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

Wilmington's tech momentum surged in May 2025 as major investments, top ecosystem rankings, and new events reinforced its reputation as a coastal powerhouse for innovation.

The city claimed the title of the world's top small city for startups - highlighted at the annual Investor Buzz In startup event in Wilmington NC, where founders, investors, and experts spotlighted advancements in AI, fintech, and life sciences.

Amazon's robotics fulfillment center neared completion, set to be the state's largest and most automated, bringing over 1,000 tech-forward jobs and $51 million in annual payroll to the region (Amazon fulfillment center construction news at StarNews Online).

Complementing this, a new 45Drives Creator Summit in September will debut 45Studio, further driving creative and enterprise computing from Wilmington's evolving tech infrastructure (45Drives 2025 Creator Summit event details on Yahoo Finance).

As new investment, manufacturing, and event activity continue to rise, Wilmington's collaborative network is poised to foster top-tier talent and digital innovation across sectors.

Skillmaker.AI, headquartered in Wilmington, is spearheading a transformation in workforce development by revolutionizing vocational training with AI-driven extended reality (XR) solutions.

Led by entertainment veteran Robin Cowie, the platform dramatically reduces the time required to train skilled workers - cutting auto technician onboarding from up to two years to just 25 days through immersive simulations, real-time AI feedback, and on-the-job smart glasses integration.

In partnership with NAPA Auto Care centers, the NAPA Autotech XcceleratoR program - powered by Skillmaker - has been officially recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) as a fast-track certification pathway, launching a year-long assessment to validate its effectiveness (ASE recognition of NAPA Autotech XcceleratoR certification program).

Skillmaker's approach is lauded for accelerating technician productivity, meeting urgent industry labor shortages, and supporting diverse hands-on sectors from automotive to critical infrastructure (Innovative workforce training methods by Wilmington entrepreneur).

As Cowie describes,

“With our combination of virtual reality, mixed reality and smart glasses, [we] ultimately reduce the amount of time that it takes to go from zero to an entry level auto repair technician from two years to 25 days.”

The platform comprises three phases: initial skill assessment via mixed reality, accelerated hands-on guided training, and persistent access to an AI-powered knowledge base (“chatGPT for auto techs”).

Endorsements from industry leaders cement Wilmington's place at the forefront of skill innovation: Skillmaker.ai's extended reality training impact and model for regional workforce education offers a model for other regions striving to modernize workforce education.

Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) is set to elevate Wilmington's tech landscape with the launch of its pioneering Artificial Intelligence Technology program this fall.

Open for enrollment now, the program combines hands-on experience with foundational coursework across core AI areas, including data analysis, natural language processing, computer vision, and ethical considerations.

CFCC's curriculum is designed to prepare students for fast-growing roles in sectors such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, and logistics. President Jim Morton notes,

“We are excited to offer a new program that meets the evolving needs of our workforce and provides students with relevant, future-forward skills. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every industry, from healthcare to finance to manufacturing, and CFCC is preparing students to thrive in this dynamic environment.”

The full associate degree pathway includes both classroom and laboratory components, as outlined in this simplified table of first-year coursework:

Course	Title	Credits
CIS 110	Introduction to Computers	3
CSC 113	Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals	3
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
MAT 152	Statistical Methods 1	4
CSC 112	Machine Learning Computation	3
CSC 114	Artificial Intelligence I	3
CSC 121	Python Programming	3

Graduates will be well positioned for high-demand jobs as AI engineers, data scientists, and more.

For detailed program information and admission steps, visit the official CFCC Artificial Intelligence Technology program page, read the news announcement from CFCC, and explore in-depth reporting on CFCC's AI initiative at AI Tech Trend.

Pender County Schools is taking significant steps to lead North Carolina in responsible AI integration, proposing a suite of new and updated policies aimed at balancing innovation and safety in the classroom.

The district's forthcoming policies - spanning Integrity and Civility, Technology in the Education Program, Responsible Use, and a dedicated Generative AI Guidance - are designed to address issues like academic honesty, privacy, and proper instructional usage.

