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

April 2025 saw Minneapolis accelerate its status as a leader in tech and AI innovation, highlighted by strong investment in healthcare and sports technology. With 48 sports tech startups driving advancements in athlete safety and fan engagement, companies like SportsEngine and Prevent Biometrics showcase the city's depth in performance tech and AI-powered wearables, as detailed by Tracxn's sports tech report on Minneapolis.

Meanwhile, state government and academic institutions have prioritized responsible, secure AI adoption. Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) recently announced Copilot Chat, a secure generative AI tool for government agencies, with Commissioner Tarek Tomes emphasizing,

“Our commitment to innovation goes hand in hand with our responsibility to safeguard Minnesotans' data, ensuring that AI is used securely and effectively to enhance public services.”

This theme continues at the University of Minnesota's upcoming AI Spring Summit, where experts will discuss governance, ethics, and real-world AI healthcare applications (read more about the AI Spring Summit).

Legislative action further anchors tech growth, with the Minnesota Legislature approving a $400K grant for HealthcareMN to foster healthcare entrepreneurship and leadership, expanding the Twin Cities as a national hub (see legislative grant details).

Target Field has become one of the latest venues in Major League Baseball to introduce the optional “Go-Ahead Entry” system, allowing Minnesota Twins fans to enjoy hands-free, rapid access to games using facial recognition technology.

By uploading a selfie through the MLB Ballpark app, fans can convert their image into a unique, privacy-conscious numerical token; no photos are stored, and the technology even accommodates hats, glasses, or face paint.

The system, operational at Gates 3, 6, 29, and 34 for the 2025 season opener, can process entry 2.5 times faster than traditional ticket scanning, with fan satisfaction reaching 94% according to recent surveys.

As MLB expands this innovation - now in use at 10 ballparks including Philadelphia and Milwaukee - experts emphasize not only efficiency, but also enhanced security and fraud reduction when compared to manual ticket checks.

“Something like this we wanted to be extra careful and considerate and thorough, which is why we spent a very long time developing, testing and vetting our solution,”

explained Karri Zaremba, MLB Senior VP for Ballpark Experience and Ticketing.

Importantly, participation remains voluntary to maintain public trust, with traditional digital ticket scanning available for those who prefer it. For a technical comparison, see the table below:

Learn more about the technology and its rollout at Target Field's official MLB Go-Ahead Entry information page, read first-hand experiences from industry experts in MPR News' deep dive with local AI leaders, and discover insights on MLB's league-wide adoption and fan feedback in Twin Cities Business Magazine article on facial recognition entry tech.

The University of Minnesota is at the forefront of energy-efficient AI innovation with its groundbreaking Computational Random Access Memory (CRAM) technology, led by Professor Jian-Ping Wang and his research team.

CRAM fundamentally reimagines computing architecture by enabling data processing directly within memory, drastically reducing the energy cost associated with constant data transfer - a bottleneck in traditional von Neumann systems.

According to the International Energy Agency, data centers powering AI could match Japan's total electricity consumption by 2026, but CRAM technology promises up to 2,700-fold energy savings for some AI workloads by minimizing these inefficiencies.

As Wang explains,

"We can reduce energy consumption by a thousand times. For some applications even more. You can go to 2,700 times."

This leap is enabled by advanced magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), which use electron spin for faster, lower-power operations compared to conventional silicon transistors.

The environmental benefits extend beyond electricity - reduced water cooling needs translate to a lower overall resource footprint, an urgent concern as AI's water consumption is already projected to rival that of entire countries.

The CRAM project has already demonstrated remarkable experimental results, and the UMN team is now collaborating with industry partners to scale this innovation for widespread use.

For a detailed breakdown of CRAM's energy performance compared to traditional methods, see the table below:

To learn more about the technology's origins, environmental impact, and future outlook, read the KARE11 feature on UMN's CRAM breakthrough, the Innovation News Network coverage on energy-efficient AI hardware, and a technical deep dive by Securities.io on the CRAM research and market implications.

Allina Health is setting a new standard in cancer care by advancing its deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across screening platforms in the Minneapolis area.

