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

Providence's tech sector is firmly stepping into a new era led by artificial intelligence, as evidenced by landmark events this spring. Utilidata's $61.3 million Series C funding - among the largest AI investments in the country this quarter - fuels its Karman platform for AI-powered energy grids, with partnerships from NVIDIA, Quanta Services, and Advantech spotlighting Providence as an AI grid innovation hub (Crunchbase report on the week's biggest funding rounds).

Further, Rhode Island's ecosystem encouraged a record $269 million in startup funding in 2025 (68 companies), while the state's new AI Task Force is actively shaping policy and workforce strategy to accelerate safe AI adoption (Nucamp's Providence Tech News April 2025 edition).

Capital infusions extend to small business innovation, with initiatives such as CommerceRI's $360K in AI and tech sector grants bolstering startups and community organizations - driving job growth and digital transformation.

As Governor Dan McKee emphasized, “Supporting small businesses drives economic growth and is a key part of our RI2030 strategic plan.” For readers interested in joining this new wave of innovation, upskilling opportunities like Nucamp's Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur bootcamp can help you shape your tech career in Providence's burgeoning AI landscape (Rhode Island Commerce announcement on Innovation Grants May 2025).

Rhode Island is calling on its residents to help steer the future of artificial intelligence policy through the newly convened AI Task Force. Established by Governor Dan McKee in February 2024, the Task Force - chaired by cybersecurity expert and former Congressman Jim Langevin - has launched a comprehensive statewide public survey on AI awareness and experiences, open until May 9, 2025.

Public input from this survey will shape recommendations on responsible AI adoption, ethics, and regulation across government, business, health care, and education sectors.

Survey questions span from daily workplace use of AI to opinions on industry leadership and regulation, ensuring a broad perspective on community needs and hopes.

As Governor McKee explained,

“We're positioning Rhode Island as a national leader in AI, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies. Our goal is to harness the benefits of AI for our local economy while mitigating potential risks through thoughtful policy and planning. It's important to hear from Rhode Islanders as we continue to shape the future of AI in RI.”

The initiative is complemented by the recent designation of Rhode Island College's new Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies as an NSA Center of Academic Excellence, further cementing the state's tech credentials (official Task Force press release).

For additional context on the survey's goals and the Task Force's multi-sector membership, see the Rhode Island Current's in-depth coverage.

Providence-based Utilidata has raised $60.3 million in Series C funding to accelerate the deployment of its edge AI platform, Karman, which was developed in partnership with NVIDIA and is built on the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano module.

Led by Renown Capital Partners, with support from Quanta Services, Keyframe Capital, and NVIDIA, the investment aims to expand Karman's capabilities beyond smart meters to grid hardware and data centers - addressing surging energy demands and the complexities of a decarbonizing grid.

This breakthrough technology provides real-time, granular insights into grid conditions, enhances system reliability, and enables utilities to better integrate renewable resources without large-scale hardware upgrades.

Utilidata's partnerships with hardware leaders like Advantech and Hubbell, and consultancies like Deloitte, are catalyzing the scale-up of edge-enabled infrastructure.

As CEO Josh Brumberger puts it,

“Electricity has gone from being abundant and predictable to scarce and increasingly unpredictable. That paradigm shift requires fundamentally new technology and deeper industry collaboration. We're bringing together a powerful coalition of partners committed to scaling AI across the grid to build a modern and dynamic energy system.”

With Karman now available for purchase globally, Utilidata is positioned as a pivotal player in the transformation of national energy grids.

For a detailed overview of Utilidata's funding and strategic partnerships, visit GlobeNewswire's detailed report on Utilidata's $60 million Series C funding, see the AIM Research's in-depth analysis of Karman's impact on edge AI energy infrastructure, and explore Latitude Media's coverage of Utilidata and NVIDIA's focus on AI integration in data centers.

Providence-based Beeline Holdings has launched the MagicBlocks One-Click AI Sales Agent, an innovative tool that enables mortgage lenders and brokers to instantly deploy a customizable AI sales assistant on their websites, converting web traffic into high-quality mortgage leads in under two minutes.

