This Month's Latest Tech News in Palm Coast, FL - Saturday May 31st 2025 Edition

Palm Coast and surrounding Florida regions have seen a transformative month driven by advances in public safety, government transparency, and educational innovation.

The state has rolled out a cutting-edge AI emergency alert system ahead of hurricane season, enabling real-time, voice-to-text public safety messaging across all counties for faster, more accurate information dissemination (AI public safety alert system in Florida).

Meanwhile, Palm Beach has launched a modernized Public Meetings Portal and introduced "Ask Poli," an AI-powered chatbot designed to make official records and town information more accessible, while CEO Parth Shah emphasizes,

"Implementing AI features like the chatbot makes public information more accessible to everyone and contributes to a more inclusive and connected community."

In parallel, Volusia County Schools became a statewide leader by deploying the ZeroEyes platform, using AI to scan security cameras for firearms and deliver alerts to authorities within seconds, reinforcing a growing trend in proactive campus safety (ZeroEyes AI gun detection at Volusia Schools).

Taken together, these developments position Palm Coast at the forefront of technology adoption that enhances community resilience, transparency, and safety.

Palm Coast organizations are ramping up their artificial intelligence investments, but a new survey from Coastal Cloud reveals that early results are falling short of expectations.

According to the Coastal Cloud Future Readiness Survey, 67% of Salesforce-powered companies expect to maintain or increase AI spending in 2025, yet only 21% report proven outcomes from those investments.

Major challenges cited by leaders include data integration, governance, and a lack of clear AI roadmaps - an issue for 64% of respondents, despite evidence that having a defined roadmap makes companies 2.7 times more likely to see a positive return on AI. As Eric Berridge, CEO of Coastal Cloud, explains,

“Salesforce is innovating at record speed, and its AI products like Agentforce are game-changing. But from our front-row seat in this AI era, we know businesses must focus on getting the foundation right if they want to achieve real AI impact. That means modern infrastructure that feeds data into systems, redesigned processes, and a clear link between every initiative and measurable outcomes.”

The report also highlights that the main barriers to AI impact are structural, including legacy infrastructure, siloed data, and workflows not designed for agentic automation.

For further insights and actionable strategies, read the breakdown of why AI isn't delivering and Coastal Cloud's recommendations to unlock business value.

For a wider industry perspective, see how Palm Coast trends compare to nationwide business sentiment in the AITechPark analysis of AI investment trends.

Key survey findings are summarized below:

The Town of Palm Beach has taken significant steps to modernize community engagement this month, launching an overhauled Public Meetings Portal and introducing "Ask Poli," a new AI-powered chatbot developed in partnership with Polimorphic.

These initiatives aim to increase accessibility and transparency by providing residents with intuitive access to official meeting records, advanced search tools, and the ability to submit public comments directly online.

The chatbot offers 24/7 real-time assistance in more than 70 languages and can escalate queries requiring human attention, underscoring the town's commitment to inclusivity.

According to Polimorphic CEO Parth Shah,

"Our mission is to simplify governmental processes and enhance residents' quality of life. Implementing AI features like the chatbot makes public information more accessible to everyone and contributes to a more inclusive and connected community."

The tech overhaul also introduces email alerts for meeting agendas and historical meeting minutes, with records eventually extending back to 1911.

For a comprehensive look at these digital advancements and their impact, visit the Palm Beach Daily News coverage of the rollout and explore further analysis on local government digital service trends at GovTech's feature on Palm Beach's new AI chatbot.

Palm Beach County is set to launch the innovative BEACON AI Weather Alert System this summer, transforming how residents receive life-saving emergency messages as hurricane season begins.

Developed by the University of Florida in partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, BEACON - short for Broadcast Emergency Alerts and Communication Operations Network - leverages AI to deliver real-time, personalized alerts via radio, mobile app, and streaming platforms in multiple languages, even during power outages or network disruptions.

Unlike traditional systems that broadcast alerts only once or rely on cell signals, BEACON continuously updates and disseminates critical information in collaboration with government agencies, ensuring no one misses urgent warnings.

Reflecting on recent tornado outbreaks and hurricanes that exposed gaps in emergency communications, officials are emphasizing BEACON's resilience and reliability; as Dr. Randy Wright notes,

“Having as many tools to be able to deliver emergency messaging is really critical.”

Residents can already download the BEACON app and tune into dedicated radio channels to stay informed.

With its expansion into cities like West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, BEACON sets a new standard in disaster preparedness. For an in-depth overview, see how BEACON leverages AI to enhance weather alert systems, learn about the statewide initiative in Florida's investment in AI-driven public safety messaging, and explore practical advice for hurricane readiness in the 2025 Hurricane Ready Guide.

Florida's power infrastructure is undergoing a high-tech overhaul as AI-powered drones, driven by ZenaTech's rapid expansion, are transforming the way power line inspections are conducted statewide.

