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

Spokane is rapidly emerging as a hub for AI innovation and technology-driven growth, underscored by advancements such as Amazon's deployment of the Vulcan robot - its first with a sense of touch - now operational in Spokane fulfillment centers processing over 500,000 orders with enhanced safety and efficiency Amazon Vulcan Robot Announcement.

The region's tech sector continues to thrive with startups like Gestalt Diagnostics raising $7.5 million to advance AI-powered digital pathology, while Microsoft's $5 million AI for Good Lab grants fuel collaboration on sustainability and health projects May 2025 Spokane Tech News.

These developments occur alongside a surge in AI education and workforce transformation, with local schools integrating AI literacy and companies emphasizing upskilling and robotics training to prepare for evolving job markets.

Spokane's forecasted tech job growth, supported by a robust pipeline of AI bootcamps - including flexible, affordable programs like Nucamp's hands-on AI Essentials and Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur courses - positions the city to meet rising demand for AI skills across industries Top AI Bootcamps in Spokane 2025.

Together, these initiatives reflect Spokane's commitment to becoming a leading innovation economy that balances technological advancement with workforce readiness and community engagement.

Amazon has launched Vulcan, Spokane's first warehouse robot equipped with an advanced sense of touch, marking a significant milestone in robotic fulfillment technology.

Developed by Amazon Robotics and unveiled at the Delivering the Future event in May 2025, Vulcan utilizes force feedback sensors and specialized end-of-arm tooling combining suction and conveyor-like paddles to pick and stow around 75% of the diverse items stored in fabric-covered storage pods.

Unlike earlier robots relying solely on vision, Vulcan “feels” its environment, enabling delicate manipulation of objects in densely packed compartments without damage.

Operating mainly in top- and bottom-shelf locations, Vulcan helps reduce worker strain by handling tasks above 8 feet, allowing employees to stay within ergonomic “power zones,” which lowers injury risks and boosts efficiency.

This AI-driven robot integrates 3D modeling, machine learning, and physical AI algorithms trained on real tactile data to adapt and learn over time, requesting human assistance only when necessary.

The initial pilot program in Spokane grew from 6 to 30 units, and Amazon plans broader deployments across the U.S. and Europe by 2026, focusing on enhancing safety and speeding order fulfillment.

Importantly, Amazon emphasizes Vulcan as an assistive technology that complements human workers, creating new technical roles supported by initiatives like the Career Choice training program.

Aaron Parness, Amazon's Director of Robotics AI, highlights that Vulcan's touch capabilities “represent a fundamental leap forward in robotics,” while Spokane employees praise the new opportunities and reduced physical demands.

For more details on Vulcan's breakthrough technologies, visit Amazon's official announcement at Amazon's Vulcan robot official announcement, explore the in-depth technical overview on Amazon Science about Vulcan's robotic touch capabilities, or watch the feature report on CNBC's report on Amazon's Vulcan robot.

Microsoft has committed $5 million in Azure service credits over two years to support 20 innovative AI projects based in Washington State, focusing on sustainability, public health, and human rights.

This investment, part of the company's 50th anniversary celebration, empowers nonprofits, academic institutions, startups, and businesses to leverage AI for transformative social impact while collaborating with Microsoft's AI for Good Lab.

Key recipients include Washington State University initiatives addressing wildfire risk assessment, soil decontamination in Spokane, and AI-powered tools to support rural science education; public health projects like Providence's Trial Connect to identify clinical trial candidates from medical data; and environmental efforts such as AI-driven wetlands restoration and urban wildlife monitoring.

The program emphasizes scalability, innovation, and real-world impact, offering awardees access to cloud computing resources and expert mentorship. As Juan M. Lavista Ferres, Microsoft's Chief Data Scientist, stated,

“In some cases, AI isn't just a solution. It's the only solution we have.”

This targeted funding maintains Washington's leadership in AI-driven social good and demonstrates Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the state's vibrant tech ecosystem.

