The News Feed

Tag: AI Agents

  • Microsoft Launches AI-Powered Copilot Chat with Pay-as-You-Go Pricing

    Microsoft Launches AI-Powered Copilot Chat with Pay-as-You-Go Pricing

    Microsoft has introduced a new addition to its Microsoft 365 suite called Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, launched on January 15, 2025. This tool is aimed at businesses and comes with a flexible pay-as-you-go model for AI agents, making it a practical option for everyday business operations.

    New Features and Pricing Model

    Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat uses OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-4o, to provide a secure and simple AI chat experience. Basic use of the chat feature is free for all Microsoft 365 commercial customers.

    The standout feature is the consumption-based pricing model for AI agents, which allows businesses to automate repetitive tasks like customer service and internal processes. Here’s the pricing breakdown:

    • Basic Answers: 1 message per response, costing $0.01 per message.
    • Generative Answers: 2 messages per response, also $0.01 per message.
    • Autonomous Actions: 25 messages per action, costing $0.25 per action.

    This model provides a cost-effective alternative to the fixed $30 per user per month subscription for the full Microsoft 365 Copilot.

    Enterprise Data Protection and IT Controls

    Microsoft has focused on ensuring that Copilot Chat is secure and manageable for businesses by including:

    • Enterprise Data Protection (EDP): This feature safeguards company data while using AI.
    • IT Admin Controls: These controls allow businesses to manage agent deployment, access, and usage effectively.

    Strategic Implications

    The pay-as-you-go model is part of Microsoft’s strategy to make AI more accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes. By allowing companies to scale their AI usage based on demand, Microsoft aims to address concerns about the high cost and complexity of adopting AI.

    This move encourages businesses to integrate AI into workflows, enabling employees in customer service, marketing, and technical roles to use AI tools with ease.

    User and Industry Response

    The launch has sparked interest and excitement, with many businesses seeing it as an opportunity to adopt AI without committing to high-cost subscriptions. However, some small and medium-sized enterprises are skeptical about the cost-effectiveness of the model, as usage costs may vary.

    Industry analysts believe this move will put pressure on competitors to introduce flexible pricing or enhance their AI offerings. The integration of AI agents into daily tasks could lead to more efficient and autonomous workflows.

    Looking Ahead

    Microsoft plans to continue expanding Copilot’s capabilities with more sophisticated AI features and deeper integration across Microsoft 365 apps. The company sees AI as a critical tool for the future of business, and this launch is a significant step toward making that vision a reality.

    Links

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/copilot-studio/enabling-agents-in-microsoft-365-copilot-chat/

  • NVIDIA Launches Tools to Help Enterprises Adopt AI Agents Safely

    NVIDIA Launches Tools to Help Enterprises Adopt AI Agents Safely

    NVIDIA Corporation has introduced three new tools to help businesses use AI more safely and securely. These tools, called NVIDIA Inference Microservices (NIM), are designed to ensure AI systems follow rules and stay ethical. They are part of NVIDIA’s plan to encourage more companies to adopt AI technology.

    What Are the New Tools?

    The new tools are part of NVIDIA’s NeMo Guardrails framework, which helps developers build trustworthy AI systems. The three tools focus on:

    • Content Safety: This tool stops AI systems from creating harmful or biased content. It ensures responses meet ethical standards.
    • Topic Control: This service keeps AI conversations on-topic and avoids inappropriate discussions.
    • Jailbreak Detection: This feature protects AI systems from being misused by detecting and blocking attempts to bypass restrictions.

    Why Are These Tools Important?

    More businesses are using AI systems, but concerns about safety and trust slow down adoption. NVIDIA’s new tools address these concerns, making it easier for companies to use AI agents, or “knowledge robots,” without fear of mistakes or misuse.

    Studies show that around 25% of companies are already using AI agents or plan to start in 2025. By 2027, half of all businesses are expected to use them. NVIDIA’s tools could help speed up this shift by building trust in AI technology.

    A Smarter Way to Use AI

    NVIDIA’s Vice President, Kari Briski, explained why these tools matter:
    “By using small, specialized models, developers can fix gaps that general protections might miss. This approach ensures AI systems are safe and efficient, even in complex situations.”

    These tools also work quickly, even on computers with limited resources. This makes them ideal for companies wanting to use AI on a large scale.

    Teaming Up for Success

    NVIDIA is working with companies like Accenture, Cisco, and SoftServe to bring these tools to more businesses. These partnerships aim to make AI easier to use and safer for everyone.

    Social media platforms like X have seen positive reactions, with many calling this a big step forward for safer AI in business. However, experts note that the true value of these tools will only be clear once they are tested in real-world settings.

    NVIDIA’s Role in Shaping the Future of AI

    NVIDIA is already known for its AI hardware, but this move shows its commitment to solving real-world problems with software too. By making AI safer and more practical, NVIDIA is helping shape how businesses use AI in the future.

    The tech world will be watching closely to see how these tools perform and how they might change the way companies work with AI in the years to come.

  • Google Cloud Introduces New Tools at NRF 2025 to Help Retailers Build Gen AI Search and Agents

    Google Cloud Introduces New Tools at NRF 2025 to Help Retailers Build Gen AI Search and Agents

    Google Cloud has announced a powerful set of AI tools to help retailers tackle challenges like rising costs, supply chain issues, and growing demand for personalized shopping experiences. The announcement comes just ahead of NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, where these tools will be showcased.

