The AI sector is seeing significant developments in security and infrastructure. ServiceNow is set to acquire Armis for US$7.75 billion by the second half of 2026, aiming to build an AI-native cybersecurity platform that integrates asset intelligence with AI-driven security tools. This move responds to a projected global information security spending of US$240 billion in 2026. Meanwhile, Nvidia's new Rubin platform introduces rack-scale encryption, a major advancement for enterprise AI security, allowing cryptographic verification of AI environments. AMD also offers competing solutions in this space. Zscaler is bolstering its defenses, appointing Dr. Swamy Kocherlakota as Executive Vice President of Agentic AI Security Engineering on January 12, 2026, to counter threats from autonomous AI agents. The need for robust AI security is critical, as "Shadow AI" incidents currently cost businesses an average of $4.63 million. A notable incident in November 2025 involved a major cyberattack launched by the Chinese state-sponsored group GTG-1002 using AI. Zscaler's Dr. Kocherlakota plans to expand the company's Zero Trust architecture, already used by 45% of Fortune 500 companies, to secure both human and machine identities and protect sensitive data. Beyond enterprise security, AI poses new threats to individuals. Check Point researchers uncovered the "Truman Show Scam," an AI-driven investment fraud using fake trading apps like OPCOPRO and AI-generated personas to trick victims into providing identity documents and money. In a positive development for personal safety, 16-year-old Elliston Berry, a deepfake victim, helped create a 17-minute online course for students, teachers, and parents to educate them on deepfakes, sexual abuse, and sextortion. Washington State lawmakers are also preparing to address AI chatbot regulation to filter inappropriate content and detect self-harm during their upcoming legislative session. The broader AI landscape also reveals significant shifts. Chinese AI experts from companies like Alibaba and Tencent warn that China is falling behind the US in AI technology, attributing this gap largely to US export controls on computer chips. Despite these challenges, new business models are emerging with agentic AI, including "Customer Proxy" and "Orchestrator" models, where AI agents perform tasks like answering FAQs and monitoring systems. Radio industry leaders, such as Beasley and NRG Media, are adapting sales strategies by hiring "digital-first" sellers and bundling digital and over-the-air offerings, with NRG Media seeing digital revenue grow to 25% in their market.
Key Takeaways
- ServiceNow is acquiring Armis for US$7.75 billion to create an AI-native cybersecurity platform, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2026.
- Global spending on information security is projected to reach US$240 billion in 2026, highlighting the growing demand for integrated AI protection.
- Nvidia's new Rubin platform introduces rack-scale encryption, enhancing enterprise AI security by allowing cryptographic verification of AI environments, with AMD offering competing solutions.
- "Shadow AI" incidents cost businesses an average of $4.63 million, underscoring the financial impact of AI security vulnerabilities.
- Zscaler appointed Dr. Swamy Kocherlakota on January 12, 2026, to lead Agentic AI Security Engineering, focusing on protecting against threats from autonomous AI agents and expanding its Zero Trust architecture.
- Chinese AI experts believe China is falling behind the US in AI technology, primarily due to US export controls on computer chips.
- An AI-driven investment scam, the "Truman Show Scam," uses fake trading apps like OPCOPRO and AI-generated personas to defraud victims.
- 16-year-old Elliston Berry, a deepfake victim, helped develop a free online training course for schools and parents to educate about deepfakes, sexual abuse, and sextortion.
- Washington State lawmakers plan to address the regulation of AI chatbots to filter inappropriate content and detect self-harm during their upcoming legislative session.
- New agentic AI business models are emerging, such as "Customer Proxy" and "Orchestrator," while radio companies like NRG Media are adapting sales strategies to integrate digital offerings, boosting digital revenue to 25%.
Zscaler names Dr Swamy Kocherlakota to lead AI security
Zscaler appointed Dr. Swamy Kocherlakota as Executive Vice President of Agentic AI Security Engineering on January 12, 2026. He will lead efforts to protect against new AI threats, especially from autonomous AI agents. Dr. Kocherlakota plans to expand Zscaler's Zero Trust architecture, which 45% of Fortune 500 companies use. This move aims to secure both human and machine identities and protect sensitive data and intellectual property in the AI era.
Zscaler appoints Dr Kocherlakota for AI security leadership
Zscaler, a cybersecurity company, appointed Dr. Swamy Kocherlakota as Executive Vice President of Agentic AI Security Engineering on January 12, 2026. He will lead the company's efforts to secure against new threats from autonomous AI agents. Dr. Kocherlakota, a 30-year technology veteran, will expand Zscaler's Zero Trust Exchange platform, used by 45% of Fortune 500 companies. This move aims to protect both human and machine identities as AI technology evolves.
