This Month's Latest Tech News in Baton Rouge, LA - Saturday May 31st 2025 Edition

Baton Rouge is quickly emerging as a hotspot for tech innovation, driven by state investment and LSU's dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. In February, Louisiana Economic Development unveiled the LA.IO innovation brand and a $100 million Growth Fund, prioritizing support for high-growth startups and launching the Louisiana Institute for Artificial Intelligence, which will boost AI adoption among 5,000 small businesses.

Meanwhile, the E.J. Ourso College of Business is fostering industry-academia connections through events like the AI in Action: Leading in Louisiana Industries Symposium, underlining LSU's commitment to an AI-driven economic future.

Success stories are taking root: FarmSmarter.ai, developed at LSU, recently earned over $172,000 in pitch competitions by providing AI-powered crop management via its “Farmer Al” assistant.

Their progress exemplifies the region's momentum and determination to reverse “brain drain” - as COO Julius Pallotta puts it,

“AI will redefine industries, and we want to lead while providing local opportunities.”

For a summary of FarmSmarter.ai's competition wins, see the table below.

For those seeking to join this ecosystem, Nucamp's Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur bootcamp teaches you to build scalable AI businesses in just 30 weeks.

Competition	Award	Prize
J Terrell Brown Venture Challenge	1st Place	$20,000
Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup	1st Place	$50,000
Rice Business Plan Competition	7th Place	$100,000+
Arkansas Governor's Cup	3rd Place	$7,500

LSU's E. J. Ourso College of Business has named Dr. Andrew Schwarz as its inaugural Faculty Coordinator for Artificial Intelligence Initiatives, signifying a major milestone in the university's push to weave AI education and workforce development into its business curriculum.

In this strategic capacity, Dr. Schwarz - ranked among the top 1% of global researchers in his field - will lead the development of an AI strategic plan, foster industry partnerships, enhance student learning through curricular innovation, and guide research efforts college-wide.

Dean Jared Llorens underscored the forward-looking nature of the appointment, stating,

“Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping business, and business education must adapt just as boldly. Dr. Schwarz's expertise, leadership, and passion for emerging technologies make him the ideal person to guide our efforts in integrating AI across the college.”

As a longtime advocate for AI's transformative potential in both industry and education, Dr. Schwarz brings experience from market research, major enterprise collaborations, and recent leadership of the LSU AI in Action Symposium.

He has spoken publicly about the need for Louisiana to invest in both traditional and adult education to capitalize on local and national AI opportunities, as detailed in this interview about AI's future in Louisiana with Andrew Schwarz.

The college's renewed AI commitment is evident throughout its programming and research as tracked on the LSU Ourso College of Business official news and updates page, and further discussed in the official announcement of Dr. Schwarz's appointment.

With this appointment, LSU amplifies its vision of preparing students to lead in a data-driven economy and fortifies Baton Rouge as a growing hub of AI innovation and education.

LSU students are at the forefront of an innovative movement to reduce intersection crashes in Baton Rouge, leveraging advances in artificial intelligence to transform transportation safety.

AI-driven solutions, such as real-time hazard detection, predictive analytics, and intelligent traffic signal optimization, have demonstrated the potential to significantly lower accident rates associated with intersections - a major concern in urban areas.

According to recent research, AI-enabled traffic management can reduce congestion by up to 25% in cities like Pittsburgh and deliver up to 30% cost savings through optimized routing, while computer vision systems can identify unsafe driver behaviors behind the wheel, which contributed to 3,308 distracted driving fatalities in the U.S. in 2022.

For a deeper dive into the market impact and key technologies behind this transformation, check out this comprehensive overview of AI in transportation.

Meanwhile, autonomous vehicle technology continues to evolve, with systems incorporating lidar, radar, and advanced neural networks to detect hazards and make split-second decisions - see the latest developments in the 2025 AI in self-driving cars guide.

As intelligent transport initiatives expand, LSU's student-led innovations are setting benchmarks regionally and nationally; read how Baton Rouge is accelerating broader regional AI progress in this month's Louisiana tech roundup.

The combined momentum promises safer commutes, smarter city infrastructure, and a new standard for accident prevention statewide.

