This Month's Latest Tech News in Fort Lauderdale, FL - Thursday July 31st 2025 Edition

Fort Lauderdale is riding the wave of AI-driven innovation amid dynamic shifts in the tech landscape. Despite a national tech hiring slowdown - with job postings down 36% since early 2020 partly due to AI-related efficiency gains - Fort Lauderdale is emerging as a vibrant hub fostering digital transformation across professional services and real estate.

Local leaders emphasize the importance of mindset shifts and continuous adaptation, echoing insights shared during the recent Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale Leadership Summit highlighting AI's economic potential of up to $4.4 trillion globally.

Investors and startups benefit from the AI funding boom nationwide, exemplified by $3 billion raised by metaverse startup Infinite Reality, which plans a major innovation campus in Fort Lauderdale.

Additionally, AI-powered real estate tools help investors uncover lucrative South Florida properties, blending technology with seasoned local expertise. The Trump Administration's recent America's AI Action Plan further reinforces national support for AI innovation and infrastructure, which bodes well for Florida's growing AI ecosystem.

To capitalize on these trends, Fort Lauderdale professionals and entrepreneurs can gain practical AI skills through Nucamp's AI Essentials for Work bootcamp syllabus or launch AI startups with the Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur program details.

For job seekers, tech skill-building remains crucial as AI reshapes roles and demands.

The AIoT World Expo 2026, scheduled for February 10-12 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, will spotlight the dynamic convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) and its transformative impact across industries.

Organized by Technology Marketing Corp (TMC) and Crossfire Media, this premier event aims to bring together developers, solution providers, and end users to explore AI's role in accelerating IoT product design, enhancing IT operations, and advancing AI-powered cybersecurity and edge analytics.

Conference breakout sessions will cover critical topics such as intelligent IoT networks, real-time data processing at the edge, and AI-driven industrial applications like smart cities and predictive maintenance.

Rich Tehrani, TMC's CEO, emphasized,

“We launched AIoT World Expo because it's clear that the convergence of AI and IoT is no longer on the horizon - it's happening now, and it's transforming industries at a staggering pace.”

The expo is part of the larger #TECHSUPERSHOW, which attracts over 7,000 attendees and 400 exhibitors annually, representing more than $20 billion in B2B purchasing power.

Attendees will benefit from an extensive exhibition hall showcasing cutting-edge AIoT solutions alongside networking opportunities to foster innovation and partnerships.

For further details and registration, visit the official AIoT World Expo 2026 website, or explore insights on the expo's strategic focus in the IoTEvolutionWorld coverage of AIoT World Expo 2026.

Learn how this event positions Fort Lauderdale at the forefront of intelligent connectivity innovation through the #TECHSUPERSHOW platform.

Infinite Reality, a leading innovator in immersive media and AI, has partnered with Chicago-based Sterling Bay to co-develop a 60-acre tech and entertainment campus in Fort Lauderdale at 1400 NW 31st Avenue, transforming a former Superfund site into a state-of-the-art global headquarters expected to open in 2026.

This ambitious project will feature over 100,000 square feet of Class A office space designed for media, technology, and enterprise clients, while generating more than 1,000 new jobs with competitive six-figure salaries, significantly boosting the local economy.

The campus will include flexible spaces for retail, digital broadcasting, production, and entertainment, alongside educational initiatives collaborating with local institutions to cultivate future talent in STEM and immersive technology fields.

John Acunto, Infinite Reality's CEO, emphasized the project's personal and visionary impact:

“This isn't just a headquarters - it's the heart of Infinite Reality's future... Partnering with a world-class development firm like Sterling Bay ensures that Fort Lauderdale becomes a defining force in the future of the digital economy.”

Sterling Bay's CEO Andy Gloor highlighted their 30 years of expertise in creating innovative workspaces, aiming to stage a new era of immersive media and innovation.

According to Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, the development transforms long-vacant land into a catalyst for job creation and broader economic opportunity for the region.

Learn more about this transformative project from Infinite Reality's official announcement of the 60-acre flagship campus development, the South Florida Business Journal report on Infinite Reality's new Fort Lauderdale headquarters and job creation, and detailed coverage by Hoodline on Infinite Reality and Sterling Bay's tech HQ and job promise.

