Amazon AI Strategy, DeepSeek R1 Model Powers China Tech

Cisco is integrating AI agents into its Splunk security and observability products, aiming to automate complex tasks in threat detection, investigation, and response. These new Splunk Enterprise Security editions, Essentials and Premier, leverage AI agents like the Triage Agent and Malware Reversal Agent to reduce response times from hours to minutes and combat cybersecurity team burnout. Beyond security, Cisco's new Data Fabric, powered by Splunk, is designed to make machine data more accessible and cost-effective for AI training and decision-making, unifying data from various sources for deeper insights. Meanwhile, Gigamon has launched Gigamon Insights, an AI application that uses network data to provide guidance to security and IT teams within platforms like Splunk and AWS, speeding up investigations. In a broader context, an advocacy group named Training That Matters warns that AI agents can bypass online training systems, creating unreliable compliance records and a false sense of security. AI is also transforming industries like car auctions, enhancing pricing and customer engagement. On the job market, AI expert Dr. Roman Yampolskiy predicts AI could take over 99% of jobs within five years, potentially freeing up significant human time for leisure. Cathi Harrison advises companies to strategically approach AI adoption, either by becoming 'AI-first' like Amazon or 'human-first,' emphasizing the importance of data quality and infrastructure. In China, tech stocks are performing well despite trade tensions, fueled by AI advancements like DeepSeek's R1 model and semiconductor innovations.

Key Takeaways

• Cisco is enhancing its Splunk security and observability tools with AI agents to automate threat detection, investigation, and response, aiming to reduce response times significantly.
• Cisco's new Data Fabric, utilizing the Splunk platform, aims to simplify and reduce the cost of using machine data for AI training and organizational decision-making.
• Gigamon Insights uses AI and network data to offer guidance to security and IT teams within platforms like Splunk, accelerating investigations and root-cause analysis.
• An advocacy group warns that AI agents can bypass online training systems, generating fake certificates and making compliance records unreliable.
• AI expert Dr. Roman Yampolskiy predicts AI could automate 99% of jobs within five years, potentially leading to increased leisure time for humans.
• Cathi Harrison suggests companies should adopt a strategic approach to AI, focusing on data quality and infrastructure, whether becoming 'AI-first' or 'human-first.'
• AI is transforming industries such as car auctions by improving pricing, customer engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Chinese tech stocks are showing resilience and growth, driven by AI innovations like DeepSeek's R1 model and advancements in semiconductors.
• AI-powered physical security systems are enhancing threat detection and response times, assisting security personnel with tasks like report generation.
• aicas EdgeSuite offers a system for managing AI models from training to deployment, particularly for edge computing environments.

Cisco's Splunk fabric turns machine data into AI insights

Cisco introduced the Cisco Data Fabric, a new system powered by the Splunk platform. This architecture aims to make it easier and cheaper for organizations to use machine data for AI. It can help train AI models, automate tasks, and combine different types of data for better decision-making. The goal is to help businesses innovate faster and improve security.

Cisco launches AI data fabric with Splunk

Cisco has launched the Cisco Data Fabric, a new AI-driven system that uses the Splunk platform. This fabric helps businesses combine and analyze data from various sources, like the cloud and on-premises systems. It uses AI and machine learning to find deeper insights and create a unified view for analytics. The system includes features like a Time Series Foundation Model for advanced pattern analysis and real-time search capabilities across different data sources.

Splunk gets agentic AI for security and observability from Cisco

Cisco has updated its Splunk data platform with new editions for security and observability, featuring agentic AI. The new Splunk Enterprise Security editions, Essentials and Premier, use AI agents to automate threat detection, investigation, and response. The Splunk Observability portfolio also gains AI features for managing AI performance and detecting issues. These updates aim to improve security operations and IT management by automating complex tasks.

Cisco's AI security platform speeds up threat response

Cisco has introduced new AI-powered security solutions, Splunk Enterprise Security Premier Edition and Essentials Edition. These platforms unify threat detection, investigation, and response using agentic AI. Features like the Triage Agent and Malware Reversal Agent will automate tasks, aiming to reduce threat response times from hours to minutes. The Essentials Edition is available now, with Premier Edition in early access and most AI features expected in 2026.

Cisco embeds AI agents into Splunk security tools

Cisco is adding AI agents to its Splunk security and observability products. These agents automate complex tasks in threat detection, investigation, and response, aiming to reduce cybersecurity team burnout. Features include a Triage Agent to prioritize alerts and a Malware Reversal Agent to analyze malicious scripts. Cisco also offers Splunk Enterprise Security Premier and Essentials editions, which combine various security tools with AI capabilities.

AI agents bypass training systems, warns group

An advocacy group called Training That Matters warns that new AI agents can bypass online safety and training systems. These AI tools can complete courses and generate certificates without human involvement, making compliance records unreliable. This practice, termed 'risk-washing,' gives employers a false sense of security while leaving workers unprepared. The group urges organizations to update their training systems to verify authentic participation and block AI circumvention.

