Artificial intelligence continues its rapid integration across various sectors, from sales and commerce to creative arts and education. In sales, AI tools like generative AI are boosting performance and reducing the gap between top and lower performers by automating tasks such as lead scoring and email writing, though human oversight remains vital for adapting insights to specific business needs. The commerce landscape is being reshaped by agentic AI, with platforms like LinkedIn and Booking.com developing sophisticated systems for recruitment and personalized travel experiences, respectively. Nvidia is enhancing AI's data transfer capabilities, while OpenAI's Realtime API enables more natural voice agents. Investment in this area is also growing, with a new ETF, AGIQ, focused on agentic AI companies. Beyond business applications, AI is also being introduced into educational settings. Youngstown State University is developing curriculum to teach engineering students responsible AI use, funded by a $1.6 million NSF grant, while Virginia Tech is using a $500,000 NSF grant to teach AI ethics to children through robot theater. Consumers are also benefiting from AI, with CarEdge launching an AI agent to help car buyers negotiate deals and Samsung's Galaxy AI redefining smartphone capabilities with features for communication and creativity. Artists, writers, and designers are finding AI to be a powerful collaborator, helping overcome creative blocks and manage information, though human authenticity remains key. In the financial markets, AI stocks, including those from Microsoft, Palantir, and Nvidia, have seen gains as investors anticipate Federal Reserve rate cuts, with Oracle also reporting a significant increase in its AI cloud computing backlog. COPX.AI has launched a new tool for faster trading insights, and Verge Aero is enabling drone show creation from text prompts. Looking ahead, a webinar will explore the practical impact of AI on account-based marketing, focusing on effective use cases and scaling campaigns. Overall, AI is being positioned not just to automate, but to amplify human capabilities, foster empathy in businesses, and enhance user experiences across a wide range of applications.
Key Takeaways
- Generative AI is improving sales performance by automating tasks and reducing the gap between high and low performers, though human oversight is still necessary.
- Agentic AI is advancing with new platforms from LinkedIn and Booking.com, alongside OpenAI's Realtime API for voice agents and Nvidia's improvements in data transfer.
- Youngstown State University received $1.6 million in NSF grants to integrate AI education into engineering curricula, focusing on responsible and ethical use.
- Virginia Tech is using over $500,000 in NSF funding to expand its robot theater program, incorporating AI ethics education for children.
- CarEdge has launched an AI agent to assist car buyers in negotiating better deals.
- Samsung's Galaxy AI, introduced with the S24 series, is enhancing smartphone capabilities across communication and creativity, expanding to wearables, tablets, and PCs.
- AI stocks, including Microsoft, Palantir, and Nvidia, have rallied amid investor anticipation of Federal Reserve rate cuts, with Oracle also seeing a surge in its AI cloud backlog.
- COPX.AI has released a new AI tool designed to provide traders with faster and smarter market insights using predictive analytics.
- Verge Aero's new AI tools allow for the creation of drone shows from text prompts, simplifying production and expanding creative possibilities.
- A webinar will discuss the practical applications and effectiveness of AI in account-based marketing, distinguishing hype from actual results.
AI transforms sales in 2025, boosting performance
Artificial intelligence is changing the sales industry in 2025, with teams using AI performing better than those who don't. Generative AI, like GPT-4, improves performance for most users and reduces the gap between top and lower performers. While AI excels at tasks like data analysis and content creation, human oversight is still crucial for adapting AI insights to specific business needs. Companies are increasingly using AI for tasks such as lead scoring and email writing, aiming to automate routine work and free up sales reps for relationship building.
Agentic AI reshapes commerce with new tools and platforms
Agentic artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing, with companies like LinkedIn and Booking.com developing sophisticated AI platforms. LinkedIn's new system treats AI agents as infrastructure, improving its Hiring Assistant for recruiters. Booking.com is building its own agentic AI to personalize travel experiences and automate bookings. New developments include parallel agents for faster task processing and OpenAI's Realtime API for more natural voice agents. Nvidia is also improving data transfer speeds for AI, and a new ETF, AGIQ, offers investment in agentic AI companies.
YSU professor secures $1.6 million in NSF grants for AI research
Corey Brozina, an associate professor at Youngstown State University (YSU), has received his fourth National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, totaling $1.6 million in funding. This new three-year project focuses on integrating AI into undergraduate engineering education, teaching students how to use AI tools responsibly and ethically. Brozina is collaborating with George Mason University to develop curriculum using case-based instruction. The materials will be shared nationwide, positioning YSU as a leader in AI literacy education.