Algorhythm Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIME) has significantly expanded its global AI logistics footprint with the recent acquisition of SemiCab India, marking a strategic extension of its collaborative transportation platform following its 2024 acquisition of SemiCab's U.S. business.

SemiCab India, now operated through Algorhythm's subsidiary SemiCab Holdings, LLC, has more than doubled its annualized revenue run rate from approximately $1.8 million in January 2025 to $4.5 million, with expectations to double again by year-end, driven by contracts with leading FMCG companies and participation in India's $1.3 trillion logistics sector modernization initiatives such as the Gati Shakti National Master Plan and National Digital Freight Exchange (NDFE).

The AI-powered platform enhances freight utilization from around 65% to 90%, reduces shipping costs by up to 10%, increases trucking capacity by 30%, and cuts carbon emissions by 25%, while integrating seamlessly with existing Transportation Management Systems (TMS).

Algorhythm's CEO Gary Atkinson highlighted India's geographic density and infrastructure growth as key advantages, stating the platform's readiness to disrupt the global freight market, whereas SemiCab Holdings CEO Ajesh Kapoor emphasized the transformational collaboration with the government and global partners.

Boosting SemiCab India's operational capacity, Algorhythm expanded its fleet to over 140 trucks with rights to add 450 more, targeting over 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2025, aligned with new contracts and pilot programs with major enterprises including a top 5 transportation service expansion with Kellanova India, which holds about 75% of India's breakfast cereal market.

This expansion underscores Algorhythm's accelerating AI-driven logistics strategy with strong market penetration in a high-growth, technology-enabled sector. For detailed insights on the acquisition, operational metrics, and strategic outlook, visit Algorhythm's official release at Algorhythm Holdings Acquires SemiCab India, revenue updates at SemiCab Secures New Contracts, and contract expansion details at SemiCab Wins Expanded Contract with Kellanova India.

SemiCab India, a subsidiary of Algorhythm Holdings, has secured a significant expansion to its Master Services Agreement with Kellanova India, becoming one of the top five transportation service providers for the FMCG giant.

This contract, won through a competitive bidding process in Q1 2025 following a successful pilot since 2023, covers managed transportation across the densely populated South-West-Central corridors of India.

Leveraging SemiCab's AI-powered, cloud-based Collaborative Transportation Platform, the agreement aims to reduce service costs, enhance delivery accuracy, and eliminate empty miles, supporting Kellanova's dominant market position with up to 75% share in India's breakfast cereal sector.

CEO Ajesh Kapoor expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating,

“We are thrilled to partner with such a globally recognized brand as Kellanova. By leveraging our AI-powered platform, we are confident in our ability to drive meaningful cost efficiencies and delivery improvements for Kellanova India.”

This expansion complements SemiCab's ongoing initiatives in India, including piloting a drop & hook trucking model set to boost efficiency up to 80% by minimizing downtime.

Kellanova, a global snacking and cereal leader recently acquired by Mars Inc., recorded approximately $13 billion in net sales in 2024, underscoring the scale of this logistics collaboration.

Algorhythm's platform harnesses predictive AI and machine learning to optimize load planning and routing, reflecting broader trends in AI integration reshaping India's logistics industry for FMCG supply chains.

For more details on SemiCab's contract and AI logistics innovations, visit GlobeNewswire's report on SemiCab's expanded contract with Kellanova India, explore insights on predictive AI applications in Indian logistics, and learn about Algorhythm's corporate strategy at Algorhythm Holdings' official website.

Florida's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Jeremy Rodgers, announced his departure from the public sector to pursue a role in the private industry after serving since January 2022 with the Florida Digital Service.

Rodgers brought over 20 years of cybersecurity experience drawn from both military and private sectors, including leadership roles in the U.S. Navy such as Information Warfare Officer, and significant technical positions at IBM. His tenure at Florida Digital Service was marked by critical cybersecurity initiatives and crisis responses, notably the 2023 ransomware attack on the court system.

Rodgers holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Florida Atlantic University and is currently working toward a PhD in computer engineering. His exit is part of a broader national trend of public-sector cybersecurity leadership transitions and underscores the increasing demand for experienced cyber professionals in the private sector.

