This Month's Latest Tech News in St Louis, MO - Saturday May 31st 2025 Edition

St. Louis is rapidly establishing itself as a Midwest leader in AI and tech innovation, powered by fresh funding, civic initiatives, and dynamic community events.

The city's commitment to modernization is evident as it joins the federal Smart Cities Initiative, with goals ranging from expanding internet access to leveraging technology for improved public safety and equitable city services.

The momentum is palpable this May, with over $2.6 million invested in six local startups by Missouri Technology Corp, further fueling regional growth and job creation, as detailed in the St. Louis Business Journal's coverage of Missouri Technology Corp investments.

On the ground, a thriving calendar of startup and AI-focused events - including grant competitions, accelerator programs, and AI workshops - nurtures new talent and collaboration, as outlined in this handy rundown from Tenacity's St. Louis Startup Events blog.

These collective efforts highlight St. Louis's emergence as a vibrant ecosystem where forward-thinking entrepreneurs, researchers, and city leaders are working together to drive technology - and opportunity - ahead for the region.

Emerson, a St. Louis-based industrial technology leader, has unveiled Project Beyond, an industry-first software-defined, OT-ready digital platform set to transform how global industries optimize and modernize automation.

Launched at Emerson Exchange 2025, Project Beyond integrates existing automation infrastructure with cutting-edge technologies - leveraging software-defined control, robust data management, zero-trust cybersecurity, and AI - to streamline operations across sectors like energy, life sciences, and chemicals.

The platform, rooted in Emerson's DeltaV system and AspenTech software, minimizes the need for costly system overhauls by bridging legacy systems with modern solutions.

According to Ram Krishnan, Emerson's COO,

“Companies are eager to modernize automation and keep pace with new technologies like AI without ripping and replacing their existing infrastructure or dealing with the pain and costs of integrating new applications and millions of fragmented data points… Project Beyond will use the power of software-defined control to introduce an entirely new, scalable, seamlessly integrated infrastructure with automated data contextualization to turn trapped data into powerful operational efficiencies.”

Built on Emerson's Boundless Automation vision, the platform's flexible, scalable architecture supports the deployment and management of mission-critical AI models, all while maintaining data security and regulatory compliance.

For a detailed breakdown of Project Beyond's architecture and strategic benefits, see this comprehensive overview of Project Beyond's architecture and benefits.

Emerson's commitment to combining domain expertise with secure, localized AI is summarized in this recent analysis of Emerson's AI platform for industrial applications, which highlights solutions designed to increase flexibility, safety, and sustainability throughout industrial environments.

As U.S. universities face steep enrollment declines - dropping from 18.1 million undergraduates 15 years ago to 15.5 million today - Maryville University stands out for embracing artificial intelligence to modernize its recruitment and student engagement strategies.

AI-enabled platforms now automate and personalize communications, analyze vast amounts of data to target prospective students, and provide 24/7 support via chatbots, all in an effort to reverse the enrollment cliff and improve operational efficiency.

According to a recent study, 57% of higher education leaders view AI as a strategic priority, with 52% adopting AI for administrative processes and 44% for institutional analytics, signaling a growing consensus that ignoring AI is not an option for institutions seeking relevance and resilience in 2025.

The push for technology is not without challenges - balancing data privacy, ensuring human-centered communication, and meeting regulatory standards are essential for long-term trust and compliance.

As Mongoose's admissions platform data shows, meaningful two-way conversations - supported but not replaced by AI - are crucial for boosting enrollment yields.

Higher ed leaders echo this need for responsible innovation:

“We're excited to see how student recruitment will evolve, but we know students can tell what's real and what's not. Maintaining that personal, human-centered communication will always be key.”

For Maryville and peers, continued investment in digital transformation, AI-enhanced retention strategies, and new skill-building microcredentials provides hope for adapting to evolving student demands and labor market needs.

For a thorough look at the intersecting pressures and solutions in higher education's “perfect storm,” including AI adoption and declining enrollments, see the Change Leader's 2025 higher education challenges report.

For practical guidance on data-driven recruitment and AI-driven strategies shaping the sector, explore Collegis Education's trends analysis.

Gateway Science Academy (GSA) in South St. Louis is at the forefront of K-12 AI education, leading a pioneering two-year effort to integrate artificial intelligence tools into classrooms and empower both teachers and students.