According to district leaders, these changes stem from student and teacher feedback and a growing need to equip graduates for an AI-driven workforce, as research shows 71% of hiring executives now prefer candidates with AI skills.

Development is guided by community consultation and state recommendations, and Superintendent Brad Breedlove emphasizes that it's about “critical thinking” and helping students “make it their own.”

“It can be thought of as an educational tool but can also be misused, just like any other educational tool out there,”

said Assistant Superintendent Kevin Taylor.

These policy reforms arrive as AI-generated plagiarism cases grow and align with regional shifts and proposed state legislation like Senate Bill 640, which seeks to establish K–12 AI education standards.

For a detailed breakdown of the policies and their focus areas, see the table below. For more insights into how Pender County is shaping its AI education landscape, read coverage by WECT on new AI classroom policies, this in-depth look at Pender's generative AI policy development, and the latest updates on the ongoing board discussions.

Policy	Focus
4310: Integrity and Civility	Promotes academic honesty, addresses AI misuse
3220: Technology in Education Program	Clarifies instructional use of Generative AI
3225/4312/7320: Responsible Use	Expands AI-specific behaviors and responsibilities
3221: Generative AI Guidance	Outlines safe, appropriate use for staff and students

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, along with 38 other bipartisan attorneys general, is pushing back against a federal proposal that would block states from enforcing regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) for a decade, warning that it would strip critical consumer protections already enacted by states.

The proposed amendment, part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," could halt North Carolina's ability to pursue cases such as the recent lawsuit against RealPage, a real estate software firm accused of using AI to enable rent price fixing - an allegation that led to over $3.8 billion in renter losses nationwide and substantial effects on Wilmington's fast-growing rental market.

North Carolina's recent legislative advances, including House Bill 591 (criminalizing AI-generated pornography and updating the revenge porn statute) and House Bill 375 (banning deepfake election content), could also be frozen by the federal moratorium.

As AG Jackson cautions,

"We're going to see AI everywhere in the next few years, and bad actors are going to intentionally misuse it to commit crimes and scam people. Our General Assembly has been taking the threat of AI seriously... The federal government shouldn't stop states from working to keep people safe."

The bipartisan coalition's letter to Congress highlights the risks of removing state oversight while offering no new federal safeguards against deepfakes and algorithmic price manipulation.

For detailed coverage on Jackson's opposition and the housing impacts, see AG Jackson's argument against the AI regulation ban, review the official NCDOJ statement on the federal AI amendment, and learn about the wider implications for consumer privacy at WNCT's report on state AI legislation.

North Carolina celebrated its tech sector achievements on May 11, 2025, as Governor Josh Stein officially proclaimed the date “Technology Day,” spotlighting the state's ninth-largest technology workforce and its national leadership in female representation within tech roles.

With more than 300,000 tech professionals statewide and one-third being women, North Carolina leads the nation for gender diversity in the sector, a point of pride highlighted at the Technology Day panel discussion on AI innovation.

Governor Stein's Technology Day proclamation highlighting North Carolina's tech workforce recognized the collaborative role of universities and community colleges in growing talent and innovation from Wilmington to the mountains.

The event, convened at the Lenovo Center and co-hosted by NC Tech and the North Carolina Economic Development Association, focused on AI's transformative potential and responsible use.

Teena Piccione, North Carolina Chief Information Officer, expressed future aspirations, while Lenovo's Scott Tease remarked,

“The real value of AI is humans plus machines working together.”

A key initiative aligned with this vision is the appointment of I-Sah Hsieh as the state's first executive for AI governance and policy, ensuring ethical and secure AI deployment across agencies, detailed in the official NCDIT press release on AI governance leadership.

North Carolina's commitment to inclusive, responsible tech leadership - amplified through panels, university-industry partnerships, and forward-looking policy - continues to solidify Wilmington's reputation as a diverse AI and technology hub.

For more details on the AI innovation discussions and industry outlook, explore WRAL's comprehensive coverage of North Carolina Technology Day 2025.

