AGP Executive Report

Tech Policy: A federal appeals court cleared Florida to enforce its law restricting social media accounts for children under 14, while disputes over surveillance cameras continue: state officials ordered license-plate readers off state roads, and an FIU student’s challenge helped prompt their removal. Space Science: Miniature hearts and brains launched from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX resupply mission will study how microgravity and radiation affect organs, offering clues about aging in space and on Earth. Energy Research: USF researchers and TECO are developing technology aimed at preventing power outages. Water Innovation: A new treatment system under development in Tampa could transform the city’s water supply.

Water Innovation: Tampa is moving ahead with a treatment system designed to process up to 140 million gallons of drinking water a day. A pilot found it improved organic-material removal and reduced chemical use. Grid Resilience: USF and Tampa Electric are developing a $3.8 million digital model of the power grid to help spot trouble before it causes outages. Youth Online Safety: A federal appeals court cleared the way for Florida to enforce its law barring children under 14 from opening social media accounts, a ruling that could require platforms to verify users’ ages. Space Research: A SpaceX resupply mission delivered science experiments and solar arrays to the International Space Station, completing its power upgrade. Florida Science: FSU physicists received a Department of Energy grant for quantum-computing research, while a separate FSU project aims to improve nighttime thunderstorm forecasts. USF researchers are also using 3D mapping to assess flood risks.

AI Oversight: In West Palm Beach, Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized OpenAI chief Sam Altman’s view that society should accept some harms in exchange for AI’s benefits, arguing the public should help set those trade-offs. Space Research: A SpaceLinTech experiment launched from Cape Canaveral is headed to the International Space Station to study protein crystals in microgravity, which could aid drug research. Quantum Computing: FSU physicists received a Department of Energy grant for quantum computing research. Storm Forecasting: An FSU scientist won an NSF grant to improve forecasts of nighttime thunderstorms. Cancer Research: A team led by USF Health and Tampa General Hospital found that changes in the tumor environment may help metastatic colorectal cancer evade immune attack. Workforce Training: South Florida State College and the University of Florida received $4.65 million over five years to expand career pathways, including programs in precision agriculture.

Biomedical Research: A University of Florida lab is working on longer-lasting HIV therapies designed to keep the virus suppressed and reduce chronic inflammation. Ocean Mapping: USF received a NOAA award to expand its seafloor-mapping work, adding to Florida’s capacity to study coastal waters. Medical Innovation: Moffitt is set to open a research wing at its Speros campus in Pasco County. Aerospace Education: Eastern Florida State College has opened a new aerospace center in Titusville, strengthening training near the Space Coast.

Space Research: A SpaceX cargo mission scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral is carrying brain organoids for neurological-disease research, plus artificial-retina and heart-tissue experiments and new space-station solar arrays. Research Leadership: An FSU computer scientist has been named a National Science Foundation program director, adding Florida expertise to a federal research agency. Tech Access: Google is offering 500 free technology certifications through a Miami nonprofit, while Tampa Bay Wave has selected 13 startups for its fintech accelerator. Public Oversight: Florida’s attorney general plans to investigate Broward County school technology contracts worth more than $40 million after a watchdog alleged bid-rigging and falsified paperwork.

Space Science: Florida Tech researcher John Kiss helped analyze a study of how water behaves under lunar gravity, research that could guide irrigation for future moon farms. The experiment flew on a Blue Origin rocket, and results suggest water’s increased surface tension could make it harder to move on the moon. Florida Research: A USF team is using 3D technology to map flood risks and help communities prepare for storms, while an FSU computer scientist has been appointed a National Science Foundation program director. Tech Industry: SecureWon, a New England cybersecurity and IT company, has opened a Sarasota office and plans to grow its Florida workforce; its services include AI-readiness checks for organizations. Storm Recovery: Hurricane Isaias disrupted communications across the Gulf Coast. The FCC reported cell-site outages and thousands of subscribers without service as power and network repairs continued.

Emergency Communications: Tampa-based Blue Purpose founder Don Glidewell secured a third U.S. patent for BOOMBOX, technology designed to keep organizations connected during emergencies. Court Technology: Florida’s new CaseAccess service offers subscribers a single search across case information from all 67 counties. Storm Science: AI hurricane models featured in preparations as Isaias approached Florida. Marine Research: A new underwater research habitat off the Florida Keys is designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. Space Research: USF students are preparing a wound-healing hydrogel experiment for the International Space Station. Resilient Design: FAMU-FSU researchers are developing wall and roof designs to withstand hurricane-force winds, while FIU plans to bring Miami’s first quantum computer to campus in 2027.

Ocean Science: A 220-ton underwater research habitat has been installed off the Florida Keys, designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. Everglades Tech: Researchers are testing drones to track Burmese pythons, including a tagged 16-foot snake, in hopes of making surveys faster and safer. Storm Resilience: AI hurricane models were in focus as Isaias approached Florida, while FAMU-FSU researchers developed wall and roof designs to better withstand hurricane-force winds. Quantum Computing: FIU plans to bring Miami’s first quantum computer to campus in 2027. Tech Education: Tampa’s King High School plans to replace its IB program with an AI, cybersecurity and computing magnet in 2028, with university and business partnerships. Maritime Innovation: UWF’s WAVE program is linking the Port of Pensacola with maritime engineering.

