This Month's Latest Tech News in Cincinnati, OH - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

Cincinnati is cementing its status as a national tech hotspot in April 2025, with a surge in AI breakthroughs, major venture capital rounds, and academic partnerships pushing the region to new heights.

The Ohio State University's entry into the NextGenAI consortium with OpenAI positions the region at the forefront of multidisciplinary AI research, enabling advances across healthcare, manufacturing, and education.

Cincinnati's tech ecosystem is equally dynamic - local startups like Luna Technologies and Luma Financial Technologies each secured $63 million funding rounds, while health-focused CinRx Pharma drew $73 million for its biotech pipeline, as reported in the Crunchbase Weekly Megadeals Board.

Meanwhile, recognition for innovation is growing: Cincy Inno's 2025 Fire Awards spotlight 22 of the city's most promising startups, and University of Cincinnati-backed ventures like Qualz.ai and Karneyium Health are leading advances in fields from AI-powered research to healthcare equity.

As Kate Harmon of UC's Office of Innovation notes,

“We've developed a proven formula for success.”

For a closer look at the region's rising stars, visit Cincy Inno's 2025 Fire Award finalists coverage.

This year's SXSW spotlighted Cincinnati as a major force in shaping the future of both artificial intelligence and quantum computing, thanks to the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub and its talented ecosystem.

Leaders from UC attended SXSW 2025 to explore evolving digital storytelling, collaborative innovation environments, and tech entrepreneurship, signaling Cincinnati's growing influence in next-generation tech trends.

A highlight came from Airtrek Robotics, a UC Venture Lab startup, which captured international attention by pitching its autonomous “runway Roomba” - an AI-powered robot to remove hazardous debris from airports and address an industry problem costing $22.7 billion annually (Cincinnati startup pitches AI-powered airport safety robot at SXSW).

Meanwhile, experts such as IBM's Arvind Krishna emphasized that practical quantum computing could arrive much sooner than anticipated, benefiting sectors from carbon sequestration and materials discovery to critical business optimization (IBM CEO predicts early quantum computing impact at SXSW 2025).

Ricardo Vargas, reporting from SXSW, underscored four trends converging on the tech horizon: rapid progress in AI-embedded physical spaces, zero-code development, advances in biotechnology, and the transformative potential at the intersection of quantum computing and AI (SXSW 2025: AI, quantum, and biotechnology trends explained).

As innovation hubs like UC's 1819 continue to foster collaborative creativity, Cincinnati's presence on this national stage grows ever more pronounced, driving both regional economic impact and future-facing solutions.

Ohio teens are making waves in healthcare technology regulation after Paisley Tuel, a 19-year-old pre-law student from Cincinnati, and her collaborator Sabrina Soto identified critical gaps in the state's oversight of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Following high-profile lawsuits against insurers for using algorithms to deny claims, the duo published a comprehensive 50-page paper, highlighting how states like Massachusetts and Illinois already enforce stringent AI standards - Massachusetts requires licensing board approval for mental health AI tools, while Illinois mandates bias testing (see the in-depth Cincinnati Enquirer feature on AI healthcare regulation).

Their work caught the attention of Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, who then invited them to help draft pioneering legislation aimed at establishing an Ohio AI Healthcare Regulatory Committee.

This committee, comprising medical, legal, and technical experts, would certify AI tools, ensure compliance standards, and safeguard patient rights. Goals of the pending bill include mandatory testing and monitoring of AI in hospitals and requiring disclosure and consent when AI influences care.

As Tuel stated,

"We want AI tools to be tested and monitored for widespread use in Ohio hospitals because that has not happened yet."

For an overview of the teens' research process and findings, check out the Cincinnati Enquirer coverage of Ohio teen AI legislation efforts.

For examples of recent healthcare-related lawmaking, including new transparency rules impacting Ohio hospitals, explore Eye on Privacy's analysis of Ohio hospital pricing transparency laws.

The proposed Ohio bill is currently under draft review, with advocates hoping it sets a benchmark for balancing innovation with patient protections across the state.

Microsoft has officially paused its $1 billion plan to construct three major data centers in Licking County, Ohio, citing shifting economic forecasts and strategic reassessment of infrastructure needs amid rapid AI market growth and new tariff challenges.

The move affects sites in New Albany, Heath, and Hebron, which will revert to agricultural use as Microsoft retains land ownership and continues to fund local infrastructure improvements.

