AGP Executive Report

Undersea Autonomy: The U.S. Navy tested HADALUS, a low-cost, long-endurance unmanned undersea vehicle, at Portsmouth, Rhode Island—built fast with Raytheon and Composite Energy Technology. Maritime Defense Tech: Rhode Island-based Blue Ops (Red Cat) is partnering with Havoc to integrate collaborative autonomy across uncrewed surface vessels. AI + Ocean Science: University of Maine researchers are using AI to analyze “marine snow” chemistry from underwater imagery, funded by a nearly $700K NSF grant. Health & Research: URI received a $1.5M grant to study cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a driver of brain bleeds and cognitive decline. Public Safety vs Privacy: Woonsocket is debating Flock license-plate cameras as other cities cancel contracts over data ownership and safeguards. Housing Data Gap: A URI study estimates 5,641 Rhode Islanders experienced doubled-up homelessness from 2020–2024, excluded from federal counts. STEM Pipeline: NUWC Division Newport teams mentored students for SeaPerch, with Rhode Island squads qualifying for the international challenge.

Maritime Autonomy: Red Cat’s Blue Ops is partnering with Havoc to integrate collaborative autonomy software across multiple uncrewed surface vessels, aiming for coordinated multi-vessel operations for U.S. and allied defense customers. Local Tech & Research: UMaine researchers are using AI to analyze “marine snow” so scientists can better identify what sinking ocean particles contain, supported by a nearly $700,000 NSF grant. Health & Science: URI won a $1.5M grant to study cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a driver of brain bleeds and cognitive decline tied to Alzheimer’s, with goals including early biomarkers. Surveillance Privacy: Flock Safety is tightening rules for its license-plate reader network—shortening data retention and adding controls—after growing municipal pushback. Education: Rhode Island leaders kicked off “Attendance Matters,” citing a statewide drop in chronic absenteeism. STEM Outreach: NUWC Division Newport mentors teams for the SeaPerch underwater robotics challenge, expanding student access to autonomous systems.

Surveillance & Privacy: Flock Safety is tightening controls for its nationwide automated license plate reader network, recommending only 7-day data retention and adding tools to limit data sharing and flag abusive searches as more towns pause or cancel contracts. Public Safety Tech: Rhode Island leaders are also pushing “Attendance Matters,” touting a statewide drop in chronic absenteeism ahead of the school year. Defense & Autonomy: Blue Ops (Red Cat) and Havoc are partnering to integrate collaborative autonomy across uncrewed surface vessels under an open-architecture approach. AI + Health Research: WPI researchers are using AI to redesign biomolecules in E. coli Nissle to help bind lead—aimed at reducing neurological harm from contaminated water. Energy & Policy: A new 50-state analysis links climate and net-zero mandates to higher electricity rates, while Connecticut’s proposed RGGI updates could change emissions targets and costs for consumers. Local Tech Economy: L3Harris opened a new 50,000-square-foot maritime production facility at ProvPort in Providence to support undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy. STEM in the Community: URI’s 4-H Cooperative Extension is highlighting hands-on agriculture and science learning at the Washington County Fair.

AI + Water Safety: Researchers at WPI are using AI to redesign biomolecules in E. coli Nissle to bind lead—aiming to reduce neurological harm from contaminated water, building on Rhode Island water-systems support. Surveillance Tech Under Fire: Flock Safety is tightening privacy rules for its automated license plate readers (shorter data retention, more controls on sharing, case-code linking), as Rhode Island towns weigh cancellations and scrutiny grows after alleged misuse. Local Governance + Privacy: Providence’s Flock contract and nearby town actions (including votes to remove or pause cameras) keep the debate focused on who can access data and how it’s governed. Space Science: A meteorite that crashed through a New Jersey roof was analyzed for early-solar-system chemistry and amino acids—highlighting life-building ingredients from beyond Earth. Education Tech Funding: Rhode Island’s Department of Education secured $18M in federal grants for AI-supported literacy initiatives, targeting high-impact coaching and student achievement. Defense + Undersea Training: L3Harris opened a new $6M maritime production facility at ProvPort to scale advanced undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy and allies. Public Health in RI: Tiverton officials and residents are grappling with PFAS-contaminated private wells, with levels far above state benchmarks. Right to Repair: Rhode Island’s ongoing push for repair access continues via multiple bills covering electronics, wheelchairs, and farm equipment.

