Motive Inc. launched an Agents platform that uses agentic AI to handle operational tasks like contacting drivers, creating maintenance orders, and coordinating fleet responses. The company says preventable operational problems cost businesses about $46 billion a year, and the new agents aim to reduce that toll by acting on data without manual intervention. Natural-language agent creation is expected in early 2027.
Sumsub expanded its Know Your Agent module for Model Context Protocol, giving businesses tighter control over what AI agents can access. The system screens agent requests, strips sensitive data before it reaches the agent, and can trigger real-time liveness checks for flagged actions. It also keeps an auditable log and now supports Amazon Bedrock AgentCore Gateway.
In the AI cloud and investment space, Nscale is grappling with investor pushback over its planned IPO. Some backers want a $16 billion to $19 billion valuation rather than the $30 billion target. Microsoft pulled out of a data center agreement with Nscale, a move tied to power constraint delays. Microsoft represents 40% of Nscale's currently contracted revenue. Nscale recently landed a deal with Figure committing at least $3.5 billion for AI computing resources.
Third Moment Research tested a new system by running 10,000 AI agents for 36 to 48 hours. Using Codex and GPT-6.1 Sol, the team cut backtesting time by 97%. Co-founder Adam Khakhar said GPT-6.1 Sol holds focus across long sessions while using fewer tokens than GPT-6 Astra. Co-founder Jeffrey Yan added that the model costs one-fifth of Astra's price for similar performance. The company is also testing GPT-6 Luna, though no results are available yet.
On the policy front, US lawmakers passed several AI-related measures during the third quarter of 2026. The House approved Rep. Gabe Evans' Ratepayer Protection Act addressing data center energy needs. The White House expanded its Genesis Mission to prioritize AI for science and medical device safety. State legislators enacted over 20 AI laws in California alone, and the FCC updated its Covered List for Internet of Things devices.
In the gaming and venture capital world, investors favored AI tools over game studios in Q3 2026. Total venture capital deals reached $13.7 billion, though growth-stage funding dropped. AI startups Meshy and Higgsfield each raised $400 million rounds for 3D and video generation, while China's Shengshu Technology secured $500 million for its AI video platform. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma emphasized that gaming companies will not become AI companies like Allbirds, as investors continue betting on the tools that build games.
Corporate treasury departments face a talent crisis as experienced employees approach retirement, and AI agents may help fill the gap. These agents can coordinate complex payment workflows across disconnected systems, but companies must first document rules and decision points that veteran employees currently handle. One example shows how AI could streamline commercial account onboarding from days to hours.
PwC Vietnam partner Mohammad Mudasser said AI could help finance leaders move beyond reporting past performance to shaping real-time decisions. The bigger opportunity is catching emerging problems sooner by connecting signals across treasury, inventory, and sales. The real challenge is organizational, since someone must own the decision once AI flags an issue.
Infor launched new AI software for ERP customers, available through its cloud environment and also accessible to customers running IBM i-based ERP software on-premises. Meanwhile, Ai for Pet rolled out TTcare Vet in Korea, using audio scribing and image analysis to automate medical charting for veterinarians. About 100 hospitals currently use the service, with 2,000 more ready for launch, and the AI Scan feature achieved 95% accuracy. The company also received Korea's first approval for animal-use medical device software.
Stanford is tightening classroom rules to curb student reliance on AI. The COLLEGE program is bringing back paper and pencil assignments and adding reading quizzes, while PWR classes are adopting in-class writing and journaling. Students and faculty both pushed for these changes, and the university noticed declining final exam scores and fewer office hours visits.
Key Takeaways
- <ul><li>Motive launched an Agents platform to automate operational tasks, addressing an estimated $46 billion annual loss from preventable operational problems</li><li>Sumsub expanded its Know Your Agent module for MCP, supporting Amazon Bedrock AgentCore Gateway and adding real-time liveness checks</li><li>Nscale faces investor pushback on its IPO, with some wanting a $16 billion to $19 billion valuation instead of the $30 billion target</li><li>Microsoft pulled out of a data center deal with Nscale, which accounts for 40% of Nscale's contracted revenue</li><li>Third Moment ran 10,000 AI agents for 36-48 hours using GPT-6.1 Sol, cutting backtesting time by 97% at one-fifth the cost of GPT-6 Astra</li><li>US Congress passed AI-related laws in Q3 2026, including the Ratepayer Protection Act and over 20 state laws in California</li><li>Investors poured money into AI tools over game studios in Q3 2026, with Meshy, Higgsfield, and Shengshu raising $400M-$500M rounds each</li><li>AI agents may help corporate treasury departments address a looming talent crisis by automating payment workflows and onboarding</li><li>Ai for Pet launched TTcare Vet in Korea, achieving 95% accuracy on its AI Scan feature and earning the country's first animal-use medical device software approval</li><li>Stanford is tightening classroom policies, bringing back paper assignments and adding reading quizzes to reduce student AI reliance</li></ul>
Motive launches AI agents for physical operations
Motive Inc. released a new Agents platform that uses agentic AI to take action on operational data automatically. The agents can contact drivers, create maintenance work orders, alert managers and coordinate fleet responses without manual work. Motive says companies lose about $46 billion to preventable operational problems each year. The agents are available now, with plans to add natural-language creation in early 2027.
AI is set to reshape finance leadership
PwC Vietnam partner Mohammad Mudasser says AI could help finance leaders move beyond reporting past performance to shaping real-time decisions. Early AI use in finance has focused on productivity like automating reports, but the bigger opportunity is catching emerging problems sooner. AI can connect signals across treasury, inventory and sales that different teams usually interpret separately. The real challenge is organizational, not technical, since someone must own the decision once AI flags an issue.
