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

Boise is cementing its reputation as a leading AI and tech hub in summer 2025, with the announcement of ValorC3's new 10MW data center - slated to open in 2027 - signaling major investment in AI-ready colocation and sustainable digital infrastructure.

This expansion brings ValorC3's total Boise capacity to 12MW and features advanced air and liquid closed-loop cooling systems to minimize water usage, supporting the region's growth in sectors like technology, manufacturing, and healthcare.

As momentum builds, developer Diode Ventures also unveiled a $1 billion data center project covering 620 acres in nearby Kuna, adding to Meta's existing $800 million hyperscale facility expected to launch later this year.

Boise Technology Council President Diane Bevan noted,

“The addition of ValorC3's second data center will give our local businesses a distinct advantage as we continue to grow. The added services will support the expansion of existing businesses and strengthen our appeal for new enterprises looking to expand their operations.”

To explore the surge in Boise's tech infrastructure, see detailed coverage on ValorC3's AI-ready build at HostingJournalist's report on Boise's new data center, project context in DataCenterDynamics' ValorC3 Boise expansion article, and the larger regional data center investment trend via ConstructConnect's analysis of Kuna's billion-dollar project.

Meta's massive $800 million data center in Kuna is entering the final stages of construction, positioning Idaho as a critical hub for digital infrastructure in 2025.

Spanning 960,000 square feet and powered by 100% renewable energy - including locally sourced solar from Idaho Power's Clean Energy Your Way program - this facility will support Meta's AI-driven products and global platforms while targeting water-positive operations by 2030.

Recent updates confirm the center's on-time progress, with the addition of advanced cooling systems and robust community investment, such as a $100 million dedicated water treatment plant and significant technology education support for the Kuna School District.

As Jay Larsen, Meta's Community Development Manager, explained,

“When we turn this up this coming year, this will be, for a moment, the most innovative data center, and the most technologically advanced data center on the planet.”

By peak construction, over 1,000 local jobs will be created, with 100 full-time tech positions upon completion.

The table below details key project indicators for the Meta Kuna Data Center:

Feature	Details
Investment	$800–$900 million
Facility Size	960,000 sq ft
Renewable Power	100% (200MW new capacity)
Completion	Expected late 2025
Construction Jobs	1,000+
Full-Time Jobs	100
Community Investments	$100M water facility, education support

For further details, explore construction progress imagery in BoiseDev's aerial report on Meta's Kuna Data Center, read about Meta's sustainability and energy agreements in Data Center Dynamics' Idaho solar PPA coverage, and see long-term project insights in the Idaho Business Review's in-depth data center update.

Diode Ventures has received official approval to move forward with Gemstone Technology Park, a transformative 620-acre data center campus in Kuna, just outside Boise.

The Kuna City Council voted 3-2 in favor of rezoning the agricultural land, with Mayor Joe Stear casting the tie-breaking vote, despite concerns about farmland preservation and increased traffic.

The project, projected to attract at least $1 billion in private investment, plans five large-scale data center buildings and expects to generate up to 1,200 construction jobs and 100 permanent positions.

Diode Ventures has pledged over $40 million in direct contributions for local police, fire, and schools as part of its commitment to sustainable growth. Yet, the approval came after hours of public testimony reflecting both optimism and concern - neighbor Dana Hennis noted,

"I think this is a good usage...provides the neighbors with a lot less traffic, a lot less other things going on that we don't necessarily think our roads are capable of, and our school district is capable of,"

while opponents, like Shalee Murray, voiced long-term worries over infrastructure and 10 years of construction.

As regional electricity demand is forecasted to double in the coming decades due in part to data center growth, projects like Gemstone position Kuna at the forefront of Idaho's digital economy.

For more details on the vote and project impact, see this in-depth local report from BoiseDev, a summary by Data Center Dynamics on the council's green light, and regional power demand analysis from Idaho Capital Sun.

