This Month's Latest Tech News in Oklahoma City, OK - Saturday May 31st 2025 Edition

AI and tech growth in Oklahoma City is hitting new highs for 2025, with several multimillion- and multibillion-dollar projects supercharging the region's innovation economy.

Divergent Technologies is evaluating OKC as a top site for one of its new highly automated, AI-driven manufacturing plants, aiming to produce aerospace and defense components through its advanced Adaptive Production System, which melds AI, 3D printing, and robotics (next-gen manufacturing plant evaluation).

Meanwhile, Google has confirmed up to $3 billion in investment for an AI data center campus in Stillwater - a signal moment in hyperscale infrastructure, aiming to bolster local schools, tech jobs, and public-private partnerships (Google Stillwater data center campus).

These moves are mirrored by Oklahoma's rise as a national magnet for technology investments: over 200 state companies have received innovation funding, thousands of data-center jobs are on the horizon through DAMAC's $20 billion U.S. commitment, and tech-ready infrastructure is rapidly expanding for AI, biotech, and cloud industries (emerging tech and data center boom).

With proactive workforce development and national-level investment, Oklahoma City's ascent as a center for AI, manufacturing, and digital business shows no signs of slowing.

This May, the Powering AI: Global Leadership Summit transformed Oklahoma City into a hub for global dialogue on powering artificial intelligence with sustainable, scalable energy solutions.

Convened at Oklahoma State University's Hamm Institute, the summit brought together cabinet officials, industry executives, and research leaders to address surging power demands from AI data centers - projected to need an additional 10 gigawatts of electricity by next year, with demand estimates rising to 68 GW by 2027, nearly doubling global 2022 data center consumption.

Discussions focused on a “strategy of energy addition,” prioritizing near-term support from natural gas while investing in nuclear and geothermal for long-term resilience.

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized,

“America must unleash American energy and innovation to lead in AI development. The Department of Energy is working... to advance a strategy of energy addition - expanding energy production, modernizing infrastructure, and ensuring the U.S. has the capacity to drive and dominate the next era of global technological advancement.”

Panelists also confronted regulatory challenges, advocating for streamlined federal permitting to unlock new energy projects.

Executive Director Dr. Ann Bluntzer Pullin urged,

“If America wants to lead in AI, it must also lead in energy.”

Summit outcomes include a blueprint for enabling U.S. AI leadership by aligning infrastructure, policy, and private sector innovation - a point detailed in analysis by Oklahoma State University's analysis of the AI energy summit, reported on the summit's cross-industry collaborations by The Journal Record's coverage of the Oklahoma AI Energy Summit 2025, and further highlighted in national coverage by the Lewistown Sentinel's report on energy leadership efforts in Oklahoma.

These coordinated efforts reflect Oklahoma's growing importance as a testing ground for global-scale energy and technology partnerships in the AI era.

Oklahoma is rapidly emerging as a hotspot for data center and AI infrastructure investments, with new projects boosting both the state's tech profile and its economy.

Tech giants like Google have acquired land in Stillwater for a major data center campus, a development heralded by Mayor Will Joyce as “a testament to the strength of our economy, our workforce, and our commitment to community investment” according to Business Facilities.

Meanwhile, Muskogee is set to become a global innovation hub with Core Scientific's $182 million, 100 megawatt high-performance computing facility, which will house next-generation NVIDIA GPUs and create 150 local jobs with an average wage exceeding $65,000 as reported by Data Center Frontier.

The push into Oklahoma aligns with nationwide trends, as the U.S. Department of Energy projects data center electricity usage could double or triple by 2028, with advances in renewable energy aiming to support this surge in demand per OK Energy Today.

As Oklahoma balances economic gains with infrastructure and clean energy challenges, it is cementing its role as a prime location for the future of AI-powered data ecosystems.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum has launched its groundbreaking “Are We Safer Today?” exhibit, harnessing AI avatars to educate visitors of all ages on infrastructure safety and cybersecurity developments since the 1995 bombing.

