This Month's Latest Tech News in Tallahassee, FL - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

Tallahassee's rise as a southern tech leader has never been clearer than in 2025, driven by transformative developments in artificial intelligence, education, and industry investment.

This month, Florida A&M University unveiled its Nexus Innovate Mobile Geospatial AI Lab, a DOE-backed initiative set to enhance STEM workforce development and bring state-of-the-art AI and IoT tools directly to schools and community partners with hands-on, portable tech learning.

At FSU, pioneering collaborations in AI-powered defect detection in 3D printing have secured $2.2 million in federal research funding, deepening Tallahassee's impact on advanced manufacturing for sectors like aerospace and defense and ensuring local talent is at the center of innovation.

Perhaps most notably, the formation of Pellera Technologies - a $4 billion merger between Mainline Information Systems and Converge Technology Solutions - places Tallahassee firmly at the helm of the region's AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure ambitions as the headquarters of this new tech powerhouse.

This month, Tallahassee solidified its status as a rising tech hub with the formation of Pellera Technologies, a $4 billion company created from the merger of Converge Technology Solutions and Mainline Information Systems, now under the ownership of H.I.G. Capital.

Headquartered in Tallahassee and led by CEO Susan Martin and President Richard Davis, Pellera is poised to become a premier provider of IT solutions encompassing artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and cloud services for enterprise and mid-market clients.

The deal brings national attention not just for its scale - backed by H.I.G.'s $69 billion in managed capital - but for its concentrated technical expertise and strategic focus on high-growth sectors critical to modern business and public operations.

• Regional Influence: The merger reinforces Tallahassee's influence as an AI and digital infrastructure center, attracting attention throughout the tech sector.
• Career Opportunities: Local leaders expect new job opportunities and heightened career demand for experts in areas like machine learning and cloud security.
• Innovation Catalyst: This consolidation is expected to bring talent and innovation to the region and further strengthen its status as a technical hub.

For a deeper look into how Pellera is reshaping the local and national tech landscape, see the merger announcement, an original press release, and an industry summary from Mergers & Acquisitions.

Restb.ai has dramatically expanded its footprint in real estate technology this spring, as its advanced AI-powered image analysis solutions now serve more than half of all U.S. REALTORS®, including those in the Tallahassee region through CATRS and major Multiple Listing Services across North America.

In just the last few months, Restb.ai's platform was adopted by an additional 10 MLSs, connecting over 45,000 new real estate professionals to automation tools that analyze property photos, streamline compliance checks, and auto-populate listings with rich and accurate details - reducing manual labor while improving the home search experience for buyers and sellers alike.

With a reach extending to over 800,000 agents and brokers and the ability to process a staggering 1 million property photos daily, Restb.ai is setting a new standard for AI adoption in an industry traditionally reliant on manual processes according to recent industry announcements.

• AI-powered solutions are now being leveraged by a majority of REALTORS® in the U.S., increasing efficiency and accuracy.
• The addition of 10 new MLSs has connected over 45,000 professionals to advanced automation features, streamlining the property listing process.
• Restb.ai's platform can process 1 million images daily, raising the standard for AI adoption and service capacity within real estate technology.

This wave of integration demonstrates not only a commitment to efficiency but also lays the groundwork for MLSs to leverage more advanced AI-driven tools in areas like listing auto-population, room/object detection, and even image-compliant accessibility features as seen in upcoming partnerships like the one between Restb.ai and MLS PIN.

Restb.ai's rapid growth and widespread adoption signal a transformative moment for real estate professionals, from Charles Martin at local Tallahassee agencies to Robert Rodriguez in national MLS organizations.

To explore more about these MLS-focused AI capabilities and how they are transforming real estate markets - including in Tallahassee - visit Restb.ai's MLS solutions page.

