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

Tulsa's tech scene is experiencing rapid growth and capturing national attention as the city stakes its claim as an emerging hub for AI innovation. Landmark investments and partnerships - like Crusoe Energy Systems' $10 million manufacturing expansion, expected to add 100 jobs locally - are fueling AI infrastructure and supporting climate-friendly data center manufacturing in Tulsa.

As venture capital firms such as Atento Capital successfully attract Latin American life sciences startups with generous relocation packages, Tulsa's appeal as a tech magnet grows.

Meanwhile, federal and state activity is heating up: Oklahoma legislators are advancing multiple AI regulatory and transparency bills in 2025, reflecting widespread efforts to harness innovation while protecting workers and consumers.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Oklahoma currently has pending acts for responsible AI deployment and disclosure - a sign of the state's balancing act between growth and governance.

Tulsa's strategic investments, global reach, and legislative engagement firmly position it in the national spotlight, as highlighted by the recent manufacturing expansion by Crusoe Energy Systems, and a growing influx of international tech talent.

Jericho Energy Ventures is making waves in Tulsa's tech landscape with the rollout of AI-driven Modular Data Centers, blending the region's energy legacy with next-generation infrastructure.

Led by newly appointed Director of Operations Jake Royster, whose two decades of energy sector leadership includes pioneering machine learning optimization and managing multi-million dollar oil and gas assets, the company leverages over 40,000 acres of productive land and abundant natural gas to deliver modular, cost-efficient AI compute power.

In partnership with AT&T, Jericho's initial Oklahoma data center will feature a minimum of 10Gbps fiber optic connectivity - scalable beyond 100Gbps - to suit escalating AI workloads, while their strategic position along a major U.S. fiber route offers a unique speed and efficiency advantage.

According to an April 2025 International Energy Agency (IEA) report, AI data centers are projected to drive half of U.S. electricity demand growth by 2030, outpacing heavy industries.

CEO Brian Williamson highlighted,

“Locating our modular data centers directly on the fiber backbone gives us a speed and efficiency advantage, while our abundant energy resources allow us to offer reliable, cost-effective AI compute power. Our modular data center design enables rapid deployment and expansion, providing the flexibility and performance demanded by next-generation AI workloads.”

Investors are taking notice, as Jericho's vision aligns with massive market growth - McKinsey forecasts global data center demand rising 19–22% annually through 2030.

For in-depth details on Jericho's market position and ambitions, see coverage of Jericho's modular data center business launch, their AT&T fiber partnership announcement, and the IEA-backed report on AI data center energy demands.

This month, Oklahoma took center stage in the critical conversation on powering America's artificial intelligence future, as the Hamm Institute for American Energy hosted the Powering AI: Global Leadership Summit.

Bringing together over 350 industry leaders, policymakers, and cabinet officials, the summit focused on the soaring electricity demands driven by AI data centers - labeled “AI factories” - which are projected to require as much as 68 gigawatts of additional power by 2027, nearly double the global data center need of 2022 and rivaling California's entire power capacity.

Speakers, including U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, stressed the need for “energy addition” - expanding generation from natural gas in the near term, with an eye toward long-term solutions like nuclear and geothermal - to ensure both AI leadership and grid reliability.

“AI is advancing faster than our infrastructure. If America wants to lead in AI, it must also lead in energy. This summit is about alignment, getting the right people in the right room to make sure innovation doesn't outpace our ability to sustain it,”

emphasized Dr. Ann Bluntzer Pullin, Executive Director of the Hamm Institute.

Many participants highlighted regulatory uncertainty as a key challenge and called for streamlined permitting and stable policies. Concerns about AI data center power needs impacting state climate goals and utility rates were highlighted, echoing national trends where at least 36 states offer tax incentives for data centers while debating how to shield consumers from potential rate hikes.

The summit's outcomes set the stage for a nationwide strategy balancing energy expansion, sustainability, and technological innovation. For in-depth coverage, see the Journal Record's summary of the AI Energy Summit, the Oklahoma State University event report on the national energy imperative behind America's AI revolution, and a comprehensive look at how AI data centers might affect power bills.

Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its classrooms in response to a federal push led by the 2025 Executive Order “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.” The district's adoption of the Amira AI teaching platform, now available statewide, has catapulted student engagement: 87% of TPS students now use the tool, with 68% meeting rigorous weekly reading goals - a notable leap from last year's 48% usage and 32% goal attainment.

Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson reported measurable reading improvements with just 10 minutes of daily Amira use, a success mirrored by Carnegie Elementary and recognized by state officials as a model for Oklahoma.

The push follows President Trump's executive directive to establish a national framework for K-12 AI education, create a White House AI Education Task Force, and fund comprehensive AI literacy initiatives for students and extensive teacher training nationwide.

As explained in local coverage of the Amira program's impact, “TPS and OKCPS, we're going to continue to push for reforms,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters, highlighting a 20-point jump in national test rankings for urban schools.

Federal action aims to rapidly scale efforts like Tulsa's: teacher training, instructional resource development, and student AI competitions are mandated to roll out nationally within months, as detailed in the official executive order and summarized by education experts at ACSA's policy analysis.

The result: Tulsa is setting the pace as Oklahoma and the nation race to boost AI literacy and digital readiness in every classroom.

Tulsa's vibrant technology ecosystem is experiencing a surge of innovation fueled by open source AI models, with startups like WriteSea harnessing these tools to transform career services for job seekers and organizations.

The newly launched Llama Startup Program offers early-stage U.S. companies up to $6,000 per month in cloud inference credits for six months, paired with technical guidance from Meta's Llama experts, making advanced generative AI accessible and affordable for ventures such as WriteSea, which delivers an AI-powered suite to automate resume building, interview simulations, and salary negotiations for users in education, workforce development, and more (explore WriteSea's AI Career Services Suite).

This wave of support is designed to lower financial and technical barriers, echoing research indicating that 94% of organizations have adopted AI tools, with 89% leveraging open source technologies like Llama.

The top open-source large language models in 2025 - including Llama 3, Mistral, DeepSeek, and more - have democratized access to state-of-the-art AI for a wide array of startups, empowering local talent to pursue next-generation applications without prohibitive costs (see the leading open-source LLMs of 2025).

This community-driven movement not only positions Tulsa startups on the national stage but also signals broader economic and social benefits by fostering greater innovation, job creation, and competitive AI infrastructure.

Oklahoma is rapidly earning recognition as a national hub for AI-powered data centers, attracting major investments from tech giants like Google and foreign investors with its combination of affordable energy, central location, and pro-business incentives.

A landmark initiative is Google's solar-backed data center in Pryor, underpinned by a 724 MW portfolio that generates enough clean energy to power more than 865,000 homes and is expected to contribute $76 million in local tax revenue, create over 300 construction jobs, and avoid 3.7 million metric tons of CO2 emissions over the lifetime of its power purchase agreements (solar energy powers Google's AI data center in Oklahoma).

New economic momentum also follows the announcement of a $20 billion foreign investment, with Oklahoma among eight states positioned to benefit as global capital seeks out the state's favorable regulatory climate - a prospect state leaders tout as aligning with Oklahoma's existing success stories, such as Google in Pryor and emerging projects in Muskogee (Oklahoma data centers attract $20B investment).

Yet as data centers boost local economies, questions remain about resource demands; for example, a Tulsa proposal projected annual water usage of up to 1 billion gallons, and rising electricity consumption from data centers could pressure utility rates, prompting some states to explore legislation ensuring that such costs are borne directly by data centers - not residents (Could AI data centers mean higher power bills for residents?).

The table below summarizes notable recent developments in Oklahoma's data center landscape:

Project / Announcement	Capacity / Impact	Economic / Environmental Impact
Google Pryor Solar-Powered Data Center	724 MW (solar); powers 865,000+ homes	$76M tax revenue; 3.7M tons CO2 avoided; 300+ jobs
Foreign Investment Initiative (DAMAC / Sajwani)	$20B across 8 states (including OK)	Pledged new data centers; resource and infrastructure demand
Statewide Legislative Response	Increasing electricity/water usage	Potential for utility rate adjustments and sustainability initiatives

“Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to be the perfect partner for this type of investment.” - Evan Brown, Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Meta is fundamentally transforming its approach to privacy and societal risk oversight by replacing human risk reviewers with AI-driven automation across products like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

According to internal documents, up to 90% of all risk assessments - including those for algorithm changes, safety features, and content-sharing policies - will now be handled by artificial intelligence, greatly accelerating product rollout and streamlining updates.

While Meta claims this move will enhance consistency, efficiency, and free up human experts for novel or complex issues, multiple experts and insiders warn of increased potential for overlooked harm.

