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

Lincoln, NE is launching into April 2025 with an unprecedented surge in AI-driven innovation across education, youth programming, and industry. The University of Nebraska's Nebraska Innovation Campus is bustling with over 70 entities, catalyzed by a $250,000 Google gift to elevate AI research and teaching, coinciding with $930 million in new Google infrastructure commitments statewide.

University President Jeffrey Gold hailed this partnership, stating,

“Their generous gift to the university underscores our shared commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to ensure we remain at the forefront of research, teaching, and public engagement.”

Youth also take center stage thanks to the first-ever National 4‑H AI Community Challenge, encouraging Nebraskan teens ages 13-18 to envision AI-powered solutions for local issues in fields like agriculture and health, with winners advancing to a national stage (National 4-H AI Community Challenge details).

Community organizations like Beyond School Bells are fostering purpose, resilience, and STEM opportunity through afterschool and summer programs that build both technical and creative skills (Beyond School Bells Innovation Invitational recap).

All told, Lincoln's collaborative approach - linking university, industry, and youth engagement - cements the city as a dynamic epicenter for AI progress (Google's investment in University of Nebraska for AI advancement).

Visa has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with leading AI developers - Anthropic, Microsoft, OpenAI, and others - to enable artificial intelligence “agents” that can securely shop and make payments on behalf of consumers within preset budgets and preferences.

These AI agents mark a significant shift from basic chatbot recommendations to performing real-world tasks such as booking flights, purchasing groceries, or managing errands, with user consent and oversight.

As AI moves toward direct transaction capabilities, Visa's new Intelligent Commerce APIs leverage decades of fraud-prevention expertise by using features like tokenization, user-defined spending limits, and robust authentication to ensure security and ease-of-use.

Jack Forestell, Visa's Chief Product and Strategy Officer, emphasizes the potential of this initiative:

“Soon people will have AI agents browse, select, purchase and manage on their behalf. These agents will need to be trusted with payments, not only by users, but by banks and sellers as well.”

By collaborating with innovators such as Perplexity and Mistral, Visa also levels the playing field for emerging AI platforms, challenging the dominance of Amazon and Google in AI-driven commerce.

For a closer look at Visa's partnerships and technology behind these secure, AI-powered transactions, visit Visa's AI initiative coverage by ABC7, learn how the Intelligent Commerce APIs are transforming payments at PYMNTS' detailed look at Visa AI shopping agents, and see Visa's official announcement and feature breakdown at Visa Perspectives' official announcement on Intelligent Commerce APIs.

The first pilots are already live, with a broader rollout expected in 2026, signaling a future where digital commerce is not only more personalized but truly automated and secure.

AI Partners	Key Feature	User Control
Anthropic, Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity, Mistral	Direct payment execution via tokenized cards	Spending limits, real-time approvals, purchase categories

Meta has officially launched its first standalone Meta AI app, ushering in a new era of consumer AI powered by the advanced Llama 4 model. The app delivers a personalized experience, learning user preferences and making context-aware recommendations.

Available on iOS, Meta's AI assistant extends features like voice-first interactions, in-app image creation, and a Discover feed where users can explore and remix community prompts, as detailed by Meta's official announcement.

Llama 4, the technology behind the app, introduces multimodal capabilities, outperforming competitors such as GPT-4o and Gemini 2.0 on key benchmarks and supporting tasks from document summarization to conversational reasoning.

A recent VentureBeat feature confirms that Meta AI is designed for fluid user conversations and integrates seamlessly with Meta's wider ecosystem - including Ray-Ban Meta glasses - emphasizing entertainment, creativity, and social engagement over enterprise productivity.

During the launch at LlamaCon 2025, CEO Mark Zuckerberg reiterated Meta's commitment to open-source AI:

“Part of the value around open source is that you can mix and match. So if another model [...] is better at something - then, as developers, you have the ability to take the best parts of the intelligence from different models and produce exactly what you need.”

For a technical overview of Llama 4's capabilities, including its Mixture-of-Experts architecture and top-tier performance in coding, reasoning, and multilingual contexts, see Meta's in-depth Llama 4 model report.

The Meta AI app's release signals both rapid AI innovation and a push towards more open, accessible, and customizable digital assistants for everyday users.

A standout team from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Jeffrey S. Raikes School has received the Platinum Award - the Design Studio's highest honor - for their innovative AI-powered fashion chatbot, developed in partnership with fashion retailer Buckle.

