OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft have thrown their support behind a new standard that allows website owners to block AI companies from scraping their data for training purposes. Right now, sites need to block each company's crawling bot individually in their robots.txt file. The new approach simplifies this to a single setting. Anthropic already follows this standard, while Google and Microsoft plan to implement it next year and OpenAI expects to follow within a few months.
The standard was proposed to the Internet Engineering Task Force by Kevin Kelly, who serves as Anthropic's technical lead for standards. The adoption by major AI firms signals a growing recognition that websites should have clear, uniform ways to control how their content is used in AI development.
On the financial front, AI investments are starting to deliver measurable returns. Santander reported 194 million euros in business value from AI during the first nine months of 2026, driven by applications in customer service, fraud detection, and lending. Novartis saw AI improve its profits for the first time, applying the technology to drug discovery and clinical trials. Standard Chartered posted 14% operating income growth partly attributed to AI efforts.
Meta and Alphabet also reported strong gains from their AI investments, joining a growing list of companies where AI has moved from promise to proven results. This trend puts pressure on firms that have yet to demonstrate tangible financial outcomes from their AI spending.
Grid Dynamics posted third quarter 2026 revenue of $114.29 million, up from $104.16 million a year earlier. AI-related revenue accounted for nearly 32% of total revenue, and 93% of its engineers have been trained in AI software development. The stock jumped 40.78% in a single day after the earnings release, though some analysts suggest the company could be 42% overvalued.
In other corporate news, Charles Schwab introduced new AI tools for registered investment advisors through its Schwab Advisor Center. The company also partnered with Nevis and offered $4,800 in Claude adoption credits. The initiative targets over 16,000 advisory firms with the goal of reducing manual workloads. Meanwhile, chip makers backing Meta found themselves selling off as concerns about AI financing weighed on tech stocks, highlighting the risks tied to vendor financing in the AI space.
In the UK, employers are accelerating automation plans ahead of the new Employment Rights Act taking effect on 1 January. RWS Holdings, which provides AI-driven language and content services with a market cap of £527 million, is among the stocks drawing attention as businesses look to digitize workflows amid tightening labor rules.
Key Takeaways
- OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft support a new standard letting websites block AI data collection with one setting in robots.txt
- Anthropic already follows the standard; Google and Microsoft plan to apply it next year and OpenAI within a few months
- Santander reported 194 million euros in AI business value in the first nine months of 2026
- Novartis saw AI improve profits for the first time through drug discovery and clinical trial applications
- Standard Chartered posted 14% operating income growth partly due to AI
- Grid Dynamics Q3 2026 revenue reached $114.29 million with 32% from AI-related work
- Charles Schwab launched AI tools for investment advisors and offered $4,800 in Claude adoption credits
- Chip makers backing Meta sold off amid growing concerns about AI financing risks
- UK employers race to automate before Employment Rights Act takes effect on 1 January
- RWS Holdings, an AI-driven language services firm with a £527 million market cap, is a key UK automation stock to watch
OpenAI Google Microsoft back standard to block AI data collection
OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft announced support for a unified standard that lets website owners block AI training data collection with one setting. Previously, sites had to block each company's crawling bot separately in robots.txt. Anthropic already uses the standard, while Google and Microsoft plan to apply it next year and OpenAI within a few months.
Major AI firms adopt new standard to let websites refuse training data
OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic are adopting a new standard that lets websites refuse AI training data collection through a single signal. The standard was proposed to the Internet Engineering Task Force by Kevin Kelly, Anthropic's technical lead for standards. Anthropic already follows it, Google and Microsoft will apply it next year, and OpenAI plans to within a few months.
Compare six AI models for $30 with AskAnyModel lifetime plan
AskAnyModel AI offers a lifetime Pro Plan for $29.96, letting users compare answers from six AI models in one place. The plan includes 500 premium monthly credits and access to 20 advanced models. Users can access the tool on any device through a web browser. It covers tasks like coding and everyday questions.
AI investments show real returns in corporate earnings reports
Companies like Santander and Novartis are reporting measurable financial gains from AI in their earnings. Santander used AI in customer service, fraud detection, and lending, while Novartis applied AI to drug discovery and clinical trials. Both companies saw revenue growth and cost reductions. This marks a shift from AI promises to proven returns, putting pressure on companies that have not yet shown results.
Grid Dynamics reports record AI-driven quarter but may be overvalued
Grid Dynamics Holdings reported third quarter 2026 revenue of $114.29 million, up from $104.16 million a year earlier. AI related revenue made up nearly 32% of total revenue, and 93% of engineers were trained in AI software development. The stock rose 40.78% in one day after earnings, though a report suggests the company could be 42% overvalued.
Companies report real financial gains from AI investments
Several major companies are seeing real financial benefits from artificial intelligence. Santander reported 194 million euros in business value from AI in the first nine months of 2026. Novartis said AI improved its profits for the first time. Standard Chartered saw operating income growth of 14% partly due to AI. Meta and Alphabet also reported strong gains from their AI investments.
3 UK automation stocks to watch before new employment rules
UK employers are rushing to automate before the new Employment Rights Act takes effect on 1 January. Redundancies are rising and legal risks are shifting. One key stock is RWS Holdings, which provides AI-driven language and content services. Its market cap is £527 million. The company helps businesses digitize workflows as labor rules tighten.
AI investment risks grow as chip makers back Meta
Major chip makers made a large investment in Meta just before worries about AI financing hit tech stocks. The three chip makers gave up all their weekly gains as tech stocks stumbled. Vendor financing in a new form is magnifying the AI trade both on the way up and down. This creates reason to fear tech stocks tied to AI bets.
Charles Schwab rolls out AI tools for investment advisors
Charles Schwab announced new AI tools for registered investment advisors inside Schwab Advisor Center. The company also partnered with Nevis and offered $4,800 Claude adoption credits. The goal is to cut manual work for over 16,000 advisory firms. Schwab also declared preferred and common dividends on 22 October 2026 while funding heavier technology spending.
San Francisco school board should adopt AI policy
This article discusses the AI policy that San Francisco's next school board should adopt. It calls for clear rules on how artificial intelligence is used in schools. The piece was published on SFGate. No further details about specific policy measures are available in the article content provided.
Sources
- OpenAI, Google, MS back unified standard letting sites block AI training
- OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic adopt common standard to refuse AI training
- Ditch monthly AI bills — compare answers from ChatGPT, Claude, and more for $30
- AI Investments Finally Pay Off in Corporate Earnings Reports
- Grid Dynamics Holdings (GDYN) Could Be 42% Overvalued As Earnings Fuel AI Excitement
- Companies promised AI gains— here's how the payoff showed up in earnings
- 3 UK Automation Stocks Investors Are Watching Before New Employment Rules Bite
- The Tangled Web of AI Bets Is Reason to Fear Tech Stocks
- Did AI Rollout Just Shift Charles Schwab's (SCHW) Investment Narrative?
- The AI policy San Francisco's next school board should adopt
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