Akamai's $4.21B Revenue, CrowdStrike's $585M AI Growth

Akamai Technologies reported annual revenue of about $4.21 billion with a gross margin near 57.5 percent. The company's stock jumped 8.88 percent after Piper Sandler upgraded it to Overweight with a $125 price target, citing growth in its AI-driven Compute segment. Akamai also announced new partnerships with Deloitte Canada and MuleSoft to strengthen enterprise cybersecurity.

CrowdStrike Holdings saw its stock rise 4.63 percent as demand for AI security grows. Morgan Stanley, Stephens, and Bank of America raised their price targets, with the latter setting one at $260. CrowdStrike was named the only Customers Choice in Gartner's 2026 identity security report, and its Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security annual recurring revenue grew 34 percent year over year to over $585 million.

Twist Bioscience shares surged 8.35 percent following a partnership with Eli Lilly to provide antibody characterization data for Lilly's AI/ML drug discovery platform, TuneLab. Leerink raised its price target from $120 to $160. Twist noted that pilot work on AI-designed mini-binder proteins for Anthropic is likely already reflected in its fiscal 2027 orders outlook.

The United Nations Security Council is holding a special meeting to address the growing threat of artificial intelligence. AI executives from around the world will brief the council on development states and global security impacts. The UN has warned about AI dangers since 2020, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to ensure benefits are shared by all.

Security researchers found an attack landing page and script injection issue in Meta's Muse Mac app, prompting a hotfix. AI assistants with broad access are now valuable targets, as stolen accounts could allow attackers to send messages and emails as victims, exploiting trust from friends and family.

Automakers are spending significantly on AI, often more than suppliers, with Hyundai starting to incorporate the technology into manufacturing. A PwC analysis is examining where these companies are getting the biggest returns on their AI investments, highlighting the high costs involved in these widespread use cases.

Nasdaq Ventures invested in Transient.AI to support AI governance for regulated financial institutions. This funding aims to promote bank-grade oversight of AI models used by banks worldwide. Nasdaq plans to use Transient.AI tools for regulatory compliance and risk controls across major financial centers, adding to its existing Verafin and AxiomSL platforms.

BlackRock is transforming its Aladdin platform into an AI-powered investment intelligence layer for global clients. The platform, which serves hundreds of thousands of users, will add more AI-driven tools for private markets and risk management. Tarek Chouman stated that Aladdin will help clients make better decisions at scale.

AI agents are helping banks modernize legacy core systems by reaching them through APIs and software interfaces. Coding agents can automate mapping, coding, testing, and documentation. PYMNTS Intelligence finds that 95% of financial services firms have broadly deployed or embedded newer AI in data and technology functions.

The FTC proposed five steps in August 2026 to stop AI-powered price discrimination. The agency wants companies to clearly tell customers when their data affects their price and to block the use of sensitive data like health or financial details for setting prices, building on state-level efforts.

Key Takeaways

Akamai reported $4.21 billion in annual revenue with a 57.5 percent gross margin.
Piper Sandler upgraded Akamai to Overweight with a $125 price target.
CrowdStrike's Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security revenue grew 34 percent to over $585 million.
Twist Bioscience partnered with Eli Lilly for its TuneLab AI drug discovery platform.
Twist's pilot work on AI-designed proteins for Anthropic may be reflected in fiscal 2027 orders.
The UN Security Council will host a special meeting on AI threats with global executive briefings.
Meta issued a hotfix for security vulnerabilities in its Muse Mac app.
Automakers like Hyundai are increasing AI spending in manufacturing despite high costs.
Nasdaq invested in Transient.AI to enhance AI governance for financial institutions.
BlackRock is upgrading its Aladdin platform with AI tools for investment intelligence.

Akamai stock rises on AI security deals and analyst upgrades

Akamai Technologies stock jumped 8.88 percent after positive news about its cloud security growth. Piper Sandler upgraded Akamai to Overweight with a $125 price target, citing an upcoming inflection in its AI-driven Compute segment. Citigroup lowered its target to $122 but kept a Neutral rating. Akamai also announced new partnerships with Deloitte Canada and MuleSoft to strengthen enterprise cybersecurity. The company reports annual revenue of about $4.21 billion with a strong 57.5 percent gross margin.

