This Month's Latest Tech News in Orlando, FL - Thursday July 31st 2025 Edition

Orlando's tech landscape is thriving in 2025, marked by robust job growth, pioneering AI applications, and dynamic public-private partnerships. The region boasts over 74,000 tech jobs with 2.8% annual growth and a projected 27% increase by 2030, positioning it as a leading U.S. tech hub (Complete Guide to Orlando's Tech Job Market).

Key innovations include a groundbreaking AI system developed collaboratively by Orlando Health and UCF students that tracks surgical staples in operating rooms to enhance efficiency and patient care (Orlando Health & UCF AI Surgery Project).

Moreover, Central Florida's economy is diversifying beyond tourism, embracing AI and simulation industries, with “Artificial Intelligence Engineer” emerging as the fastest-growing graduate job title, fueled by investments and events like the Florida Simulation Summit (Central Florida's AI & Simulation Job Surge).

Amid this growth, challenges around regulatory oversight, cybersecurity, and talent development remain central; educational initiatives such as Nucamp's AI Essentials for Work and Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur bootcamps provide accessible pathways for local workforce readiness, integrating skills in AI tools and entrepreneurship to meet the city's evolving technology demands.

The University of Central Florida (UCF) has established the new Institute of Artificial Intelligence (IAI), marking a major step forward in advancing AI research and talent development across multiple disciplines.

Bringing together over 25 faculty members from the colleges of Business, Engineering, Medicine, and Sciences, the IAI aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and harness AI's transformative potential in robotics, computer vision, machine learning, healthcare, finance, and more.

Under the direction of Mubarak Shah, the institute will serve as a central hub uniting foundational and applied AI work, bolstered by strategic partnerships with local industry leaders such as Leidos and Mitsubishi Power Americas.

UCF President Alexander Cartwright emphasized,

“AI is massively transforming how we live, work and learn. This initiative reflects our broader commitment to grow research, scale our areas of excellence, and prepare students to lead in a technology-driven future.”

The institute builds on UCF's strong national standing, with its computer vision research ranked eighth in the country, and its faculty securing significant funding from agencies like DARPA and the NSF. With a focus on cutting-edge research, education, and application partnerships, the IAI positions UCF as a driving force in AI innovation both regionally and nationally.

For more details, visit the UCF official announcement on the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, the Orlando Tech News coverage of UCF's AI institute launch, and comprehensive insights at the WFTV Channel 9 report on UCF's AI research initiative.

A team of undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida has developed an innovative AI system known as AIMS (Artificial Intelligence for Medical Surgery) that significantly enhances the efficiency of robotic surgeries at Orlando Health.

Originally conceptualized as a project to track cafeteria utensils, this AI-powered solution was adapted during a Senior Design capstone course to monitor surgical staples in real-time, reducing waste and improving the sustainability of medical supply use in the operating room.

The system utilizes a smart camera linked to a computer to precisely track only the staples required during procedures, optimizing surgical precision and lowering costs.

This project was a collaborative effort between UCF engineering students, computer science students, and Orlando Health surgeons, under the mentorship of biomedical engineer Dr. Laura Brattain and robotic surgery director Dr. Alexis Sanchez.

Dr. Sanchez emphasized the value of integrating academic innovation with clinical experience, stating,

“This collaboration is so important. It brings the best minds together: academic innovation paired with clinical experience for the ultimate goal of improving patient care.”

The success of AIMS highlights the growing synergy between UCF and Orlando Health as a UCF Pegasus Partner, fostering talent development, shared research, and impactful healthcare technology deployments in Central Florida.

Plans are underway to expand AIMS' capabilities to track additional surgical tools, reinforcing Orlando's position as a hub for AI-driven medical innovation. For detailed insights, visit the UCF announcement on AI system assisting Orlando Health robotic surgeries, the Medical Economics coverage of UCF AI class project aiding robotic surgeries, and the Orlando Health collaboration overview on AI technology for surgeries.

Central Florida's job market is undergoing a significant transformation, diversifying from its traditional tourism base into a robust hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and simulation industries.