At Cambridge Medical Center, the adoption of the GI Genius AI tool provides real-time assistance during colonoscopies, aiding physicians in identifying colorectal polyps by comparing live images to a database of 13 million polyp images - enhancing early detection while protecting patient privacy, as GI Genius does not collect individual data.

“This device increases our detection rate, and we know that detection of polyps is correlated with saving lives,”

said Dr. Stanely Dick, highlighting how the system reliably flags even hard-to-spot polyps.

Meanwhile, at Allina's Cancer Institute, AI is now double-checking radiologist interpretations of lung and prostate scans, where a 99.7% accuracy rate still left a few missed cases - AI recently detected lung nodules in five additional patients that doctors had initially overlooked.

As Allina partners with Ferrum Health and integrates population health strategies, AI is also being leveraged to scan medical records for missed screening opportunities, ultimately increasing the number of patients caught in earlier, more treatable stages.

According to Vice President Mike Koroscik,

“AI is truly transforming early cancer detection and surveillance.”

The broader impact of these innovations is underscored by recent FDA approvals - nearly 1,000 AI-powered devices and novel blood tests are expanding the detection toolkit industry-wide.

The table below summarizes key metrics on AI's role at Allina Health:

As Minnesota emerges as a leader in responsible health tech, Allina Health's AI-assisted colorectal cancer screening at Cambridge Medical Center, its AI double-checks in radiology departments, and leadership insights on revolutionizing early cancer detection through technology position the Twin Cities at the cutting edge of patient-centered cancer care innovation.

KPMG Minneapolis is leading the transformation of internal audits through the rapid integration of artificial intelligence within its flagship platform, KPMG Clara.

By deploying sophisticated AI agents, the firm is empowering more than 95,000 global auditors to automate routine tasks like data analysis and document review, while also enhancing decision-making and enabling a sharper focus on high-risk audit areas.

The newly integrated Financial Report Analyzer (FRA) AI engine further assists auditors in efficiently completing disclosure checklists, paving the way for a “people-powered, AI-enabled” audit experience.

As KPMG's Scott Flynn explained,

“We're building sophisticated AI agents to help auditors respond more effectively to risks and deliver deeper insights. We maintain professional skepticism and upskill our professionals to build trust in capital markets.”

According to industry research, 81% of private companies now pilot or use AI for accounting and financial planning, with broader surveys showing 62% of US firms have adopted AI in finance functions.

The table below highlights some key metrics:

KPMG's efforts in Minneapolis mirror national momentum, with continuous upgrades and new AI partnerships - including with Google Cloud - to deliver next-generation risk management, fraud detection, and proactive analytics.

For an in-depth exploration of these advancements, visit the official KPMG Clara Smart Audit Platform announcement, view a detailed summary in BizJournals' overview on AI's impact in internal audits, and read Accounting Today's analysis of AI agent deployment in KPMG Clara.

Mortenson, a Minneapolis-based construction leader, is redefining the industry's approach to technology by prioritizing people and safety in every innovation.

Their human-centric strategy blends cutting-edge robotics - such as autonomous excavators on renewable energy projects - with augmented and virtual reality for on-site training and remote inspections, ensuring craft workers remain at the heart of progress.

Trent Mostaert, vice president of industrialization at Mortenson, explains, “a person-centered approach is key to implementing technology,” reinforcing their focus on practical, team-driven adoption as highlighted in Construction Dive's technology coverage.

Mortenson is also spearheading industry-wide safety improvements: transitioning its entire U.S. craft workforce from traditional hard hats to modern safety helmets with chin straps, which offer enhanced head protection and support for additional personal protective gear.

As Marni Hogen, Mortenson's senior director of health and safety, puts it,

"Our obligation through our Zero Injury safety program is to ensure we are providing high-quality protection and care for our workers and all individuals on our projects. The new safety helmets we are adopting provide a superior level of protection."

These changes are part of an ongoing cultural shift that positions Mortenson as an advocate for collective learning and mental health recognition, aligning with events like Construction Safety Week 2025, where they recently hosted a people-first safety stand-down and luncheon.

