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

Detroit's tech scene continues its dynamic ascent in June 2025, highlighted by substantial investments and forward-looking public initiatives that underscore the city's role as a national innovation leader.

Notably, Detroit-based KODE Labs secured a robust $30 million Series B round to scale its global smart building and sustainability solutions, signaling strong investor confidence in the city's AI and climate-focused enterprises (KODE Labs raises $30M Series B).

Meanwhile, the city's proposed $3 billion 2025-2026 budget aims to bolster essential services, expand affordable housing, and modernize transit - all while delivering the largest property tax cut in over a decade (Detroit 2025-2026 budget hearings).

Grassroots investment platforms such as the Detroit Opportunity Fund are also fueling local startup growth and resilience, inviting broader community participation in the city's tech-driven renewal (Invest in Detroit Opportunity Fund).

Together, these developments reflect a city transforming into a magnet for entrepreneurs, tech talent, and sustainable innovations, laying the groundwork for Detroit's continued renaissance.

Detroit-based Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (AITX) has set new records, reporting a remarkable 275% rise in annual revenue to $6.13 million and a 562% surge in gross profit for fiscal year 2025, propelled by its Gen 4 platform and the launch of SARA™, the company's AI-powered Speaking Autonomous Responsive Agent.

AITX's subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD), is redefining security through innovative solutions that deliver 35–80% cost savings compared to traditional guarding services, serving sectors from healthcare to retail and boasting a prospective sales pipeline with over 35 Fortune 500 companies.

SARA™ recently captured dual top honors at the 2025 Security Industry Association's New Products and Solutions Awards, winning both the Judges' Choice Award and Best in Threat Detection and Response Solutions for its fully autonomous remote video monitoring capabilities, which are praised for reducing staffing burdens and speeding incident response.

As CEO Steve Reinharz notes,

“Our Gen 4 platform capabilities, SARA's launch, and ROAMEO™, as well as other upcoming solutions, make this fiscal year and beyond incredibly exciting. This fiscal year is a critical stepping stone; the foundation established will drive continued success and unlock significant opportunities.”

The ambition for 2025 and beyond is clear, with targets including operational positive cash flow and a NASDAQ uplisting by 2027–2029, underpinned by validated compliance from a recent SOC 2 Type 2 audit and rapid expansion across the $50 billion U.S. security market.

For a detailed breakdown of financial and operational highlights, see this simple overview:

Metric	FY 2025	Growth vs FY 2024
Annual Revenue	$6,130,886	+275%
Gross Profit	$3,744,564	+562%
Current Liabilities	$7.6 million	-65%

Explore the full company profile summarizing AITX's growth and vision, the record-breaking financial performance in their FY 2025 10-K filing, and in-depth coverage of SARA's industry accolades following its dual wins at ISC West.

Apple and Michigan State University are teaming up to launch the first-ever Apple Manufacturing Academy in downtown Detroit this summer, aiming to close the AI skills gap and foster advanced manufacturing practices nationwide.

Housed in the First National Building, the academy will offer free, in-person and virtual courses to small and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers, focusing on topics like smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence integration, project management, and manufacturing process optimization, all supported by Apple engineers and MSU experts.

As part of Apple's ongoing $500 billion U.S. investment pledge, this initiative provides consulting and leadership training to help companies enhance productivity and competitiveness in supply chains.

MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz noted,

“With our strong programs in supply chain, logistics, engineering and packaging and our commitment to be an industry leader in AI advancements, Michigan State is a perfect partner for this new effort… this project perfectly aligns with our mission around community outreach and our desire to solve the world's problems.”

The academy builds on the foundation laid by the Apple Developer Academy, another successful Apple-MSU partnership that graduates roughly 200 tech professionals annually.

For more on Apple's nationwide workforce investments and their impact on American manufacturing, read the full announcement at Apple's U.S. investment newsroom release, and for a deeper dive into Detroit's tech transformation through university-industry collaboration, see this detailed exploration by Forward Pathway.