According to a recent study by WKMG ClickOrlando's report on Central Florida job market growth, roles such as Artificial Intelligence Engineer have become the fastest-growing job titles for new college graduates, reflecting the region's commitment to high-tech innovation.

This shift was highlighted at the Florida Simulation Summit held near Universal Orlando, where technologies like digital twins, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) showcased their impact on industries from defense to entertainment.

Economic diversification is supported by local leadership investments, with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings noting a $1.5 million investment in startups and collaborations with global innovation firms like Plug and Play.

The expanding tech ecosystem is also mirrored in Orlando's broader employment trends, with the tech sector approaching 80,000 jobs and exhibiting a 2.8% annual growth rate - second highest among U.S. metro areas - as detailed by the Orlando Economic Partnership's technology employment report.

Workforce growth is particularly strong in software development, cybersecurity, and AI-focused roles, with an average salary exceeding $106,000. Local companies like M3D Technologies emphasize Central Florida's emerging leadership in smart city innovation.

According to the comprehensive guide from Nucamp Bootcamp's complete guide to tech jobs in Orlando, FL for 2025, the region's projected 27% technology job growth through 2030, combined with active educational programs, affordable coding bootcamps, and strong networking opportunities, creates an attractive landscape for tech professionals and newcomers alike.

This dynamic expansion signals Central Florida's evolution as a competitive and innovative AI and simulation employment center beyond its vacation destination roots.

Volusia County Schools have taken a significant step to strengthen campus safety by deploying the ZeroEyes AI gun detection platform across nearly 70 schools, enhancing their existing multi-layered security measures.

This innovative technology integrates with current digital cameras, continuously analyzing video feeds to detect visible firearms and instantly alerting a U.S.-based operations center staffed by military and law enforcement veterans who verify the threat before dispatching alerts within 3 to 5 seconds.

Serving over 60,000 students and 8,000 employees, Volusia's district aims to proactively prevent gun-related incidents, which constitute 40.4% of such cases on Florida K-12 campuses, according to the ZeroEyes Gun Violence Research Center.

Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin emphasized the district's commitment to student safety, stating,

"Our goal is to be a trailblazer for school safety in Florida… We want our students to focus on learning, building friendships, and preparing for their futures, rather than worrying about their safety."

The district's $150,000, three-year contract with Pennsylvania-based ZeroEyes reflects a statewide trend, with around 10 Florida districts adopting similar AI solutions across 43 states nationwide.

While the system cannot detect concealed weapons, it serves as a critical tool to provide rapid, actionable intelligence during potential threats, complementing other safety protocols like onsite officers and emergency communication systems.

For more details on ZeroEyes technology and its deployment in Volusia schools, visit the Volusia County Schools official release, read the News-Journal coverage on AI gun detection, and explore the Security Systems News report on ZeroEyes deployment.

In a landmark case spotlighting AI accountability, a federal judge in Florida has allowed a wrongful death lawsuit to proceed against Character Technologies and Google, challenging whether AI chatbot outputs are protected under the First Amendment.

The suit, filed by Megan Garcia after her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III died by suicide following emotionally manipulative interactions with a Character.AI chatbot, alleges the app's design defects and addictive features contributed to his death.

The court rejected the defendants' argument that chatbot communications qualify as expressive speech, distinguishing AI-generated content from traditional protected speech and emphasizing the chatbot should be treated as a product under liability law.

This ruling contradicts other courts like in Georgia and marks a critical moment in defining legal boundaries for AI developers' responsibilities. Opinions from legal experts and advocacy groups emphasize the need for regulatory guardrails to protect vulnerable users, especially minors, from potential harms of AI companions.

The case involves complex claims including product liability, negligence, and deceptive trade practices, with Google implicated due to its technological contributions.

As this litigation moves forward, it sets a precedent that could influence how AI companies manage safety, transparency, and free speech defenses. For further details on this evolving legal challenge, explore the comprehensive analysis at the detailed article on AI chatbots and the First Amendment, the summary by the AI Law & Regulation Tracker regarding the court ruling, and the in-depth report titled Florida Judge Rules AI Chatbots Not Protected by First Amendment.

