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The realm of artificial intelligence continues to evolve rapidly, impacting various sectors from enterprise solutions to education and even the arts. Recent developments highlight AI's growing role in enhancing productivity, securing data, and transforming learning experiences. Companies are actively integrating advanced AI models and platforms, while nations like India are leading the charge in Generative AI education, underscoring a widespread commitment to harnessing this technology.In a significant move to bolster trusted data platforms, Veeam Software completed its acquisition of Securiti AI on December 11, 2025, for a substantial $1.725 billion. This merger aims to create a secure environment for businesses to deploy AI at scale. Meanwhile, Microsoft Foundry has made OpenAI's advanced GPT-5.2 and GPT-5.2-Chat models generally available, offering businesses enhanced logical thinking and context handling for complex tasks like design document creation and technical writing. Lockheed Martin's Astris AI also launched an initiative to accelerate secure AI adoption across government agencies, focusing on national security and public safety.AI is also making tangible impacts on smaller businesses and educational institutions. Podium's AI agent, "Jerry," launched in March 2024, has already driven 300% year-over-year AI revenue growth for small-to-medium businesses by handling leads and customer service, with its next version leveraging GPT-5.1 for more complex sales tasks. In the developer community, CopilotKit released version 1.50, introducing a `useAgent` hook built on the Agent User Interaction Protocol, simplifying the integration of AI agents into applications and supporting frameworks like Microsoft Agent Framework. UK schools are even experimenting with AI deepfakes for exam marking and personalized feedback, alongside remote teachers, to address staffing needs.Beyond business and education, AI's influence extends to the economy and culture. The Conference Board predicts AI investments could mitigate a projected slowdown in US economic growth, potentially boosting productivity in sectors like manufacturing. Culturally, Google celebrated over ten years of artists collaborating with AI by launching "Gradient Canvas" on December 11, 2025, an exhibition featuring thirteen new artworks exploring the connection between people, nature, and machines. This artistic endeavor, alongside India's impressive 3.6 million enrollments in Generative AI courses on Coursera, including Google Cloud's "Introduction to Generative AI," showcases AI's diverse and far-reaching societal integration.

Key Takeaways

• Veeam acquired Securiti AI for $1.725 billion on December 11, 2025, to create a trusted data platform for safe, scalable AI use.
• Microsoft Foundry now offers OpenAI's GPT-5.2 and GPT-5.2-Chat models, providing businesses with advanced logical thinking and context handling for complex tasks.
• Lockheed Martin's Astris AI launched "Astris AI for Government™" to accelerate secure and trustworthy AI adoption across government agencies.
• Podium's AI agent "Jerry," launched in March 2024, has driven 300% year-over-year AI revenue growth for small-to-medium businesses, with its next version utilizing GPT-5.1.
• India leads the world in Generative AI education with 3.6 million enrollments on Coursera in 2025, with Google Cloud's "Introduction to Generative AI" being the most popular course.
• The Conference Board predicts AI investments could help mitigate a projected slowdown in US economic growth, potentially boosting productivity from 2025 to 2039.
• UK schools are experimenting with AI deepfakes for exam marking and personalized feedback videos, alongside remote teachers, to address staffing challenges.
• CopilotKit released version 1.50 with a `useAgent` hook, built on the Agent User Interaction Protocol, to simplify AI agent integration for over 100,000 developers and support frameworks like Microsoft Agent Framework.
• Google launched "Gradient Canvas" on December 11, 2025, an exhibition celebrating over ten years of artists collaborating with AI, featuring thirteen new artworks.

Veeam buys Securiti AI for trusted data platform

Veeam Software completed its acquisition of Securiti AI on December 11, 2025, for $1.725 billion. This move creates the industry's first trusted data platform to help businesses use AI safely and at scale. The new platform combines Veeam's data protection with Securiti AI's advanced data security and governance solutions. Anand Eswaran, Veeam's CEO, stated this will empower organizations to embrace AI with confidence. Rehan Jalil, former CEO of Securiti AI, will now lead this combined data platform initiative.

Lockheed Martin's Astris AI boosts government AI use

Astris AI, a company owned by Lockheed Martin, launched its new "Astris AI for Government™" initiative. This program aims to speed up the safe and trustworthy use of AI across government agencies. It provides secure AI development platforms, frameworks to ensure AI reliability, and services for quick deployment. Lockheed Martin wants to empower agencies to improve services and operational efficiency with secure AI solutions. This initiative will advance AI in areas like national security, public safety, and healthcare.

