This Month's Latest Tech News in Fort Lauderdale, FL - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

Fort Lauderdale's tech landscape accelerated in April 2025, driven by the confirmation that Infinite Reality, in partnership with Sterling Bay, will establish a $3 billion, 60-acre immersive technology hub set to bring 1,000 high-skilled jobs and advanced production facilities to the city by 2026 - a transformative project on a long-vacant site signaling Fort Lauderdale's ambitions as a global innovation destination (Infinite Reality to open Fort Lauderdale headquarters campus).

Meanwhile, the region's startup community thrived as South Florida hosted the MIAMI AI MANIA: AI Startups Pitch Battle Semi-Finals, providing local AI founders with rare opportunities to connect with global investors and industry leaders (MIAMI AI MANIA: AI Startups Pitch Battle Semi-Finals).

Despite a moderate dip in Q2 venture capital, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro continues to attract major VC funding - especially in fintech and AI - cementing its growing reputation as a magnet for top-tier tech talent and future-forward investment (Miami Fintech Startups Are Magnets for VC Funding).

Infinite Reality and Sterling Bay have announced a transformative $3 billion initiative to create a 60-acre global tech campus in Fort Lauderdale, marking a major milestone for the region's tech sector.

The new development, set to serve as Infinite Reality's global headquarters, is expected to generate over 1,000 new jobs and ignite a wave of innovation and economic growth throughout the city.

Designed as a multi-phase project, the tech campus underscores Fort Lauderdale's emergence as a leading destination for high-impact technology companies and advanced workforce opportunities.

• Major investment will drive job creation and economic growth: The $3 billion development aims to generate over 1,000 new jobs and boost Fort Lauderdale's technology sector.
• Advanced workforce opportunities will be created: The campus highlights Fort Lauderdale's position as a hub for high-impact tech companies and skilled professionals.
• Innovative collaboration spaces are included in the project: By providing space for research, entrepreneurship, and advanced technology development, the initiative supports the rapidly evolving digital economy.
• Long-term tech growth is projected for Fort Lauderdale: Industry watchers describe the investment as a catalyst for expanding innovation and opportunity in South Florida.

This flagship campus is poised to revitalize the area by attracting top talent and providing space for research, collaboration, and entrepreneurship within the rapidly evolving digital economy.

This investment positions Fort Lauderdale at the forefront of major tech hubs nationwide, with industry watchers calling it a catalyst for long-term growth and opportunity in South Florida's expanding innovation landscape - learn more about local development momentum in this recent coverage.

Fort Lauderdale is set to host the inaugural AIoT World Expo 2026, marking a milestone for the city as a destination for the world's leading experts in Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things.

Scheduled for February 10–12, 2026, at the Broward County Convention Center, the event will explore how AI is accelerating IoT development, powering edge analytics, reshaping cybersecurity, and driving transformation in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities.

• AI and IoT integration is driving significant advancements, with predictive maintenance and adaptive manufacturing reshaping industries.
• Expo details: The AIoT World Expo produced by Technology Marketing Corp and Crossfire Media, offers three days of sessions, exhibitions, and networking.
• Event significance: The event positions Fort Lauderdale as a center for global intelligent connectivity discussions, elevating the region's tech profile.

As Jennifer Moore, one of the lead organizers, notes, "The convergence of AI and IoT is already reshaping industries, from predictive maintenance and adaptive manufacturing to energy-efficient buildings and remote health monitoring."

The expo, produced by Technology Marketing Corp and Crossfire Media, will offer three days of sessions, a major exhibition, and networking to foster partnerships and knowledge sharing.

As part of the larger #TECHSUPERSHOW, it positions Fort Lauderdale at the heart of global intelligent connectivity conversations and highlights the region's emerging tech profile.

For additional details on the event, its conference tracks, and registration, see the official AIoT World Expo 2026 announcement, visit the AIoT World Expo event site, or check out conference updates and related news in the event newsroom.

The City of Fort Lauderdale marked a significant milestone in its ongoing digital transformation by appointing Angela Marinas as acting Chief Information Officer following the departure of Tamecka McKay.

Marinas, who previously served as Chief Digital Officer and Assistant IT Director, brings deep experience in enterprise resource planning and digital modernization, having overseen citywide application services utilizing AI, machine learning, and IoT technologies.

Her leadership is expected to accelerate the city's modernization efforts, exemplified by recent initiatives such as implementing Infor CloudSuite and retiring legacy systems to streamline city operations.

