ZenaTech Launches Q1 2026 Opening of the Zena AI Baton Rouge R&D Center, Supporting U.S. Defense, DARPA, Federal AI, and Quantum Computing Initiatives

Rhea-AI Summary

ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) announced the planned opening of its Zena AI Baton Rouge R&D Center in Q1 2026. The U.S.-based facility will support Department of War, DARPA, and federal agency requirements by developing secure, defense-oriented AI systems enhanced by quantum computing research.

Key technical focuses include AI decision-support, autonomous and semi-autonomous architectures, advanced sensor and data fusion, secure edge intelligence, and quantum-enhanced optimization. The center will staff multidisciplinary teams, expand Louisiana technology workforce and university partnerships, and contribute to the Eagle Eye initiative integrating AI drones, real-time/historical data, and quantum computing.

Positive

• Baton Rouge R&D center opening Q1 2026
• Dedicated support for DoW, DARPA, and federal agency AI requirements
• Technical focus on AI decision-support, autonomous systems, sensor fusion, edge intelligence, and quantum optimization
• Eagle Eye initiative integrating AI drones, data, and quantum computing

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

R&D center opening Q1 2026 Planned opening of Baton Rouge Zena AI R&D center

Executive orders 3 orders White House AI-related Executive Orders dated July 23, 2025

Market Reality Check

$3.37 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,148,154 vs 20-day average 692,411 (relative volume 1.66x) shows elevated trading interest ahead of this AI R&D update. high

Technical Price at $2.92 is trading below the 200-day MA of $3.96, indicating the stock was in a longer-term downtrend before this news.

Peers on Argus 1 Up 1 Down

Pre-news, ZENA was down 2.99% while key peers were mixed: AISP -8.41%, REKR -0.92%, BKKT -11.02%, and HPAI +0.98%, pointing to stock-specific factors rather than a unified sector move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 16	Defense engagement update	Positive	+4.5%	Expanded US defense engagement, new D.C.-area office, and Mesa drone facility.
Dec 11	DaaS acquisition offer	Positive	-1.5%	Offer to acquire US West surveying firm to grow DaaS in agriculture and wildfire.
Dec 09	UK market entry	Positive	+3.4%	Closed UK telecom tower design acquisition, entering UK DaaS and telecom verticals.
Dec 04	Australia expansion offer	Positive	+5.6%	Offer to acquire Australian survey firm, opening APAC gateway for DaaS services.
Dec 02	US DaaS acquisition	Positive	-3.6%	Closed Smith Surveying Group deal, expanding DaaS for government and aviation.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has been consistently expansion-focused; price reactions to similar growth updates have been mixed, with both aligned gains and occasional selloffs.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, ZenaTech has focused on expanding its Drone as a Service footprint and deepening government and defense ties. Announcements since Dec. 2 span multiple acquisitions in Florida, Australia, and the UK, plus a Mountain West surveying offer, all targeting recurring DaaS revenue. A Dec. 16 update highlighted US defense engagement, a D.C.-area office, and an expanded Mesa facility. Today’s Baton Rouge AI R&D opening plan builds on this trajectory by strengthening US-based, defense-aligned AI and quantum capabilities.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details the planned Q1 2026 opening of ZenaTech’s Baton Rouge Zena AI R&D center, focused on defense-oriented AI and quantum computing in line with the White House AI Action Plan and three Executive Orders from July 23, 2025. It builds on earlier moves establishing Zena AI and the Eagle Eye initiative. Investors may track hiring progress, government engagements, and concrete milestones at the facility as indicators of execution on this strategy.

