Artificial intelligence

Structural friction, not intelligence, is holding back agentic AI

CIO leadership commentary highlights that many organisations investing in agentic AI, autonomous AI agents designed to execute complex, multi-step tasks, encounter disappointing results when deployments focus solely on outcomes like speed or cost savings without addressing underlying system design challenges.

The so-called ‘friction tax’ arises from siloed data, disjointed workflows and tools that force employees to act as manual connectors between systems, negating much of the theoretical efficiency AI promises.

The author proposes an ‘architecture of flow’ as a solution, in which context is unified across systems and AI agents operate on shared data and protocols, enabling work to move seamlessly between functions without bottlenecks.

This approach prioritises employee experience and customer value, enabling context-rich automation that reduces repetitive work and improves user satisfaction.

Key elements of such an architecture include universal context layers (e.g. standard protocols for data sharing) and agentic orchestration mechanisms that help specialised AI agents communicate and coordinate tasks across complex workflows.

When implemented effectively, this reduces cognitive load, strengthens adoption, and makes business growth a natural result of friction-free operations.

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Is AI eroding human intelligence?

The article reflects on the growing integration of AI into daily life, from classrooms to work, and asks whether this shift is making people intellectually sharper or more dependent on machines.

Tools such as ChatGPT, Grok and Perplexity have moved from optional assistants to everyday aids that generate instant answers, summaries and explanations, reducing the time and effort traditionally required for research and deep thinking.

While quantifiable productivity gains are clear, the piece highlights trade-offs: readily available answers can diminish the cognitive struggle that builds critical thinking, problem-solving and independent reasoning.

In education, easy AI responses may weaken students’ engagement in learning unless teachers guide their use responsibly. Some respondents point to creativity and conceptual understanding eroding when AI is used as a shortcut. In contrast, others see it as a democratising tutor that supports learners who otherwise lack resources.

The article also incorporates perspectives from AI systems themselves, which generally frame AI as neither inherently making people smarter nor dumber, but dependent on how it’s used.

It concludes that the impact of AI on human cognition is not predetermined by the technology, but shaped by user choice: whether AI is a partner that augments thinking or a crutch that replaces it.

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Conversational advertising takes the stage as ChatGPT tests in-chat promotions

Advertising inside ChatGPT marks a shift in where commercial messages appear, not a break from how advertising works. AI systems have shaped search, social media, and recommendations for years, but conversational interfaces make those decisions more visible during moments of exploration.

Unlike search or social formats, conversational advertising operates inside dialogue. Ads appear because users are already asking questions or seeking clarity. Relevance is built through context rather than keywords, changing when information is encountered rather than how decisions are made.

In healthcare and clinical research, this distinction matters. Conversational ads cannot enroll patients directly, but they may raise awareness earlier in patient journeys and shape later discussions with clinicians and care providers.

Early rollout will be limited to free or low-cost ChatGPT tiers, likely skewing exposure towards patients and caregivers. As with earlier platforms, sensitive categories may remain restricted until governance and safeguards mature.

The main risks are organisational rather than technical. New channels will not fix unclear value propositions or operational bottlenecks. Conversational advertising changes visibility, not fundamentals, and success will depend on responsible integration.

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AI drives robots from labs into industry

The International Federation of Robotics says AI is accelerating the move of robots from research labs into real world use. A new position paper highlights rapid adoption across multiple industries as AI becomes a core enabler.

Logistics, manufacturing and services are leading AI driven robotics deployment. Warehousing and supply chains benefit from controlled environments, while factories use AI to improve efficiency, quality and precision in sectors including automotive and electronics.

The IFR said service robots are expanding as labour shortages persist, with restaurants and hospitality testing AI enabled machines. Hybrid models are emerging where robots handle repetitive work while humans focus on customer interaction.

Investment is rising globally, with major commitments in the US, Europe and China. The IFR expects AI to improve returns on robotics investment over the next decade through lower costs and higher productivity.

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Europe’s 2025 app market shows a downloads-revenue gap

The mobile app market of Europe in 2025 revealed a distinct divergence between popularity and revenue. AI-driven productivity apps, such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, dominated downloads, alongside shopping platforms including Temu, SHEIN, and Vinted.

While installs highlight user preferences, active use and monetisation patterns tell a very different story instead of merely reflecting popularity.

Downloads for the top apps show ChatGPT leading with over 64 million, followed by Temu with nearly 44 million. Other widely downloaded apps included Threads, TikTok, CapCut, WhatsApp, Revolut and Lidl Plus.

The prevalence of AI and shopping apps underscores the shift of tools from professional use to everyday tasks, as Europeans increasingly rely on digital services for work, study and leisure.