Learn more about Microsoft's AI for Good Lab and the awardees' diverse projects at 2025 AI for Good Open Call Program, read detailed coverage from KING5 on Microsoft's AI for Good grant recipients, and explore the full list of awardees in the Microsoft AI for Good Lab announcement.

Jim Powers, a 78-year-old patient from Spokane, utilized the Google AI assistant to discover a groundbreaking alternative to his scheduled open-heart surgery: a minimally invasive robotic procedure available at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Unlike traditional surgeries requiring a large chest opening and stopping the heart, this robotic surgery uses microscopic instruments inserted through a small 5-centimeter incision between the ribs, allowing the operation on a beating heart.

This approach offers substantial benefits, including significantly faster recovery - typically within two weeks compared to months - and less pain, as Powers experienced firsthand, requiring no painkillers post-surgery.

Surgeons like Justin Reeves acknowledge AI's role in helping patients research options but stress that AI should complement, not replace, professional medical guidance, emphasizing careful candidate selection for robotic surgery.

Providence Health System integrates AI thoughtfully, enhancing patient care and managing workloads, as highlighted by spokesperson Jen York. This case exemplifies how AI and robotics are transforming cardiac care in Spokane, offering patients safer, more precise surgical choices with improved outcomes.

For more on Powers' story, visit Spokesman-Review's coverage of Providence's innovative heart surgery, learn about Providence's robotic surgery program, and explore the broader impact of AI in healthcare workforce optimization.

Spokane-based Gestalt Diagnostics has successfully closed a $7.5 million Series A funding round led by Cowles Ventures LLC along with Tacoma Venture Fund LLC, Inland Imaging Investments LLC, and KickStart Funds, among others.

The investment will drive expansion of their AI-powered digital pathology platform, PathFlow®, which streamlines pathology workflows by creating digital scans that allow remote, faster, and more accurate diagnosis and collaboration among pathologists.

Founded in 2017, Gestalt's innovative platform supports interoperability with multiple scanner systems and AI evidence creators, positioning it for FDA clearance and broader market adoption.

CEO Dan Roark described the product as a

"game changer"

that transforms traditional microscope workflows into a digital, remote-accessible format.

The company recently enhanced its leadership team and expanded its board to include key industry experts, reflecting confidence in its accelerated growth trajectory.

As detailed in the Spokane Journal report on Gestalt Diagnostics' $7.5 Million Series A Funding Round, the funding round also allows Gestalt to scale its staff and innovate further for healthcare and research markets.

Additionally, their demonstrated performance at the 2025 DICOM WG-26 Connectathon highlights PathFlow's strong interoperability and readiness for clinical integration, as described in the company's official pressroom updates.

Industry observers like Tom Simpson of the Spokane Angel Alliance predict

"explosive growth"

for Gestalt, confirming its vital role in the evolving field of digital pathology.

For more, visit the official Gestalt Diagnostics announcement on Series A Funding.

Jeff Aden, a Spokane-area entrepreneur and former technology executive, acquired Nine Mile Feed & Hardware on April 30, 2025, initiating a modernization effort of the locally cherished feed and hardware store at 12516 N. Nine Mile Road.

Leveraging his tech background and Whitworth University education, Aden has implemented AI-driven inventory optimization and margin scenario modeling, resulting in cost savings between $20,000 and $30,000 typically spent on accountants and lawyers.

The store plans include expanding service offerings with subscription-based tool and machinery rentals, feed delivery, and educational AI workshops, while maintaining core hardware sales aligned with customer demand.

Aden has also partnered with local design firms to enhance the store's physical environment and intends to introduce local wines, beers, and specialty groceries upon securing required licenses.

Since the ownership change, over 1,000 customers have visited, reflecting strong community interest in this AI-powered retail transformation. This initiative underscores how Spokane businesses are embracing AI technologies to optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and sustain local commerce.

For detailed insights, see the full coverage on Nucamp's May 2025 Spokane Tech News blog, the local business perspective in the Spokane Journal of Business article on Nine Mile Feed acquisition, and community engagement updates at the Nine Mile Feed Company Facebook page.

