AI is rapidly expanding into various sectors, from education to cybersecurity and e-commerce. In education, AI-powered schools are emerging across the US, with locations in Plano and Austin, Texas, and Tallahassee, Florida, offering personalized learning experiences. Alpha School, an AI-focused private school, is also expanding from Austin to cities like New York and Orlando. These schools utilize AI to adapt lessons and enhance practical skills, though they come with a significant tuition fee, such as Alpha School's $40,000 annual cost. In cybersecurity, Commvault is acquiring Satori Cyber to bolster its data security platform with AI-driven real-time data access controls, aiming to protect against data theft and manage data growth across cloud systems. This acquisition is expected to close in August. Simultaneously, startups are challenging Nvidia's dominance in AI chips by developing more energy-efficient alternatives, with companies like Positron and Groq focusing on reducing the high energy costs associated with AI processing. Cloudflare is already testing Positron's chips. Agentic AI is transforming business operations, as seen with NTT DATA's Smart AI Agent improving supply chains and IPG's Agentic Systems for Commerce (ASC) enhancing e-commerce strategies for brands. IPG's ASC is already being tested by over 20 brands and showing improved sales. However, the rise of agentic search, where users utilize AI tools like ChatGPT, is impacting hotel sales, requiring hotels to adapt their websites to serve as digital concierges. Furthermore, Wokelo AI, founded by Siddhant Masson, is automating investment research by scanning over 100,000 sources to create presentations in under 30 minutes, saving firms significant analyst hours. The increasing ease of creating realistic deepfakes is also driving the need for AI-powered solutions to combat these threats, along with new laws and improved digital literacy. Finally, government contractors must now adhere to stricter cybersecurity and AI rules following Executive Order 14306, signed by Trump, to protect sensitive data and manage supply chain risks. Blockchain technology is also playing a role, with companies like Oraichain, Pinlink, and RSS3 using it to redefine ownership of AI models, hardware, and data, giving individuals more control over their digital assets.
Key Takeaways
- AI-powered schools are opening in multiple cities, including Plano, Texas, and Tallahassee, Florida, offering personalized learning experiences for students.
- Alpha School, an AI-focused private school in Austin, is expanding to New York City and Orlando, with a tuition of $40,000 per year.
- Commvault is acquiring Satori Cyber to enhance its AI data security, providing real-time data access controls and protection against AI threats; the deal is expected to close in August.
- Startups like Positron and Groq are challenging Nvidia by developing more energy-efficient AI chips to reduce the high power consumption of AI processing.
- NTT DATA is using Agentic AI to improve business operations and supply chains with its Smart AI Agent.
- IPG's Agentic Systems for Commerce (ASC) is helping brands improve e-commerce sales through AI-driven data analysis, with over 20 brands currently testing the system.
- Hotels are facing challenges due to agentic search (e.g., ChatGPT), requiring them to optimize their websites as digital concierges to attract more guests.
- Wokelo AI, created by Siddhant Masson, automates investment research, saving firms thousands of analyst hours by scanning over 100,000 sources and creating presentations in under 30 minutes.
- The increasing ease of creating realistic deepfakes necessitates AI-powered solutions, new laws, and improved digital literacy to combat security threats.
- Government contractors must comply with stricter cybersecurity and AI rules under Executive Order 14306, signed by Trump, to protect sensitive data and manage supply chain risks.
Plano Texas to open AI-powered school this fall
A new AI-powered school is opening in Plano, Texas, this fall for kindergarten through third grade. This follows new guidelines from the Department of Education on using AI in classrooms. The school will focus on life and tech skills, using AI to adapt lessons to each student's needs. Another AI school is already open in Austin, and one will open in Fort Worth soon. A recent study showed that many teachers are using AI tools to save time.
Tallahassee Florida welcomes first AI middle school
Tallahassee, Florida, is opening its first AI-focused middle school called Innovation Academy of Excellence on August 11. Managed by Charter Schools USA, the school will teach grades 6-8 with AI in the curriculum. It will operate as a small school with 120 students and up to eight teachers. Teachers will use AI to help create lesson plans and support students. By eighth grade, students can take high school credit courses at Tallahassee Collegiate Academy.
Alpha School expands AI-driven education from Austin to more cities
Alpha School, an AI-focused private school in Austin, Texas, is expanding to other cities this fall. The school uses AI to personalize education for students. Students spend two hours a day on core subjects using AI software. The rest of the time is spent on practical skills with the help of an adult guide. Alpha School charges $40,000 a year for tuition. New locations will open in cities like New York City and Orlando, Florida.
Commvault acquires Satori Cyber for AI data security
Commvault is buying Satori Cyber, an Israeli startup, to improve its data security with AI. Satori Cyber monitors data flow and provides AI security. Commvault wants to protect data access and prevent data theft, especially with AI systems. Satori Cyber's technology helps manage data access, control databases, and protect against AI threats. The deal is expected to close in August, but the price was not shared.
