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

May 2025 marked a transformative moment for Tyler and East Texas as the region experienced a surge in AI-driven innovation and strategic policy activity. Local universities, including East Texas A&M, launched forward-thinking programs to equip students with real-world AI skills, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and industry mentorship to meet workforce needs in fields like healthcare, finance, and technology (AI program announcement at East Texas A&M).

At the same time, the Texas Legislature debated sweeping bills to guide responsible AI deployment and ensure citizen protection, reflecting statewide momentum as Texas became the fourth-ranked state for AI job postings and projected 27% growth in AI jobs by 2035 (Future of AI in Texas report).

Underpinning these advances, robust data center development brought high-quality jobs, $35 billion in labor income, and major infrastructure upgrades to Texas, ensuring regional communities are digitally prepared while balancing the environmental impacts of tech expansion (How Data Centers Benefit Texas Communities).

Tyler's May 2025 story reflects a statewide commitment to managing AI's promise alongside economic and ethical challenges, setting a dynamic course for East Texas tech leadership.

East Texas A&M University has announced the launch of its Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, offering students a comprehensive path to enter the rapidly expanding AI workforce.

The two-year program, starting in Summer 2025, is available on the Commerce campus and online, featuring thesis or non-thesis tracks and a 34-37 credit hour curriculum designed to build industry-ready skills through hands-on projects and collaboration with AI experts according to the university's official program page.

The curriculum integrates core AI methodologies and encourages interdisciplinary learning across computer science, data analytics, engineering, and psychology, supporting career advancement in sectors ranging from healthcare to technology and finance as highlighted in a recent news release.

In addition to affordability - estimated at $41,344 for online out-of-state students - East Texas A&M stands out for its strong competency-based education approach, where both recent graduates and working professionals benefit from instructor expertise grounded in real-world applications and flexible, 100% online options.

As a Fortune Education overview of top 2025 AI programs details, East Texas A&M's offering joins a select group of AI degrees nationwide and is ranked among the best in Texas for its relevance and accessibility.

The program's student-focused ethos is echoed by faculty, with Jennifer Hudson, interim assistant dean, noting,

“When I see what instructors like Tina and Justin are doing, it makes my heart so happy because it reinforces that we have the right people on our team.”

Restb.ai, a leader in AI-powered computer vision technology, is transforming the real estate landscape in Tyler and beyond through its integration with Ocusell's listing management platform.

This strategic partnership, now being adopted by the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) - the fourth largest MLS in the U.S. - automates key workflows and empowers agents with instant, RESO-compliant property feature tagging and the ability to generate compelling property descriptions in seconds.

As Hayden Rieveschl, CEO of Ocusell, explains,

“This partnership embeds Restb.ai's advanced computer vision technology directly into Ocusell, giving agents and brokers powerful time-saving tools while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.”

Recent analysis by Restb.ai revealed over $27 billion in potential hidden financial risk in appraisals due to inconsistent or flawed property condition reports, a risk their AI aims to mitigate by objectively scoring properties and enhancing transparency across valuations.

These advancements are driving measurable results, including cutting listing creation time by up to 75% and preventing compliance errors by over 85%. For more details on how the partnership is poised to enhance real estate listings in Tyler, visit the official release on Ocusell's integration with Restb.ai official press release, insights on technology trends from Texas Ally's in-depth industry overview on MLS listing improvements, and a breakdown of AI's role in risk reduction in Restb.ai's $27B appraisal risk white paper.

This technology leap not only streamlines agent tasks but also advances transparency and data quality across Tyler's rapidly modernizing real estate market.

Sam's Club is ushering in a new era of retail in Tyler and across its 600 U.S. stores by eliminating traditional checkout lanes in favor of an AI-powered, app-based experience known as “Scan & Go.” Shoppers now use their smartphones to scan products and pay before passing through exit archways equipped with advanced cameras that instantly verify purchases, significantly reducing wait times and eliminating the need for manual receipt checks.

According to company leadership, this transformation will not only streamline the shopping process but is also part of a broader strategy to double membership, sales, and profits within the next decade.