Meta's $10 billion AI data center in Richland Parish has officially cleared key regulatory hurdles, paving the way for what is poised to be one of the largest private capital investments in Louisiana's history.

The 4-million-square-foot facility will anchor Meta's AI infrastructure, supporting platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, while bringing over 500 direct high-paying jobs and up to 5,000 construction roles at its peak, plus an additional $200 million invested in local infrastructure upgrades (Meta selects Northeast Louisiana as site of $10 billion data center).

Entergy Louisiana will supply power, with significant investments in energy and transmission infrastructure and a commitment to match the data center's electricity use with 100% clean and renewable sources, including at least 1,500 MW of new renewable energy via the Geaux Zero initiative (Meta uses clean energy at $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana).

Workforce development receives a major boost thanks to $250,000 in Rapid Response Funding committed to Delta Community College, supporting new construction trades and data center operations training.

State officials heralded the project as transformative:

“Meta's investment establishes the region as an anchor in Louisiana's rapidly expanding tech sector, revitalizes one of our state's beautiful rural areas, and creates opportunities for Louisiana workers to fill high-paying jobs of the future,”

said Governor Jeff Landry.

Some community and environmental concerns have surfaced regarding new natural gas plants needed for the center's high energy demand, but Meta affirms a 15-year commitment to the region, workforce, and renewable transition (Meta's $10 billion AI data center brings jobs and controversy to the South).

Louisiana is leveraging artificial intelligence to modernize its Medicaid system and intensify its battle against fraudulent claims, thanks to a new partnership between the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The AI-powered tool is designed to spot “fraud, waste, and abuse” by analyzing both state and national data as well as peer-reviewed fraud identification studies, with LDH staff verifying any flagged cases - efforts aligned with the recently formed Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Task Force.

As reported by the Louisiana Illuminator's report on AI in Medicaid fraud detection, this initiative aims to improve government efficiency and the integrity of the program, which currently covers over 1.8 million low-income residents.

Complementary legislative efforts, such as Senate Bill 130, bolster these changes by implementing new data-driven crosschecks and verification measures, though critics caution about potential administrative barriers for eligible recipients, as detailed in the WWNO analysis of Medicaid fraud legislation impact.

According to Politico's Future Pulse newsletter on Louisiana's AI Medicaid fraud initiatives, health secretary Bruce Greenstein intends for these innovations to yield substantial taxpayer savings while preserving access for those in need:

“Our new initiatives will improve health outcomes while saving taxpayer money.”

Initial projections estimate savings of nearly $75 million by 2026 and $941.5 million over five years, although some question whether cost reductions will mainly come from ineligible cases or eligible but unresponsive participants.

The table below summarizes planned measures and projected impacts:

Initiative	Key Features	Projected 5-Year Savings
AI Fraud Detection	AI analytics on Medicaid data; staff verification	Included in overall fraud reduction estimate
Senate Bill 130 Oversight	Cross-agency checks, new verification steps	$941.5 million
Task Force & Data Partnerships	Collaboration with OMV, Attorney General's office	Maximize fraud recoveries

FarmSmarter.ai, a startup launched by LSU students, is rapidly elevating Louisiana's status in the agtech sector following a remarkable run through regional and national pitch competitions.

Built from a whiteboard concept during LSU's first Large Language Model Development course, FarmSmarter.ai delivers real-time, AI-powered agronomic guidance to professionals via its virtual assistant, Farmer Al, by synthesizing LSU AgCenter data, research, and EPA guidelines.

Supported by the Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute, the team has swept awards - including first place and $50,000 at the 2025 Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup at ULM - and became the first LSU venture to reach the finals at the Rice Business Plan Competition, bringing their total prize money to over $150,000.

COO Julius Pallotta captures their local commitment:

“We're proud to build this company in Louisiana. Brain drain has been a reality here, but we believe brain gain is possible if Louisiana invests in groundbreaking technologies and supports local teams... AI will redefine industries, and we want to lead while providing local opportunities.”

As FarmSmarter.ai attracts investor attention and prepares new features - such as GIS and regulatory compliance tools - it stands as a testament to LSU's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and the state's rising agtech prominence.

