Microsoft Azure revenue jumps 48 percent in one quarter

AI agents are becoming a practical part of everyday work and life, and experts say the best approach is to use more than one. No single agent handles everything, so users are encouraged to start with one annoying task and test tools like Claude Duet, Muse, Dots, and Grok Bot to find what fits. Agents can even check each other's work, making a small stack more reliable than a solo tool.

Real-world adoption is already showing results. OpenTable reported that its ChatGPT integration drove 190,000 seated diners in September, and bookings through agents like Muse are growing too. Still, AI referral traffic remains under 1% of total bookings, so the channel is early but moving in the right direction.

On the business side, Microsoft and CrowdStrike stand out as key AI software plays. Microsoft benefits from Azure cloud and Copilot tools, with Azure revenue up 48% in one quarter and commercial remaining performance obligations reaching $677 billion. CrowdStrike protects AI agents through its Falcon cybersecurity platform, which addresses AI-related risks, and its annual recurring revenue hit $5.84 billion with 26% year-over-year growth. The two companies cover different parts of the AI build-out and complement each other.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky says AI agents will work under apps rather than replace them. He believes rich app interfaces will stick around, and Airbnb plans to launch its own AI travel agent in the first half of 2027 with a visual interface instead of a basic chatbot.

Energy and infrastructure are also in focus. Anthropic, founded in 2021, struck a $3.4 billion deal to fund a gas-fired power plant and secure equipment for its data centers, bypassing traditional suppliers to keep up with surging demand. Lenovo, meanwhile, sees big opportunities in global AI infrastructure across China, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, with AI revenue up 60% year over year, though the stock remains a high-risk play amid sector volatility.

Ad giants Meta and Google are taking different paths with AI. Meta grew Q3 advertising revenue to $63.1 billion, up 26%, using tools like Meta AI Business Assistant. Google's search revenue grew only 12% to $63.4 billion as chatbots like ChatGPT reduce the need to click search links. Both plan massive AI investments totaling up to $350 billion this year.

On the policy front, Democrats plan to introduce major AI legislation once they take control of Congress in January, with proposals targeting electricity costs from data centers, independent testing of advanced systems, and liability for AI-caused harm. Public concern is high, and most US voters want new regulations, though President Trump has opposed mandatory federal rules.

AI is also raising real-world concerns beyond policy. In Washington state, home buyers are being misled by AI-edited listing photos that hide flaws like worn carpet and damaged walls, with some agents using ChatGPT to remove clutter or add nonexistent features. Meanwhile, Hong Kong saw ransomware cases rise nearly 18% in the first three quarters, with officials noting that AI makes attacks faster and more effective.

For small investors, there is a silver lining amid the turbulence. AI stocks have lost trillions in value during recent sell-offs, but individual investors can afford to wait out market swings in ways that institutional traders cannot, potentially avoiding losses that larger forces face.

Key Takeaways

  • Experts recommend using multiple AI agents together, such as Claude Duet, Muse, Dots, and Grok Bot, rather than relying on a single tool.
  • OpenTable's ChatGPT integration generated 190,000 seated diners in September, though AI referral traffic is still under 1% of total bookings.
  • Microsoft and CrowdStrike are highlighted as complementary AI software picks, with Microsoft's Azure revenue up 48% and CrowdStrike's annual recurring revenue reaching $5.84 billion.
  • Airbnb plans to launch a visual AI travel agent in the first half of 2027, with CEO Brian Chesky saying agents will work under apps, not replace them.
  • Anthropic signed a $3.4 billion deal to fund a gas-fired power plant for its data centers, while Lenovo's AI revenue grew 60% year over year.
  • Meta's Q3 ad revenue reached $63.1 billion, up 26%, while Google's search revenue grew only 12% as ChatGPT reduces clicks on search links.
  • Democrats plan major AI legislation after January, targeting data center electricity costs, AI testing, and liability, despite opposition from President Trump.
  • AI-edited real estate photos in Washington state are misleading buyers, with some agents using ChatGPT to alter listings without proper disclosure.
  • Hong Kong saw ransomware cases rise nearly 18% in the first three quarters, with officials saying AI makes attacks faster and more effective.
  • Small investors have an edge during AI stock sell-offs because they can wait out market volatility in ways institutional traders cannot.

AI agents guide: Start using multiple agents for best results

AI agents that do tasks for users have become popular this year. Experts say people should use a stack of multiple agents because no single agent can do everything. Users should start with one annoying online task and test different agents to find what works best for them.

Getting started with AI agents and their types

This guide explains how to start using AI agents. It covers five types including virtual assistants, chatbots, and content generation tools. The article says users should match agents to their specific needs and start with simple tasks before moving to complex ones.

