Synapse Summit 2025: Gun detection, flood sensors and so much AI
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ZeroEye's AI gun detection software. Photo: Yacob Reyes/Axios
Tech entrepreneurs from across Tampa Bay gathered at Raymond James Stadium this week for the annual Synapse Summit, showcasing a wave of AI-powered software tackling challenges from flooding to grant writing.
Here's some of what we saw on the expo floor:
🚨 Firearms detection: Two companies at Synapse, ZeroEyes and AccelEye, have deployed artificial intelligence to detect a firearm via a CCTV camera with the aim of stopping a mass shooting before it starts.
- But there's a glitch: Twin bills in the state Legislature seek to ban the use of AI for firearm detection in most public areas, with a bill sponsor warning that the software violates the Second Amendment.
- ZeroEyes is designed to detect brandished firearms — not concealed weapons — and is currently used in 10 school districts across Florida, including Hernando County.
- "We're not looking to infringe upon your Second Amendment right," says JT Wilkins of ZeroEyes, "What we're looking to do is try to prevent violence from occurring with those firearms."
🌊 Flood prevention: Hurricane Milton flooded neighborhoods in Tampa that were thought to have a low risk of inundation, and soaring premiums have forced some residents to forgo flood insurance altogether.
- At least one entrepreneur at Synapse believes he has the solution: FloodSense — a sensor-driven system that, when placed in and around various bodies of water, offers real-time flood alerts.
- FloodSense can be placed around retention ponds, and its sensors and algorithms will help decision-makers determine normal water levels and how much water to divert to reduce property risk.
💰 Bluetech: The Continuum — a partnership between seven organizations, including Tampa Bay Wave and the University of South Florida — secured millions in funding to develop data-driven solutions for environmental challenges.
- The accelerator program says it will support entrepreneurs and startups with the resources and mentorship needed to safeguard and grow the marine economy.
🤖 AI galore: There were no androids, flying cars, or self-lacing shoes — just an expo floor packed with AI, from grant writers and marketers to business process automation tools and virtual fitness gurus.
- Clearwater-based Mark AI offers users AI-powered software that can create landing pages for a business, run email campaigns and more.
💠Yacob's thought bubble: It's been a decade since Marty McFly time traveled from 1985 to 2015, and still no holographic "Jaws," hoverboards that float or dehydrated pizzas that cook in seconds. What gives?