AI in public health: Researchers at WPI are using AI to redesign existing genetic code in E. coli Nissle to help bind lead—aiming to reduce neurological harm from even low-level exposure, with Rhode Island water-systems engineering support tied to the work. Surveillance and privacy: Flock Safety is tightening rules for its automated license plate reader network, recommending shorter data retention (seven days) and adding controls to limit data sharing and flag abusive searches as more towns pause or cancel contracts. Local governance tech fight (RI): Rhode Island communities are actively debating Flock cameras—Providence’s contract is set to expire in October, while Foster has tabled efforts to remove its cameras pending a company appearance, and Cumberland faces ACLU scrutiny after a false-arrest lawsuit raised concerns about what images are captured. Education funding with AI: Rhode Island secured more than $18M in federal grants for AI-supported literacy initiatives, including Project REACH and RISE-AI, to strengthen teaching and student outcomes. Blue economy defense manufacturing: L3Harris opened a new 50,000-square-foot ProvPort facility in Providence to build undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy and allied forces. Energy policy signal: Offshore wind in the Gulf faces a major setback after RWE agreed to relinquish U.S. leases in a $1.22B settlement, underscoring how federal policy is reshaping regional clean-energy plans.

Surveillance & Privacy: Flock Safety says it’s tightening controls for its automated license plate reader network, recommending 7-day data retention (down from 30) and adding tools to limit data sharing and flag abusive searches, as more towns pause or cancel contracts. Local Governance: Rhode Island communities are still wrestling with Flock fallout—Cumberland faces an ACLU challenge over whether the cameras capture more than plates, while Foster tabled a plan to remove its two cameras pending a company appearance. Defense Tech: L3Harris opened a 50,000-square-foot ProvPort facility in Providence to build advanced undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy and allied forces. Education & AI: RIDE secured $18M in federal grants for two AI-supported literacy initiatives, including Project REACH and RISE-AI. Energy & Climate: A new federal snapshot shows solar and batteries dominating U.S. utility-scale additions in 2026’s first half, while wind and natural gas lag. Public Health: Rhode Island’s PFAS crisis continues to escalate in Tiverton, where private wells reportedly show extremely high contamination levels. STEM Research: WPI researchers are using AI to help redesign biological components in E. coli Nissle to bind lead—aiming to reduce risk without adding new genetic code.

AI Literacy Funding: Rhode Island’s Department of Education landed $18M+ in federal grants for two AI-supported literacy initiatives—Project REACH ($10M) and RISE-AI ($8.4M)—aimed at boosting high-quality teaching and student achievement. Surveillance Privacy Fight: Flock Safety is tightening its license-plate reader rules nationwide, including cutting data retention to seven days and adding limits on data sharing as more towns and residents push back; in Rhode Island, Cumberland’s Flock cameras are under ACLU scrutiny after a false-arrest case. School Tech Policy: Cumberland Schools adopted a phone ban and tightened device search rules, limiting searches to administrators. Water Safety (PFAS): Tiverton officials are responding to PFAS-contaminated private wells, with residents facing some of the highest readings in the state. Rail Planning: Amtrak’s New Haven-to-Providence capacity study is holding public Q&A at Scarborough North State Beach Aug. 16. Energy Costs: Rhode Island is joining a multi-state bulk-buy effort to lower heat pump installation costs. Local Mobility Safety: Newport City Council is weighing more safety measures for Memorial Boulevard after a fatal scooter crash.

AI in Rhode Island Education: RIDE secured $18M in federal grants for two literacy initiatives built around AI coaching and AI-supported learning, aiming to strengthen high-quality teaching and boost student achievement statewide. Surveillance Cameras in the Spotlight: Foster tabled a move to remove its Flock license-plate readers after residents questioned where data goes; Cumberland faces an ACLU challenge tied to a false-arrest lawsuit alleging broader use than promised. School Tech Rules: Cumberland Schools adopted a phone ban and limited device searches to administrators, aligning policy with state guidance. Rail Planning for RI: Amtrak’s New Haven-to-Providence capacity study team will hold public Q&A at Scarborough North State Beach Sunday as the project moves through conceptual planning. Public Safety Tech & Policy: Flock Safety says it’s tightening safeguards—shortening retention and adding controls—as more towns cancel contracts. Local Health & Environment: Rhode Island officials confirmed a second Powassan case and urged tick precautions. Biotech Research: WPI researchers are using AI to help redesign biological systems in E. coli Nissle for lead binding without adding new genetic code.