Wilmington's reputation as an emerging hub for autonomous delivery received a major boost this month as Arrive AI launched public trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol ARAI, following both institutional and crowdfunding rounds that brought total funding to $52 million.

The company's patented AI-powered Arrive Points™ network stands out with advanced features - secure chain-of-custody, real-time shipment tracking, smart alerts, and deep integration with smart home systems - helping solve persistent last-mile challenges.

Of particular note, Arrive AI's foundational patent for a universal delivery access point was filed just four days before Amazon's similar submission, signaling its early innovation edge.

CEO Dan O'Toole reflected,

“Building upon our initial patent filing in 2014... Today signifies a new dawn of secure, autonomous package delivery... We owe this milestone to our nearly 5,000 investors who believed in us since the start.”

Arrive AI's $40 million partnership with Streeterville Capital paves the way for high-growth deployments such as robotic healthcare deliveries and carbon-free courier collaborations.

The table below summarizes key company highlights and industry-first features:

Feature	Details
Funds Raised	$12M (crowdfunding) + $40M (institutional)
Public Debut	NASDAQ: ARAI (May 2025), Opening price $40
Delivery Modes	Drone, ground robot, human courier
Smart Integrations	Home security, doorbell, lighting

Learn more about Arrive AI's Nasdaq listing and strategic vision from the official Nasdaq announcement on Arrive AI, discover industry analysis in The Robot Report's coverage of Arrive AI's $40M funding and platform rollout, and read leadership commentary and business context at EnterpriseAIWorld's feature on Arrive AI's Nasdaq debut.

Wilmington-based Apiture has raised the bar for regional banking innovation with the launch of its new “Data IQ” framework, a comprehensive blueprint aimed at helping banks and credit unions evaluate and strengthen their data management strategy in the age of AI. Developed in partnership with Cornerstone Advisors and based on a survey of 128 financial institution executives, the “Data IQ” report reveals that nearly 75% of institutions are not high performers when it comes to data use, with most operating at only half their potential - struggling particularly with governance, integration, and real-time analytics needs.

The framework assesses effectiveness across five key categories: customer data, market data, transaction data, operational data, and governance.

Category	Key Finding
% High Performers	~25%
Average Data IQ Potential	~50%
Main Challenges	Technology gaps, siloed systems, governance, security, real-time analytics

“While AI promises significant efficiency gains and competitive advantages, many financial institutions find it challenging to bridge the gap between their existing data infrastructure and the complex demands of modern AI systems,” noted Ron Shevlin, Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors.

The framework offers actionable guidance, such as designing solutions around business outcomes, habitualizing data integrity, and using external expertise for greater efficiency.

For more on this evolving standard in digital banking, see Apiture's announcement of the Data IQ framework with Cornerstone Advisors, local coverage of Apiture's launch and survey results at Wilmington Business Journal, and the full industry research published by Cornerstone Advisors.

Wilmington, NC is strengthening its public health infrastructure with the launch of a new 24/7 AI-driven Mold Remediation Hotline, specifically designed to tackle the surging mold threats linked to hurricane-driven flooding and persistent coastal humidity.

This innovative emergency response network, as reported in local news coverage on Wilmington mold remediation hotline, connects residents to EPA-certified mold specialists at any hour, significantly reducing response times and improving outcomes for those affected by hazardous mold outbreaks.

The hotline uses artificial intelligence to triage calls, analyze reported symptoms or damage, and dispatch help more efficiently - a shift highlighted in industry insights, where restoration experts point to AI's accelerated data processing and customizable support in crisis management (explore AI's impact on restoration operations).

This marks a substantial technological leap for regional disaster resilience, as Wilmington residents previously relied on slower, less-coordinated methods for help during post-storm recovery.

The streamlined approach is underscored by the service's user-friendly new website, making it even easier for concerned homeowners to connect with assistance at a critical time (read about the website launch and eco-friendly solutions for mold removal).

Wilmington's rapid adoption of AI in public health not only innovates local emergency services, but may serve as a model for other coastal communities facing intensifying climate risks.

