Cisco recently unveiled significant enhancements to its AI security portfolio at CISCO LIVE EMEA on February 10, 2026. The company upgraded Cisco AI Defense, its enterprise AI security solution, with new features designed for the agentic AI era. These updates include an AI Bill of Materials and MCP Catalog to secure the AI supply chain, alongside advanced algorithmic red teaming and real-time agentic guardrails to protect AI agents from manipulation. Furthermore, Cisco SASE now offers tools to optimize AI traffic and govern agent interactions, utilizing SD-WAN intelligence and semantic inspection to identify and neutralize threats like prompt injection. Cisco also released IOS XE 26, bringing full-stack post-quantum cryptography to its 8000 Series Secure Routers and C9000 Series Smart Switches.
Globally, the United States and China are solidifying their control over the future of artificial intelligence, employing 70 percent of top AI researchers and holding 90 percent of global computing power for AI, according to a report on February 10, 2026. This dominance leaves other nations at a disadvantage, dependent on infrastructure controlled by a few US firms and the US government. Concurrently, cloud providers like Amazon are reportedly hoarding AI hardware such as GPUs, making these resources scarce and expensive for others. This trend pushes businesses and consumers towards subscription models for computing resources, raising concerns about high costs and potential vendor lock-in.
Major tech companies are deeply integrating AI into their platforms, with Google and Meta incorporating AI chatbots like Google's AI Overviews to personalize the internet experience with tailored ads, advice, and prices. However, users often find it difficult to opt out of these AI features, leading to a perceived loss of control. In a related development, Autodesk filed a lawsuit against Google on February 10, 2026, alleging trademark infringement over Google's "Flow AI video tool," which Google introduced in May 2025, after Autodesk launched its "Flow" brand in 2022. This legal action highlights growing tensions in the AI video generation market.
OpenAI is expanding its reach while facing regulatory scrutiny. On February 9, 2026, OpenAI announced a custom version of ChatGPT is coming to GenAI.mil, the Department of Defense's secure AI platform, to assist 3 million civilian and military personnel with unclassified tasks. This system operates within authorized government cloud infrastructure, ensuring data processed remains separate and is not used to train OpenAI's public models. Simultaneously, the Midas Project, an AI watchdog group, accused OpenAI on February 10, 2026, of violating California's new AI safety law, SB 53, with the release of its GPT-5.3-Codex coding model, citing cybersecurity concerns. OpenAI maintains it complied, arguing safeguards are only needed for models with both high cyber risk and long-range autonomy.
AI continues to reshape various industries. Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson stated on February 10, 2026, that AI will fundamentally transform the pharmaceutical industry in 2026, moving beyond experiments to core operations, with Sanofi already discovering 10 new drug targets in one year. In marketing, Patrick Panayotov of Proceed Innovative shared insights on how AI, including large language models and AI-enhanced SEO, streamlines operations and improves customer engagement for manufacturers. The automotive sector is also seeing AI video avatars from companies like Covideo and Spyne pitching cars for dealerships. Amidst these advancements, discussions on AI governance suggest learning from the 1996 Telecommunications Act, focusing on how technology owners behave rather than attempting to define rapidly changing technological specifics, with over 300 AI-related bills currently in US Congress and state legislatures.
Key Takeaways
- Cisco enhanced its AI Defense solution with AI supply chain security, algorithmic red teaming, and agentic guardrails, and updated Cisco SASE for AI traffic optimization and threat inspection.
- Cisco also released IOS XE 26, introducing full-stack post-quantum cryptography to its 8000 Series Secure Routers and C9000 Series Smart Switches.
- The United States and China dominate global AI, controlling 70% of top researchers and 90% of computing power, leaving "AI middle powers" at a disadvantage.
- Cloud providers, including Amazon, are reportedly hoarding AI hardware like GPUs, driving up rental costs and pushing businesses towards subscription models.
- Google and Meta are integrating AI chatbots, such as Google's AI Overviews, to personalize online experiences, but users often lack control over these features.
- Autodesk is suing Google for trademark infringement over Google's "Flow AI video tool," highlighting naming disputes in the AI video generation market.
- OpenAI is deploying a custom ChatGPT version on GenAI.mil for the US Department of Defense, serving 3 million personnel with data isolation.
- OpenAI faces accusations from the Midas Project of violating California's SB 53 AI safety law with its GPT-5.3-Codex model, a claim OpenAI disputes.
- Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson predicts AI will fundamentally transform the pharmaceutical industry in 2026, with Sanofi already discovering 10 new drug targets in one year.