Blue Economy & Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris opened a new 50,000-square-foot maritime production facility at ProvPort in Providence, backing undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy and allied forces. Privacy vs. Surveillance: Rhode Island towns are escalating the fight over Flock Safety license-plate readers, with South Kingstown demanding state police remove a camera installed after the town ended its own contract, while Flock rolls out privacy reforms that critics say still leave key gaps. Public Health & Tech: Rhode Island confirmed a second Powassan virus case this year, underscoring the need to reduce tick exposure as tickborne threats evolve. Local Tech/Engineering Business Moves: Tighe & Bond relocated its Providence office to The Foundry, expanding space for engineering, environmental, planning, and design work. AI in Research & Biotech: A Rhode Island-linked project uses AI to help redesign biological components in E. coli Nissle to bind lead—aiming to reduce neurological harm from contaminated water. Workforce Housing for Tech Jobs: Quonset is partnering to build 140 apartments, with 40% workforce housing, to help employers recruit and retain workers. Commerce Tech Deal: Citi agreed to acquire Kard Financial, adding machine-learning commerce media and rewards capabilities.

Undersea Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris opened a new 50,000-square-foot maritime production facility at ProvPort in Providence, expanding its $6M investment to design and deliver undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy and allied forces, building on its Rhode Island operations since 1991. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: Rhode Island’s “Flock” license-plate camera debate keeps escalating: South Kingstown demanded state police remove a camera installed after the town ended its own Flock contract, while Foster is set to revisit its three-camera setup amid broader concerns about warrantless searches and data governance. Tickborne Health: Rhode Island confirmed a second Powassan virus case for 2026, urging precautions to reduce tick exposure as the rare tickborne illness can cause severe neurological disease. Energy Costs & Regulation: Attorney General Neronha urged the PUC to reject Rhode Island Energy’s push for higher distribution rates that would increase allowed profits while bills strain households. AI + Biotech Research: WPI researchers described using AI to find genetic code patterns in E. coli Nissle that could be rearranged to bind lead—aiming to improve public health without adding new genetic code. Commerce Payments: Citi agreed to acquire Kard, a commerce media and rewards platform that uses verified transaction data and machine learning personalization to deepen customer engagement. STEM Spotlight: Cleveland State’s Nithya Gnanapragasam will keynote a red blood cell research seminar in Newport, Rhode Island, highlighting local ties to major international science meetings.

Defense Tech & Manufacturing: L3Harris opened a $6M, 50,000-square-foot maritime production facility at ProvPort in Providence to design and build undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy and allied forces, expanding on its Ashaway undersea sensor and sonar work. Local Research & Biosecurity: URI biocontrol researchers are studying a China-native parasitic wasp to help curb the invasive spotted lanternfly, aiming for a pesticide-free approach by targeting the insect in its nymph stage. AI & Public Life: Axios is testing whether AI can help sustain local news by launching new Axios Local newsletters funded by OpenAI, with OpenAI also using the coverage to train its models. Privacy Tech: Flock Safety has seen municipalities cancel or decline renewals of automated license plate reader contracts over data ownership and privacy concerns, adding to the Rhode Island debate around surveillance cameras. Health Tech: A study using nursing-home health records links shingles vaccination with a lower dementia risk in older adults, with Brown and Rhode Island Hospital among collaborators. STEM Spotlight: URI computer engineering professor Ken Qing Yang’s FastFlowLM team has joined AMD, bringing software aimed at making AI workloads run more efficiently on modern chips.

Defense & Maritime Tech: L3Harris opened a $6M, 50,000-square-foot undersea training systems facility at ProvPort in Providence, expanding its long-running Rhode Island work in sonar and sensor tech. AI & Semiconductors: URI computer engineering professor Ken Qing Yang’s startup FastFlowLM has joined AMD, aiming to make large language model workloads run more efficiently on AI chips. Biotech & Pest Control: URI researchers are studying a China-native parasitic wasp to help rein in the spotted lanternfly in Rhode Island, potentially reducing reliance on pesticides. Education Funding: Rhode Island awarded $1.62M in Learn365RI grants to boost after-school and summer learning, including STEM and mentoring across multiple cities and towns. STEM Talent Pipeline: Three URI students won 2026 Gilman Scholarships for study abroad in Denmark, Spain, and Tajikistan. Privacy Tech Backlash: Flock Safety’s license plate reader contracts are unraveling, with New Bedford temporarily suspending use while reviewing privacy, data sharing, and oversight concerns. Space Watch: Rhode Island skywatchers get a partial solar eclipse Aug. 12, with the Perseids peaking the same night for extra stargazing.