China AI leaders say US tech lead grows
Top Chinese artificial intelligence experts from companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and Zhipu have warned that China is falling behind the US in AI technology. They stated that China has only a small chance of catching up. These leaders pointed to US export controls on computer chips as a major reason for limiting China's innovation in AI.
New AI scam uses fake trading apps and personas
Check Point researchers uncovered an AI-driven investment scam called the "Truman Show Scam" using a mobile app named OPCOPRO. This fraud creates fake trading environments and uses AI-generated personas to trick victims. Scammers contact people through messages and ads, then move them to private chat groups with fake experts and participants. Victims download the OPCOPRO app, which shows false trading activity, and are asked for identity documents and money. The Android version of the app was removed, but the iOS version was still available.
Nvidia Rubin platform boosts AI security with encryption
Nvidia's new Rubin platform introduces rack-scale encryption, marking a big change for enterprise AI security. This hardware-level encryption allows companies to cryptographically verify their AI environments instead of relying on cloud provider contracts. This is important because "Shadow AI" incidents cost an average of $4.63 million, and a Chinese state-sponsored group, GTG-1002, used AI to launch a major cyberattack in November 2025. The Rubin platform offers significant performance improvements over Blackwell and strengthens zero-trust principles by allowing verification before and during AI operations. AMD also offers competing solutions, giving security leaders more choices.
ServiceNow buys Armis for 7.75 billion dollars
ServiceNow is acquiring Armis for US$7.75 billion to create a powerful AI-native cybersecurity platform. The deal, expected to close in the second half of 2026, will combine Armis's asset intelligence with ServiceNow's AI-driven security tools. This will help companies manage cyber risks and protect IT, OT, IoT, and healthcare systems more proactively. Amit Zavery of ServiceNow and Yevgeny Dibrov of Armis believe this will deliver an industry-leading security shield. The acquisition aims to meet the growing demand for integrated AI protection, as global spending on information security is projected to reach US$240 billion in 2026.
Washington lawmakers prepare for new legislative session
Washington State lawmakers are preparing for a 60-day legislative session in Olympia to address key issues. They face a $2.3 billion budget shortfall through June 2027 and will consider Governor Bob Ferguson's proposals, including spending cuts and a "millionaires' tax." This tax would apply a 9.9% income tax on earnings over $1 million, potentially generating $3 billion annually by 2029. Lawmakers will also likely address voter initiatives and consider regulating AI chatbots to filter inappropriate content and detect self-harm. Other topics include banning fake law enforcement IDs and funding a preschool program.
Radio leaders share AI sales strategies
Executives from Beasley and NRG Media shared how they are adapting sales strategies for the AI era. Bob Blake of Beasley Media Group emphasized hiring "digital-first" sellers who integrate radio into broader marketing plans. Sheila Graham of NRG Media highlighted the importance of trust, quick responses, and regular marketing plan reviews for local advertisers. Her team added a digital sales specialist, which helped digital revenue grow from 5-10% to 25% in their market. Both companies now focus on client objectives and bundle digital and over-the-air offerings to meet evolving market demands.
New business models emerge with agentic AI
Researchers have identified four new business models for the age of agentic AI. These include "Existing+" where AI enhances current models, "Customer Proxy" where AI executes predefined processes for customer outcomes, "Modular Creator" where AI assembles reusable modules, and "Orchestrator" where AI builds an ecosystem of products and services. These models update earlier digital business models from 2013, which saw "Ecosystem Drivers" grow significantly. One New Zealand Group already uses AI agents for tasks like answering FAQs, upgrading plans, and monitoring power failures, showing these new models in action.
Teen creates deepfake training course for schools
Elliston Berry, a 16-year-old, helped create a new online training course after being targeted by deepfake nude images at age 14. The 17-minute course teaches middle to high school students, teachers, and parents about understanding deepfakes, deepfake sexual abuse, and sextortion. It also provides links to support resources from organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Adaptive Security CEO Brian Long emphasized that the course educates potential victims and perpetrators about the harm and illegality of such acts. Adaptive Security offers this course free to schools and parents to help address this growing issue.
Sources
- Zscaler Appoints Dr. Swamy Kocherlakota as EVP of Agentic AI Security Engineering to Enhance AI-Centric Security Solutions
- Zscaler names Kocherlakota to lead new agentic AI security division By Investing.com
- Chinese AI leaders warn the USā lead is widening
- AI-driven āTruman Showā trading scam hits app stores
- Nvidia Rubin's rack-scale encryption signals a turning point for enterprise AI security
- How ServiceNow Plans to Redefine Cyber Risk with Armis Deal
- Budget, voter initiatives and artificial intelligence: Lawmakers ready for upcoming legislative session
- Beasley and NRG Media Executives Share AI-Era Sales Lessons
- How digital business models are evolving in the age of agentic AI
- This teen was targeted by deepfake nudes. She hopes new training course will help future victims
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