Recent reports highlight significant data security challenges as artificial intelligence integrates deeper into corporate networks. A Thales report indicates that nearly two-thirds of companies have lost track of their data, with 70 percent viewing AI as their most significant data security risk. AI systems often gain extensive access to sensitive information, acting like trusted insiders but with fewer controls than human employees. Companies struggle with data visibility and encryption in cloud environments, making credential theft a leading attack method. To address these concerns, Cherry Bekaert has partnered with Enkrypt AI to offer enhanced AI security and compliance services, helping businesses meet regulatory standards like ISO 42001.
In the realm of AI development, Multiverse Computing, a Spanish firm, has released HyperNova 60B, a free compressed AI model. This model, which uses quantum computing-inspired CompactifAI technology, is about half the size of OpenAI's gpt-oss-120b, promising lower memory usage and faster response times. The company aims to make powerful AI more accessible and efficient for enterprise clients. Meanwhile, consumer-facing AI is also evolving rapidly. Amazon is rolling out new personality styles for its Alexa+ assistant in the U.S., allowing users to choose from Brief, Chill, and Sweet tones based on dimensions like expressiveness and humor.
Smartphone manufacturers are heavily investing in AI integration. Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup will feature enhanced real-time translation, generative photo editing, and AI-powered search, building on the S24 series' capabilities. This move emphasizes on-device AI processing for speed and privacy, intensifying competition with Apple, which is also reportedly boosting AI features for future iPhones. Google Labs has also updated its content creation tool, Flow, with new features for image and video generation, including a redesigned interface, flexible asset management, and precise editing controls like a lasso tool for detailed image adjustments.
However, the broader impact and value of AI are also under scrutiny. President Trump has voiced concerns about the rising energy costs associated with AI data centers, pledging to protect Americans from these expenses. Separately, some SAP users and partners are questioning the value and cost of SAP's new AI tools, such as the AI assistant Joule, finding them not yet mature enough to justify the expense. There's also an ongoing debate about whether innovations like AI encourage laziness by allowing shortcuts, or if they instead make effort more effective by acting as powerful assistants for tasks like editing and research.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly two-thirds of companies have lost track of their data, and 70% view AI as their biggest data security risk, according to Thales reports.
- AI systems often gain broad access to sensitive information, acting like trusted insiders, and credential theft is a leading attack method.
- Cherry Bekaert partnered with Enkrypt AI to provide AI security, governance, and compliance services, including meeting ISO 42001 standards.
- Multiverse Computing released HyperNova 60B, a free compressed AI model that is half the size of OpenAI's gpt-oss-120b, offering lower memory usage and faster response times.
- Amazon's Alexa+ now offers new personality styles (Brief, Chill, Sweet) in the U.S. market, altering its tone and response patterns.
- Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 phones will heavily integrate AI for features like real-time translation and generative photo editing, intensifying competition with Apple's future iPhones.
- Google Labs updated its Flow content creation tool with new image and video generation features, including flexible asset management and precise editing controls.
- President Trump expressed concerns about the rising energy costs associated with AI data centers.
- Some SAP users question the value and cost of new AI tools like Joule, finding them not yet mature enough to justify the expense.
- A debate exists on whether AI encourages laziness or makes effort more effective by acting as a powerful assistant.
Companies losing data control as AI enters networks
A new Thales report reveals that nearly two-thirds of companies have lost track of their data. This is happening as businesses increasingly allow AI systems broad access to sensitive information. Experts warn that AI can quickly worsen existing security weaknesses. Many companies struggle with data visibility in cloud environments, with significant amounts of sensitive data unencrypted. Attackers are exploiting these issues through credential theft, making AI security a growing concern.
AI poses biggest data risk for 70 percent of companies
The Thales 2026 Data Threat Report indicates that 70 percent of organizations view AI as their most significant data security risk. AI is becoming like a trusted insider with extensive data access, often with fewer controls than human employees. Companies are struggling to keep up, with many unaware of their data's location or unable to fully classify it. Sensitive cloud data remains unencrypted, and credential theft is a leading attack method. AI also amplifies existing risks like human error.
