News/Business
Nvidia and ServiceNow debut advanced AI agent for enterprises
ServiceNow and Nvidia have partnered to develop a new AI model specifically designed to power enterprise-grade AI agents that can autonomously perform tasks. Unveiled at ServiceNow's Knowledge 2025 conference, the Apriel Nemotron 15B aims to deliver the sophisticated reasoning capabilities needed for agentic AI while maintaining smaller model size, lower latency, and reduced costs. This development addresses a critical need as businesses increasingly seek to integrate AI agents into their operational workflows to automate complex processes. The big picture: ServiceNow and Nvidia have launched Apriel Nemotron 15B, an open-source reasoning language model that delivers advanced AI capabilities in a more...
read May 19, 2025Atlassian’s free AI tools could mark the end of premium pricing for AI in business software
The AI pricing revolution in SaaS is facing its first major pivot as companies reconsider whether charging extra for AI features makes strategic sense. Atlassian's recent decision to include its AI platform at no additional cost signals a potential industry-wide shift, challenging the prevalent strategy of treating AI capabilities as premium add-ons. This development suggests that as AI transitions from novelty to necessity in business software, the sustainability of AI-specific pricing tiers may be in question. The big picture: Atlassian has announced it will no longer charge most customers extra for its AI platform Rovo, marking what could be the...
read May 19, 2025Singapore fund seeks Gulf investors for Indian data centers
Singapore's CapitaLand Investment is aggressively pursuing Gulf investors for a major data center fund in India, positioning itself at the intersection of emerging AI infrastructure needs and Middle Eastern capital flows. This strategic move comes as India transforms into an AI powerhouse, with computing capacity projected to grow at over 50% annually through 2030 and an increasing trend of AI talent remaining in the country rather than seeking opportunities abroad. The big picture: Singapore-based CapitaLand Investment aims to raise $200-250 million from Gulf investors to build data centers in India as the country emerges as an artificial intelligence powerhouse. The...
read May 19, 2025How collaborative AI systems could automate insurance claims
AI agents are reshaping labor-intensive industries like insurance, with collaborative AI teams poised to handle complex tasks that previously required significant human intervention. Specialized AI agents working in concert—each focused on specific functions like data analysis, claims processing, or customer service—offer a revolutionary approach to automating multifaceted business processes while potentially improving customer experiences through faster, more proactive service. The big picture: Cindi Howson, Chief Data Strategy Officer at Thoughtspot, envisions collaborative AI agent networks transforming the insurance industry by automating the entire claims process from assessment through payment. In Howson's example, specialized AI agents could work together to identify...
read May 19, 2025Apple’s AI tools fail to impress in the race against OpenAI and Google
Apple's push to compete in artificial intelligence has hit a challenging reality check as its suite of Apple Intelligence features fails to match the capabilities and user experience of established AI players. Despite aggressive marketing campaigns and high-profile presentations, the tech giant is now facing scrutiny over the gap between its ambitious AI promises and what it has actually delivered to users. This disconnect highlights the difficulties even the world's most valuable company faces when playing catch-up in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The big picture: Apple's AI strategy struggles to match the capabilities of competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT, despite...
read May 19, 2025The AI learning gap threatens UK workplace progress
UK workers are experiencing a profound dichotomy in their relationship with artificial intelligence in the workplace - simultaneously seeing its transformative potential while feeling overwhelmed by its rapid advancement. A new Henley Business School study spanning nearly 30 employment sectors reveals this tension between optimism and anxiety, highlighting a critical gap in workplace AI readiness that could determine whether organizations successfully harness this technology or fall behind in its implementation. The big picture: A majority of UK professionals express optimism about AI's potential benefits, yet most feel overwhelmed by the technology's rapid evolution and lack workplace support to adapt. 56%...
read May 19, 2025Zayo moves to the frontlines of AI infrastructure with major fiber expansion
Zayo's acquisition of Crown Castle's fiber assets represents a transformative step in digital infrastructure that extends far beyond simple corporate consolidation. As high-bandwidth demands for AI, edge computing, and next-generation connectivity accelerate, this strategic move positions Zayo to significantly expand its metro network footprint while strengthening critical AI corridors across North America. The acquisition underscores the growing importance of robust fiber networks as the foundation for nearly every major technological advancement on the horizon. The big picture: Zayo Group's acquisition of Crown Castle's fiber assets dramatically expands the company's network reach and positions it as a central player in the...
read May 17, 2025Google AI boosts subscription service to 150 million users
Google's AI subscription service has seen dramatic growth, further diversifying Alphabet's revenue streams beyond advertising as consumer interest in premium AI features accelerates. The rapid adoption of Google One amid intensifying AI competition reflects changing consumer willingness to pay for enhanced AI capabilities while offering Alphabet an alternative monetization pathway in a landscape where traditional search-based advertising faces disruption. The big picture: Google One subscription service has surpassed 150 million subscribers, representing 50% growth since reaching 100 million subscribers in February 2024. Key details: The company introduced a $19.99 monthly AI plan in February 2024, which has already attracted "millions"...