Key Terms

darpa regulatory

"will support U.S. Department of War (DoW), DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency),"

DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is a government organization that funds and develops cutting-edge technologies to keep the country’s military and innovation capabilities ahead of potential threats. Its work often leads to breakthroughs that can transform industries and create new markets, making it of interest to investors seeking future technological opportunities.

quantum computing technical

"systems enhanced by quantum computing research. The facility will focus on"

Quantum computing is a type of advanced technology that uses the principles of quantum physics to perform calculations much faster than traditional computers. It can process vast amounts of information simultaneously, potentially solving complex problems that are currently impossible or take too long with regular computers. For investors, this technology could lead to breakthroughs in areas like cryptography, data analysis, and optimization, impacting financial markets and security systems.

autonomous technical

"including AI-driven decision-support systems, autonomous and semi-autonomous intelligence"

Autonomous describes machines, vehicles, or systems that can perform tasks and make decisions on their own using sensors, software, and computing power, with little or no human guidance. For investors, autonomy matters because it can reduce ongoing labor costs, create new product categories, change regulatory risk, and open revenue opportunities; think of it like a self‑driving car or a factory robot that can work without a human constantly steering it.

edge intelligence technical

"advanced sensor and data fusion, secure edge intelligence, and quantum-enhanced"

Edge intelligence is the ability for devices and local systems to collect, analyze and act on data right where it’s produced, rather than sending everything to a distant cloud for processing. Like a shopkeeper deciding at the checkout instead of phoning the head office, it speeds decisions, cuts communication costs, and can improve privacy and reliability. For investors it matters because companies that use edge intelligence can operate more efficiently, offer faster or smarter products, and reduce ongoing cloud expenses, potentially boosting margins and competitive position.

eagle eye technical

"will also contribute to development of Eagle Eye, an initiative integrating AI drones,"

A close, watchful scrutiny of details or activity, like a person scanning a field with sharp vision to spot small but important changes. For investors, an “eagle eye” means monitoring financial reports, regulatory filings, market moves and corporate disclosures closely so problems, risks or opportunities are noticed early—similar to catching a small crack in a dam before it grows into a major breach.

executive orders regulatory

"and the three Executive Orders issued on July 23, 2025, which prioritize"

An executive order is a directive issued by a country's chief executive (such as a president or prime minister) that tells government agencies how to apply or enforce laws without needing new legislation. For investors it matters because these orders can quickly change regulations, taxes, trade rules, or enforcement priorities — much like a manager changing shop policies overnight — and that can alter company costs, market access, or industry profitability.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology business solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, provides an update on its previously announced Zena AI division Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Research and Development (R&D) Center and launches the opening planned for the first quarter of 2026.

The Zena AI R&D center will support U.S. Department of War (DoW), DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), and federal agency requirements through the development of secure, defense-oriented artificial intelligence systems enhanced by quantum computing research. The facility will focus on mission-critical research areas including AI-driven decision-support systems, autonomous and semi-autonomous intelligence architectures, advanced sensor and data fusion, secure edge intelligence, and quantum-enhanced optimization and modeling.

“Launching a Q1 2026 opening reflects the progress we are making toward building a dedicated, U.S.-based research hub aligned with national defense priorities while strengthening our capacity and skillsets needed for accelerated development of future-ready ZenaDrone solutions,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech. “The center is designed to support defense, intelligence, and federal agencies with high-assurance AI and emerging quantum-enabled capabilities developed within the United States.”

The Batan Rouge facility will bring together a multidisciplinary team of AI software engineers, data scientists, systems engineers, and drone technology specialists, helping to grow Louisiana’s technology workforce through high-skilled roles, enhanced university partnerships, and deeper collaboration with defense organizations. Research will support a broad range of defense and homeland security applications, including autonomous navigation, multi-drone and fleet coordination, real-time decision-support models, and intuitive control interfaces such as app- or voice-directed operational commands.

The Baton Rouge center will also contribute to development of Eagle Eye, an initiative integrating AI drones, historical and real-time data, and quantum computing to deliver predictive insights, accelerated decision-making, and optimized battlefield performance. These initiatives are aligned with the White House’s AI Action Plan and the three Executive Orders issued on July 23, 2025, which prioritize domestic AI innovation, infrastructure development, and deployment of ideologically neutral AI technologies. 

