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

Carmel, Indiana sits at the epicenter of a new technological frontier as data center developments - powered by the AI boom - reshape the region, often sparking vigorous debate over environmental, economic, and community trade-offs.

With over 60 data centers statewide and nearly 30 more proposed, Indiana's energy demands are set to surge; just ten new centers could consume nearly one-third of the state's summer electricity capacity, most of it still sourced from fossil fuels Indiana data center boom and its climate impact.

Large projects like Amazon's New Carlisle expansion propose to fill wetlands and reroute streams, drawing public outcry over aquifer depletion, flooding risk, and insufficient local mitigation wetland removal and community worry.

Meanwhile, across central Indiana, residents demand stronger standards for resource consumption, sustainable design, and direct investment in local infrastructure, echoing national tensions about balancing economic growth with long-term community and ecological health call for binding commitments from tech giants.

As legislators enact new rules (see table), Indiana's tech evolution exemplifies both promise and the growing pains of rapid digital expansion.

Bill	Subject	Status	Key Impact
HB 1007	Energy generation resources	Awaiting Governor's signature	Slows coal plant closures; supports energy for data centers
SEA 423/424	Small Modular Nuclear Reactors	Passed	Utilities can pass SMR costs to customers
SEA 422	Advanced transmission technologies	Passed	Improves grid efficiency and reliability

“It's really hard for folks to understand the magnitude of energy consumption at these centers. It's so far beyond any comparison point we have today.” - Ben Inskeep, Citizens Action Coalition

Indiana is rapidly becoming a focal point for AI-driven data center development, with multiple large-scale projects proposed for Hancock County and Indianapolis despite mounting community resistance.

The 775-acre Hancock County MegaSite, led by Surge Development, aimed to establish a significant AI and data center hub near Tuttle Orchards and the Indianapolis Regional Airport; however, the project was put on hold after intense public backlash, with Surge citing the need for more community-focused planning and specificity before moving forward (developer withdraws petition after public pushback).

In Franklin Township, a 467-acre data center proposal by Deep Meadow Ventures has alarmed residents over potential flooding, water usage, and environmental impacts, leading to petitions with over 2,500 signatures and active grassroots organizing.

According to environmental advocates, Indiana's combined proposed centers could demand nearly 9,700 megawatts - about a third of the state's summer electricity - raising concerns about exacerbating climate change, water depletion, and relatively few new jobs for the region.

Local organizers emphasize that rezoning and incentive proposals do not guarantee construction:

“The writing is not on the wall. It's really important that folks know that just because a data center is being proposed in their community, in no way means that that's actually going to happen.” – Ben Inskeep, Citizens Action Coalition

For more on resident action and the shifting landscape, visit this in-depth WFYI investigation on Indianapolis data center resistance.

Below is a summary of key data points shaping this debate:

Metric	Detail
Proposed data centers near Indianapolis	Over 6 in Central Indiana; 20+ statewide
Individual project size	Hancock Co.: 775 acres; Franklin Twp.: 467 acres
Electricity demand (10 proposed centers)	9,700 MW (approx. 1/3 state summer capacity)
Community mobilization	Thousands of petition signatures; major public hearings

The state's future as an AI data center hub depends on the delicate balance between economic development, environmental stewardship, and community values.

Purdue University's commitment to revolutionizing pharmaceutical manufacturing reached a national stage this month as it led a historic initiative in Washington, D.C. to onshore medicine production by harnessing artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

During the “Making Medicines in America” summit, leaders from Purdue, industry giants like Eli Lilly and Merck, and public policymakers signed a collaborative accord pledging to reduce U.S. dependence on overseas pharmaceutical supply chains - currently responsible for over 70% of active pharmaceutical ingredients - by lowering costs, improving quality, and training a new generation of talent in AI-enabled technologies.

The event, summarized by the Purdue newsroom, highlighted sweeping commitments to cutting-edge research and a focus on national security and economic stability.

As explained in the post-event analysis from the PDA Letter, the collaborative accord centers on six pillars: developing AI-powered drug manufacturing, building distributed networks, enabling real-time supply chain management, workforce preparation, regulatory acceleration, and environmental sustainability.

“As we stand at the crossroads of artificial intelligence and life sciences, we are witnessing a profound transformation - not just in how we discover new therapies, but also in how we produce and deliver them with unprecedented speed, precision and scale,”

said Purdue President Mung Chiang.

