Microsoft commits $10 billion as OpenAI secures funds

Key Takeaways

• Oracle launched new AI agents on February 10, 2026, for marketing, sales, and service teams, embedded in Fusion Cloud Applications at no extra cost.
• Microsoft's stock is now cheaper than IBM's for the first time in a decade, reflecting market valuation of its $10 billion investment in OpenAI.
• Telstra is cutting 209 jobs due to new AI capabilities and a $700 million joint venture with Accenture aimed at accelerating AI plans.
• Venture capital investors are shifting focus to AI's durability and cost-effectiveness, investing in technical foundations and direct business applications.
• A former Google engineer, Bo Chen, was found guilty of stealing AI trade secrets and economic espionage, marking a first for AI-related convictions.
• Harvard experts warned on February 5 about AI's rapid growth posing risks to investors and the power grid due to high energy demands and large financial commitments.
• China is implementing AI to detect corruption in public bidding, supporting anti-graft efforts by flagging unusual activities.
• The UK's "Free AI Training for All" initiative, announced January 28, faces democracy concerns over big tech collaborations and public money allocation.
• AI successfully uncovered the rules of a 1,500-year-old Roman board game, demonstrating its analytical capabilities in historical research.
• The Crossroads Suncast podcast is exploring AI's impact on health, economy, education, and healthcare.

Oracle launches AI agents for business teams

Oracle introduced new AI agents on February 10, 2026, to help marketing, sales, and service teams. These agents automate tasks and use shared data to give customers better experiences. Chris Leone, an Oracle executive, stated that these tools help companies move from reactive to proactive customer engagement. The AI agents are part of Oracle Fusion Applications and aim to improve efficiency and customer relationships.

Oracle AI tools boost customer experience

Oracle announced new AI agents on February 10, 2026, embedded in Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications. These tools help marketing, sales, and service teams improve customer experiences and increase revenue. Chris Leone, an Oracle executive, explained that the agents transform slow processes into smart workflows. Running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, these AI agents are prebuilt and come at no extra cost, helping users make faster and better decisions.

Oracle adds AI agents to boost customer experience

Oracle introduced new AI agents within its Fusion Cloud Applications to create smart customer experiences. These agents, built with Oracle AI Agent Studio, are now available for marketing, sales, and service teams. Mike Sullivan, an Oracle Senior Vice President, said this is a big step in helping customers deliver great experiences. The new tools include an AI-powered Content Assistant, Sales Coach, and Service Agent Assist to improve productivity and business results.

Oracle embeds AI agents in cloud apps

On February 10, 2026, Oracle added new AI agents to its cloud applications for marketing, sales, and service. These agents are built using Oracle AI Agent Studio for Fusion Applications and run on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. They are free for customers and work within existing workflows to automate tasks and provide insights. Chris Leone, an Oracle executive, stated that these tools help transform slow processes into smart, proactive workflows for better customer experiences and revenue growth.

Oracle launches new AI tools for business

Oracle announced new AI agents embedded in its Fusion Cloud Applications to improve marketing, sales, and service. These role-based agents, built with AI Agent Studio and running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, come at no extra cost. Chris Leone, an Oracle executive, said they help businesses create proactive workflows for better customer experiences and revenue. The tools automate tasks like campaign planning, content creation, and managing customer renewals.

Oracle introduces AI agents for better customer service

At Oracle AI World in Mumbai on February 10, 2026, Oracle revealed new AI agents for its Fusion Applications. These tools help marketing, sales, and service leaders improve customer experiences and boost revenue. Chris Leone, an Oracle executive, stated that the agents change slow processes into smart, proactive workflows. Running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, these prebuilt AI agents are integrated at no extra cost to help businesses make faster and better decisions.

Oracle expands AI tools for business teams

Oracle has added more role-based AI agents to its Fusion Cloud Applications for marketing, sales, and customer service teams. These new agents are built to give insights from combined data, automate tasks, and offer smart predictions. Rob Pinkerton, an Oracle Senior Vice President, explained that these tools help teams focus more on strategy and growth by cutting through data silos. The AI agents run on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and are available at no extra cost.

Microsoft stock cheaper than IBM for first time in decade

Microsoft's stock is now cheaper than IBM's for the first time in about ten years, according to FactSet data. This shows how the market values Microsoft's large investments in AI, including a $10 billion investment in OpenAI. While Microsoft's stock fell 10% last year, IBM's gained 10%. Investors are rewarding Microsoft for its strong focus on AI, while IBM's AI efforts, like Watson, have not seen the same market success.

Microsoft stock valuation drops below IBM

Microsoft's stock is now valued lower than IBM's, a first in ten years. This shift reflects how major tech companies, known as hyperscalers, are investing billions into AI projects. These large investments are affecting company valuations across the tech industry. The article suggests this trend is a key factor in Microsoft's stock price change.