UK schools test remote teachers and AI deepfakes

Schools across the UK are trying new methods like remote teachers and AI deepfake avatars to address staffing needs. For example, The Valley Leadership Academy uses a virtual maths teacher located 300 miles away. Maths teacher Emily Cooke and the National Education Union disagree with this approach, stating it harms the student-teacher relationship. However, Great Schools Trust is experimenting with AI deepfakes to mark exams and provide personalized feedback videos. Shane Ierston, CEO of Great Schools Trust, believes AI can free up teachers to focus on building student character and offer personalized learning.

Podium AI agent Jerry boosts small business revenue

Podium helps small-to-medium businesses increase their income by using AI software. Their AI agent, affectionately named "Jerry," launched in March 2024 and has already led to 300% year-over-year AI revenue growth. Jerry helps businesses capture leads, schedule appointments, and provide 24/7 customer service by responding in under a minute. The next version of Jerry uses GPT-5.1 to handle complex tasks like sales and follow-up. Liam Golightley, Vice President at Podium, notes that local businesses are seeing a significant impact from this AI technology.

AI could boost slowing US economy says report

The Conference Board predicts that the US economy will grow slower over the next 15 years, averaging 1.9% annually from 2025 to 2039. This slowdown is due to an aging population and stricter immigration rules. However, new investments in technology and AI could help prevent a bigger decline. Yelena Shulyatyeva, a senior economist, believes AI used in industries like manufacturing could significantly increase productivity. Dana M. Peterson, chief economist, states that AI and other emerging technologies could provide a meaningful boost to productivity.

India leads world in GenAI learning with 3.6 million enrollments

India is leading the world in Generative AI education, with 3.6 million enrollments on Coursera in 2025. This makes India the country with the highest number of GenAI learners globally. The "Introduction to Generative AI" course from Google Cloud is the most popular GenAI offering. "AI for Everyone" by Andrew Ng from DeepLearning.AI also tops the list for broader AI learning. Ashutosh Gupta of Coursera noted India's extraordinary learning momentum. The report shows 95% of Indian learners gained career benefits, and over 50% saw salary increases.

CopilotKit v1.50 adds useAgent hook for AI integration

CopilotKit released version 1.50, which introduces a new `useAgent` hook to easily add AI agents to apps. This update rebuilds CopilotKit on the Agent User Interaction Protocol (AG-UI). The `useAgent` hook lets React developers connect to backend agents, read their status, and send messages. This means the same user interface code can work with different agent systems that use AG-UI. The protocol also helps keep the app's state in sync with the agent. CopilotKit is trusted by over 100,000 developers and supports integrations with major AI frameworks like Microsoft Agent Framework.

Google celebrates 10 years of AI art with Gradient Canvas

Google launched "Gradient Canvas" on December 11, 2025, celebrating over ten years of artists working with AI. This exhibition features thirteen new artworks from various artists, inspired by the Bay Area's environment. The art explores how people, nature, and machines connect and understand the world. Mira Lane and Amit Sood from Google highlighted how artists use Google tools and AI to create these unique pieces. You can view the exhibition online on Google Arts & Culture or at the Gradient Canopy office in Mountain View.

Microsoft Foundry launches OpenAI GPT-5.2 for businesses

OpenAI's new GPT-5.2 and GPT-5.2-Chat models are now generally available in Microsoft Foundry, setting a new standard for business AI. These advanced models offer deeper logical thinking and better context handling to solve complex problems. GPT-5.2 can create things like design documents and code, reducing the need for many revisions. GPT-5.2-Chat is great for daily tasks, answering questions, and technical writing. These models are designed for enterprise use with strong safety and governance features. They will help businesses with analytics, modernizing applications, managing data, and improving customer experiences.

Sources

• Veeam Completes Acquisition of Securiti AI to Create the Industry’s First Trusted Data Platform for Accelerating Safe AI at Scale
• Astris AI for Government™ Solutions to Accelerate Secure AI Adoption Across the Public Sector
• Are remote teachers and AI deepfakes the answer to recruitment issues?
• Increasing revenue 300% by bringing AI to SMBs
• The U.S. economy is slowing, but AI might stem the tide
• India accelerates ahead in GenAI learning with 3.6 mn enrolments in 2025: Coursera report
• CopilotKit v1.50 Brings AG-UI Agents Directly Into Your App With the New useAgent Hook
• Gradient Canvas: Celebrating over a decade of artistic collaborations with AI
• GPT‑5.2 in Microsoft Foundry: Enterprise AI Reinvented