Sierra, which builds custom AI agents for enterprise customer service, is expanding to Japan, backed by a new investment from Softbank's Vision Fund 2, co-founders Clay Bavor andBret Taylor announced at Axios' AI+ Summit in San Francisco on Thursday.
The big picture: AI agents are a hot topic in 2025 — though they've been Sierra's focus from the start. And it has seen rapid growth since its launch last year.
Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arorasaid growing AI threats make new detection methods a more pressing need than simplydoubling down on protecting outdated systemsat Axios' AI+ Summit in San Francisco on Thursday.
Why it matters: AI relies on massive amounts of personal data to function, making those systems a tantalizing target for a new wave of attackers who are also using AI to boost their hacking capabilities, he said.
California state Sen. Scott Wiener on Thursday warned that all levels of government haven't grappled with the enormous workforce challenges of artificial intelligence.
Why it matters: Wiener is running for the congressional seat held by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and he's positioning himself as one of the country's most active lawmakers on AI policy.
The Government Accountability Office confirmed Thursday it opened an investigation into Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte, amid complaints about his efforts to go after President Trump's opponents.
Why it matters: The GAO inquiry will raise the heat on Pulte, who is also reportedly caught up in a grand jury probe related to the various mortgage fraud investigations he has pursued this year.
Scale AI made headlines after Meta took a 49% stake in the AI app development company and poached its co-founder and CEO Alexandr Wang to serve as its chief AI officer.
As head of communications, Tom Channick is tasked with telling the story of Scale's next phase, with former chief strategy officer Jason Droege taking the reins as CEO.
Former communications executive Michelle Masek has launched an AI operating system for comms and public relations professionals called Honeyjar AI, Axios is first to report.
Why it matters: It's an AI platform for communications, by communicators and backed by leading VC, media and comms executives.
Auto standards are the latest energy policy fight to get subsumed into the politics of affordability that look slated to dominate the midterms.
Why it matters: Contra the late Kris Kristofferson, freedom's just another word for ... cheaper vehicles. That's what Trump officials claim by naming their rollback of auto mileage rules the "Freedom Means Affordable Cars" plan.
A survey out Thursday finds that knowledge workers under 40 want AI to be less generic, with styles tailored to how they actually write and speak.
Why it matters: The youngest workers are typically on the bleeding edge — first to adopt new technology and a leading indicator of where it's headed next.
A geothermal energy company announced Thursday that it has discovered — with AI's help — the first commercially viable system of its kind in over 30 years.
Why it matters: Zanskar Geothermal and Minerals officials said the underground find, in a remote area of western Nevada, offers fresh evidence that geothermal can become an attractive option to meet soaring U.S. energy demand.
A report that Microsoft lowered its ambitious growth targets was enough to take billions of dollars out of the tech sector on Monday before the company denied the report.
Why it matters: The knee-jerk selloff is indicative of how quick the market is to react to doubts over the AI trade right now.
MOJAVE, CALIF. — Northrop Grumman on Wednesday revealed Project Talon, a robo-wingman expected to fly next year, to a select few reporters gathered in the California desert.
Why it matters: Only one of the drones exists today. But it's designed to be manufactured en masse relatively cheaply, which should appeal to the Pentagon.
Spotify Wrapped, a recap of users' listening year, dropped on Wednesday with new social features, IRL pop-ups and AI-powered listening stats — presenting a vivid example of how music is being discovered, marketed and monetized in 2025.
Why it matters: Wrapped has become a cultural holiday that now doubles as a window into a music ecosystem overwhelmed by volume, driven by algorithms and reshaped by AI.
