Amazon partners with Nvidia on AI agents

Key Takeaways

• UConn's College of Engineering is launching AEGIS, an AI micro-credential program for engineers, co-developed with Pratt & Whitney and AWS, starting Summer 2026.
• Chinese tech companies like Honor, ZTE, and Lenovo's Motorola showcased 'embodied AI' hardware, including AI-powered glasses from Alibaba's Qwen and iFlytek, at MWC 2026.
• Legaltech firm Ivo is expanding globally, leveraging AI for contract review and management, reporting a 600% increase in annual recurring revenue.
• Riskified enhanced its AI Agent Intelligence platform with features like AI Agent Identity Signals to protect e-commerce merchants and AI shopping assistants from fraud.
• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated the company's investments in OpenAI and Anthropic are likely concluded, citing the closing opportunity once companies go public.
• Columnist Cindy Adams demonstrated ChatGPT's capability to write a fictional gossip column in her style, highlighting AI's growing influence in creative fields.
• CEOs are advised to isolate their top 10-20 engineers to focus solely on building leading AI agents, free from existing product organization distractions.
• A March 26, 2026 webinar will guide finance leaders on using AI and cloud technology for strategic planning, process automation, and team upskilling.
• There is a call to differentiate between the hype and reality of AI and quantum computing, warning against exaggerated claims and potential fraud.
• Qualcomm introduced a new platform designed for AI agent functions in wearable devices, further integrating AI into consumer hardware.

UConn launches AI short course for engineers

The University of Connecticut's College of Engineering is launching a new AI training program called AEGIS. This program is a cross-disciplinary micro-credential designed to teach engineers how to design, use, and manage AI systems for complex tasks. It is part of a statewide initiative to boost AI talent in Connecticut. The course will be developed with major engineering companies like Pratt & Whitney and AWS. AEGIS will start its first pilot group in Summer 2026, open to various engineering fields.

AI course aims to boost engineering workforce skills

The University of Connecticut's College of Engineering is introducing a new artificial intelligence training program called AEGIS. This program is a micro-credential course focused on preparing engineers to use agentic AI systems for multi-step tasks. Governor Ned Lamont announced this initiative as part of the Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator program to increase AI-skilled workers. AEGIS will be co-developed with industry leaders like Pratt & Whitney and AWS. The pilot program begins in Summer 2026 and is open to engineers in various disciplines.

Chinese tech firms showcase AI hardware at MWC 2026

Chinese technology companies are increasingly focusing on AI hardware at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona. This year's event highlights 'embodied AI' in devices like AI-powered glasses and humanoid robots, moving beyond software. Companies such as Honor, ZTE, and Lenovo's Motorola unit are introducing new AI-integrated smartphones and concept devices. Alibaba's AI brand Qwen launched its first AI glasses for consumers, while iFlytek presented translation-focused AI glasses. Chipmaker Qualcomm also introduced a new platform for AI agent functions in wearable devices.

Legaltech firm Ivo expands globally with AI

San Francisco-based legaltech company Ivo is expanding internationally, opening new offices in London and New York. The company uses AI to automate contract review and management, helping legal teams identify risks and negotiate better deals. CEO Min-Kyu Jung notes a significant market shift towards AI in legal work, making it a priority for investment. Ivo has seen substantial growth, increasing its annual recurring revenue by 600% in the past year. The company aims to adapt its platform for different legal jurisdictions as it grows.

AI creates a column, challenging writer's role

Columnist Cindy Adams explores the capabilities of AI by having ChatGPT write a fictional gossip column in her style. The AI generated a piece about her dog Jellybean and a fictional scenario involving a former president at a restaurant. Adams reflects on how AI can replicate human work, questioning her own role as a writer. She notes the AI's speed and ability to mimic her voice, while still emphasizing the unique nature of New York stories. The article highlights the growing influence of AI in creative fields.

Separate your best engineers for AI development

This article advises CEOs who are behind in AI strategy to physically isolate their top 10-20 engineers. The author suggests putting them in a different building, away from distractions and the existing product organization. This dedicated team's sole focus should be building the leading AI agent in their category. Isolation is crucial because the current product structure can hinder innovation, and engineers need freedom to experiment and discard ideas quickly. The goal is to create an agent that performs tasks currently done by humans, helping companies catch up to competitors and startups.

Nvidia scales back AI investments in OpenAI and Anthropic

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that the company's investments in OpenAI and Anthropic are likely finished. He explained that once these companies go public, the opportunity for such investments closes. Nvidia's spokesperson referred to previous statements about focusing investments on expanding their ecosystem. There are also suggestions that complex dynamics and differing directions between these AI companies might have influenced Nvidia's decision. Huang's official reason focuses on the IPO window, but the situation appears more complicated.

Riskified boosts AI for secure online shopping

Riskified has enhanced its AI Agent Intelligence platform to protect e-commerce merchants and their AI shopping assistants from fraud. As businesses deploy conversational AI for customer service, Riskified ensures these new touchpoints are secure. The platform provides merchants with risk intelligence by analyzing customer purchase history across a global network. New features include AI Agent Identity Signals for real-time risk assessment and enhancements to the AI Agent Policy Builder for managing order risk from AI agents.

Finance leaders can use AI for strategy

A webinar on March 26, 2026, will focus on how finance leaders can use AI and cloud technology to improve strategy amidst economic uncertainty and market volatility. The event, hosted by CFO Brew and Oracle NetSuite, will cover justifying AI investments, automating processes for faster financial closes, and upskilling finance teams. It will also address compliance, data privacy, and security in an AI-driven world. The goal is to help finance teams drive operational excellence and gain deeper strategic insights.

Separate hype from AI and quantum computing reality

This article urges a clear distinction between the hype and reality of AI and quantum computing, especially concerning 'Quantum AI'. While these technologies promise significant advancements in areas like healthcare and finance, there's a risk of exaggerated claims leading to deception. The authors warn that, similar to AI's hype cycles, quantum technology could face similar issues if claims aren't managed responsibly. They highlight the importance of curbing hype while maintaining enthusiasm for genuine innovation. Regulatory bodies and legal actions are already addressing AI-related fraud, and similar scrutiny may apply to quantum-AI combinations.

Sources

• UConn Engineering Offering AI Short Course For Workforce Development
• AI Short Course Boosts Workforce Skills
• Chinese tech firms push into AI hardware at MWC 2026
• Ivo Plots International Expansion As Legal Teams Embrace AI
• I thought I was irreplaceable — then AI replicated ME
• If You’re Behind on AI, Put Your 10-20 Best Engineers in a Different Building. Today.
• Jensen Huang says Nvidia is pulling back from OpenAI and Anthropic, but his explanation raises more questions than it answers
• Riskified Enhances AI Agent Intelligence for Retail Security
• Future-Focused Finance: Unlock Stronger Strategy With AI
• We Need to Disentangle Hype from AI and Quantum Computing