Through the recent acquisition of Laventure & Associates, a Fort Pierce land surveying firm with more than two decades of experience, ZenaTech has added specialized expertise to its Drone as a Service (DaaS) platform, enabling safer, faster, and more cost-effective powerline monitoring.

CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D., explained,

“Laventure & Associates is an important addition that will leverage new capabilities for AI drones to conduct powerline inspections, potentially adding to our overall DaaS services portfolio future growth.”

This shift replaces traditional slow and costly manual or helicopter inspections with drone fleets like the ZenaDrone 1000 and IQ series, managed via a scalable, Uber-like subscription or pay-per-use model.

According to WiseGuy Reports research on the drone power line inspection market, the global drone power line inspection market is valued at $26.66 billion in 2024 but is set to soar to $323.8 billion by 2032 - a projected compound annual growth rate of 36.63%.

The business model reduces barriers for utilities by eliminating upfront hardware and operational complexity. As summarized in industry analysis, ZenaTech's acquisition strategy for drone service market expansion targets up to 20 integrations this year to capture more of this booming market.

For a breakdown of market data fueling these developments, see the table below:

Discover more about local and global implications of these advancements in the latest ZenaTech financial and operational coverage.

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is making significant strides in cardiac care and organ transplant innovation, bringing its advanced technology and expertise to the Palm Coast region.

TGH recently introduced two GE Healthcare Revolution APEX 512-slice CT scanners, leveraging artificial intelligence and deep learning for ultra-high-resolution, motion-corrected cardiac imaging, which dramatically improves diagnostic speed and precision while increasing patient comfort and safety.

According to Dr. Shone Almeida, Director of the Cardiac CT Program at TGH,

"This technology is a game-changer for cardiac imaging at Tampa General. With sharper images and faster scan times, we can diagnose heart disease with greater confidence, allowing cardiologists to make better treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes."

In addition, TGH has pioneered Florida's first minimally invasive TricValve® procedure for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation, filling a major treatment gap for those not eligible for open-heart surgery; this innovation is part of a broader clinical research initiative in partnership with USF Health.

Alongside these developments, TGH Imaging's installation of the Omni Legend Digital PET/CT system - the first of its kind in Florida - further expands high-resolution diagnostic capabilities for oncology, cardiac, and neurological care.

For more details on these medical advancements, visit the official Tampa General Hospital press release on enhanced heart care with CT scanner AI, a clinical summary from TGH and USF Health's TricValve procedure announcement, and the report on TGH Imaging's adoption of the Omni Legend Digital PET/CT system to discover how these investments are setting new standards in Florida's healthcare landscape.

This month, the Palm Beach Police Department advanced its approach to public safety with the launch of a modern Real Time Crime Center, the integration of AI-powered cameras, and a fully upgraded radio system.

Now monitoring the island around-the-clock, the center provides live video from surveillance networks, license-plate readers, and livestreams from newly deployed body cameras, enabling officers to respond more quickly and coordinate responses more effectively during incidents.

The transition to a Motorola radio system - aligned with that of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office - not only replaces aging infrastructure but also increases officer safety through robust real-time unit tracking and better interoperability during emergencies.

Funding from the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation has supported the deployment of advanced AI-capable surveillance cameras, reflecting a broader trend of technology-driven policing in Palm Beach County.

A comprehensive overview of these upgrades and their operational impact can be explored in Palm Beach Daily News' report on new police facilities and technology and their feature on season-end safety initiatives.

For context on regional adoption of real-time crime centers, nearby Delray Beach Police also recently invested nearly $1 million to upgrade their own technology, following a nationwide focus on data-driven, responsive policing - full details available in WPBF's coverage of Delray Beach's real-time crime center funding.

Together, these initiatives illustrate Palm Beach County's commitment to leveraging AI and real-time data for safer, smarter communities.

Ingressotek has taken a significant step forward in event safety by securing exclusive U.S. rental rights to Evolv eXpedite™, an AI-powered bag screening system engineered to transform threat detection at major venues.

This 12-month partnership positions Ingressotek as the nation's sole authorized provider of Evolv eXpedite™, offering high-volume and high-security environments - such as stadiums, convention centers, and live entertainment events - a frictionless and rapid guest entry experience.

The system's AI automatically detects weapons in real time, substantially reduces false positives, and integrates seamlessly with existing security infrastructure, screening up to 1,800 guests per lane and accommodating large bags.

As Dan Donovan, Ingressotek's founder, explains,

"This isn't just about having the latest tech – it's about making it work seamlessly in the real world. With Evolv eXpedite™ and our experienced teams, we're proud to help offer our clients a safe, fast, and efficient screening experience. It's security designed to never slow you down."

Evolv eXpedite™ stands out in the market, having scanned more than two billion people since 2019 and being recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA, and industry publications for its innovation.

