Academic institutions are significantly boosting their AI research capabilities. Stony Brook University, along with other SUNY centers, has joined Empire AI, an initiative announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, to advance AI research and education using a supercomputer at SUNY Buffalo. Similarly, the University of Nebraska launched its own AI Institute, led by President Jeffrey Gold, aiming to establish the state as a leader in responsible AI through a hub-and-spoke model focusing on areas like healthcare and agriculture.
In the business sector, AI is both streamlining operations and causing market shifts. Mercans introduced an AI-driven solution for global payroll and leave compliance, managing complex labor laws across over 100 countries. Meanwhile, Anthropic's new agentic AI tool, Claude Cowork, which performs non-coding tasks like research and document management, has led to a notable sell-off in software stocks due to concerns about increased competition and potential margin compression. AVI-SPL also invested heavily in AI, appointing Sol Rashidi as its Chief AI Officer to enhance customer experiences.
Manufacturers are urged to adopt clear AI strategies, focusing on solving operational problems rather than just acquiring new technology. Michael Lefenfeld, CEO of Hexion, exemplifies this approach; Hexion acquired Smartech, which uses AI to optimize resin and wax use, reducing consumption by up to 30 percent. Additionally, the Open Flash Platform (OFP) group is developing highly efficient AI storage systems, aiming for ten times the storage density and using 90 percent less power than current solutions, with general availability planned for late 2026.
While AI offers many benefits, it also presents challenges and risks. A 70-year-old man from Hyderabad reported his son lost 2.03 crore rupees in an investment scam where fraudsters used fake AI-based trading strategies and performance reports. On a different front, experts propose using AI to remotely monitor nuclear weapons, especially after the New START treaty expired, leveraging AI's pattern recognition abilities with satellite data. However, Holley Miller of Grey Matter Marketing suggests that AI tools make venture capital less unique by pushing investments towards similar opportunities, potentially favoring family offices.
Despite some concerns, AI is increasingly seen as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for human workers. Radiology, for instance, demonstrates how AI helps physicians by analyzing images and spotting patterns, making radiologists more efficient without replacing their critical diagnostic roles. This indicates a future where AI acts as a powerful aid, enhancing human capabilities across various industries.
Key Takeaways
- Stony Brook University and other SUNY centers joined Empire AI to advance AI research and education, utilizing a supercomputer at SUNY Buffalo.
- The University of Nebraska launched a new AI Institute, led by President Jeffrey Gold, to become a national leader in responsible AI across various sectors.
- A 70-year-old man's son in Hyderabad lost 2.03 crore rupees to an investment scam involving fraudsters posing as AI-based fund managers.
- Experts propose using AI's pattern recognition with satellite data for remote nuclear weapon monitoring, following the expiration of the New START treaty.
- Holley Miller suggests AI tools make venture capital less unique by directing investments to similar areas, potentially benefiting family offices and sovereign wealth funds.
- The Open Flash Platform (OFP) group is developing AI storage systems aiming for 10x storage density and 90 percent less power consumption, targeting 2026 availability.
- Mercans launched an AI-driven solution for global payroll and leave compliance, helping multinational companies manage labor laws across over 100 countries.
- Anthropic's new agentic AI tool, Claude Cowork, caused a significant sell-off in software stocks due to its ability to perform various non-coding tasks.
- Radiology serves as an example of AI assisting human workers, making radiologists more efficient by analyzing images and spotting patterns without replacing their roles.
- Michael Lefenfeld, CEO of Hexion, emphasizes clear AI strategies for manufacturers, with Hexion acquiring Smartech to optimize resin and wax use, reducing consumption by up to 30 percent.
Stony Brook joins Empire AI to boost research
Stony Brook University and other SUNY centers are joining Empire AI to advance artificial intelligence research and education. This partnership uses the Empire AI supercomputer at SUNY Buffalo to give students and faculty more access to AI. Governor Kathy Hochul announced this initiative on January 30, stating it will use AI for the public good in New York. Stony Brook will partner with Farmingdale State College and Suffolk County Community College for an eight-week "AI Innovation and Diffusion" program. This program offers 40 undergraduates a $5,000 stipend for AI research.
University of Nebraska opens new AI Institute
The University of Nebraska launched a new "University of Nebraska AI Institute" to expand artificial intelligence research and use. NU President Jeffrey Gold announced this initiative, aiming to make Nebraska a national leader in responsible AI. The institute will use a "hub-and-spoke model" to coordinate efforts across all campuses, focusing on areas like health care, agriculture, and national security. Santosh Pitla and Adrian Wisnicki will co-direct the institute. Each campus will host specialized AI centers, such as the University of Nebraska Medical Center focusing on health AI and UNL on agricultural AI.
Hyderabad man loses 2 crore rupees in AI scam
A 70-year-old retired man from Hyderabad reported that his son lost 2.03 crore rupees in an investment scam. Scammers posed as professional fund managers using fake AI-based trading strategies. They contacted the victim, claiming to be from "Schroders North America AI Quantitative Trading Team (SIMNA)." The fraudsters showed false performance reports and a fake SIMNA app to gain trust. The victim even mortgaged property to invest more money. When he tried to withdraw funds, the scammers demanded extra payments for supposed tax liabilities. Hyderabad cybercrime police have registered a case and started an investigation.