By deepening partnerships and driving U.S.-based innovation, Purdue's initiative - further detailed by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation - positions Indiana as a front-runner in reshaping the national pharmaceutical supply chain for speed, security, and future-ready careers.

Grassroots tech education continues to gain momentum in Carmel and across Indiana thanks to collaborative programs like the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp, which returns in 2025 to underserved Indianapolis and Fort Wayne high school students.

This free, 20-hour initiative, delivered in partnership with Corteva, provides participants from grades 9-12 with foundational AI skills - no coding background required - spanning hands-on tracks in healthcare, sports science, business, and more.

“As AI continues to become an undeniable force in all of our lives, it's crucial that we open the door to this knowledge, especially to young people who want to explore it,”

- Mark Cuban, Founder

emphasized in a recent announcement.

New in 2025, a year-long Teacher Fellowship equips educators with the resources and confidence to integrate AI lessons in high school classrooms, multiplying local reach.

Programs stress accessibility, offering transportation, meals, and tech equipment so that barriers to participation are minimized. A summary of the program's inclusive offerings is shown below:

Feature	Details
Audience	Underserved high school students (grades 9-12)
Cost	Free (meals, transport, equipment provided)
Tracks	Healthcare, Sports, Arts, Business, CS, Education
Additional Support	Teacher Fellowship, national mentor network

Applications for the bootcamp and the educator fellowship are now open at the Mark Cuban Foundation official site.

For a closer look at how the bootcamp impacts the local workforce pipeline, see the latest partnership news with Corteva.

Fort Wayne's selection as a 2025 host highlights the spread of these inclusive tech opportunities statewide - read more on outcomes and applications via this 21Alive News report on the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp.

Purdue University is rapidly solidifying Indiana's status as a national leader in health, AI, and manufacturing education, introducing a suite of online programs centered on artificial intelligence and data analytics.

Partnering with SEMI, Purdue has launched a 10-course, self-paced online series tailored to upskill semiconductor professionals, granting certificates upon completion and addressing urgent workforce gaps as U.S. manufacturing expands.

Highlights of the SEMI U and Purdue curriculum include hands-on modules in data analytics, machine learning with real-world Python cases, and manufacturing-specific AI, reflecting the sector's growing need for AI-driven expertise.

In a statement underscoring the initiative's importance, Purdue Senior Vice President Dimitrios Peroulis said,

“Staffing new facilities with capable talent requires education that keeps pace with the direction of the industry. This platform…offers industry professionals and students an accessible way to gain valuable, on-demand training in one of the world's fastest-growing sectors, as well as important related fields such as AI and data analytics.”

Purdue's commitment to accessible learning spans degree pathways as well, with a new fully online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence designed for both technical and non-technical professionals and featuring tailored majors for AI builders and business translators (Purdue's online AI master's program), and the launch of a Master of Science in Software Engineering focused on in-demand areas such as embedded systems, data science, and robotics (new online MS in Software Engineering at Purdue).

These forward-looking investments are increasing access to high-quality tech education and advancing Indiana's role at the forefront of U.S. industrial innovation.

Indiana has enacted sweeping new legislation to address the explosive growth of AI data centers and reshape the state's power infrastructure, putting data centers and other large-load customers on the hook for at least 80% of new energy project costs, with most measures receiving bipartisan attention and public scrutiny.

The passage of House Enrolled Act 1007 and Senate Enrolled Act 424 not only streamlines the approval process for new power plants - sometimes within as little as 90 days - but also offers a 20% state tax credit for investments in small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) manufacturing (Indiana's SMR investments and expedited approvals).

While the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is empowered to rule swiftly on project petitions, cost recovery mechanisms mean Hoosier ratepayers could ultimately bear higher utility bills - especially if projects stall or fail, sparking concern from advocacy groups and environmentalists (customer advocate and environmental concerns).

Opponents point out that, despite legislative moves to modernize the grid, Indiana's policies could slow renewable energy adoption, anchor the state to coal-fired generation, and incentivize risky nuclear projects, with Robyn Skuya-Boss of the Sierra Club warning,

“Hoosier communities need Indiana lawmakers to focus on protecting the interests of hard-working families instead of putting together one of the largest corporate handouts for monopoly utilities and tech companies that Indiana has ever seen.”

