Google Salesforce and Microsoft lead AI news

Key Takeaways

• <ul><li>Cognizant saved 37% on one Odyssey Logistics phase using Devin AI engineer and AWS, processing 4.6M transactions with zero failures on ACI Worldwide's platform.</li><li>Arista Networks raised 2026 revenue guidance to $12.60B, with at least $3.50B from AI-related business, after Q2 revenue hit $3.00B.</li><li>Schneider Electric launched Generator-to-Chip power and advanced cooling solutions for AI data centers through new partnerships.</li><li>Google is offering Vids, a free AI video generator, driving storage demand that benefits Western Digital and Seagate, both stocks up over 300% in a year.</li><li>Salesforce expanded Agentforce with prebuilt AI agents named Casey, Paige, Carter, and Hunter for service, IT, purchasing, and sales roles.</li><li>Alphabet spent $44.92B on AI infrastructure in Q2 2026, doubling year-over-year spending and resulting in negative free cash flow.</li><li>Oppenheimer notes enterprise AI spending is shifting from experimentation to measurable ROI, favoring Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, and ServiceNow, each with AI businesses over $1B.</li><li>Blackfuel chose Digital Realty's Barcelona facility to host its AMD GPU-powered liquid-cooled AI inference platform.</li><li>Extreme Networks hired Chloe Tambe as Director of Marketing AI Transformation to boost go-to-market automation efforts.</li><li>An Arizona court overturned a manslaughter sentence due to an AI-generated video of the victim, raising concerns about AI evidence reliability.</li></ul>

Cognizant uses AI tools Devin and AWS to cut costs and boost payments testing

Cognizant worked with ACI Worldwide to run the BASE24-eps payments platform on AWS, processing over 4.6 million transactions with no failures. It also used Devin, an AI software engineer, on Odyssey Logistics systems, cutting time to release-ready code and saving 37% on one phase. These moves support Cognizant's push toward an AI-led delivery model, though near-term spending and pricing risks remain.

Arista Networks raises 2026 revenue guidance on strong AI networking demand

Arista Networks reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue of $3.00 billion, up 37.7% year over year. It raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $12.60 billion, including at least $3.50 billion from AI-related business. The results highlight growing AI-driven cloud networking demand, but the company still depends heavily on a small group of large hyperscale buyers.

Schneider Electric expands AI data center push with new power and cooling tech

In late September 2026, Schneider Electric partnered with Wärtsilä and Stanley Consultants to introduce a Generator-to-Chip power approach. It also unveiled software-defined medium-voltage switchgear and advanced cooling solutions for AI data centers, plus cybersecurity automation for water utilities. The moves deepen Schneider's role in electrification and digital infrastructure, though heavy investment could pressure margins.

Pegasystems launches Launchpad.io AI Assistant for conversational app building

Pegasystems announced Launchpad.io's AI Assistant, a tool that lets enterprises design and build applications using natural language. It converts business requirements into application logic, workflows, and data models, making development more accessible to non-technical teams. The launch fits Pegasystems' broader AI and low-code strategy, including Pega Infinity 26, but competitive pressure on pricing and margins remains a risk.

Extreme Networks hires AI marketing leader Chloe Tambe to boost growth

Extreme Networks created a Director of Marketing AI Transformation role and hired veteran AI leader Chloe Tambe. The move aims to use automation in its go-to-market efforts. Shares have shown recent gains but also volatility, with a 90-day decline of 26.20%. The most followed valuation narrative sees the stock as 31% undervalued, though reliance on government contracts and competition remain concerns.

Blackfuel chooses Digital Realty Barcelona data center for AI platform

In September 2026, Blackfuel selected Digital Realty's BCN1 data center in Barcelona to host its liquid-cooled AI inference platform powered by AMD GPUs. The platform integrates with the ServiceFabric interconnection network for low-latency connectivity. The move supports Digital Realty's strategy of linking subsea infrastructure with AI-optimized data centers. Digital Realty has a US$1.9 billion lease backlog and recent hyperscale signings that could benefit from growing interconnected traffic.

Oppenheimer says AI software spending focuses more on measurable returns

Oppenheimer reports that enterprise AI investment is shifting toward measurable financial returns rather than adoption alone. Companies now treat AI as a recurring operating expense, with CFOs comparing it to labor costs. Oppenheimer highlights Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, and ServiceNow as preferred stocks, each having AI businesses over $1 billion. The firm also prefers Braze but takes a cautious view on Figma and SoundHound AI.

Oppenheimer sees AI spending discipline pushing value up the IT stack

Oppenheimer says enterprise AI spending is moving from experimentation toward return on investment, with businesses demanding measurable outcomes. AI is becoming a recurring operating expense, and investors are scrutinizing software providers more closely. Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, and ServiceNow each have AI businesses exceeding $1 billion according to the firm. Workday shows high AI attach rates, while Figma and SoundHound AI face different risks.