Developed in collaboration with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the interactive experience features four lifelike AI experts - each specializing in infrastructure, cybersecurity, large event security, or explosives - programmed with Unreal Engine and Metahuman technology.

Visitors pose questions, which are interpreted by Microsoft Azure Speech Services and routed to the most relevant AI expert for dynamic, tailored responses, encouraging reflection on complex issues such as the trade-offs between liberty and security.

Kari Watkins, President and CEO of the Museum, shares,

“This AI exhibit allows us to teach our visitors all that has been done since 1995 to make our country safer and to hear from some experts that can show what they're tackling every day.”

This innovative blend of storytelling and technology aims to bridge generational gaps and provide critical education about modern threats and protections, making it a unique initiative both nationally and globally.

For an in-depth look at the exhibit's interactive AI features, read the Cortina Productions project showcase of the AI exhibit at Oklahoma City National Memorial, get a news overview from KFOR's coverage of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum launch, or explore visitor insights and exhibit philosophy at FOX23 News report on updated safety practices since the Oklahoma City bombing.

Enid High School, in partnership with Oklahoma State University and Project ECHO, has emerged as a regional leader in educational innovation through the launch of an AI-powered math tutoring pilot using Khanmigo - an AI tool developed by Khan Academy and powered by ChatGPT. Now serving approximately 400 students across math and science classes, Khanmigo offers personalized support, instant feedback, and real-time progress tracking, enabling students to fill skill gaps and teachers to refocus on critical instruction.

Principal Craig Liddell expressed strong support for the initiative, stating:

"I think we should absolutely embrace AI, so if we fight it, I don't think we win. So, as educators, how do we embrace it and use it for the right powers and truly have an impact? This Khanmigo product, I think this has been amazing for our students."

According to KOCO News' detailed report on Khanmigo's classroom integration, students have 24/7 access through Chromebooks, and teachers see improved engagement - especially among English Language Learners and students receiving special education.

Implementation success is credited in part to ongoing teacher training provided by Project ECHO and OSU experts, allowing staff to leverage fast, actionable data and foster more meaningful math discourse.

Results from the pilot are promising: after just one semester, no students failed geometry, and teachers report enhanced critical thinking and collaboration among students (see Project ECHO's case study on classroom transformation).

OSU's broader initiative, the RET program, further supports educators by empowering them to teach future-ready AI skills responsibly, ensuring sustained momentum for both students and teachers (learn more about OSU's RET program for AI education).

The program is closely watched as Oklahoma prepares to scale AI-driven tutoring statewide.

A recent incident involving an AI-generated deepfake video falsely impersonating a teacher at Minco Public Schools has put Oklahoma City at the forefront of growing national concerns over AI-driven misinformation.

The district condemned the video as “garbage [that] will not be tolerated,” involving law enforcement to investigate and stressing severe consequences for those responsible.

Read more on the News on 6 report about the AI deepfake incident in Minco Public Schools.

This event highlights the broader threat of deepfakes - AI-manipulated media designed to mislead or harm - prompting both state and federal legislative responses.

As of May 27, 2025, Oklahoma is one of 41 states with explicit laws addressing the creation or distribution of deepfakes depicting sensitive or explicit content, while state and national lawmakers balance the urgency to protect individuals with concerns over free speech and the beneficial uses of AI technology.

Learn more about the AI deepfake policy in Oklahoma from Ballotpedia. At the federal level, the newly passed “Take It Down Act” criminalizes the sharing of nonconsensual explicit deepfakes and requires tech companies to remove such content within 48 hours, marking the first national law of its kind.

As explained by technology journalist Laurie Segall,

“this law addresses digital abuse trauma by compelling faster response.”

The intersection of rapid AI advancements, increased legislative scrutiny, and public awareness signals a pivotal moment in the fight against misinformation and digital abuse.

For more context on the federal law and its implications, visit the PBS NewsHour coverage on the new federal law against revenge porn and explicit deepfakes.

