HCLTech, CrowdStrike Bolster AI Security

Key Takeaways

• HCLTech and CrowdStrike expanded their partnership to secure enterprise AI using Falcon Guardian and HCLTech's AI security services.
• Michael Dell lost $15.1 billion as AI stocks sold off, with Dell Technologies shares dropping over 6 percent.
• Nvidia, AMD and SoftBank also suffered major losses during the AI-linked sell-off.
• Microsoft released five free GitHub courses covering data science, machine learning, generative AI and AI agents.
• SumSub launched AI-powered workforce verification combining identity checks with human review to fight AI-facilitated fraud.
• AI STUDIOS added emotional expression and real-time feedback to its AI Roleplay training for customer-facing teams.
• SquadStack.ai now prices voice AI by sales outcomes instead of call minutes for financial services clients.
• The US is pressuring Mexico to block China's AI hardware exports, per the Wall Street Journal.
• Bank of America's Michael Santoli says the early AI boom phase has ended, though wealthy clients hold stock exposures at 25-year highs.
• iRobot, URS and Aethon are three AI robotics stocks recommended over Tesla, with gains of 50%, 30% and 20% respectively over the past year.

HCLTech and CrowdStrike expand partnership to secure enterprise AI

HCLTech and CrowdStrike are expanding their cybersecurity partnership to protect enterprise AI systems. The companies will integrate CrowdStrike Falcon Guardian with HCLTech's AI security services. This collaboration focuses on managing risks across AI applications, models and data. The work builds on security services launched in March 2026. Leaders from both companies say the partnership will help organizations spot AI-related threats and improve overall security.

HCLTech and CrowdStrike expand AI security partnership

HCL Technologies and CrowdStrike expanded their strategic partnership to help enterprises secure AI applications, models, agents, identities and data. The companies aim to provide stronger security against emerging cyber threats. They will combine their strengths to improve protection for AI-driven systems. This partnership reflects their ongoing work to develop AI-powered security solutions for businesses.

Michael Dell lost $15.1 billion as AI stocks sold off

Michael Dell's wealth dropped $15.1 billion in one morning due to a sell-off in AI-linked stocks. The sell-off followed a call from AI leaders for coordinated safety work, which investors saw as a sign of slower spending. Dell Technologies shares fell over 6 percent. Other tech companies like Nvidia, AMD and SoftBank also saw major losses. Despite this, Dell's shares have still risen sharply in 2026.

New metrics proposed for safe reinforcement learning

Researchers introduced new evaluation metrics for safe reinforcement learning. Current methods often only check if a system is safe on average, which may not fully capture real risks. The new framework measures how often and how severely safety limits are violated. It also includes a safety tier system to compare algorithms more reliably. The team released SafeRLEval, an open-source tool to support future safety research.

SquadStack.ai changes voice AI pricing to focus on sales results

SquadStack.ai now charges customers based on sales outcomes instead of call minutes. Customers will pay according to revenue generated by Voice AI sales agents. The new model is live for financial services sales use cases. The company says this approach better reflects the value enterprises receive from voice AI. SquadStack works with companies like DMI Finance, BankBazaar and IndiaMART.

Microsoft offers five free GitHub courses for data science and AI

Microsoft has published five free learning curricula on GitHub covering data science and artificial intelligence. The courses include Data Science for Beginners, Machine Learning for Beginners, Artificial Intelligence for Beginners, Generative AI for Beginners, and AI Agents for Beginners. Topics range from statistics and Python to large language models, RAG, fine-tuning, and multi-agent systems. Each course includes lessons, quizzes, assignments, and practical projects. The materials are free, though some exercises may require access to AI APIs.

SumSub launches AI-powered workforce verification for enterprises

SumSub introduced a workforce verification solution that uses AI to confirm the identities of employees and contractors. The platform helps enterprises protect sensitive systems from AI-facilitated fraud. It integrates with existing HR systems and combines AI-powered identity verification with human review. The solution is especially useful for companies with many remote workers or contractors. SumSub is offering a free trial.

AI STUDIOS adds emotional expression to AI Roleplay training

AI STUDIOS, DeepBrain AI's enterprise platform, enhanced its AI Roleplay training solution with realistic emotional expressions. AI customers now show emotions through facial expressions and tone of voice during simulated conversations. The system provides real-time feedback on speaking pace, intonation, and expressions, then reviews the full session afterward. Companies can customize scenarios with their own products and customer profiles. The solution targets sales, customer service, wealth management, and other customer-facing teams.

US pressures Mexico to block China's AI hardware exports

The United States is pressuring Mexico to restrict China's AI hardware exports, according to the Wall Street Journal. The report highlights growing US efforts to limit Chinese access to advanced AI hardware through trade and regional pressure. The story was published on September 15, 2026.

Santoli says early AI boom phase is over and what investors should know

Bank of America analyst Michael Santoli says the early optimistic phase of the AI narrative has ended. Public enthusiasm has cooled and long-term order backlogs are now questionable. However, he sees potential opportunities for investors, noting that wealthy clients have stock exposures at 25-year highs. He also points to bonds offering healthy yields as a buying opportunity.

3 AI Robotics Stocks to Watch Over Tesla

Three AI robotics stocks are recommended over Tesla right now. iRobot makes cleaning robots like the Roomba and has risen 50% in the past year. URS offers welding and assembly robots and has risen 30%. Aethon builds autonomous mobile robots for warehouses and has risen 20%. These companies are developing AI-powered robots that could disrupt industries and create millions of jobs.

Sources

• HCLTech And CrowdStrike Expand Partnership To Secure Enterprise AI
• HCLTech, CrowdStrike Expand Partnership on AI Security
• Billionaire Michael Dell lost $15.1bn in a morning as AI stocks sold off
• Evaluation Metrics for Safe Reinforcement Learning
• SquadStack.ai shifts voice AI pricing from minutes to sales outcomes
• 5 Free Microsoft GitHub Courses to Learn Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• FF News
• AI STUDIOS Expands Sales Training With Emotionally Expressive AI Roleplay
• US pressures Mexico to box out China's AI hardware exports, WSJ reports
• Santoli: The youthful phase of AI is over. What it means for investors
• 3 AI Robotics Stocks Worth Owning Over Tesla Right Now