A SolarWinds survey finds that while 84% of IT service management professionals say artificial intelligence has met or exceeded return-on-investment expectations, 52% say their workload has increased. The survey finds that most of the time saved by AI is spent managing and maintaining the technology, and that data quality is the top reason AI fails to deliver expected value.

Microsoft is struggling to keep up with security vulnerabilities discovered by Anthropic's Mythos AI model, which finds flaws faster than Microsoft can spit out fixes. Microsoft is prioritizing the most severe issues, potentially leaving lesser vulnerabilities unaddressed. This situation has drawn criticism from the government, with some members of Congress suggesting a reduction in federal contracts with Microsoft until security improves.

Canonical Vice President of Engineering Jon Seager has clarified that while Ubuntu's growth rate on Windows is higher than on native installations, the absolute number of native Ubuntu desktops remains greater. Seager attributes the growth of Ubuntu on Windows, facilitated by Windows Subsystem for Linux, to enterprise developers and the rise of artificial intelligence development tools.

Marvell Technology has introduced memory infrastructure products to address AI bottlenecks, aiming to bring memory closer to computation and enhance efficiency for hyperscale and cloud customers. The portfolio includes the Bravera SC6 PCIe 6.0 SSD controller, the Structera CXL family and Photonic Fabric components.

MalwareHunterTeam has identified a novel technique where hackers use FTP server banners to deliver two remote access trojans, E4del and PINHOLE. This method, observed since July, involves embedding commands in FTP banners, which are then retrieved by shortcut files (.LNK) in a phishing-based infection chain. E4del masquerades as Discord and executes various commands, while PINHOLE uses Pinterest and SurveyMonkey for its command and control configuration, leaving minimal footprint on infected systems.

IT leaders say technical expertise paired with soft skills is imperative for those looking to move up the executive ranks. Oliver Galicki, recently appointed deputy CIO at Medstar Health System, says there's value in hands-on technical experience as well as relationship-building. Trista Huang, VP of technology and analytics at Blackstone Real Estate Hotels and Resorts, credits her business acumen and communication skills for her advancement. Jerry Imsand, deputy CTO for the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, notes the strategic impact of a broad technical background. Kari Johnson, deputy CIO of Scottsdale, Ariz., advocates for a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous learning. Mentorship, empathy and the ability to drive organizational change are also crucial for IT leadership, they say.

James Strawn, a former Adobe engineer with 25 years of experience, has become a school bus driver in Colorado after being laid off in 2025. Strawn's job search in the tech industry was challenging, leading him to take a significant pay cut, but he says he has found a sense of community among coworkers and students. Strawn's story illustrates the difficulties experienced tech workers face amid industry shifts toward AI and emerging technologies, despite overall growth in tech employment.