Amazon, Microsoft $10B AI Deals, Palantir Revenue, Salesforce AI

The artificial intelligence sector continues to see rapid advancements and significant investment, impacting everything from energy management to customer service and consumer electronics. Major tech players like Amazon and Microsoft are at the forefront of this expansion, actively pursuing new AI-related deals. Microsoft, for instance, plans to spend approximately $10 billion on various AI-linked agreements, while the high cooling demands of AI technology recently led Eaton to acquire cooling specialist Boyd Thermal for $9.5 billion. Palantir also reported record quarterly revenue, attributing its growth to robust demand for its AI services. AI's influence extends to critical infrastructure, with companies like Emerald AI, founded by Varun Sivaram, securing $18 million in funding and its first commercial deal. Emerald AI's software uses AI to adjust energy consumption in real time, aiming to manage clean energy grids and reduce stress on power systems. In customer service, AI agents are transforming call centers, with Salesforce already deploying its AI-powered AgentForce platform. However, this shift isn't without challenges; while AI offers more natural conversations, it can also provide incorrect information, as seen with issues involving chatbots from Evri and DPD. Gartner analyst Emily Potosky highlights that AI is an expensive technology requiring extensive training data. Consumer technology is also embracing AI, exemplified by the new Oakley Meta Vanguard AI-powered glasses. Developed through a partnership between Meta and Oakley, these glasses are designed for action sports, integrating with Garmin and Strava. Starting at £449.99, they combine running glasses, open-ear headphones, and a 12-megapixel action camera, controllable via a button or Meta AI voice commands. Advanced AI features for the Vanguard glasses require the Meta AI app on a smartphone. However, the widespread adoption of AI brings new complexities and concerns. Governing AI agents effectively is crucial for businesses to balance innovation with security, especially given the challenge of 'orphaned agents' when developers leave. Strong security rules and centralized governance are vital. Furthermore, the increasing reliance on AI in workplaces, including medical and mental health fields, raises concerns about 'deskilling,' where workers may lose certain abilities. A Lancet study even suggested AI could erode the skills of experienced doctors in just three months. To counteract this, generative AI training programs must constantly adapt, using participant feedback and data-driven insights to ensure employees develop skills in areas like AI ethics. Meanwhile, Apple's AI strategy is under scrutiny, with CNBC's Josh Brown questioning whether its cautious approach is strategic patience or if the company is falling behind competitors in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ, predicts that quantitative AI models will fundamentally transform industries like energy, banking, and biopharma, stating that 'AI for the physical world will be the next revolution of AI.'

Key Takeaways

• Amazon and Microsoft are leading AI deal activity, with Microsoft planning approximately $10 billion in AI-linked investments.
• Palantir reported record quarterly revenue, attributing its growth to strong demand for its AI services.
• Emerald AI secured $18 million in funding and its first commercial deal, focusing on AI for real-time clean energy grid management.
• Salesforce is utilizing its AI-powered AgentForce platform to enhance customer service operations in call centers.
• Meta, in partnership with Oakley, launched AI-powered Vanguard glasses for sports, priced from £449.99, featuring a 12-megapixel camera and Meta AI voice commands.
• AI agents are transforming customer service but face challenges such as providing incorrect information and requiring robust governance to manage their lifecycle and ownership.
• The increasing use of AI in various professions, including medicine, is raising concerns about 'deskilling' among workers.
• Apple's AI strategy is under scrutiny, with questions about whether its cautious approach indicates strategic patience or a risk of falling behind competitors.
• Effective governance of AI agents is crucial for businesses to balance innovation with security, requiring clear ownership and strong security rules.
• Generative AI training programs must continuously adapt using participant feedback and data-driven insights to remain relevant and address topics like AI ethics.

Varun Sivaram's Emerald AI tackles energy crisis with new funding

Varun Sivaram, founder of Emerald AI, is gaining attention for his work in energy and AI. His company just secured its first commercial deal and an extra $18 million in funding. Sivaram believes AI can help manage clean energy grids, not just consume power. Emerald AI's software adjusts energy use in real time, which helps reduce stress on the power grid and lower electricity costs. Sivaram, a 36-year-old cleantech veteran, founded the company last November and aims for long-term impact.

Varun Sivaram's Emerald AI tackles energy crisis with new funding

Varun Sivaram, founder of Emerald AI, is gaining attention for his work in energy and AI. His company just secured its first commercial deal and an extra $18 million in funding. Sivaram believes AI can help manage clean energy grids, not just consume power. Emerald AI's software adjusts energy use in real time, which helps reduce stress on the power grid and lower electricity costs. Sivaram, a 36-year-old cleantech veteran, founded the company last November and aims for long-term impact.

