OpenAI backs PAC as Claude and ChatGPT use web content

Key Takeaways

• Proofpoint acquired Acuvity, an AI security and governance startup, to enhance its platform for AI agents and the "agentic workspace."
• Proofpoint's acquisition of Acuvity follows its $1.8 billion purchase of Hornetsecurity, strengthening its cybersecurity offerings.
• An AI super PAC, Leading the Future, is investing $5 million to support Byron Donalds' campaign for Florida Governor.
• OpenAI's Greg Brockman is among the AI industry leaders backing the super PAC supporting Byron Donalds.
• AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude are changing search, prompting the IAB to propose the "AI Accountability for Publishers Act" for fair content compensation.
• New AI tools like OpenClaw and platforms like Claude Cowork enable users to build AI agents for complex tasks.
• Energy Vault and Peak Energy partnered for a 1.5 GWh deal for US-made sodium-ion battery systems to power AI data centers.
• A security gap exists in preventing AI from being used to create weapons of mass destruction, requiring public-private partnerships.
• HPE's finance team is using an AI tool, Alfred, to automate reporting and train over 3,000 employees for new AI-driven roles.
• AITX's Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD) will demonstrate an AI-driven security system at ISC West 2026, aiming to cut security costs.

Proofpoint buys Acuvity to boost AI security

Proofpoint announced on Thursday that it acquired Acuvity, a startup focused on AI security and governance. This acquisition will strengthen Proofpoint's ability to provide visibility and control for AI agents and agentic technologies. Acuvity's platform offers detection models and security controls for AI tools, including those locally installed like OpenClaw. Proofpoint aims to create the industry's first platform to protect all parts of the "agentic workspace." This follows Proofpoint's $1.8 billion purchase of Hornetsecurity in December.

Proofpoint acquires Acuvity for AI security and control

Proofpoint, a leading cybersecurity company, announced on February 12, 2026, that it acquired Acuvity. Acuvity specializes in AI enterprise security and governance. This purchase will add AI-native visibility, governance, and real-time protection to Proofpoint's platform for AI and agent-driven tasks. Proofpoint CEO Ashan Habeeb said Acuvity's technology will help customers protect sensitive data and ensure compliance as AI tools become more common. The acquisition will improve Proofpoint's data loss prevention and insider threat solutions.

Proofpoint buys Acuvity to secure AI workspace

Proofpoint has acquired Acuvity, an AI security innovator, to become the first cybersecurity platform to protect the "agentic workspace." This workspace involves humans, data, and AI agents working together. Generative AI introduces new risks like data exposure and AI-specific attacks. Acuvity's technology provides AI-native security, offering visibility, governance, and control for AI usage across various platforms, including local tools like OpenClaw. Ryan Kalember of Proofpoint stated this acquisition helps organizations confidently adopt AI by managing risks. Proofpoint now offers a unified platform for Collaboration Security, Data Security and Governance, and AI Security.

AI group invests $5 million to back Byron Donalds

Leading the Future, an AI super PAC, announced a $5 million investment to support Byron Donalds' campaign for Florida Governor. Zac Moffatt, a strategist for the group, stated that Donalds understands how technology will bring economic benefits to Florida. The money will help Donalds and other "pro innovation" candidates during the Primary season through various marketing efforts. Donalds himself believes in a "magical era" of technological growth. The super PAC also plans to educate the public on the advantages of AI in Florida.

AI leaders fund Byron Donalds Florida governor bid

Leading the Future, a super PAC supported by AI industry leaders like OpenAI's Greg Brockman, plans to spend $5 million to help Byron Donalds become Florida's governor. This support comes amid a debate in Florida over AI legislation proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis, which the AI industry opposes. Donalds' chief strategist, Ryan Smith, said America must lead in AI for national security and to reflect its values. The super PAC also aims to educate people about the benefits of AI. Donalds, endorsed by Donald Trump, is considered the leading Republican candidate for the 2026 election.