Piloting the MagicSchool platform, GSA's teachers are utilizing AI-powered resources for lesson planning, differentiated instruction, and assessments - initiatives that not only reduce teacher burnout but also foster more engaging and personalized learning experiences.

According to Dr. Brian Schick, Director of Teaching and Learning,

“AI is like every other piece of technology we've encountered. Great resource, great opportunity ... but a lot to consider when using it responsibly and safely.”

The school's plan includes extensive teacher training, monthly support sessions, and an online resource hub, with a goal for all teachers and students to proficiently use AI by 2026.

National momentum is growing with an executive order by President Trump encouraging “appropriate integration” of AI in K-12 education - he remarked,

“It's a big deal. AI is certainly where it seems to be at.”

Surrounding districts such as St. Louis Public Schools and Rockwood are following suit, developing their own training resources and emphasizing responsible AI use.

The table below summarizes GSA's rollout plans and broader district responses:

District	AI Implementation	Key Initiatives
Gateway Science Academy	MagicSchool platform, 2-year rollout	Teacher/student training, resource hub
St. Louis Public Schools	Planning phase	Focus on ethics, critical thinking, collaboration
Rockwood School District	AI course development	Responsible AI guidelines, staff PD

For a closer look at how GSA is setting new standards, see the in-depth First Alert 4 News report, explore the Complete AI Training article detailing GSA's MagicSchool pilot, or check out GSA's official news portal for recent updates and achievements.

St. Louis took center stage in the national security tech landscape as Vibrint showcased a suite of advanced AI-driven capabilities at GEOINT 2025, the nation's leading geospatial intelligence symposium.

Vibrint's lineup featured explainable AI for geospatial analysis, ultra-secure LiFi networking, postquantum cryptography, and automated multi-cloud operations, each purpose-built for real-world, contested data environments.

CEO Tom Lash emphasized,

“We're not just showing what's possible - we're showing what's ready now… translating frontier technologies like explainable AI, LiFi, and postquantum crypto into trusted, field-ready capabilities. Our goal is to give mission teams the technical edge to see more clearly, decide more confidently and act faster.”

A standout innovation, developed with TerraPixel, enabled AI-based navigation in GPS-denied environments, while automated cloud orchestration improved security and oversight across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

The strategic importance of these innovations was echoed during the symposium's keynote, where NGA Director VADM Frank Whitworth described 2025 as the “Year of NGA - AI” and detailed the agency's rapid adoption of AI in mission workflows (e.g., quadrupled NGA Maven users and 80% improved inference latency).

These efforts signal a new “Golden Age of GEOINT,” powered by St. Louis-based innovation. For more details, explore Vibrint's solutions at Vibrint's GEOINT 2025 technology showcase, view the industry announcement on MarketWatch, or read the full keynote from NGA Director VADM Whitworth.

St. Louis advanced its event safety this April as Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD) rolled out AI-powered security robots - including ROAMEO and RADDOG LE2 - during the NCAA Frozen Four Championship downtown.

These deployments, launched in partnership with the Downtown St. Louis Community Improvement District, provided enhanced surveillance, autonomous incident response, and real-time community engagement, drawing considerable interest from local businesses and the public.

RAD's AI-driven solutions do more than monitor events: they deter unwanted activity, integrate with legacy security infrastructure through platforms like SARA™ and ROSS™, and deliver substantial cost reductions compared to traditional security staffing.

As Kelli McCrary, Executive Director of Downtown St. Louis CID, observed,

“RAD's technology has been an impactful addition to our public safety efforts.”

RAD's expansion is part of a national trend, with similar rollouts in Cleveland and Nashville, and plans underway for citywide deployment of hundreds of RADCam™ units in St. Louis. The company estimates that its comprehensive AI solutions can reduce security costs by 35%–80% and cover needs across industries from healthcare to public venues.

For a closer look at RAD's urban safety momentum, visit this detailed deployment summary from RAD, read industry news coverage on RAD's AI-powered public safety breakthroughs in St. Louis, and watch the KSDK-TV segment about RAD's robots in downtown St. Louis.

Schnuck Markets is rolling out Instacart's AI-powered Caper Carts to five additional stores across Missouri and into Illinois, offering shoppers a seamless and tech-forward grocery experience.