As summarized in a comprehensive NPR investigation into Meta's AI privacy overhaul, critics caution that speedier launches could lead to “higher risks” and “less rigorous scrutiny” of impactful changes.

Even though Meta asserts it has invested over $8 billion in privacy protection and will maintain FTC and EU oversight for sensitive areas, concerns persist that many engineers are “not privacy experts,” with incentives focused on launch velocity rather than risk mitigation.

As highlighted by TechCrunch's coverage of this major policy shift, the new system requires teams to complete an AI-reviewed risk questionnaire before instant product approvals.

This profound change is already reshaping how the company manages privacy, youth safety, and misinformation review - balancing regulatory compliance with a commitment to innovation and scale.

A detailed breakdown of the AI-driven review process appears below.

Old System	New System
Human-led risk review for all updates	AI automates review for up to 90% of changes; humans handle novel/complex cases
Manual, lengthy product risk evaluation	Instant AI feedback via team questionnaire submission
Human experts default on privacy/integrity review	Engineers self-certify compliance for low-risk launches

For additional expert analysis on the automation's broader impact, visit The AI Track's deep dive on Meta's AI risk assessment strategy.

As one former executive put it,

“Insofar as this process functionally means more stuff launching faster, with less rigorous scrutiny and opposition, it means you're creating higher risks.”

Oklahoma State University's OSU Polytech is expanding its footprint as a statewide leader in AI and cybersecurity education, offering more than 60 innovative, industry-aligned programs across campuses in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Okmulgee.

The initiative integrates hands-on training in cyber defense, including ethical hacking and incident response, with advanced opportunities like micro-credentials and capstone projects that merge AI, robotics, and engineering - for instance, the Pistol Pete AI Capstone Project equips students to build smart, interactive solutions for real-world environments.

Workforce-aligned through partnerships with organizations such as QuikTrip and the Muskogee (Creek) Nation, OSU Polytech also develops tailored professional training and micro-credentials meeting the high-tech needs of healthcare and industry sectors.

As Dr. Heather Ortiz, interim dean, explained in a recent feature,

“Cybersecurity and technology are evolving at a rapid pace, and OSUIT is not just keeping up - we're leading the way. By listening to industry, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and providing hands-on, real-world experience, we ensure our graduates don't just enter the workforce - they shape its future.”

With over 3,700 students currently enrolled and nearly 90% job placement rates for some programs, OSU Polytech's growth model is rooted in broad accessibility, industry leadership councils, and the flexibility to pursue credentials from certificates to advanced degrees.

For a closer look at innovative programming and statewide workforce partnerships, visit the OSU Polytech cybersecurity initiative, review their polytechnic program catalog and impact, or explore how this approach is reshaping statewide STEM opportunity in the latest OSU Polytech STEM education coverage.

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence in newsrooms has prompted the launch of the “Talking About AI: Newsroom Toolkit,” developed by the Poynter Institute's MediaWise in collaboration with the Associated Press and supported by Microsoft, to improve AI literacy and transparency for journalists and their audiences.

This free resource provides practical tools - such as videos, scripts, and disclosure templates - to help Tulsa journalists and independent creators address public skepticism, explain AI's role in reporting, and build trust through clear, audience-centered communication.

According to research, over 50% of Americans and 63% of UK respondents are uncomfortable with AI-generated news, underscoring the critical need for transparent practices and ethical frameworks in journalism.

The toolkit encourages dialogue and offers guidance for communicating the benefits and limitations of AI “with minimal extra lift.” As Dave Jorgenson of The Washington Post puts it,

“Your audience will appreciate knowing how the sausage is made, even if the sausage is part robot.”

For educators and young reporters, MediaWise and PBS have also introduced “AI Unlocked,” a video curriculum that builds foundational understanding and ethical awareness among students.

These efforts collectively aim to narrow the disconnect between AI adoption in media and public trust. For more details on how Tulsa's journalists are leveraging these AI literacy resources, read the in-depth coverage at Poynter Institute's comprehensive AI newsroom toolkit overview, see the program summary at Tomorrow's Publisher detailed news analysis of AI toolkit launch, and explore the dedicated curriculum at Student Reporting Labs' AI Unlocked literacy curriculum initiative.