AI power needs drive 1.5 GWh sodium-ion battery deal

Energy Vault and Peak Energy have partnered to address the power demands of AI data centers. They signed a deal for 1.5 gigawatt-hours of US-made sodium-ion battery systems. AI training causes sudden power spikes, so their new system will handle this volatility better than traditional batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are safer and more reliable than lithium-ion, aiming for faster setup and lower costs for data centers. Energy Vault's Vault OS software will manage these systems. This domestic supply also helps qualify for tax credits.

Insurance agents face AI superagent challenge

Analysts are discussing the future of insurance agents as "AI superagents" emerge. They believe that human insurance brokers will not lose their business to AI tools in the near future. This topic is important for those who follow insurance stocks.

New AI tools like OpenClaw are changing work

Tech insiders say recent AI advancements are transforming how people work. Matt Shumer, CEO of OthersideAI, notes that AI can now complete complex projects on its own. OpenClaw, a new open-source AI assistant, quickly gained millions of users. People are using tools like Claude Cowork and Telegram's BotFather to build their own AI agents for various tasks, even without coding experience. These agents can handle everything from launching startups to managing personal travel. However, experts warn about giving AI too much access to data, with some using "sandboxing" to keep agents in secure, limited environments.

AITX shows AI security system at ISC West

AITX, through its company Robotic Assistance Devices or RAD, will present its new AI-driven security system at ISC West 2026 in Las Vegas. This system combines robotic devices with Immix, Circadian Risk, and AWS, using the SARA agentic AI platform. Live demonstrations will show how it can detect risks, respond automatically, and document events in real time. RAD believes this autonomous security can replace traditional guards and cut security costs by 35% to 80%. AITX develops its own AI software and aims to serve many large companies.

AI security gap for weapons of mass destruction

A security gap exists in preventing AI from being used to create weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, Rocco Casagrande demonstrated how an AI chatbot could provide a recipe for a deadly pandemic. While AI companies focus on preventing "lone wolf" virus attacks, less attention is given to other threats like chemical weapons or attacks by states or terrorist groups. These different threats require unique AI safety tests. The article suggests that governments and tech companies must work together in public-private partnerships. This collaboration would combine classified intelligence with private data to identify threats that neither side can see alone.

HPE uses AI Alfred to transform finance

HPE's finance team is using an AI tool named Alfred to change how it operates. Before 2025, weekly reports took many hours of manual work, but Alfred now shortens these reporting cycles. CFO Marie Myers and Gustav van der Westhuizen are leading efforts to train over 3,000 finance employees for these new AI-driven roles. Myers believes a "human in the loop" is still essential, even with AI capabilities. Employees want clear plans about how their jobs will change and what training they will receive.

AI changes search, publishers and advertisers must unite

AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude are replacing traditional search, creating new challenges for publishers and advertisers. David Cohen, President and CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, notes that AI models often use internet content without paying creators. He believes publishers need fair compensation for their work. The IAB is proposing the "AI Accountability for Publishers Act" to ensure transparency and proper payment for content used by AI. This law would require AI bots to follow publishers' terms of service. Publishers and marketers must work together to address these changes and secure the future of online content.

Sources

• Proofpoint Expands AI Security Offerings With Acuvity Acquisition
• Proofpoint Acquires Acuvity to Deliver AI Security and Governance Across the Agentic Workspace
• Proofpoint Acquires Acuvity to Deliver AI Security and Governance Across the Agentic Workspace
• AI super PAC announces $5M investment boosting Byron Donalds
• Super PAC backed by AI titans pledges $5 million to boost Byron Donalds' run for Florida governor
• The AI power crunch sparks a 1.5 GWh sodium-ion battery deal
• It’s the Insurance Agent vs. the AI Superagent
• Tech insiders says these recent AI advancements change everything:...
• AITX Showcases Agentic AI Security Stack at ISC West
• The Weapons of Mass Destruction AI Security Gap
• HPE turns finance into the front line of enterprise AI
• As AI Supplants Classic Search, Publishers And Marketers Must Align