September 10, 2025

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OpenAI, Microsoft AI Labs, Apple AirPods Pro 3, Gemini IPO

Businesses are navigating a complex AI landscape, with some, like Streaml, launching tools for full revenue automation to streamline sales processes and reduce costs. However, widespread AI adoption faces hurdles. Accenture CEO Julie Sweet notes that implementation is slower and more difficult than expected, with many large companies struggling to see ROI, predicting it will take years to see significant gains. This difficulty is compounded by data security concerns, with nearly three-quarters of IT leaders citing information complexity and cyber threats as major obstacles, even as AI is also being used to bolster security. Adding to the complexity, employees often hide their AI use due to fear of judgment, a phenomenon experts call 'AI shame,' which hinders collaboration and innovation. Leaders are advised to manage employee reactions to change, framing AI as an enhancer rather than a job threat, and to foster a culture of trust and experimentation. Despite these business challenges, consumers are actively driving AI profits through entertainment and companionship applications, with companies like Character.ai and OpenAI exploring subscription and advertising models. In education, AI is seen as a general-purpose technology like electricity, with institutions like the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, supported by Microsoft, launching AI journalism labs to explore its potential. Western University's Chief AI Officer Mark Daley emphasizes focusing on values and skill enhancement rather than bypassing learning, noting that AI proficiency will be essential for future jobs. Meanwhile, practical AI applications are emerging in regional businesses, such as identifying AI use in job interviews. In broader tech news, Apple is releasing new AirPods Pro 3 with health monitoring features, the UAE has introduced a new AI model, and there are reports of a potential Gemini IPO.

Key Takeaways

  • Streaml has launched an AI sales tool designed for full revenue automation, aiming to reduce costs and complexity in the sales process.
  • Accenture CEO Julie Sweet reports that AI implementation in large companies is slow and difficult, with many not yet seeing a return on investment.
  • Data security challenges, including cyber threats and unstructured data growth, are hindering enterprise AI adoption, though AI is also used to enhance security.
  • Employees are hiding their AI use at work due to fear of judgment, creating 'AI shame' that impedes knowledge sharing and innovation.
  • Leaders are advised to manage employee fears and resistance by framing AI as a tool that enhances skills and benefits, fostering trust and experimentation.
  • Consumers are driving AI profits through entertainment and companionship use cases, with companies like Character.ai and OpenAI exploring subscription and advertising models.
  • The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, with Microsoft's support, is launching AI journalism labs in 2026 to explore generative AI's journalistic potential.
  • AI is viewed as a general-purpose technology in education, with a focus on using it to enhance skills and values rather than bypass learning.
  • Regional businesses are finding practical AI uses, such as identifying AI-assisted communication in job interviews.
  • Recent tech news includes Apple's AirPods Pro 3 with heart-rate monitoring, a new UAE AI model, and reports of a potential Gemini IPO.

Streaml launches AI sales tool for full revenue automation

Streaml has introduced a new AI-powered platform designed to manage the entire sales process, from finding leads to scheduling meetings. This system aims to reduce costs and complexity for businesses by consolidating tasks that previously required large teams or agencies. The platform uses AI agents and cross-platform data to prioritize prospects and accelerate sales cycles. Streaml claims its tool can deliver the value of a $100,000 sales agency at a much lower cost, helping companies in various sectors like private equity, tech, and healthcare achieve growth.

Streaml launches AI sales tool for full revenue automation

Streaml has launched an AI-powered sales development platform that handles lead sourcing, outreach, follow-up, and meeting scheduling in one system. The tool aims to simplify sales processes, reduce costs, and allow teams to focus on closing deals. Key features include full-funnel coverage, extensive lead data beyond LinkedIn, AI-driven prospect engagement, and cost efficiency compared to traditional agencies. Streaml has already shown success in industries like private equity, manufacturing, and healthcare, with plans to further develop AI agents for complete sales cycle automation.

Donald Thompson: Build AI resilience by managing change

Donald Thompson advises that successful AI adoption hinges on managing people's reactions to change, not just the technology itself. He suggests leaders must understand and address employee fears and resistance through empathy and clear communication. Thompson recommends framing AI as a tool that enhances quality and individual benefits, rather than solely a cost-saving measure that could lead to job losses. Building trust, fostering a culture of experimentation, creating a positive message, and investing in training are key strategies for creating change resilience and unlocking AI's potential.