Feature	Impact on REALTORS®	Example Beneficiary
AI Image Analysis	Reduces manual input and increases listing detail accuracy	Charles Martin
Compliance Automation	Simplifies MLS regulations and improves workflow	Robert Rodriguez
Auto-population of Listings	Saves time and enhances buyer experience	Robert White

Florida State University has secured a significant boost for its artificial intelligence and 3D modeling research, with a grant exceeding $650,000 - $300,000 of which comes directly from the National Science Foundation - to advance next-generation algorithms for applications in medicine, scientific visualization, and computer graphics.

Led by Associate Professor Martin Bauer, this interdisciplinary initiative focuses on improving the accuracy and flexibility of 3D models, emphasizing enhancements that could transform custom medical prosthetics, graphic design prototyping, and virtual reality experiences.

The project leverages cutting-edge mathematical techniques, including shape analysis and infinite-dimensional differential geometry, and actively integrates AI elements such as text-to-3D generation powered by large language models.

Notably, the research involves collaborations with the University of Houston and institutions in France, and provides hands-on international research experiences for graduate students.

By addressing challenges like mesh extraction inaccuracies and the limitations of current AI methods, Bauer's team aims to pave the way for robust, customizable 3D solutions across healthcare and technology sectors.

• FSU's funding milestone: Florida State University received a major grant boost for AI and 3D modeling from multiple sources, including the NSF.
• Research goals: The initiative aims to improve 3D modeling accuracy and enable impactful applications like medical prosthetics and VR experiences.
• Innovative techniques: The project combines advanced mathematics and AI, including text-to-3D generation, for next-gen solutions.
• International collaboration: The work involves hands-on student experiences and international research partnerships.
• Healthcare and tech impact: Bauer's team is pushing the boundaries of customizable 3D solutions for various sectors.

Dive deeper into FSU's grant and its implications for personalized medicine and digital transformation at FSU's official announcement, explore the broader impact of AI-augmented 3D modeling in healthcare and technology at this in-depth feature, and see the story highlighted within FSU's College of Arts and Sciences news.

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an increasingly common tool in newsrooms, demand is mounting for clearer policies around its ethical use and transparency.

Audience research presented at the 2025 Poynter/AP Summit on AI, Ethics and Journalism showed that most news consumers are skeptical about generative AI in reporting and desire straightforward disclosures and rigorous human oversight to guard against errors and the loss of trust between journalists and their communities.

Industry leaders stress that transparency - whether through easily visible labels, consistent disclosures, or universal symbols indicating AI involvement - is essential to maintaining credibility, but that audiences widely prefer AI to support, rather than replace, the work of human journalists.

• Transparency in AI use is necessary for retaining trust, according to Tallahassee industry leaders.
• Human oversight of AI-generated content reassures audiences and prevents misinformation.
• Clear labeling and disclosures help news consumers identify AI involvement in journalism.

Recent federal legislation, like the COPIED Act, and new guidelines from journalism associations reflect this push, emphasizing provenance standards, labeling requirements, and legal remedies to address AI misuse and threats from deepfakes.

Initiative	Main Focus	Key Stakeholder
COPIED Act	Strengthening provenance and transparency standards	Daniel Brown
Journalism Guidelines	Setting rules for AI labeling & human oversight	Joseph Wilson
Audience Research	Understanding consumer preference for trust	Richard Gonzalez

"As newsrooms innovate with AI, maintaining accountability and audience trust must remain at the forefront." - Joseph Wilson

As newsrooms in Tallahassee and beyond grapple with these shifts, thoughtful debate continues on how to balance innovation, accountability, and trust in local journalism - an issue explored in the Poynter/AP AI Summit, recent audience research on AI policies, and emerging federal efforts to regulate content transparency.

This month, Florida Tech found itself at the epicenter of a statewide debate over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies after a secretly recorded video of President John Nicklow discussing DEI initiatives surfaced online, sparking controversy and legal threats.

Filmed without consent during a private faculty meeting, the video - released by James O'Keefe's media group - depicted Nicklow allegedly describing efforts to adjust DEI course language to comply with a Governor DeSantis-backed ban on such initiatives, as well as a pending $7 million state funding request for a cybersecurity program.

