Microsoft Copilot, Nvidia Deals, Meta AI Networking

The artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, with significant developments across commerce, government, and infrastructure. Visa is paving the way for "agentic commerce" with its new "Trusted Agent Protocol," designed to secure transactions between AI shopping agents and merchants, aiming for widespread adoption by 2026. In the public sector, governments are being advised to ask critical questions about AI implementation, focusing on problem identification, data security, and risk mitigation. Process Intelligence, combined with tools like Microsoft's Copilot, has already demonstrated value, with the State of Oklahoma saving over $10 million by improving procurement and financial processes. Meanwhile, the competition in AI infrastructure intensifies, as Nvidia secures deals with Oracle and Meta Platforms for its networking devices, challenging rivals like Arista Networks. Beyond commerce and infrastructure, AI security is a growing concern, with Italian companies prioritizing security in AI-enhanced project management software, and Florida International University researchers exploring blockchain to defend AI systems from data poisoning. Mercari is expanding its global reach with an AI-powered app for international online sales, while JLL HR leaders are integrating AI to enhance talent strategy and employee experience. The underlying need for reliable data access for AI research is highlighted by the importance of residential proxies in overcoming data collection challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Visa has launched the "Trusted Agent Protocol" to enable secure communication between AI shopping agents and merchants, anticipating significant growth in "agentic commerce" by 2026.
• Governments are advised to prioritize clear problem definition, data security, and risk assessment for successful AI implementation in public services.
• The State of Oklahoma utilized Process Intelligence and an AI Copilot to achieve over $10 million in savings by optimizing procurement and financial processes.
• Nvidia is strengthening its position in AI networking by securing deals with Oracle and Meta Platforms for its Spectrum-X Ethernet devices.
• Security is a primary concern for Italian companies adopting AI in project management software, with 64% deeming it critical.
• Researchers at Florida International University are developing a blockchain-based framework to protect AI systems from data poisoning attacks.
• Mercari is launching a global AI-powered app to facilitate international online sales, with plans to expand to 50 countries.
• JLL HR leaders are integrating AI, including their JLL Falcon platform launched in 2024, to improve talent strategy and employee experience.
• Residential proxies are identified as crucial infrastructure for AI research, providing reliable access to diverse web data for training models.
• Convoso has integrated its AI-powered outbound contact center technology with Talkdesk's platform to enhance revenue generation for sales teams.

Visa prepares for AI shoppers with new security protocol

Visa is developing a 'Trusted Agent Protocol' to help retailers identify legitimate AI shopping agents and block malicious bots. This protocol aims to support the rise of 'agentic commerce,' where AI assistants can safely shop for consumers. Developed with Cloudflare and partners like Microsoft and Shopify, it allows merchants to manage increased AI activity without major system changes. Visa expects 'agentic commerce' to become significant by 2026.

Visa launches Trusted Agent Protocol for secure AI commerce

Visa has introduced the Trusted Agent Protocol, a framework for agentic commerce that allows secure communication between AI agents and merchants. This protocol aims to enable AI to search, compare, and pay on behalf of consumers while ensuring trust. It addresses challenges in AI-driven commerce, such as distinguishing legitimate agents from bots and managing transactions. The goal is to create a secure and seamless experience for AI-powered shopping.

Visa's new protocol secures AI shopping transactions

Visa has launched the 'Trusted Agent Protocol' to enable secure communication between merchants and AI shopping agents. This protocol helps identify trusted agents and differentiate them from malicious bots, addressing challenges in agent-driven commerce. It aims to make AI-initiated transactions as seamless and secure as current online payments. The protocol is designed for merchants to easily identify agents intending to buy, improving the payment experience.

Public administrators must ask five key questions about AI

As artificial intelligence transforms public services, administrators must balance innovation with risk and public trust. Key questions include identifying the specific problem AI will solve, ensuring data readiness and security, establishing transparency and accountability, assessing and mitigating risks, and confirming the necessary capacity in people, budget, and skills. A problem-first approach and robust data governance are crucial for successful and ethical AI implementation in government.

Governments can improve AI pilot success with Process Intelligence

Many government AI pilot projects fail because they lack clarity on the problems they aim to solve and have inconsistent data. Process Intelligence (PI) offers a data-driven view of workflows, identifying bottlenecks and areas where AI can provide a return on investment. The State of Oklahoma used PI and an AI Copilot to improve procurement and financial processes, saving over $10 million. By grounding AI adoption in operational understanding, governments can ensure modernization efforts deliver real results and avoid wasted investment.