The all-female team harnessed Anthropic's Claude Sonnet AI to generate over 2 million descriptive tags for 50,000 Buckle inventory items, revolutionizing how customers search and shop online by enabling natural language queries such as “professional attire,” surfacing relevant options like trousers and blazers without rigid filters.

Team members Ealynn Hsu, Victoria Chin, Radhika Damle, and Katia Henrriquez devoted 12 to 15 hours weekly to build a system that enhances both the in-store feel and ecommerce personalization.

As project manager Hsu shared,

“This was a larger, more challenging project... the connection between the team and sponsor really drew me in.”

The project was showcased at the annual Raikes School Design Studio Showcase on April 25, 2025, where sponsors, industry leaders, and visitors saw demonstrations of this and other capstone achievements.

Buckle's VP of IT, Brandon Hauff, praised the collaboration's impact on innovation and guest experience. For an in-depth look at the technical and experiential highlights behind this fashion-forward AI tool, see the University's feature on the Raikes School AI fashion makeover, and discover more about the Design Studio program and other student-led projects through the official announcement from the School of Computing.

Megasaver's 42 Omaha-area stores have taken a significant leap into AI-driven commerce through a new partnership between Vroom Delivery and Petrosoft, marking an industry shift toward enterprise-level automation for retailers of all sizes.

This collaboration empowers Megasaver to streamline operations via Vroom Delivery's predictive inventory and Automated Menu Management (AMM), enabling thousands of products to be available across digital channels - including first-party websites, apps, third-party delivery providers like Uber Eats and DoorDash, and in-store kiosks.

Future enhancements will automate order injection, eliminating manual register entries to further boost efficiency. Integration with Petrosoft's CStoreOffice® - via a robust Business Documents API - lets retailers seamlessly synchronize inventory and menu data, providing a quick onboarding path and scalable digital transformation.

Industry research highlights that 63% of U.S. retailers view AI as crucial for maintaining competitiveness, with an anticipated 51% average ROI on AI deployments within three years and 65% of consumers reporting increased convenience.

The table below summarizes key benefits of the Vroom and Petrosoft solution for Megasaver's AI-powered retail ecosystem.

Feature	Benefit
Automated Menu Management	Consistent menus across all platforms
Predictive Inventory	Reduces out-of-stock and manual errors
Order Automation	Removes manual register entries
Multi-Channel Integration	Unified experience for in-store, online, and delivery

For retailers interested in further details on deploying these AI capabilities, explore the official Vroom Delivery and Petrosoft partnership announcement, review the comprehensive rundown of AI commerce advances in retail technology, or learn about integrating Vroom Delivery with CStoreOffice® for seamless digital transformation.

This April, retail tech experienced a major surge as leading convenience-store technology providers unveiled new AI-powered tools aimed at enhancing customer loyalty, operational efficiency, surveillance, and in-store audio experiences.

Liquid Barcodes expanded its footprint with programs like the Foodservice Frequency Booster and bespoke mobile loyalty apps, driving engagement and personalized offers even for smaller chains - a strategy reflected in Nisqually Markets' recent launch of a feature-rich rewards app.

Lula Commerce introduced an automation suite called Lula Operators to streamline e-commerce management, while March Networks rolled out generative AI-powered video search that lets users identify trends and incidents across thousands of cameras with simple voice or text commands.

Real-time AI audio ad creation also entered the scene through Qsic, backed by a $25 million Series B, delivering in-store audio campaigns for major brands. The growing impact of these innovations is underscored by recent research: 63% of U.S. retailers deem AI critical for competition, with expectations of 51% ROI from AI investment within three years and 65% of consumers crediting AI with increased shopping convenience (read more on major retail AI launches).

Technology's democratization is empowering independent stores like Smith Oil, as shown by surging loyalty program participation - driven by affordable, gamified solutions and digital outreach (explore how small operators are keeping pace in the loyalty game).

Meanwhile, platforms such as Liquid Barcodes' loyalty and subscription platform illustrate how integrated mobile, analytics, and subscription features are now essential for retailers seeking higher customer retention and recurring revenue.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is taking proactive steps to equip students for an AI-driven workforce through a comprehensive AI Readiness Research Study and a suite of classroom innovations.

The new study invites UNO students aged 19 and older to participate in focus groups and surveys designed to examine how generative artificial intelligence is influencing learning, problem-solving, and employability, aiming to identify the key skills needed for success in AI-integrated environments and the challenges students face in adapting to new technologies.