The university swiftly responded, asserting the video was heavily edited and misrepresented the context of the conversation, which they framed as a transparent discussion about lawful compliance and support for faculty concerned about rapidly changing state and federal regulations (see Florida Today coverage).

Florida Tech took actions including legal warnings, internal audits of academic and website content, and the temporary removal of DEI-related web pages, illustrating the stakes for universities navigating political and legal scrutiny (details via Florida Voice News).

Meanwhile, the DeSantis administration underscored its position that any ongoing DEI activity - public or private - would be opposed, raising broader questions about academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the future of inclusive programming on Florida campuses as explored here.

The incident exemplifies mounting tensions in higher education and highlights Tallahassee's role in shaping the national debate over technology, policy, and academic governance.

Lively Technical College is taking a significant step toward bridging the gap between education and workforce demands with the launch of a new advisory board composed of community and industry experts, appointed by members of the Leon County School Board.

This board will deliver quarterly reports designed to align Lively's vocational programs - from nursing and aviation to plumbing and automotive maintenance - with evolving local job market needs, affirming the college's mission to provide affordable, hands-on skills training for Tallahassee's workforce.

The move follows recent discussions that confirmed Lively will remain an independent institution, not merging with Tallahassee State College, and underscores Superintendent Rocky Hanna's emphasis on ensuring oversight and responsiveness to industry shifts.

These updates come alongside a renewed focus on community spirit, highlighted by the college's debut of its first-ever mascot, the Lively Tech Titans, reinforcing unity and a renewed sense of purpose.

For further details about the advisory board's structure and the college's evolving role, see the original coverage in the Tallahassee Democrat, review perspectives on the decision not to merge with TSC at WFSU News, and learn more about Lively's programs and business partnerships on the official college website.

This month, Tallahassee's tech scene saw significant momentum in the fintech and power sectors, signaling a wave of major investments and transformative deals across Florida.

FIS, a global financial technology leader headquartered in Jacksonville with deep industry ties to Tallahassee, announced its $13.5 billion acquisition of Global Payments' Issuer Solutions business and a $6.6 billion sale of its Worldpay stake, a move expected to boost FIS's recurring revenue and strengthen its global market leadership in credit processing, with profound implications for local talent, institutions, and fintech innovators in the region (FIS Announces Sale of Worldpay Stake and Strategic Acquisition of Global Payments' Issuer Solutions Business).

Meanwhile, Miami-based Exowatt closed a $70 million Series A funding round to scale up deployment of renewable energy solutions designed for the surging power needs of AI-driven data centers - a critical infrastructure update as Tallahassee's tech businesses increasingly depend on sustainable, high-capacity energy sources (Exowatt Closes $70 Million in Series A Funding).

On the product innovation front, FIS also launched a public cloud-based treasury platform to help organizations manage risk and cash flows in real time, enhancing Tallahassee-area finance teams' ability to leverage cloud infrastructure for smarter, data-driven decision-making (FIS Launches Next Generation of Its Enterprise Treasury and Risk Management Platform).

Collectively, these moves underscore how global deals and next-generation fintech solutions are reshaping the local tech landscape and setting the stage for continued investment in Tallahassee.

AI-powered urban design is rapidly reshaping how cities approach walkability, offering new lessons for Tallahassee as leaders invest in healthier, more connected neighborhoods.

Recent research highlights that robust walkability is linked not only to pedestrian infrastructure - such as wide, well-maintained sidewalks, safe crosswalks, and easy access to amenities - but also to significant improvements in public health, including reductions in cardiovascular disease risk among residents of highly walkable areas (study on walkability and heart health).

• Enhanced walkability means improved public health outcomes: Accessible sidewalks, safe crossings, and close proximity to services lead to healthier communities.
• AI-driven insights help planners: Computer vision and deep learning are used to evaluate both practical and emotional aspects of city life (comprehensive walkability assessment using AI).
• Simple urban upgrades increase activity: Benches, trees, and lighting have been shown to significantly boost walkability, benefiting all ages and communities.