Employees hide AI use amid mixed workplace signals

Many employees are hiding their use of AI tools at work due to fear of judgment, despite employers encouraging AI adoption for productivity. This creates a paradox where workers feel pressured to use AI but fear being seen as lazy or less competent. The secrecy hinders knowledge sharing and innovation within companies. Experts suggest that normalizing AI use, providing clear training and policies, and framing AI as a performance enhancer rather than a shortcut are crucial steps for leaders to overcome this 'AI shame' and foster confident adoption.

Data security gaps hinder enterprise AI adoption

Organizations face significant data security challenges that are slowing down their adoption of enterprise AI, according to a Ponemon Institute study commissioned by OpenText. Nearly three-quarters of IT leaders believe reducing information complexity is crucial for AI progress, citing issues like cyber threats and the growth of unstructured data. Many companies are appointing new leaders, such as Chief AI Officers, to manage data strategy. While AI is a priority, budget constraints and a lack of alignment between AI strategies and security functions create obstacles, though AI is also being used to enhance security operations.

Accenture CEO: AI implementation is slow and difficult

Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture, states that AI implementation in large companies is proving slower and more challenging than anticipated. While CEOs are highly focused on AI, achieving immediate cost savings or productivity gains is difficult, with many organizations seeing no return on investment. Sweet believes it will take several years to move past this initial phase, emphasizing that success depends on leaders reinventing processes and mindsets, not just adopting new technology. Accenture's data shows 85% of C-suites plan to increase AI spending, but this may lead to job shifts as companies train staff and streamline operations.

Newmark J-School launches AI journalism labs with Nordic partners

The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, with support from Microsoft, is launching two new AI Journalism Labs in 2026. One lab will be in partnership with the Nordic AI Journalism (NAIJ) network, focusing on exploring generative AI's journalistic potential. The 'AI J Lab: Leaders' track will focus on newsroom leadership in the AI age, while the 'AI J Lab: Builders' track, in partnership with NAIJ, will explore building better news products with AI. Both tuition-free programs are open to international applicants and require a capstone project.

AI in education discussed on London Morning

Mark Daley, Western University's Chief AI Officer, discussed the changing landscape of AI in education on London Morning. He described AI as a general-purpose technology like electricity, impacting classrooms and risk management. Daley emphasized that while students can use AI for various tasks, the focus must be on values and using AI to improve skills rather than bypass learning. He noted that detecting AI-written work is nearly impossible and predicted AI proficiency will be essential for future jobs and education, advising families to focus on how AI can support their values.

Regional businesses find practical AI uses

Regional businesses are discovering practical applications for artificial intelligence, moving beyond theoretical discussions. Ben Elliott, COO of a Cedar Rapids-based software developer, shared an experience where he identified a candidate using text-to-speech AI during a remote job interview. This highlights how AI is being integrated into various business operations, with companies finding real-world uses for the technology.

Consumers drive AI profits amid business struggles

While many businesses struggle to see productivity gains from AI, consumers are actively embracing the technology, driving its path to profits. Companies like Character.ai are finding success with entertainment and companionship use cases, focusing on subscriptions and potentially advertising. OpenAI is also investing in consumer-focused analytics tools, suggesting a future monetization strategy driven by its large user base. This indicates that AI's true value may lie in its ability to entertain, organize, and console individuals, leading to revenue streams similar to gaming and social media.

Tech news: Apple earbuds, UAE AI model, Gemini IPO

Recent tech developments include Apple's new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, which feature a heart-rate monitor for tracking pulse and calorie burn, priced at $249. Additionally, the UAE has announced a new AI model, and there are reports regarding a potential Gemini IPO. These updates cover product launches, advancements in AI technology from different regions, and financial market activities.

Sources

AI Sales Tools Revenue Automation AI Agents Sales Process Lead Generation Customer Relationship Management AI Adoption Change Management Employee Fears Workplace AI AI Ethics Data Security Enterprise AI AI Implementation Productivity Gains AI in Journalism Generative AI Newsroom Leadership AI in Education AI Proficiency Business Applications of AI AI for Business Consumer AI AI Monetization AI Technology AI Products AI Development AI Strategy AI Investment AI Security