Salesforce has launched a new version of Slackbot, now available for Business+ and Enterprise+ users, serving as a personal AI agent that integrates with Slack. This initiative, part of the Agentforce 360 strategy, aims to enhance collaboration between employees and AI. Co-founder Parker Harris states, “Slackbot isn’t just another copilot... It’s the front door to the agentic enterprise.” It offers contextual responses while ensuring compliance with security protocols, streamlining enterprise workflows for users.
Google will soon require parental consent for teens to manage their accounts after turning 13, reversing its previous policy that allowed them to opt out of parental controls. Kate Charlet, Google’s head of global privacy, stated the update aims to bolster protections until both parents and teens feel ready for independence. The policy change comes after feedback from trust advocates and will take effect globally this week, marking significant industry reform.
Robotics company 1X has launched the 1X World Model, a physics-based AI model designed to enhance the Neo humanoid robot's ability to learn autonomously. By utilizing video and prompts, the model enables Neo to assimilate new tasks beyond its initial training, according to CEO Bernt Børnich. While the bots can’t immediately act on all prompts without prior examples, this innovation marks a significant step towards advanced self-learning capabilities, poised to revolutionize home robotics.
Bob Sternfels, CEO of McKinsey & Company, announced that the consulting firm comprises approximately 60,000 workers, including 25,000 AI agents and 40,000 human employees. Speaking at CES, Sternfels highlighted the rapid growth of AI agents, increasing from a few thousand in just 18 months, aiming for each employee to have access to one. This AI integration saves around 1.5 million hours annually, shifting tasks from junior consultants to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Bill Gates asserts that artificial intelligence will be humanity's most consequential invention, predicting its impact will surpass all prior technologies. In his insights, he emphasizes AI's potential to revolutionize fields like healthcare and education, but he warns of grave risks, including bioterrorism and job displacement. Gates insists on the need for proactive governance: “We must manage these real risks,” he states, urging society to shape AI development responsibly to maximize benefits while mitigating threats.
OpenAI is reportedly developing AI earbuds, codenamed “Sweetpea,” designed to compete with Apple’s AirPods. These screen-free devices are expected to offer features like real-time voice assistance, language translation, and hands-free interactions powered by ChatGPT. Manufacturing partner Foxconn is preparing prototypes, potentially launching by 2028. CEO Sam Altman envisions these earbuds as part of a broader effort to integrate AI into everyday life more intuitively, with the market for such products exceeding $20 billion annually.
CrowdStrike, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and NVIDIA have unveiled 35 startups for their Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator, aimed at fostering AI-driven cloud security innovation. Running from today until March 3, 2026, the eight-week program provides mentorship and potential funding. Daniel Bernard, CrowdStrike’s Chief Business Officer, noted, “This year’s cohort reflects a global movement,” emphasizing the need for cloud and identity-first defenses. A final pitch day will occur at the RSA Conference in San Francisco on March 24, 2026.
Amazon's new AI wearable, Bee, is designed for easy recording and transcription of conversations. Users can quickly initiate recording with a button press and customize features via its companion app. Contrary to traditional transcription tools, Bee segments conversations and summarizes them, although it lacks speaker labeling and discards audio post-transcription. With potential integrations into daily tasks, Amazon aims to see how consumers embrace this non-professional AI companion. More features are expected in 2026.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of Meta Compute, a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the company’s AI infrastructure. The tech giant plans to construct tens of gigawatts of power this decade, with expectations of expanding to hundreds of gigawatts over time. "Developing leading AI infrastructure will be a core advantage," stated Susan Li, Meta CFO. Three executives, including Santosh Janardhan, will lead this strategic venture, potentially reshaping America’s electrical consumption landscape.
Meta is expected to lay off approximately 1,500 employees from its Reality Labs division, focusing on virtual and augmented reality, amid mounting financial pressures. As its costly investments fail to gain traction, the company shifts priorities towards artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. CTO Andrew Bosworth has scheduled a crucial all-hands meeting, emphasizing the need for a pivotal strategy moving forward. The changes signal a more cautious approach to long-term projects, impacting Reality Labs' future viability.