Microsoft is testing Copilot+ AI features using discrete GPUs instead of neural processing units, starting with Nvidia GeForce RTX 30-series cards, through a Windows app software development kit on the Windows Insider Experimental Channel, according to reports. This move could expand AI accessibility to more users, including those with desktops without NPUs.

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Amazon has introduced resilient network graphs, a technology that enhances the efficiency and resilience of Amazon Web Services data centers. The system uses random cable connections, a device called ShuffleBox and the Spraypoint software to reduce the need for routers and switches by 69% and power usage by 40%. The technology is crucial as data centers' energy demand surges, with potential environmental impacts.

Microsoft introduced Windows Subsystem for Linux 3 at Microsoft Build 2026, enhancing Linux integration on Windows 11. WSL 3 uses a paravirtualized VM approach to provide direct access to GPUs and NPUs, improving performance for AI workloads. The update aims to make Windows a more attractive platform for developers working with Linux-based AI applications.

Among the communication protocols that have sprung from the AI agent ecosystem, four major ones emerged in the past 18 months: Model Context Protocol, Agent2Agent, Agent Communication Protocol, and Agent Network Protocol. MCP has become the standard for tool calling, and A2A for task coordination. However, all these protocols rely on HTTP, which poses challenges for direct peer-to-peer communication, especially for devices behind NAT. The transport layer remains unsolved, with efforts like the Pilot Protocol and libp2p showing promise.

Lumen Technologies helped the FBI and Google dismantle a major cybercrime network based in China called Outsider, responsible for $1.9 billion in losses. The network, which operated since July 2023, furnished phishing kits and hosted infrastructure for attacks in 55 countries. Operation Ghost Hook seized domains, a Shopify storefront and about $100,000 from Outsider's wallets.

Manufacturing is undergoing a human capital revolution with the rise of the software-defined technician, a role requiring semantic reasoning and AI collaboration, writes Dijam Panigrahi, GridRaster co-founder. As factories digitize and automate traditional inspection and quality roles, the software-defined technician bridges the gap between AI-powered observation and human-level judgment, ensuring that critical reasoning and contextual understanding remain central to manufacturing processes, Panigrahi writes.

Storytelling is emerging as a key tool for businesses to drive AI adoption among employees, as companies such as Anthropic, OpenAI and Vanta are hiring communication specialists to translate complex AI concepts into compelling narratives. The approach helps address employee concerns about AI's impact on their roles, with experts noting that storytelling creates context and reduces uncertainty.