Every morning, the most relevant news on the topics I follow, selected from leading Italian and international outlets, with a short summary of each article.
Edition of Thursday, 1 October 2026 · updated at 08:29
Models, agents, regulation and enterprise applications of AI.
AI agents already generate 22% of enterprise AI value and will reach 39% by 2030, according to BCG. However, only 5% of companies have complete controls in place, raising risks of agent sprawl, uncontrolled costs, and unclear accountability.
At DevDay 2026, OpenAI launches GPT-6.1 Sol at a fifth of Astra's price, moves Codex to the cloud, and introduces dots, always-on agents. OpenAI had paused GPT-6.1 Astra the previous day due to scope issues.
At DevDay 2026, OpenAI introduces dots, always-on agents based on GPT-6 Astra, enhances Codex, opens collaborative spaces in ChatGPT, and expands enterprise offerings with privacy, marketplace, and AWS integrations.
OpenAI's "Decisions API" is a Jev clone that confirms the importance of fast, cheap intelligence.
Meta creates a new division to sell AI agents, models, and services to enterprises, led by MongoDB's Chirantan Desai. The move aims to convert data center investments into new revenue streams while competing with Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, and Salesforce.
DoorDash launches an AI agent for food ordering to gain a competitive edge over rivals Uber Eats and Grubhub.
Meta launched Muse, an AI agent for emails, online shopping, and other tasks, with plans for a Tamagotchi-like Muse Charm device. The agent has raised security and privacy concerns.
Flow Engineering, which brings AI agents to hardware design, secured backing from Valor, Atreides, and Sequoia, and landed Roelof Botha as angel investor and board member.
Restate raised $20M for its durable execution engine with proprietary storage, replication, and redundancy layers. The architecture allows Restate to be exceptionally fast and lightweight.
Google revealed Gemini 4 Argon, its next AI frontier model, initially limiting access to "trusted cyber defenders" while engaging with the U.S. government. The model delivers advanced performance in software engineering, enterprise work, and cybersecurity defense.
Innovation, digital strategy, cloud and business transformation.
CIO and CISO professionals gather on Lake Garda for three days of discussion on leadership, AI disruption, and digital sovereignty. The event provides key networking opportunities for digital innovation professionals.
The CEO of Mediterra DataCenters argues that a distributed network of regional infrastructures would reduce service concentration, bring processing capacity closer to businesses, and leverage local energy resources.
EUDI Wallet, digital euro, Business Wallet, and Cyber Resilience Act are reshaping European digital trust infrastructure. Identity, payments, and security converge toward a model based on verifiable credentials and data control.
Google unveiled Gemini 4 Argon, focusing on software, finance, and cybersecurity with access limited to selected experts. Public launch awaits further security strengthening measures.
The NMVS system, used across 15 European countries and managing hundreds of millions of annual checks, is migrated to Oracle cloud to improve performance and scalability while keeping resources within the EU.
PLAI, Mondadori's program launched in 2024, evolves from accelerator to open innovation hub focused on business unit integration. With 1,600 startups analyzed and approximately 20 investments, it aims to transform technologies into products and services.
The DANTE platform, developed for Areti by Lutech-led consortium with NTT Data and Apio, transforms heterogeneous data into dynamic grid representation. The goal is to shift from reactive to predictive management, reducing operational risk.
Sensors, algorithms, and monitoring platforms are transforming agricultural land into hybrid infrastructure. In 2026 Italian agrivoltaics benefits from new regulations allowing 747 projects for approximately 2 GW of capacity.
Transformers have dominated language models since 2017, but rising costs and lengthening contexts reveal limitations. Startups and labs experiment with sparse attention, hybrid models, and alternative architectures for greater efficiency.
Bills rising 37.3% in Q4 prompt utilities to launch fixed offers and limited-time discounts. The real challenge for the free market remains long-term price transparency.
Threats, vulnerabilities and regulations such as NIS2, GDPR, DORA and the AI Act.
The Dutch Institute for Vulnerability Disclosure (DIVD) confirmed that its network breach was possible by exploiting two zero-day vulnerabilities in the open-source Zammad ticketing system.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget confirmed that attackers who stole $387.5 million exploited a zero-day flaw in third-party security products, according to SlowMist's investigation findings.
Microsoft warned of phishing campaigns distributing MSP360 Remote Monitoring and Management software installer under deceptive guises, establishing unauthorized remote management access on affected systems.
Cisco released security updates for a critical zero-day in Catalyst SD-WAN Manager (CVE-2026-76504) that attackers are actively exploiting to escalate to admin privileges.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget revealed that attackers who stole $387.5 million breached its systems by exploiting a zero-day flaw in third-party security products.
Threat actors exploited a critical pre-authentication command injection vulnerability in Citrix NetScaler ADC and Gateway to deploy web shells and attempt configuration data theft.
Attackers are exploiting a critical zero-day flaw in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Manager (CVE-2026-76504) that allows remote attackers without login access to use the API as admin. Fixed releases are available.
Most breaches today begin in a browser session. The article identifies six dangerous attack techniques that security teams should monitor in 2026.
Microsoft reminded customers that the Entra ID authentication system will receive better protection against external script injection attacks starting next month.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is warning of a critical vulnerability in MikroTik RouterOS that could lead to remote code execution or denial-of-service.
Brands, advertising, media and marketing technology.