About ZenaTech

ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) is a technology company specializing in AI drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions for mission-critical business applications. Since 2017, the Company has leveraged its software development expertise and grown its drone design and manufacturing capabilities through ZenaDrone, to innovate and improve customer inspection, monitoring, safety, security, compliance, and surveying processes. With enterprise software customers using branded solutions in law enforcement, government, and industrial sectors, and drones being implemented in these plus agriculture, defense, and logistics sectors, ZenaTech’s portfolio of solutions helps drive exceptional operational efficiencies, accuracy, and cost savings. The Company operates through global offices in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and UAE, and is growing its US and global DaaS business and network of locations through acquisitions.

About ZenaDrone

ZenaDrone, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures autonomous business drone solutions that can incorporate machine learning software, AI, predictive modeling, Quantum Computing, and other software and hardware innovations. Created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector, its specialization has grown to multifunctional drone solutions for industrial surveillance, monitoring, inspection, tracking, process automation, and defense applications. Currently, the ZenaDrone 1000 drone is used for crop management applications in agriculture and critical field cargo applications in the defense sector, the IQ Nano indoor drone is used for inventory management and security in the warehouse and logistics sectors, and the IQ Square is an outdoor drone designed for land surveys and inspections use in commercial and defense sectors.

Contacts for more information:

Company, Investors, and Media:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
investors@zenatech.com

Investors:
Michael Mason
CORE IR
investors@zenatech.com

Safe Harbor

This press release and related comments by management of ZenaTech, Inc. include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance of ZenaTech and reflects management’s expectations and projections regarding ZenaTech’s growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “seek”, “is/are likely to”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to ZenaTech’s expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, production, operations, costs, cash flows, and future growth; expectations with respect to future production costs and capacity; ZenaTech's ability to deliver products to the market as currently contemplated, including its drone products including ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square and IQ Nano; ZenaTech's ability to develop products for markets as currently contemplated; ZenaTech’s anticipated cash needs and it’s needs for additional financing; ZenaTech’s intention to grow the business and its operations and execution risk; expectations with respect to future operations and costs; the volatility of stock prices and market conditions in the industries in which ZenaTech operates; political, economic, environmental, tax, security, and other risks associated with operating in emerging markets; regulatory risks; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; difficulty in forecasting industry trends; the ability to hire key personnel; the competitive conditions of the industry and the competitive and business strategies of ZenaTech; ZenaTech’s expected business objectives for the next twelve months; ZenaTech’s ability to obtain additional funds through the sale of equity or debt commitments; investment capital and market share; the ability to complete any contemplated acquisitions; changes in the target markets; market uncertainty; ability to access additional capital, including through the listing of its securities in various jurisdictions; management of growth (plans and timing for expansion); patent infringement; litigation; applicable laws, regulations, and any amendments affecting the business of ZenaTech and other related risks ‎‎‎and uncertainties disclosed under the ‎heading “Risk Factors“ ‎‎‎‎in the Company’s Form F-1, Form 20-F and other filings filed ‎‎‎with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ‎‎‎no obligation to update forward-‎looking ‎‎‎‎information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-‎‎‎looking information represents ‎‎‎‎‎managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ‎‎‎No forward-looking ‎‎‎‎statement ‎can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ‎‎‎Accordingly, readers ‎‎‎‎are advised not to ‎place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ‎‎‎information.‎

FAQ

When will ZenaTech (ZENA) open the Baton Rouge R&D center?

ZenaTech plans the Baton Rouge R&D center to open in Q1 2026.

What federal agencies will ZenaTech's Baton Rouge center support with ZENA technologies?

The center is intended to support the Department of War, DARPA, and other federal agencies with defense-oriented AI and quantum research.

What research areas will ZenaTech (ZENA) focus on at the Baton Rouge center?

Primary focuses include AI-driven decision-support, autonomous architectures, sensor and data fusion, secure edge intelligence, and quantum-enhanced optimization.

How will the ZenaTech Baton Rouge center affect local workforce and partnerships?

The announcement says the center will create high-skilled roles, expand university partnerships, and grow Louisiana's technology workforce.

What is the Eagle Eye initiative mentioned by ZenaTech (ZENA)?

Eagle Eye integrates AI drones, historical and real-time data, and quantum computing to provide predictive insights and accelerated decision-making.