AI agents bypass training systems, warns group

Training That Matters, an advocacy group, has issued a warning about 'risk-washing,' where AI agents bypass online training systems. These AI tools can complete courses and generate completion certificates without human input, making training records and compliance reports unreliable. This development creates a false sense of security for employers and leaves workers unprepared for real-world hazards. The group advises organizations to update their training systems to ensure authentic participation and prevent AI circumvention.

Gigamon Insights uses AI for security and IT guidance

Gigamon has launched Gigamon Insights, an AI application that uses network data to help security and IT teams. It provides AI-driven guidance within platforms like Elastic, Splunk, and AWS, allowing analysts to ask questions and get context-rich answers. The tool aims to improve threat detection, security posture, and operations by making network telemetry actionable. Gigamon Insights works with existing SIEM and observability platforms, offering flexibility in AI model deployment.

Gigamon uses AI to guide security and IT teams

Gigamon has released Gigamon Insights, an application using agentic AI to provide guidance for security and IT teams based on network data. It helps speed up investigations and root-cause analysis by delivering insights directly into tools like Splunk and AWS. The system uses a flexible AI architecture and allows users to ask questions in natural language. Gigamon Insights aims to close visibility gaps and improve response times in hybrid cloud environments.

AI friend necklace creator reflects on his creation

Creator Ben Schiffmann reflects on his AI companion necklace, 'The Friend.' Initially conceived during solo travel to combat loneliness, Schiffmann, now 22, presents a more mature perspective on his invention. He has grown his hair and beard, suggesting personal growth and potentially more established real-life connections since the product's debut.

AI expert says jobs will vanish, freeing up human time

Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, an AI safety expert, predicts that AI and robots will take over 99% of jobs within five years. He believes retraining will not be a viable option as AI advances rapidly. However, he suggests this widespread automation could free up 60 to 80 hours per week for humans, leading to an era of abundance and leisure, though questions remain about financial support and finding meaning.

Cathi Harrison advises firms on starting with AI

Cathi Harrison suggests that firms should focus on their approach to AI rather than jumping straight into products. She outlines two paths: becoming an 'AI-first' firm, like Amazon, by restructuring data flow, or a 'human-first' firm that uses AI for efficiency. Harrison emphasizes that AI outputs are limited by input data quality and training, urging businesses to build the necessary infrastructure to support their chosen AI strategy.

AI transforms car auctions and sales

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the car auction industry and dealership operations. AI-powered tools now help with pricing, customer engagement, and operational efficiency, moving beyond traditional methods. By analyzing customer behavior and using predictive analytics, dealerships can better understand customer needs, personalize interactions, and increase sales conversions. AI assistants also manage routine tasks, allowing sales teams to focus on closing deals.

AI enhances physical security and threat detection

Artificial intelligence is significantly changing physical security and threat protection. AI-powered cameras and drones can identify threats like weapons or smoke, reducing false alarms and improving response times. Large language models assist security personnel by generating reports and providing context. This technology helps security teams work smarter, address staffing shortages, and improve overall safety and efficiency.

aicas EdgeSuite simplifies AI model management

aicas has released EdgeSuite, a system designed to manage AI models from training to deployment, especially for edge computing environments. This infrastructure allows engineers to scale AI solutions, manage data, and continuously improve performance even with limited connectivity. EdgeSuite supports over-the-air updates and provides a unified cloud portal for cross-functional teams to build, deploy, use, and improve AI applications seamlessly.

China tech stocks thrive despite trade tensions

Chinese tech stocks like PDD Holdings, Tencent, Bilibili, and Taiwan Semiconductor are showing resilience despite U.S.-China trade friction and tariffs. Breakthroughs in AI, such as DeepSeek's R1 model, and advancements in semiconductors and electric vehicles are driving growth. Companies are innovating cost-effectively and adapting to export controls, positioning them for continued success in the global market.

Sources

• Cisco Data Fabric Transforms Machine Data into AI-Ready Intelligence
• Cisco launches AI-driven data fabric powered by Splunk
• Cisco endows Splunk with agentic AI for security and observability
• AI-Powered SOC Revolution: Cisco's New Security Platform Cuts Threat Response from Hours to Minutes
• Cisco’s Splunk embeds agentic AI into security and observability products
• 'Risk-washing': Employers warned of AI bypassing training systems
• 'Risk-washing': Employers warned of AI bypassing training systems
• Gigamon Brings AI-Driven Guidance to Security and IT Teams with Gigamon Insights
• Gigamon harnesses agentic AI to deliver guidance for security and IT teams
• I Hate My AI Friend
• Cathi Harrison: Where to start with AI in your firm
• How AI is reshaping the billion-dollar car auction industry beyond the gavel
• AI expert says it’s ‘not a question’ that AI will take over all jobs—but people will have 80 hours a week of free time
• aicas EdgeSuite Simplifies AI Model Management From Training to Deployment
• Top China Tech Stocks Defying Persistent U.S.-China Trade Friction
• How AI is disrupting physycal security and threat protection processes