AI agents may ease treasury workforce gap
Corporate treasury departments face a looming talent crisis as experienced employees with 20 to 30 years of institutional knowledge approach retirement. AI agents could help by coordinating complex payment workflows across disconnected systems instead of relying on people to manage each handoff. The technology requires companies to first document rules, exceptions and decision points that veteran employees currently handle. One example shows how AI could streamline commercial account onboarding from days to hours.
Nscale investors push back on $30 billion IPO target
AI cloud company Nscale is facing investor pushback on its planned IPO, with some backers wanting a $16 billion to $19 billion valuation instead of the $30 billion target. Microsoft pulled out of a data center agreement with Nscale, citing power constraint delays. Investors are also concerned about the collapse of Australian data center company Firmus' IPO plans. Nscale recently signed a deal with Figure to commit at least $3.5 billion for AI computing resources.
Microsoft exits British AI cloud deal before Nscale IPO
Microsoft pulled out of a major data center deal with U.K.-based AI cloud company Nscale just before it was set to go public. Microsoft accounts for 40% of Nscale's currently contracted revenue and is one of its two largest clients. The exact reason for the pullout is unknown, though AI financing has become more uncertain. A Microsoft spokesperson said the decision related to a single site and that the partnership continues.
Third Moment runs 10,000 AI agents for 36 hours
Third Moment Research ran 10,000 AI agents for 36 to 48 hours to test their new system. The team used Codex and GPT-6.1 Sol to cut backtesting time by 97%. Co-founder Adam Khakhar noted that GPT-6.1 Sol maintains focus across long sessions while using fewer tokens than GPT-6 Astra. Co-founder Jeffrey Yan explained that the model is efficient because it costs one-fifth of the price of Astra for similar performance. The company is also testing GPT-6 Luna, but no results are available yet. Buyers must trust the system since the company has not disclosed the total cost or independent validation of trading improvements.
US Congress passes new AI and data center laws
US lawmakers focused on artificial intelligence, connected vehicles, and the Internet of Things during the third quarter of 2026. The House passed Rep. Gabe Evans Ratepayer Protection Act to address data center energy needs. The White House expanded its Genesis Mission to prioritize AI for science and medical device safety. State legislators enacted over 20 AI laws in California alone during this period. The Federal Communications Commission updated its Covered List for Internet of Things devices. These actions show growing government attention to AI infrastructure and safety regulations.
Biggest 2026 gaming deals focus on AI tools
Investors poured money into AI tools rather than game studios during the third quarter of 2026. Total venture capital deals reached $13.7 billion, but growth-stage funding dropped significantly. AI startups Meshy and Higgsfield each raised $400 million rounds for 3D and video generation. Shengshu Technology from China raised $500 million for its AI video platform. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that gaming companies will not become AI companies like Allbirds. Investors are betting on the tools that build games instead of the games themselves.
Business Insider seeks small business AI stories
Business Insider wants to hear from small business owners who use artificial intelligence. The publication is looking for interesting stories about how these businesses apply AI technology. Readers can contact Lauren at the Stories team to share their experiences. This call for stories aims to connect with the small business community directly. The article was published on October 19, 2026.
Ai for Pet launches AI tools for Korean vets
Ai for Pet introduced TTcare Vet to automate medical charting for veterinarians in Korea. The system uses audio scribing to draft records and analyzes pet images to detect health issues. CEO Her Eun-a expects hospital revenue to surpass home service revenue next year. The tool integrates with Intocns, the leading electronic medical record system in Korea. About 100 hospitals currently use the service, with 2,000 more ready for launch. The company achieved 95% accuracy on its AI Scan feature and received Korea's first approval for animal-use medical device software.
Infor brings new AI tools to IBM i ERP customers
Infor launched new AI software this month to help ERP customers automate business processes. The AI uses Infor's cloud environment. Customers who run Infor's IBM i-based ERP software on-premises can also use the new capabilities. Infor confirmed this to IT Jungle.
Stanford tightens classroom rules to curb AI use
Stanford is changing its classroom policies to reduce student reliance on AI. The COLLEGE program is bringing back paper and pencil assignments and adding reading quizzes. PWR classes are also adopting less tech-dependent practices like in-class writing and journaling. Students and faculty both pushed for these changes. The university also noticed declining final exam scores and fewer office hours visits.
Sumsub expands Know Your Agent for AI agent control
Sumsub expanded its Know Your Agent (KYA) Module for MCP to help businesses control what AI agents can access. The module screens agent requests and removes sensitive information before it reaches the agent. It can trigger real-time liveness checks when an agent tries a flagged action. The system also maintains an auditable log of agent activity and supports Amazon Bedrock AgentCore Gateway.
Sources
- Motive brings agentic AI to physical operations with agents that act before problems escalate
- AI to transform the future of finance
- AI Agents Could Fill Treasury’s Looming Talent Gap
- Nscale Investors Seek Lower IPO Target Amid AI-Related Concerns
- Microsoft Pulls Out of Giant British AI Cloud Deal Just As Cloud Company Was Expecting to IPO
- Third Moment says 10,000 agents run for 36 hours
- U.S. Tech Legislative & Regulatory Update
- The biggest gaming deals of 2026 are really AI deals
- Are you a small business using AI? Tell us how.
- Ai for Pet brings AI to Korea’s vet clinics, boosts sales and global push
- Infor Says IBM i Customers Are Welcome To Use New AI
- COLLEGE and PWR implement new policies in response to AI use
- Sumsub Expands Know Your Agent, Putting Businesses in Control of What AI Agents Can Access
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