Hello and welcome to your 2-minute Tech Briefing from Computerworld. I’m your host, Arnold Davick, reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Here are the top IT stories you need to know for Wednesday, December 17th.
In a significant move towards standardization in the field of artificial intelligence, leading vendors including Anthropic, AWS, Google, Microsoft, and IBM are aligning around shared standards for what is termed “agentic AI.” This initiative aims to establish common protocols governing how AI agents access data, share context, and take actions within enterprise systems. The new agentic AI foundation could notably reduce vendor lock-in, providing Chief Information Officers greater flexibility as AI deployment moves beyond initial pilot phases.
As these standards gain traction, the implications for enterprise technology could be extensive. With shared protocols, organizations may find it easier to integrate various AI solutions, enhancing their ability to adapt and respond to changing technological landscapes. This collaborative effort is expected to facilitate the scaling of AI applications, potentially transforming how businesses leverage intelligent automation.
Meanwhile, Cloudflare has reported that it has blocked over 416 billion AI bot requests in the last six months, as part of its strategy to combat unpaid content scraping on the internet. CEO Matthew Prince indicated that the rise of AI signifies a major platform shift for the web. He criticized Google for merging search capabilities with AI crawlers, arguing that this forces publishers into a dilemma between protecting their content and maintaining visibility in search results. The growing prevalence of AI in content generation and management has raised concerns among publishers about the sustainability of their business models.
In a different domain, legislative changes in Europe are also making headlines. Portugal has legalized certain types of security research, and the UK is considering similar reforms. Lawmakers have pointed out that outdated cyber crime laws are discouraging ethical hackers from reporting vulnerabilities. New proposals are expected to offer protections for researchers who act responsibly, aiming to boost national cyber resilience while ensuring that criminal activity remains prosecutable. This legislative shift is indicative of a larger trend towards fostering a more secure and innovative digital environment.
As the tech landscape continues to evolve, these developments highlight the critical role of collaboration and regulatory reform in shaping the future of technology. The alignment of industry standards in AI and the adaptation of cybersecurity laws reflect growing recognition of the need for a cohesive approach to both innovation and protection in the digital sphere. Stakeholders across sectors will be watching closely as these initiatives unfold, signaling a potential new era for enterprise technology and cybersecurity.
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See also
AI Cyber Threats Surge: 60% of Companies Targeted, Only 7% Use AI Defense Tools
60% of Firms Report AI-Enabled Cyberattacks; Only 7% Use AI Defense Tools, BCG Finds
Experts Warn AI, Quantum Tech Accelerate Cyber Threats at House Hearing
General Dynamics Secures $285M Contract for Virginia Cybersecurity Services
Chinese Hackers Use AI to Automate Attacks, Target 30+ Entities, Warns Anthropic
