily in biometrics to meet heightened expectations for seamless, contactless journeys.

The robust platform verifies over 5,000 types of government-issued IDs globally and seeks to cut both wait times and fraud - an industry concern that costs airlines at least $1 billion annually.

Concerns around privacy and data security have been addressed, with the system adhering to stringent data protection and regulatory standards. For more on the strategic significance of the partnership and industry context, see this in-depth analysis on cutting airport lines and fraud with Jumio's AI, official details in the Jumio press release on Alaska Airlines integration, and a technology-focused overview by Mobile ID World on Alaska's AI mobile identity verification rollout.

This spring, Anchorage is making a splash in the car care industry with the opening of CYBER Express Wash, now the third largest express car wash in the United States and the fifth largest globally.

The 38,000-square-foot, fully indoor facility boasts climate-controlled operations, 19 heated indoor vacuum bays, and a dedicated express detail wing designed for high efficiency and luxury.

Powered by proprietary AI-integrated systems, CYBER aims to redefine the customer car wash experience while focusing on sustainability and innovation. CEO Paul Horstkoetter sums up the company's philosophy:

“We didn't set out to build the biggest - we set out to build the best. The size just happened to follow. This is the future of car care. Precise. Fast. Intentional. And unapologetically premium.”

CYBER's commitment to energy efficiency, water recycling, and eco-friendly operations not only addresses environmental responsibility but offers a competitive edge in a sector evolving rapidly amid new regulations and customer expectations.

The facility's unique business model and expansion plans, fueled by strategic investment from FTW Capital, position Anchorage at the forefront of next-generation car care.

For more on CYBER's world-class design and advanced customer experience, visit this industry news feature on CYBER Express Wash, explore a breakdown of sustainable carwash innovations in net-zero carwash insights report, or read about CYBER's local growth and investment strategy in coverage of their expansion and partnerships.

Anchorage residents face escalating threats as AI-powered identity theft and online scams surge throughout Alaska. According to a recent Better Business Bureau (BBB report) on AI-driven online scams in Alaska, advanced artificial intelligence has enabled scammers to automate phishing, generate hyper-realistic deepfake voices and videos, and craft convincing job scams, contributing to nearly five million identity theft reports filed in North America since 2021.

AI is being leveraged to mimic loved ones, conduct real-time video fraud, and even bypass multi-factor authentication, as detailed in the 2025 AI Security Report on deepfake and cybersecurity risks, with a cautionary example in which deepfake executives tricked a British firm into transferring £20 million in early 2024.

Locally, federal charges allege an organized scheme involving fake IDs and passports used to withdraw thousands from Southcentral Alaska banks, underscoring rising financial and emotional impacts on victims.

“Our personal information is valuable and there are dozens of websites on the internet, on the dark web, that sell your personal information,” - Monica Horton, BBB spokesperson

The risks extend to all age groups, especially as deepfake scams and AI-driven impersonations grow more sophisticated; experts urge Alaskans to maintain vigilance, adopt strong security measures, and consult resources like the BBB Scam Tracker.

For a closer look at how these attacks are evolving and the steps you can take to protect yourself - from monitoring your credit to using AI detection tools - read the full deepfake scams advisory and protection guide.

SAG-AFTRA, the prominent actors' union, has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Epic Games' subsidiary, Llama Productions, over the use of AI technology to recreate James Earl Jones' legendary Darth Vader voice in Fortnite.

The union contends that Epic Games replaced human voice actors with artificial intelligence without notifying or bargaining with SAG-AFTRA, raising important questions about digital replicas and collective rights in an era of advancing AI. The estate of James Earl Jones reportedly approved the AI voice recreation, emphasizing a desire to allow fans of all ages to experience the iconic character, but SAG-AFTRA's concern about AI replacing voice actor opportunities remains central.

As detailed in IPWatchdog's coverage of SAG-AFTRA's complaint against Fortnite, this case is part of ongoing tensions over generative AI's impact on creative jobs, following last year's actors' strike and Congressional hearings on voice and likeness rights.

SAG-AFTRA explained their stance:

“We must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader's iconic rhythm and tone in video games.”

While Epic claims to have engaged the Jones estate, the union's dispute reflects wider concerns about labor rights and technological disruption.

Read more about the unfolding legal and industry implications in The Hollywood Reporter's analysis of the SAG-AFTRA labor charge against Fortnite.

This month, Anchorage highlights a tech-powered anti-drug campaign giving a voice to fentanyl's victims, as agencies nationwide leverage artificial intelligence and strategic data sharing to tackle a surging opioid crisis.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently modernized its approach, launching targeted operations such as Operation Plaza Spike and Operation Apollo, and achieved record fentanyl seizures - over 27,000 pounds last year alone, surpassing the prior five years combined (CBP's frontline fentanyl efforts).

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin and responsible for 65% of Oregon's overdose deaths in 2022, is especially lethal when cut with other substances like xylazine, causing rapid overdose and complicating rescue with naloxone (Oregon Health Authority: Fentanyl Facts).