Virginia Tech uses NSF grant to teach AI ethics through robot theater
Virginia Tech researchers have received over $500,000 from the National Science Foundation to expand their robot theater program. This after-school initiative uses performance-based learning to help children explore robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). The new funding will add a strong focus on AI ethics, teaching students about fairness, privacy, and bias. The program aims to formalize its curriculum for broader sharing, helping children understand and use AI and robots responsibly.
CarEdge launches AI agent to help car buyers negotiate deals
Car shoppers can now use an AI agent from CarEdge to help negotiate car deals. This new tool aims to assist consumers in securing better prices. The AI agent is designed to work on behalf of the buyer, potentially simplifying the complex process of car purchasing.
AI empowers artists, writers, and designers to enhance creativity
Artificial intelligence offers new ways for artists, writers, and designers to enhance their creative work. AI tools can help overcome creative blocks by suggesting ideas, generating variations, and providing historical references. They can also organize vast amounts of information and assist with marketing tasks like creating captions and reformatting content. While AI can amplify creativity, the human element of authenticity, emotion, and lived experience remains crucial. The future of creativity is seen as a hybrid collaboration between humans and AI.
AI stocks rally as investors anticipate Fed rate cuts
AI-related stocks saw significant gains as investors awaited Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. Oracle's stock surged after announcing a massive increase in its AI cloud computing backlog. Micron Technology, a producer of memory for AI servers, also experienced a strong week. Other AI-focused companies like Microsoft, Palantir, and Nvidia showed positive movement. The market also saw gains in utilities supporting data centers and a rebound in large growth stocks, while job revisions and economic data supported expectations of Fed rate cuts.
Human-centered AI can make businesses more empathetic and connected
Contrary to fears of dehumanization, artificial intelligence (AI) can actually make organizations more human-centered. AI can scale empathy in customer interactions by providing agents with real-time insights and suggesting responses. It can also dissolve knowledge silos by making information more accessible across departments. Furthermore, AI can support service delivery across language and cultural barriers. The key is to use AI to amplify human connection and capabilities rather than replace them, leading to competitive advantages.
COPX.AI launches AI tool for faster, smarter trading insights
COPX.AI has launched a new AI-powered tool designed to provide traders with smarter and faster market insights. This tool uses predictive analytics and machine learning to help users identify opportunities and risks, optimize entry and exit points, and anticipate market shifts. COPX.AI aims to redefine the trading experience by enabling data-driven decisions and adapting to the evolving financial markets. The platform is positioned as a gateway to the future of AI-powered trading.
Samsung's Galaxy AI journey redefines smartphones with innovation
Samsung's Galaxy AI has ushered in a new era where AI defines smartphone capabilities. Launched with the Galaxy S24 series in 2024, Galaxy AI empowers users with new possibilities in communication, creativity, and connection. Samsung has expanded its AI ecosystem across wearables, tablets, and PCs, focusing on multimodal intelligence. This journey has redefined living freer and smarter through AI integration.
Verge Aero introduces AI tools for creating drone shows from text prompts
Verge Aero has released new AI tools integrated into its design studio, allowing users to create advanced drone shows from simple text prompts. These tools enable storyboarding, manipulation of show elements, and seamless integration with Verge Aero's software. The AI functionality aims to empower artists by reducing production timelines and expanding creative possibilities. This innovation lowers the barrier to entry for drone show design, allowing creators to focus on storytelling and unique effects.
Webinar to explore AI's real impact on account-based marketing
A webinar titled 'AI Meets ABM: What's Actually Working vs. What's Hype' will be held on September 24th. The session will feature experts from Demandbase discussing how artificial intelligence is practically reshaping account-based marketing (ABM). Attendees will learn to identify valuable AI use cases, scale campaigns authentically, use data for AI-driven engagement, and align marketing and sales with AI to boost revenue. The webinar aims to provide a clear roadmap for leveraging AI in ABM.
Sources
- The state of AI in sales in 2025
- Prompt Economy Recalculates Basic Math of Commerce
- Brozina’s 4th NSF grant puts YSU at forefront of AI research
- Ethical robots and AI take center stage with support from National Science Foundation grant
- Car shoppers can get their own AI agent to help negotiate deal
- AI and Creativity: How Artists, Writers, and Designers Can Harness Artificial Intelligence
- AI Stocks Go Back to Work Before the Fed
- AI: the key to human-centered business
- COPX Introduces ‘COPX AI Tool’ For Smarter Trading With AI
- [Infographic] Galaxy AI: The Journey of Innovation
- Verge Aerospace Reveals New AI Drone Show Tools
- AI Meets ABM: What’s Actually Working vs. What’s Hype Webinar set for Sept. 24