IBM has launched several new AI products at Think 2026, including IBM Bob, an AI-powered software development system, and Concert, an agentic operations platform. These products aim to advance the 'agentic era' of AI and provide businesses with new tools for automation, hybrid cloud, and data management.
IBM's watsonx Orchestrate provides a centralized way to run, manage, and govern an organization's AI agents, supporting agents from various frameworks and environments. The company also unveiled a new operating model for the agentic enterprise, which encompasses coordinated AI agents, real-time connected data, end-to-end automated workflows, and hybrid infrastructure.
NATO is in need of policies and standards for sharing AI-enhanced geospatial intelligence among its member states, as current frameworks are outdated and require updates to handle AI-processed data. The alliance is concerned about conflicting national intelligence reports and the need for governance and standards to ensure interoperability and trust.
In other news, Ace Hardware has launched an AI assistant for employees in over 2,300 stores to help them find products and provide better customer service. Major technology companies are investing over $650 billion annually in artificial intelligence infrastructure as enterprise AI adoption accelerates.
Additionally, Paymentus has announced new AI-native service commerce products, including patented Billeo and BillWallet, as well as an AI integration layer called AI360. These products aim to enable a new category of service commerce solutions that leverage AI to improve customer experience and automate business processes.
Key Takeaways
["IBM launches new AI products, including IBM Bob and Concert, to advance the 'agentic era' of AI.", "IBM's watsonx Orchestrate provides centralized management of AI agents.", 'NATO needs policies for sharing AI-enhanced intel among member states.', 'Ace Hardware introduces AI assistant for employees in 2,300 stores.', 'AI investment to surpass $650 billion annually.', 'Paymentus unveils AI-native service commerce products.', 'IBM unveils new operating model for agentic enterprise.', 'Portland investigates firm supplying drone tech to Israel.', 'Metropolitan police in London use live facial recognition cameras.']IBM launches agentic AI products at Think 2026
IBM announced several new AI products at Think 2026 in Boston, including IBM Bob, an AI-powered software development system, and Concert, an agentic operations platform. These products aim to advance the 'agentic era' of AI and provide businesses with new tools for automation, hybrid cloud, and data management. IBM also unveiled AI Editions of Core Software, which bring AI assistants and agents to enterprise systems and workflows. The company is focusing on making AI more accessible and integrated into business operations.
watsonx Orchestrate manages AI agents in one place
IBM's watsonx Orchestrate provides a centralized way to run, manage, and govern an organization's AI agents. It offers a unified agentic control plane to bring order to the complexity of AI agents, tools, and systems. The platform supports agents from various frameworks and environments, allowing organizations to consolidate operational visibility and control without requiring a full rebuild or a shift to a single development framework.
IBM's AI operating model for enterprises
IBM unveiled a new operating model for the agentic enterprise, which encompasses coordinated AI agents, real-time connected data, end-to-end automated workflows, and hybrid infrastructure. The model aims to change how businesses operate by integrating data, agents, automation, and hybrid cloud. IBM also announced several new products and services to support this model, including the next generation of watsonx Orchestrate and Confluent's real-time data streaming platform.
NATO needs policies for sharing AI-enhanced intel
NATO needs to develop policies and standards for sharing AI-enhanced geospatial intelligence among its member states. The alliance's current frameworks for incorporating commercial intelligence into decision cycles were built for a different world and need to be updated to handle AI-processed data. NATO officials are concerned about the potential for conflicting national intelligence reports and the need for governance and standards to ensure interoperability and trust among member states.
Tuesday briefing: AI facial recognition in policing
The Metropolitan police in London are using live facial recognition cameras as part of a pilot program in central Croydon. The technology can be effective in identifying individuals, but critics warn that it risks creating a system of mass surveillance without clear safeguards. The use of facial recognition technology is increasing rapidly, with over 1.7 million faces scanned in London so far this year.
Ace Hardware's employee AI assistant
Ace Hardware has launched an AI assistant for employees in over 2,300 stores to help them find products and provide better customer service. The assistant was built in-house by Ace Hardware's team and is designed to help employees spend less time searching for products and more time interacting with customers. The company worked closely with store owners to develop the tool and ensure it meets their needs.
AI investment to surpass $650 billion annually
Major technology companies are investing over $650 billion annually in artificial intelligence infrastructure as enterprise AI adoption accelerates. The growing importance of AI in driving business outcomes is highlighted in a recent report, which notes that 75% of companies expect AI to be a key driver of growth by 2026. The report also finds that AI adoption is not limited to large enterprises, with 60% of small and medium-sized businesses expected to adopt AI by 2026.
Portland investigates firm supplying drone tech to Israel
Protesters are pushing the city of Portland to investigate Sightline Intelligence, a firm that appears to supply drone technology to Israel. The company's AI-supported video technology is used in drones to interpret target movements and make quick decisions based on perceived threat levels. Activists argue that the technology could be used for human rights violations and that the city should disrupt its sale.
Paymentus unveils AI-native service commerce products
Paymentus has announced new AI-native service commerce products, including patented Billeo and BillWallet, as well as an AI integration layer called AI360. These products aim to enable a new category of service commerce solutions that leverage AI to improve customer experience and automate business processes.
Sources
- IBM announcements at Think 2026 to advance the agentic era
- Manage all your AI agents in one place with watsonx Orchestrate
- IBM unveils its blueprint to help enterprises run AI at the core of their business
- NATO needs policies, standards for sharing AI-enhanced geospatial intel: Official
- Tuesday briefing: How AI facial recognition in policing works – and how it can go wrong
- How Ace Hardware built its employee AI assistant
- AI Investment Activity to Surpass $650 Billion Annually as Enterprise Adoption Accelerates Toward 2026
- Protesters push Portland to investigate firm that appears to supply drone tech to Israel
- Paymentus Unveils AI-Native Service Commerce Products
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