While the project's halt disappointed local leaders and may impact job and tax growth projections - up to 1,000 jobs and $150 million in annual revenue according to one estimate - Microsoft executives emphasize the importance of adapting large-scale investments to evolving global demand and regulatory pressures.

As Noelle Walsh, President of Microsoft Cloud Operations, explained,

"In recent years, demand for our cloud and AI services grew more than we could have ever anticipated and to meet this opportunity, we began executing the largest and most ambitious infrastructure scaling project in our history. What this means is that we are slowing or pausing some early-stage projects."

Despite this setback, Microsoft's $80 billion global AI infrastructure investment for fiscal 2025 remains on track, with leaders reaffirming local partnerships and ongoing support for community initiatives.

For a deeper analysis of the decision's context and on-the-ground impact, see the in-depth report from ENR Midwest on Microsoft's data center pause, additional details from CNBC's overview of AI data center industry trends, and the local economic impact analysis by Diya TV USA on Ohio's data center project.

The broader trend suggests this is a “strategic pause” shared across big tech, as the demand for AI data centers remains robust but subject to careful market recalibration.

Visa is ushering in a new era of AI-powered commerce with its ambitious “Intelligent Commerce” initiative, enabling artificial intelligence agents - not just chatbots, but autonomous personal assistants - to make secure purchases using your credit card within defined spending limits and preferences.

Through partnerships with leading AI developers such as Anthropic, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Perplexity, Visa's integrated APIs empower users to set budgets and provide AI agents with tokenized payment credentials, while safeguarding sensitive information through advanced fraud protection and real-time controls.

The solution, now in pilot with a full rollout expected next year, leverages five core technologies - authentication, tokenization, customizable payment instructions, personalization with user consent, and real-time transaction monitoring - to ensure seamless and secure transactions that benefit consumers, merchants, and banks alike.

As Jack Forestell, Visa's Chief Product and Strategy Officer, affirms,

“Each consumer sets the limits, and Visa helps manage the rest.”

Visa's move reflects a broader trend, with Mastercard and major payment networks launching similar features, positioning agent-led commerce as transformational as early e-commerce.

For a deeper look at Visa's payment innovation and partnerships, explore Visa Powers AI Shopping Agents With ‘Intelligent Commerce' Payment Rails, review the industry collaboration in Visa and Mastercard unveil AI-powered shopping, and learn how consumers remain in control with new spending tools in Visa wants to give artificial intelligence 'agents' your credit card.

The rapid expansion of drones, robots, and AI-powered surveillance among Ohio police departments is transforming law enforcement statewide, but also amplifying privacy concerns.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office leads the state with a fleet of 16 drones operating as autonomous “first responders,” while the Dublin Police recently invested over $500,000 in drones and introduced two new robots equipped with 360-degree cameras and two-way communication features for public safety monitoring.

Dayton Police significantly increased their drone deployments in 2024 - up to 370 occasions from just 11 the year before - and modernized their downtown security network by installing 17 new cameras and adopting innovative technologies like tethered drones and Flock license plate readers.

The technology adoption varies by agency, as shown below:

Department	Technology	Details
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office	16 Drones, Real-Time Operations Center	Autonomous drone response, live integration with deputy body cams
Dublin Police Department	4 Drones, 2 Robots	Drones deploy in 90 seconds; robots patrol, provide direct communication
Dayton Police	16 Drones, 17 Cameras, Flock Readers	Major increase in drone missions, upgraded camera system, advanced LPR tech

However, civil liberties advocates such as the ACLU of Ohio warn that the surge in unregulated surveillance could erode residents' privacy rights, especially during protests or in sensitive community spaces.

As Gary Daniels, Chief Lobbyist for the ACLU of Ohio, cautions,

“My fear is that [privacy] has eroded. It's not that these are somewhere down the line, this is going to present some real privacy problems. No, we are there and we have been there for quite a long time.”

For an in-depth overview of how Ohio law enforcement is deploying these cutting-edge tools - and the debate they spark - see detailed reporting at WOSU's analysis of statewide police surveillance technology, a look at Hamilton County's drone and real-time crime center program, and recent coverage on Dayton Police's expanded drone and surveillance camera use.

Cincinnati's proptech scene took a significant leap forward this month as CommercializeIQ, a local startup founded by industry veteran Alex Taylor, announced a $2.5 million funding round to expand its AI-powered platform for commercial real estate (CRE) professionals.

The platform is designed to transform how data is collected, aggregated, and shared throughout the real estate lifecycle, offering tools for real-time collaboration, customizable dashboards, and predictive analytics tailored to asset managers, executives, and investors.

