The artificial intelligence landscape is seeing significant activity, from major tech companies increasing their lobbying efforts to a surge in AI users in China. Meta, Amazon, and Google led tech lobbying spending in the third quarter of 2025, with Nvidia and Anthropic also surpassing $1 million for the first time, focusing on AI policy and related issues. Meanwhile, China's generative AI user base has doubled to 515 million in six months, with a strong preference for domestic models like DeepSeek and Qwen. Investor sentiment is divided, with some, like Lauren Taylor Wolfe, warning of an AI bubble due to high valuations and unclear returns, while others, like Flexpoint Ford, see enduring value in human-created music catalogs amidst AI's rise. In the business application of AI, Veeam is acquiring Securiti AI for $1.725 billion to unify data security, privacy, and AI trust, aiming to address challenges in data management for AI initiatives. The Citi Foundation is investing $25 million to prepare youth for AI's impact on employment through digital literacy and training. Customer Experience leaders are cautioned by Enghouse's Steve Nattress against common AI adoption mistakes, emphasizing strategy and governance. Singer Kenny Loggins is taking action against an AI-generated video using his song without permission. New initiatives like AdCP are emerging to standardize AI agent communication in advertising, though widespread adoption remains uncertain. Rillavoice is also leveraging AI to provide real-time coaching for in-person sales interactions.
Key Takeaways
- Veeam is acquiring Securiti AI for $1.725 billion to create a unified platform for data security, privacy, and AI trust, addressing fragmented data management.
- Investor Lauren Taylor Wolfe warns that the current excitement around AI has created a bubble, citing a gap between investments and unclear returns.
- China's generative AI user base has doubled to 515 million in six months, with over 90% preferring domestic models like DeepSeek and Qwen.
- Meta, Amazon, and Google were top tech lobbying spenders in Q3 2025, with Nvidia and Anthropic also significantly increasing their AI-focused lobbying.
- The Citi Foundation is granting $25 million to 50 organizations worldwide to support youth employment and digital skills training in response to AI disruption.
- Singer Kenny Loggins is demanding Donald Trump remove an AI-generated video that uses his song without authorization.
- Customer Experience leaders are advised to avoid rushing into AI adoption without a clear strategy and to focus on governance and measurable outcomes.
- Flexpoint Ford sees value in human-driven music catalogs, believing they will become more valuable as AI-generated music increases.
- A new advertising protocol, AdCP, is being developed by companies like Scope3, PubMatic, and Magnite to enable communication between AI agents in advertising.
- Rillavoice uses AI to record, transcribe, and analyze in-person sales interactions, providing real-time feedback to improve performance.
Veeam buys Securiti AI for $1.7 billion to boost data security
Veeam Software is acquiring Securiti AI for $1.725 billion to combine data resilience with data security, privacy, and AI trust. This merger aims to create a single platform for managing all of a company's data. Veeam CEO Anand Eswaran stated this move is crucial for the new era of data, where identifying, governing, and trusting data is as important as protecting it from threats. Securiti AI's Data Command Center, powered by a knowledge graph and AI framework, will be integrated into Veeam's offerings. Rehan Jalil, CEO of Securiti AI, will become President of Security and AI at Veeam. The deal is expected to close this quarter.
Veeam acquires Securiti AI for $1.7B to enhance data security
Data resilience company Veeam has agreed to acquire Securiti AI for $1.7 billion. This acquisition will merge Veeam's data resilience capabilities with Securiti AI's data security, privacy, and AI trust features into a unified platform. Securiti AI's CEO, Rehan Jalil, will join Veeam as president of security and AI. The deal aims to address the growing complexity of data management across various environments and the need for trusted data to power AI initiatives. Veeam plans to offer Securiti AI's data command center product alongside its existing services.
Veeam acquires Securiti AI for $1.725B to unify data management
Veeam is acquiring Securiti AI for $1.725 billion, aiming to eliminate fragmented data management issues across apps, clouds, and backups. The combined platform will give organizations unified control over their entire data estate, integrating Veeam's data resilience with Securiti AI's Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), privacy, and AI trust capabilities. This move addresses the challenge of harnessing unstructured data and the failures in AI projects often caused by data issues. Rehan Jalil, CEO of Securiti AI, will join Veeam as President of Security and AI. The transaction is expected to close soon.
Veeam buys Securiti AI for $1.725B to enter AI security market
Veeam announced its agreement to acquire Securiti AI for $1.725 billion, marking its largest acquisition and entry into the AI security market. This move addresses the challenges enterprises face in safely deploying AI due to data management and security concerns. Securiti AI's tools help organizations understand and manage their data across hybrid cloud environments using a knowledge graph. Veeam CEO Anand Eswaran highlighted data trust as critical for AI initiatives. Securiti CEO Rehan Jalil will become president of security and AI at Veeam. The deal is expected to close in early December.
Veeam to acquire Securiti AI for $1.725B for unified data resilience and security
Veeam is acquiring Securiti AI for $1.725 billion to create a unified solution for understanding, securing, and unleashing data for AI. This acquisition will eliminate fragmented data management issues and provide a single command center for all data. The combination integrates Veeam's data resilience with Securiti AI's DSPM, privacy, and AI trust capabilities. This addresses the growing need for trusted data in AI initiatives, as many AI projects fail due to data issues. Rehan Jalil, CEO of Securiti AI, will join Veeam as President of Security and AI.
