The Strategic Shift to Agentic AI in Consumer Tech

Unilever is teaming up with Google Cloud to change how they make and sell everyday items like soap and snacks.

This deal focuses on using smart computer tools called agents to handle complex jobs across the whole company.

Moving to a single cloud setup

The company will move its data and computer work to Google Cloud to make things run smoother.

By putting all their information in one place, they can see exactly what is happening in their business in real time.

Working with smart computer agents

Instead of just using basic computers, they will use Google’s Vertex AI to build tools that can think and act on their own.

These agents will help teams design new products faster and predict what shoppers want to buy before the shelves go empty.

Making better choices for the planet

The partnership also looks at ways to reduce waste and use less energy during production.

Google’s tools will help track where materials come from to make sure, they are grown in a way that helps the earth.

Better marketing for everyone

Using these new tools means ads and promotions will be more helpful for the people who see them.

The computer systems can look at huge amounts of data to find the best ways to keep customers happy.

This partnership shows that the future of big business depends on using smart computer agents to make every part of a company work better together.

Genesys is getting ready to launch its customer service tools on a special new cloud built just for Europe.

This setup is part of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, which keeps all information inside the borders of the European Union.

Keeping data safe and local

Many businesses in Europe have strict rules about where they keep their digital files.

This new cloud helps sectors like banking and healthcare follow these laws by making sure their data never leaves the region.

Smart tools with a local touch

Companies can now use smart computer tools to talk to customers while knowing their secrets are safe.

The system is run by people who live in Europe, which gives local leaders more control over how things work.

A move toward independent technology

Leaders at Genesys say that having this kind of control is no longer just a choice but a must-have.

It allows big companies to use modern technology without worrying about foreign laws or outside access.

Growing the cloud across borders

Genesys already works in many places around the world, but this move focuses specifically on European needs.

By building on this special infrastructure, they are helping the region stay in charge of its own digital future.

This move helps European companies use the latest smart tools while meeting the toughest rules for keeping data private and local.

GCP currently sits in third place with about 11% of the market share, significantly trailing AWS (31%) and Microsoft Azure (25%). While GCP’s revenue growth is impressive—reaching $8.4 billion in Q3 2023—it remains a fraction of the $23 billion+ generated by its top competitors. A major factor is timing; Google entered the cloud market later than its rivals, missing the initial wave of enterprise adoption that allowed AWS and Azure to become deeply entrenched in corporate ecosystems.

A core issue for GCP is "enterprise trust" and integration. Microsoft Azure leverages a long legacy of enterprise software (like Windows and Office) to create built-in loyalty, while AWS benefits from the massive e-commerce-driven infrastructure of Amazon. In contrast, GCP has struggled with a less comprehensive hybrid cloud strategy and a smaller ecosystem of third-party integrations. While Google excels at "big data" and analytics, it has historically lacked the breadth of industry-specific solutions and developer tools that make AWS and Azure the "default" choice for many IT departments.

To close the gap, Google is leaning heavily into its strengths: AI, machine learning, and data analytics. These are seen as the primary "differentiators" that could lure enterprises away from established providers. However, the video suggests that technical excellence in AI alone isn't enough. For GCP to move out of third place, it must aggressively expand its partnerships, simplify its enterprise sales motion, and accelerate innovation in hybrid environments to meet companies where they are today, rather than where Google thinks they should be.

AWS is working with Yotta Data Services to help India’s government update its cloud system called Meghraj 2.0.

This project will make it easier for government offices to use modern tools while keeping their data in a safe place.

Building a hybrid cloud system

The teams will use special AWS tools to connect government data centers with the public cloud.

This mix allows the government to keep sensitive files on their own machines while still using the latest software from AWS.

Better services for citizens

This update helps the National Informatics Centre build apps that work faster for people in India.

By using these tools, the government can handle more traffic on its websites and keep digital services running without slowing down.

Focus on local control

Yotta will help manage the physical servers and the local connection to the AWS network.

This ensures that the technology stays close to the people it serves and follows the rules of the country.

Strengthening the digital backbone

The plan includes training people to use these new cloud tools effectively.

With this setup, the Indian government can launch new programs quickly while making sure everything stays secure.

This collaboration helps India create a modern and safe digital world for all its citizens.

Nextcloud is releasing a new version of its software to help people keep their digital work under their own control.

The company is focusing on making sure big groups can work together without needing to trust outside tech giants with their data.

Keeping your data close

Many organizations want to make sure their files and messages stay on their own servers.

This update makes it easier for teams to talk and share documents while keeping everything private and local.

Better tools for big teams

The new software runs faster and can handle many more people using it at the same time.

It includes improved ways to manage large projects and keep track of who is doing what in a group.

Safe and open sharing

One of the main goals is to allow different groups to work together without giving up their safety.

It uses open rules so that people on different systems can still send files and talk to each other easily.

A focus on making things simple

Even though the technology is advanced, the main goal is to make it easy for a normal person to use.

The design helps users find what they need without getting lost in complicated menus or settings.

By giving people, a way to own their own digital space, Nextcloud is offering a strong choice for those who value privacy and independence.

Microsoft Teams users in the United States and Europe faced a rocky start this week as a sudden service outage disrupted morning meetings and chats.

The problem made it difficult for people to sign in, join calls, or send messages with pictures and videos.

A small change with big effects

The trouble started when a technical update to the system that stores temporary data did not work as planned.

This part of the system helps the app run fast, but the new change slowed it down so much that it stopped working for many people.

Fixing the problem quickly

Once the team found the error, they put the old, working settings back in place to get everyone back online.

The fix worked in about an hour, and the company watched their systems closely to make sure the app stayed stable for the rest of the day.

Other small bugs appearing

While the main outage was fixed, some users still had trouble with a specific "Join" button in their meeting chats.

There were also reports of a separate issue for teams using smart computer assistants to help with their work.

Checking for a smooth return

Most people should now find the app working normally, but some might need to sign out and back in to clear the old errors.

Microsoft is still looking into the data to find out exactly why the small update caused such a large problem.

Even a short pause in these tools can cause a lot of stress for businesses that use them every single minute of the day.