The Drug Enforcement Administration underscores the scale of this crisis, reporting 2025 seizures equivalent to more than 150 million potential lethal doses nationwide, with criminal networks using social media and counterfeit pharmaceuticals to reach at-risk youth (latest DEA fentanyl seizure data).

Community awareness campaigns, AI-driven predictive analysis, and harm reduction resources - including naloxone and test strips - are pivotal tools in the fight to save lives.

As CBP Senior Official Troy Miller remarks,

"We've been at the forefront of this fight against synthetic opioids since the very beginning. We are committed to combating fentanyl, and the men and women of CBP are up to the task."

A new national ranking places Anchorage near the bottom for tech talent and digital infrastructure, raising concerns about the city's readiness to compete in the knowledge economy.

According to a comprehensive analysis by Cloudwards' Top Tech Cities in the US for 2025, Anchorage ranks 99th out of 100 cities, weighed down by limited local tech events, sparse university tech programs, and a comparatively small population of working-age residents in STEM fields.

Despite 92% household internet access and a respectable median broadband speed of 205.6 Mbps, Anchorage has 0% fiber coverage and hosted just one tech event in the past year - significantly lower than leading hubs like New York City, which boasted over 100 events.

The labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows steady overall employment, but little tech sector growth, with 23.68% of Alaska's tech workforce still in entry-level roles - a figure lagging behind most other states.

The table below highlights key tech ecosystem indicators for Anchorage compared to U.S. leaders:

For a deeper look at Anchorage's broader economic landscape, including unemployment and wage trends, see the most recent Anchorage Economy at a Glance update.

As this data suggests, Anchorage faces significant challenges but also has opportunities to improve tech connectivity and foster a more robust talent pipeline.

For more on how U.S. cities are evaluated, visit the Cloudwards methodology overview.

Federal agencies are intensifying scrutiny of Big Tech, with major antitrust actions reverberating from Washington D.C. to Anchorage. In May 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officially closed its longstanding administrative complaint against Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, following extensive legal proceedings that deliberated the merger's impact on the gaming and subscription services market.

For more details, visit the FTC case on Microsoft/Activision Blizzard merger.

Meanwhile, the FTC under Chairman Andrew Ferguson is advancing a sweeping antitrust probe into Microsoft's artificial intelligence operations and cloud licensing practices, probing whether strategic investments - particularly in OpenAI - unfairly tilt market power and limit competition among AI start-ups and cloud providers.

Read the full coverage of the Microsoft antitrust probe related to AI and OpenAI on Fortune.

These efforts are part of a broader policy push; in April, the FTC launched a public inquiry to identify and dismantle anti-competitive regulations across various industries, inviting public comment on rules that may stifle local economies, entrepreneurship, or innovation.

As FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson stated,

“Regulations that reduce competition, entrepreneurship, and innovation can hamper the American economy. These need to be eliminated or modified to revitalize a competitive market.”

For Anchorage businesses and tech professionals, these national anti-monopoly and AI oversight developments signal a new era of regulatory uncertainty - and potential opportunity - for Alaska's growing innovation sector.

To learn more about the FTC's latest public inquiry and its implications, see the comprehensive overview from their April press release titled FTC Launches Public Inquiry on Anti-Competitive Regulations.

As Anchorage looks toward a tech-driven future, both challenges and opportunities are shaping the city's path. Major broadband infrastructure investments are underway: the Alaska Broadband Office is deploying over $1 billion from the federal BEAD program, prioritizing unserved and underserved communities through a comprehensive five-year plan and a competitive grant cycle set to run through late 2025 and early 2026 - efforts aimed at bringing robust internet to every corner of Alaska (Alaska Broadband Office official site).

Yet, the abrupt cancellation of the federal Digital Equity Capacity Grant in May has left a gap in digital literacy and access programs, challenging stakeholders to bridge Alaska's digital divide without earmarked national support (Program Overviews and Timelines, Alaska Broadband Office).

Meanwhile, Anchorage's innovation ecosystem proves resilient: University of Alaska Anchorage and the Alaska Small Business Development Center reported a record $82.7 million in economic growth for 2024, the launch of 132 new businesses, and deployment of 30 custom AI tools - even as targeted advising and additional capital remain crucial to navigate uncertainty in 2025.

As State Director Jon Bittner explains,

“In 2024 targeted advising, strong partnerships, and access to capital drove lasting results, especially in underserved communities. Support [is] critical for navigating uncertainty in 2025.”

Accelerator programs like gBETA Alaska are also spotlighting homegrown startups spanning clean hardware, food innovation, and digital platforms, connecting entrepreneurs to national investment and mentorship networks for expanded growth (gBETA Chooses Five Alaska Businesses for Accelerator Support).

The year ahead will test Anchorage's ability to convert fresh connectivity and entrepreneurial spirit into sustainable tech opportunity for all Alaskans.