For a snapshot of the most consequential bills in this session, see the summary table at WFYI's legislation tracker:

Bill	Subject	Status	Notes
HB 1007	Energy generation resources	Signed	Limits coal plant closures; tax credits for SMRs
SEA 423/424	Small Modular Nuclear Reactors	Signed	Utilities can pass costs to customers even if SMRs unbuilt
SB 425	Energy production zones	Signed	Powers plant construction on old sites; excludes solar/wind

Comcast Advertising has launched a groundbreaking AI-powered ad creation platform, developed in partnership with Waymark, that aims to make professional TV ad production accessible for Carmel's small and local businesses.

Leveraging AI, the tool scans a business's website to generate customizable, TV-ready ads in minutes - removing traditional barriers such as high production costs and long timelines.

As Dawn Williamson, Chief Revenue Officer of Media Solutions at Comcast Advertising, notes,

“Making media buying easy and impactful is a core mission… Advertisers now have a fast and affordable way to build TV-ready ads for delivery across news, entertainment, live sports, and other premium video destinations.”

Since its debut, thousands of ads have been created, with users like Bill Gray of Atlantic Coast Appliance praising the platform: “Comcast made it so easy for us and we were airing in market before we knew it, and can't wait to do more.” The initiative springs from Comcast's LIFT Labs accelerator and offers rapid, flexible campaign deployment across traditional TV, streaming, and multiscreen formats via the company's new Media Solutions team.

The table below outlines core features of the AI platform:

Feature	Description
Ad Generation	Scans business website, creates commercials automatically
Customization	Adjust messaging, graphics, voiceovers, languages, and seasonal targeting
Media Distribution	Delivers ads to news, entertainment, live sports, and premium video platforms

For more details on how this technology is reshaping local advertising, see the full coverage at Business Wire's overview of the Comcast-Waymark partnership, TeckNexus's in-depth platform review, and Future Week's feature on the rise of AI-driven TV ad solutions.

Indiana's small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are accelerating their digital transformation, with 38% now actively using AI to streamline operations, enhance marketing, and strengthen cybersecurity.

Recent survey data reveals that 28% of SMBs leverage AI specifically for marketing and social media, 24% employ it for written communications, and 25% rely on AI to boost their cybersecurity defenses.

The trend reflects a growing recognition of AI as a vital tool in meeting both opportunity and challenge; for example, 56% of business decision-makers believe AI can help address staff shortages and 53% see AI supporting employee retention.

As digital tools proliferate, nearly half of Indiana's SMBs have already upgraded their cybersecurity solutions within the past year, acknowledging that business growth heightens exposure to cyber threats.

The numbers highlight the changing landscape:

AI & Tech Usage Among SMBs	Percentage
Actively using AI in operations	38%
AI for marketing & social media	28%
AI for cybersecurity	25%
Upgraded cybersecurity solutions	47%

“Small business owners are entering a new chapter of digital business with the rise of AI,” noted Aparna Khurjekar, Chief Revenue Officer, Business Markets and SaaS, Verizon Business.

This level of digital adoption comes as SMBs increasingly view social media and accessible AI tools as essential to customer engagement and long-term growth.

For a deeper dive into the latest trends documented in Verizon's annual survey, see the 2025 State of Small Business Survey, view detailed analysis at GlobeNewswire's business technology report, and review actionable highlights from Hardware Retailing's industry coverage.

Meta has entered the AI chatbot race with its new standalone Meta AI app, now available on iOS, Android, and desktop platforms. Built on Meta's Llama 4 model, the app is engineered to compete directly with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, offering personalized, conversational assistance by drawing on information shared across Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta products.

A notable differentiator is its "Discover" feed, which promotes social engagement by letting users explore, remix, and share AI-generated prompts and content, bringing a community-centric twist to the AI experience.

The app also integrates seamlessly with Ray-Ban Meta glasses, enabling hands-free, voice-powered interactions and real-time visual analysis - a fusion applauded for both boosting accessibility and expanding the potential of wearable tech.

As of early 2025, Meta AI counts approximately 700 million active monthly users, with Meta strategizing to grow this number beyond 1 billion by year-end through further enhancements and monetization, following a model similar to ChatGPT's subscription approach.

"This is going to be the year when a highly intelligent and personalized AI assistant reaches more than 1 billion people, and I expect Meta AI to be that leading AI assistant." - Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's Q4 2024 earnings call

While experts note the app's innovative integration across devices and community-driven features, concerns remain around data privacy and the depth of personalization.

