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

AI and tech are accelerating Louisville's transformation in May and June 2025, positioning the city as a vibrant hub for innovation and talent. Spurred by Kentucky's rank among the top states for low cost of living, Louisville is capitalizing on fast-paced tech sector growth and a projected 3.5 million STEM job openings nationally by 2025 (Kentucky attracts top tech talent with higher quality of life).

Startups like Rippey AI, a homegrown leader in logistics automation, have placed Louisville on the map with $3.59M in recent funding and a top-10 Tracxn ranking among 117 global competitors; as highlighted below, the city is producing companies that bridge logistics, AI, and entrepreneurship (Rippey AI 2025 company profile, funding & competitors).

Startup	Founded	Funding	Focus
Rippey AI	2019	$3.59M	AI-driven logistics documents
Outgo	2016	$18.4M	Accounting for logistics
Vector	2014	$12M	Transport document management

Local universities are also investing in AI and equity research, with UofL awarding internal grants to initiatives ranging from machine learning in manufacturing to smart sensors for autonomous vehicles.

Will Metcalf, associate vice president for research at UofL, notes,

“This internal funding provides critical support for groundbreaking research and scholarship.”

For a snapshot of the region's startup scene and support for entrepreneurs, see the 2025 Kentucky startups to watch list.

This surge of activity cements Louisville's reputation as a top destination for tech professionals seeking meaningful work and a balanced lifestyle.

Papa Johns is taking the pizza experience into the future with a newly expanded multi-year partnership with Google Cloud, aimed at reinventing how customers order, receive, and enjoy their favorite pies.

Through its innovation unit PJX, the Louisville-headquartered chain is leveraging Google BigQuery, Vertex AI, and Gemini to build predictive AI tools that anticipate cravings, provide real-time loyalty rewards, and automate everything from personalized marketing to delivery route optimization.

Customers can expect proactive order suggestions for occasions like birthdays, dynamic discounts based on location and preferences, and a smarter chatbot for streamlined service.

As Todd Penegor, President and CEO, put it,

"We're not just reacting to orders – we're anticipating our customers' needs and proactively providing tailored recommendations and offers. This isn't just about convenience; it's about creating a truly joyful and personalized pizza experience that builds lasting loyalty."

Key outcomes include increased order frequency, higher-value transactions, reduced service costs, and deeper customer loyalty.

To explore the full scope of Papa Johns' digital transformation, see the official Papa Johns press release on AI-powered pizza experiences, a comprehensive breakdown of the Papa Johns and Google Cloud generative AI partnership, and Google's own perspective in Google Cloud business leaders on AI innovation.

The collaboration sets a new industry benchmark, with personalized marketing campaigns, voice ordering, and AI-driven POS systems converging to deliver "Better Ingredients.

Better Pizza.”

Louisville-based AI healthcare innovator RAAPID has joined the exclusive Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program, accelerating its delivery of advanced risk adjustment and value-based care solutions via the Microsoft Azure Marketplace.

Powered by Azure services and certified for HITRUST security, RAAPID transforms unstructured medical data into actionable insights to improve coding accuracy, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance patient outcomes for Medicare Advantage, ACA, ACO, and Medicaid providers.

Supported by Series A investment from Microsoft's M12 fund and fueled by Pegasus' technical and go-to-market resources, RAAPID's platform boasts industry-leading features such as 60-80% reduction in chart review time, 95%+ coding accuracy, and a robust neuro-symbolic AI core.

As Michael Clark, President & Chief Growth Officer at RAAPID, stated,

“Joining the Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program has been transformative for our business. The dedicated support from Microsoft's Pegasus team has helped us optimize our architecture on Microsoft Azure and refine our go-to-market strategy, enabling us to deliver enterprise-grade solutions that solve today's pressing business challenges.”

This move not only simplifies procurement for healthcare organizations - purchases count toward Azure commitments and eliminate sensitive data movement risks - but also positions RAAPID at the center of a transformative wave in digital health.

Learn more about Pegasus benefits and partner success stories in Microsoft's Pegasus Program overview, and explore how healthcare AI startups are being empowered through Microsoft and M12 on RAAPID's official Series A announcement.

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has unveiled Clark, a groundbreaking AI chatbot designed specifically to assist steel construction professionals and engineers with rapid, reliable access to AISC codes, standards, and design guides.