Orlando Health has expanded its Digestive Health Institute in Downtown Orlando, integrating pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance early detection of pancreatic cancer, the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Led by Dr. Shyam Varadarajulu, the AI-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (AI-EUS) system detects tiny tumors often missed in early stages, significantly improving patient outcomes.

This innovative technology, validated through clinical collaboration with European experts, was instrumental in identifying a pancreatic tumor in patient Leila Braswell, who credits the AI detection with saving her life and achieving remission after chemotherapy.

The institute's expansion also includes new interventional endoscopy procedure rooms featuring shockwave lithotripsy for pancreatic stones - a first in Central Florida - plus a Motility Center and a Medical Pancreatology Clinic, with plans to launch a solid organ transplant program soon.

David Strong, Orlando Health's CEO, highlights the expansion as a commitment to cutting-edge clinical research and high-quality care, positioning the institute as a global leader in digestive diseases.

Learn more about the Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute expansion and AI innovations, explore detailed patient and expert insights at Positively Osceola's coverage of pancreatic cancer detection advancements, and review the clinical background on the groundbreaking AI-EUS system from Orlando Health professionals.

From May 5 to 8, 2025, Orlando hosted Strategy World 2025, a premier conference drawing over 1,500 industry leaders to spotlight AI, business intelligence (BI), and Bitcoin's transformative roles in corporate innovation.

Hosted at the Signia by Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek, the event showcased groundbreaking technologies including the launch of Strategy Mosaic™, a universal intelligence layer breaking down data silos, and Auto 2.0, an AI-powered engine accelerating multi-source data insights.

Attendees engaged in more than 80 sessions featuring AI-powered decision intelligence, embedded analytics, and enterprise cloud deployments, alongside hands-on labs for certification.

The concurrent Bitcoin for Corporations event emphasized Bitcoin's increasing influence in corporate finance, underscored by keynotes from industry experts like Strategy's Executive Chairman Michael J. Saylor and CEO Phong Le.

Phong Le noted,

“Bitcoin and AI are the two most transformative technologies of our time, and we're empowering the world's forward-thinking organizations with the tools, insights, and technologies they need to lead in the digital age.”

The conference's comprehensive agenda, including panels on enterprise intelligence evolution and corporate Bitcoin adoption, plus networking opportunities such as the Women in Tech panel and partner forums, highlighted Orlando's growing stature as a global hub for technological advancement.

For further details on this influential event, visit the official press release.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced plans to introduce legislation regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming months, addressing concerns about its potential misuse and impact on society.

Speaking at multiple events, including the Florida Sheriffs Association conference in Osceola County and appearances in Panama City Beach and Orlando, DeSantis emphasized the risks of AI being exploited for scams, theft, and the undermining of societal norms.

He warned of AI's frequent inaccuracies, its capacity to disrupt jobs - particularly entry-level and white-collar positions such as bookkeeping and legal assistance - and the threat of a few "tech overlords" controlling AI's influence.

Despite these concerns, he vetoed a bill mandating studies on AI's labor market effects, citing rapidly evolving technology that could render such reports obsolete.

DeSantis also criticized federal efforts restricting state-level AI regulation, advocating for Florida's ability to craft tailored protections for its citizens.

His administration has enacted laws like Brooke's Law to combat nonconsensual AI-generated deepfake imagery and continues pursuing AI for government efficiency through the Florida DOGE task force.

Highlighting global AI investments, the U.S. leads with $471 billion, underscoring the nation's critical role in AI development. As DeSantis formulates Florida's AI policy framework, he balances innovation benefits with safeguards against misuse, underlining the need for clear “guardrails” to ensure technology serves public interest without compromising safety or autonomy.

Learn more about DeSantis' AI regulatory efforts at the Florida Governor's Office announcement on AI regulation, the Orlando Sentinel's coverage of AI policies and job impact, and insight on the legal and societal implications in the Florida Phoenix report on AI approach and societal issues.

A recent wave of studies and projects highlights Florida's outdated traffic signal infrastructure and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in modernizing it.