Convoso and Talkdesk partner for AI-driven outbound sales

Convoso has joined the Talkdesk AppConnect Marketplace, integrating its AI-powered outbound contact center technology with Talkdesk's platform. This partnership aims to boost revenue generation for sales teams by addressing the limitations of traditional CCaaS platforms in outbound sales. Convoso's features include AI for caller ID reputation management and compliance tools like automated DNC scrubbing, enabling faster connections and adherence to regulations. This integration offers a comprehensive solution for outbound sales and customer experience.

FIU researchers use blockchain to defend AI from data poisoning

Florida International University (FIU) researchers are developing a blockchain-based federated learning (BCFL) framework to protect AI systems from data poisoning attacks. These attacks involve hackers inserting malicious data to trick AI into making dangerous errors, like misinterpreting traffic signals. The BCFL system uses decentralized blockchain technology and collective decision-making among devices to verify data and reject poisoned inputs. This approach aims to add an extra layer of security for AI systems, including autonomous vehicles.

Mercari launches AI app for global online sales

Mercari, an online marketplace operator, has released a new global app powered by artificial intelligence. This app allows sellers in Taiwan and Hong Kong to offer their goods internationally, with plans to expand to 50 countries, including the US, within three years. The AI provides simultaneous translation for item information and enables buyers to purchase in local currencies while sellers receive payments in yen. This expansion targets the growing global cross-border e-commerce market.

Italy prioritizes AI security in project management software

A Capterra study reveals that while Italian companies are adopting AI in project management software, security is their top purchasing priority. Buyers cite AI capabilities and software integration as key reasons for new purchases, but 64% consider security critical. AI adoption challenges, such as skills gaps and workflow misalignment, are also significant concerns. The study highlights the growing importance of human skills like emotional intelligence in managing AI-enhanced environments.

Nvidia challenges Arista in AI networking with new deals

Nvidia's announcement that Oracle and Meta Platforms will use its Spectrum-X Ethernet networking devices for AI computing has caused Arista Networks' stock to fall. Both companies are competing in the market for networking technology that connects AI servers in data centers. Nvidia bundles its networking devices with AI accelerators, while Arista focuses on computer network switches. Arista had previously forecast significant growth in its AI networking revenue for 2026.

Residential proxies are key infrastructure for AI data access

Residential proxies are essential for AI research and training by providing reliable access to diverse web data. They help overcome challenges like region locks, IP bans, and throttled requests that hinder data collection. By routing requests through real user IP addresses, proxies make data access appear organic, reducing blocks and ensuring consistent availability. This technology is crucial for collecting representative datasets for natural language processing, computer vision, and market analysis, enabling fairer and more accurate AI models.

JLL HR leaders drive AI adoption for talent strategy

JLL HR leaders Megan Kleinick and Jane Curran are integrating AI to improve employee experience and operational efficiency. They emphasize strong processes and data quality as foundational for AI success, using AI for recruitment to manage high applicant volumes. JLL has been investing in AI since 2019 and launched its AI platform, JLL Falcon, in 2024. Their approach focuses on leveraging AI as a tool to enhance work, requiring behavioral changes and ongoing training for effective adoption.

Sources

• Exclusive: Visa prepping for a future where AI buys your holiday gifts
• Visa Introduces Trusted Agent Protocol: An Ecosystem-Led Framework for AI Commerce
• Visa Introduces ‘Trusted Agent Protocol’ for AI Shopping
• AI: Five Questions Every Public Administrator Must Ask
• How government agencies can beat the odds on AI pilots
• The AI-Powered Revenue Revolution: Why the Convoso-Talkdesk Partnership Is a Game Changer for Outbound Sales
• FIU team uses blockchain to prevent data-poisoning cyberattacks on AI systems
• Mercari launches AI app for cross-border merchandise sales
• Project Management: Italy Is Betting On AI, But Security Is The Real Purchase Priority
• Arista Extends Slide As Nvidia Threatens AI Networking Lead
• Smarter Data Access: Using Residential Proxies to Power AI Research and Training
• Charting a Course: How Two HR Leaders at JLL Are Steering AI-Driven Talent Strategies