Revenue patterns diverge sharply from download rankings. TikTok generated €740 million, followed by ChatGPT at €448 million and Tinder at €429 million. Subscription-based and premium-feature apps, including Disney+, Amazon Prime, Google One and YouTube, also rank highly.

In-app spending, rather than download numbers, drives earnings, revealing the importance of monetisation strategies beyond pure popularity.

Regional trends emphasise local priorities. The UK favours domestic finance and public service apps such as Monzo, Tesco, GOV.UK ID Check and HMRC, while Turkey shows strong use of national government, telecom and e-commerce apps, including e-Devlet Kapısı, Turkcell and Trendyol.

These variations highlight how app consumption reflects cultural preferences and the role of domestic services in digital life.

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AI model promises faster monoclonal antibody production

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have developed a machine-learning model that could significantly speed up the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies, a fast-growing class of therapies used to treat cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases.

The study, published in Communications Engineering, targets delays in selecting high-performing cell lines during antibody production. Output varies widely between Chinese hamster ovary cell clones, forcing manufacturers to spend weeks screening for high yields.

By analysing early growth data, the researchers trained a model to predict antibody productivity far earlier in the process. Using only the first 9 days of data, it forecast production trends through day 16 and identified higher-performing clones in more than 76% of tests.

The model was developed with Oklahoma-based contract manufacturer Wheeler Bio, combining production data with established growth equations. Although further validation is needed, early results suggest shorter timelines and lower manufacturing costs.

The work forms part of a wider US-funded programme to strengthen biotechnology manufacturing capacity, highlighting how AI is being applied to practical industrial bottlenecks rather than solely to laboratory experimentation.

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Research warns of AI driven burnout risks

Generative AI is not reducing workloads as widely expected but intensifying them, according to new workplace research. Findings suggest productivity gains are being offset by expanding responsibilities and longer working hours.

An eight-month study at a US tech firm found employees worked faster, took on broader tasks, and extended working hours. AI tools enabled staff to take on duties beyond their roles, including coding, research, and technical problem-solving.

Researchers identified three pressure points driving intensification: task expansion, blurred work-life boundaries, and increased multitasking. Workers used AI during breaks and off-hours while juggling parallel tasks, increasing cognitive load.

Experts warn that the early productivity surge may mask burnout, fatigue, and declining work quality. Organisations are now being urged to establish structured ‘AI practices’ to regulate usage, protect focus, and maintain sustainable productivity.

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Enterprise AI security evolves as Cisco expands AI Defense capabilities

Cisco has announced a major update to its AI Defense platform as enterprise AI evolves from chat tools into autonomous agents. The company says AI security priorities are shifting from controlling outputs to protecting complex agent-driven systems.

The update strengthens end-to-end AI supply chain security by scanning third-party models, datasets, and tools used in development workflows. New inventory features help organisations track provenance and governance across AI resources.

Cisco has also expanded algorithmic red teaming through an upgraded AI Validation interface. The system enables adaptive multi-turn testing and aligns security assessments with NIST, MITRE, and OWASP frameworks.

Runtime protections now reflect the growing autonomy of AI agents. Cisco AI Defense inspects agent-to-tool interactions in real time, adding guardrails to prevent data leakage and malicious task execution.

Cisco says the update responds to the rapid operationalisation of AI across enterprises. The company argues that effective AI security now requires continuous visibility, automated testing, and real-time controls that scale with autonomy.

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ChatGPT begins limited ads test in the US

OpenAI has begun testing advertisements inside ChatGPT for some adult users in the US, marking a major shift for the widely used AI service.

The ads appear only on Free and Go tiers in the US, while paid plans remain ad free. OpenAI says responses are unaffected, though critics warn commercial messaging could blur boundaries over time in the US.

Ads are selected based on conversation topics and prior interactions, prompting concern among privacy advocates in the US. OpenAI says advertisers receive only aggregated data and cannot view conversations.

Industry analysts say the move reflects growing pressure to monetise costly AI infrastructure in the US. Regulators and researchers continue to debate whether advertising can coexist with trust in AI systems.

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AI governance takes focus at UN security dialogue

The UN will mark the fourth International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism on 12 February 2026 with a high-level dialogue focused on AI. The event will examine how emerging technologies are reshaping both prevention strategies and extremist threats.

Organised by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in partnership with the Republic of Korea’s UN mission, the dialogue will take place at UN Headquarters in New York. Discussions will bring together policymakers, technology experts, civil society representatives, and youth stakeholders.

A central milestone will be the launch of the first UN Practice Guide on Artificial Intelligence and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The guide offers human rights-based advice on responsible AI use, addressing ethical, governance, and operational risks.

Officials warn that AI-generated content, deepfakes, and algorithmic amplification are accelerating extremist narratives online. Responsibly governed AI tools could enhance early detection, research, and community prevention efforts.

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