John Ludeke, most recently chief brand officer at the Unilever brand, has been appointed CMO of Cava to deepen consumer connections to the fast-casual chain.
The $5.3 billion startup has launched an AI agent that creates, versions and analyzes ads across Meta, Google and TikTok.
A new public service announcement from the Ad Council addresses the harsh realities of early motherhood, such as exhaustion and physical changes, that are often kept secret.
The partnership with Adobe follows a surge in cultural relevancy for the NHL in the wake of the Winter Olympics and popular shows such as "Heated Rivalry."
According to Gartner, many marketers will be able to eliminate entry-level positions by 2030, but the researcher recommends giving new hires greater responsibility instead.
The latest chapter of the "Believe in Chicken" campaign expands into long-form entertainment with a game show celebrating KFC's most devoted fans.
ADWEEK is accepting submissions for the 2027 Team Visionary Awards, recognizing that outstanding campaigns and transformational growth result from teamwork rather than individual effort.
NBC's campaign and activation celebrates the first-ever American Express NBA Tip-Off triple-header by turning NBA athletes into comic book heroes.
Mary Beech, Chief Growth Officer of Thorne, details how work with brand consultancy Redscout turned consumer insights into campaigns and a unified communication style.
Kroger, in partnership with Vidmob and MMA Global, developed a model that forecasts e-commerce conversion of ad creative with 81% accuracy.
Virtual, augmented and mixed reality: devices and use cases.
October brings numerous VR releases across multiple platforms. Key titles include VMX for Quest on October 2, Pedal Rebel VR on October 5, Into the Radius 2 for PS VR2 on October 8, and Shil also on October 8, along with DLC and updates for various existing games.
Three VR headsets serve different purposes. Steam Frame ($1,059) suits power-users, Quest 3 ($600) offers the best value with extensive game library, while Meta VR Glasses ($1,300) targets professionals seeking private monitors and multimedia content.
A trailer for Evangelion: Δ Cross Reflections has been released, the first installment of a planned trilogy covering all 26 TV episodes. The VR/MR game features Evangelion-Angel battles, interactive elements, and engaging stories, with a 2027 release planned across various VR devices.
Meta announces a strap accessory for Meta VR Glasses (arriving Spring 2027 at $1,300) that connects temple arm tips for secure fastening during active gaming. Light blockers and prescription lenses from Zenni Optical will also be available.
Beat Saber adds ROSÉ and Bruno Mars' "APT." to its Shock Drop series, the fourth of 2026 after tracks from Yungblud, Bad Bunny, and Twenty One Pilots. The song has over two billion Spotify streams and is available for $1.99 on Quest and PC VR.
Mighty Coconut will reduce staff by 35% (10 employees), the second round of cuts since January. The CEO cites the contracting VR industry but promises continued DLC updates and new game development including Walkabout Dungeon Golfer and GRASS.
Arizona Truck Driver, a trucker simulation from The Wizards team, arrives in Early Access on Quest this October. The game offers over 25 hours of gameplay with truck management, 350+ customization items, and an Arizona-inspired map divided into 12 regions.
Meta will bring Muse, its AI agent launched on smartphones in September, to smart glasses "soon." Muse can perform actions like booking travel, sending emails, making payments, and phone calls, maintaining privacy through isolated cloud Linux virtual machines.
Dungeons of Eternity receives the free Tomb Extraction update introducing a new dungeon mode where players start without inventory. The new mode offers five different weapons and provides a refresh to the three existing dungeon types after three years of release.
Meta launches Hologram avatars, photorealistic immersive avatars previously called Codec Avatars, coming to Ray-Ban Display and VR Glasses. Created via selfie camera and voice commands, Holograms arrive first to Display in early access within months, US-only on WhatsApp.
The main international headlines.
An Australian couple were among passengers on a flight to Tel Aviv that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other. Australia's foreign minister confirmed the passengers, a Jewish couple from Sydney, are safe.
Queensland missed the deadline to join the federal Thriving Kids program, which provides support to children up to 8 years old with mild to moderate autism or developmental delays. These children will become ineligible for federal NDIS assistance in 2028.
According to the Australian Taxation Office, Microsoft's datacentre business, Optus parent Singtel, and major coal and gas companies generate billions in revenue in Australia while paying zero income tax. Multinationals including Netflix also pay tax on only a small fraction of their turnover.
Estonian Jaan Roose completed the first of two attempts to navigate a 160-metre-long slackline at a height of 120 metres near Seoul's famous Gyeongbokgung palace.
ADHD UK threatened legal action against West Yorkshire NHS integrated care board over imposing a two-year minimum wait for ADHD and autism assessments, calling the policy unlawful and threatening judicial review.
A US death row inmate survived an execution attempt after receiving two syringes of pentobarbital and is now receiving life-saving medical care in hospital.
An aeroplane flying to Israel descended 5,200 metres in less than two minutes before being diverted.
A pilot who stabbed another pilot on an Israel-bound plane is under investigation in Saudi Arabia, according to Benjamin Netanyahu.
A pilot has been arrested and is being questioned after another pilot was stabbed, according to officials.
Governor Gavin Newsom called the ban a 'long overdue measure' to protect young Californians. Child marriage remains legal in 32 other US states.
News stories belong to their respective publishers. Summaries and headline translations are generated automatically with AI: the original article, linked from each headline, is the authoritative source.