Nordic Semiconductor has launched its nRF71 Series chips, bringing Wi-Fi and Edge AI together for battery-powered IoT devices. The nRF7120 supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6, while the nRF7120E adds 6 GHz support and includes an Axon neural processing unit. That NPU runs machine learning models 10 to 17 times faster than the main processor alone, and Nordic says the series achieves up to 20 times lower standby power than its earlier nRF70 Series. The chips are currently sampling with selected customers.
In the enterprise software space, Akeneo released its Autumn Release 2026, which introduces AI agents for product data operations. The update features the Ziggy AI orchestrator integrated with Shopify for automated product publishing, along with product model suggestions, supplier data management, and enhanced security governance. Every AI action runs within a domain-specific harness that requires human approvals and maintains traceability.
Baidu is taking a different approach to AI deployment with Apollo World, a simulator designed to train its Apollo robotaxis. The system creates virtual journeys that prepare self-driving cars for rare and dangerous scenarios, such as cyclists running red lights or animals crossing traffic, which would be too risky to test on real roads.
On the social and policy front, a global study led by Meiling Wu, Wei Liu, and Zhengyang Zhang found that AI improves operational efficiency in energy, education, and industry but does not by itself drive systemic climate action. The researchers built an AI development index from patents, robots, publications, and digital infrastructure, then linked it to UN Sustainable Development Goal scores. AI showed strong positive links to quality education, affordable clean energy, and industry innovation, but responsible consumption and climate action did not show robust connections. The authors warn that AI gains depend on reliable electricity, skills, governance, and infrastructure, especially in low-HDI countries, and urge pairing AI investment with strong climate policy.
Concerns about AI use also surfaced in cultural and educational settings. An AAM survey found that most US museum visitors worry about how museums use AI in exhibitions and marketing, while repeat visitation has dropped since the pandemic. Meanwhile, an opinion piece argues that students should learn to use AI tools like Claude EDU in a balanced way, calling for federal laws requiring disclosure of AI use in political ads and warning against both fear and blind trust of AI.
Key Takeaways
- <ul><li>Nordic Semiconductor launched the nRF71 Series chips combining Wi-Fi and Edge AI for battery-powered IoT devices, with the Axon NPU running ML models 10 to 17 times faster than the main processor.</li><li>The nRF7120E supports tri-band Wi-Fi 6E and achieves up to 20 times lower standby power than the previous nRF70 Series; chips are now sampling with selected customers.</li><li>Akeneo's Autumn Release 2026 introduces AI agents for product data, including Ziggy AI orchestrator integration with Shopify and human approval workflows for every AI action.</li><li>Baidu built Apollo World, an AI-driven simulator that trains Apollo robotaxis for rare road hazards like cyclists running red lights or animals crossing traffic.</li><li>A global study by Meiling Wu, Wei Liu, and Zhengyang Zhang found AI improves efficiency in energy, education, and industry but does not drive systemic climate action on its own.</li><li>The study's AI development index, built from patents, robots, publications, and digital infrastructure, showed strong links to quality education, affordable clean energy, and industry innovation.</li><li>Most US museum visitors are concerned about AI use in exhibitions and marketing, according to an AAM survey, while repeat visitation has dropped since the pandemic.</li><li>An opinion piece advocates balanced use of AI tools like Claude EDU for students and calls for federal disclosure laws for AI use in political ads.</li><li>Experts recommend keeping brain-engaging tasks—those that teach new skills, support personal purpose, and require judgment—away from full AI delegation to maintain long-term brain resilience.</li><li>Rival's Eric Fulwiler shared lessons from two years of building AI products, including dealing with a failed product and unexpected cloud computing costs.</li></ul>
Nordic Semiconductor launches nRF71 chips with Wi-Fi and Edge AI
Nordic Semiconductor introduced the nRF71 Series chips that combine Wi-Fi and Edge AI. The nRF7120 supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6, while the nRF7120E adds 6 GHz support and an Axon neural processing unit. The Axon NPU runs machine learning models 10 to 17 times faster than the main processor alone. The chips are currently sampling with selected customers.