Google free AI video tool boosts storage demand for WDC and STX

Alphabet is offering Google Vids, an AI video generator, for free through the Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash model to all Google account holders. This increases data volumes that Western Digital and Seagate Technology are designed to store. Western Digital's cloud revenue is 89% of its latest quarter, and CEO says the company is sold out for 2026. Seagate has nearly all nearline capacity committed through 2028. Both stocks have risen over 300% in the past year.

Arizona court tosses sentence over AI-generated victim video

An Arizona court overturned Gabriel Paul Horcasitas's 10-year manslaughter sentence because an AI-generated video depicted the deceased victim speaking to the judge. The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled the video was unreliable since it did not reflect actual events. The video was created by the victim's sister using AI to give the victim a voice at the May 2025 sentencing hearing. Horcasitas was convicted of fatally shooting Christopher Pelkey during a 2021 road rage incident in Chandler, Arizona.

Salesforce expands Agentforce with ready-to-work AI agents

Salesforce is rolling out a new set of prebuilt AI agents through its Agentforce platform. These agents handle tasks in sales, service, commerce and back-office operations using existing company data. Named agents include Casey for service, Paige for IT and HR, Carter for purchasing and Hunter for sales. The move aims to solve the cold start problem and make AI deployment faster especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

China-aligned TA419 targets US AI policy experts with phishing

A China-linked cyber espionage group called TA419 has launched phishing campaigns targeting AI policy experts at US think tanks, universities and law firms. The attackers impersonated economists, AI policymakers and an Anthropic employee to gain trust before sending malicious links. The campaigns use Microsoft adversary-in-the-middle phishing to steal credentials without detection. Proofpoint says the group has targeted defense and national security interests since at least April 2025.

AI recruiter shares top tips for landing software engineering jobs

Paddy Lambros founder of AI recruiter Dex says the CV still matters and applicants should keep it concrete and error free. He stresses following application instructions exactly because many candidates skip simple steps like explaining why they want the job. Lambros warns against applying to hundreds of roles and instead recommends focusing on a few well-matched positions. He also advises candidates to think like hiring managers since bad hires cost companies time and money.

Cardano joins AI agent payment standard x402 but investors should wait

Cardano has joined the x402 payment standard created by Coinbase for AI agents to pay for web services without credit cards. However Cardano's Masumi network has recorded only 38,777 transactions compared to tens of millions on Base and Solana. The article notes that even if Cardano handled all x402 payments it would represent a small share of its 9.2 billion dollar market value. It concludes that Cardano is not yet a strong buy because agent payments have not yet benefited holders.

RAeroLLC launches AI tutor for airline pilot training

RAeroLLC introduced the RAero Tutor an AI-powered assistant built into its pilot training courseware. The tutor can be configured with an airline's specific procedures manuals and policies so students get answers grounded in their own training material. Pilots can ask questions in natural language and receive responses aligned with company standards. The tool aims to reduce instructor workload improve consistency across trainees and support faster onboarding and type-rating preparation.

Alphabet spends $44.92B on AI infrastructure in Q2 2026

Alphabet invested $44.92 billion in capital expenditures during Q2 2026, doubling its spending from the previous year. The investment exceeds the company's entire 2023 capital budget and is driven by growing demand for AI infrastructure. Google Cloud revenue grew 82%, but the spending outpaced operating cash flow, resulting in negative free cash flow and increased debt. Alphabet raised $70 billion through equity and debt to support this expansion while maintaining growing revenue and operating income.

Sources

• Is Cognizant’s AI-Led Delivery Shift Altering The Investment Case For Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH)?
• The Bull Case For Arista Networks (ANET) Could Change Following Higher AI-Driven 2026 Revenue Guidance
• How Schneider Electric’s AI Data Center and Decarbonization Push Will Impact Schneider Electric (ENXTPA:SU) Investors
• What Pegasystems (PEGA)'s New Launchpad.io AI Assistant Means For Shareholders
• Extreme Networks (EXTR) Hires AI Marketing Leader, Is The Stock Still 31% Undervalued?
• Is Blackfuel’s AI Bet On ServiceFabric Reshaping The Investment Case For Digital Realty Trust (DLR)?
• AI Software Enters ROI Phase as Enterprise Spending Becomes More Selective, Oppenheimer Says
• Oppenheimer Says AI Software Spending Is Shifting Towards Measurable Returns
• Google’s Free AI Video Push Is a Boost for Storage. Have WDC and STX Already Priced It In?
• Sentence tossed in Arizona case where deceased victim was depicted speaking in AI-generated video
• “Every employee is a manager of AI agents”
• China-Aligned TA419 Targets U.S. AI Policy Experts With Microsoft AitM Phishing
• I place the world’s top software engineers and interviewed over 10,000 job seekers. The difference on paper and in person is wider than ever
• Cardano Is Now Part of the AI Agent Economy. Does That Make ADA a Buy?
• RAeroLLC Adds AI-Powered Tutor to Airline Pilot Training Courseware
• Alphabet spends $44.92B in Q2 2026 on AI infrastructure, exceeding full 2023 capital budget.