Bill Gates predicts that AI advancements will soon address the chronic shortages of teachers and doctors in Oklahoma and beyond, signaling a transformation in education and healthcare delivery.

According to Gates, the US could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 and persistent educator shortfalls - 86% of K-12 public schools struggled to hire teachers for the 2023-2024 school year, with 45% reporting understaffing, per federal data.

AI-driven startups like Suki, Zephyr AI, and Tennr are already making strides, automating routine healthcare tasks and improving diagnosis processes. Gates envisions that “AI will come in and provide medical IQ, and there won't be a shortage,” as he noted on the People by WTF podcast.

In education, the UK's David Game College illustrates how AI tools such as ChatGPT are being used for exam prep in core subjects. While some, like Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, warn that AI could be fundamentally labor-replacing, Gates sees a future marked by increased productivity and even a reimagining of work and leisure, stating,

“You can retire early, you can work shorter workweeks. It's going to require almost a philosophical rethink about, 'OK, how should time be spent?'”

McKinsey estimates that generative AI could boost healthcare and pharma productivity by up to $370 billion.

For a comprehensive look at Gates's perspective, read the original Business Insider analysis on AI solving workforce gaps, the CNBC feature on AI's impact in the next decade, and TechSpot's coverage of AI transforming teacher and doctor shortages.

Oklahoma and Missouri are emerging as hotspots for next-generation AI infrastructure, with major tech players like Google making multi-billion-dollar investments to support the region's digital transformation.

In Stillwater, Oklahoma, Google plans a $3 billion, six-building AI data center campus spanning 400 acres, designed to be a long-term project fueling local economic development through new jobs and direct payments to schools and the health department instead of property taxes.

Mayor Will Joyce heralded the initiative, stating,

“Google choosing Stillwater is a testament to the strength of our economy, our workforce, and our commitment to community investment. This project is a tremendous collaborative effort among the City, Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, and local stakeholders. Together, we look forward to welcoming Google to the Stillwater community.”

Meanwhile, across the state line, Google's $1 billion investment in Kansas City, Missouri, features a 1.435 million sq ft campus powered by 400 megawatts of new carbon-free energy and accompanied by workforce training programs that build on the metro's status as the third fastest-growing tech market in the nation.

These thriving developments, in both Stillwater and Kansas City, reflect a broader trend as tech giants choose strategic Midwestern locations for their AI and cloud computing hubs due to reliable power, business incentives, and abundant local talent driving economic growth in Stillwater, fueling sustained tech job creation in Kansas City, and accelerating sustainable AI infrastructure in the Midwest.

Duolingo, the language-learning app giant, recently announced - and then quickly reconsidered - plans to shift much of its contract work to artificial intelligence following a wave of public backlash from users and tech workers alike.

Initial statements from CEO Luis von Ahn suggested a bold “AI-first” approach, with intent to phase out contractor roles where AI could automate tasks and to tie hiring and performance reviews to AI proficiency - a move that had already led to contractor cuts in late 2023 and 2024.

Read more at TechCrunch: Duolingo and the AI jobs crisis.

Social media quickly responded with concern over job security and product quality, prompting von Ahn to clarify that Duolingo remains focused on supporting and hiring employees, viewing AI as an accelerator, not a replacement, of human talent.

Learn more from Fortune: Duolingo CEO walks back AI-first comments.

As explained by von Ahn,

“I do not see AI as replacing what our employees do (we are, in fact, continuing to hire…)… I see it as a tool to accelerate what we do, at the same or better level of quality. And the sooner we learn how to use it - and use it responsibly - the better off we will be in the long run.”

More details are available at Staffing Industry Analysts: Duolingo pulls back on plans to shift from contractors to AI.

For now, Duolingo promises continued hiring, increased training for its staff, and ongoing refinement of its AI processes as it attempts to balance technological advancement with the needs and expectations of both its workforce and users.

A new wave of AI-focused education is sweeping Oklahoma and the Midwest as the Fiserv Future Techies program expands, empowering middle schoolers to build skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity.

