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

Waco's technology landscape is undergoing a transformation, driven by ambitious AI adoption, large-scale infrastructure projects, and expanded education initiatives.

LSPS Solutions' recent contract with NCTCOG will introduce AI-powered chatbots, predictive maintenance, and smart city technologies to streamline public sector operations across Waco and North Texas, enhancing everything from 911 emergency response to water management (AI public-sector innovations by LSPS Solutions).

Citywide, Waco is investing more than $300 million in overlapping infrastructure improvements, including the $100 million Floyd Casey site redevelopment and the $25.3 million Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park, all tied to downtown's growth and a smart, equitable approach to regional mobility (Waco's Floyd Casey redevelopment project and infrastructure upgrades).

Meanwhile, education is evolving: Baylor University's new AI-focused curriculum and local K-12 districts' classroom use of real-time translation tools illustrate a region preparing residents for tomorrow's tech-driven job market (AI integration in Central Texas classrooms).

Waco's May/June 2025 momentum demonstrates a strategic alignment of smart investments, workforce upskilling, and collaborative innovation across sectors.

LSPS Solutions, a Texas-based consulting firm specializing in municipal efficiency, has secured a significant five-year contract with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to provide artificial intelligence (AI) solutions across public sector entities, including Waco, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

This contract - available through the NCTCOG's TXShare cooperative program - enables over 230 cities and agencies to streamline procurement and accelerate the adoption of smart technologies without custom infrastructure investments.

LSPS Solutions' expertise ranges from intelligent chatbots for citizen inquiries to predictive maintenance and AI-powered emergency response, directly addressing the technological gaps faced by smaller municipalities with limited IT resources.

As Lynn Short, President of LSPS Solutions, notes,

“Our mission has always been to help communities operate smarter and more efficiently. Through this contract, we can bring the latest AI innovations to more city halls, public agencies and healthcare institutions across North Texas, improving the quality and efficiency of services for citizens.”

The statewide push for scalable government innovation is further supported by LSPS's recent TIPS-approved vendor status, making advanced AI solutions accessible to public entities nationwide and reducing administrative barriers for rapid deployment.

For more on the NCTCOG contract and its scope, visit the official announcement of LSPS Solutions' NCTCOG AI partnership, review LSPS's detailed contract overview, or learn how cooperative purchasing is reshaping public tech procurement in their TIPS vendor announcement.

Meta is redefining the digital assistant landscape with the launch of its standalone Meta AI app, now accessible to anyone with a Meta or Facebook account and fully integrated with the latest Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

Powered by the advanced Llama 4 model, the app enables highly personalized voice and text interactions, drawing on user engagement across Meta platforms for tailored responses - while users retain control over what information the AI remembers or forgets.

Seamlessly bridging mobile devices and wearables, Ray-Ban Meta glasses users can initiate tasks, translate text, control features, or even livestream hands-free via voice command, with continuous AI support both on the glasses and in the app.

Notably, the app introduces a Discover feed for sharing and remixing popular AI prompts, alongside rich new features like on-device image generation and editing, all designed for natural, conversational engagement.

This comprehensive AI experience positions Meta to compete directly with rival AI platforms such as Gemini Live and ChatGPT (Meta AI app official announcement, analysis of the Meta AI app and Ray-Ban integration).

For a closer look at the evolution of smart eyewear, including new frame styles, livestream features, and real-time translation using Meta AI's multimodal capabilities, visit the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses feature update page.

Feature	Meta AI App & Glasses	Gemini Live	ChatGPT
Voice Interaction	Full-duplex, natural, on-device and glasses	Advanced, real-time voice conversation	Text-based, some talk-to-text
Image Generation	Yes, via app and glasses	Yes, included in free plan	Limited (free plan, test images)
Device Integration	Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Ray-Ban Meta glasses	Google Account ecosystem	Standalone

This year's tech layoffs have hit historic levels, with over 62,000 jobs lost across 137 companies as AI-driven automation and economic upheaval reshape the tech landscape nationwide - including in Waco, Texas.

Major players like Microsoft, IBM, and Google are aggressively streamlining their workforces, with 2025 marking more than 50,000 tech jobs cut by May alone, a figure surpassing prior years' records and accelerating workforce disruption as detailed in OpenTools' 2025 AI layoffs analysis.

The roles most at risk are entry-level positions and functions tied to routine, repetitive tasks, such as software engineering, HR, administrative support, and customer service.

In response, Waco's academic institutions - Baylor University and McLennan Community College (MCC) - are launching new training programs in partnership with General Assembly to arm local learners with in-demand tech skills, particularly in Python and IT fundamentals.

