September 29, 2025

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Microsoft Offers Free Copilot to US Agencies, Google & OpenAI Compete

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and daily life, with significant implications for the workforce and technological infrastructure. Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., anticipates AI will transform "literally every job," planning to retrain its 2.1 million global employees to adapt to evolving roles, though the company aims to maintain its workforce size over the next three years. Similarly, Boston-area companies are exploring AI for efficiency, with some, like American Well, reducing staff by approximately 35 percent, while others, such as Akamai Technologies, focus on using AI to enhance employee capabilities. In the healthcare sector, AI is proving valuable for identifying patients who could benefit from specific treatments, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) eligible for new biologic therapies, though caution is advised due to AI's 'black box' nature. Rigorous evaluations and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are deemed essential for the successful adoption of AI in healthcare, ensuring reliability and demonstrating measurable benefits. The burgeoning AI industry also necessitates a robust market for compute power, with Auctionomics developing a market-based system for compute pricing to attract substantial investment in data center infrastructure. On the consumer technology front, AI is already integrated into daily productivity through features like virtual assistants such as Siri, smart replies in emails, and AI-powered scheduling. Microsoft is actively pursuing the government sector, offering discounted AI tools and its Copilot assistant for free to select U.S. federal agencies under a new agreement, aiming to secure a dominant position against competitors like Google and OpenAI. However, the proliferation of AI also presents ethical challenges, as 'nudify' apps and websites are being used to create nonconsensual explicit images, leading to significant emotional distress for victims who currently lack legal recourse. Meanwhile, hardware manufacturers like Hanmi Semiconductor are expanding into advanced chip packaging to support the growing demands of AI hardware.

Key Takeaways

  • Walmart plans to retrain its 2.1 million global employees over the next three years as AI is expected to transform nearly every job within the company.
  • Some Boston-area companies are hiring fewer workers due to AI adoption, with American Well reducing staff by about 35 percent, while others focus on AI to augment employee capabilities.
  • AI is being used in healthcare to identify COPD patients for specific treatments, with ongoing research exploring its broader application in clinical decision-making.
  • Rigorous evaluations and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are critical for the successful and safe integration of AI in healthcare systems.
  • A new market-based system for compute pricing is being developed to support the massive compute demands of the AI industry and attract trillions in investment.
  • Microsoft is offering significant discounts on its AI tools, including free Copilot for 12 months, to U.S. federal agencies through a new agreement with the GSA.
  • AI is already integrated into daily productivity through features like virtual assistants (e.g., Siri), smart email replies, and scheduling tools.
  • 'Nudify' AI apps are creating nonconsensual explicit images, causing emotional trauma to victims who currently have limited legal recourse.
  • Hanmi Semiconductor is expanding into advanced chip packaging to meet the hardware demands of the growing AI sector.
  • The compute market for AI is being compared to oil futures, with a new system aiming to create liquidity and attract investment for data centers.

Walmart says AI will change every job, plans worker retraining

Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., anticipates that artificial intelligence will significantly alter nearly every job within the company. CEO Doug McMillon stated that while some jobs may disappear, new ones will be created. To manage these changes, Walmart plans to retrain its workers. The company aims to maintain its global workforce of around 2.1 million people over the next three years, though the types of jobs will shift. Walmart is actively monitoring job trends to prepare its employees for the evolving roles.

Walmart CEO: AI will transform 'literally every job'

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon believes artificial intelligence will transform 'literally every job,' impacting roles across the company. Speaking at a conference, he acknowledged that some positions will be eliminated while new ones emerge due to AI. Walmart is preparing its workforce for these changes by focusing on retraining and adapting to new roles. The company plans to keep its global employee count stable at about 2.1 million over the next three years, despite significant shifts in job types. This proactive approach aims to help employees transition successfully through the evolving job landscape.

Compute market needed for AI growth, like oil futures

The growing artificial intelligence industry requires a market for compute power, similar to how oil futures created liquidity for the energy sector. Paul Milgrom's company, Auctionomics, is developing a market-based system for compute pricing, which is currently sold on a custom basis. This new market aims to attract trillions of dollars in investment for data centers and related infrastructure. AI agents will enable trading on this market by translating natural language goals into executable orders. The unveiling of this compute market is expected soon, which is seen as a crucial step for the AI revolution.