According to Lightcast data, monthly job postings referencing AI skills surged by over 6,600% in the past year, making AI proficiency a “top three” digital skill in today's labor market - a trend UNO is addressing with initiatives such as the ChatGPT/AI Prompt Book, microcredentials, and panel workshops to foster ethical and effective AI use.

Recent classroom projects that integrate AI for mental health support, doctoral teaching preparation, and immersive language practice reflect UNO's commitment to real-world skill development.

Faculty are encouraged to engage in professional development on AI, while students benefit from hands-on learning opportunities that enhance critical thinking and adaptability, ensuring UNO graduates remain highly marketable.

As Jaci Lindburg, Ph.D., and Cassie Mallette put it,

“By teaching students how to use AI to brainstorm, problem solve, and think through decision-making scenarios, we make our students more marketable to employers.”

Explore further details about UNO's AI readiness initiatives and their future-focused academic approach by visiting the official UNO AI readiness research study announcement and the UNO Alumni Association's perspective on embracing AI in higher education.

Fremantle, the international production powerhouse behind major hits like "America's Got Talent" and "Poor Things," has introduced Imaginae Studios, a standalone label dedicated to advancing AI-driven storytelling and creative experimentation in the entertainment industry.

Led by Group COO and CEO Europe, Andrea Scrosati, Imaginae Studios will operate independently, employing a specialist team to explore and integrate advanced AI solutions throughout the development and production process, all while maintaining rigorous intellectual property and compliance standards.

As Andrea Scrosati emphasized,

“Our mission is, and will always be, to give creatives the best tools and the best support to deliver incredible content for audiences globally. AI offers incredible new opportunities to transform ideas into images, video, sound and art. The mission of Imaginae Studios will be exactly that - to serve as a bridge between extraordinary human creativity and cutting-edge technology, fostering a creative sanctuary where innovation meets experimentation.”

The studio is actively recruiting forward-thinking creatives, signifying a major commitment to nurturing next-generation talent and reshaping storytelling possibilities.

For more on the official launch and strategic direction, see the Fremantle announcement of Imaginae Studios launch.

Insights into industry reactions and the broader impact can be found through Deadline's coverage of Fremantle's AI ambitions, and further operational details and vision are highlighted by The Hollywood Reporter's feature on Imaginae Studios.

Imaginae Studios marks a pivotal step for Fremantle and the wider media landscape, promising innovative, high-quality entertainment fueled by the collaboration of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.

Everseen's 2025 report underscores how artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the retail sector, delivering both significant financial returns and evolving consumer experiences.

A sweeping survey of 200 retail loss prevention executives and over 1,000 U.S. consumers found that 63% of retailers see AI as critical for staying competitive, while an average 51% return on investment is expected within the first three years of deployment.

Notably, 65% of consumers believe AI makes shopping more convenient, and retailers cite benefits from faster checkouts to improved customer service. However, Everseen's findings highlight transparency as a top customer concern, with 72% of shoppers wanting greater disclosure on AI use and 64% finding entrance signage most helpful.

Challenges remain - 47% of retailers flag training and 46% cite customer trust as hurdles to wider adoption. As Alan O'Herlihy, CEO of Everseen, emphasizes,

“AI is already transforming retail, driving efficiency, reducing shrink, and enhancing customer experiences.”

The table below summarizes key data points from the report:

Metric	Retailers (%)	Consumers (%)
AI critical for competitiveness	63	-
Average expected ROI (3 years)	51	-
Comfortable with AI/advanced tech	-	55
Shopping more convenient with AI	-	65
Want transparency about AI use	-	72
Implemented AI for loss prevention	60	-

For deeper insights, explore the original retail technology innovation hub analysis on AI in retail, the detailed Everseen press release on retail AI advancements, and comprehensive industry commentary about AI deployment in retail from AI Business.

Omaha's next generation of tech innovators took center stage at the Fiserv Future Techies program, an 11-week initiative where 48 middle school students from Bluestem, Norris, and Lewis & Clark honed real-world skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, and cybersecurity.

Each Tuesday, students gathered at Fiserv's Omaha office, developing projects aimed at modernizing financial security - culminating in a friendly competition judged by Fiserv employees.

