Daniel Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group, expresses strong optimism regarding the future of the artificial intelligence trade. This positive outlook comes as various sectors continue to integrate AI, from marketing solutions to enterprise productivity tools. The expansion of AI's role is evident across different industries, signaling a dynamic period for technological advancement and market growth.
In marketing, Incubeta launched two new Agentic AI products, Creative Performance Index (CPI) and OutperformBI, on January 22, 2026. These tools aim to enhance marketing results by analyzing creative elements and diagnosing outcomes, with beta tests showing a 102% increase in Click Through Rate for one brand. Meanwhile, MiningLamp Technology and Peking University secured the Grand Prize at the 3rd China's Innovation Challenge on Artificial Intelligence Application Scene for their intelligent platform. This platform, powered by the Mano model which ranks second only to Claude-Sonnet-4.5, helps brands navigate cultural differences in global creative generation.
Microsoft is enhancing Dynamics 365 Sales with agentic AI, introducing a Data Entry Agent to automate CRM form filling from unstructured data and a Data Exploration Agent for sales trend analysis. This aims to boost seller productivity. On the federal contracting side, Carlton Graves joined Empower AI as VP of Capture and Proposal Management on January 28, 2026, bringing decades of experience to grow the company's federal technology market presence. Separately, Google's new Gemini chatbot and AI Mode web search now prompt users for access to personal data like emails and photo libraries, stating this helps personalize its AI features.
The integration of AI also brings discussions about its impact on human roles and trust. At the Equities Leaders Summit, experts affirmed the continued importance of human traders, citing their gut instinct and ability to react to unpredictable market changes, which AI, reliant on historical data, cannot replicate. In HR, a report by Avature indicates most teams plan to increase AI spending in 2026, yet only 23% are scaling the technology, and a mere 2% of HR professionals fully trust AI, often checking its work. Challenges include a shortage of skilled workers and limitations from older software.
The creative sector is also grappling with AI's implications, particularly concerning intellectual property and compensation. The UK actors union Equity and producer trade body Pact are in ongoing negotiations regarding AI use. Equity demands extra pay for actors whose digital likenesses are used by AI or to train large language models. While Pact's offer provides British actors more control over their data than in other countries, it resists a compensation clause for perpetual use. These talks follow a failed agreement in October 2023, with Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming warning of potential industrial action if a deal isn't reached.
Key Takeaways
- Incubeta launched two Agentic AI products, Creative Performance Index (CPI) and OutperformBI, on January 22, 2026, to enhance marketing performance, with beta tests showing a 102% Click Through Rate increase.
- MiningLamp Technology and Peking University won a Grand Prize for an intelligent AI platform using the Mano model, which ranks second only to Claude-Sonnet-4.5, for brand globalization.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales is integrating agentic AI tools, including a Data Entry Agent and Data Exploration Agent, to boost sales productivity and reduce manual tasks.
- Google's new Gemini chatbot and AI Mode web search now request access to users' personal data, such as emails and photo libraries, for personalization.
- The UK actors union Equity is negotiating with producer trade body Pact for compensation for actors whose digital likenesses are used by AI, with industrial action remaining a possibility.
- Carlton Graves joined Empower AI as VP of Capture and Proposal Management on January 28, 2026, aiming to grow the company's federal technology contracting market presence.
- Experts at the Equities Leaders Summit affirm the continued importance of human traders' gut instinct and adaptability in capital markets, despite AI growth.
- An Avature report indicates most HR teams plan to increase AI spending in 2026, but only 23% are scaling the technology, and just 2% fully trust AI, citing skill shortages and old software.
- Daniel Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group, expressed strong optimism regarding the future of the artificial intelligence trade.
Incubeta Unveils New AI Tools for Marketing Success
Incubeta launched two new Agentic AI products, Creative Performance Index (CPI) and OutperformBI, on January 22, 2026. These tools help brands understand what truly drives their marketing results. CPI uses AI to analyze creative elements and link them to ad performance, helping avoid creative fatigue. OutperformBI uses natural language to diagnose why marketing outcomes happen, connecting various data points. Beta tests showed impressive results, including a 102% increase in Click Through Rate for one brand.
Incubeta Introduces AI Products to Boost Marketing
Incubeta launched two new Agentic AI products, Creative Performance Index (CPI) and OutperformBI, on January 22, 2026. These tools help brands understand what truly drives their marketing results. CPI uses AI to analyze creative elements and link them to ad performance, helping avoid creative fatigue. OutperformBI uses natural language to diagnose why marketing outcomes happen, connecting various data points. Beta tests showed impressive results, including a 102% increase in Click Through Rate for one brand.