- AI is reshaping marketing for manufacturers (Proceed Innovative) and enabling AI video avatars (Covideo, Spyne) for car dealerships.
Cisco AI Defense gets major upgrade for agentic era
Cisco AI Defense, a leading enterprise AI security solution, received its biggest update since its launch a year ago. The new features protect AI applications and agents in three main areas: end-to-end AI supply chain security, advanced algorithmic red teaming, and real-time agentic guardrails. Key additions include AI Bill of Materials and MCP Catalog for asset transparency, and a redesigned AI Validation for faster, multi-lingual security assessments. These updates help secure AI development and deployment against evolving threats.
Cisco boosts AI security and SASE at EMEA event
Cisco announced major updates to its security products at CISCO LIVE EMEA on February 10, 2026. The company expanded Cisco AI Defense with new features like AI Bill of Materials and MCP Catalog to secure the AI supply chain. It also added advanced algorithmic red teaming and real-time agentic guardrails to protect AI agents from manipulation. Additionally, Cisco SASE introduced new tools for optimizing AI traffic and governing agent interactions. These changes help businesses safely use advanced AI agents and workflows.
Cisco enhances AI security and network protection
Cisco expanded its security offerings on February 10, 2026, to better protect businesses using agentic AI. The company updated Cisco AI Defense with new features like AI Bill of Materials and MCP Catalog to secure the AI supply chain. It also added advanced algorithmic red teaming and real-time agentic guardrails to keep AI agents safe. Cisco SASE gained new capabilities for optimizing AI traffic and governing agent interactions. Furthermore, Cisco released IOS XE 26, which brings full-stack post-quantum cryptography to its 8000 Series Secure Routers and C9000 Series Smart Switches.
Cisco strengthens AI security and SASE solutions
Cisco announced significant updates to its security portfolio at CISCO LIVE EMEA on February 10, 2026. The company enhanced Cisco AI Defense with new features such as AI Bill of Materials and MCP Catalog to secure the AI supply chain. It also introduced advanced algorithmic red teaming and real-time agentic guardrails to protect AI agents from compromise. Additionally, Cisco SASE gained new capabilities for optimizing AI traffic. These improvements aim to help businesses confidently adopt agentic AI.
Cisco SASE secures and optimizes AI operations
AI agents are now widely used across businesses, creating new challenges for security and networking. These agents are distributed and generate large amounts of unpredictable, latency-sensitive traffic. Cisco redesigned its SASE solution for the AI era to address these issues. Cisco SASE uses SD-WAN intelligence and NBAR to identify and manage AI traffic, ensuring fast and reliable performance. Cisco Secure Access also inspects AI interactions, using advanced methods like semantic inspection to understand intent and stop threats. This helps protect businesses from new AI-related risks like prompt injection and tool abuse.
AI governance can learn from 1996 Telecom Act
On February 9, 2026, an article suggested that AI governance can learn from the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Over 300 bills related to AI are currently in US Congress and state legislatures. The 1996 Act, which updated the 1934 Communications Act, focused on creating competition and regulating market structures, not specific technologies. It empowered the FCC to address issues that could hinder competition. For AI, lawmakers should focus on how technology owners behave rather than trying to define fast-changing technological specifics.
US and China dominate AI leaving others behind
A report on February 10, 2026, highlights that the United States and China will control the future of artificial intelligence. These two countries employ 70 percent of top AI researchers and hold 90 percent of global computing power for AI. This dominance leaves "AI middle powers" like France, India, and the United Kingdom at a disadvantage. These countries face challenges in accessing frontier AI capabilities and are exposed to AI's negative effects without sharing its benefits. Their access to AI systems depends on infrastructure controlled by a few US firms and the US government, with China also rapidly building its own.
AI video avatars pitch cars for dealerships
On February 10, 2026, it was reported that companies like Covideo and Spyne are creating AI video avatars. These virtual agents, such as Megan and Laura, can interact with customers. They use studio-quality videos and human-like personas to pitch cars for dealerships. This technology aims to help car sales by providing automated, engaging customer responses.
Proceed Innovative CEO shares AI marketing insights
On February 9, 2026, Patrick Panayotov, President and CEO of Proceed Innovative, spoke at the TMA Illinois "Sales & Marketing Roundtable" in Schaumburg, IL. He shared insights on how AI is reshaping marketing for manufacturers. Patrick explained that AI is a strategic tool that helps businesses streamline operations, improve customer engagement, and find qualified leads. He highlighted the use of AI-powered tools like large language models and AI-enhanced SEO frameworks. Proceed Innovative also sponsored this event, which brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of marketing with AI.