While executives such as Chris Nicholas tout this move as “one of the fastest, most scalable transformations happening in retail today,” privacy advocates have raised concerns about increased data collection and the risk of surveillance-based pricing.

In contrast, Sam's Club asserts their AI is strictly used to enhance convenience - not to discriminate on pricing or pressure upselling. Early reports from Tyler and the Grapevine pilot suggest the new technology delivers a 23% quicker exit and strengthens member loyalty, but some customers, particularly seniors and those without smartphones, worry about accessibility or cashless payment requirements.

The table below summarizes key impacts of the shift:

Feature	Impact/Statistic
Traditional Lanes Removed	All 600 U.S. stores by end of 2025
Exit Time Reduction	23% faster than manual receipt checks
Digital Adoption	30% of U.S. adults used Scan & Go; ~50% adoption among Gen Z

As reflected in local Tyler coverage, employees are being repositioned to member support roles rather than laid off, and store redesigns aim to boost overall service levels with a focus on customer engagement.

For those keeping an eye on broader trends, industry analysts believe Sam's Club's hybrid of mobile and AI innovations could set a new U.S. grocery standard, blending digital convenience with operational efficiency that outscales even Amazon's experiments.

The Smith County Sheriff's Office is alerting the public about a rising threat - AI-driven caller scams that mimic real voices and authoritative officials. In recent weeks, Texans have reported alarming incidents where scammers used artificial intelligence to clone family members' voices or pose as law enforcement, deploying tactics like threatening fake jury duty arrests and demanding thousands of dollars, as detailed in this in-depth account of a San Antonio man's close call with AI phone scams.

New warnings from the FBI outline how malicious actors now use AI-generated voice memos and vishing techniques, targeting residents by impersonating officials or even loved ones to gain trust and financial information, as explained in the FBI's nationwide warning on AI-generated voice scams.

The Federal Trade Commission also confirms a trend of scammers using voice cloning to animate family emergency schemes, often fooling even the vigilant; the agency stresses verifying any suspicious call by reaching out to contacts through known, trusted numbers, and never sending money based solely on voice or urgency, as detailed in the official FTC alert on AI-enhanced family emergency scams.

Authorities recommend using multi-factor verification, closely monitoring your accounts, and discussing security code words with family to help prevent victimization.

As one recent target warned,

“I was pretty close to getting fooled, and like I said, I'm educated, I'm young, I am on the phone all the time. I felt like I should have been more aware... So I guess just a warning to everybody else, don't trust everything that everybody tells you on the phone.”

Stay vigilant and informed as these AI-enabled scams become ever more convincing.

Texas is making headlines with the passage of the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA), a landmark bill designed to balance AI innovation with critical protections in both government and the tech sector.

TRAIGA, crafted over two years by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione and approved in the Senate 31-0, establishes a regulatory framework that prohibits government agencies from using AI for "social scoring," bans AI-based identification without consent, and bars private AI systems that facilitate harm or discrimination.

The law also introduces a regulatory sandbox, supports $25 million in funding and 20 new oversight positions, and creates the Texas Artificial Intelligence Council - a move praised for its “outcomes-based” approach and emphasis on public good.

As detailed in Pluribus News' report on Texas AI legislation, the act aims to ensure “a future where AI serves the public good” and has set a blueprint for other states amidst ongoing federal debates.

However, the effectiveness of TRAIGA remains uncertain: As the Insider GovTech article on federal impact on Texas AI regulations notes, a proposed ten-year federal moratorium on state AI legislation - currently advancing in Congress - could make enforcement impossible and centralize regulation at the federal level.

The complex dynamic between state ambitions and potential federal restrictions is further explored in this in-depth analysis by NquiringMinds on Texas AI legislation.

These developments mark a pivotal juncture for AI oversight in Texas and will shape the path for responsible technology governance nationwide.

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has ignited a pivotal debate about its evolving role in global economic policy and the urgent need for oversight.

According to a World Economic Forum survey on AI impact and trade policy, 47% of chief economists now predict net job losses from AI this decade, even as 81% believe it will fuel substantial GDP growth through task automation and accelerated innovation.