Boston companies use AI to hire fewer workers, but it's complex

Several Boston-area companies report hiring fewer employees in certain roles due to the adoption of artificial intelligence. Executives from tech, finance, and online health firms are using AI to boost efficiency and cut costs. DraftKings, for example, requires proof that AI cannot perform a job before hiring a human. While some economists debate whether AI will lead to net job losses or gains, many businesses are exploring AI for cost savings. Companies like American Well have reduced staff by about 35 percent, attributing it to AI investments. Others, like PTC and Tripadvisor, are investigating AI for efficiency gains, while Akamai Technologies focuses on using AI to enhance employee capabilities rather than replace them.

AI helps doctors identify COPD patients for new treatments

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can help doctors identify patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who would benefit most from new biologic therapies. Christopher Carlin, a respiratory physician, explained a project that used clinical data from over 30,000 COPD patients to create risk models. These models pinpoint individuals eligible for specific treatments, similar to those in clinical trials. While AI is not yet standard for real-time therapy decisions, research like the DYNAMIC AI trial is exploring its use. Carlin stressed the importance of caution regarding AI's 'black box' nature but noted that patient feedback has been positive, with many appreciating data-driven approaches.

AI evaluations and KPIs are key for healthcare AI success

For artificial intelligence (AI) to be successfully adopted in healthcare, rigorous evaluations and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential. These measures prove AI's reliability, accuracy, and value, building trust among clinicians and organizations. AI evaluations act as 'test drives' to ensure systems perform safely and consistently, similar to clinical trials for drugs. KPIs then quantify the impact, measuring improvements in patient outcomes, efficiency, and cost reduction. This dual approach drives return on investment by reducing risk and demonstrating measurable clinical and financial benefits. Leading Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platforms like Epic and Cerner require these standards for AI integration, ensuring safe and effective deployment.

AI 'nudify' apps create nonconsensual explicit images

A CNBC investigation reveals that 'nudify' apps and websites, often promoted on Facebook and available on app stores, allow users to create nonconsensual explicit images and videos using AI. A group of women in Minnesota became victims when a friend used their photos with an AI site called DeepSwap to generate deepfakes. Experts warn that anyone can be victimized due to the current state of AI technology. The victims lack legal recourse because no laws were broken in their specific case, leading them to advocate for new legislation. The harm caused by these deepfakes is significant, leading to emotional trauma and anxiety for victims, who feel a loss of control over their identity.

Microsoft offers federal government discounted AI tools

Microsoft is significantly discounting its cloud and AI products for the U.S. federal government, even offering its AI assistant Copilot for free to select agencies for 12 months. This move, part of the new OneGov Cloud agreement with the General Services Administration (GSA), aims to secure a strong position in the government market against competitors like OpenAI and Google. The deal could save agencies $100 million in the first year and includes $20 million for training. While the discounts offer immediate savings, the long-term strategy focuses on deep integration and customer dependence within Microsoft's ecosystem. This partnership marks a pivotal moment for government AI adoption, establishing AI as a utility in federal workflows.

AI influences daily productivity in 7 key ways

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become deeply integrated into daily life, often unnoticed, influencing productivity in numerous ways. From smartphone features like facial recognition and route mapping to virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, AI streamlines tasks and aids decision-making. Email filtering and smart replies enhance communication efficiency, while AI-powered scheduling tools help manage time and coordinate meetings. The article traces AI's origins from Alan Turing's work to modern machine learning and natural language processing. It highlights AI's continuous evolution and its boundless potential in global communication and various professional and personal aspects of life.

Hanmi Semiconductor expands into advanced chip packaging for AI

Hanmi Semiconductor is increasing its role in the artificial intelligence hardware sector by expanding into advanced chip packaging. The company has already established a strong presence in manufacturing critical equipment for AI hardware. This strategic move into advanced packaging is key to supporting the growing demands of the AI era. Hanmi Semiconductor's expansion signifies its commitment to being a significant player in the supply chain for AI technology.

Sources

Artificial Intelligence AI Walmart Workforce Retraining Job Transformation Compute Market AI Growth Data Centers Hiring Efficiency Cost Savings Healthcare AI COPD Biologic Therapies Risk Models Clinical Trials AI Evaluations KPIs Electronic Medical Records Deepfakes Nonconsensual Explicit Images Legislation Microsoft Federal Government Cloud Computing Copilot Productivity Virtual Assistants Machine Learning Natural Language Processing Chip Packaging AI Hardware Supply Chain