Nordic targets battery-powered IoT with new Wi-Fi and Edge AI chip
Nordic launched the nRF71 Series for battery-powered Internet of Things devices. The chips combine low-power Wi-Fi with an Axon neural processing unit for on-device AI. The nRF7120E model supports tri-band Wi-Fi 6E and hardware-accelerated machine learning. Nordic says the series achieves up to 20 times lower standby power than its previous nRF70 Series. The chips are now sampling with selected customers.
Akeneo releases AI agents for product data operations
Akeneo announced its Autumn Release 2026 featuring AI agents for enterprise product data. The update includes Ziggy AI orchestrator integration with Shopify for automated product publishing. New tools offer product model suggestions, supplier data management, and enhanced security governance. Every AI action runs within a domain-specific harness with human approvals and traceability.
Seven Shades of Shadow AI: A 2026 Field Guide for Pragmatists
This article presents a field guide on shadow AI, the practice of employees using unapproved AI tools for work tasks. The concept was first introduced in 2023 and has grown significantly since then. The guide identifies seven different forms of shadow AI appearing in organizations. It aims to help teams understand and manage these emerging AI usage patterns.
Lessons learned from building AI products for two years
Rival's Eric Fulwiler shared hard lessons from two years of building AI products. The experiences include dealing with a failed product and unexpected cloud computing costs. The article highlights real-world challenges companies face when developing AI-driven systems. These insights come from hands-on experience creating AI tools in a business environment.
Keep Your Brain Active While Using AI Tools
Experts say people should be careful about letting AI do too much thinking for them. A framework suggests keeping tasks that build brain health, teach new skills, support personal purpose, and require judgment. Delegating simple outputs is fine, but keeping the effort that builds you is important for long-term learning and brain resilience.
Emory Students Should Embrace AI, Report Says
An opinion piece argues that students should learn to use AI tools like Claude EDU in a balanced way. The author calls for federal laws requiring disclosure of AI use in political ads and warns against both fear and blind trust of AI. The article says AI can improve lives and working conditions when used responsibly.
Museum Visitors Worry About AI in Exhibitions
A new AAM survey finds most US museum visitors are concerned about how museums use AI in exhibitions and marketing. The survey also reports that repeat visitation has dropped since the pandemic. However, museum audiences are becoming more diverse, with fewer white, older, and college-educated visitors than before.
AI Hair Style Apps Let You Try New Looks
AI tools now let people preview hairstyles on their own photos before visiting a salon. These apps use face recognition and machine learning to suggest different cuts, lengths, and colors. While helpful for experimenting and communicating with stylists, the previews may not fully show how hair behaves in real life.
Baidu Builds AI Simulator for Robotaxis
Baidu created an AI-driven simulator called Apollo World to train its Apollo robotaxis for rare road hazards. The system can create virtual journeys to prepare self-driving cars for dangerous situations like cyclists running red lights or animals crossing traffic. This helps test scenarios that are risky to recreate in real life.
Global Study Finds AI Improves Efficiency but Not Systemic Climate Action
A global study led by Meiling Wu, Wei Liu, and Zhengyang Zhang found that AI improves operational efficiency in energy, education, and industry but does not by itself drive systemic climate action. The researchers built an AI development index using patents, robots, publications, and digital infrastructure, then linked it to UN Sustainable Development Goal scores. AI showed strong positive links to quality education, affordable clean energy, and industry innovation, but responsible consumption and climate action were not robust. The authors warn that AI gains depend on reliable electricity, skills, governance, and infrastructure, especially in low-HDI countries, and urge pairing AI investment with strong climate policy.
Sources
- Nordic Semiconductor Combines Wi-Fi and Edge AI in nRF71 Chips
- Nordic targets battery-powered IoT with new Wi-Fi and Edge AI chip
- Akeneo's AI Agents to Transform Enterprise Product Data Operations
- Seven Shades of Shadow AI: A 2026 Field Guide for Pragmatists
- What we’ve learned, good and bad, from building AI products for two years
- AI Cognitive Offloading: Which Thinking to Keep vs Delegate
- AI is here to stay, students should embrace it
- Nearly Everyone Is Concerned About How Museums Use AI in Exhibitions
- How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Way People Explore Hairstyles
- From cyclists to wild dogs: Baidu’s new AI preps robotaxis for rare road hazards
- AI boosts operational efficiency but not systemic climate action, global study finds
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