AI agents transform call centers but face challenges

AI agents are changing customer service, with some experts like Tata Consultancy Services CEO K Krithivasan suggesting they could replace many call center jobs. These new AI systems can operate more independently than older chatbots. However, companies face challenges, as seen with Evri's chatbot failing to resolve a delivery issue and DPD's AI chatbot swearing at users. Gartner analyst Emily Potosky warns that while AI offers natural conversations, it can also give incorrect information and is an expensive technology requiring extensive training data. Salesforce is already using its AI-powered AgentForce platform for customer service.

Amazon and Microsoft lead AI deal frenzy

Big Tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft are actively making new AI-related deals. Eaton recently agreed to purchase cooling specialist Boyd Thermal for $9.5 billion, driven by the high cooling demands of AI technology. Microsoft plans to spend around $10 billion on various AI-linked agreements. Additionally, Palantir announced record quarterly revenue and improved its full-year forecast, crediting strong demand for its AI services.

Governing AI agents turns risks into business assets

AI agents are quickly becoming part of business operations, bringing both benefits and new security risks. Companies must effectively govern these agents to balance new ideas with security. A major challenge is knowing who owns each AI agent, as developers often leave, creating "orphaned agents" without clear responsibility. To fix this, organizations need automatic ways to find all agents and formal rules for managing their entire lifespan, including clear ownership changes. Setting up strong security rules, like defining what agents can do and access, is also vital. Centralized governance through teamwork across different departments is key to managing these powerful tools.

Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses enhance sports experience

The new Oakley Meta Vanguard are AI-powered glasses designed for running, cycling, and other action sports. These glasses, a result of Meta's partnership with Oakley, offer deep integration with Garmin and Strava. They combine running glasses, open-ear headphones, and an action camera into one device, starting at £449.99. The Vanguard features a secure fit, high-quality open-ear speakers, and five microphones that reduce background noise. Its 12-megapixel camera captures good photos and stabilized 3K video, which users can control with a button or Meta AI voice commands. While basic functions work with any Bluetooth device, advanced AI features require the Meta AI app on a smartphone.

SandboxAQ CEO predicts AI will transform physical world

Jack Hidary, the CEO of SandboxAQ, believes that quantitative artificial intelligence models will greatly change various industries. He predicts AI will transform sectors such as energy, banking, and biopharma. Hidary stated that "AI for the physical world will be the next revolution of AI."

Feedback improves Generative AI training programs

Generative AI learning programs must constantly adapt to stay relevant as technology changes. Collecting feedback from participants and using data-driven insights are key to improving these programs. Participant feedback helps identify what works well and what needs improvement, like making complex modules simpler. Quantitative data, such as engagement and completion rates, shows trends and guides targeted changes, for example, by adding more interactive activities. This approach ensures training programs align with company goals, helping employees gain skills in areas like AI ethics. A mid-sized legal firm successfully overhauled its Gen AI training by using feedback and data.

Josh Brown questions Apple's AI strategy and future

Josh Brown from CNBC's "Halftime Report" recently discussed Apple's artificial intelligence strategy. He pointed out the biggest unanswered question is whether Apple's cautious approach is smart patience or if it means the company is falling behind competitors. The market is closely watching how Apple plans to use AI in its products like the iPhone, Mac, and Siri. The recent partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI further highlights the fast-changing AI world. Brown believes Apple needs to clarify its long-term AI vision and execution plan.

AI use causes deskilling in many professions

The increasing use of artificial intelligence in workplaces is leading to a phenomenon called "deskilling," where workers lose certain abilities. This trend has been observed in various fields, including medical and mental health. A Lancet study raised concerns about AI potentially eroding the skills of experienced doctors in just three months. While new technologies often change skill sets, problems can arise if workers become too reliant on AI. Experts suggest that workers must continue to develop their skills while also understanding how AI can assist them without completely taking over their tasks.

Sources

• One of the biggest names in AI right now: cleantech veteran Varan Sivaram
• One of the biggest names in AI right now: cleantech veteran Varun Sivaram
• Will AI mean the end of call centres?
• Amazon, Microsoft Strike AI-Linked Accords in Deal Frenzy
• Governing AI Agents: From Enterprise Risk to Strategic Asset
• Oakley Meta Vanguard review: fantastic AI running glasses linked to Garmin
• SandboxAQ CEO Sees AI Transforming Energy Sector
• Feedback-Driven Training Could Save Your Gen AI Initiatives
• Josh Brown Highlights The ‘Biggest Open Question’ About Apple (AAPL) AI Strategy
• ‘Deskilling’: a dangerous side effect of AI use