According to the company,

“AI powered decision making eliminates guesswork and the rigid adherence to outdated ‘fund strategies' which are not nimble or current state market focused,”

highlighting CommercializeIQ's drive to introduce advanced data solutions where fragmented reporting still prevails.

This launch is part of a wave of AI adoption across the sector, as outlined in recent guides to AI tools for commercial real estate professionals, with platforms now automating tasks from lease abstraction to portfolio management.

At the industry level, leaders see generative AI as critical to enhancing efficiency, managing risk, and navigating talent shortages, although they point to ethical, cybersecurity, and adoption challenges that must be skillfully managed, as discussed in in-depth generative AI sector analyses.

For CRE professionals in Greater Cincinnati and beyond, the shift is clear: platforms like CommercializeIQ represent a new era where data-driven, AI-enhanced workflows can deliver both operational efficiencies and strategic insights.

Learn more about the company's vision in this Cincinnati Business Journal profile of CommercializeIQ.

Ohio lawmakers are moving quickly to address the dangers posed by AI-generated child pornography and deepfakes, as the state lags behind much of the nation in legislative protections.

As of April 2025, Ohio had not yet enacted comprehensive laws targeting the creation or distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or nonconsensual intimate deepfakes, despite 38 other states already criminalizing such offenses and a marked rise in reports of AI-enabled CSAM nationwide.

At the state level, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has championed Senate Bill 217, which would make it a felony to create or possess AI-generated simulated obscene material involving minors, require distinct watermarks on such content, and mandate its rapid removal from online platforms - with noncompliance facing severe civil penalties.

The issue has gained traction in part due to bipartisan efforts, with similar bills targeting both politically motivated and sexually exploitative deepfakes gaining support in the Ohio Statehouse.

Nationally, the recently passed bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act mandates prompt removal of non-consensual AI deepfake pornography and grants further tools to law enforcement, reflecting growing recognition of the serious harms to victims.

As Senator Hickenlooper stated,

“AI innovation is changing so much about our world, but it can't come at the cost of our children's privacy and safety. We have a narrow window to get out in front of this technology. We can't miss it.”

The following table highlights the disparities between Ohio and national trends in AI regulation:

Jurisdiction	AI-Generated CSAM Criminalized?	Year Enacted
Ohio	No (legislation pending)	-
United States (States w/ Laws)	Yes (38 states)	2019-2025

For further details on Ohio's pending deepfake and child-protection policies, see the Ballotpedia deepfake legislation tracker, learn about the provisions and penalties in Ohio's Senate Bill 217, and understand the broader national approach with the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act.

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) has signed a landmark agreement with Cincinnati's IoTco and Kata Solution LLC to launch Ohio's first bachelor's program in Artificial Intelligence (AI), signaling a strategic collaboration between academia and the state's advanced manufacturing sector.

The program, developed by BGSU's School of Engineering, will connect students with real-world experience through Industry 4.0 pilot projects and “digital roadmaps” tailored for local manufacturers, emphasizing AI, robotics, and IoT applications.

BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers highlighted,

“As a public university for the public good, Bowling Green State University is committed to fostering innovative partnerships that create student learning experiences and opportunities, while supporting Ohio's economy.”

Mo Abuali, CEO of IoTco, added that students and industry partners will pursue “near-zero downtime, near-zero defects, near-zero waste” operations.

Graduates will be positioned to address modern challenges in manufacturing, helping to retain talent in Ohio while advancing economic competitiveness. The new program, part of a broader expansion which recently added degrees in Robotics, Electronic and Computer, and Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, is attracting record enrollment and enhancing pathways for student industry credentials and paid co-ops.

For a detailed look at the partnership's goals and objectives, read BGSU's official announcement on driving AI and smart technology integration, the WTOL report on the AI bachelor's program collaboration, and coverage from BG Independent Media describing how the initiative will put engineering students to work solving local manufacturing challenges.

Feature	Details
Industry Partners	IoTco (Cincinnati), Kata Solution LLC (Powell)
Core Focus	AI education, Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing
Student Opportunities	Hands-on projects, digital roadmaps, paid co-ops
Enrollment Trends	Record-high in spring 2024

Cincinnati-based Benchmark Gensuite has been named a finalist in the 2025 Fast 55 Awards by the Cincinnati Business Courier, recognizing its rapid growth and impact as an innovator in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) technology.