The table below summarizes some of Mortenson's key technology and safety advances:

Mortenson's collaborative innovation process, partnerships with technology developers and universities, and steadfast commitment to worker well-being exemplify how construction tech can serve people first - reshaping industry standards and safety culture for the digital era.

For a deeper dive into Mortenson's approach and impact, see the MnTech Member Impact Spotlight and details on their transition to advanced safety helmets.

The Mayo Clinic has launched the world's largest AI-powered health data platform, positioning Minneapolis as a global leader in digital health innovation. By leveraging an integrated network that now includes 20 million digital pathology images linked to 10 million patient records, the Mayo Clinic Digital Pathology platform enables unprecedented speed and accuracy in diagnostics, supported by collaborations with industry leaders like NVIDIA and Aignostics (AI is Improving the Patient Experience at Mayo Clinic).

Through the Platform_Accelerate program, Mayo Clinic has fast-tracked 15 health tech startups worldwide, providing them with de-identified global datasets and expert mentorship to validate and deploy AI-driven healthcare solutions that address challenges from heart and lung diagnostics to early cancer detection and chronic disease management (Mayo Clinic Fast-Tracks Global Health Tech Startups).

Notably, this spring's program included international partnerships such as the JETRO acceleration initiative, which gives Japanese startups access to Mayo Clinic's anonymized medical data for AI model development, supporting rapid innovation for global health impact (JETRO Collaborates with Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate).

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate these 15 companies. Their dedication and accomplishments have raised the bar, and we look forward to continuing to support their efforts as they make strides in advancing patient care worldwide,” remarked Jamie Sundsbak, Senior Manager, Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate.

Below is a summary of key features from Mayo Clinic's new platform and its recent accelerator cohort:

Minneapolis is cementing its role as a hub for human-machine collaboration and AI innovation, with a slate of transformative conferences lined up for 2025. The ElevateIT: Minneapolis Technology Summit on July 22 will gather industry leaders, CIOs, and cybersecurity experts at the Hyatt Regency to discuss groundbreaking trends in AI, cloud computing, and machine learning.

The event features distinguished speakers such as William Scandrett (Allina Health) and Dr. Jacquelyn Malcolm Bailey (Minnesota State Colleges & Universities), hands-on sessions on human-machine teaming, and panels centered on the indispensable human element in cybersecurity.

Complementing this, the Robotic Grinding and Finishing Conference will showcase how Minneapolis manufacturers apply AI-powered digital twins and collaborative robots (cobots) to transform industries ranging from healthcare to high-mix production.

Attendees can expect expert-led workshops covering topics like predictive maintenance, process optimization, and real-world automation use cases. Meanwhile, the focus on ethical adoption and oversight persists, as shown by the University of Minnesota's AI Research Ethics Conference, which brings together national leaders in law, bioethics, and informatics to address bias, inclusion, and the responsible integration of AI in research.

As Minneapolis prepares for these high-profile events, the city stands out as a destination where technology truly advances hand-in-hand with human ingenuity and principled leadership.

Twin Cities surgeons are taking proactive steps to guide the safe and responsible integration of generative AI in healthcare, providing much-needed clarity as these technologies advance rapidly in diagnostic and clinical settings.

Recent consensus from surgical and health law leaders highlights key priorities such as robust oversight, ongoing validation, and explicit clinician involvement: “If any component of your AI ecosystem fails - model, data input, implementation - the whole system fails.

We can't treat AI as a black box,”

emphasized leaders from Allina Health and the University of Minnesota at a recent CLE event

. A comprehensive review found generative AI now achieves diagnostic accuracy comparable to non-specialist clinicians - at 52.1% average accuracy, trailing specialists by about 15.8% - and is particularly suited as a supporting tool in underserved or primary care environments rather than as a replacement for physician expertise (Generative AI achieves near parity with general practitioners diagnostic accuracy).

Policymakers and health systems in Minnesota and nationwide are aligning around new regulatory mandates for transparency, human oversight, and disclosure when generative AI is used in clinical or patient-facing settings, as tracked in over 250 health AI bills introduced in early 2025 alone (2025 Health AI Policy Tracker for regulatory mandates).

