Today's AI News

Google's newly introduced Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol is gaining traction as a leading solution for facilitating communication and collaboration among AI agents across different models and enterprises. This week, Microsoft integrated the A2A protocol into its Copilot Studio and Azure AI Foundry, enabling developers to create shared agents capable of interaction. Introduced last month, the open-source A2A protocol allows agent networks to set goals, reason, act, and share results across diverse environments like clouds, enterprises, and data silos, as noted by Yina Arenas, VP of product for Azure AI Foundry, and Bas Brekelmans, CTO of Copilot Studio, in a joint blog post. (Source)

Agentic AI, as described by IBM, utilizes large language models, machine learning, and natural language processing to autonomously perform tasks, with AI agents designed to handle specific processes within this system. Despite its advancements, experts like Saunders and Jason Warrelmann from UiPath emphasize that agentic AI remains an artificial narrow intelligence rather than achieving human-like thinking. Distinct from generative AI, which generates responses based on user input, agentic AI acts more proactively, autonomously gathering information and executing tasks. In healthcare, these AI types can synergize to enhance efficiency, such as generating post-op instructions and actively monitoring patient engagement with their care plans. (Source)

Birdeye, a leader in hyperlocal marketing, has introduced a groundbreaking shift away from traditional SaaS models towards a Service-as-a-Software approach, utilizing autonomous and supervised AI agents alongside multi-layered language models to deliver direct business outcomes. This innovative architecture is designed to tackle the challenges faced by hyperlocal brands, such as fierce competition and limited resources, by enabling faster operations, smarter decision-making, and enhanced competitive advantage. BirdAI focuses on five key outcomes critical for local success: building presence, managing reputation, elevating brand, improving customer experience, and accelerating growth, each supported by specialized AI agents that are adaptive and continuously optimize performance based on real-time data. This new model promises to enhance go-to-market speed, optimize marketing expenditures, and boost efficiency for CMOs and CFOs by automating workflows and producing tangible results. (Source)

At Knowledge 2025, ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott takes a bold stance, suggesting a shift from cooperative market strategies to competitive dominance in the enterprise software landscape. ServiceNow positions its new AI Platform and AI Control Tower as the central command for AI-driven applications, aiming to consolidate fragmented systems by becoming the “orchestration layer” in enterprises. McDermott argues that ServiceNow's consistent growth from its IT roots and its platform approach gives it an edge over competitors like Salesforce and Workday, as enterprises face pressure to streamline operations and reduce costs. He suggests that ServiceNow will decide which applications deliver value, positioning it to thrive as companies seek seamless, cross-functional AI integration. However, this strategy risks alienating partners and faces challenges in execution amid an environment of tight budgets and economic pressures. (Source)

CIOs are increasingly expected to drive value in procurement by leveraging advances in AI and analytics, which are transforming procurement strategies by 2025. Key trends include the debut of agentic AI that handles tasks autonomously, a renewed emphasis on cost savings after a period focusing on resilience, and the entrance of non-traditional tech companies offering procurement solutions. There's a focus on enhancing contract lifecycle management (CLM) with AI, and a significant shift toward supporting direct procurement using AI tools. As procurement roles evolve to become more strategic, organizations face a proliferation of choice and complexity in technology solutions, compelling CIOs to reevaluate their tech stacks and ensure agile strategies. Additionally, there's a growing trend in sophisticated spend orchestration platforms for improved enterprise oversight, urging investment in skills to optimize these technologies. (Source)