For further details on Rodgers' career and impact, see the GovTech coverage of Jeremy Rodgers' move to the private sector, the StateScoop announcement of Florida's top cybersecurity official stepping down, and the Government Technology report on state CISO Jeremy Rodgers' departure.

Fort Lauderdale has appointed Angela Marinas as its new Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO), succeeding Tamecka McKay on April 18, 2025. With over 25 years of experience spanning public and private sectors, Marinas has been instrumental in the city's IT modernization initiatives, including implementing the Infor CloudSuite ERP system and retiring legacy platforms like FAMIS. She previously served as the city's Chief Digital Officer and Assistant IT Director, leading the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Internet of Things technologies to enhance municipal operations.

Her leadership oversees the Information Technology Services Department, which manages a $26 million budget and a team of 76 professionals dedicated to advancing Fort Lauderdale's tech infrastructure.

Marinas brings a rich background with senior roles at iBiP Corporation, NTT Data Services, Brink's Inc., and Oracle, reflecting her expertise in driving digital transformation and business process improvements.

The city continues to build on the foundation laid by McKay, who significantly improved cybersecurity and modernized critical systems during her tenure. For more about Angela Marinas' appointment and Fort Lauderdale's ongoing digital transformation efforts, visit the detailed report on the Government Technology Insider's coverage of Fort Lauderdale CIO appointment and the comprehensive overview in Nucamp's April 2025 Tech News Edition.

Fort Lauderdale's commitment to innovation and smart technologies continues to position the city as a rising tech hub in Florida's evolving digital landscape.

For insights into related regional tech developments, explore the Presidio technology solutions for government IT modernization supporting government IT modernization across multiple cities.

Grant Thornton announced its acquisition of Auxis, a Fort Lauderdale-based pioneer in Latin American nearshore outsourcing and business modernization, to enhance its US-based advisory arm, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC. This strategic move integrates Auxis' over 1,400 highly skilled multilingual employees and its award-winning AI-powered outsourcing services across finance, IT, HR, customer service, and specialized industry solutions, reinforcing Grant Thornton's commitment to becoming the industry's first full-service advisory platform amplified by advanced technologies.

Founded in 1997, Auxis serves Fortune 1000 and upper-middle-market organizations in sectors including consumer goods, retail, healthcare, and financial services, with delivery centers primarily in Costa Rica and Colombia.

Leadership from both firms expressed optimism about the synergy: Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, stated that Auxis' nearshoring expertise and tech-driven solutions fit naturally with their model to deepen client engagement with speed and quality, while Auxis CEO Raul Vega highlighted the scalable platform this partnership provides for modernizing operations amid rapid technological change.

The acquisition, expected to close later in 2025, also expands Grant Thornton's multinational footprint with access to new outsourcing hubs across Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

For more details, see the official Grant Thornton acquisition press release, the Inside Public Accounting analysis of the acquisition, and the Yahoo Finance coverage on Grant Thornton expansion for comprehensive information.

CentralReach, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, has been named one of the top AI companies of 2025, earning prestigious accolades including the Gold award in the Healthcare Technology Solution category at the 23rd Annual Stevie Awards and Best Healthcare Technology Deployment in the 2025 Globee® Awards.

Their comprehensive Autism and IDD Care Platform integrates AI-powered features such as advanced scheduling, claims auditing, and care team management to support over 200,000 professionals worldwide in delivering personalized care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

CentralReach's offerings span enterprise and small therapy practices, multidisciplinary therapy, and PK-12 special education, with robust tools for data collection, reporting, workforce enablement, and curriculum management.

Highlighting their commitment to innovation, they recently expanded their preferred partner network to include Viventium, streamlining payroll and HR for care providers.

The company's latest 2025 Autism and IDD Care Market Report, built on four billion data points, underscores significant growth in AI adoption and service demands, reinforcing CentralReach's mission to help clients unlock potential and achieve better outcomes.