Yet, nearly every surveyed economist cites trade policy - amplified by both geopolitical tensions and automated economic decision-making - as the leading driver of worldwide uncertainty.

This tension is already impacting businesses: over two-thirds of U.S. public companies report negative effects from 2025 tariffs, and more than 5% plan price increases, as revealed by a Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research AI analysis.

The following table highlights key projections for 2025's economic landscape:

Indicator	Projection
U.S. Tariff Rate	7.1%–17.0% (up from 2.2% in 2024)
Global Merchandise Trade	-0.2% contraction (vs. +2.9% in 2024)
Job Impact (AI/Tariffs)	671,000–770,000 fewer U.S. jobs
AI-Driven Logistics Growth	45.9% CAGR (to $348.6B by 2032)

Experts warn that while AI can simulate trade flows and optimize policy, its use behind closed doors raises transparency and accountability issues.

As one analyst cautioned,

“Technology should support, not replace, good decision-making… Policy decisions involving AI need rules, transparency, public oversight, and clear lines of responsibility.”

Read more about the risks and potential of AI in economic policy at East Texas News' report on AI-driven economic policy risks.

The BET Experience 2025 is set to spotlight artificial intelligence's rising influence in the entertainment industry with a revamped slate of panels, performances, and fan events in Los Angeles from June 5–8, culminating in the BET Awards on June 9.

This year's expansion, presented by SheaMoisture, features the new “Tech Comes to Town: How AI, Data, & Tech Are Transforming Music, TV, and Film” panel, bringing together innovators like Nicky Saunders (Deeper Than The Brand), Yas Castillo (Udio.AI), Maya Smith (The Doux), and Cliff Worley (Kapor Capital) to discuss real-world tech disruption in creative fields.

Aspiring actors can audition at the BETX Open Casting Call in front of industry insiders such as Robi Reed and Kenya Barris, while fans can enjoy star-studded concerts with artists like The Roots, Buju Banton, and Lil' Kim, and unique showcases for shows like ‘BMF' and 'The Chi.'

Event	Date	Highlight
BET Experience	June 5-8, 2025	AI-focused industry talks, fan fest, live music
BETX Open Casting Call	June 7, 2025	Live auditions with top Hollywood execs
BET Awards	June 9, 2025	25th annual celebration of Black entertainment

As BET blends tech and tradition - such as their AI-powered, CGI-driven awards campaign - organizers emphasize fostering new talent and sparking dialogue on innovation's role in shaping music, TV, and film.

To explore event details and register, visit the official BET Experience event overview, view the 2025 BET Experience lineup announcement, or learn about BET's AI-infused programming at the BET Awards 2025 portal.

Apple and Google's latest AI breakthroughs are poised to reshape user experiences across East Texas devices, with both tech giants making significant moves in 2025.

At this year's Google I/O, Google unveiled an impressive slate of AI features - anchored by its Gemini platform - including AI-powered real-time translations in Google Meet, AI-generated email replies, and deeply integrated personalized assistant capabilities accessible in tools from search to smart glasses, putting Google firmly at the forefront of practical AI deployment according to Tom's Guide's coverage of Google I/O 2025.

Meanwhile, Apple is actively pursuing AI-driven innovation with new features rolling out in iOS 18.4, such as AI-powered App Store review summaries and expanded language support, and is reportedly accelerating development of AI-powered smart glasses for a 2026 launch, shifting its strategy to capitalize on the growing AI wearables market as detailed by Scripps News.

Additionally, Apple's push into AI-powered search - with tests integrating ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude AI inside Safari - signals a major shift, giving users new choices while challenging Google's longstanding dominance in search and opening up fresh opportunities for AI platforms and app developers as explored in GlintECO's analysis.

These advances mean that East Texans can expect smarter, more personalized tools in everyday apps and devices, with the AI race between Apple and Google accelerating the pace of change across the digital landscape.

Amazon's Alexa is undergoing a major AI-powered transformation this spring, but the upgrade is drawing sharp privacy concerns among Texans as well as users nationwide.