Washington schools are actively integrating AI technologies to enhance education, supported by significant research and funding at Washington State University (WSU).

Assistant Professor Tingting Li from WSU's College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences earned the prestigious Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship to develop AI tools that assist teachers rather than replace them, emphasizing culturally relevant, adaptable approaches that promote equity and learning growth across diverse classrooms (CESHS's Tingting Li awarded fellowship).

Meanwhile, another CESHS faculty member, Peng He, secured a $50,000 Microsoft AI for Good grant to create an AI-powered Group Argumentation Coordinator designed to scaffold equitable science discussions in middle school classrooms, co-designed with teachers and piloted directly in Washington State schools (CESHS researcher earns Microsoft grant).

Additionally, a July 2025 survey highlights that both future teachers and their educators at WSU desire more practical guidance and professional development around responsible AI use, underscoring the need for clear guidelines and ethical frameworks so teachers can thoughtfully incorporate AI tools in their practices (Future teachers - and professors who prepare them want more AI guidance).

These local initiatives reflect a broader movement within Washington's education system to harness AI advances for inclusive, effective teaching while addressing challenges related to technology adoption, ethics, and equity.

On July 1, 2025, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly voted 99-1 to remove a controversial provision from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that would have imposed a ten-year moratorium preventing states and localities from regulating artificial intelligence (AI).

This decisive action, led by Washington's Senator Maria Cantwell alongside Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN), preserves states' rights to enact laws addressing AI-related risks, including protections against deepfake content and nonconsensual sexual images.

Cantwell emphasized the importance of maintaining strong consumer protection laws at the state level while advocating for a national AI framework to advance innovation responsibly.

The moratorium faced strong bipartisan opposition from 260 state legislators, 40 attorneys general, and 17 governors who feared it would stifle democratic debate and halt effective AI regulations at a time when over 1,000 AI-related bills were introduced nationwide in 2025 - including at least 22 in Washington state addressing domains from scientific research to housing markets.

The Senate's amendment also linked broadband infrastructure funding of $42.5 billion to compliance with preserving state regulatory freedoms, reinforcing the need for balanced federal and local AI governance.

This outcome represents a significant victory for advocates urging vigilant regulation of AI technologies to protect consumers, workers, and the public from potential harms while recognizing AI's growing role in society and commerce.

For detailed legislative analysis, see the U.S. Senate's vote coverage by The Spokesman-Review, a broader summary of 2025 state AI legislation by the National Conference of State Legislatures, and insights on the Senate's removal of the AI moratorium from IPWatchdog.

Spokane's healthcare sector is rapidly expanding its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance patient care and operational efficiency, while maintaining a strong emphasis on ethical considerations and patient privacy.

Local health systems like MultiCare utilize AI to automate routine tasks, such as transcribing doctor-patient interactions and managing prescriptions, thereby easing the workload on medical staff without replacing human caregivers.

Providence Health has deployed AI-powered chatbots like "Grace" to triage patient calls effectively during the pandemic, demonstrating AI's role in improving patient access to care.

Emerging AI innovations include Spokane-based Gestalt Diagnostics' PathFlow® digital pathology platform, which leverages AI for faster, more accurate diagnostics.

Meanwhile, ongoing discussions at the 2025 Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference highlight the growing role of AI in rural healthcare systems, addressing both promising use cases and challenges such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and equitable access.

Experts emphasize that despite rapid adoption, strategic and responsible implementation is crucial to avoid pitfalls like eroding patient trust or inefficient resource use.

Public attitudes remain mixed; while a majority recognize AI's potential to increase efficiency and reduce bias, about 60% express discomfort with AI-driven diagnoses, underscoring the need for transparency and patient choice.

This dual focus on innovation and caution reflects Spokane's commitment to harnessing AI's benefits in healthcare responsibly. For more on Spokane's healthcare AI advancements and policy discussions, visit the Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference site and regional health news coverage.

The local tech job market in Spokane reflects the complex and evolving impact of AI on employment in 2025. While Spokane's tech sector is growing rapidly with startups like Safeguard Equipment and Medcurity leading innovation and job creation, the broader AI-driven shifts in employment present mixed outcomes.

