Technology & Telecom
David Kennedy Joins Simmons Bank as Chief Technology Officer
The Pine Bluff-based bank said he’ll play a crucial role in its technical strategy, including innovation, infrastructure, cost reduction and collaboration.
Arkade, a new tech hub by Spring Capital, will open in Bentonville this August to help international retail and supply chain startups connect with U.S. partners and scale from northwest Arkansas.
Marketing expert Mary Caravella says retail media networks like Walmart Connect are emerging as powerful ad platforms by leveraging their own rich customer data, much like social media giants.
Riceland, Ecological Design, 7 Brew and others announce leadership changes across agriculture, engineering, banking, health care and more.
David Kennedy Joins Simmons Bank as Chief Technology Officer
The Pine Bluff-based bank said he'll play a crucial role in its technical strategy, including innovation, infrastructure, cost reduction and collaboration. read more >
Walmart Cuts Costs and Construction Time With 3D-Printed Store Expansion
The 16-feet-high walls supporting the 5,000-SF expansion were completed in 75 hours, or about 50% faster than traditional methods. read more >
Jury Hits Walmart Harder in Trade Secrets Retrial, Awards $222.7M to Zest Labs
The amount is more than twice what a different jury awarded in 2021 after finding that Walmart stole Zest Labs' produce-tracking technology. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Big Tech’s Soaring Energy Demands are Making Coal-Fired Power Plant Sites Attractive
While some utilities were already delaying the retirement of coal-fired plants, the scores of coal-fired plants that have been shut down the past couple years — or will be shut down in the next couple years — are the object of growing interest from tech companies, venture capitalists, states and others competing for electricity. read more >
by Associated Press -
Apptegy Acquires California Chatbot Firm AlwaysOn
The deal comes as Apptegy accelerates its investment in AI with the goal of helping schools enhance and simplify communications. read more >
John Harrobin to Lead Kinetic After Uniti-Windstream Merger Closes
He's set to join the combined company from Frontier Communications of Dallas, Texas, where he was executive vice president of Frontier's $3 billion consumer business unit. read more >
Fortune 100 Company Plans $1B Data Center in Conway
The 300,000-SF facility would be the biggest capital investment in the city's history and require several local infrastructure upgrades. read more >
by Scott Carroll -
American AI Market Forecast to Hit $224B by 2030
The size of the artificial intelligence market in the United States is forecast to increase every year between 2025 and 2030, reaching $223.68 billion by 2030, according to data provider […] read more >
Evolving Regulations Reaffirm the Need for a Strategic Approach to Cyber Risk Management (Chris Wright Commentary)
Since January, we’ve seen a flurry of government announcements, from executive orders on artificial intelligence to dismantling highly effective public-private partnerships like the Cyber Safety Review Board. read more >
by Christopher Wright -
Metroplan Awarded $913K Road Safety Grant
Funds will be used to address key safety issues in high-speed intersections and EMS operations. read more >
Doubling STEM Grads Could Add Nearly $4B to Arkansas Economy by 2038, Study Finds
The state currently faces a critical shortage of STEM graduates, with nearly 58,000 open positions projected in the coming years. read more >
by Caitlan Butler -
UA Little Rock Gets $1M Grant to Establish Cybersecurity Center
The university plans to renovate a space of more than 5,000 SF in the Engineering and Information Technology Building for the new center. read more >
Highlights from the 2024 Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit
The 2024 Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit was held Monday and Tuesday in Rogers, showcasing the innovation ecosystem of the region. The two-day event highlighted the region’s technological leadership and the […] read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield Reports Vendor Data Breach
Investigators believe someone illegally accessed the Blue Wellness Rewards program to obtain gift cards, not identity theft. read more >
Circumference Group Acquires Majority Stake in Digital Transformation Consultancy
The deal with Visionary Integration Professionals of Folsom, California, aims to capitalize on growing demand for digital transformation services. read more >
Little Rock Startup Launches Truck Parking App After $15M Capital Raise
The app, Trucklots, will allow drivers and fleets to make parking reservations for easier check-ins and check-outs at parking lots. read more >
The Venture Center Picks 10 Startups for New Banking Solutions Accelerator
The 12-week accelerator will provide the startups and growth-stage companies with hands-on training to address the latest technology challenges facing Arkansas banks and their customers. read more >
AI in the Workplace: Where It Helps and Where It Still Falls Short (Chris Wright Commentary)
Today, AI is often portrayed as a default solution, capable of helping businesses and their employees accomplish nearly any on-the-job feat. But just because AI can do certain things doesn’t mean it will do them well. read more >
by Christopher Wright -
Longtime ArcBest Exec Michael Newcity to Retire; Dennis Anderson Named Successor
Newcity, ArcBest's chief innovation officer and president of ArcBest Technologies, is stepping down after 30 years with the company. read more >
Kinetic Completes $8.2M Broadband Project in Poyen Area
The project is part of Kinetic’s multi-year $2 billion plan to provide internet to areas that have historically been underserved. read more >
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![Curtis Barnett is the president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield. He’s navigating a funding crisis in the health care and insurance industries. [Karen E. Segrave]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ARBusiness-Curtiss-Barnett-0040_opt-150x150.jpg)
![Walmart’s 4,700 U.S. stores put it in a prominent postion to make the most of omnichannel advertising opportunities. [PHOTO provided]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/walmart-connect-associate-customer_opt-150x150.jpg)