These smart carts feature automatic item recognition, built-in scales, touchscreen navigation, and a new lower tray designed for easy handling of heavy or bulky products.

Customers can scan, bag, and pay directly at the cart, while receiving personalized coupon offers via Schnucks Rewards and real-time digital promotions. According to Instacart, the use of Caper Carts has produced a double-digit increase in average basket size and average savings of $2.50 per trip - translating to over $200 per year for frequent shoppers.

As Chace MacMullan, Schnucks' Senior Director of Digital Experience, explained,

“It's clear to us that customers love shopping with Caper Carts – and at our newly launched stores, we're seeing many times throughout the day where all 10 carts are in use.”

Schnucks' ongoing partnership with Instacart, which began in 2017, includes an array of digital solutions such as Carrot Ads and real-time price optimization, underscoring their push to lead in omnichannel grocery innovation.

For more details on the expansion and cart features, read the in-depth coverage from Chain Store Age's report on Schnucks' Instacart smart cart rollout, see how real-world customers are using the technology in St. Louis Magazine's walkthrough of pilot locations, and explore Instacart's official launch announcement on Instacart's newsroom.

St. Louis's agtech sector has rapidly transformed following a wave of funding cuts and the high-profile bankruptcy of local innovator Benson Hill. Despite securing around $11 million in debtor-in-possession financing and approval to maintain operations during Chapter 11, Benson Hill was ultimately acquired by Confluence Genetics, a newly formed company focused on scaling AI-driven soybean genetics and speed breeding facilities in Creve Coeur's 39 North Ag Tech Innovation District.

Key leadership changes and the company's transition to an asset-light, licensing-centric business model aim to streamline operations and drive growth. Confluence Genetics, backed by Expedition Ag Partners and S2G Investments, now holds over 350 patents and proprietary technology, with CEO Kim Hurst stating,

“This is more than a financial reset - it's a strategic reboot and a bright beginning. With our proprietary genetics, CropOS® technology platform, and state-of-the-art speed breeding facility, we will deliver high-value, differentiated, quality trait soybeans.”

The restructuring underscores the broader challenges and opportunities in agtech, where operational costs, market shifts, and investor expectations have reshaped pathways to innovation.

For a detailed review of the acquisition and future plans, see the official announcement on the Confluence Genetics acquisition of Benson Hill.

The journey and challenges leading up to the bankruptcy are chronicled by the St. Louis Business Journal's analysis of Benson Hill's fall and AI's rise in agtech, and further operational details about Benson Hill's business continuity are available in their court-approved restructuring plan.

Company	Status	Key Asset	Technology Focus	Investment
Benson Hill	Bankruptcy & Asset Sale	AI-driven CropOS®, 350+ patents	Soybean genetics, AI seed innovation	$11M DIP Financing
Confluence Genetics	Active (Post-Acquisition)	Benson Hill assets	AI-powered breeding, speed breeding	Backed by S2G Investments, Expedition Ag

Energizer Park has achieved a milestone as the first St. Louis sporting venue to earn LEED Gold certification, recognizing an ambitious zero-waste journey fueled by AI-powered waste management solutions.

Central to this achievement is the deployment of Oscar Sort stations from Intuitive AI, which leverage real-time scanning and intelligent feedback to guide fans in accurate waste disposal while making sustainability engaging and interactive - a system proven to elevate sorting accuracy up to 96% and reduce stadium CO₂ emissions.

These smart recycling assistants, provided through a partnership with Pepsi, gamify the recycling process for the venue's 22,500-seat capacity, supporting the park's 2024 average waste diversion rate of 90.3% - including over 42 tons composted and 25 tons recycled in a single season.

“We are proud our efforts are being recognized with LEED Gold certification. Sustainability is about more than doing what is good for our environment - it's about doing what is resourceful, efficient, and innovative for the future of our community,”

said Diego Gigliani, St. Louis CITY SC President and GM. The park also features 173 bike parking stations, 25 EV charging spots, and 100% compostable food packaging, setting new standards for green stadiums.

For a deeper look into Energizer Park's AI-enabled sustainability practices, read the full LEED Gold certification announcement by St. Louis CITY SC, review the detailed SportsBusiness Journal coverage of St. Louis City SC's zero-waste efforts at Energizer Park, and discover how Oscar Sort technology is transforming global waste management.