For a full look at their journey and product, visit LSU's profile of FarmSmarter.ai's success.

LSU-Shreveport students have joined the forefront of defense innovation by developing an AI-powered weather app designed to assist the U.S. Air Force, reflecting the growing role of artificial intelligence in national security.

The app leverages breakthroughs like Google DeepMind's cutting-edge models, such as GenCast and GraphCast, which have demonstrated the ability to deliver highly accurate, fast weather forecasts up to 15 days in advance - outperforming traditional physics-driven models in both accuracy and speed.

For example, GenCast handles forecasts in 8 minutes on a single machine for grids of 28km x 28km, assigned with likelihoods for multiple weather scenarios, and has helped predict hurricane tracks nearly a week earlier than conventional models as detailed by The New York Times.

These advances are vital for military readiness, as AI-enabled meteorological tools provide actionable, real-time insights for disaster response and operational planning - an imperative recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, which requested $1.8 billion for AI programs in FY2025 according to SheridanTech.

The integration of AI models like GraphCast, with support for open-source collaboration and faster predictions for extreme weather events, is already influencing U.S. and European forecasting agencies, ushering in a new era of defense and climate preparedness as outlined on DeepMind's official blog.

This initiative by LSU-Shreveport exemplifies the strategic partnerships between academia and defense, ensuring southern Louisiana plays a pivotal role in the nation's AI-powered future.

An 11-year-old Baton Rouge murder case has finally seen a breakthrough after local law enforcement used the AI-powered CyberCheck platform to pinpoint the suspect's digital presence near both the stolen weapon and crime scenes, leading to a long-awaited arrest in the tragic killing of seven-year-old Terrez Coleman.

CyberCheck, described as “an open-source intelligence framework that provides law enforcement agencies with a narrative representation of the inner workings of a crime or series of events,” leverages digital clues - sometimes called “Cyber DNA” - to trace connections between suspects and locations using emails and phone numbers according to WBRZ's detailed case coverage.

While CyberCheck claims to have aided in resolving hundreds of homicide cases across the U.S., recent investigations have raised significant concerns over its transparency, validity, and frequent withdrawal of evidence in court due to unverifiable data and methodological secrecy as explained in this in-depth WIRED investigation.

The following table summarizes CyberCheck's reported national impact and growing controversy:

Metric	Detail
Homicide cases solved (per CyberCheck)	209
Cold/unsolved cases solved	107
Law enforcement agencies using tool (2022)	345+
Defense/legal challenges (e.g., cases with evidence withdrawn)	At least 4 murder trials

Despite unresolved legal questions, Baton Rouge officials cite this “AI forensics breakthrough” as a victory for persistence, with spokesperson Casey Hicks adding:

“Terrez has never been forgotten and this is one of those cases that I think stuck with all of us at the sheriff's office.”

To learn more about CyberCheck's implementation and the caution it prompts nationwide, review this independent incident analysis.

The city of Plaquemine has launched Louisiana's first smart city pilot, partnering with Baton Rouge-based Obney.ai technology company and the South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC) to revolutionize municipal operations through artificial intelligence.

Spearheaded by Mayor JB Barker and Obney.ai founder Justin Obney, this model initiative aims to boost efficiency by identifying grant funding, automating meeting transcription and summary, and providing comprehensive AI training to city staff.

The SCPDC's software supports online permitting, code enforcement, and inspections, modernizing citizen services and reducing wait times, with the platform costing approximately $75,000 and set to go live within two months.

As Mayor Barker highlighted,

“This provides us with services we need to operate more efficiently, and uses the latest technology to improve our city. We are excited about the many benefits that the city will reap from this pro-active and progressive approach.”

The pilot is expected to serve as a blueprint for other Louisiana cities.

Key features of the partnership are summarized below:

Feature	Benefit
AI-Based Grant Search	Expands funding opportunities by rapidly identifying grants
AI Training for Staff	Equips city employees with practical AI application skills
Online Permitting & Inspections	Improves citizen access and reduces service wait times

To learn more about Plaquemine's smart city ambitions, see the Business Report's coverage on AI in local government initiatives and WBRZ's in-depth overview of AI-advanced city services and grant opportunities in Plaquemine.