The resulting landscape requires ongoing collaboration between surgeons, technologists, and regulators to ensure AI augments, not replaces, the patient-provider relationship, in line with calls to prioritize clear clinical guidelines and trustworthy AI usage in care delivery (Surgeons Provide Clarity on Generative AI Use in Patient Care).

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has taken a leading role in passing the bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act, a landmark federal response to the rising threat of nonconsensual deepfake and revenge pornography.

The act, passed nearly unanimously in both chambers of Congress and pending the President's signature, makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish intimate imagery - including computer-generated content - without consent.

Under this law, online platforms must remove such content within 48 hours of a victim's request, with the Federal Trade Commission enforcing compliance. According to Klobuchar's official news release, “We must provide victims of online abuse with the legal protections they need when intimate images are shared without their consent, especially now that deepfakes are creating horrifying new opportunities for abuse...” The act has strong backing from major tech companies such as Meta, Google, and Snap, and the advocacy of survivors and organizations from across the country, as detailed in The Washington Post's coverage.

While the bill represents a significant step forward for victim protection and digital privacy, it has faced criticism from digital rights groups over potential risks to free speech and privacy.

For a deeper breakdown of the legislation's bipartisan journey and the array of advocacy, political, and industry perspectives, readers can review the complete legislative summary at Rep. Salazar's press release.

“We must provide victims of online abuse with the legal protections they need when intimate images are shared without their consent, especially now that deepfakes are creating horrifying new opportunities for abuse... victims will be able to have this material removed from social media platforms and law enforcement can hold perpetrators accountable.” – Senator Amy Klobuchar

The conversation over AI-driven bias in Minnesota's healthcare sector reached new intensity in April, fueled by legislative efforts and ongoing community debate.

The Minnesota Legislature has introduced Senate Bill 3462 requiring annual transparency reports from healthcare sharing arrangements - a move intended to provide greater oversight but one that also draws concern about burdens on small organizations and the potential impact on affordable alternatives.

At the same time, Minnesota's Technology Advisory Council (TAC) is actively advising state agencies on responsible AI governance, with its Artificial Intelligence Subcommittee meeting regularly to shape policy recommendations designed to protect Minnesotans and root out algorithmic discrimination.

This mirrors trends nationwide, as states scrutinize high-risk AI applications in areas like health decisions and algorithmic fairness, as highlighted by the National Conference of State Legislatures in their summary of 2025 AI-related legislation across the United States.

As lawmakers and advisory groups weigh concerns over both innovation and equity, Minnesota stands at the center of a broader national reckoning with the risks and responsibilities of using AI in healthcare.

For those interested in participating in upcoming discussions, the TAC's next AI Subcommittee meeting is publicly posted on the Minnesota IT Services website providing details on meeting schedules and public engagement, ensuring transparency and ongoing public engagement.

As Minneapolis closes out a pivotal April 2025 for the local tech community, the city stands at the forefront of shaping responsible AI and technology use - balancing innovation with ethical oversight and public trust.

This month's research from the University of Minnesota Journalism Center and The Poynter Institute found Americans remain skeptical of generative AI in news, with 40% reporting they have never used AI tools, and a majority demanding clear disclosures when AI-generated content appears.

Echoing this call for transparency, experts at the 2025 Summit on AI, Ethics and Journalism emphasized that while AI has the potential to make information more accessible, audiences want strong ethics policies:

“People want disclosure. Their reflexive default is, ‘Tell me when (AI) is being used.'”

While Minnesota spurs dialogue around AI ethics and real-world impact - highlighted by the UMN Data Science Initiative's Spring Summit on AI governance - the practical challenges continue to multiply, from devising equitable healthcare AI to mitigating AI-driven rises in energy demand that threaten utility rates statewide, as explored in reports on AI data center legislation.

Keeping pace with such changes means building a workforce ready to ethically develop, audit, and implement these technologies. For Minneapolitans eager to join this effort, accessible training options such as Nucamp's Cybersecurity Fundamentals bootcamp and other flexible, scholarship-backed programs provide a springboard into tech careers aligned with the city's values of transparency, responsibility, and social impact.