For a closer look at their award-winning platform and market insights, visit the Stevie Awards announcement for CentralReach's AI healthcare solution, explore their Globee® Awards recognition for healthcare technology deployment, and review the 2025 Autism and IDD Care Market Report with AI adoption insights.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has voiced significant concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on law enforcement and the workforce, warning that AI could cause “major, major issues” for police and disrupt jobs across sectors.

Speaking at the 2025 Florida Sheriffs Association Summer Conference and other recent events, DeSantis emphasized the need for legislative guardrails to manage AI's rapid advancement, citing risks of AI-enabled scams, misinformation, and erosion of human critical thinking.

He highlighted fears that AI could diminish employment for both low-level white-collar and entry positions, and criticized technology companies' reliance on H-1B visas as disadvantaging American workers.

While advocating for balanced AI use - for example, supporting AI in detecting government waste - DeSantis remains wary of "tech overlords" and potential societal control by large tech firms, stating,

“I'm not one who thinks that we should just turn over our society to a handful of big tech companies. I think there needs to be guardrails. I think there needs to be some rules of the road.”

Florida has already enacted “Brooke's Law,” requiring platforms to remove nonconsensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes, and DeSantis plans to introduce an AI policy framework in the coming months, potentially involving legislative action.

His office is actively soliciting input from law enforcement to shape effective AI regulations that protect citizens while preserving human agency. For more details on DeSantis's evolving AI stance and regulatory initiatives, visit the Orlando Sentinel's report on Governor DeSantis's AI policies, the Florida Politics summary of Governor DeSantis's law enforcement AI warnings, and coverage of his speech at the Florida Sheriffs Association Conference by WCTV.

In 2025, Microsoft has embarked on its most significant workforce transformation in recent years, cutting over 15,000 jobs globally to fund an aggressive $80 billion investment into artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and innovation.

The layoffs, concentrated heavily in software engineering and divisions like Xbox gaming, reflect a strategic pivot toward AI-first business models where AI tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot now write up to 30% of the company's code, effectively automating many traditional roles.

Despite strong financial performance, including a 12% revenue increase and AI business revenue surpassing $13 billion, Microsoft is flattening its organizational structure to streamline operations and focus on scalable AI services.

This shift aligns with broader industry trends where AI adoption accelerates workforce reductions in tech, with reports showing layoffs of approximately 80,000 employees across the sector in 2025, even as AI skills outside the tech industry drive salary premiums of about 28%, nearly $18,000 more annually.

Experts emphasize the growing importance of hybrid skill sets combining communication, leadership, and AI fluency for future career resilience. The impacts on employee morale are profound, with layoffs often abrupt and impersonal, signaling a cultural shift to a more competitive environment at Microsoft.

For deeper insights on Microsoft's AI investment strategy and workforce reductions, see Microsoft Layoffs 2025: How AI Investments Drive Workforce Restructuring, the Fortune analysis on AI-driven tech layoffs and salary trends, and Microsoft's FY25 AI transformation report.

Fort Lauderdale is rapidly cementing its status as a burgeoning AI and technology hub in 2025, driven by a vibrant ecosystem of over 26,000 tech companies contributing approximately $2.5 billion to the local economy.

The city stands out with innovative startups like Lendbuzz in fintech, Ergeon in construction tech, and Auterion pioneering robotics, creating abundant job opportunities across AI, software development, and cybersecurity sectors.

Strategic citywide investments in 5G and fiber-optic infrastructure, coupled with strong partnerships with local universities, bolster this growth environment and foster innovation.

This momentum aligns with broader North American trends, where AI startups attracted nearly $90 billion in venture funding during the first half of 2025, highlighting the region's dominance in technology investment.

For professionals seeking to join this dynamic market, Nucamp offers tailored bootcamps such as the AI Essentials for Work bootcamp and Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur program, equipping students with practical AI skills and entrepreneurial expertise needed to thrive.

Additionally, Fort Lauderdale's no state income tax and affordable living attract a diverse talent pool, while monthly meetups and mentorship programs provide strong community support.

The city's evolving tech landscape not only reflects a regional AI surge but also creates fertile ground for future-proof careers and cutting-edge innovation, positioning Fort Lauderdale as a key player in the global AI and tech revolution.

For more insights, explore the detailed startup landscape at Fort Lauderdale's Top Startups 2025.