Debuted at the North American Steel Construction Conference in Louisville on April 2, 2025, Clark leverages a large language model trained exclusively on AISC's extensive library of peer-reviewed manuals and technical resources, helping users quickly navigate specification sections, flag missing checks, and clarify design responsibilities - without replacing human engineering judgment.

As described by AISC VP and Director of Engineering Christopher Raebel,

"Clark will be able to give you information on any of our codes and standards, design guides and technical information."

With 2,200 technical queries annually funneled to the "Ask AISC" portal, Clark is positioned to streamline code compliance, boost time efficiency, and reduce errors for both seasoned engineers and new graduates.

Clark is currently in final testing, with a public rollout to the AISC website expected in the coming months.

In parallel with this digital transformation, AISC continues to push for fair trade and sustainable practices in the industry, and recently expanded its sustainability programs - including resources on embodied carbon reduction.

For an in-depth overview of Clark's features, impact, and the wider context of current industry initiatives - including tariffs and sustainability - visit the official ENR coverage of AISC's announcement.

Louisville is poised for a digital transformation with the launch of Kentucky's first hyperscale data center - a massive 400 MW campus by PowerHouse Data Centers and Poe Companies, set to open in 2026 and promising “thousands of good-paying jobs” and tens of millions in annual tax revenue.

The facility, occupying 154 acres near Camp Ground Road, is anticipated to consume as much electricity as an entire power plant, heightening both economic excitement and widespread concern about energy use, sustainability, and community impact.

While local officials tout the project as “historic for Kentucky” and a game-changer for the region's tech and business environment, environmental advocates warn about Kentucky's reliance on fossil fuels and potential climate compromises.

The table below summarizes key impacts and legislative responses:

Aspect	Key Points
Energy Demand	Data centers projected to reach up to 12% U.S. electricity use by 2028
Utility Costs	Rising utility bills are a top concern for residents and lawmakers
Legislation/Incentives	50-year tax exemption for data center equipment and 15-year site development exemption in Jefferson County
Jobs & Taxes	Up to 1,000 construction jobs and hundreds of long-term tech positions; tens of millions in annual tax revenue

While developer partners and city leaders champion Louisville as a model for digital infrastructure, rural communities and local activists continue to push back, questioning zoning practices and the long-term environmental cost.

As one local legislator put it regarding zoning and community impact:

“It's a way to abuse the system and prey on a community that's not prepared for hyperscale data centers. It is an absolutely horrible location.”

With construction underway and incentives locked in, Kentucky's tech future may well depend on how the city balances innovation with transparency, sustainability, and community input.

For more details on Kentucky's data center evolution, see coverage of PowerHouse's Louisville campus plans.

As Louisville and the broader U.S. face a wave of cyberattacks in 2025, AI-powered cybersecurity is under intense scrutiny as both a defense and a potential vulnerability.

Ransomware and data breaches have surged, with the U.S. leading in reported incidents - 20 in May alone - across sectors including public service, healthcare, education, and finance according to a May cyberattack report.

Notably, the manufacturing sector has seen cyberattacks grow by 300% year-over-year, while ransomware attacks have climbed 73% and the average breach now costs $5.56 million according to The Lane Report's cybersecurity analysis.

Kentucky hasn't been spared: Norton Healthcare's ransomware breach in Louisville exposed sensitive data of 2.5 million individuals, while Jefferson County's clerk's office suffered a ransomware attack compromising election data and resident records.

Recent sophisticated threats like the LockZ ransomware family, designed to evade detection and target critical sectors, further compound the risk landscape as highlighted by CYFIRMA.

Security experts stress that while AI-powered tools - such as extended detection and response (XDR) and automated network monitoring - are proving vital in identifying and blocking attacks, investment in employee training, multilayered authentication, and regulatory compliance remain essential as adversaries continuously adapt their tactics.

Month	U.S. Incidents	Healthcare Breaches (largest)	Manufacturing Attack Increase
May 2025	20	Norton Healthcare (2.5M individuals)	+300% YoY
April 2025	20	Ascension Health (437,000)	N/A

“Ransomware often starts with phishing emails targeting employees... the human element remains the weakest link.”

With attacks rising and AI in security a double-edged sword, continuous vigilance, community engagement, and sharing of intelligence are the frontline strategies for Louisville's public and private sectors.