Starting March 28, 2025, Amazon is removing a longstanding privacy setting that previously allowed certain Echo devices to process voice commands locally - now, all user audio will be sent and processed in the cloud to enable the advanced generative AI underpinning Alexa+.

According to Technowize's detailed report on the Alexa Echo privacy update, this change, necessary for AI features rivaling ChatGPT and Gemini, means customers lose the choice to keep their conversations off Amazon's servers, with 73% of Alexa users expressing privacy worries in a recent CNET survey.

While Amazon assures users that all audio is encrypted, processed then promptly deleted, the move underscores a growing tension between next-generation smart assistant capability and individual control over personal data.

As NPR highlights, Alexa+ will initially be free for Prime members and $19.99/month for others, but all users will be subject to this new cloud-reliant data model.

The loss of local storage options is explained in detail in NPR's coverage.

The table below summarizes key changes:

Feature	Previously	After March 28, 2025
Voice Command Processing	Option for local (on-device)	All processed in cloud
Ability to Opt Out of Cloud	Yes (on select models)	No
Voice ID Feature	Available with local storage	Not available if recordings aren't saved

“As we continue to expand Alexa's capabilities with generative AI features that rely on the processing power of Amazon's secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature.” - Amazon spokesperson, via Technowize

This month, Elon Musk's departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) marked the end of a turbulent chapter in U.S. federal administration, with profound legal, political, and technological implications.

Appointed as a special government employee, Musk led DOGE's high-profile campaign to streamline government operations, aiming for bold savings through aggressive layoffs, AI-driven automation, and agency closures.

Despite early claims of up to $2 trillion in projected savings, official estimates later settled closer to $170 billion, as courts and analysts challenged the validity and sustainability of many moves (Newsweek's analysis of Musk's contested legacy).

Legal headwinds have continued, with a Washington D.C. district judge allowing lawsuits over Musk's and DOGE's authority to proceed and highlighting significant constitutional concerns about non-Senate-confirmed leadership wielding executive power (CNBC's detailed legal coverage).

Challenges from state attorneys general, civil rights groups, and unions center on issues ranging from privacy and due process to the definition of “advisory” versus “permanent” authority.

As Musk returns to the private sector, the debate over the long-term impact of DOGE's mass layoffs and AI adoption continues, with the Supreme Court now reviewing DOGE's standing.

According to the Times of India's timeline, DOGE's achievements, setbacks, and unresolved legal questions will shape discussions about the future role of technology leaders in public service.

Initial Savings Claim	Current Estimate	Largest Staff Cuts (Sector)
$2 trillion	$160–$175 billion	Government (over 280,000 jobs)

As New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in support of continued litigation,

“This decision is an important milestone for preserving America's system of checks and balances.”

As Tyler, TX moves deeper into the age of AI, the coming years promise both opportunity and complexity. AI's role in government, business, and daily life is rapidly expanding, with calls for ethical and human-centered innovation guiding its adoption in the public sector.

As Kristine Lim of Tyler Technologies notes,

“Taking a human-centered approach to AI in the public sector is what should drive AI innovation so that we are serving communities correctly.”

Local and statewide forecasts suggest robust tech-driven job growth and demographic changes, yet challenges like labor shortages and rapid automation demand adaptability and foresight (2025 Hiring Insights for Texas Workforce Trends).

Workforce experts warn that while upskilling and reskilling programs are essential for long-term resilience, they are not a cure-all as AI accelerates job displacement (AI's Reckoning: Addressing Job Loss in the Age of Intelligence).

To succeed, Tyler must invest in continuous training, embrace transparent and ethical implementation, and foster partnerships across education, industry, and government, ensuring that AI augments - rather than replaces - human work.

Residents and leaders can look to actionable strategies from the latest Tyler Tech Podcast on AI in the Public Sector: Guidance, Ethics, and Impact, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies, robust oversight, and a commitment to equipping people for the evolving workforce.

The path forward will require the courage to lead with transparency, the will to upskill, and the compassion to humanize technology as Tyler navigates its bright but complex future.