AquaAction, a leading Canadian water tech non-profit, has chosen Detroit's Bedrock Urban Tech Xchange (UTX) as the site of its first U.S. headquarters - an expansion unveiled at the SelectUSA Investment Summit that is set to accelerate innovation across the Great Lakes region.

The organization's move is projected to generate over $715,000 USD in annual capital investments and create hundreds of local jobs, amplifying Detroit's role in cross-border water technology collaboration.

Supported by leaders like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who lauded,

“Michigan is home to 20 percent of the world's fresh water and a spirit of grit that solves problems and grows our economy. We're thrilled to welcome AquaAction to Detroit as a partner in preserving our lakes, rivers, and waters, and helping more families ‘make it' in Michigan.”

Since 2016, AquaAction has scaled more than 100 water tech companies, delivered over $143 million USD in annual revenue for the sector, and helped conserve the equivalent of 38,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools of freshwater.

Key Impact Metrics	Value
Annual Capital Investment	$715,000+ USD
Companies Helped	100+
Revenue Generated	$143M+ USD/year
Freshwater Conserved	38,000 Olympic pools
Green Jobs Created	400+

By integrating with Detroit's innovation ecosystem and initiatives like the international AquaHacking Challenge, AquaAction aims to drive sustainable water security and economic resilience for both U.S. and Canadian communities.

For more details, visit the official AquaAction expansion announcement, explore coverage on how this move bridges U.S.–Canada cooperation, and see Detroit's ongoing economic growth featured at the Detroit Regional Partnership news page.

Detroit is taking a targeted approach to talent retention and economic growth with the launch of the Detroit Tech Fellowship Program, thanks to $210,000 in new state funding through Michigan's MI Home initiative.

Announced at the Mackinac Policy Conference, this program supports recent university graduates as they develop startups in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, clean energy, and mobility - critical fields for Detroit's future.

Participants will benefit from housing support, coworking space, and access to networking events, in collaboration with partners like the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Bamboo, Newlab, and Techtown.

As part of a larger $769,000 grant to five consortiums statewide, these efforts are designed to create locally tailored programs that help graduates stay and thrive in Michigan.

Hilary Doe, Michigan's Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, emphasized the importance of such investments:

“We're leading in population growth - both in my role as the chief growth officer in the country, but also because our population is growing in important ways like our young adult population.”

For a full overview of Detroit's initiative and its place within statewide efforts to build a vibrant innovation workforce, see the coverage from ClickOnDetroit's report on Michigan's new talent funding.

Additional details on the “Make MI Home” impact across Michigan regions, including project recipients and objectives, are available at UpNorthVoice's breakdown of statewide talent retention initiatives.

For those seeking tech opportunities, the new MSU Research Foundation statewide jobs board is connecting early-career professionals and graduates with high-impact startup roles, ensuring Michigan's tech and biotech ecosystem continues to thrive.

Detroit's AI security innovation has captured national attention as the Speaking Autonomous Responsive Agent (SARA™) from Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD) - a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc.

(AITX) - earned dual distinctions at the 2025 SIA New Products and Solutions (NPS) Awards. At ISC West 2025, SARA™ won the prestigious Judges' Choice Award and the title of Best in Threat Detection and Response Solutions for its voice-interactive deterrence, real-time incident management, and seamless integration across RAD's monitoring ecosystem, enabling automation and significant cost reduction in security operations according to the official press release.

The platform has gained additional momentum following a high-profile feature in Security Today and through a strategic integration with Immix®, the global leader in monitoring automation, accelerating SARA's deployment across commercial, residential, and enterprise security providers as recently detailed in industry coverage.

CEO Steve Reinharz noted,

“We are tremendously honored to have SARA recognized by the SIA NPS judges with both the Judges' Choice Award and category win... SARA is designed to meet the increasing demand for intelligent, proactive solutions that elevate security while streamlining operations.”

SARA™ is proving transformative for remote video monitoring (RVM) providers by reducing staffing requirements, lowering false alarms, and delivering consistent real-time responses - hallmarks cited by new pilot programs and clients nationwide in recent news.