Wilmington families navigating the complex web of summer camps now have a powerful new ally in Campy.ai's AI-driven planning platform, co-founded by local parents Daniel Henderson and Brett Dooies.

Campy.ai leverages artificial intelligence to aggregate real-time camp information, allowing parents to filter options by dates, activities, and child profiles, then organize selections effortlessly using scenario planning and calendar tools.

Not only does it streamline the once manual process of checking separate websites and spreadsheets, but it also delivers timely alerts for cancellations, registration deadlines, weather updates, and even packing lists.

“It is overwhelming, for sure, as a parent, to try and navigate all the options, and even just discovering them is a process in itself,” shared Dooies, emphasizing their goal to make the process transparent and stress-free.

“The first thing we wanted to do is create a system that's going to make it transparent and obvious that here's all the options coming up next year or next summer, and we're going to help you remember when you need to actually take action on these things,”

he explained in a recent interview.

As Campy.ai moves from alpha launch into broader beta testing ahead of the 2026 season, it stands out for features like smart reminders, up-to-the-minute camp data, and easy sharing with caregivers.

For a detailed look at the founders' journey and Campy.ai's local impact, read WilmingtonBiz's exclusive interview with Dooies and Henderson.

For families interested in broader AI opportunities for youths this summer, programs such as UC Berkeley's “Camp for Gifted Youth” are among the 25 best AI camps for teens in 2025, combining STEM education with real-world innovation projects.

Wilmington's academic leaders are proactively shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, with UNC Wilmington (UNCW) at the forefront in both policy and pedagogy.

UNCW's guidelines stress responsible AI usage by safeguarding data privacy, upholding academic integrity, and requiring review of AI-generated content for errors or potential copyright infringements before sharing.

As detailed in UNCW's Responsible AI Use guide, all generative AI tool purchases must be vetted by ITS and adhere to strict data governance and compliance standards.

This approach is echoed in UNCW faculty policy statements, such as Dr. Lance Cummings' inviting students to “creatively experiment with AI without shame, fear, or guilt,” alongside reminders that, “AI may have biases or inaccuracies - always validate content” and to protect privacy, “If you wouldn't post it online, don't give it to AI.”

“Let's explore AI as a creative augment, not replacement, of skills.”

Curriculum innovation extends campus-wide, from integrating AI into Intelligent Systems Engineering to embedding information literacy frameworks across disciplines, guiding students to critically assess both opportunities and pitfalls of emerging technologies, as documented by numerous faculty projects in the Information Literacy Faculty Fellows initiative.

Regionally, these efforts parallel a national surge in state AI legislation focused on responsible use, provenance, and labor protections, with North Carolina introducing measures on algorithmic rent-fixing and education standards, as summarized in this 2025 legislative roundup.

Wilmington's experts are ensuring AI's transformative potential remains balanced with ethical oversight in both education and law.

Wilmington, NC's tech ecosystem stands at a pivotal moment - recent growth in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital innovation, and life sciences sets a promising trajectory for the city's future.

Strategic events like the upcoming 45Drives Creator Summit for open-source innovation are fueling Wilmington's reputation as a hub for both open-source innovation and creative industries, while local expansions by companies such as Vantaca are adding high-paying jobs and bolstering the region's fintech strength (Wilmington technology company expansion bringing $4.9M investment and 104 jobs).

Chamber of Commerce initiatives and targeted public incentives are enabling workforce training, supporting startups, and investing in infrastructure critical for sustained tech and economic prosperity.

Wilmington is also benefitting from North Carolina's surge in life science investments, with the Port City named among 12 key communities to receive part of the $10.8 billion in 2024 projects, boosting job opportunities and median wages across the industry (North Carolina's $10B+ life sciences investments in 2024).

As local and state leaders continue to prioritize community growth, skilled talent, and innovation, Wilmington's tech landscape is poised for both resilience and expansion - ensuring the city remains a competitive destination for entrepreneurs, established enterprises, and tech professionals alike.