UK Actors Union and Producers Discuss AI Pay
The UK actors union Equity and producer trade body Pact are negotiating how artificial intelligence will be used in the entertainment industry. Equity wants actors to receive extra pay if their digital likenesses are used by AI. Pact's current offer gives actors more control over their data than in other countries, but it resists a compensation clause for perpetual use. These talks follow a previous agreement that failed in October 2023. Both sides hope to reach a new deal soon.
UK Actors Union Seeks AI Compensation for Likenesses
The UK actors union Equity and producer trade body Pact are in talks about artificial intelligence use. Equity demands financial compensation for actors whose likenesses are used to train large language models. Pact states its offer gives British actors more control over their data than those in other countries and includes a panel to review AI developments. Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming warned that industrial action remains a possibility if no deal is reached. These negotiations have been ongoing for almost two years, with AI being a key issue.
Google AI Seeks Access to Your Personal Data
Google's new Gemini chatbot and AI Mode web search now ask to access users' personal data. This includes emails, photo libraries, and search history. Google says this access helps "personalize" its artificial intelligence. This feature was introduced in beta this month, creating a new privacy choice for users.
MiningLamp Technology Wins Top AI Award for Marketing Platform
MiningLamp Technology and Peking University won the Grand Prize at the 3rd China's Innovation Challenge on Artificial Intelligence Application Scene (CICAS). Their winning project is an intelligent platform for brand globalization creative generation and emotional connection. This platform uses multimodal large models to help brands overcome cultural differences and localization challenges. MiningLamp Technology, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, developed the Mano model, which ranks second only to Claude-Sonnet-4.5 in performance. The platform integrates a global content library, trustworthy data collection, emotional analysis, and video generation.
Carlton Graves Becomes Empower AI Capture VP
Carlton Graves joined Empower AI as the Capture and Proposal Management VP on January 28, 2026. He will use his leadership experience in federal capture and proposal development to help Empower AI grow in the federal technology contracting market. Graves brings over three decades of experience in IT platforms for government and corporate clients. He previously held senior roles at companies like GDIT, Leidos, and Perspecta.
Agentic AI Boosts Sales Productivity in Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales is adding agentic AI to help sellers save time and work more efficiently. The new Data Entry Agent uses large language models to quickly fill CRM forms from unstructured information like emails or documents. Its Smart Paste and Files features allow users to paste text or upload files to instantly capture lead and contact details. A Data Exploration Agent helps sellers understand sales trends by answering natural language questions with filtered views and visual insights. These tools aim to reduce manual tasks and give sellers more time with customers.
Human Traders Still Key Amidst AI Growth
Experts at the Equities Leaders Summit agree that human traders remain important even as AI grows in capital markets. They say human traits like gut instinct and the ability to react to unexpected market changes are vital. AI works best with historical data, but cannot predict unpredictable events. While AI offers huge benefits like processing vast amounts of research, human relationships and strategic thinking are irreplaceable. However, AI has also led to smaller teams, making new skills and flexible roles more important for traders.
HR Invests in AI but Lacks Full Trust
A new report by Avature shows that most HR teams plan to increase their AI spending in 2026. However, many are still exploring AI uses, with only 23% actually scaling the technology. Key challenges include a shortage of skilled workers and limitations from old software. Additionally, only 2% of HR professionals fully trust AI, and many employees still check AI's work. HR teams are more confident using AI for simple, repetitive tasks like answering candidate questions or matching roles.
Futurum Group CEO Optimistic About AI Trade
Daniel Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group, shared his positive outlook on the artificial intelligence trade. He expressed being "very optimistic" about its future. Newman also discussed upcoming earnings reports from major technology companies and the expansion of the S&P 500 index. He made these comments during an appearance on 'Varney & Co.'
Sources
- Incubeta Launches New Agentic AI Products to Help Brands Understand What Truly Drives Marketing Performance
- Incubeta Launches New Agentic AI Products to Help Brands Understand What Truly Drives Marketing Performance
- Inside Equity & Pact’s Artificial Intelligence Negotiation: UK Union Demands Compensation Clause But Pact Says Its Offer Gives Actors “More Control Over Their Data & Performance Than Counterparts In Other Countries”
- Inside Equity & Pact’s Artificial Intelligence Negotiation: UK Union Demands Compensation Clause But Pact Says Its Offer Gives Actors “More Control Over Their Data & Performance Than Counterparts In Other Countries”
- Analysis | Google wants your emails and photos to ‘personalize’ its AI. Should you let it?
- GUI Model Second Only to Claude: MiningLamp Technology's AI-powered Global Marketing Platform Wins CICAS Grand Prize
- Carlton Graves Joins Empower AI as Capture VP
- How Agentic AI is Transforming Dynamics 365 Sales
- Human traders remain relevant in an AI-driven world, experts say
- Why HR is investing in AI but hesitating to trust it fully yet
- CEO remains 'very optimistic' over AI trade
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