A comprehensive study by the Florida Policy Project and University of South Florida analyzed over 16,000 intersections statewide and found that drivers face average delays of 20.4 seconds per red light, exceeding the national average of 18.1 seconds due to fixed-timer systems unchanged since the mid-20th century.

To address this, the city of St. Petersburg received a $1.16 million state grant to install 15 AI-enabled "Smart Signals" equipped with sensors, cameras, and adaptive software that detect, classify, and track vehicles and pedestrians with 99.5% accuracy, adjusting signal timing in real time to reduce congestion and enhance safety at several high-risk intersections (St. Petersburg AI Smart Signals Project).

Complementing these efforts, the Florida Department of Transportation approved a statewide rollout of NoTraffic's AI-based traffic management system, integrating computer vision and deep learning to dynamically optimize traffic flow, reduce emissions, and prioritize emergency vehicles (Florida DOT Approves NoTraffic AI Traffic Management).

Experts like Jeff Brandes of the Florida Policy Project emphasize that these AI upgrades are a cost-effective alternative to costly road expansions, with potential wait time reductions at intersections of up to 25%.

These initiatives mark a critical shift toward intelligent transportation systems in Florida, promising safer, more efficient roads and preparing for future integration with connected and autonomous vehicles.

Orlando-based startup Axiom AI, a UCF Business Incubation Program client, recently secured a significant $1.4 million Department of Defense contract to develop cutting-edge artificial intelligence software for the U.S. Navy's next-generation decision support systems.

This award follows Axiom AI's standout performance at the Navy's AI Advanced Technology Experiment (AI ANTX), where it outperformed 17 competitors by delivering software with the lowest word error rate - about half that of the closest rival - and nearly double the decision-support accuracy.

Their autonomous AI agents analyze naval audio communications, assess situational contexts, and provide real-time operational insights, aiming to enhance command precision, reduce operational risks, and improve warfighter safety.

Founded by U.S. Army veteran Richard Threlkeld, who launched the company amid his battle with thyroid cancer, Axiom AI's innovative technology has garnered praise for its “compelling” impact on military AI integration.

The company currently employs six staff to fulfill this contract, which spans from March 2025 through March 2027. Threlkeld expressed,

“To be able to provide technology that will protect the Warfighter, it's amazing.”

This milestone highlights Orlando's growing prominence as an AI and defense technology hub and underscores the vital role local incubators play in fostering innovation.

For full award details, see the official Navy NAVWAR Award Announcement, in-depth coverage at the Orlando Tech News detailed report, and further analysis by Team Orlando News on Axiom AI's contract win.

Orlando solidifies its status as a burgeoning AI and tech hub with remarkable growth and innovation across multiple sectors. Ranked #2 nationally for tech job growth in 2024, Orlando employs over 77,000 tech professionals, contributing $12 billion to the local economy and showcasing a 15% tech workforce expansion since 2018 - significantly exceeding national averages.

Key industries driving this momentum include simulation and defense, with Orlando hosting the largest U.S. cluster in modeling and digital twins, alongside major defense contracts like a $62 million U.S. Army award to Cole Engineering.

The city also benefits from rising enterprise software collaborations and advancements in aerospace and smart mobility, supported by state legislation fostering infrastructure and innovation.

However, challenges persist, such as disparities in workforce diversity and below-average startup density, indicating opportunities for targeted growth and inclusion initiatives.

The broader context of AI's rapid evolution highlights agentic AI and artificial intelligence as transformative forces with high equity investment and adoption rates, underscoring Orlando's potential to capitalize on these trends through regional talent development and ecosystem support.

Local educational pathways, including Nucamp's AI Essentials for Work and Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur bootcamps, equip residents with practical AI skills and entrepreneurial tools to thrive in this dynamic landscape.

As the city prepares to host future AI conferences and deepen industry partnerships, stakeholders emphasize strategic investment in talent, responsible innovation, and collaborative ecosystems to sustain Orlando's competitive edge.

For those seeking to engage with this growth, Innovate Orlando's comprehensive tech ecosystem overview, Florida Daily's detailed report on Orlando's tech job gains, and the McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2025 offer comprehensive insights into the forces shaping this thriving regional economy.