Future of work

AI agents take centre stage in Oracle fusion

Oracle has launched its AI Agent Studio, a new platform designed to let businesses orchestrate and customise AI agents within its Fusion Applications suite.

Announced during the OracleCloud World Tour in London, the studio enables companies to coordinate teams of AI agents that handle tasks across enterprise resource planning, HR, supply chain, and customer experience systems.

The AI Agent Studio allows businesses to adapt prebuilt Oracle agents to suit their own processes. Users can modify agents by adjusting logic, integrating external tools, or adding custom prompts.

It also offers flexibility in choosing from a range of large language models optimised for Oracle or industry-specific use cases, such as Llama and Cohere.

Oracle’s move builds on earlier AI deployments in its cloud applications, where agents have been embedded to manage routine operations like invoice processing or recruitment steps.

The new platform advances that effort by allowing these agents to operate collaboratively and be tailored to more complex workflows.

Industry leaders including Accenture, Deloitte, and PwC have praised the development, calling it a significant step toward smarter enterprise automation.

Analysts echo this sentiment, noting that Oracle’s approach allows businesses to maximise AI efficiency across departments without added cost, offering a powerful edge in today’s rapidly evolving digital workplace.

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AI firm Cognite targets India as global tech hub

Cognite, the Saudi Aramco-backed industrial software company, has launched an AI services centre in Bengaluru as part of its global expansion strategy.

The firm, which specialises in optimising industrial operations, is seeking contracts with major Indian conglomerates and has already secured deals with a leading cement manufacturer and a major automotive firm.

While declining to name the companies, Cognite’s executives confirmed significant investments in the Indian market, with plans for further expansion.

Chief Executive Girish Rishi described India as a key growth destination, highlighting its appeal as an alternative to China for global tech firms.

Cognite’s parent company, Aker ASA, and major shareholders like Saudi Aramco have been supporting its global push, as AI-driven solutions increasingly play a role in industrial automation, safety, and efficiency.

The company, which recently relocated its headquarters to the US, counts AkerBP, Japanese refiner Cosmo Energy Holdings, and US-based Koch Chemical among its major clients.

India’s rapidly expanding technology sector has drawn interest from several global giants, including Apple, Tesla, and Jabil, following the Indian government’s incentives to attract international firms.

With AI transforming industries worldwide, Cognite’s move signals growing confidence in India’s capabilities as a major player in the global tech ecosystem.

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EU faces pressure to boost semiconductor supply chain

Leading semiconductor firms are calling on the European Commission to introduce a follow-up to the 2023 EU Chips Act, arguing that a new policy must extend beyond manufacturing to include chip design, materials, and equipment.

Industry groups say the original programme, while encouraging investment, has failed to attract advanced chipmakers or build a competitive supply chain. Approval processes have also been criticised for being too slow, delaying key projects.

Following discussions in Brussels with European lawmakers, representatives from industry groups ESIA and SEMI Europe announced plans to formally request a ‘Chips Act 2.0’ from the Commission.

They argue that the EU must take decisive action to strengthen the entire semiconductor industry, including research and development as well as supplier subsidies.

European Parliament Member Oliver Schenk highlighted how other regions, such as Taiwan, have successfully integrated suppliers into their chip manufacturing ecosystem, whereas Europe still lacks such cohesion.

The meeting included major semiconductor companies such as NXP, Infineon, Bosch, and STMicroelectronics, alongside equipment makers ASML, ASM, and Zeiss.

Meanwhile, a coalition of nine EU countries has pledged to work with the Commission to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor capabilities.

The Commission has yet to outline specific plans, but it has previously stated its intention to launch investment initiatives this year, particularly in artificial intelligence and technology.

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Nvidia CEO predicts humanoid robots will revolutionise manufacturing

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes that humanoid robots will soon be widely used in manufacturing, possibly within the next five years.

Speaking at the company’s annual developer conference, Huang unveiled new software tools designed to improve robots’ ability to navigate the world.

Huang stated that the manufacturing industry would likely lead the way in adopting humanoid robots, due to its controlled environment and well-defined tasks.

He emphasised the economic value, with robots potentially costing around $100,000 to rent, making them a good investment.

The CEO’s predictions highlight the growing role of AI in automation, with Huang confident that humanoid robots will soon be an integral part of factory operations.

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Microsoft invests $2.2 billion in Malaysian cloud expansion

Microsoft is set to launch its first cloud region in Malaysia, featuring three data centres in the greater Kuala Lumpur area.

The centres, known as Malaysia West, will begin operations by mid-year, marking a significant step in the company’s $2.2 billion investment in the country.

However, this move is part of Microsoft’s broader plan to expand its cloud and AI services in Southeast Asia. Microsoft estimates the investment will generate $10.9 billion in revenue and create over 37,000 jobs in Malaysia over the next four years.

Laurence Si, managing director of Microsoft Malaysia, stated that the company’s operations in Malaysia remain on track despite concerns over US export controls on semiconductor chips.

Microsoft remains confident in its relationships with stakeholders and its ability to meet its investment commitments.

Local businesses are expected to benefit from enhanced cloud and AI capabilities, with the country aiming to become a leading hub for technological innovation in the region.

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RFE/RL sues Trump administration over grant cuts

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the US-funded news outlet established during the Cold War to reach people under Communist regimes, filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday.