read May 17, 2025House GOP seeks 10-year freeze on state AI regulations
A proposed congressional moratorium on state-level AI regulation signals a significant shift in how artificial intelligence might be governed in the United States. The House Republicans' push for a 10-year ban on state AI regulations represents a dramatic centralization of technology policy that could fundamentally alter the regulatory landscape for AI companies, with potentially far-reaching consequences for consumer protection, innovation, and federal-state relations in the rapidly evolving AI sector. The big picture: House Republicans are advancing a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulation as part of the federal budget reconciliation bill. The measure, voted forward by the House Energy and...
read May 17, 2025AI-powered CIAM solutions speed up enterprise LLM integration
Enterprise AI agents are poised to revolutionize workflows by automating tasks across multiple applications, but identity and access management challenges have created significant implementation barriers. Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) solutions are emerging as key enablers for enterprise AI agent deployment by simplifying the complex OAuth processes that have traditionally slowed adoption, while simultaneously addressing critical security and compliance requirements. The big picture: AI agents that can interact with external applications promise to automate repetitive tasks across enterprise systems, potentially saving millions in operational costs while reducing security vulnerabilities from human error. These agents can manage everything from employee...
read May 17, 2025AI impact on jobs depends on worker skills, study finds
Research from Georgia State University reveals that AI automation has a nuanced impact on the job market, challenging the simplistic narratives of either widespread job destruction or universal productivity gains. By analyzing millions of patents filed over a 16-year period, researchers have identified that certain AI specializations actually create jobs while others eliminate them, with the outcomes heavily dependent on the specific tasks being automated and the skills required in different sectors. The big picture: AI's impact on employment varies significantly based on the specific human capabilities it's designed to replicate, with some forms driving job growth while others displace...
read May 16, 2025API gives way to AI: Microsoft phases out Bing Search app programming interfaces
Microsoft's decision to shut down Bing Search APIs in favor of AI-driven alternatives marks a significant shift in how developers will integrate search functionality into their products. This move reflects the tech giant's growing emphasis on AI services, potentially forcing thousands of smaller developers to adapt their applications while larger partners like DuckDuckGo maintain their access. The transition signals an industry-wide trend toward AI-generated responses over traditional link-based search results. The big picture: Microsoft plans to completely decommission Bing Search APIs on August 11, 2025, eliminating a service that developers have used to integrate web search capabilities into their applications....
read May 16, 2025NTT DATA expands data centers with 3 major land acquisitions
NTT DATA's global data center expansion marks a significant escalation in the company's infrastructure strategy, securing land across three continents to support nearly a gigawatt of new capacity. This aggressive growth initiative comes amid surging demand for data center capacity driven by AI computing requirements and digital transformation. The $10 billion investment through 2027 positions NTT DATA as a major player in the increasingly competitive global data center market. The big picture: NTT DATA has secured land across seven strategic markets in North America, Europe, and Asia as part of a $10 billion investment plan through 2027, enabling nearly a...
read May 16, 2025There’s something about You.com. Upgraded platform outperforms OpenAI in research.
You.com's latest AI research platform represents a significant leap in enterprise AI capabilities, with its ARI Enterprise system demonstrating superior performance over competitors including OpenAI. This upgraded platform delivers impressive accuracy scores on independent benchmarks while offering deeper research capabilities and integration with corporate data systems—positioning You.com as a serious contender in the increasingly competitive market for enterprise-grade AI research tools. The big picture: You.com has launched ARI Enterprise, claiming its Advanced Research & Insights platform outperforms OpenAI's comparable offerings in 76% of head-to-head tests while achieving industry-leading 80% accuracy on the FRAMES benchmark. The FRAMES benchmark, co-developed by Harvard,...
read May 16, 2025AI-powered Box agents automate document management tasks
The simply named company "Box" is joining the competitive race to develop AI agents, introducing a new suite of autonomous tools designed to tackle enterprise content management challenges. These Box AI Agents aim to transform how organizations handle information by automating document summarization, information retrieval, and cross-platform integration, positioning Box to capitalize on the growing enterprise demand for AI-powered workflow solutions. The big picture: Box is launching AI Agents as part of its content management platform to help enterprise customers organize and retrieve critical information across their digital ecosystems. The agents are designed to reduce time spent on mundane tasks like...
read May 16, 2025Salesforce unveils flexible pricing for AI tools
Salesforce's new pay-per-action AI pricing model marks a significant evolution in enterprise software economics, offering businesses a more flexible way to pay for artificial intelligence capabilities. By introducing consumption-based pricing alongside options to reallocate traditional subscription spending toward AI tools, the company is adapting to the maturing AI market where organizations increasingly demand transparent, predictable costs tied directly to value received rather than flat subscription fees. The big picture: Salesforce is introducing a new consumption-based pricing model for its AI agents, charging customers approximately 10 cents per "action" performed by these automated tools. Key details: The pricing change specifically targets...