CrowdStrike stock climbs as AI security demand grows

CrowdStrike Holdings stock rose 4.63 percent due to strong cybersecurity demand. Morgan Stanley raised its CRWD price target to $254, Stephens set a $280 target, and Bank of America boosted its target to $260. CrowdStrike was named the only Customers Choice in Gartner's 2026 identity security report. Its Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security annual recurring revenue grew 34 percent year over year to over $585 million. The company also expanded its AI-driven Project QuiltWorks program across North America with partners including CDW and Optiv.

Twist Bioscience shares surge on Eli Lilly AI drug deal

Twist Bioscience stock jumped 8.35 percent following a new partnership with Eli Lilly. Twist signed an agreement to provide antibody characterization data and services to Lilly's AI/ML drug discovery platform called TuneLab. Leerink raised its price target on Twist Bioscience from $120 to $160 with an Outperform rating. Twist also said its pilot work on AI-designed mini-binder proteins for Anthropic is likely already reflected in its fiscal 2027 orders outlook. The company reported annual revenue of about $376.6 million with a gross margin near 52 percent.

AI executives to brief UN Security Council on AI threats

The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a special meeting about the growing threat of artificial intelligence. The 15-member council, which usually discusses war and climate change, will now focus on AI risks. AI executives from around the world will brief the council on the current state of AI development and its potential impact on global security. The meeting will be webcast live on the UN website for the public to follow.

AI executives to brief UN Security Council amid security concerns

The UN Security Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the growing threat of artificial intelligence. Experts will share knowledge about potential risks and consequences of AI development. The UN has warned about AI dangers since 2020, when its High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation flagged security concerns. The meeting aims to promote international cooperation to address AI challenges. UN Secretary-General emphasized the need for global collaboration to ensure AI benefits are shared by all.

Security risks found in Meta Muse AI app

Meta says it pushed a hotfix for its Muse Mac app after security researchers found a attack landing page and script injection issue. AI assistants with broad access are now valuable targets for attackers. A stolen account or token could let someone send messages and emails as the victim. Friends and family trust messages from known contacts, making this a serious risk.

Automakers spend big on AI but where is the return

AI is expensive, and automakers are spending far more than suppliers on a wider range of AI use cases. Hyundai is starting to incorporate artificial intelligence into its manufacturing. A PwC analysis looked at where automakers and suppliers are getting the biggest returns on their AI investments.

Nasdaq invests in Transient.AI for AI governance

Nasdaq Ventures invested in Transient.AI to support AI governance for regulated financial institutions. The funding aims to promote bank-grade oversight of AI models used by banks and supervised firms worldwide. Nasdaq plans to use Transient.AI tools for regulatory compliance and risk controls across major financial centers. Nasdaq already sells Verafin and AxiomSL platforms and wants to add model governance through this investment.

BlackRock upgrades Aladdin with AI tools

BlackRock is turning its Aladdin platform into an AI-powered investment intelligence layer for global clients. The platform now serves hundreds of thousands of users and will add more AI-driven tools for private markets and risk management. Tarek Chouman said Aladdin will become an intelligence layer that helps clients make better decisions at scale.

AI helps banks modernize legacy core systems

AI is opening new routes between banks' legacy core systems and the applications built on top of them. AI agents can reach bank systems through APIs, MCP connections and software interfaces employees already use. PYMNTS Intelligence finds 95% of financial services firms have broadly deployed or embedded newer AI in data and technology functions. Coding agents can automate mapping, coding, testing and documentation for connecting bank systems.

FTC proposes five steps to stop AI powered price discrimination

The FTC released a proposal in August 2026 to protect consumers from surveillance pricing. This practice uses personal data and AI to set different prices for different people. The FTC says companies should clearly tell customers when their data affects their price. The agency also wants to block the use of sensitive data like health or financial details for setting prices. These steps aim to build on efforts by some states to pass their own laws against this practice.

Tempus AI stock rises 6.1 percent on September 24 2026

Tempus AI stock traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TEM on September 24, 2026. The shares went up 6.1 percent during the trading day. The article reports the stock movement but does not explain the reason for the increase.

Genpact gains AI investor interest through Google Cloud partnership

Genpact is getting fresh attention from investors for its work in digital transformation, data, analytics, and AI services. The company has a key partnership with Google Cloud that helps it serve financial, consumer, and industrial clients. Genpact says its AI tools help clients cut costs and improve customer experience. The stock has been volatile, falling 9.95 percent over the past month and 26.27 percent year to date. Despite this, the company's fundamentals remain strong.