Built on advanced natural language processing and MagicBlocks' proprietary H.A.P.P.A. sales methodology, the agent is pre-trained on lending terminology, borrower behaviors, and compliance requirements, facilitating real-time visitor engagement and 24/7 lead conversion.

According to Beeline's official announcement on Globe Newswire, the solution integrates with major CRMs like HubSpot, HighLevel, and Zapier, and generated over $200 million in qualified leads during its initial deployment.

As Nick Liuzza, CEO of Beeline, emphasized in a press statement available on StockTitan,

"This is a foundational shift in how mortgage originators engage online customers. While most AI tools in our industry focus on operational efficiency or underwriting, our One-Click AI Agent is focused squarely on top-of-funnel acceleration - automating sales engagement with intelligence and speed."

The MagicBlocks launch solidifies Beeline's move beyond mortgage origination and into scalable SaaS solutions for the wider real estate finance ecosystem, following the success of early AI-powered sales agents like “Bob” that delivered a 6X boost in lead generation at minimal cost, as detailed by recent performance reviews published by Newsfile Corp.

This rapid innovation marks a significant leap forward in how mortgage sales are approached and automated in the digital era.

Rhode Island-based Vatn Systems, in collaboration with Palantir Technologies, has launched a groundbreaking AI-driven manufacturing facility in Bristol dedicated to producing the Skelmir S12 - a modular underwater drone configurable as both an autonomous vehicle (AUV) and a military torpedo.

By leveraging Palantir's advanced AI software, Vatn is digitizing its operations for real-time process optimization, which has allowed the company to break away from traditional defense manufacturing bottlenecks and target an unprecedented production capacity of over 2,000 vehicles annually - ten times the current industry standard.

The Skelmir S12 stands out with its ability to switch mission profiles, top speeds exceeding 30 knots, and operational depths surpassing 300 meters, making it adaptable for torpedo missions, electronic warfare, or sensor deployments.

As Nelson Mills, Vatn Systems' CEO, explained,

“With the Skelmir S12, we set out to fill a critical market void - creating a vessel that merges the capabilities of a traditional AUV with the agility and performance of a lightweight torpedo for a fraction of the cost.”

Twelve units have already been delivered to government customers, with AUV variant deliveries slated for 2025 and the torpedo variant entering production in 2026.

The table below summarizes key technical and production highlights:

Feature	Skelmir S12 AUV	Skelmir S12 Torpedo
Length	14–20 ft	~9 ft
Payload	200+ lbs	200 lbs
Range	200+ nautical miles	100+ nautical miles
Production Start	2025	2026

Read more about Vatn and Palantir's industrial partnership in Providence Business First's report on the new AI-driven factory, deep technical insights from NextGen Defense's Skelmir S12 feature, and how this alliance is transforming defense supply chains in Marine Technology News' partnership breakdown.

German SaaS powerhouse GBTEC Group has strengthened its footprint in North America by opening a new office in Providence, Rhode Island, underscoring the city's fast-growing reputation as an innovation hub for enterprise technology.

Led by Scott Leddy as Vice President North America, the Providence office positions GBTEC to drive direct, hands-on support for U.S. clients seeking digital transformation in fields such as intelligent business process management (iBPM), enterprise architecture management (EAM), digital process automation (DPA), and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC).

As highlighted by Co-Founder Marc Stromberg,

“The growth of our U.S. operations is a core element of our international strategy. With our new base in Providence and a top-tier team in place, we're well-positioned to deliver powerful solutions with direct, hands-on support.”

The company, headquartered in Bochum, Germany, brings advanced no-code and low-code tools to global customers ranging from SMEs to Fortune 500 enterprises and public institutions.

Providence was chosen as the “ideal launchpad” for U.S. growth, offering proximity to innovation centers and a thriving business community. For an in-depth look at GBTEC's U.S. strategy, leadership, and feature set, see the official GBTEC U.S. expansion press release, or explore coverage from the Providence Business First article on GBTEC office opening.

Discover additional product offerings and GBTEC's latest innovations - such as its AI-driven process automation suite - on the official GBTEC news and press page.