The top project, “Shark Security,” invented by Bluestem students, proposed using hand and body scans for ATM ID verification to outsmart hackers. As Joanne Sebby, Fiserv's chief risk officer, explained,

“They have the opportunity to be hands on with things like artificial intelligence, robotics, learn about cybersecurity concepts. It's really focused on the evolution of commerce to get them ready to be the future of commerce.”

Student finalists will go on to compete against peers from Fiserv offices nationwide, exemplifying the program's reach and impact.

For seventh grader Georgia Eastman, the hands-on learning “was exciting and inspiring,” while Norris Middle School's Swift Moriarty highlighted the fun and challenge of bringing coded ideas to life.

As Government Technology reported on Omaha middle schoolers learning tech concepts at a fintech company, this marks the second successful year of Fiserv and Omaha Public Schools' partnership, offering powerful, practical exposure to tomorrow's tech landscape.

For a deeper look at the students' projects and experiences, see the detailed coverage from the Omaha World-Herald education news.

Discover more about Fiserv's ongoing innovation and educational initiatives at their Fiserv University educational events page.

School	Top Project	Key Technologies
Bluestem	Shark Security ATM Scanner	AI, Biometrics, Cybersecurity
Norris	AI Savings Planner	AI, Coding, Virtual Reality
Lewis & Clark	Data Security Tools	Coding, Robotics

Asset managers and private equity firms are accelerating their investments in AI and technology, overcoming new hurdles like aggressive US tariffs and prolonged deal cycles.

For example, Eurazeo recently acquired the remaining capital of Kurma Partners, strengthening its presence in biotech and medical innovation, and also announced plans to invest €100 million into next-generation European data centers amid a surge in portfolio company AI deployments.

The private equity sector saw Q1 2025 global deal values reach $221 billion - a 67% jump year-over-year - even as the pace of exits has slowed, largely due to tariff-related uncertainties that complicate supply chains and investment planning.

“The underlying conditions for private equity to both deploy new capital and to exit existing positions are still there. The tariffs will put a pause on that, but I still expect 2025 activity to be in excess of 2024 by the end of the year.” - Patrick Quay, EY-Parthenon

Despite geopolitical headwinds, firms like KKR and BlackRock are pursuing AI-driven value creation across diverse industries, while experts forecast that secondary and trade sales will lead recovery efforts for exits.

For a detailed breakdown, see the table below:

Firm	Recent Activity	Focus
Eurazeo	Acquired Kurma Partners; €100M data center investment	Biotech, medical innovation, digital infrastructure
KKR	Pursuing AI optimization in portfolio companies	GlobalData, diversified tech exposure
BlackRock	Influence Media Partners invests in music catalogs	Media, AI, creative industries

Read more about the Eurazeo-Kurma Partners acquisition and the impact of tariffs on private equity's tech strategies.

As April 2025 draws to a close, Lincoln's tech community stands at an inflection point marked by both robust opportunity and significant transformation fueled by artificial intelligence.

Local and national investment is surging: Google's recent $250,000 gift to the University of Nebraska is catalyzing new AI academic programs and research, while the company's $930 million expansion of Nebraska data centers underscores the state's growing IT infrastructure footprint (learn more about this dual investment here).

These developments coincide with the city's Future-Ready Workforce Initiative - a $1.3 million fund delivering scholarships, supportive services, and critical trade training for high-demand careers - ensuring that Lincoln's innovation isn't just a headline, but a tangible engine for workforce stability and inclusive growth (details on the workforce initiative).

A vibrant startup ecosystem, boosted by LaunchLNK grants and private partnerships at Nebraska Innovation Campus, is transforming the “Silicon Prairie” by fueling local entrepreneurship, retaining talent, and encouraging cross-sector collaboration.

As noted by University of Nebraska president Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold,

“Their generous gift... underscores our shared commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, ensuring we remain at the forefront of research, teaching, and public engagement.”

The table below highlights current major investments and workforce efforts shaping Lincoln's tech landscape:

Initiative	Details
Google AI Research Funding	$250,000 for AI teaching, new degree programs, interdisciplinary collaboration
Google Nebraska Infrastructure	$930 million for expanding data centers in Lincoln, Papillion, Omaha
Future-Ready Workforce Initiative	$1.3 million for scholarships, barriers-to-employment assistance, and skills training for high-demand fields

Collectively, these efforts point to a future where Lincoln's innovation ecosystem supports not just technical progress, but meaningful career pathways and economic resilience for all Nebraskans.