OpenAI launches GPT-5.3-Codex while Microsoft features Copilot

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI launched GPT-5.3-Codex on February 5, 2026, an agentic coding model that helped create itself and runs 25% faster.
• GPT-5.3-Codex excels in full software development, presentations, and cybersecurity, performing strongly on benchmarks like SWE-Bench Pro.
• Google's substantial AI spending has unsettled stock markets, contributing to a sell-off in AI stocks that previously drove market highs.
• The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and the University of Missouri (MU) are launching new Master's and Ph.D. programs in AI to meet growing demand in fields like cybersecurity and medical diagnostics.
• Gravitee's December 2025 study found over 1.5 million AI agents in the US and UK are unmonitored, with 88% of organizations reporting AI agent-related security incidents.
• Darktrace provides security solutions for AI systems, monitoring platforms like Microsoft Copilot and Amazon Bedrock, and controlling "shadow AI."
• CrowdStrike partnered with Saudi Aramco to build a nationwide AI-driven cybersecurity model in Saudi Arabia, supporting Vision 2030.
• Raymond James Financial introduced Rai, a new digital AI operations agent, to enhance adviser productivity and client service by integrating AI into workflows.
• Agentic AI systems, like those used by Salesforce to resolve over 74% of incidents, help businesses overcome "AI paralysis" by connecting AI to data and processes for specific goals.
• Jersey is considering AI "synthetic workers" to grow its economy and workforce, aiming to automate tasks and boost competitiveness in sectors like financial services.

OpenAI unveils GPT-5.3-Codex, an AI that helped build itself

OpenAI launched GPT-5.3-Codex, its newest and most capable agentic coding model. This AI model uniquely helped create itself by debugging its own training and managing its deployment. GPT-5.3-Codex combines advanced coding with professional reasoning, running 25% faster than older versions. It performs well on benchmarks like SWE-Bench Pro and OSWorld-Verified, even approaching human-level accuracy on some tasks. The model can handle many tasks beyond just writing code, including full software development and creating presentations. Users can also interact with it in real time for better collaboration.

OpenAI releases GPT-5.3-Codex, a faster self-improving AI coder

OpenAI introduced GPT-5.3-Codex, a new agentic coding model that works 25% faster. This model combines top coding skills from GPT-5.2-Codex with the reasoning of GPT-5.2. It can handle many computer tasks, not just writing code, and acts like a helpful colleague. GPT-5.3-Codex performed strongly on tests like SWE-Bench Pro and OSWorld-Verified, showing it can do complex software engineering and professional tasks. OpenAI also noted this is the first model that helped train and deploy itself. Users can interact with the model in real time through the Codex app.

OpenAI's GPT-5.3-Codex helped create itself

OpenAI announced its new GPT-5.3-Codex coding model on February 5, 2026, stating it helped build itself. Early versions of GPT-5.3-Codex debugged its own training and managed its deployment, greatly speeding up development. This model combines advanced coding from GPT-5.2-Codex with reasoning from GPT-5.2, making it 25% faster and more efficient. It is also the first model to be called "high-capability" for cybersecurity tasks. OpenAI leaders like Alex Embiricos and Ed Bayes highlight how Codex is changing software development and AI creation.

OpenAI unveils GPT-5.3-Codex for all computer tasks

OpenAI introduced GPT-5.3-Codex on February 5, 2026, calling it their most capable agentic coding model. This new model combines the strong coding abilities of GPT-5.2-Codex with the reasoning skills of GPT-5.2, and it runs 25% faster. Notably, GPT-5.3-Codex was the first model that helped create itself by assisting with its own development. It excels in various benchmarks and can handle many professional computer tasks beyond just writing code, including building complex web games and creating functional landing pages. Users can also interact with the model in real time, much like working with a colleague.

OpenAI's GPT-5.3-Codex expands beyond coding

OpenAI launched GPT-5.3-Codex, a new version of its coding model, available through various interfaces including a macOS app. This model performs better than its predecessors on key benchmarks. OpenAI clarifies that GPT-5.3-Codex was "instrumental in creating itself" by helping with debugging and deployment, rather than fully building itself. The company aims for Codex to be a tool for the entire software development process, including debugging, monitoring, and user research. It also runs 25% faster for users. OpenAI emphasizes real-time interaction and steering the model during tasks.

UMKC plans new Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence

The University of Missouri-Kansas City UMKC plans to launch a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree this fall. This 30-credit-hour program will be part of UMKC's School of Science and Engineering. It aims to meet the growing need for AI experts in various fields like healthcare and cybersecurity. Chancellor Mauli Agrawal announced this initiative in October 2025, and UMKC is also planning a Bachelor of Science in AI. The program still needs final approval from state and regional education boards.