Commvault boosts AI data security with Satori Cyber acquisition
Commvault is buying Satori Cyber to enhance its cyber security platform with AI. Satori Cyber specializes in data and AI security, offering real-time data access controls. This acquisition will help Commvault customers manage data growth and AI adoption across different cloud systems. Satori's tools provide access management, automated data discovery, and protections for large language models. The deal is expected to close in August 2025.
Wokelo AI transforms investment research with generative AI
Siddhant Masson, CEO of Wokelo AI, created a platform to automate investment research. Wokelo AI helps firms speed up research tasks like due diligence and sector analysis. The platform scans over 100,000 sources and creates clear presentations in under 30 minutes. Clients have reported saving thousands of analyst hours and improving deal screening. Wokelo AI is used by consulting firms, private equity funds, and corporate strategy teams.
Startups challenge Nvidia in AI chips energy crisis
Startups are trying to reduce the high energy costs of AI chips, challenging Nvidia's market dominance. Cloudflare is testing chips from Positron, which claims to be more energy-efficient than Nvidia. Groq, another startup, is building chips with integrated memory to use less power. These companies aim to offer faster AI results with lower energy consumption. However, experts warn that even with these improvements, demand for AI power will continue to increase.
Realistic deepfakes are easier to create; AI fights back
Creating realistic deepfakes is becoming easier with AI, causing security issues for governments and businesses. Scammers are using deepfakes to impersonate officials and gain access to sensitive information. Responding to this threat requires new laws, better digital literacy, and AI-powered solutions. Experts are working on ways to fight AI deepfakes with more AI. Deepfakes are also being used to target the financial industry and influence political events.
Agentic AI transforms business operations
Agentic AI is changing how businesses operate by allowing systems to make decisions in real time. NTT DATA is using its Smart AI Agent to improve processes and supply chains. These AI agents can manage tasks like hiring temporary workers and optimizing supply chains. However, it's important to have policies and training in place to ensure AI is used responsibly. NTT DATA provides AI training to its employees to cover ethical and regulatory aspects.
IPG uses agentic AI to improve e-commerce
Interpublic Group (IPG) has launched Agentic Systems for Commerce (ASC), an AI-powered unit to help brands manage their e-commerce. ASC uses data to understand product performance, competition, and consumer behavior. More than 20 brands are testing ASC, with results showing improved sales. IPG believes ASC can create new revenue and use AI to expand its business. The initiative is led by Dr. Jeriad Zoghby and supported by Yaniv Sarig.
Is AI hurting hotel sales? Agentic search changes the game
Hotels may be losing sales because of agentic search, where people use AI tools like ChatGPT instead of traditional search engines. This shift requires hotels to change their marketing and sales strategies. Hotel websites need to be more than just booking tools; they should act as digital concierges. Hotels should include FAQs, team pages, testimonials, pricing information, and short forms on their websites. Adapting to agentic search can help hotels stay visible and attract more guests.
Government contractors must comply with cybersecurity, AI rules
President Trump signed Executive Order 14306 to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity. Government contractors must follow stricter cybersecurity standards, especially when handling sensitive data. They need to manage supply chain risks and ensure AI technologies are secure and ethical. Contractors should share information about cyber threats and update their security policies. Compliance is important to avoid contract termination and other penalties.
Blockchain redefines AI, hardware, data ownership
Oraichain, Pinlink, and RSS3 are using blockchain to change how people own AI, hardware, and data. Oraichain allows developers to create and sell AI models as on-chain assets. Pinlink lets users own parts of high-performance GPUs. RSS3 gives users control over their digital identities and data. These projects aim to give individuals more control over their digital assets and creations.
Sources
- AI-Powered School Opens in Plano This Fall
- From chalkboards to chatbots: Tallahassee welcomes Florida’s first AI middle school
- Alpha School, AI-Driven Education Founded in Austin, Is Coming to More Cities
- Commvault buys AI data security biz Satori Cyber
- Commvault Doubles Down on AI Data Security With Satori Deal
- Q&A with Siddhant Masson, CEO and Co-Founder of Wokelo AI
- AI chips face energy crisis as startups take on Nvidia
- Creating realistic deepfakes is getting easier than ever. Fighting back may take even more AI
- Agentic AI charts a new course for business
- IPG bets on agentic AI to streamline e-commerce optimization
- Is AI Killing Your Hotel Sales?
- Cybersecurity, AI, and EO 14306: What Government Contractors Must Do to Stay Compliant
- Oraichain, Pinlink, and RSS3 Redefine AI, Hardware, Data Ownership via Blockchain