Despite growing economic uncertainty, Tulsa's small businesses are turning to artificial intelligence to fuel resilience and revenue growth. While 49% of U.S. small business owners expect the economy to weaken in the next six months, a remarkable 66% still anticipate their own revenues will rise, with many focusing on building sustainable, right-sized operations rather than rapid scaling.

According to a recent GoDaddy national survey, 44% of microbusinesses agree that generative AI will help them compete with larger firms, and 72% of owners using AI tools reported increased productivity; 61% even saw higher revenues in the last six months - a testament to the promise of new tools like GoDaddy Airo™.

Beyond content creation and marketing, Tulsa entrepreneurs are applying AI to virtual assistants, targeted email campaigns, and streamlined employee recruitment.

As noted by economist Alexandra Rosen,

"Small businesses using AI tools are transforming local economies through job creation."

Survey findings illustrate the shift below:

Key Metric (2025)	Value
Expect revenue growth	66%
Economy expected to weaken	49%
Microbusinesses using GenAI for a competitive edge	44%
Productivity boost (with AI)	72%
Revenue increase (with AI)	61%

Tulsa's entrepreneurs show optimism grounded in technology and tenacity, signaling that with the rise of AI, small businesses are not just weathering uncertainties - they are thriving.

For a deeper look at how AI propels entrepreneurship, check out this report on AI helping small businesses grow smarter in a slowing economy, a feature on 2025 predictions for AI-driven small business impact by GoDaddy, and the latest survey on small businesses thriving with generative AI.

Black Tech Street, led by founder Tyrance Billingsley II, is positioning Tulsa as a national epicenter for resilient AI integration, drawing on the legacy of Black Wall Street and the principles of community empowerment.

Through partnerships with organizations such as Microsoft, Tulsa Innovation Labs, and federal agencies, Black Tech Street launched the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, pioneering the application of AI for governance, innovation, and security in a way that prioritizes adaptability and inclusion.

Their work includes advocating for national policy change, workforce development initiatives to bring 1,000 Black cyber professionals to Tulsa by 2030, and leading the THETA Tech Hub to expand tech opportunities for marginalized communities.

As Billingsley explains, “Black Tech Street's mission is to rebirth Black Wall Street as a top-tier Black Innovation Economy and serves as the banner for a global movement that sees Black people across the country, and the world, embrace technology as a means to close the racial wealth gap and have a positive impact on the world.”

“I want young Black kids, everywhere but especially in Tulsa, to grow up knowing that it is their birthright to enter the tech industry because Black is innovative.” – Tyrance Billingsley II

As discussed in the Tulsa World's feature on Tulsa's national AI leadership, these strategies place resilience - not just technological speed - at the heart of America's AI race.

For deeper insights on how resilience differentiates the U.S. model from international competitors, see Billingsley's op-ed on the Black Wall Street Times about AI resilience as the key to national success.

Discover specific ways Black Tech Street is operationalizing this vision and building Tulsa's blueprint for equitable innovation in AI and cybersecurity in this community partner profile with PartnerTulsa.

Tulsa has firmly established itself as a pivotal player in America's AI revolution, leading not only through high-profile investments but also with visionary policy and a growing talent pipeline.

The city's momentum, highlighted by the recent Midcon VC Summit with $1 trillion in investable capital and emerging innovation hubs like Gradient and Black Tech Street, demonstrates Tulsa's commitment to fostering generational tech companies and workforce readiness as reported by The Journal Record.

Major expansions such as Crusoe Energy Systems' $10 million AI manufacturing investment, projected to create 100 new jobs, underscore Tulsa's appeal as an AI infrastructure destination - supported by local leadership and a robust climate for tech growth.

According to industry experts, the U.S. tech workforce is forecast to grow at twice the rate of the overall labor force, with “AI literacy” emerging as a top skill for job seekers, though continued federal tech education funding is critical for sustained progress per expert analysis.

Ambitious proposals like a blockchain- and AI-powered universal basic income aim to reduce poverty and boost workforce development through Oklahoma's CareerTech programs, illustrating how technology can deepen economic resilience and close persistent equity gaps.

For those looking to join this dynamic ecosystem, skills-based pathways such as Nucamp's Solo AI Tech Entrepreneur and Full Stack Web + Mobile Development bootcamps equip learners with the technical acumen to shape Oklahoma's next generation of innovation.

See more on how this policy framework could future-proof the state economy and expand global tech leadership in Medium's detailed analysis.