AI is making waves across various sectors, from cybersecurity to sports and education. EY's recent survey indicates a surge in corporate AI investments, with 21% of leaders reporting expenditures exceeding $10 million, up from 16% the previous year. However, understanding of agentic AI lags, as only 14% have fully implemented it, despite 97% seeing returns on their AI investments. In education, OpenAI is directly competing with Google by launching Study Mode for ChatGPT, aiming to transform it into a learning tool, while Google promotes Gemini for Education. This comes as experts and educators express concerns that students may still rely on AI for quick answers rather than genuine learning. Meanwhile, Palantir emphasizes an "America-first" approach, securing significant government contracts and deploying its AI technology in areas like Ukraine. In cybersecurity, the rise of AI also brings challenges, with AI-powered cyberattacks increasing and companies like Microsoft grappling with intrusions. Snowflake's CISO advocates for self-regulation of AI in cybersecurity, as government regulations may not keep pace. To combat these threats, runtime hardening is emerging as a security approach for AI and cloud-native systems. Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics are leveraging AI for smarter shot analysis, while THG Studios is using AI in virtual production to cut costs and time. Finally, a Payscale survey reveals that nearly one in five employees use AI like ChatGPT for salary insights, leading to inflated salary expectations, and there are potential changes in airline ticket costs due to AI.
Key Takeaways
- EY's survey shows that 21% of business leaders now invest over $10 million in AI, compared to 16% last year, but only 14% have fully implemented agentic AI.
- OpenAI launched Study Mode for ChatGPT to compete with Google's Gemini for Education in the education sector.
- Palantir is promoting an "America-first" approach to AI, backed by government contracts and deployment of its technology in regions like Ukraine.
- Snowflake's CISO suggests companies should self-regulate AI use in cybersecurity due to the rapid pace of AI innovation.
- Runtime hardening is a new security approach designed to protect AI and cloud-native systems by embedding security into the runtime environment.
- Global corporations are facing increased cyber attacks due to AI-powered tools used by malicious actors, with breaches affecting companies like Allianz Life and Microsoft.
- The Boston Celtics are using AI for smarter shot analysis to improve their basketball team's performance.
- THG Studios is using AI-powered virtual production to reduce production time by up to 50% and costs by up to 40%.
- A Payscale survey indicates that nearly 20% of employees use AI like ChatGPT for salary insights, leading to higher salary expectations.
- AI is potentially changing how much airline tickets cost.
AI spending jumps as agentic AI tools gain traction says EY
According to a survey by Ernst & Young released on Tuesday July 29, 2025, corporate investments in AI have increased as AI agents gain popularity. About 21% of business leaders said their organizations spent over $10 million on AI, up from 16% last year. EY's Dan Diasio says leaders need to combine AI with human skills and use cost savings for innovation. Capgemini predicts AI agents could boost revenue and cut costs by 2028 in 14 countries. However, 87% of leaders see barriers to AI adoption, like cybersecurity and data privacy.
AI investments are up but agentic AI understanding lags says EY survey
A new EY US AI Pulse Survey released July 29, 2025, shows that companies are investing heavily in AI, but many don't understand agentic AI. About 21% of senior leaders say their organizations have invested $10 million or more in AI, up from 16% last year. While 97% of leaders see a return on their AI investments, only 14% have fully implemented agentic AI. The survey found that 34% have started using agentic AI for tasks like customer support and IT efficiency, but face challenges like cybersecurity and data privacy.
AI investments are up but agentic AI understanding lags says EY survey
A new EY US AI Pulse Survey released July 29, 2025, shows that companies are investing heavily in AI, but many don't understand agentic AI. About 21% of senior leaders say their organizations have invested $10 million or more in AI, up from 16% last year. While 97% of leaders see a return on their AI investments, only 14% have fully implemented agentic AI. The survey found that 34% have started using agentic AI for tasks like customer support and IT efficiency, but face challenges like cybersecurity and data privacy.
OpenAI and Google battle for students with new AI education tools
OpenAI launched Study Mode for ChatGPT on Tuesday July 29, 2025, to help students learn. This move is part of a competition with Google to attract young users. Study Mode aims to make ChatGPT an educational tool, not just a homework shortcut. Google recently announced Gemini for Education, offering AI tools for learning. OpenAI also partnered with Quizlet and launched Study Mode for ChatGPT Free, Plus, Pro, Team, and Edu plans.