For full details and to explore additional offerings, visit the Ingressotek rental and purchase page or consult their official press release on Yahoo Finance.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the nation's third-largest district, is leading a transformative approach to classroom engagement by pioneering widespread integration of artificial intelligence tools.

Over the past year, the district has trained more than 1,000 educators and introduced Google's Gemini chatbot to over 105,000 high school students, marking the largest deployment of generative AI in a U.S. school system according to a New York Times feature.

In the classroom, teachers like Tracy Lowd are incorporating chatbots for interactive role-play, such as simulating historical figures to enhance studies of American presidents.

Student experiences are varied yet receptive - Ashley Acedo, 17, noted,

“It did a very good job of impersonating J.F.K.”

The district further bolsters staff AI expertise through its exclusive AI Institute, a cohort-based training initiative that awards microcredentials and fosters peer-to-peer learning, as described in EdTech Magazine's K–12 spotlight.

Miami's commitment includes ethical integration and accessibility - advocates like student Jacob Orellana emphasize AI's positive impact for all learners, especially those with special needs, highlighting tools like eye tracking for adaptive computing and efficient study as reported by The Miami Laker.

This progressive blend of professional development, student advocacy, and classroom innovation situates Miami-Dade at the forefront of AI-powered education.

Pahokee High School sophomore Giovani Mendez is making headlines for his innovative app that uses artificial intelligence to translate typed text into American Sign Language (ASL), motivated by his desire to communicate more easily with his uncle, a military veteran who became deaf after his service.

Mendez, who learned coding and robotics through his school's club, has not only bridged a personal language barrier but has also caught the attention of Google, leading to a paid internship this summer in Miami.

As Giovani explains,

"It was all due to my uncle. On my mom's side, he wasn't born deaf or hard of hearing. He was actually developing hard of hearing due to his military service. And after his service, he had to learn sign language, which causes that language barrier between friends and family. And me, myself, I wanted to actually communicate with him. But learning sign language, like any other language, it takes time."

Mendez's story highlights not just technical ingenuity but also the power of youth-driven, community-centered innovation; it's a significant development for accessibility technology in the Palm Coast area.

For more on Giovani's journey and his app's impact, read the original profile from CBS12 News on bridging the ASL language divide.

Curious about the rapid advances in AI that empower developers like Mendez? Explore recent academic progress in AI and human-computer interaction research from May 2025.

You can also learn a bit more ASL and the importance of accessible communication by viewing this ASL tutorial video on signing 'trust'.

As deepfake and AI-driven impersonation threats intensify across Florida and beyond, educational institutions and policymakers are stepping up their defensive efforts.

Barry University's AI Center in Miami is embedding ethical AI education across all majors, equipping students with the skills to question, identify, and responsibly apply AI in ways that counter malicious uses like deepfakes and impersonation.

State-level legislative action echoes this proactive stance: according to Ballotpedia's 2024 annual report on deepfake laws in Florida, the state has enacted statutes targeting both political deepfakes and nonconsensual explicit imagery, reflecting growing national concern and the complexity of preserving free speech while preventing harm.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Deepfake Convention Orlando 2025 offers hands-on workshops and panels for security professionals, policy-makers, and educators to sharpen deepfake detection skills and forge multi-layered defense strategies.

As one expert noted,

“Understanding deepfakes is crucial to maintaining trust in communication.”

The combined effect of education, legislation, and cross-sector collaboration is essential as AI impersonation grows in sophistication and scale.

Palm Coast is swiftly emerging as a vital player in Florida's expanding tech landscape, reflecting the state's broader transformation into a powerhouse for innovation, investment, and ethical technology.

Florida now ranks among the nation's highest in high-tech employment growth and business tax-friendliness, and with over 237,000 IT professionals and a thriving ecosystem of more than 120 data centers, it offers fertile ground for startups and established firms alike.

The region's commitment to responsible innovation is underscored by its engagement with initiatives such as the Responsible AI & Smart Cities Roadshow 2025, which provides city leaders and tech professionals actionable frameworks for AI governance and ethical deployment.

This ethical focus is mirrored in organizations like Tech Hub South Florida, which unites industry voices around integrity, talent development, and supportive community ecosystems.

The robust industry presence - highlighted in this simple table - demonstrates the state's rapid rise in tech:

With Miami recognized as the fastest-growing US city for tech startups, and local leaders declaring,

“Tech Hub's contribution to the South Florida tech ecosystem is unparalleled, an environment where ideas thrive and collaboration leads to groundbreaking achievements.”

Palm Coast is positioned to be a model for both innovation and responsible technology use.

For those who want to be part of this next wave, programs like Nucamp's Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur bootcamp directly prepare entrepreneurs to lead in this new era.

Explore more about how to enter Florida's thriving tech scene at Powering Florida's Information Technology Industry.