As Dr. Jeremy Vickers of Baylor notes,

“Digital and cyber-related skills are necessary for the next generation workforce to effectively compete for jobs in the marketplace, and we are excited to offer these programs jointly in the greater Waco community.”

Nationally, experts stress upskilling in AI, cloud services, and cybersecurity as essential to navigating the ongoing workforce transformation.

The World Economic Forum forecasts that 44% of worker skills will be disrupted over the next five years, with AI job postings increasing twentyfold in 2024 according to Computerworld's workforce disruption report.

Locally, upskilling has never been more pressing: MCC's new short courses are specifically designed to bridge the cyber talent gap and position Waco's workers for resilience amid change as spotlighted by McLennan Community College's 2025 initiative.

Microsoft has kicked off fiscal year 2025 with robust double-digit growth, reporting $65.6 billion in Q1 revenue - a 16% year-over-year increase - driven by surging demand for its Azure cloud services (up 33%), AI-powered offerings like Microsoft 365 Copilot, and steady momentum in its enterprise software segments.

The company's Intelligent Cloud unit posted a standout $24.1 billion in revenue, growing 20%, while total cloud revenue reached $38.9 billion, up 22%. CEO Satya Nadella attributed these gains to an ongoing “AI-driven transformation changing work, work artifacts, and workflow across every role, function, and business process,” with Azure OpenAI usage and Copilot adoption both doubling in recent quarters.

Microsoft's AI business is now the fastest-growing segment in company history, projected to surpass a $10 billion annual run rate by Q2 2025. However, Microsoft faces new competition as OpenAI and partners launch a $1.2 gigawatt data center in Texas to diversify beyond Microsoft's scalability, a $11.6 billion bet on next-gen AI infrastructure highlighted in Texas AI expansion news.

Microsoft's commitment to meet AI demand is reflected in $20 billion in recent capital expenditures, split between expanding data centers and acquiring the latest AI server hardware as analyzed in detailed Q1 FY2025 reports.

Yet even as competitors invest in new infrastructure, Microsoft's financial resilience is underscored by its diversified portfolio and scale, as illustrated below:

Q1 2025 Segment	Revenue (USD $B)	Change YoY
Intelligent Cloud	24.1	+20%
Azure & Cloud Services	-	+33%
Productivity & Business Processes	28.3	+12%
Net Income	24.7	+11%

“AI-driven transformation is changing work, work artifacts, and workflow across every role, function, and business process. We are expanding our opportunity and winning new customers as we help them apply our AI platforms and tools to drive new growth and operating leverage.” - Satya Nadella, CEO

For a comprehensive look at Microsoft's ongoing AI and cloud-driven success - and the challenges ahead as rivals like OpenAI scale their footing - visit the official Q1 FY25 earnings release and analysis.

Intel's decisive jury victory in its longstanding patent battle with VLSI Technology may significantly impact Waco's emerging status as a hub for high-stakes patent litigation.

In a 2025 verdict led by US District Judge Alan Albright, the jury found that Fortress Investment Group - controller of both VLSI and cybersecurity firm Finjan - satisfies the "common control" condition that activates Intel's 2012 patent license agreement with Finjan.

This ruling potentially nullifies more than $3 billion in previous VLSI verdicts against Intel, including the $2.18 billion Waco award of 2021, which had been under appeal and review in various courts.

Read more about the verdict and its licensing implications.

The legal conflict underscores Waco's attraction for patent plaintiffs, with a plaintiff win rate of about 55% and a track record of multimillion-dollar awards, though juries often award less than plaintiffs request.

See the data below for context on jury outcomes:

Total Patent Jury Trials (Waco, last 4+ years)	Plaintiff Wins	Median Plaintiff Award as % of Request
20	11 (55%)	75%

Legal analysts argue that the Intel-VLSI decision brings further scrutiny to fund-backed patent litigation and the use of broad licensing agreements - often hinging on the definition of terms like "affiliate." As Bloomberg Law reports,

“Because you have more control of the entities, it doesn't mean you're not a funder, you're a super funder. You're funding the case and you're a client.”

Explore an in-depth breakdown of the parties and legal strategies.

This evolving landscape, intensified by judicial reforms targeting venue selection and judge shopping in Texas, may usher in fairer outcomes and deter frivolous filings, thereby reshaping Waco's patent docket in the years ahead.

For further precedent and the details surrounding past verdicts, findings, and appellate reversals, view the comprehensive trial history in Key jury rulings in the Intel vs. VLSI conflict.