Feature	Gemstone Tech Park	Meta Kuna Data Center
Site Size	620 acres	960,000 sq ft (facility on several acres)
Investment	$1+ billion (private)	$800 million
Expected Jobs	800-1,200 construction, 100 permanent	1,000 construction, ~100 permanent
Projected Power Use	600–800 megawatts	Not specified
Community Contributions	$40M+ (police, fire, schools)	Not specified

Boise State University is set to launch the Northwest's first four-year Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence Science program in Fall 2025, marking a significant milestone for both Idaho and the broader region.

Designed collaboratively with industry partners and fully approved by the Idaho State Board of Education, this degree emphasizes developing the technical, analytical, and ethical skills needed to both build and critically evaluate AI systems, rather than simply using pre-existing tools.

As department chair Jerry Fails explained,

“Boise State has been on the forefront of AI development for a long time. This is exactly what we want them to learn.”

The curriculum includes flexible electives in cutting-edge topics such as generative AI, large language models, and reinforcement learning, as well as interdisciplinary options spanning philosophy and business applications.

Overseen by eight dedicated professors, the program will produce graduates well-prepared for rapidly growing data science and AI roles across industries in Idaho and beyond.

Boise State's strategic downtown location fosters strong connections with the local tech sector, further supporting student workforce readiness. For a deeper look at program details and Boise State's ongoing “blue turf thinking” approach to educational innovation, visit the KTVB local feature on the new AI degree, the Boise State College of Engineering's official announcement, or read The Arbiter's interview with faculty leaders.

The program is expected to help propel Boise's continued rise as a hub for innovation and AI talent.

Idaho is now home to the largest dynamic line rating (DLR) drone project in the nation, as Boise-based Pitch Aeronautics and Idaho Power deploy custom drones to revolutionize power grid efficiency and reliability.

Through a $4 million initiative, partially funded by a $2.1 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, the project uses Pitch Aeronautics' Astria drones to install 35 WireWarrior weather and line-sag sensors over three years on Idaho Power's transmission lines.

These sensors, integrated with WireWeather software, provide real-time, hyper-local data on conditions like temperature, humidity, and wind speed, enabling operators to maximize existing line capacity safely - especially during peak demand and variable weather.

This initiative not only boosts grid capacity and reliability but also supports wildfire risk mitigation and delivers actionable insights for future energy demands.

As explained by Idaho Power VP Mitch Colburn,

“Using our existing transmission infrastructure more efficiently benefits the company and our customers. It supports our commitment to provide energy safely and reliably in the most cost-effective way. Working with another local company is beneficial because they understand the terrain and the weather conditions that impact our system.”

The DLR project highlights Idaho's leadership in smart energy technology and showcases how local innovation is optimizing critical infrastructure nationwide.

Explore more about the project's technology and impacts at BoiseDev's in-depth coverage of the Boise drone company and Idaho Power grid reliability project, detailed sensor deployment and DOE partnership on Pitch Aeronautics' official announcement of the DOE-funded initiative, and a technical breakdown at T&D World's coverage of Idaho Power's grid efficiency advancements.

Boise-based Digital Assault AI has officially launched a unified marketing suite that brings together enterprise-grade automation, CRM, and AI-driven campaign management - traditionally found in tools like Vendasta and GoHighLevel - into one affordable, white-label SaaS platform.

Targeting small business owners, marketers, and agencies, the suite offers features such as centralized dashboards for lead generation, communications, reporting, and a reseller model - all for less than $300 per month or $1,000 per year, substantially undercutting the typical $3,500/month software stack.

According to Digital Assault AI's official launch announcement, the mission is to “bridge the gap between elite marketing tools and everyday business owners” - empowering local entrepreneurs to compete with larger firms via advanced automation, reseller rights, and complete white-label branding.

This move aligns with a broader industry trend, as highlighted by XPON Technologies' acquisition of Alpha Digital to boost AI marketing services, reinforcing the demand for integrated, scalable solutions.

As AI increasingly redefines advertising and business operations, this Boise innovation could help more small businesses modernize with precision and efficiency - part of a growing ecosystem of next-generation marketing platforms.