ChatGPT launches Study Mode but may not fix AI education problems
OpenAI has launched a new Study Mode for ChatGPT to discourage students from using it for homework shortcuts. The mode uses the Socratic method, guiding users with questions instead of giving direct answers. It's available to most ChatGPT users, including those with the free version. OpenAI claims ChatGPT can help students learn if used as a tutor. However, some worry students may still use it to get quick answers, and that students may become too reliant on AI.
Palantir preaches US dominance with its AI technology
Palantir, an American AI company, is gaining attention in Silicon Valley for its "America-first" approach. CEO Alex Karp says the US should be the strongest country. Palantir's technology is used in Ukraine to help evaluate targets using data like biometrics and intercepted calls. The company received $373 million from the US government in the first quarter of 2025. Palantir also secured contracts with ICE and the US military for AI projects.
Should cybersecurity leaders have freedom to use AI asks InformationWeek?
According to InformationWeek on July 29, 2025, some experts believe enterprises should self-regulate AI use in cybersecurity. Snowflake CISO Brad Jones says government regulations may not keep up with AI innovation. Jones suggests companies should set their own guidelines, as AI can highlight existing data problems. He also says limiting AI development in the US could hinder progress. AI can help security teams by automating tasks and scaling resources, but Ulf Lindqvist of SRI International warns against fully trusting AI without human oversight.
Runtime hardening secures AI and cloud native systems
Runtime hardening is a new security approach that protects AI and cloud native systems. It embeds security into the runtime environment, where code is executed. Traditional security relies on detecting threats, but this can be unreliable. A hardened runtime isolates workloads and minimizes the attack surface. It also responds in real-time to contain anomalies. This approach aligns with security benchmarks and prevents attacks by denying unnecessary access.
AI is fueling a rise in global security breaches
Global corporations face increasing cyber attacks due to AI-powered tools used by malicious actors. Allianz Life recently had a breach affecting 1.4 million customers. Microsoft is also dealing with intrusions that exploit AI methods. Security firm DeepStrike detects over 560,000 new malware samples daily. Recent breaches include attacks on the UN, Hewlett-Packard, zkLend, X, Oracle, retailers, and financial services companies.
How the Boston Celtics use AI to improve their basketball team
The Boston Celtics use artificial intelligence to improve their basketball team. Jay Wessland, the CTO of the Celtics, explained how Boston uses AI for smarter shot analysis and other techniques. Mission, a CDW Company, created a video explaining how AI helps the Celtics.
ChatGPT thinks employees deserve higher pay says Fortune
According to Fortune, a Payscale survey found that nearly one in five employees use AI like ChatGPT for salary insights. About 27% of those employees say it has inflated their salary expectations. Employers agree that these tools lead to higher salary demands. Ron Seifert says employers and employees view salary differently. He suggests employers be empathetic and explain how they make pay decisions.
THG Studios uses AI tech for virtual production
THG Studios, a UK e-commerce firm's creative agency, has launched Virtual Production (VP) using new AI technology. The company invested a seven-figure sum in the technology. The VP screen offers television-quality production at a lower cost and in less time. It allows brands to create scenes in a dynamic way, editing elements like lighting and location in real time. THG Studios says brands can save up to 50% in production time and 40% in costs.
Will AI change how much airline tickets cost?
Delta Airlines transports millions of people each year, bringing them to hundreds of destinations around the world, but at what cost? Here’s more about potential changes customers could be seeing in airline tickets.
Sources
- AI spending above $10M jumps as agentic tools grab spotlight
- AI investments surge, but agentic AI understanding and adoption lag behind
- AI investments surge, but agentic AI understanding and adoption lag behind
- Education becomes a new battlefield in the AI war between OpenAI and Google
- ChatGPT’s Study Mode Is Here. It Won’t Fix Education’s AI Problems
- Palantir, the AI giant that preaches US dominance
- Should CISOs Have Free Rein to Use AI for Cybersecurity?
- How Runtime Hardening Enforces AI, Cloud Native Security
- AI fuels new wave of global security breaches
- How the Boston Celtics use artificial intelligence to make their team better
- Even AI tools like ChatGPT think your employees should be making more money
- THG Studios unveils Virtual Production with new AI-tech investment
- Here's how artificial intelligence could impact ticket prices
Comments
Please log in to post a comment.