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, in collaboration with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), has rolled out four AI-powered SmartSort recycling bins that are setting new standards for sustainability in public spaces.

These bins, developed by SmartSort Technologies Inc., use integrated cameras and screens to guide travelers in sorting waste, recycling, and compost correctly, providing instant feedback and collecting valuable data to track and improve waste diversion efforts - a system that could serve as inspiration for future sustainability initiatives in Waco.

According to DFW's VP of Environmental Affairs,

“The introduction of AI-powered recycling bins enhances the traveler experience and reinforces our efforts to create a more sustainable airport through innovation and technology.”

This initiative follows previous successful deployments, including 21 bins at the American Airlines Center, and aligns with DFW's ambitious goal to become a zero-waste facility by significantly increasing recycling rates and composting practices.

For Waco, where Coca-Cola also recently opened a new 120,000-square-foot distribution center, SmartSort's real-time data collection and public engagement could offer a practical template for more transparent and effective municipal waste management.

For deeper insights, visit the BusinessWire announcement on Coca-Cola's SmartSort partnership, learn about DFW Airport's environmental targets in The Cool Down's spotlight on AI recycling bins, and explore industry impact coverage in The Shelby Report's overview of Coca-Cola's AI sustainability drive.

Initiative	Location/Deployment	Key Features
SmartSort AI Recycling Bins	DFW Airport (4 units) American Airlines Center (21 units)	Camera-enabled sorting, real-time feedback, data tracking, public education
Long-Term Goal	DFW Airport	Zero-waste facility, 90% landfill diversion, expanded composting

This month, the spotlight is on the ongoing political debate over “woke AI” and fairness in artificial intelligence, as national scrutiny intensifies on Big Tech's moderation practices.

The House Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan, has subpoenaed sixteen major technology firms - including Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI - demanding extensive documentation of communications with the Biden-Harris administration concerning AI content moderation and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) objectives GOP subpoenas Big Tech for evidence that Biden made AI woke.

At the core of this inquiry is whether executive influence led to the suppression or alteration of lawful speech through AI, a contention amplified after the U.S. Commerce Department removed “AI fairness” and “responsible AI” from official priorities, instead emphasizing “ideological bias” and economic competitiveness Political debate targets AI fairness and “woke AI” efforts.

These actions follow high-profile incidents, such as Google's Gemini AI generating racially and historically inaccurate images, fueling conservative criticism of tech's DEI strategies and prompting further questions about government intervention.

A table of recent AI bias examples illustrates persistent systemic challenges:

Issue	Description
Self-driving cars	Poor detection of darker-skinned pedestrians, increasing risk
AI image/text generators	Surgeons depicted as white men ~98% of the time
Face recognition software	Frequent misidentification of Asian faces and wrongful arrests of Black men
Google Photos app	Mislabeling Black individuals as “gorillas”

As investigations widen, reactions from industry and policymakers remain sharply divided.

Rumble's spokesperson commented:

“We look forward to sharing information related to the ongoing efforts of numerous governments around the globe who seek to suppress the innate human right to self expression.”

The political ramifications are set to shape the future landscape of AI governance, innovation, and civil liberties, as explored further in this in-depth US News report on tech industry and government clashes over AI fairness.

Central Texas is poised for a surge in AI and robotics innovation with the launch of the Endless Frontiers Institute in Austin and Waco, powered by a $1.7 million grant from Baylor University and a decade-long collaborative mission with institutions like Rice and Texas A&M. The Institute features the inaugural Inman Prize for American Innovation - to be awarded next year - to honor technological breakthroughs in fields from defense tech to aerospace and manufacturing.

The Endless Frontiers Institute spotlights Texas as a critical hub for advancing U.S. tech leadership, uniting experts in academia, policy, and venture capital.

This local momentum coincides with the AI for Defense Transformation Summit in Austin (May 20–21, 2025), where military, industry, and startup leaders will cover programs like Project Maven and Project Linchpin, emphasizing Texas's pivotal role in national security innovation.

As highlighted in the event's agenda, these initiatives are shaping military AI's future by blending government, academia, and private sector breakthroughs (explore the summit agenda for deeper insights).

This growing ecosystem makes Texas - and especially Waco - a magnet for investment, talent, and sustainable tech development, ensuring it leads not just in innovation, but in the responsible application of tomorrow's AI and robotics tools.