Artists and creative leaders in Providence are voicing urgent concerns over generative AI's impact on creative rights and livelihoods as the region's arts sector - a cornerstone of Rhode Island's $2.2 billion creative economy - faces unprecedented disruption.

Local organizations like AS220, WaterFire, and the RISD Museum sustain nearly 18,000 jobs and draw over 1 million visitors annually, illustrating both cultural and economic stakes at risk.

As generative AI tools learn from human artistry without consent or compensation, there are mounting calls for regulatory safeguards. Griffin Smith, digital art instructor at RISD, warns,

AI could “eliminate a ‘middle class' of designers and freelance artists” as algorithms replace local talent.

Recent US Copyright Office guidance underscores that using copyrighted works for AI training - without permission - poses major risks of market dilution and lost sales for creators, especially when models are able to replicate creative content at scale (Copyright Office's Controversial AI Fair Use Report).

Meanwhile, states like California are advancing transparency legislation to require AI firms to disclose which copyrighted works underlie their models, enabling artists to protect their rights (California's AI Copyright Transparency Act).

Legal debates continue over whether AI training qualifies as “fair use,” but the consensus is building that licensing and transparency frameworks are critical as Providence's creative vibrancy stands at a historic juncture (Don't Let Generative AI in the Arts Snuff Out Rhode Island's Creative Spark).

Creative Sector	Annual Economic Contribution	Jobs Supported	Key Institutions	Annual Visitors
Arts & Culture	$2.2 Billion	~18,000	WaterFire, AS220, RISD Museum	1M+ (WaterFire), 90K+ (AS220), 120K (RISD Museum)

OpenAI is making headlines by acquiring IO, the AI hardware startup founded by legendary Apple designer Jony Ive, in a deal valued at nearly $6.5 billion - its largest purchase to date.

The move signals OpenAI's serious push to blur the lines between artificial intelligence and everyday physical devices, uniting a world-class software research leader with design talent behind the iPhone, iMac, and other iconic products.

According to NPR's analysis of the OpenAI and Jony Ive IO acquisition, the collaboration aims to build a “family of AI-enabled devices,” with IO's team of 55 top engineers and designers joining OpenAI's San Francisco office while LoveFrom, Ive's design collective, stays independent and assumes broad creative roles.

Early hints suggest these groundbreaking devices may not resemble current smartphones or wearables, but instead function as intelligent, potentially screenless companions driven by advanced AI. Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, remarked,

“AI is an incredible technology, but great tools require work at the intersection of technology, design, and understanding people and the world. No one can do this like Jony and his team; the amount of care they put into every aspect of the process is extraordinary.”

The announcement, timing, and ambitions have drawn admiration - even Google CEO Sundar Pichai called Ive “one of a kind” and agreed that AI will spawn new companies and categories yet unimagined, as reported in Business Insider's coverage of Google CEO Sundar Pichai on the OpenAI Jony Ive deal.

For a detailed overview of the merger and its future impact on the hardware landscape, see Forbes' in-depth analysis of OpenAI's purchase of Jony Ive's IO.

The first device from this partnership is expected as soon as 2026, ushering in what many anticipate will be a new chapter for AI-powered consumer products.

AI integration in Providence's classrooms is accelerating, but educators face a balancing act between harnessing efficiency and safeguarding ethics. The Providence Public School Department recently launched a $100,000 RFP for an AI toolbox to help middle school teachers adapt reading levels, create curriculum, generate assessments, and provide rapid student feedback - yet the initiative is part of a broader, community-led Turnaround Action Plan emphasizing thoughtful, student-focused deployment through competitive and clear requirements.

Local higher education faces similar challenges: Providence College acknowledges AI's transformational impact on learning and academic integrity, with faculty encouraged to set clear course policies governing AI's role, as “AI-enabled tools could become one of the biggest disruptors to education we have seen in decades.”

“The policy is that faculty should have a policy, and it should be in their syllabi,”

said Dr. Christine Earley, chair of the college's Artificial Intelligence Committee in a recent institutional update.

As debates intensify - especially in light of proposed federal legislation that could block local regulation of school AI for a decade - teachers are urged to carefully define the boundaries of responsible AI use.