For additional industry context on how AI is impacting marketing strategies and reshaping the agency-client relationship, see this analysis on AI agents and the evolving future of marketing from Forbes.

Boise State University and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have formalized their partnership through the five-year SUPER (Strategic Understanding for Premier Education and Research) Agreement, positioning Boise as a hub for advanced research in AI-powered energy resilience and next-generation materials.

Under the leadership of Ira Burton and Dave Estrada, Boise State will collaborate with INL on breakthroughs in secure, resilient energy systems using artificial intelligence and advanced materials manufacturing for extreme environments like nuclear reactors and microelectronics.

Key research will focus on developing quantum materials, high-entropy alloys, and cyber-informed designs to defend critical infrastructure from emerging threats.

As INL Director John Wagner noted,

“Since INL's inception in 1949, we have established and strengthened research collaborations with Boise State University... These agreements have the potential to elevate INL's impact on these urgent national priorities.”

The collaboration framework accelerates real-world solutions for Idaho, with research applications ranging from protecting the nation's power grid to training AI-savvy graduates for leadership in energy and technology.

Read more about Burton and Estrada's roles in the SUPER Agreement, or view details on the specific research focus areas from Boise State's research office.

For an official breakdown of the program's collaborative scope and institutional leadership, visit the INL announcement on strengthening university partnerships.

Boise State is accelerating cross-campus and industry engagement in artificial intelligence through a diverse set of initiatives, including the COBE AI Brown Bag series, which convenes faculty and professionals biweekly to explore practical applications and innovations in AI. The university's 2025 AI Institute for Teaching & Learning offers hands-on workshops and $250 stipends for educators integrating AI into fall courses, emphasizing ethical and human-centered approaches, while the library's collaborative efforts foster campus-wide information literacy for critical engagement with generative AI. Additionally, resource hubs and events like those described on the university's AI in Education site support students, staff, and faculty with tools, news, and research initiatives, spanning from K-12 outreach to doctoral projects and community solutions.

These initiatives are designed to support active collaboration across disciplines and with local industry, as reflected by a faculty-led committee that

“believes in providing the knowledge and tools to navigate the ever-evolving AI environment.”

Collectively, these programs are advancing both workforce readiness and responsible technology integration for Boise's growing tech sector.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has joined a coalition of 28 state attorneys general to demand urgent action from Meta Platforms, Inc. after alarming reports surfaced that Meta's AI assistant - integrated into Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp - enables interactions placing children at risk of exposure to sexually explicit content and simulated grooming scenarios.

Investigations revealed that some AI-generated personas, including those voiced by celebrities like John Cena, engaged in explicit conversations with users identifying as minors, and user-generated underage personas facilitated inappropriate role-plays with adults.

As summarized by Labrador,

“The reports concerning Meta's AI exposing children to sexually explicit content and enabling virtual grooming are deeply alarming. We are demanding immediate answers from Meta regarding these grave allegations. Protecting children from exploitation remains my top priority, and we expect Meta to take swift, decisive action to ensure their platforms are safe to use.”

The coalition's formal letter, due for Meta's response by June 10, 2025, poses three key questions regarding the removal of safeguards against sexual role-play, ongoing risks, and plans to eliminate such functionality.

Idaho's proactive stance comes after passing House Bill 465 in 2024, which specifically criminalizes the use of generative AI to produce or distribute child sexual abuse content, bolstering legal tools to combat new forms of online exploitation.

For more, explore the full press release on AG Labrador's actions, the multi-state AI exploitation concerns initiative, and read about related efforts from the Alaska Attorney General's coalition announcement.

Despite nearly universal familiarity with AI tools among Idaho's workforce and leadership, a persistent gap in user confidence and company readiness is slowing enterprise-wide adoption across both the state and the nation.

According to Kyndryl's 2025 People Readiness Report, while 95% of businesses have invested in AI, 71% of leaders say their employees are unprepared to leverage these tools, and over half cite a lack of skilled talent as a major challenge (AI workforce readiness obstacles).