This 11-week initiative, highlighted in Omaha, saw 48 students from several public schools pitching innovative solutions such as the “Shark Security” ID scanner for ATMs and AI-driven savings plan tools for families, with top teams advancing to regional competitions.

According to Fiserv's Chief Risk Officer Joanne Sebby,

“It's really focused on the evolution of commerce to get them ready to be the future of commerce.”

The program's hands-on curriculum reflects national strategies; Oklahoma's AI Essentials course, launched with Google, opens free foundational AI training to up to 10,000 residents at a time, further preparing the state's future workforce.

Fiserv's approach to early tech talent cultivation is also evident in New Jersey, where the company's 12-week pipeline program covers payment systems, cybersecurity, data visualization, and machine learning.

For a closer look at Fiserv's innovative student programs, visit the official overview of the Future Techies initiative by Fiserv; read detailed coverage of student achievements and program impact at Omaha middle schoolers create projects using AI through Fiserv; and explore how these programs contribute to diversity and job growth in tech via Fiserv's corporate citizenship pipeline for tech talent.

These concerted efforts signal a robust pipeline for Oklahoma's next generation of tech professionals, blending AI education with practical problem-solving and industry engagement.

Artificial intelligence is transforming sports analytics in Oklahoma City's 2025 NBA Playoff season, fueling the Thunder's remarkable run to the Finals and reshaping how coaches and analysts understand the game.

With AI-enhanced metrics tracking player performance, Oklahoma City leveraged real-time data to set franchise and league records - including the most 30-point wins in a single postseason and leading the NBA in defensive disruptions such as steals and forced turnovers.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's historic performances, averaging nearly 30 points per game in the playoffs, are emblematic of how AI-driven insights have optimized team strategy and player development.

As Kendrick Perkins noted, this Thunder squad stands as

“the greatest team in franchise history,”

thanks largely to its unmatched depth and elite defensive schemes powered by advanced tech.

The table below highlights the Thunder's unprecedented achievements this postseason:

As the Finals approach, experts and national commentators urge recognition of Oklahoma City's data-driven ascendancy, a testament to AI's growing impact across pro sports.

For a deeper dive into the Thunder's playoff analytics and achievements, see 5 key stats from Oklahoma City's run to the 2025 NBA Finals.

Learn about why some analysts call this “OKC's best team ever” and how strategic depth is setting a new standard at Kendrick Perkins: Why the 2025 Thunder Are Oklahoma City's Best Team Ever.

For broader context on how the Thunder's AI-powered dominance is changing the championship landscape, visit NPR's Weekend Edition: OKC Thunder in the NBA Finals.

Oklahoma City is charging into an AI-driven future, blending optimism with critical questions about economic transformation, public service, and workforce resilience.

The city's aggressive adoption of AI - ranging from agentic cybersecurity and government automation in state cyber operations to gubernatorial support for reducing government redundancy - is fueling both opportunities and uncertainties.

As innovative frameworks like a tech-enabled universal basic income (UBI), leveraging blockchain and AI, are considered to combat persistent poverty and stimulate growth, local policymakers are urged to pair technological ambition with workforce upskilling, digital infrastructure, and strong governance to promote equity and modernization.

While a United Nations report warns that AI could impact 40% of jobs worldwide - potentially widening inequality if not managed inclusively - Oklahoma experts stress that strategic investments in education, training, and AI ethics can maximize shared prosperity.

“Our strategy is centered on investing in our people, fostering innovation, and establishing ethical standards to pave the way for a future where AI's transformative potential benefits every citizen.”

As businesses redesign entry-level roles and the state eyes an 85% cost reduction in some public functions, the coming months will reveal whether new jobs, smarter governance, and regulatory foresight can keep Oklahoma City's AI revolution both inclusive and sustainable.

For those seeking skills to thrive in this changing landscape, accessible pathways like Nucamp's Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur bootcamp offer specialized training in building and scaling AI solutions, helping Oklahomans adapt and lead in an era defined by intelligent technology.