Critics warn such a “giant gift to Big Tech” could erode local oversight and leave concerns like bias or transparency unaddressed, shifting power away from educators and families according to education policy analysis.

The coming year will test how Providence's schools balance local innovation, ethical stewardship, and community-led decision-making as AI becomes ever more entwined with how classrooms operate.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has joined a coalition of 15 states suing the Trump administration to halt recent National Science Foundation (NSF) funding cuts that threaten STEM research and diversity initiatives vital to Rhode Island and the nation.

The lawsuit targets NSF's new policy capping indirect costs at 15% and eliminating programs supporting women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM, moves that state attorneys general argue are beyond executive authority and defy congressional mandates.

According to the coalition, these changes “could cause the US to lose its status as a global leader in STEM research,” curtailing advances that stretch from artificial intelligence to critical public health solutions.

A related suit by leading universities - including MIT and Brown - warns the new cost limits would cause millions in losses and stall future research. As Brown and the University of Rhode Island pledge to maintain their missions despite these threats, a

Key NSF Funding Cuts Policy	Potential Impact
15% indirect cost cap	Millions lost for universities, abandoned research
End to mandated diversity programs	Fewer opportunities for underrepresented groups

underscores the high stakes.

As the lawsuit contends,

“Congress has adopted a clear, longstanding national policy to advance and promote 'full use of the human resources of the Nation' in STEM fields by encouraging participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities… Defendants do not have authority to categorically refuse to support research that comports with the congressionally enacted policy of the United States.”

To learn more, read the original report on Neronha's NSF lawsuit, the summary of the multistate legal action, and additional local insights from Providence Business First's coverage of university responses.

Uber CEO and Brown University alumnus Dara Khosrowshahi returned to his alma mater this April, addressing nearly 450 attendees at the School of Professional Studies' 10th anniversary and underscoring the transformative role of AI in both education and business.

In conversation with President Christina Paxson, Khosrowshahi reflected on his journey from Brown's Open Curriculum to leading Uber's global platform, now providing over 30 million rides daily and employing AI for everything from ride matching to dynamic pricing.

He urged universities and employers alike to treat AI as an essential skill, warning,

“You're not going to be put out of work by AI, you're going to be put out of work by the person who knows how to use AI better.”

Khosrowshahi credited his career success to a blend of curiosity, technical rigor, and communication ability gained from studying both engineering and the liberal arts - a fusion he called an “absolute necessity” for next-generation leaders.

As reported by Fortune's coverage of his education philosophy, Khosrowshahi advocates the combination of tech literacy and emotional intelligence as essential for Gen Z. At Uber, not enough employees yet know how to use AI constructively - a gap he aims to close with widespread AI training, aligning with industry shifts detailed in Business Insider's recent analysis.

Attendees at Brown resonated with his message, as reported in The Brown Daily Herald's event recap, with Khosrowshahi encouraging students to stay open-minded and curious, a mindset vital for navigating the evolving AI-driven landscape.

This month in Providence, RI demonstrated how collaborative leadership and community engagement are fueling a surge of innovation across tech, education, and workforce development.

Rhode Island launched a second round of $3 million in grants through the 21st Century Technology and Equipment Fund to transform STEM and CTE learning environments, reflecting a deep commitment to math education and future-ready skills as explained by Governor Dan McKee:

“Expanding access to 21st century tools and learning environments is critical in equipping students with the skills they need to compete today and well into the future... I look forward to seeing how this investment will enhance learning experiences across the Ocean State.”

At the same time, the state's AI Task Force sought robust public participation to shape responsible AI policy, inviting Rhode Islanders to contribute insights and concerns about the future of artificial intelligence through an open survey (Rhode Island AI Task Force public participation survey).

Meanwhile, Brown University emerged as a hub for interdisciplinary AI leadership, convening business and civic leaders to discuss organizational strategies and AI-driven workforce transformation, with key voices underscoring the urgent need for AI skills and ethics across all sectors (Brown University AI workforce leadership event).

These advancing partnerships between education, business, and government put Providence at the forefront of balancing technological innovation with opportunity and responsibility; to explore the full spectrum of local tech milestones and their impact, read our comprehensive monthly report (Providence's May 2025 technology news and innovation roundup).