The company's AI-powered platform empowers over 3 million global users to manage risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and accelerate sustainability goals; its Genny AI Helpers stand out for automating EHS tasks, boosting data quality, and delivering actionable insights across nearly 20 applications.

As R. Mukund, Founder and CEO, explains,

“Our growth is a direct result of the demand to deliver practical, forward-looking solutions that help businesses operate more safely, sustainably, and efficiently... We're proud to be at the forefront of that evolution by building technology that creates real-world impact for our customers and communities.”

Benchmark Gensuite's EHS solutions have also earned the company distinctions such as the Vista Equity Partners Gen AI Breakthrough Award and recognition as a 2025 Verdantix Green Quadrant EHS Software Leader.

Their growing collection of awards demonstrates a strong culture of innovation and an unwavering focus on user needs. Notable recent honors are summarized below:

Award	Year	Recognition
Cincinnati Business Courier Fast 55 Finalist	2025	Fastest-growing private companies
Verdantix Green Quadrant Leader	2025	Top EHS software providers globally
Vista Gen AI Breakthrough Award	2025	AI innovation in EHS

Learn more about Benchmark Gensuite's platform and industry impact by reviewing the official Fast 55 announcement, exploring their AI-powered EHS solutions, or reading about their recent industry awards and accomplishments.

Ohio is at the forefront of a sweeping expansion in real-time crime centers (RTCCs) and AI-driven surveillance, with cities like Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dublin leveraging advanced technology to bolster public safety.

Law enforcement agencies across the state now utilize networks of drones, robots, and AI-enhanced cameras to rapidly respond to emergencies, integrate public and private video feeds, and automate crime-solving workflows - many powered by platforms like Fusus and initiatives such as Cleveland's Safe Smart CLE program.

According to a recent RTCC integration report on real-time crime centers enhancing public safety, centralized hubs now provide real-time intelligence by amalgamating data from body cams, drones, license plate readers, and even social media.

Recent investments under Cleveland's RISE Initiative include AI-powered camera monitoring and expanded ShotSpotter gunshot detection, while the Ohio State Highway Patrol's new “eye in the sky” program makes live aerial surveillance available to all local agencies at no cost, enhancing search and rescue as well as suspect tracking (detailed overview of Ohio's statewide eye in the sky law enforcement program).

However, with the growing reliance on AI and surveillance, privacy advocates like the ACLU of Ohio stress the necessity for transparency and strong regulatory guardrails amid concerns of eroding civil liberties and unchecked data collection (privacy concerns analysis by Ideastream).

The following table summarizes key technologies now in active use:

Technology	Agencies/Programs	Purpose	Comments
Drones & Robots	Hamilton County SO, Dublin PD	Rapid response, incident overview, surveillance	Autonomous, equipped with zoom/360° cams
AI Surveillance	Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati	Facial recognition, object detection, analytics	Controversial - courtroom use rejected in cases
Real-Time Crime Centers	Statewide (TALEN, Fusus)	Integrate feeds, speed up investigations	Links to city traffic cams, private cameras, body cams

“We are there and have been there for quite a long time with real privacy problems.” - Gary Daniels, ACLU of Ohio

Cincinnati's AI revolution is gathering pace in April 2025, blending robust startup momentum, record-breaking venture funding, and transformative public sector attention.

The city's innovation ecosystem shines brightly with Scheduler AI securing major backing from Drive Capital and six University of Cincinnati–backed ventures making the “2025 Startups to Watch” list, reflecting the region's potent blend of new tech and academic entrepreneurship in Cincinnati's thriving funding rounds.

Meanwhile, the national landscape underscores this momentum: over 550 AI-related bills have been introduced across 45 states in 2025 alone, highlighting a new emphasis on education, workforce development, and responsible use in AI legislation nationwide.

Locally, Luna Technologies and Luma Financial Technologies - both with Cincinnati roots - earned a place among the top U.S. fintech deals, bringing millions in capital to the region's fast-growing tech sector as shown in 2025's largest funding rounds.

This surge of activity means tech talent are in prime position to seize new opportunities through career pivots and upskilling. For Cincinnatians ready to jump in, accessible programs such as Nucamp's Web, Cybersecurity, and Full Stack bootcamps, with options for monthly payments and a variety of scholarships, can help build the next wave of AI and tech professionals.

As Cincinnati's innovation scene continues to accelerate, the collaborative drive between public initiatives, private funding, and accessible education is creating a dynamic future for tech and talent alike.