Everglades Drone Research: Scientists are testing drones and radio tags to find Burmese pythons, including a 16-foot snake, aiming to make surveys faster and safer. Storm Forecasting: AI hurricane models were in focus as Isaias approached Florida, while USF researchers are using 3D technology to map flood risks and help communities prepare. Safer Buildings: FAMU-FSU researchers developed wall and roof designs intended to withstand hurricane-force winds. Quantum Computing: FIU plans to bring Miami its first quantum computer in 2027, expanding the state’s research capabilities. Clean Energy: A Florida City wastewater facility is adding solar panels, part of a push to power public infrastructure with renewable energy.

Space Safety: Florida Tech’s Don Platt warns that growing satellite traffic raises collision risks. SpaceX says it recorded about 164,000 close approaches in six months and is calling for better tracking and coordination. Storm Technology: AI forecasting models drew attention as Hurricane Isaias approached, while T-Mobile crews worked to restore service after outages, many tied to power loss. Wildlife Research: Scientists are testing drones to track Burmese pythons in the Everglades, aiming to make surveys faster and safer. Cybersecurity: Federal prosecutors charged the Florida owner of ransomware recovery firm MonsterCloud, alleging he secretly paid hackers more than $8 million while telling clients his company could recover files without paying ransoms.

Hurricane Forecasting: Experimental AI models pushed Hurricane Isaias’s projected path east toward Florida, while traditional models initially favored Alabama and Mississippi. Forecasters blended both approaches before the storm made landfall near Destin. Miami’s Tech Pipeline: Citadel CEO Ken Griffin pledged $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon, including $2 billion for a planned Miami campus aimed at training talent and attracting tech companies. Storm-Resistant Design: FAMU-FSU researchers found wave-shaped building surfaces cut peak wind pressures by up to 60% in wind-tunnel tests; USF researchers are also using 3D technology to map flood risks. Wildlife Tracking: Scientists are testing drones to locate and track Burmese pythons in the Everglades, where difficult terrain makes ground searches costly. AI in Policing: Lakeland approved a nearly $22 million Axon contract that includes software to draft police reports from body-camera audio, raising concerns about accuracy and transparency.

Hurricane Readiness: As Category 3 Hurricane Isaias approaches Florida’s Panhandle, USF researchers are using vehicle-mounted LiDAR to map how home elevations affect flood damage and improve future risk planning. Robotic Surgery: Jacksonville-based Medical Microinstruments raised $125 million to expand its robotic microsurgery system and study new uses; surgeons have performed about 3,500 procedures with it worldwide. Defense Technology: At Camp Blanding, the Florida National Guard tested drones and shared command tools in an exercise with Army, Navy and Marine units. Storm-Resilient Design: FAMU-FSU researchers found that wave-shaped walls and roofs reduced peak wind pressure by up to 60% in wind-tunnel tests. Cybersecurity Careers: Polk State launched a registered cybersecurity apprenticeship with the Florida Department of Education, while FAU secured a NIST grant to build South Florida’s quantum cybersecurity workforce.

Space Research: USF students are preparing to send a wound-healing hydrogel experiment to the International Space Station, putting a Florida-led project in orbit. Cybersecurity Workforce: Polk State College and the Florida Department of Education are rebuilding a paid cybersecurity apprenticeship to meet strong demand for skilled workers. Cybercrime: Florida cybersecurity company owner Zohar Pinhasi was charged with allegedly misleading ransomware victims and secretly paying hackers; prosecutors say his company collected more than $19 million from clients. Quantum Computing: FIU plans to bring Miami’s first quantum computer to campus in 2027. Storm Resilience: FAMU-FSU researchers are developing wall and roof designs to better withstand hurricane-force winds.

Spaceflight: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 returned after 237 days aboard the International Space Station. The mission launched from Cape Canaveral, where Florida’s space industry remains central to crewed flights. Tech Policy: Florida is asking a court to force Meta to tighten Facebook and Instagram safeguards for young users, keeping the state’s fight over platform design and child safety in focus. Transportation: The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $416 million for Florida rail-crossing safety upgrades and a new Brightline station. Research: FIU plans to bring Miami its first quantum computer in 2027, while FAMU-FSU researchers are developing wall and roof designs to better withstand hurricane-force winds. AI and Education: FAU is leading a $5.7 million effort to improve literacy and prepare educators to use artificial intelligence.

Quantum Computing: FIU plans to bring Miami’s first quantum computer to campus in 2027, expanding Florida’s research capacity in a fast-growing field. Hurricane Resilience: FAMU-FSU engineers have developed wave-shaped wall and roof designs intended to better withstand hurricane-force winds. Data Center Debate: Florida voters are among those weighing ballot measures on data center construction, as communities grapple with the facilities’ benefits and local costs. Cybersecurity: Florida joined three other states in suing TP-Link, alleging misleading claims about router security and the company’s ties to China. Environmental Research: An FSU doctoral candidate is advancing technology to destroy PFAS through an NSF program, while Florida students are turning damaged road signs into underwater habitats for marine life.

Orbital Safety: Florida Tech’s Don Platt says growing satellite traffic raises collision risks. SpaceX reported about 164,000 close calls in six months and is urging operators to share flight data. Aviation Dispute: A Tampa jury ordered air-taxi maker Joby Aviation to pay Clearwater supplier Aerosonic about $116.9 million in a trade-secrets case; Joby disputes the verdict. Hurricane Research: FAMU-FSU engineers are developing wave-shaped walls and roofs designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. Cybersecurity: Florida Atlantic University received a NIST grant to build a quantum cybersecurity workforce. Florida Science: UF mosquito researchers reported an unexpected discovery in yard habitats, while a Florida State doctoral candidate is advancing PFAS-destruction technology through an NSF program. Medical Technology: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital performed Florida’s first pediatric cardiac robotic surgery.