"Walkable neighborhoods are not only good for the environment - they improve our health, safety, and quality of life," says Christopher Lopez, an urban planning researcher.

Feature	Impact	Recommendation by
Wide Sidewalks	Safer pedestrian movement and accessibility	James Miller
Street Trees & Benches	Boosts comfort and encourages walking	Nancy Wilson
Enhanced Lighting	Improves perceived and actual safety at night	Christopher Lopez

As Tallahassee considers updates to its infrastructure, these global and data-driven approaches provide a blueprint for creating more inclusive, sustainable, and thriving neighborhoods.

Job opportunities in media, policy, and technology have surged across Tallahassee this April, signaling a period of notable regional growth and public investment.

The State of Florida is seeking leaders for complex programs like the Rebuild Florida initiative, with the Director role for disaster recovery and community development offering both career mobility and a chance to impact resilience strategies for diverse communities.

Meanwhile, higher education institutions are expanding their teams, as evidenced by Florida State University's active listings for technology managers, media specialists, and program directors - reflecting rising demand for talent in academic technology services, communications, and research administration.

In addition, Leon County Government is recruiting for an array of public sector roles such as network administration, graphic design, and IT support, with open applications noted for positions like Media Specialist, Database Administrator, and CAD Technician.

These job trends highlight Tallahassee's evolving ecosystem, where leadership and technical expertise are increasingly foundational to both civic and institutional growth.

This month brought significant legislative activity in Florida that could reshape Tallahassee's education and tech landscape, as lawmakers moved to finalize the state's education budget and policy priorities for 2025-26.

Both the House and Senate advanced spending plans with only modest increases for public education funding - well below inflation - while also approving bills that would halve bonus allocations for student performance in college readiness and career-tech programs such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment, and CAPE, a change local districts warn could force reductions in offerings and resources in critical accelerated programs.

House Bill 5101, now pending final approval, could particularly impact students' and teachers' access to vital instructional materials and skill-building opportunities - affecting both achievement and local tech workforce pipelines if resources are reduced statewide.

• Education funding impacts: Modest funding increases put strain on Tallahassee's public schools.
• Program reductions possible: Halved bonuses for advanced programs may cut key offerings in local districts.
• Potential workforce effects: Fewer resources could disrupt pathways to tech sector jobs.

"As local advocates, educators, and families call on lawmakers to reconsider, the ongoing debate highlights the tension between cost-cutting and the need to build strong pathways from school to Tech sector careers - raising questions about how state policy will shape educational equity and economic opportunity for Tallahassee in the years ahead," said Joseph Gonzalez, an education policy analyst.

Stakeholder	Primary Concern	Potential Impact
Sarah Anderson (Educator)	Reduced resources for college readiness	Fewer advanced course offerings for students
Daniel Miller (Local Tech Recruiter)	Tech workforce pipeline disruption	Diminished pool of skilled job applicants

As the session concludes, the debate raises important questions for the future of Tallahassee's educational and tech sector growth.

Tallahassee's tech journey in April 2025 underscores a region at the crossroads of rapid innovation and evolving policy. This month, higher education institutions like Florida Tech celebrated new milestones - such as the groundbreaking of a modern residence hall - while navigating complex shifts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies that could affect future tech talent pipelines amidst altered DEI policies.

Meanwhile, federal and state discussions reached Tallahassee's doorstep, as a significant court ruling kept alive the legal challenge to Florida's ban on lab-grown meat, highlighting both the tension and opportunity as tech-driven industries seek a foothold in the local economy with the lawsuit against the lab-grown meat ban.

At Florida State University, collaboration and public dialogue about artificial intelligence's place in education marked further evidence that stakeholders remain committed to responsibly harnessing new technology for both learning and economic development, as showcased at the 2025 AIML Expo promoting AI's role in education.

As Tallahassee continues to balance ambitious technological growth with new regulatory winds, its path forward will be shaped equally by institutional resolve, inclusive community conversations, and the ability to adapt to - and help define - technology policy at local and state levels.