Friday is finally here, Tech Insiders!

Today, AI stops playing in the sandbox, search engines brace for a shakeup, and cyber threats get sharper—from state-sponsored malware to scams that hit where you text. Oh, and there’s a warehouse robot that just might out-handle you.

Let’s unpack what’s quietly rewriting the rules of tech.

Here’s what you need to know today

IBM Declares the 'Era of AI Experimentation is Over'

At IBM's THINK 2025 conference, CEO Arvind Krishna announced a strategic shift from AI experimentation to enterprise-scale deployment. 

IBM introduced Watsonx Orchestrate, enabling businesses to create AI agents that can perform tasks across platforms like Salesforce and Slack. These agents are designed to be built in under five minutes, streamlining business processes.

Additionally, IBM announced a partnership with Oracle to integrate Watsonx into Oracle Cloud infrastructure, expanding the reach of its AI capabilities.

Why it matters: IBM isn’t just talking about AI—they’re making it practical. By letting businesses build task-ready AI agents in minutes and plug them into tools they already use, this move quickly moves AI from theory to real-world utility.

IBM just dropped the mic on AI tinkering. So if your tools aren’t delivering results yet, you’re officially behind the curve.

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Beta Tested

Insider Intel

Apple Eyes AI Search, Google Feels the Heat

Turns out, Apple might be asking someone else for answers.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is working to add AI-powered search engines—following in the footsteps of Perplexity, OpenAI, and Anthropic—potentially ending its long-standing reliance on Google.

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior VP of Services, confirmed the plan during Google's antitrust trial, noting a recent drop in searches as users explore AI tools instead.

The ripple hit fast, with Alphabet’s stock dropping more than 7%, wiping out $75 billion in value, while Apple dipped a modest 2%. Investors clearly see the threat: losing default status on Apple devicescould cost Google a big chunk of its search ad revenue.

It's official: the only thing faster than AI search is Google's stock plunge.

Flash Bytes

Security Alerts

Google Uncovers Russia’s ‘LOSTKEYS’ Malware Targeting High-Profile Figures

Google has uncovered a new malware strain called LOSTKEYS, which is tied to the Russian hacking group Cold River.

The malware steals sensitive files and system data, targeting advisors to Western governments, military personnel, and individuals linked to Ukraine. Cold River has a track record of going after high-profile organizations, including NATO affiliates and human rights groups.

Keep your system updated and double-check file permissions. Stay patched, stay smart—no one wants to be hacked by accident.

New ‘Panda Shop’ Scam Is Flooding Phones with Fake Texts

Researchers have discovered a new Chinese smishing kit dubbed “Panda Shop.” It is used to steal credit card and mobile wallet data by mimicking brands like USPS, banks, and even Apple Pay. It can send millions of fake messages per day and create convincing phishing pages explicitly designed for mobile users.

If a text asks for your credit card, treat it like a raccoon in your kitchen: don’t engage, back away slowly.

Industry Shakeups

Amazon’s Vulcan Robot Brings the Sense of Touch to Warehouses

Amazon’s new warehouse robot, Vulcan, can actually feel what it’s handling.

Equipped with force sensors and a suction system, Vulcan uses AI to grab and store items with surprising dexterity. It tackles about 75% of Amazon’s vast inventory, even the tricky stuff stashed in tight spaces. It’s already gone to work in facilities in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany, processing over half a million orders.

Designed to ease the burden on human workers instead of replacing them, Vulcan steps aside when it encounters items it can’t manage, flagging a human for help. Over time, its AI learns through tactile feedback, improving with each task it tackles.

If this robot starts sighing and muttering “I’ll just do it myself,” we’re in trouble.

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