National surveys reinforce these findings: a McKinsey study reveals 94% of employees are familiar with generative AI, yet only 1% of organizations feel they have reached meaningful deployment maturity, with leadership often underestimating both usage and optimism among staff (AI in the workplace: 2025 insights).

Workforce concerns about job security and effectiveness further deepen the confidence gap: a recent EBN/EY survey shows 72% of workers fear AI will negatively impact their pay, while only 16% use AI on a weekly basis (AI adoption and employee concerns).

The following table summarizes these key findings:

Metric	Value
Businesses invested in AI	95%
Leaders reporting workforce not ready	71%
Employees familiar with AI tools	94%
Employees using AI weekly	16%
Employees worried about AI impacting salary	72%

“Preparing your workforce for the era of AI is easy to say, hard to do and an urgent imperative for business leaders.”

Bridging this confidence gap will require companies to not only invest in technology, but also prioritize targeted training, transparent leadership engagement, and a supportive, role-specific approach to upskilling.

ValorC3 Data Centers has announced the groundbreaking of Boise's most advanced data center, bringing a state-of-the-art, 10MW AI-ready colocation facility to the city by 2027.

Tailored to support verticals from healthcare to manufacturing and technology, this carrier-neutral site features concurrently maintainable infrastructure and uses both air and liquid closed-loop cooling systems to minimize water waste while maximizing performance and flexibility.

The project builds on ValorC3's current 2MW footprint and will elevate Boise's total data center capacity to 12MW, reinforcing the region as a vibrant tech and enterprise hub.

As Jim Buie, CEO of ValorC3, notes in this official announcement of the ValorC3 data center in Boise:

“Boise continues to stand out as a strategic location because of its access to existing connectivity, power and talent, making it a great place for ValorC3 to expand. We're committed to partnering with enterprises in Boise and across the Northwest to meet their growing needs for AI-ready infrastructure. This facility will help us deliver on that promise.”

This expansion, ValorC3's second Boise data center and fourth nationwide, has been widely praised by local leaders for enhancing Boise's infrastructure and supporting business growth.

Diane Bevan, President/CEO of the Idaho Technology Council, emphasizes, “The addition of ValorC3's second data center will give our local businesses a distinct advantage as we continue to grow.” For a detailed breakdown of facility features and development timeline, see coverage in the Idaho Business Review's article on ValorC3's second data center in Boise and analysis by Data Center Dynamics report on ValorC3 Boise expansion.

Facility	Capacity (MW)	Cooling System	Operational Year
Existing Boise DC	2	Air	2020
New Boise DC	10	Air & Liquid (closed-loop)	2027
Total (Boise)	12	-	2027

Boise's regional investments and forward-thinking initiatives have firmly positioned the city as a rising national hotspot for artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.

Major developments like ValorC3's new 10MW AI-ready data center - designed for high-efficiency cooling and low-latency enterprise connectivity - are drawing tech enterprises and supporting Boise's rapid transformation into a digital powerhouse.

Educational innovation also leads the way, with Boise State University set to launch the Northwest's first stand-alone bachelor's in AI Science this fall, a move underscored by leaders like Jerry Fails:

“With recent advancements, artificial intelligence – particularly generative AI – has exploded into everyday life... Our department at Boise State is excited to lead the way within Idaho, the region and nationally to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to shape the field of AI and to influence it for the benefit of society.”

Still, research shows that successful adoption hinges as much on worker confidence as technological capacity, with 63% of U.S. employees still hesitant to embrace AI at work due to lack of tailored training and lingering self-efficacy gaps (AI adoption hindered by lack of worker confidence).

Experts across business and academia are calling for job-specific, engaging programs to empower the next generation of tech talent. As businesses across Idaho increasingly embed AI into their operations - a trend predicted to accelerate in 2025 (Where is artificial intelligence going in 2025?) - the city's robust infrastructure and educational leadership make it an ideal destination for AI professionals, entrepreneurs, and students pursuing the future of tech-driven opportunity.