Institute Features	Details
Launch Grant	$1.7 million (Baylor University)
Primary Locations	Austin & Waco
Focus Areas	AI, robotics, defense tech, cybersecurity, critical minerals
Key Partners	Rice, UT, Texas A&M, Baylor, Council on Foreign Relations
Inman Prize	Annual award for innovation

Nextech3D.ai's decision to migrate its flagship MAP Dynamics event management platform to Amazon Web Services (AWS) signifies a major leap for Texas' event tech sector, promising accelerated feature deployment, improved scalability, and a superior customer experience.

The shift from Liquid Web to AWS lays the groundwork for MAP Dynamics to integrate cutting-edge AI tools - such as automated attendee matchmaking, intelligent booth recommendations, and real-time behavioral insights - while supporting robust security and global reach.

CEO Evan Gappelberg described the move as

“foundational for MAP Dynamics as an AI-native event platform,”

emphasizing faster rollout of AI-driven features and enhanced real-time performance.

Nextech's workforce was also rewarded via a share purchase warrant program, aligning employee incentives with the company's growth plan. The firm's positioning is further underscored by positive analyst coverage targeting continued expansion in AI-powered 3D modeling and event management markets.

Key advantages of the AWS migration are captured in the following table:

Feature	Description
Rapid AI Feature Deployment	Machine learning and predictive analytics support automated event insights
Intelligent Scalability	Dynamic AI allocation ensures performance even during peak traffic
Enterprise-Grade Security	AWS tools with AI-powered anomaly detection and 24/7 monitoring
Near-Zero Downtime	Redundant infrastructure and automated failovers for seamless experience

For deeper insight into Nextech3D.ai's migration strategy and market positioning, see the detailed Nextech3D.ai AWS migration press release on KXAN, TipRanks' analysis on Nextech3D.ai's AWS migration and workforce incentives, and regional coverage by the Weatherford Democrat article on Nextech3D.ai's AWS transition.

This month's tech landscape spotlighted a defining moment in AI industry ethics as Microsoft faced significant internal dissent over its contracts with the Israeli military.

During the company's annual Build developer conference, engineer Joe Lopez interrupted CEO Satya Nadella's keynote to protest Microsoft Azure's role in Israeli operations in Gaza, demanding that Microsoft “cease our technological support for Israel” and warning, “If leadership continues to ignore this demand, I promise that it won't go unnoticed.

The world has already woken up to our complicity and is turning against us” (Microsoft employee disrupts Satya Nadella's keynote).

Lopez's protest echoed prior incidents, including similar disruptions and firings at both Microsoft's anniversary celebration and Google, reflecting a broader suppression of employee activism in Big Tech.

As detailed by the Washington Post article on Silicon Valley worker activism, companies are increasingly intolerant of worker activism, evidenced by rejected petitions, removals of critical posts, and rapid terminations - especially when activism centers on AI ethics, war, and human rights.

In response to public and internal scrutiny, Microsoft asserted in an official statement that internal and external reviews “found no evidence” its cloud or AI tools were used to target or harm civilians, maintaining its policies prohibit such use while acknowledging its commercial contract with the Israeli Ministry of Defense (Microsoft official statement on technology services in Israel and Gaza).

The episode underscores the growing tension between tech worker conscience, corporate responsibility, and global politics - setting an urgent precedent for how Waco-area professionals might consider activism, employment security, and ethical engagement in the rapidly evolving AI sector.

Waco's emergence as a dynamic tech and business hub exemplifies Texas' sustained economic momentum, marked by strategic investments in advanced manufacturing and infrastructure.

The city's growth is fueled by diversified industries - from billion-dollar packaging and transformer plants to an expanded Amazon presence - and transformational partnerships with Baylor University, which has spurred downtown revitalization and increased tourism.

As highlighted in Southwest Economy's interview with former Mayor Malcolm Duncan,

“Waco was never a hub for home decoration and home remodeling. We are now,”

underscoring the city's reinvention following the success of HGTV's Fixer Upper.

Driven by civic leaders like Councilwoman Andrea Barefield, Waco's $15–$20 million in targeted investments are reconnecting historically underserved areas through infrastructure upgrades, mixed-use developments, and upcoming educational hubs such as the STEAM Learning Center, expected to serve all ages starting January 2026 (Waco's Revival and Cultural Reconnection).

Bolstered by Texas' nation-leading job creation and pro-business environment - over 1,368 capital investment projects and a GDP surpassing $2.6 trillion in 2024 - Waco's future hinges on inclusive workforce development, resilient infrastructure, and embracing both its unique heritage and new technology industries (see more in the Texas Economic Outlook 2025).

By staying focused on education, health, and smart growth, Waco is poised to shape Texas' continued ascent as a national technology and innovation leader.