AI uncovers rules of ancient Roman board game

Artificial intelligence has successfully figured out the rules of a Roman board game lost for over 1,500 years. Researchers used an AI system called Ludii to analyze scratches on a limestone slab, Object 04433, found in Heerlen, Netherlands. Dr. Walter Crist from Leiden University led the study, which determined the slab was a game board based on its pattern and wear. The AI simulated many rule sets to match the wear patterns, revealing it was likely a blocking game, a type rarely seen in Europe before the Middle Ages. This research, published in Antiquity, marks the first time AI has helped identify an ancient board game.

Podcast explores AI impact on health and economy

The Crossroads Suncast podcast recently discussed the potential effects of AI. This episode looks at how an AI data center could impact a region's health and economy. It also explores the ways artificial intelligence is changing education and healthcare. You can listen to this episode on all major podcast platforms and YouTube.

Telstra cuts 209 jobs due to AI expansion

Telstra plans to cut 209 jobs as it rolls out new AI capabilities and moves some work offshore. This decision follows a $700 million joint venture with technology firm Accenture in 2025. A spokesperson confirmed that affected team members will receive help finding new jobs or career transition support. The joint venture aims to use Accenture's AI expertise and its India hub to speed up Telstra's data and AI plans, leading to better cost efficiency and customer experience. Telstra CEO Vicki Brady believes AI will greatly empower their workforce.

Investors now seek AI efficiency and value

In early February 2026, venture capital continued to flow into the artificial intelligence sector, but investors changed their focus. They are now prioritizing how durable and cost-effective AI technology is, rather than just its size. Many large investments went into the technical foundations that make AI systems faster, cheaper, and more reliable. Other deals show AI being used directly in business tasks like finance and accounting, and in complex industries to reduce costs.

UK AI training plan raises democracy concerns

On January 28, the UK announced a "Free AI Training for All" initiative led by Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. However, critics argue this plan, which involves collaborations with big tech companies, raises concerns about democracy. The AI Skills Hub, offering many courses, focuses mainly on workers and specific industries, not broader public needs. Authors Elinor Carmi, Tania Duarte, Mark Wong, Susan Oman, and Tim Davies, writing on February 10, 2026, highlight worries about public money going to corporations with questionable practices and the potential for reduced public say in AI's future.

Harvard experts warn AI poses risks to investors and power grid

On February 5, Harvard experts warned that AI's rapid growth poses significant risks to investors and the power grid. Economists Jason Furman, Joseph Aldy, and Robert Rubin spoke at Harvard Kennedy School, highlighting that AI's energy demands could strain infrastructure and raise electricity prices. They noted that companies like OpenAI make huge financial commitments, creating potential risks if they cannot meet them due to intense competition. The experts also pointed out that a broken regulatory system makes it hard to track AI-related investments and their impact.

China uses AI to fight corruption in public bids

On February 10, 2026, China announced it will use artificial intelligence to detect corruption in public bidding. This move supports President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-graft efforts. Guidelines from China's National Development and Reform Commission and seven other agencies state that AI tools will flag unusual activities and help supervise review committees. For example, in January 2025, AI helped uncover misconduct by Feng Jiang, a state-owned asset administrator in Zhejiang province, who later received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for accepting bribes.

Former Google engineer found guilty of stealing AI secrets

A federal jury found former Google engineer Bo Chen guilty of stealing AI trade secrets and economic espionage. This marks the first time someone has been convicted of AI-related economic espionage. Chen was accused of taking Google's special AI technology and trying to sell it to other companies. This case highlights the growing value of AI intellectual property and the dangers businesses face from insider threats. It also shows the government's strong commitment to fighting economic espionage in high-tech fields.

Sources

• Oracle Introduces AI Agents to Transform Marketing, Sales, and Service Teams
• Oracle AI Agents Help Marketing, Sales, and Service Leaders Enhance Customer Experiences
• Oracle AI Agents Help Marketing, Sales, and Service Leaders Enhance Customer Experiences
• Oracle adds AI agents to cloud applications for marketing, sales, service
• New Oracle AI agents plan campaigns, draft copy, and chase renewals
• Oracle AI Agents Help Marketing, Sales, and Service Leaders Enhance Customer Experiences
• Oracle expands its AI agents for marketing, sales and CS teams
• Microsoft’s stock is cheaper than IBM’s for the first time in a decade. What that says about the AI trade.
• Microsoft’s stock is cheaper than IBM’s for the first time in a decade. What that says about the AI trade.
• With The Rules Lost For 1,500 Years, AI Learns How To Play Board Game From The Roman Empire
• The Cost and Promise of Artificial Intelligence
• Telstra to axe more than 200 jobs amid AI rollout
• Investors Shift Focus to AI Efficiency and Economics
• The Real Cost of the UK’s ‘Free AI Training for All’ is Democracy
• Harvard Experts: For Investors and the Power Grid, AI Is Risky Business
• China enlists AI to sniff out corruption in public bidding
• Google Engineer Who Stole AI Trade Secrets Gets Guilty Verdict: Lessons for Your Business