Hyderabad victim loses 2 crore rupees to AI scam
A 70-year-old retired man's son in Hyderabad lost 2.03 crore rupees in an investment fraud. Scammers pretended to be professional fund managers using AI-based trading strategies. They contacted the victim, claiming to represent "Schroders North America AI Quantitative Trading Team." The fraudsters used fake performance reports and a special SIMNA app to build trust. After the victim transferred the money, the scammers asked for more payments, citing tax reasons, when he tried to withdraw his funds. Hyderabad cybercrime police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.
AI could help monitor nuclear weapons remotely
With the New START nuclear treaty between the US and Russia recently expired, experts propose using AI to monitor nuclear weapons remotely. Matt Korda from the Federation of American Scientists suggests AI's pattern recognition abilities could identify changes and weapon systems using satellite data. This "plan B" involves countries cooperating to allow satellites and remote sensors to verify compliance without on-site inspections. AI and machine learning would process this data for human review. While challenging due to limited training data, this approach offers a way to maintain some arms control in a new era of nuclear relations.
AI makes venture capital less unique
Holley Miller, president of Grey Matter Marketing, argues that AI tools make traditional venture capital firms more vulnerable, not smarter. Many VCs are using AI to screen companies, which leads them to invest in similar categories and signals. This makes venture capital less unique and pushes capital towards the same types of opportunities. While AI speeds up screening and processes more data, it mainly reinforces existing ideas and struggles to find truly new innovations. Family offices and sovereign wealth funds, however, are better positioned because they are not limited by the same fund models and can make bigger, longer-term investments.
OFP aims for efficient AI storage systems
The Open Flash Platform (OFP) group is developing new technology to create highly efficient and scalable AI storage systems. Their goal is to eliminate traditional data servers, offering ten times the storage density and using 90 percent less power than current AI storage solutions. OFP envisions a 1 EB rack with a 60 percent longer operating life and lower costs. The storage server will shrink to a smartNIC running Linux, allowing direct access to SSDs. This group, including members like Hammerspace and SK Hynix, plans for general availability in the second half of 2026.
Mercans launches AI tool for global payroll
Mercans, a global payroll and HR technology company, released a new AI-driven solution for workforce and leave compliance. This system helps multinational companies manage complex labor laws and policies across over 100 countries. The AI engine evaluates time and attendance data against thousands of rules, converting it into accurate, payroll-ready transactions. It centralizes compliance logic, adapting as regulations change, and provides an auditable record of how rules were applied. Mercans aims to simplify global timekeeping and reduce risks associated with misclassified work hours for businesses worldwide.
Anthropic's Claude Cowork impacts software stocks
Anthropic's new agentic AI tool, Claude Cowork, has caused a significant sell-off in software stocks. Claude Cowork can perform many non-coding tasks, like creating daily briefings, conducting research, and managing legal documents, by accessing user-selected files. This tool, an extension of Anthropic's Claude chatbot, signals increased competition in the software sector. Investors are concerned that this new AI capability could reduce profit margins and lower company valuations. While some selling may be justified, the market reaction is broad, affecting even software companies that plan to use AI to grow their businesses.
Radiology shows AI helps workers not replace them
Radiology is becoming a prime example of how artificial intelligence can help human workers instead of replacing them. Dr. Po-Hao Chen from the Cleveland Clinic notes that AI excels at analyzing images and spotting patterns, making radiologists more efficient. Human physicians still perform critical tasks like making diagnoses and examining patients. AI tools assist radiologists by prioritizing scans, improving image quality, and summarizing reports. Despite earlier fears, radiology jobs are projected to grow faster than average, showing AI acts as a "second set of eyes" and increases demand for their services.
AVI-SPL invests in AI names Sol Rashidi Chief AI Officer
Global systems integrator AVI-SPL announced a major investment in artificial intelligence by appointing Sol Rashidi as its new Chief AI Officer. Rashidi, a keynote speaker at ISE 2026, brings extensive experience in AI and digital transformation to the company. This move shows AVI-SPL's commitment to using AI to improve customer experiences and streamline operations. The company plans to integrate AI across its services to offer smarter solutions and insights to clients in the audiovisual and unified communications industry worldwide.
Manufacturers need clear AI strategy for 2026
Manufacturers face many AI software pitches, making it hard to choose the right tools despite knowing AI's importance. Ethan Karp, a Forbes contributor, suggests manufacturers should focus on how AI can solve real operational problems rather than just buying new technology. Michael Lefenfeld, CEO of Hexion, exemplifies this by asking where decisions are made without enough information. Hexion acquired Smartech in late 2024, which uses AI to help customers optimize resin and wax use, reducing consumption by up to 30 percent. Smartech also offers Chemistry-As-A-Service, a software solution that helps wood panel firms optimize quality, speed, and cost using their vast data.
Sources
- Stony Brook Joins Empire AI SUNY Campus Partnerships to Expand Access to Artificial Intelligence
- University of Nebraska launches ‘AI Institute’ for artificial intelligence research
- Hyderabad man loses Rs 2 crore to AI trading scam
- AI trading scam in Hyderabad - Man loses Rs 2 Crore
- AI Is Here to Replace Nuclear Treaties. Scared Yet?
- Why AI Makes Venture Capital More Vulnerable, Not Smarter
- OFP's data server killers aiming for AI system scalability and efficiency nirvana
- Mercans Rolls Out New AI-Driven Global Workforce and Leave Compliance Solution
- Is Anthropic's Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool, Claude Cowork, Software's DeepSeek Moment?
- This job has become the ultimate case study for why AI won’t replace human workers
- AVI-SPL announces AI investment with ISE 2026 keynote speaker Sol Rashidi
- AI Strategy For Manufacturers In 2026
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