Spanish firm Multiverse Computing offers free compressed AI model
Spanish company Multiverse Computing has released a free compressed AI model called HyperNova 60B. This model uses a compression technology called CompactifAI, inspired by quantum computing. HyperNova 60B is about half the size of OpenAI's gpt-oss-120b, offering lower memory usage and faster response times. The company aims to make powerful AI more accessible and efficient. Multiverse Computing also has offices globally and serves enterprise clients like Iberdrola and Bosch.
Amazon's Alexa+ gets new personality options
Amazon is introducing new personality styles for its AI assistant, Alexa+. Users can now choose from Brief, Chill, and Sweet styles, which alter Alexa's tone and response patterns. The Brief style offers short, direct answers, Chill acts like a relaxed friend, and Sweet is warmer and more encouraging. These styles are based on five dimensions: expressiveness, emotional openness, formality, directness, and humor. The feature is currently available in the U.S. market and more styles are planned for the future.
Samsung Galaxy S26 phones heavily feature AI
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup will heavily integrate artificial intelligence features. Building on the AI capabilities of the S24 series, the S26 is expected to offer enhanced real-time translation, generative photo editing, and AI-powered search. The company aims for significant on-device AI processing for faster and more private operations. This push comes as rival Apple is also reportedly boosting its AI features for future iPhones, intensifying competition in the smartphone market.
Cherry Bekaert partners with Enkrypt AI for security
Cherry Bekaert has formed a strategic alliance with Enkrypt AI to enhance its AI security and compliance services. This partnership combines Cherry Bekaert's expertise in risk and cybersecurity with Enkrypt AI's automated platform for AI governance and compliance. The goal is to help businesses implement AI responsibly, protect against threats, and meet evolving regulatory standards like ISO 42001. The joint offering provides AI governance frameworks, real-time security guardrails, and continuous monitoring.
AI and GLP-1s: Are they making us lazy?
This article explores the debate around whether innovations like AI and GLP-1 drugs encourage laziness. While some worry these tools allow people to take shortcuts and avoid effort, potentially leading to deskilling, others see them as ways to make effort more effective. The author argues that these tools are not inherently lazy but can be misused. When used thoughtfully, AI can act as a powerful assistant for editing, research, and structuring ideas, enhancing rather than replacing meaningful work.
Trump targets AI data centers over energy costs
President Trump has expressed concerns about the rising energy costs associated with AI data centers. During his State of the Union address, he pledged to protect Americans from these increasing energy expenses. The statement suggests a focus on managing the impact of growing data center energy consumption on consumers.
SAP users question value of AI tools
Some SAP users and partners are questioning the value and cost of the company's new AI tools, particularly the AI assistant Joule. Early users have expressed disappointment, finding the tools not yet mature enough to justify the expense or provide significant savings. While SAP reports strong customer interest and adoption, some major implementation partners note a lack of demand. Concerns also exist about the complex credit-based payment models for AI features, potentially leading to overspending.
Google Flow updates enhance AI content creation
Google Labs has updated its content creation tool, Flow, with new features for image and video generation. The update includes a redesigned interface that prioritizes image generation, flexible asset management, and more precise editing controls. Users can now combine multiple images and style references for video scenes and use a lasso tool for detailed image edits. Projects from Whisk and ImageFX can be transferred to Flow, offering a seamless creative workflow.
Sources
- Nearly two-thirds of companies have lost track of their data just as they’re letting AI in through the front door to wander around
- 70 percent of organizations see AI as the biggest data risk
- Spanish 'soonicorn' Multiverse Computing releases free compressed AI model
- Amazon's AI-powered Alexa+ gets new personality options
- Samsung's new Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup goes big on AI as Apple works to catch up
- Cherry Bekaert Strengthens AI Security and Compliance Offerings Through Enkrypt AI Alliance
- AI, GLP-1s, and the Fear of Lazy Shortcuts
- Trump Takes Aim at AI Data Centers Over Rising Energy Costs, Shares His Pledge To Protect Customers
- SAP Users Question Value-for-Money of Firm’s AI Tools
- New ways to create and refine content in Flow
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