For a full breakdown of Meta AI's rollout and its place in the competitive landscape, read the official launch announcement on Meta's newsroom, a comprehensive analysis of its competition with ChatGPT on TechCrunch, and a technical guide to its capabilities from AI GPT Journal.

With generative AI's rapid spread, Carmel and greater Indiana communities are prioritizing not just technical advancement, but also the vital areas of AI ethics, safety, and media literacy.

Institutions like Indiana University are at the forefront with the Digital Gardener AI/GenAI Series, offering workshops and webinars to foster responsible AI use, critical thinking, and transparent classroom integration.

Meanwhile, innovations such as Google's SynthID Detector - revealed at I/O 2025 - are helping educators and the public verify AI-generated content by embedding and detecting invisible digital watermarks, addressing urgent concerns over misinformation and deepfakes.

At the policy level, Indiana joins nearly every state in the US with new or pending AI legislation aimed at transparency, content provenance, and ethical oversight, as tracked by the National Conference of State Legislatures' AI 2025 Legislative Update.

This multi-pronged approach - education, technology, and governance - reflects a growing consensus that AI skills, ethics, and media literacy are now essential for both civic participation and workforce readiness.

As Emil Ekiyor, a local initiative leader, noted:

“I'm not an expert but I use AI daily. It makes you so much more efficient … How do we democratize this access while it's still young?”

Epique Realty has set a new standard for AI innovation in real estate by winning seven international honors at the 2025 Globee® Awards for Artificial Intelligence.

Recognized for its suite of integrated AI products - including Epique AIPRO, named the #1 AI tool for real estate agents by industry sources - Epique's achievements span categories such as Most Innovative AI Product for Real Estate and Best Achievement in AI Operations, with CEO Joshua Miller receiving individual leadership awards.

As noted in a statement from Miller,

“Winning the 2025 Globee Awards for AI means we're delivering on the promise. We've always believed that technology, especially AI, should be a powerful force for good, something that truly changes the equation.”

Epique's agent-first model delivers AI-driven benefits like marketing automation, advanced property descriptions, and substantial cost savings - estimated at $30,000 annually per agent - through free healthcare, business tools, and more.

The company's open-access platform, Epique.ai AI tools for real estate professionals, further democratizes these tools for all real estate professionals.

This industry validation underscores Epique Realty's rapid growth and dedication to empowering agents, as further detailed in the MarketWatch feature on Epique Realty's Globee Award wins and highlights the Globee® Awards' impact on recognizing true AI excellence across sectors.

For a complete overview of categories and past honorees, visit the official Globee Awards website.

Award Category	Level	Recipient/Product
Real Estate AI Solutions (Epique AIPRO)	Silver	Epique Realty
Most Innovative AI Product (Real Estate)	Silver	Epique AIPRO
Best Achievement in AI Operations	Bronze	Epique Realty
AI Thought Leadership of the Year	Bronze	Joshua Miller
AI Expertise Achievement	Bronze	Joshua Miller
AI Technology Leadership Achievement	Bronze	Joshua Miller
AI Leadership Achievement	Bronze	Joshua Miller

Carmel's tech ecosystem in May 2025 stands at a crossroads of dynamic innovation, sizable investment, and growing public dialogue. Statewide and national momentum have resulted in Indiana securing nearly $6 million for local infrastructure, $51 million for Central Indiana's biotech and AI workforce, and $2.2 million in new community spaces in Carmel alone, all while over $2.8 billion in venture capital has flowed into Indiana tech since 2020 (Hamilton County infrastructure funding; Central Indiana Tech Hub grant; Carmel Gateway investment).

Yet this progress stirs local questions about governance, transparency, and job impact as legislative activity accelerates: 48 states introduced AI bills in 2025, and Indiana's own AI Task Force now studies state agency usage, cyber risk, and campaign disclosures.

As observed in a recent legal analysis,

“Indiana is not a national leader, but cautious and deliberate...focused on building trust in AI through responsibility and transparency” - setting the pace for careful integration rather than racing ahead

(insight on Indiana's AI laws).

With major public-private construction underway and training efforts growing, including new affordable pathways like Nucamp Bootcamp's tech programs and scholarships for diverse learners, Carmel's evolution will likely hinge on how well it balances growth opportunities with ethical and inclusive practices, ensuring that tomorrow's digital infrastructure remains as strong and accessible as its physical one.