read May 15, 2025Netflix to introduce AI-generated ads during streams by 2026
Netflix (home of hit, and relevant show, "Black Mirror") is rapidly expanding its advertising strategy with new AI-powered ad formats as streaming companies increasingly rely on ad-supported revenue models. The streaming giant's push into interactive mid-roll and pause advertisements reflects the industry's broader shift toward tiered pricing strategies that balance subscriber affordability with revenue diversification. These developments signal a fundamental transformation in how streaming platforms monetize content beyond traditional subscription fees. The big picture: Netflix announced plans to introduce interactive mid-roll ads and AI-powered pause ads beginning in 2026, following successful tests of pause advertisements that started in July 2024....
read May 15, 2025CEOs report disappointment with their CIOs’ AI capabilities
CEOs are increasingly skeptical about their technology leaders' AI expertise, creating tension between executive expectations and implementation realities. A recent Gartner survey reveals a significant confidence gap at precisely the moment when enterprises are betting big on artificial intelligence to drive transformation. This disconnect threatens not only CIO job security but also organizations' ability to effectively execute their AI strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape. The big picture: A majority of CEOs lack faith in their technology leaders' AI capabilities, with only 44% believing their CIOs have sufficient expertise to meet organizational AI needs through 2026, according to Gartner's late...
read May 15, 2025Zoho enhances CX platform with AI-driven workflow improvements
Zoho's AI-powered CRM expansion aims to democratize customer data access across organizations, breaking down traditional barriers that confined CRM systems to sales teams. The new "CRM for Everyone" platform leverages Zoho's proprietary AI engine Zia to enable any employee to create customized workflows, reports, and visual elements without technical expertise, making customer data more accessible and actionable throughout the entire business. The big picture: Zoho Corporation has enhanced its customer experience platform with deeper AI capabilities and workflow orchestration tools designed to extend CRM functionality beyond traditional sales departments. The expanded platform leverages Zoho's proprietary AI engine, Zia, to enable...
read May 15, 2025VentureBeat seeks AI experts in survey exploring agentic future of technology
VentureBeat is calling on AI professionals to participate in its annual survey, designed to benchmark enterprise AI adoption with a special focus on emerging generative and agentic AI technologies. This initiative comes at a critical juncture in AI development, as autonomous agent frameworks gain traction and organizations seek to measure their AI maturity against industry peers. The ten-minute assessment aims to gather insights from decision-makers across multiple sectors to create an authoritative view of current implementation trends. The big picture: VentureBeat has launched its annual AI survey focusing on generative and agentic AI adoption in enterprise settings, coinciding with their...
read May 15, 2025Google launches free AI certification for business leaders lacking code know-how
Google Cloud has launched a new certification aimed at non-technical business leaders who need to understand generative AI without coding knowledge. This initiative addresses growing expectations for AI literacy across organizations as AI adoption accelerates. The certification represents a strategic approach to filling the AI knowledge gap for decision-makers who need to lead AI initiatives but don't require technical expertise. The big picture: Google's new Generative AI Leader certification targets business leaders and managers who need to understand AI's strategic impact rather than its technical implementation. The certification costs $99, requires completing a 90-minute exam, and remains valid for three...
read May 14, 2025Perplexity and PayPal team up for seamless checkout experience
Call it "Buy on My Behalf," or...BOMB? Perplexity AI is expanding its capabilities through a new partnership with PayPal that will transform how consumers shop online. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in agentic commerce, where AI assistants don't just recommend products but can complete transactions on users' behalf. The integration will allow millions of PayPal and Venmo users to make purchases directly through Perplexity's interface, potentially reshaping e-commerce by eliminating traditional checkout barriers. The big picture: Perplexity AI has formed a strategic partnership with PayPal to enable direct purchasing capabilities within its chat interface, strengthening its position in the...
read May 14, 2025ServiceNow aims to disrupt CRM market at Knowledge 2025 event
ServiceNow's entry into the CRM market represents a significant shift in enterprise customer relationship management, challenging traditional approaches with an AI-powered platform that orchestrates service across organizational silos. Unveiled at its Knowledge 2025 event, ServiceNow's strategic move addresses businesses' struggles with increasingly complex customer journeys and the demands of digitally empowered consumers who expect seamless experiences across touchpoints. The big picture: ServiceNow is positioning its CRM solution as a relationship-based platform that goes beyond conventional customer record management to become the "nervous system of the enterprise." The platform aims to eliminate organizational silos that typically fragment customer experiences across sales,...
read May 14, 2025We’ve got our A-Eye on you: LastPass targets employees’ unauthorized AI tool use
LastPass is expanding beyond password management into SaaS application monitoring, directly targeting the growing challenge of shadow IT and unauthorized AI tool usage in small and mid-sized businesses. By leveraging its existing browser extension infrastructure, LastPass aims to democratize SaaS monitoring technology previously available only to large enterprises with substantial security budgets. This move represents a strategic pivot to help organizations gain visibility into which cloud services their employees are using—particularly as AI adoption accelerates in workplace settings. The big picture: LastPass has announced a new SaaS monitoring capability specifically designed for small to midsize enterprises struggling to track employee usage...
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