Missouri universities approve new AI Master's and PhD degrees

The UM System Board of Curators approved new Master of Science and Ph.D. programs in artificial intelligence. Both the University of Missouri MU and University of Missouri-Kansas City UMKC will offer Master's degrees, and MU will also have a Ph.D. program. These programs aim to prepare students for careers in fast-growing AI fields like cybersecurity and medical diagnostics. MU Professor Yi Shang stated the degrees combine strong AI foundations with real-world problem-solving. UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal believes the new degree will position graduates at the forefront of innovation in an AI-driven economy. The programs now await approval from the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

Google's AI spending rattles stock markets

Stock markets are currently unsettled, and software stocks are falling. Investors hoped Google would ease concerns about artificial intelligence spending. However, Google's recent actions instead increased worries about massive AI investments. This situation has left the broader market rattled by the impact of AI on key sectors.

AI stocks shift from market boost to market drag

The artificial intelligence AI trade initially helped the stock market reach record highs, especially for large technology companies. However, investors now worry that AI stocks grew too quickly. These same stocks are starting to sell off, which is causing the broader market to decline. What once boosted the market now appears to be pulling it down.

Raymond James launches Rai AI agent for financial advisers

Raymond James Financial NYSE:RJF introduced Rai, a new digital AI operations agent for its advisers and staff. This tool aims to modernize workflows, improve decision-making, and strengthen the company's position in wealth management. Rai will integrate AI into the adviser desktop, connecting tools like CRM and internal knowledge bases to boost productivity and client service. This investment in AI technology, alongside share buybacks, shows Raymond James is committed to long-term growth. Investors will watch how quickly Rai is adopted and its impact on costs and efficiency.

Darktrace offers new security for AI systems

Darktrace is helping businesses secure their artificial intelligence AI systems as AI adoption grows rapidly. Many companies use AI widely, but security often lags behind, leading to concerns about data exposure and unauthorized access. Darktrace offers a unique business-centric approach that learns from an organization's environment to identify and stop new AI-related threats immediately. Their solutions monitor AI prompts and sessions across various platforms like Microsoft Copilot and Amazon Bedrock. Darktrace also helps secure AI agent identities and control "shadow AI" tools that employees might use without approval.

Jersey explores AI workers to grow economy

Jersey is considering using artificial intelligence AI "synthetic workers" to expand its workforce and economy without increasing its population. Tony Moretta, CEO of Digital Jersey, believes this approach can help automate tasks and boost business capacity, especially in financial services. He argues that AI will not take jobs if people are trained to work with the technology. Moretta sees AI as a big opportunity to improve productivity and competitiveness for the island. However, he warns that not embracing AI could make Jersey less competitive and lead to job losses.

Agentic AI systems help businesses overcome AI paralysis

Many businesses face "AI paralysis," getting stuck in pilot programs without seeing real results from artificial intelligence. This happens due to fears about security, too many AI options, or only using AI for small individual tasks. To overcome this, companies must focus on clear goals like growth and efficiency, and deeply connect AI to their existing data and processes. Agentic AI systems offer a solution by accessing company data, performing actions, and coordinating work to achieve specific goals. This approach helps unify AI efforts and allows business experts to create AI agents easily, as seen with Salesforce resolving over 74% of incidents.

CrowdStrike partners with Saudi Aramco for AI security

CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. CRWD signed an agreement with Saudi Aramco to build a nationwide cybersecurity model in Saudi Arabia. This partnership will use CrowdStrike's Falcon platform to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for AI-driven digital transformation and cyber resilience. The plan includes setting up a regional headquarters for CrowdStrike in the Kingdom and developing local cloud infrastructure. Both companies will also work together on threat intelligence and training Saudi cybersecurity professionals. This move highlights a growing trend of global tech firms collaborating with Saudi entities on technological advancements.

Over 1.5 million AI agents at risk of going rogue

A new study by Gravitee found that over 1.5 million AI agents in the US and UK are not properly monitored or secured. The study, based on a December 2025 survey, shows that 88% of organizations experienced or suspected an AI agent-related security incident in the past year. On average, 53% of these agents are not actively watched, creating significant risks for businesses. Experts warn that AI agents are inherently dangerous and unreliable, comparing the lack of oversight to the Titanic disaster. Without better governance, these agents can become liabilities, potentially deleting code or leaking private information.

Sources

• OpenAI Releases GPT-5.3-Codex For Agentic Coding, Says It Was Its First Model Instrumental In Creating Itself
• OpenAI Just Launched GPT-5.3-Codex: A Faster Agentic Coding Model Unifying Frontier Code Performance And Professional Reasoning Into One System
• OpenAI says new coding model helped build itself
• Introducing GPT-5.3-Codex
• With GPT-5.3-Codex, OpenAI pitches Codex for more than just writing code
• UMKC launches Artificial Intelligence degree
• UM System Board of Curators approves AI degrees for MU, UMKC
• Stock Markets Needed Some AI Calm From Google. What Investors Got Instead.
• How the AI Trade Went From Market Savior to Saboteur
• Raymond James Unveils Rai As AI Investment Joins Buybacks And Growth
• Secure your AI with Darktrace
• AI 'synthetic workers' could expand Jersey workforce
• Beyond Pilot Programs: Breaking AI Paralysis With Agentic Systems
• CrowdStrike Aramco Pact Positions Falcon In Saudi AI Security Push
• 1.5 million AI agents are at risk of going rogue