    Smarter Shopping with AI Agents

    Google Cloud’s Google Agentspace brings AI agents powered by Google’s Gemini models to the retail world. These AI agents can handle advanced reasoning and integrate with enterprise data to make shopping more efficient and personalized.

    For example, store employees can use Agentspace to quickly find product details and answer customer questions. A store worker might ask, “What are the new features of this product?” and instantly get detailed, helpful answers.

    Better Search for Online Shopping

    Google has also upgraded Vertex AI Search for Commerce with large language model (LLM) capabilities. This enhancement allows online retailers to offer smarter, more accurate search and product recommendations. Shoppers can find what they need faster, thanks to improved search relevance and personalized results.

    Boosting Product Catalogs

    Google Cloud’s new Gen AI Catalog and Content Enrichment tool uses advanced AI models like Gemini 1.5 and Imagen 3 to improve product catalogs. Retailers can now automatically generate product descriptions, tags, and images with minimal input. This means better product information, higher-quality search results, and more engaging shopping experiences.

    AI-Powered Customer Service

    A new customer service solution integrates AI-powered virtual agents into existing CRM systems. These agents can help schedule appointments, track orders, and recommend products in real-time, offering faster and more personalized customer support.

    Connected Stores and Real-Time Insights

    Google is also introducing tools like Veo and Imagen 3 to create “connected stores.” These tools can turn images into videos and provide real-time insights, improving in-store experiences and making inventory management more efficient.

    Real-Life Impact

    Retailers like Wayfair are already using Google’s AI tools. Wayfair leverages Gemini on Vertex AI to automate product tagging and categorization, helping them launch products faster and improve productivity.

    Google’s Vision for AI in Retail

    These AI tools highlight Google Cloud’s commitment to reshaping retail through technology. By offering smarter operations and personalized shopping, Google aims to create seamless and engaging experiences for both retailers and customers.

    You can see these tools in action at NRF 2025 at Google Cloud’s booth (#5507).

    About Google Cloud
    Google Cloud offers advanced AI, data, and infrastructure solutions to help organizations thrive in the digital world. With services in over 200 countries, Google Cloud supports businesses in transforming their operations with cutting-edge technology.

    Links

    https://blog.google/products/google-cloud/google-cloud-ai-retailers-nrf-2025

  • Nvidia Unveils Open-Source Llama and Cosmos Nemotron LLM Model Families to Build AI Agents at CES 2025

    Nvidia Unveils Open-Source Llama and Cosmos Nemotron LLM Model Families to Build AI Agents at CES 2025

    At CES 2025, NVIDIA revealed the Nemotron model families, a groundbreaking step in artificial intelligence. These models include the open-source Llama Nemotron large language models (LLMs) and the Cosmos Nemotron vision language models (VLMs). Designed to boost AI agents’ abilities, these models are available as NVIDIA NIM microservices, making them easy to use on a variety of systems, from data centers to edge devices.

    What is the Nemotron Ecosystem?

    • NVIDIA NIM Microservices
      These microservices make it simple to add Nemotron models to different setups, ensuring high-performance AI capabilities with flexibility and scalability.
    • Llama Nemotron LLMs
      Based on the successful Llama architecture, these models come in three sizes: Nano, Super, and Ultra. Each size caters to specific needs, from low-latency tasks to high-accuracy applications. These LLMs are optimized for key AI tasks like generating human-like responses, coding, and solving complex math problems.
    • Cosmos Nemotron VLMs
      These vision language models combine image understanding with language processing, enabling AI agents to interpret and interact with visual data. This is useful for tasks like autonomous driving, medical analysis, and retail planning.
    • Scalable and Efficient Performance
      The Nemotron models use NVIDIA’s advanced training and optimization techniques to ensure they perform well and scale effectively across different hardware systems.

    Real-World Use Cases

    Major companies like SAP and ServiceNow are already using these models.

    • SAP is integrating them to improve AI-driven supply chain management.
    • ServiceNow aims to enhance its customer service AI agents for better user experiences.

    These early applications highlight how Nemotron models can automate complex tasks, improve decision-making, and streamline operations in industries like logistics, customer service, and healthcare.

    How It Works

    NVIDIA’s NeMo framework allows users to customize the Nemotron models for specific needs. For faster deployment, NVIDIA Blueprints offer ready-made solutions for building AI agents.

    Community Buzz and Open-Source Impact

    The Nemotron models have generated excitement across social platforms like X, where developers and AI enthusiasts are discussing their potential. NVIDIA’s decision to open-source the Llama Nemotron models encourages global collaboration, allowing developers to adapt and expand their capabilities for different industries.

    The Future of AI Agents

    NVIDIA’s Nemotron models pave the way for smarter, more capable AI agents that can handle complex tasks in real-world scenarios. With advancements in language and vision processing, these models could reshape industries and drive innovation in AI applications worldwide.

    Links

    https://build.nvidia.com/nvidia/llama-3_1-nemotron-70b-instruct

    https://build.nvidia.com/nvidia/cosmos-nemotron-34b

    https://huggingface.co/models?search=nemotron

    https://huggingface.co/nvidia/nemotron-3-8b-base-4k

    https://huggingface.co/nvidia/Llama-3.1-Nemotron-70B-Instruct-HF

    https://huggingface.co/nvidia/Llama-3.1-Nemotron-70B-Reward