The table below summarizes SARA's core features and impact:

Feature	Benefit
AI-powered incident response	Automated, consistent threat detection
Verbal engagement & live alerts	Immediate deterrence and escalation
Seamless ecosystem integration	Cost savings (35%-80%), scalable deployments

Detroit-based Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) and its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD), are rapidly redefining urban public safety with nearly 1,000 AI-powered security devices now deployed across major U.S. cities.

Leveraging award-winning solutions like ROSA™, RIO™, and ROAMEO™, RAD has delivered cost savings between 35% and 80% compared to traditional security services, streamlining operations for sectors ranging from healthcare to retail and urban infrastructure.

Recent deployments in St. Louis, Cleveland, and Nashville highlight the growing traction of RAD's platform, with cities embracing these autonomous systems for scalable event security, continuous patrols, and enhanced real-time threat response.

As one city leader remarked,

“RAD's technology has been an impactful addition to our public safety efforts. The presence of ROSA, ROAMEO, and RADDOG has helped deter unwanted activity and brought positive community engagement, especially during the Frozen Four Championship.”

The company's technology stack - including the SARA™ agentic AI platform - delivers in-house analytics and integration with existing infrastructure, supporting both public events and daily operations.

Here is a quick snapshot of AITX RAD's market presence and savings impact:

Metric	Value
2025 Revenue (unaudited)	$6.13M (+275% YoY)
Expected 2026 Revenue	$12M–$18M
Cost Savings vs. Traditional Security	35%–80%
Autonomous Devices Deployed	~1,000
Sales Pipeline (Fortune 500)	35+ Companies

Learn more about these transformative deployments in key U.S. cities adopting AI-powered public safety solutions, explore AITX's innovative business model and financials in their company market expansion report, and see how the RAD product ecosystem is reshaping the $50 billion U.S. security industry in this comprehensive industry update from AITX.

Detroit's AITX made a significant impact at ISC West 2025, earning both the prestigious Judges' Choice Award and the Best in Threat Detection and Response Solutions honor for their AI-powered SARA™ platform, which transforms security operations through autonomous monitoring and response.

RAD, AITX's security subsidiary, reported a strong enterprise response with over 300 qualified leads from the event - including nearly 50 from Fortune 1000 organizations and six from new Fortune 50 prospects.

SARA's capabilities, such as voice-interactive deterrence, rapid incident detection, and scalable cost savings of 35–80% over traditional manned models, are resonating across industries including healthcare, transportation, and critical infrastructure.

As Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO of AITX and RAD, stated,

"What excites us even more is the overwhelming response from top-tier companies and institutions that see RAD as the future of security and automation."

For a breakdown of sectors targeted and RAD's full security suite, see this summary:

Sector	AI Security Applications
Enterprise & Corporate	Automate patrols, modernize monitoring, visitor access
Healthcare Networks	Secure exteriors, parking, urgent autonomous deployments
Logistics & Transportation	Modernize entry/exit, reduce human guard dependency
Entertainment & Venues	Security operations centers, on-site deterrence

Explore the detailed award announcement from the Security Industry Association on their 2025 SIA New Products and Solutions Awards page, a comprehensive industry overview via Newsfile's ISC West 2025 event recap, and a technology spotlight on AITX's official SARA platform announcement.

Detroit solidified its manufacturing tech leadership this month as it hosted both RAPID + TCT 2025 and AeroDef Manufacturing, attracting more than 10,000 attendees and over 500 exhibitors who showcased the latest advances in industrial 3D printing and additive manufacturing.

Co-located alongside mobility and defense summits, these gatherings drew top talent from aerospace, automotive, and R&D sectors, while industry leaders Formlabs, Siemens, and EOS unveiled new production systems and technologies to address supply chain resilience, workflow integration, and cost-effectiveness.

As Glynn Fletcher, President of EOS, underscored,

“There is no going back. Additive is here to stay.”

Innovations ranged from Stratasys' launch of resilient ToughONE materials and faster Fortus printers to large-scale demonstrations like a 3D printed Joe Louis statue and custom medical implants enhancing patient care.

The events also fostered collaborative partnerships and startup showcases, with the AM Pitchfest award going to Solideon for autonomous deployable microfactories.