• Angela Marinas' appointment as CIO ensures stable leadership and a forward-looking strategy for the city's IT evolution.
• City operations modernization continues with the implementation of Infor CloudSuite and retirement of outdated systems for enhanced efficiency.
• Cloud-based infrastructure adoption showcases Fort Lauderdale's commitment to digital innovation and resilient services for residents.

Marinas officially assumed the CIO role on April 18, 2025, positioning her to drive Fort Lauderdale's push towards more resilient, cloud-based infrastructure and improved digital services for residents.

For more on Marinas' appointment and background, see the official Government Technology report, and to explore the impact of recent IT modernization efforts, visit this Q&A on Fort Lauderdale's digital overhaul.

Further details on Marinas' credentials can be found at FLGISA's official profile.

Fort Lauderdale-based Algorhythm Holdings and its subsidiary, The Singing Machine, took center stage at this month's LD Micro Invitational XV conference, underscoring their transition from consumer electronics to AI-driven logistics and advanced automotive entertainment.

Algorhythm, which recently reported its 2024 financial results with a notable pivot toward freight technology through its acquisition of SemiCab, outlined strategic efforts to expand AI-enabled logistics in India and beyond, including pilot programs with Fortune 500 partners and an imminent SemiCab India acquisition highlighting its financial and operational transformation.

Meanwhile, The Singing Machine, still headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, is gearing up to showcase a next-generation automotive karaoke microphone at CES 2025 following a partnership with global vehicle giant BYD - a move designed to diversify offerings and unlock opportunities in the fast-growing in-car entertainment sector with scalable product potential.

Both companies are positioning Fort Lauderdale as a site for tech and AI innovation, with robust investor engagement and expanded international reach, as detailed in their investor summit presentations.

Quest Diagnostics and Google Cloud have launched a transformative partnership poised to accelerate healthcare analytics and enhance patient care nationwide, including Fort Lauderdale.

By implementing Google Cloud's generative AI - specifically the Agentspace platform - Quest is pioneering new ways to streamline data management, personalize experiences, and automate complex processes across its vast operations, which now handle over 200 million annual test requisitions and manage more than 80 billion datapoints.

This initiative makes Quest the first national laboratory provider to deploy generative AI across research, customer service, and operations, all protected by HIPAA-compliant infrastructure and robust data privacy safeguards.

The collaboration aims to help patients better access and understand their lab data, while empowering physicians with deeper, personalized insights for improved care.

Leadership from both organizations emphasized the move as a milestone for healthcare innovation, marking an industry shift toward more proactive and tailored service delivery.

For further details, see the official announcement of the Quest-Google Cloud collaboration, a breakdown of how AI-powered personalization is taking shape, and analysis of the partnership's significance for healthcare data transformation.

In response to a surge in AI-driven fraud and deepfake-related crimes impacting both individuals and institutions across Florida, Barry University has announced the creation of a new education center dedicated to teaching ethical AI practices and digital literacy.

The center's launch comes amid growing incidents such as deepfake scams targeting property owners with AI-generated "proof of life" videos, which have led to attempts at fraudulent property transfers and legal battles for unsuspecting homeowners, as reported in this recent investigation into AI-driven title fraud.

• AI-driven fraud is becoming more sophisticated in Florida, with deepfakes now a significant threat to property owners.
• New legislation in Florida addresses AI-generated intimate images and political deepfakes, making the state a proactive leader in regulation, as outlined in Ballotpedia's overview of Florida deepfake laws.
• Barry University's initiative aims to equip students and professionals with ethical AI awareness and digital literacy skills.
• Recent cases involving nonconsensual AI image generation have resulted in criminal charges and caused public outrage in Florida, as highlighted in recent legal analyses.
• By focusing on digital ethics and responsible technology use, Barry University is setting a new standard for proactive educational solutions to fight AI-enabled fraud.

The evolving legal and policy landscape in Florida demonstrates the urgent need for public awareness and education to combat the misuse of AI technologies.

Roamly, a leading insurtech company, has solidified its presence in South Florida with the launch of its new Fort Lauderdale regional headquarters, marking a significant step in the city's emergence as a hub for digital insurance innovation.

The new office will serve as a key center for recruiting local talent and enhancing Roamly's specialty offerings, particularly AI-powered insurance solutions tailored to owners of recreational vehicles, boats, and motorcycles.

Through strategic partnerships with major national carriers such as Progressive and Ahoy! Insurance, Roamly's digital-first approach is transforming how adventure- and travel-focused customers can secure coverage designed for their lifestyles.

With its Fort Lauderdale hub, the company not only boosts local hiring but also strengthens its capacity to deliver expedient, user-friendly insurance products across Florida and beyond.

This expansion is particularly timely as South Florida's outdoor recreation industry continues to grow, positioning Roamly at the forefront of insurance technology and digital transformation in the sector.

