ChatGPT 'Its not X its Y' as Larry Fink eyes growth

Key Takeaways

• American Express is acquiring Hyper, an AI expense management startup, to integrate its AI agents into a new expense management platform and enhance commercial services, also introducing Agent Purchase Protection.
• Attorney Greg Lake was suspended by the Nebraska Supreme Court for using AI to generate a legal document containing fictitious cases and misquotes.
• Australia's federal court warned lawyers to verify AI-generated content, stressing that presenting false information can lead to adverse costs orders.
• The U.S. CFTC is using AI and automation to manage its workload and conduct surveillance in cryptocurrency and prediction markets, despite staff reductions.
• IBM's Jeff Crume emphasized the urgent need for organizations to transition to quantum-safe cryptography, like lattice-based methods, to protect against future quantum computing threats.
• Britni Ihle joined BlackRock to lead Trading Transformation within its Global Markets AI team, aligning with CEO Larry Fink's strategy to leverage technology for growth and revenue by 2030.
• Mike Rowe is expanding his foundation's scholarship program to $10 million, advocating for skilled trades as AI-proof career paths amid AI's impact on white-collar jobs.
• Mozilla released Thunderbolt, an AI client for self-hosted systems, offering enhanced data control, security, and features like chat and automation for enterprise users.
• The phrase 'It's not X, it's Y' is a common stylistic pattern used by AI language models like chatgpt, serving as a 'tell' for AI-generated content.
• AI is enhancing sales teams by automating routine tasks, improving efficiency, and reducing burnout, allowing human reps to focus on relationship building rather than replacing them.

American Express buys AI expense startup Hyper

American Express is acquiring Hyper, a startup that uses AI for expense management. This deal, expected to finish in Q2 2026, will add Hyper's AI agents to AmEx's services. Hyper's technology helps automate expense tasks like categorizing charges and checking against budgets. This acquisition follows a previous partnership where they launched the Hypercard Rewards American Express card. Hyper's tools will be integrated into a new expense management platform AmEx plans to release soon.

American Express acquires AI expense platform Hyper

American Express has agreed to buy Hyper, a company known for its AI-powered corporate card and expense management system. This purchase aims to improve AmEx's commercial card and expense services by using Hyper's advanced AI technology. Hyper's platform automates expense reports, offers spending insights, and helps with compliance. The goal is to provide businesses with smarter and simpler ways to manage their expenses. The deal is subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approval.

Amex buys Hyper to enhance AI and expense tools

American Express is acquiring Hyper, an AI expense management company, to boost its artificial intelligence capabilities in commercial services. Hyper uses AI agents to automate expense tasks like categorizing charges and sending reminders for overdue filings. The company previously partnered with Amex in 2024 to launch the Hypercard Rewards American Express card. This acquisition will help Amex build new AI tools for its upcoming expense management platform. Amex also announced a new policy, Agent Purchase Protection, to cover erroneous charges made by AI agents.

Nebraska lawyer suspended for using AI in court filing

The Nebraska Supreme Court has suspended Omaha attorney Greg Lake from practicing law. This action follows his use of artificial intelligence to write a legal document for a divorce case appeal. During the appeal, justices questioned the brief's numerous errors, including fictitious cases and misquotes. Lake initially denied using AI but later admitted it in an affidavit, calling it a 'grave error of judgment.' The court stated the suspension is temporary pending a full investigation and disciplinary hearing.

Australia's federal court warns lawyers on AI use

Australia's federal court has issued new rules and warnings to lawyers regarding the use of generative AI. Chief Justice Debra Mortimer stated that presenting false or inaccurate information to the court is unacceptable and can lead to consequences like adverse costs orders. Lawyers must verify AI-generated content, including cases and citations, to ensure accuracy. The court encourages the use of technology but stresses the need for caution, especially with confidential information. Failure to use AI appropriately risks frustrating legal proceedings and undermining public trust.

CFTC uses AI to manage workload after staff cuts

U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Mike Selig stated that artificial intelligence is helping the agency manage its workload despite significant staffing reductions. The CFTC faces growing responsibilities in regulating cryptocurrency and prediction markets. Selig mentioned that AI and automation tools are crucial for surveillance and investigations in these new areas. He assured lawmakers that the agency is pursuing numerous investigations in prediction markets. Despite workforce challenges, Selig emphasized the CFTC's commitment to enforcing market rules.