Local Tech & Privacy: Rhode Island’s Flock license plate reader debate keeps spreading: Glocester voted 4-1 to end Flock surveillance, and New Bedford temporarily suspended its Flock use while reviewing privacy, data sharing, and oversight after audits and internal investigations. Health Tech & Research: TSRL CEO Dr. Elke Lipka will present in Providence on hydrogel microprojection array patch (MAP) technology aimed at improving delivery for overactive bladder treatment. Education & Workforce: Rhode Island awarded $1.62M in Learn365RI grants to expand after-school and summer learning, and preliminary state data shows AP exam scores earning college credit more than doubled since 2021. STEM Opportunities: Three URI students won Gilman Scholarships for study abroad in Denmark, Spain, and Tajikistan. Healthcare Innovation (RI): Rhode Island Hospital performed the first RI thumb joint replacement using the TOUCH® CMC 1 implant, expanding options for painful thumb arthritis.

Rhode Island privacy pushback on surveillance tech: New Bedford has temporarily suspended its use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras while it reviews privacy, data sharing, and oversight after audits and internal investigations. Local governance: Glocester voted 4-1 to end its Flock license plate camera program despite police citing “successful outcomes,” with residents saying they didn’t have full details when the system was approved. Regional policy pressure: Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is urging a pause on new safety cameras and ALPR deployments while the state develops clearer rules on what data is collected and who can access it. Tech & health in RI: University Orthopedics’ Joseph A. Gil, MD, performed Rhode Island’s first thumb joint replacement using the newly FDA-approved TOUCH® CMC 1 implant. STEM/education: URI and the Computing Education Alliance are hosting a free AI professional learning conference for K-12 educators Aug. 11. Climate & resilience: NOAA says July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous U.S., and Rhode Island emergency managers continue relying on ham radio operators as a communications backstop during major events.

Privacy & Surveillance: Rhode Island’s Flock camera debate keeps spreading: Charlestown’s public beach camera was stolen after rumors it was an ALPR system, while other towns and states are pausing or canceling Flock-style license plate reader contracts over data ownership and privacy safeguards. Undersea Tech: Raytheon and Rhode Island-based Composite Energy Technologies demonstrated Hadalus, a low-cost, long-endurance unmanned undersea vehicle, completing submerged launch missions during a Navy exercise—aimed at faster, less detectable autonomous undersea operations. Cybersecurity for Water: Lawmakers are pushing for stronger federal rules after cyberattacks hit drinking water and wastewater utilities, with a new push for EPA authority to assess and require basic protections. Climate Impact: NOAA reported July 2026 as the hottest month on record for the contiguous U.S., reinforcing concerns about heat-driven extremes. Local Connectivity & Growth: GoNetspeed began $43M fiber construction in Rahway, signaling continued regional broadband buildout. Public Health Tech: A new at-home tick diagnostic (TiCK TEST) can test removed ticks for Lyme-causing bacteria in about 10 minutes. Policy & Courts: AG Ford announced a $400M settlement with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price and competition conspiracies, and joined another lawsuit challenging Trump administration tariffs.

Undersea Defense Tech: Raytheon and Composite Energy Technologies (CET) demonstrated Hadalus, a low-cost, long-endurance unmanned undersea vehicle, completing submerged at-sea launch missions for the U.S. Navy—an early step toward end-to-end autonomous undersea operations. Local Privacy & Cameras: Charlestown, R.I. says a stolen public beach camera was wrongly rumored to be an automatic license plate reader; the town stresses it was for live coastal conditions and public access. Cybersecurity for Utilities: Cyberattacks on water systems are renewing calls for enforceable security rules, as lawmakers weigh whether EPA can set minimum standards for drinking water and wastewater. Climate Extremes: NOAA reported July 2026 as the hottest month on record for the contiguous U.S., underscoring how heat waves are intensifying and lasting longer. Community Science in RI: URI highlights how volunteers help researchers track Rhode Island environments, from long-running water monitoring to new citizen science projects. Digital IDs: States expand phone-based driver’s licenses and passports for faster airport and checkpoint processing. Military Strategy: The U.S. Naval War College hosted Newport’s Future Warfighting Symposium, focusing on remote autonomous systems, space, deterrence, and joint operations. Health Tech Limits: Drug-checking can detect contamination but can’t determine whether a substance is safe to take. Tick Diagnostics: Tick Solutions Global launched TiCK TEST, a rapid at-home Lyme tick diagnostic that analyzes the tick in about 10 minutes. RI Courts & Housing: A federal judge struck down Johnston’s property seizure tied to an affordable housing plan, saying the town lacked legal authority.