The debut of the Nexus Technology Cup is energizing Louisiana's tech landscape this June, offering more than $100,000 in cash prizes and opportunities for innovators statewide to showcase their software and hardware breakthroughs.

Hosted at the Estuary @ The Water Campus in Baton Rouge from June 17–19, the multi-day event invites college students, developers, independent inventors, and even high school teams to present their projects before expert judges and industry leaders.

Prize winners receive not only significant financial awards - top prizes for the College and Open tracks range from $5,000 to $25,000 - but also mentorship, press exposure, and accelerator memberships.

Track	Gold	Silver	Bronze
College	$15,000	$10,000	$5,000
Open	$25,000	$15,000	$10,000

Reflecting the state's deep talent pool, finalists include innovators from Louisiana State University, University of Louisiana Monroe, and other leading institutions, alongside startup founders from cities like Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.

Tony Zanders, President and CEO of Nexus Louisiana, emphasized,

“Louisiana is home to some of the most talented and innovative minds in the country. Our institutions continue to produce remarkable talent with the drive to shape what's next, and the Nexus Technology Cup is a showcase for that brilliance. It's more than a competition - it's a celebration of Louisiana's ability to lead in the future of technology and entrepreneurship.”

For a complete overview of finalists and judges, read the announcement of the inaugural Technology Cup finalists.

Learn more about the event schedule, tracks, and opportunities for participants on the Nexus Technology Cup preview.

The recent indictment of Albert Saniger, the former CEO of Baton Rouge-connected fintech startup Nate, Inc., is sending shockwaves through the tech world as regulators crack down on so-called “AI washing” - the practice of exaggerating or fabricating artificial intelligence capabilities to lure investment.

Saniger allegedly raised over $40 million by touting Nate's shopping app as an AI-driven breakthrough, promising automated “single tap” purchases and deep learning models handling 10,000 transactions a day.

In reality, prosecutors say the operation depended almost entirely on overseas call center workers in the Philippines and Romania, with actual automation rates at “effectively zero percent” and elaborate efforts made to conceal human involvement.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky captured the broader risks:

“Albert Saniger misled investors by exploiting the promise and allure of AI technology to build a false narrative about innovation that never existed. This type of deception not only victimizes innocent investors, it diverts capital from legitimate startups… and ultimately impedes the progress of AI development.”

The fallout for investors has been severe, with Nate collapsing and assets liquidated, leaving backers with near-total losses.

As scrutiny around AI startup claims intensifies - magnified by the SEC's parallel civil action and ramifications reaching Canadian and global regulators - industry leaders are reminded of the need for genuine technical transparency and robust due diligence.

For an in-depth breakdown of the indictment's allegations and policy context, visit the U.S. Attorney's Office press release, explore investor risks and global repercussions in Norton Rose Fulbright's fraud analysis, and see the DOJ's broader warning to startups outlined by DLA Piper's legal insights on AI washing.

Baton Rouge exemplifies how targeted partnerships, robust funding, and visionary strategy can anchor a region's leadership in AI and technology, even as federal research cuts pose challenges statewide.

In the face of National Science Foundation grant freezes impacting higher education and threatening research careers -

“If labs shut down because of NSF funding restrictions, we're not going to complete their research. Their careers are just getting destroyed in the process,” warned LSU's Parampreet Singh

- Louisiana's public and private sector innovation persists.

The state's newly launched Innovation Brand and Louisiana Institute for Artificial Intelligence stand alongside recent record-setting investments, including Meta's $10 billion data center and $900,000 in funding for Baton Rouge's energy startups.

A collaborative, health-tech-focused infrastructure is emerging, as detailed in Baton Rouge's multipronged grants and workforce programs supported by local and federal partners - see the ongoing progress at Baton Rouge Health District initiatives.

And with the state spotlighting technology and innovation as keystones of its $61 billion economic development surge, these efforts collectively strengthen the city's resilience and Southern competitiveness amid a national AI boom described in funding reports like TechStartups' May 2025 review of top startup and tech funding news.

As Baton Rouge pushes through adversity and stakes its claim as a Southern AI powerhouse, its model of cross-sector innovation and adaptability offers a playbook for tech regions nationwide.