The city's renewed manufacturing spirit was captured in Major General Michael Lalor's keynote, noting Detroit's evolution from “Arsenal of Democracy” to “Arsenal of Innovation.” For a deeper look at this transformative moment, read the official RAPID + TCT 2025 event overview, an in-depth RAPID + TCT 2025 review, and AeroDef Manufacturing's summit highlights for Detroit's manufacturing innovation.

Ann Arbor-based startup Nunchi is transforming Michigan's tech ecosystem with its dedicated AI-powered platform for membership networks, helping organizations build more connected, resilient communities.

Unlike traditional CRMs or chat tools that overlook the nuances of authentic relationship-building, Nunchi's platform leverages AI to automate smart introductions, surface engagement insights, and rapidly respond to member needs - driving three times more meaningful connections and reducing manual networking by 70%.

Its robust features help Chiefs of Staff, Membership Directors, and innovation leaders manage large-scale networks while maintaining a genuine personal touch.

Heather Leszczynski of YMCA Ann Arbor praised the team, stating,

"The capabilities of Nunchi have greatly exceeded expectations and we love using it."

Privacy and security are central: the platform offers end-to-end encryption, role-based access, and strict data usage policies compliant with global standards.

Nunchi's impact on Michigan's collaborative innovation is evident through strategic partnerships with institutions like the University of Michigan. For a closer look at how AI is shaping networking and member-driven programs across the state, check out Nunchi's AI member engagement demo video or explore their official site to see live case studies and get a demo.

Detroit solidified its reputation as a rising tech powerhouse by hosting Automate 2025, North America's largest robotics and AI conference, at Huntington Place from May 12–15.

This record-breaking event attracted over 45,000 attendees and more than 900 exhibitors, marking a 50% increase in registrants compared to the previous show. Highlights included the Automate Startup Challenge - where Kinisi, a developer of autonomous humanoid robots, took home the $10,000 prize - the Engelberger Awards for leadership and education, and a robust industry conference featuring over 200 expert speakers discussing innovations like agentic AI and pragmatic humanoids.

The event also put a spotlight on workforce development through student competitions, educator day programming, and the Women's Empowerment Forum. The second annual Automate Innovation Awards recognized SiLC Technologies for its Eyeonic Trace™ Laser Line Scanner, underscoring the show's focus on breakthrough industrial automation tech.

As demand for automation grows, companies have already committed to 33% more exhibit space for the 2026 edition in Chicago, reflecting clear momentum. For more details on the conference schedule and registration, visit the official Automate 2025 event summary, discover the top robotics trends and highlights from Automate 2025, and learn about award-winning automation solutions showcased at the event.

Detroit's tech momentum is unmistakable as the city enters summer 2025, propelled by a convergence of global events, government-backed innovation, and inclusive ecosystem building.

The upcoming AutoTech 2025 conference will spotlight Detroit's central role in defining the future of mobility - bringing together thousands of professionals, pioneering advancements in AI, autonomous driving, and digital platforms.

At the same time, collaboration across research universities, regional government, and new ventures like Michigan Central is redefining Southeast Michigan's innovation ecosystem, evidenced by initiatives that support founders, foster electrification and advanced mobility, and engage underrepresented talent.

As summarized by SEMCOG,

“Southeast Michigan is undergoing a renaissance in innovation thanks to broad collaborative efforts across the region.”

Learn how cross-sector partnerships, county-driven workforce investment, and anchor institutions such as Wayne State and University of Michigan are driving equitable growth.

On the national stage, Detroit is among five Michigan sites vying for coveted federal “Tech Hub” status, supported by the bipartisan CHIPS Act and buoyed by a $10 billion funding pool, reinforcing the city's ambitions in electrified mobility, materials science, and climate tech (see Michigan's statewide tech hub strategy).

As Detroit hosts globally significant gatherings and attracts targeted federal investments, expect further acceleration in AI, startup growth, and tech workforce demand - making it an opportune moment for local talent, established professionals, and aspiring technologists to engage with this dynamic, collaborative ecosystem.