Data shows a significant increase in AI-related job postings nationwide - titles containing "AI" grew sevenfold this year - highlighting strong demand for AI skills, especially in software engineering and machine learning.

However, entry-level tech roles and administrative positions are declining sharply, with a 73% drop in entry-level hiring nationally, disproportionately affecting younger college graduates who face an unemployment rate of 5.8%, higher than the overall rate.

Spokane's tech ecosystem benefits from local investments such as Microsoft's $5M in AI for Good projects and a dynamic startup environment fostering AI literacy and career pathways, yet challenges remain in workforce development and equitable job growth.

Employers in Spokane and beyond must balance the pressing need to fill AI-specialized roles with strategies to support displaced workers and cultivate new talent pipelines through programs like Nucamp Bootcamp coding education.

As Greater Spokane Inc. notes, AI is driving a “skills revolution” with a 37% change in required job skills over five years, emphasizing digital fluency across sectors.

Leaders caution that while AI offers growth opportunities, it also demands thoughtful integration to ensure inclusive economic benefits. For more details on Spokane's tech job trends, see the April 2025 tech news round-up for Spokane, the 2025 tech job market report analyzing AI's labor impact, and insights on Spokane's evolving workforce from Greater Spokane Inc.'s Spokane tech transformations report.

Meta has launched its new standalone Meta AI app, built on the Llama 4 model, marking a significant expansion in personalized generative AI technology.

The app offers voice-first natural conversations, personalized to user preferences by drawing from Meta's platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and features a unique Discover feed for sharing AI creations and prompts.

Notably, Meta recently introduced a generative AI video editing feature across the app and related Meta platforms, enabling creators to quickly produce and optimize multi-variant videos tailored for social media.

This innovation advances both user creativity and marketing effectiveness by leveraging AI-driven automation and real-time content adaptation. Meanwhile, Meta is investing heavily in AI research, with a new lab focused on pursuing ‘superintelligence,' underscoring its ambition to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, as detailed in The New York Times.

These developments are poised to influence Spokane's tech ecosystem by accelerating adoption of generative AI tools, fostering innovation, and reshaping digital content creation and marketing strategies locally.

Spokane's AI landscape in 2025 is marked by remarkable innovation, promising opportunities, and notable challenges as it evolves into a hub of technological advancement.

With companies like Gestalt Diagnostics raising $7.5 million to pioneer AI-powered digital pathology and Amazon operationalizing advanced “Vulcan” robots equipped with tactile AI to enhance warehouse efficiency, Spokane is embracing AI across industries - from healthcare to logistics.

Significant investment, including Microsoft's $5 million AI for Good grants, fuels projects targeting sustainability, education, and public health, while Spokane schools and businesses adopt AI tools that personalize learning and optimize operations.

However, experts and local leaders caution that sustainable growth requires fostering diversity, attracting late-stage investment, and expanding tech momentum beyond Seattle.

The workforce faces disruption too, with forecasts of AI-driven job displacement prompting a regional focus on upskilling and transition support programs, exemplified by Amazon's comprehensive robotics training and career development initiatives.

Residents seeking to participate in this transformation have access to a variety of educational pathways, including Nucamp's hybrid AI bootcamps such as the 15-week AI Essentials for Work bootcamp and the 30-week Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur program, designed to equip learners with practical AI skills and entrepreneurship tools.

As Bill Kalivas, co-founder of LaunchPad INW, emphasizes, Spokane's ongoing “growth and transformation to becoming more of an innovation economy” depends on active engagement from mentors, investors, educators, and talent pipelines.

The city's commitment to integrating AI responsibly while fostering inclusive education and workforce development positions Spokane as a resilient, forward-looking tech community ready to navigate the opportunities and complexities of AI's expanding role.

For those eager to deepen their expertise and contribute, Nucamp offers accessible bootcamp options that align with this dynamic ecosystem and support career advancement in AI-driven fields.