IBM's Jeff Crume discusses quantum-safe crypto

IBM Distinguished Engineer Jeff Crume highlighted the urgent need for quantum-safe cryptography due to the threat of quantum computers breaking current encryption. He explained that lattice-based cryptography offers a solution because its complex mathematical problems are difficult for even quantum computers to solve. Crume advised organizations to start planning their transition to quantum-safe methods now. IBM is actively involved in developing and standardizing these new security protocols, working with bodies like NIST. This transition is crucial for protecting sensitive data in the future.

Britni Ihle joins BlackRock for AI trading transformation

Britni Ihle has joined BlackRock as a Managing Director to lead Trading Transformation within the firm's Global Markets Artificial Intelligence team. Ihle brings extensive experience from her previous roles at Citi and Credit Suisse, where she held senior positions in trading and derivatives. Her appointment aligns with BlackRock's strategy to expand its technology, private markets, and ETFs. CEO Larry Fink emphasized that technology is key to the firm's global scaling and growth. BlackRock aims to increase revenue through private markets and technology by 2030.

Mike Rowe promotes skilled trades as AI-proof careers

Mike Rowe is increasing his foundation's scholarship program to $10 million, promoting skilled trades as secure career paths against AI advancements. Rowe, known for the show 'Dirty Jobs,' advocates for vocational training as a valuable alternative to a four-year degree. He notes a growing interest in trades, suggesting that AI's impact on white-collar jobs is pushing people towards hands-on professions. The Mike Rowe Works Foundation aims to redefine education and job opportunities by supporting individuals pursuing skilled trades.

Mozilla launches Thunderbolt AI client for self-hosted systems

Mozilla has released Thunderbolt, a new AI client designed for users and businesses who prefer to run their own AI infrastructure locally. Built on the open-source Haystack framework, Thunderbolt allows integration with local data and uses an offline SQLite database. This approach offers enhanced data control and security, with optional end-to-end encryption. The client supports various AI functions like chat, search, and automation. Mozilla is offering paid licensing and on-site deployments for enterprise clients, though the software is still under development and undergoing security audits.

ChatGPT's 'It's not X, it's Y' phrase is a common AI tell

The phrase 'It's not X, it's Y' has become a noticeable stylistic quirk often used by AI language models like ChatGPT. This pattern appears in various contexts, from online posts to media, and can indicate AI-generated content. While the phrase predates AI, its frequent use by chatbots makes it a common 'tell' for automated writing. The author notes that this linguistic pattern, along with vague intensifiers, can make it difficult to distinguish human writing from AI output. This has led to increased vigilance in identifying AI-generated text.

AI enhances sales teams without replacing reps

Artificial intelligence is changing sales teams by improving efficiency and reducing burnout rather than replacing human representatives. Companies are using AI tools to handle routine tasks like research and drafting outreach messages, freeing up sales reps to focus on selling and building relationships. While some anxiety exists about job displacement, optimism is growing as AI proves to be a supportive partner. Effective AI implementation involves clear boundaries, training, and emphasizing AI outputs as suggestions, not directives. This approach helps sales teams leverage AI to enhance their performance and maintain control over the sales process.

Sources

• American Express is acquiring Sam Altman-backed AI expense startup Hyper
• American Express to Acquire Hyper, Adding to Its AI Expertise and Expense Management Capabilities
• Amex Acquires Hyper to Boost AI and Expense Management Offerings
• Nebraska Supreme Court suspends Omaha attorney over AI use
• Australian federal court issues warning to lawyers over ‘unacceptable’ use of AI
• U.S. CFTC's Selig says AI has helped make up for staffing cuts at key crypto watchdog
• Jeff Crume on IBM's Quantum-Safe Crypto
• Britni Ihle Joins BlackRock to Lead Trading Transformation in AI Push
• Mike Rowe's $10M Bet: Skilled Trades Are Becoming the Ultimate AI-Proof Career
• Mozilla launches Thunderbolt AI client with focus on self-hosted infrastructure
• ChatGPT’s latest stylistic quirk is sinister, infuriating
• How AI Is Changing Sales Teams Without Replacing Reps