The lawsuit aims to block the termination of its federal grant, which was recently cut by the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

The cuts affect not only RFE/RL, which broadcasts to Eastern Europe, Russia, and Ukraine, but also Radio Free Asia, which serves China and North Korea.

The decision to cut funding has been widely criticized by press freedom advocates and human rights organizations. Additionally, over 1,300 employees of Voice of America were placed on leave after Trump ordered cuts across USAGM and several other federal agencies.

In its lawsuit, RFE/RL argued that terminating the grant violates federal laws, including the US Constitution, which grants Congress the exclusive authority over federal spending.

RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus called the move a dangerous step towards ceding influence to adversaries’ propaganda and censorship. The case was filed in US District Court for the District of Columbia.

While the Trump administration justified the cuts as part of its broader cost-reduction efforts, the action has drawn backlash from those who view it as an attack on free speech and independent journalism.

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DeepMind’s Hassabis calls for UK leadership in AI development

Britain should use its strengths in AI to shape how the technology is deployed worldwide, according to DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis.

Hassabis highlighted the country’s leading universities and skilled workforce as key factors in maintaining a competitive edge. Speaking at a Google AI event, he stressed the economic and geopolitical importance of ensuring AI development aligns with ethical and practical standards.

The UK government is working to boost AI innovation, with advanced technology at the centre of discussions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US officials.

Google has announced upgrades to its AI offerings in Britain, including expanded UK data residency for its work productivity tool, Google Agentspace. Meanwhile, tech rival Oracle has pledged a $5 billion investment in Britain over the next five years to support growing demand for cloud services.

Hassabis also called for global standards on the use of copyrighted material in AI development, noting the challenges of regulating models used across different countries.

Google’s AI expansion includes the addition of its Chirp 3 audio generation model to Vertex AI, enhancing cloud services with human-like voice capabilities. The UK remains a key player in the AI sector, with industry leaders pushing for policies that ensure responsible and effective deployment of the technology.

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AI assistants automate nursing tasks to address burnout

AI assistants are being increasingly used in healthcare to automate tasks traditionally performed by nurses, aiming to reduce burnout and streamline operations.

While hospitals say AI improves efficiency, nursing unions argue that these technologies undermine nurses’ expertise and can compromise patient care.

AI companies like Hippocratic AI offer assistants at a fraction of the cost of a nurse, which raises concerns among unions about the potential for technology to replace caregivers.

Hospitals are also facing issues with AI-generated false alarms and inaccurate advice, which nurses believe can be dangerous if not carefully managed.

Some hospitals are using AI for administrative tasks, like making calls to prepare patients for surgery, improving efficiency and reducing burnout.

However, AI companies envision a broader role for their technology, including humanlike avatars for patient communication and chronic pain management.

Experts argue that while AI may help with routine tasks, it may not be suitable for complex cases involving the very sick.

Nurses caution that patient care should remain a human-driven process, with AI serving as a tool rather than a replacement.

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Elon Musk’s xAI expands with Hotshot acquisition

xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, has acquired Hotshot, a San Francisco-based startup focused on generative AI video tools.

The company, founded by Aakash Sastry and John Mullan, initially developed AI-driven photo editing tools but shifted its focus to text-to-video AI models.

Hotshot’s video foundation models, such as Hotshot-XL and Hotshot Act One, have already gained significant attention in the AI industry.

The acquisition is expected to boost xAI’s plans to develop its own video generation models, competing with major competitors like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo 2.

Musk had previously hinted at the creation of a ‘Grok Video’ model, which he anticipates launching in the near future. Hotshot’s team will likely play a key role in scaling these efforts, using xAI’s powerful infrastructure, including the Colossus cluster.

Hotshot’s website has confirmed the sunsetting of its video creation tools as of March 14, with existing customers having until March 30 to download their content.

The specifics of the staff transition to xAI remain unclear, with Sastry declining to comment. This acquisition represents a significant step for xAI in the rapidly evolving generative AI space.

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OpenAI expands ChatGPT capabilities with Google Drive and Slack integration

OpenAI is preparing to beta test its new feature, ChatGPT Connectors, which will enable businesses to link their Google Drive and Slack accounts to ChatGPT.

Employees can leverage internal company data, including files, presentations, and Slack discussions, to enhance their interactions with the AI chatbot.

The feature will provide answers informed by these internal resources, similar to how ChatGPT currently uses web search to answer general queries.

The initial beta testing will be available to ChatGPT Team subscribers, with plans to extend the functionality to other platforms, such as Microsoft SharePoint and Box.

The move is part of OpenAI’s effort to integrate ChatGPT deeper into business operations, aiming to make it an essential tool for workplace productivity.

While some companies have expressed concerns about sharing sensitive data with AI, ChatGPT Connectors offers reassurances that permissions from Google Drive and Slack will be fully respected and up-to-date.

The ChatGPT Connector model is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which can refine responses based on a company’s internal knowledge. However, the integration has certain limitations.

For example, it cannot analyse images in Google Drive files or access private Slack messages and group chats. Additionally, companies must provide OpenAI with select documents and conversations for the beta test, though OpenAI assures that no data will be directly used for training the AI.

Enterprise AI-powered search tools may see a significant impact from this development, creating challenges for competitors in the industry.

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