Waystar, headquartered in Louisville, has solidified its position as a national leader in health tech, recently being named a 2025–2026 Best Company to Work For by U.S. News & World Report.

The honor places Waystar in the top 6% of 5,000 public companies evaluated based on employee sentiment across six key factors, from pay and stability to growth opportunities.

As part of its string of recent accolades - including being recognized as Best Overall Healthcare Payments Solutions Provider by MedTech Breakthrough for the fourth consecutive year - Waystar continues to earn accolades for both innovation and culture.

Its AI-powered AltitudeAI™ suite has slashed denial appeal times by 70% and reduced denial-prevention workflows from days to minutes, supporting over one million providers and handling more than $1.8 trillion in claims annually.

“We're honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report alongside so many respected companies,” said Matt Hawkins, CEO of Waystar. “This recognition reflects the culture we've built - one rooted in innovation, shared values, and a deep commitment to our mission to simplify healthcare payments. I'm grateful to our dedicated team members, whose passion and purpose power the mission-critical software we deliver to more than one million providers nationwide.”

Waystar's ongoing workplace excellence was further highlighted by its inclusion in Becker's Healthcare's 2025 list of top healthcare employers and Fortune's Great Place to Work®.

The following table summarizes Waystar's national impact:

Metric	Waystar (2025)
Clients Served	~30,000
Providers Impacted	1+ million
Annual Transactions	6+ billion
Annual Claims Processed	$1.8 trillion
US Patient Coverage	~50%

Learn more about their achievements in the official press release and their MedTech Breakthrough award announcement on PR Newswire.

University of Louisville students stepped onto the national stage this month by participating in Columbia's AI and real estate innovation challenge, where they explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping property valuation, risk assessment, and the customer experience for buyers, investors, and real estate professionals.

The industry is on track for massive AI-driven growth, with market size projected to soar from $226.71 billion in 2024 to $731.59 billion by 2028 - a 34% compound annual growth rate, fueled by applications ranging from automated valuations to personalized property recommendations (key trends and predictions for 2025).

AI-powered platforms now allow rapid, objective valuation of property, flagging market shifts, and risk factors far more efficiently than traditional manual methods (how AI is transforming property valuation).

Hands-on learning - using data analytics, visualization, and AI modeling - prepares students for a workforce where skills in generative AI have surged in demand by over 60%.

As real estate leverages AI to drive up productivity by 7.3% and customer interaction by 6.9%, this next generation is tackling challenges like data privacy and algorithmic bias, aiming to deliver smarter, safer housing solutions.

Year	AI Market Size (USD Billion)
2023	164.96
2024	226.71
2028	731.59

Nationally, AI could contribute between $110 billion and $180 billion of value to the real estate sector, signaling its transformative impact and need for a workforce fluent in both technical and ethical AI skills (the role of AI in real estate appraisals).

Louisville residents are facing the unsettling reality of AI-driven phone scams, as one local mother recently received a chilling call featuring what sounded exactly like her daughter's voice - only to learn it was an AI-cloned recording crafted by scammers.

This disturbing trend reflects a broader national wave: con artists are exploiting voice-cloning technology to impersonate loved ones with uncanny accuracy, using short clips from social media or public sources to fabricate convincing pleas for money or personal information.

As WDRB News reports, the Louisville mother called the experience “the scariest call she had ever received.” These emotionally manipulative scams are rising across the U.S., with experts warning that AI can now replicate voice inflection and emotion after analyzing just a few seconds of audio.

The FBI has also issued a nationwide caution about AI-generated voice scams as AI-generated voice messages and vishing (voice phishing) now target not just families, but senior U.S. officials and vulnerable populations, causing nearly $5 billion in reported losses among older Americans in 2024 alone.

According to the Better Business Bureau and security experts, families should consider creating secret code words, always verify a caller's identity directly using known contact information, and resist pressure to immediately send funds or disclose sensitive details.

As one scam survivor told media,

“It was completely her voice. It was her inflection. It was the way she would have cried.”

Proactive safety measures and awareness are now critical in the face of increasingly convincing AI fraud tactics.

Significant staffing cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) are challenging Louisville and Kentucky's ability to deliver around-the-clock severe weather warnings, raising important questions about whether artificial intelligence (AI) can fill the resulting forecasting gaps.