Tech tip: Use multiple AI agents for work and home tasks

Experts recommend using a stack of different AI agents rather than relying on just one. Jose Artigas and Clara Gigling explain that agents can check each other's work. Tools like Claude Duet, Muse, Dots, and Grok Bot each have different strengths for work or personal tasks.

OpenTable's ChatGPT integration brings 190,000 bookings

OpenTable's integration inside ChatGPT generated 190,000 seated diners in September. Booking Holdings CFO Ewout Steenbergen shared this on the Q3 2026 earnings call. The company also saw bookings through agents like Muse. However, AI referral traffic is still less than 1% of total bookings.

Airbnb CEO says AI agents will work under apps, not replace them

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky argues that rich app interfaces will not disappear. He believes AI agents will operate as an orchestration layer underneath apps. Airbnb plans to launch its own AI travel agent in the first half of 2027 with a visual interface rather than a basic chatbot.

Microsoft and CrowdStrike stand out as key AI software stocks

An article recommends Microsoft and CrowdStrike as two growth stocks for investors interested in AI software. Microsoft benefits from Azure cloud services and Copilot tools, with Azure revenue up 48% in one quarter. CrowdStrike protects AI agents through its Falcon cybersecurity platform and grew revenue 26% year over year. Both companies serve different parts of the AI build-out and complement each other.

Microsoft and CrowdStrike recommended as AI software picks

This article highlights Microsoft and CrowdStrike as strong software stocks tied to AI growth. Microsoft offers Azure AI Foundry, GitHub Copilot, and Microsoft 365 tools, with commercial remaining performance obligations reaching $677 billion. CrowdStrike's Falcon platform addresses AI-related cyber risks, and its annual recurring revenue reached $5.84 billion. The two stocks cover different areas of the AI market.

Lenovo sees big opportunities in global AI infrastructure

Lenovo is positioned to benefit from AI infrastructure investments in China, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The company trades at low valuation ratios, with adjusted net income surpassing $1 billion and net margins reaching 4%. AI revenue grew 60% year over year last quarter, though the stock remains a high-risk play amid AI sector volatility.

AI makeovers deceive Washington home buyers with fake listing photos

Washington real estate listings are using AI-edited photos that mislead buyers about home conditions. One family in Preston saw a listing with modern furniture and clean carpet but found worn shag carpet and damaged walls inside. Agents used ChatGPT to remove clutter, fix leaks, and add nonexistent features. The Northwest Multiple Listing Service requires disclosure of digital edits, but many brokers ignore or misunderstand the rules.

Democrats plan major AI legislation after taking Congress

Democrats plan to introduce many AI-related bills when they take control of Congress in January. Their proposals aim to protect consumers from rising electricity costs from data centers, require independent testing of advanced AI systems, and clarify liability for AI-caused harm. President Trump has opposed mandatory federal AI rules. Public concern about AI risks is high, and most US voters want new government regulations.

AI stocks lose trillions but small investors can wait out the market

AI stocks have lost trillions in value as Wall Street forces sales. Small investors have a key advantage over large institutions because they can afford to wait for markets to recover. This patience may help them avoid losses that institutional traders face.

Hong Kong ransomware cases rise nearly 18% despite overall tech crime drop

Hong Kong recorded a nearly 18% rise in ransomware cases in the first three quarters of the year. Overall technology crime fell during the same period. Chief Superintendent Raymond Lam Cheuk-ho said AI speeds up attacks and makes them more effective.

AI shapes the future of ad giants Meta and Google

AI is driving different paths for Meta Platforms and Google in the global advertising market. Meta Platforms grew Q3 advertising revenue to $63.1 billion, up 26%, by using AI tools like Meta AI Business Assistant. Google's search revenue grew only 12% to $63.4 billion as AI chatbots like ChatGPT reduce the need to click search links. Both companies plan massive AI investments totaling up to $350 billion this year.

Anthropic makes $3.4bn deal for gas power at data centres

Anthropic, a US artificial intelligence lab founded in 2021, struck a $3.4bn deal to generate gas-fired power for its data centres. The deal bypasses traditional suppliers to secure scarce equipment as energy demand surges. The investment will fund construction of a gas-fired power plant and secure equipment for data centres. The deal is expected to be completed in the coming months.

Sources

NOTE:

This news brief was generated using AI technology (including, but not limited to, Google Gemini API, Llama, Grok, and Mistral) from aggregated news articles, with minimal to no human editing/review. It is provided for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies or biases. This is not financial, investment, or professional advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please verify all information with the linked original articles in the Sources section below.

AI agents Claude Duet Muse Dots Grok Bot OpenTable ChatGPT integration Microsoft Azure Copilot CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity Airbnb AI travel agent Anthropic data centers Lenovo AI infrastructure Meta Google

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