Investor Lauren Taylor Wolfe warns of an AI bubble
Investor Lauren Taylor Wolfe believes the current excitement around artificial intelligence has created an AI bubble that is likely to burst. She noted that trillions of dollars are being invested in AI, but the potential returns are not yet clear, making current valuations hard to justify. Wolfe compared the situation to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, suggesting investors should look for undervalued companies rather than chasing hyped AI stocks. She emphasized that the math for projected profits doesn't currently support the massive spending on AI.
Analyst warns AI bubble will burst
Managing partner Lauren Taylor Wolfe of Impactive Capital believes the artificial intelligence sector is experiencing a bubble that will eventually burst. She pointed out a significant gap between the large investments being made in AI and the actual profits generated, making many AI companies financially unsustainable. Wolfe compared the current AI investment frenzy to the dot-com era of the late 1990s. She advises investors to seek out high-quality, undervalued companies that the market may be overlooking.
Kenny Loggins asks Trump to remove AI video using his song
Singer Kenny Loggins has demanded that Donald Trump remove an AI-generated video that uses his song. The video reportedly features AI-generated content incorporating Loggins' music. Loggins is taking action to have the unauthorized use of his song in the AI video stopped.
China's AI users double to 515 million in six months
China's generative AI user base has doubled to 515 million in just six months, according to a report by the China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC). This represents a 36.5% adoption rate in the first half of 2025, making China a major player in AI. The report shows that young, educated professionals are the primary users, and over 90% prefer domestic AI models. Despite restrictions on US models, Chinese platforms like DeepSeek and Qwen have become popular. China also leads globally in AI patent applications.
Citi Foundation grants $25M for youth employment and AI disruption
The Citi Foundation is dedicating $25 million to address youth unemployment and the impact of AI on the job market. The foundation will provide $500,000 each to 50 organizations worldwide that offer digital literacy, technical training, and career guidance to low-income youth. This initiative aims to prepare young jobseekers for a rapidly changing labor market, where AI is expected to eliminate some jobs while creating others requiring new skills. The program emphasizes developing both technical and soft skills for future employment.
CX leaders warned on AI mistakes
Steve Nattress, VP of Product Management at Enghouse, discusses common mistakes Customer Experience (CX) leaders make when adopting AI. He emphasizes that rushing into AI without a clear strategy is the biggest error. Nattress highlights the importance of addressing 'failure demand,' improving knowledge management, and establishing strong governance for effective AI implementation. He also notes that upcoming regulations like the EU AI Act will influence vendor partnerships. Nattress advises CX leaders to audit their AI strategies to ensure they deliver measurable business outcomes and build customer trust.
Big Tech ramps up AI lobbying spending
Meta, Amazon, and Google were the top tech lobbying spenders in the third quarter of 2025, with AI and semiconductor companies significantly increasing their investments. Nvidia and Anthropic, focusing on AI, each surpassed $1 million in lobbying spending for the first time. These companies are lobbying on various issues including AI policy, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, engaging with Congress and multiple government departments. Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz also increased its lobbying efforts on digital assets and AI. The increased spending reflects the growing importance of AI in policy discussions.
Flexpoint Ford invests in indie music, sees value in AI-resistant catalogs
Mike Morris, Managing Director at Flexpoint Ford, discusses the firm's significant investments in independent music companies. He believes the independent sector is growing faster than major labels and offers great opportunities for innovation. Morris also shared his perspective on AI music, suggesting that while AI artists will compete, high-quality, human-driven music catalogs will become even more valuable. He sees AI as widening the gap between machine-made music and enduring, authentic artistic creations. Flexpoint Ford focuses on partnering with entrepreneurs to build long-term value.
New Ad Protocol AdCP aims for AI agent communication
A new initiative called AdCP is launching to create a common language for AI agents in advertising, aiming to improve interoperability. Developed by companies like Scope3, PubMatic, and Magnite, AdCP includes protocols for audience activation and media buying. While some see it as a timely solution to industry fragmentation, others view it as a potential power play by its creators. The standard could eventually extend beyond digital ads to other channels. Its success depends on widespread adoption, with some experts estimating a 20-30% chance of reaching critical mass.
Rillavoice uses AI coaching for in-person sales
Rillavoice Inc. is transforming in-person sales and service with its AI coaching software. The app records, transcribes, and analyzes customer interactions in real-time, providing immediate feedback to sales teams and managers. CEO Sebastian Jimenez explained that this technology bridges the gap between digital and physical commerce, making offline sales as measurable as online sales. Rillavoice aims to help professionals in fields like plumbing and HVAC improve their sales performance and customer engagement by providing insights previously unavailable in face-to-face interactions.
Sources
- Veeam acquires Securiti AI for $1.7 billion
- VeeamĀ acquiresĀ data security companyĀ SecuritiĀ AI for $1.7B
- Veeam acquires Securiti AI for $1.725 billion
- Veeam acquires Securiti AI for $1.7 billion
- A New Era for Accelerating Safe AI at Scale: Veeam to Acquire Securiti AI; Unifies Data Resilience with DSPM, Privacy and AI Trust
- Investor Lauren Taylor Wolfe says we are 'absolutely' in an A.I. bubble now
- This AI bubble is āabsolutelyā going to burst
- Kenny Loggins demands Trump remove AI video using his song
- China's generative AI user base doubles to 515 million in six months
- Citi Foundation putting $25M toward tackling unemployment and AI labor disruptions
- The Biggest AI Mistakes CX Leaders Canāt Afford to Make
- Meta tops spending again as AI lobbying heats up
- Flexpoint Fordās Mike Morris on Firmās Indie Strategy & Why AI Could Make āHuman-Drivenā Catalogs More Valuable
- Advertisingās new āuniversal languageā for AI agents sparks old debates about power and openness
- AI Coaching Transforms In-Person sales with Rillavoice
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