Metric	2024 Season at Energizer Park
Waste Diversion Rate	90.3%
Tons Composted	42+
Tons Recycled	25 (including 14 tons aluminum)
Tons Landfilled	8.5

The Purina Institute Global Summit 2025, livestreamed from St. Louis and now available on-demand, brought together over 5,500 veterinary professionals and more than 20 global experts to spotlight how artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and smart devices are reshaping the future of veterinary medicine.

Attendees explored the latest breakthroughs, from AI-powered disease prediction and the Dog Aging Project's use of machine learning to personalize pet health, to the deployment of wearable monitors and smart litter boxes for real-time tracking of feline urinary health.

“At the Purina Institute, we believe in the power of shared science and the synergy between veterinary expertise and cutting-edge technology,” stated Natalia Wagemans, MD, PhD, Global Head of the Purina Institute.

The summit's focus on transitioning veterinary care from reactive to proactive, leveraging data-driven insights, and supporting clinical decision-making was echoed throughout sessions and panel discussions.

As Caroline Mansfield observed,

“Big data, omics technologies and wearable monitors give us the opportunity to shift our profession from a reactive to a proactive profession, focusing more on health than disease. And I think that's a really exciting outcome and a really exciting adventure to go through.”

For those interested in practical applications and the transformative impact of technology on animal health, full session details and key takeaways can be accessed through the official Purina Institute Global Summit 2025 portal, while additional event coverage is available from Veterinary Practice News and the official press release on PR Newswire.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is accelerating a major shift in St. Louis's property management and real estate industries, propelling local businesses toward greater efficiency, profitability, and resilience.

AI tools now streamline everything from tenant screening and predictive maintenance to personalized resident communications, fraud detection, and dynamic rent optimization, resulting in faster decision-making and improved tenant satisfaction.

According to the 2025 AppFolio Property Management Benchmark Report, St. Louis firms using AI saw lead-to-move-in times decrease by seven days, experienced a 15% boost in retention rates, and trimmed staff workloads by up to 10 hours per week.

This emerging technology is being rapidly adopted - AI usage among property managers rose from 21% to 34% in just one year - driven by an industry facing flat rents and rising operational costs.

The following table highlights key AI applications and their benefits in property management:

AI Application	Expected Outcomes	Key Advantages
Predictive Maintenance	Reduces emergency repair costs by up to 40%	Longer equipment life, lower costs, fewer disruptions
Automated Tenant Screening	Faster, bias-reduced tenant selection	Lower turnover, scalable for large portfolios
Dynamic Rent Optimization	Increases rental income by 3–7%	Maximized revenue, reduced vacancies

Leaders in the field emphasize the human element alongside AI. As Marcie Williams, CEO at RKW Residential, notes in her interview on AI's multifamily impact:

“We have not made it a priority to utilize AI to reduce resources, rather provide AI as a supplement to our teams to provide elevated services to our communities and residents.”

For a comprehensive breakdown of the top AI-driven innovations - and practical implementation tips for St. Louis property professionals - visit Showdigs' guide to 2025 property management trends.

St. Louis stands at a dynamic intersection of AI innovation, community resilience, and inclusive growth. In May 2025, the city mobilized after a devastating tornado, showcasing its spirit through tech-driven recovery efforts, volunteer responses, and grants like the Creative Space Activation Grant, while rapid-response initiatives such as TechSTL's WeBuild connected tech talent to urgent community needs (explore St. Louis' May events and programs).

As AI tools like “vibe coding” lower the barrier to software creation, local leaders stress the evolving role of the workforce; Emily Hemingway of TechSTL notes,

“AI won't take your job, but the person using it will. It's not even the competitive advantage, it's the standard.”

Still, a recent study by St. Louis-based Perficient reveals a divide, with entry-level workers feeling uneasy while executives view AI optimistically - underlining the need for wide-reaching upskilling and guided adoption.

Meanwhile, WashU's inaugural AI for Health grants invest nearly $300,000 in projects ranging from virtual pathology to AI-powered psychological assessments, exemplifying St. Louis's commitment to both technological progress and equitable access (see full details on seed funding and projects).

As St. Louis advances, guided training and community initiatives are key to leveraging AI as a growth engine while ensuring no one is left behind.