For more on the company's regional impact and innovation strategy, see coverage from Life Insurance International and Modern Campground.

Infinite Reality's decision to establish its new global headquarters in partnership with Sterling Bay marks a pivotal investment in South Florida's AI-driven future.

Backed by a $3 billion commitment from Sterling Select, the planned 60-acre tech and entertainment campus in Fort Lauderdale will redevelop a long-vacant Superfund site into a major hub for immersive media, AI, and creative technology, with the goal of generating over 1,000 high-paying jobs and fostering extensive educational partnerships for local talent development.

The multi-phase project, slated to open in 2026, reflects both an economic revitalization and a strategic industry shift, positioning the region as a center for innovation that can attract Fortune 500 brands and redefine digital experiences on a global scale.

For further details on the scope and economic impact of this flagship campus, see the official announcement from Infinite Reality and Sterling Bay, as well as coverage by the South Florida Business Journal.

Background on the funding and the project's ambition can also be found in the Yahoo Finance report.

This April, Fort Lauderdale's healthcare innovation scene was in the spotlight as Dr. Severance MacLaughlin, founder and CEO of Delorean AI, headlined a major industry event at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale to discuss the real-world impact of predictive AI in medicine.

Delorean AI's technology, now used in hundreds of dialysis centers across the U.S., leverages patient data to accurately forecast infection risks and hospitalization needs, supporting proactive interventions and addressing disparities in underserved communities.

The keynote highlighted how AI-powered tools - from hospital analytics to wearable tech like the Apple Watch - are making healthcare more personalized, efficient, and accessible, particularly for Black and Latino residents who face cultural and financial barriers to care.

• Wearables are empowering patients to monitor vital signs from home, enabling more independent and proactive healthcare management.
• Advances in sensor technology are improving accuracy for people with darker skin tones, emphasizing the need for equitable health systems.
• Event discussions addressed ethical concerns, including patient privacy and regulatory oversight, highlighting the complexities of tech-driven health.
• As Fort Lauderdale hosts more key dialogues, the region is becoming a national influencer in the future of personalized healthcare.

The event also addressed ethical concerns, including patient privacy and the need for regulatory oversight, signaling that as Fort Lauderdale hosts more of these important dialogues, the region is fast becoming a national influencer in the future of personalized healthcare.

Richard Jones, keynote speaker and healthcare innovator, noted, "Equity and ethical frameworks must grow alongside technological leaps to truly personalize healthcare for all."

Major corporate expansions and strategic partnerships are driving Fort Lauderdale's emergence as a regional tech and AI powerhouse this month. Notably, MSC Cruises USA signed a 33,827-square-foot lease at BayView Corporate Tower, marking the largest office deal in the Cypress Creek submarket over the last year, and significantly expanding the company's local workforce dedicated to finance, sales, IT, and human resources - indicative of rising demand for premium space and signaling confidence in the region's talent pool as reported by Cushman & Wakefield.

This momentum is echoed by other regional tech developments:

• South Florida startups collectively raised $900 million across 67 deals in the first quarter of 2025, with over 70% of those deals tied to AI-focused ventures and a rapidly growing venture capital presence driving further collaboration between established companies and innovative startups, according to recent investment data.
• Locally, logistics firms like NTS Logistics are also scaling up their operations, highlighted by their new 7,500-square-foot office in Fort Lauderdale, reinforcing the city's growing role as a hub not just for new technology, but for the operational infrastructure that supports it, as detailed in this announcement.

Collectively, these expansions and partnerships are reshaping Fort Lauderdale's business landscape, positioning the city as a destination for tech talent and capital investment in the fast-evolving AI economy.

As April draws to a close, Fort Lauderdale's rapid emergence as a leading tech and AI hub is mirrored by broader national and global trends, all pointing to the city's key role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence in America.

With educational institutions like Barry University launching new interdisciplinary AI centers to build ethical and practical AI talent for tomorrow's workforce (Barry University launches new AI center), South Florida is proactively integrating AI into community learning and economic development.

This local momentum aligns with a record-breaking surge in global AI investment and adoption, as seen by the expanding role of generative AI, ambitious government initiatives, and investor focus on scalable, real-world AI applications that are set to power sectors from healthcare to logistics (Global AI investment surges in 2025).

Looking ahead, analysts describe 2025 as a year of judicious but strong continued investment, with the U.S. poised to benefit from its thriving education ecosystem, robust private sector, and major skilling initiatives - all of which cement Fort Lauderdale and its tech ecosystem as a force shaping national AI discourse (AI investment landscape: 2025 outlook).