In recent months, federal reductions have forced at least six NWS offices - including nearby Jackson and regional centers in Kentucky - to suspend overnight coverage, with only surge staffing and support from neighboring offices ensuring warnings were issued during May's deadly tornado outbreak.

As a result, Jackson now operates with just 9 of its typical 13 meteorologists and is missing two management and three technical specialists, as shown below.

Office	Usual Meteorologists	Current Staff	Vacancies
Jackson, KY NWS	13	9	2 management, 3 technical

Despite these constraints, meteorologists managed to provide 30–40 minutes' warning before tornadoes struck, but experts warn this improvisational model is unsustainable long-term and could degrade forecast quality.

“NWS Weather Forecast Offices were already understaffed across the country, and now many offices are or will be below the critical mass necessary to maintain functionality. This will severely affect weather forecast accuracy, no matter where people receive their forecasts.” - Kelsey Ellis, University of Tennessee

The NWS has begun updating service standards and leveraging AI-driven tools, but both staff and outside observers remain skeptical that technology alone can replicate the experience and judgement required for true life-saving weather prediction.

For deeper insight into the severity and human impact of Kentucky's recent storms and the operational adaptations of frontline meteorologists, explore coverage from WAVE3's report on staffing-related impacts to severe weather alerts, The Independent's analysis of Kentucky's NWS surge staffing, and The Tennessean's account of perseverance and community sacrifices by NWS personnel.

Valent, a Kentucky-based startup, is making waves by using artificial intelligence to expedite and streamline the complex request-for-proposal (RFP) process for government contractors, promising newfound efficiencies for both agencies and small businesses.

Their efforts align with Louisville's broader push for government modernization, as evidenced by Mayor Craig Greenberg's recent budget proposal that includes plans to automate key city functions like open records processing and permit applications.

This technological shift comes as federal procurement activity rises, with a 6.5% increase in early 2025 despite expectations of austerity, and as agencies loosen restrictions to enable broader participation in contracting opportunities.

The local business community is also actively fostering equitable access: a recent partnership event hosted by Greater Louisville Inc. and the Mayor's Office connected over 80 entrepreneurs - many from underrepresented backgrounds - with procurement leaders to enhance local supplier involvement.

As Tony Parrott, CEO of Louisville MSD, explained,

“Partnering with Louisville Metro and GLI is such a significant and important opportunity for small and minority owned businesses to network with larger contracting firms and companies to build relationships and learn about how they can grow their businesses and pursue contracting opportunities.”

Contractors eyeing new AI-powered platforms or expanded opportunities should be aware of regulatory shifts, including streamlined requirements for federal registrations and a government-wide push for transparent, efficient, and outcome-based procurements.

For more on Valent's RFP innovation, read how this local startup sees a big opportunity in AI-driven contracting.

To understand recent changes shaping federal IT acquisitions, consult this overview of key government contracting developments.

And to see how Louisville leaders are accelerating inclusion and local success stories, check out the recap of GLI's latest matchmaking initiative.

Louisville's tech pulse is powering regional transformation, driven by a vibrant startup scene, expanding investment, and an embrace of AI for both business and civic innovation.

Local entrepreneurs benefit from a robust mix of state and national funding programs, including SBIR-STTR Matching Funds, Kentucky Small Business Credit Initiative, and region-specific accelerators like Launch Blue and XLerateHealth.

Major tech employers and workforce initiatives - highlighted by Microsoft's new AI hub and expanded K-12 computer science education - cement the city's “emerging tech city” status and support sector diversity spanning healthcare tech, logistics, and next-gen manufacturing, as detailed by Greater Louisville Inc. New ventures are flourishing, with regional venture capital firms such as Heartland Ventures deepening their presence to foster connections between coastal innovators and Louisville's technology-driven industries (Business Journals coverage).

Just as importantly, inclusive development is front and center; local hackathons and university programs use generative AI to bridge policy and community barriers, and tailored bootcamps like Nucamp's provide reskilling pathways for nontraditional students.

“The product they produced for us will change the way individuals in this city are able to access public information that comes out of our legislation,” shared Mikal Forbush of Louisville's Center for Neighborhoods.

Industry awards, rising VC activity, and workforce innovation signal that Louisville is establishing itself as a regional tech leader with strong social impact and economic growth on the horizon.