Cloud providers drive up AI hardware rental costs
On February 10, 2026, an analysis revealed that cloud providers are hoarding AI hardware like GPUs, making it expensive and scarce for others. Companies like Amazon use their market power to control the supply and prices of this hardware, then rent it back at a premium. This trend forces consumers and small businesses to rent computing resources instead of owning them, raising concerns about hardware ownership shifting to subscription models. While cloud computing offers benefits, users and businesses must carefully consider the high costs and potential vendor lock-in before committing to cloud contracts.
Sanofi CEO says AI will transform pharma in 2026
Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, stated on February 10, 2026, that AI will fundamentally reshape the pharmaceutical industry. He believes 2026 will be a turning point for enterprise-scale AI implementation, moving beyond experiments to core operations. Sanofi has already seen dramatic results, using AI to discover 10 new drug targets in just one year and to make smarter drug development decisions. AI also improves clinical trial recruitment, detects supply chain vulnerabilities, and reshapes medicine manufacturing. Furthermore, AI advances preventative and predictive care through remote patient monitoring and digital tools.
AI personalizes internet but users lose control
On February 10, 2026, Brian X. Chen reported that AI is personalizing the internet, but users are losing control. Companies like Google and Meta are integrating AI chatbots, such as Google's AI Overviews, into their platforms. This creates a tailored online experience with personalized ads, advice, and prices for each user. However, there is often no easy way to turn off these AI features, making it difficult for users to opt out or understand what they are opting out of.
OpenAI accused of breaking California AI safety law
On February 10, 2026, the Midas Project, an AI watchdog group, accused OpenAI of violating California's new AI safety law, SB 53. The group claims OpenAI failed to follow its own safety commitments with the release of its new coding model, GPT-5.3-Codex. This model shows high performance but also raises cybersecurity concerns. OpenAI states it complied with the law, arguing that safeguards are only needed for models with both high cyber risk and long-range autonomy, which they believe GPT-5.3-Codex lacks. However, some safety researchers disagree with OpenAI's interpretation, and a violation could lead to millions of dollars in fines.
Autodesk sues Google over Flow AI video tool name
On February 10, 2026, Autodesk sued Google, claiming Google's Flow AI video generator infringes on its trademark. Autodesk launched its Flow brand in 2022 as a cloud-based platform for filmmakers, later expanding it to include AI features in Flow Studio. Google then introduced its own Flow AI video tool in May 2025. This lawsuit highlights growing tensions in the AI video generation market as established companies face Big Tech's AI expansion. The outcome could set a precedent for future AI product naming disputes, and Autodesk aims to protect its brand recognition.
OpenAI brings ChatGPT to US military platform
On February 9, 2026, OpenAI announced it is bringing a custom version of ChatGPT to GenAI.mil, the Department of Defense's secure AI platform. This platform is used by 3 million civilian and military personnel for unclassified work. The system runs in authorized government cloud infrastructure with strong safety controls and data protections. Data processed on GenAI.mil remains separate and will not be used to train OpenAI's public models. ChatGPT will help American service members with daily tasks like summarizing documents, drafting reports, and supporting research and planning.
Sources
- Security for the Agentic Era: Cisco AI Defense Breaks New Ground
- Cisco Redefines Security for the Agentic Era with AI Defense Expansion and AI-Aware SASE
- Cisco Expands Security Portfolio to Protect Agentic AI in Enterprises
- Cisco Redefines Security for the Agentic Era with AI Defense Expansion and AI-Aware SASE
- SASE for the AI Era: Driving Secure, Distributed, and Optimized AI
- Governing the AI transition: Lessons from the 1996 Telecommunications Act
- The AI Divide
- AI video avatars like Megan and Laura can pitch cars for dealerships
- Patrick Panayotov, President & CEO of Proceed Innovative, Delivers Insightful Presentation at TMA Illinois “Sales & Marketing Roundtable: The Future of Marketing with AI”
- AI hardware too expensive? ‘Just rent it,’ cloud providers say
- Sanofi CEO: The enterprise AI shift will reshape pharma in 2026
- A.I. Personalizes the Internet but Takes Away Control
- OpenAI appears to have violated California's AI safety law with GPT-5.3-Codex release, watchdog group says
- Autodesk Sues Google Over Flow AI Video Tool Name
- Bringing ChatGPT to GenAI.mil
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