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For business leaders right now, two small words seem almost impossible to avoid: AI agents. Built on the ‘brain’ of an AI model, and armed with a specific purpose and access to tools, agents are autonomous decision-makers that are being increasingly integrated into live business processes.
Unlike normal AI tools, which rely on user prompts, agent-based – agentic – AI can execute tasks iteratively, making decisions that carry real business consequences, and real governance risk. In short, agents aren’t tools, they’re teammates. As well as sitting in an organization’s tech stack, they sit on its org chart.
Marc Benioff, cofounder, chairman and CEO of Salesforce, the $260 billion valued software giant, says that today’s CEOs will be the last to manage all-human workforces. (Asked if an agent could replace him some day, Benioff responded, half-joking, “I hope so.”) The sooner businesses recognize this shift, the faster they can move to securing and governing AI for accelerated innovation.
Just as human workers come under the umbrella of human resources (HR), it’s useful to think of agents as non-human resources (NHRs). Just like humans, there are costs to employing NHRs – including computing, architecture and security costs – and they need induction, training and appropriate limitations on what they can do, and how.
This is especially true as these NHRs move up the value chain to perform high-skill tasks that once belonged to mid-senior level talent. For example, autonomous agents are actively managing supplier negotiations, handling payment terms, and even adjusting prices based on commodity and market shifts – functions typically handled by teams of trained analysts.
Businesses can’t secure what they don't understandIntroducing NHRs at the enterprise level is requiring an entire rethink of governance and security. That’s because existing cybersecurity focuses on managing human risk, internally and externally; it’s not built for the realities of always-on, self-directed agents that understand, think, and act at machine speed.
Like the best employees, the most effective agents will have access to enterprise data and applications, from staffing information and sensitive financial data to proprietary product secrets. That access opens the organization up the risk of attacks from outside, as well as misuse from within.
In 2024, the global average cost of a data breach was $4.9 million, a 10% jump on the previous year and the highest total ever – and that was before the introduction of agents. In the AI era, bad actors have new weapons at their disposal, from prompt injection attacks to data and model poisoning.
Internally, a misaligned agent can trigger a cascade of failures, from corrupted analytics to regulatory breaches. When failures stem from internally-sanctioned AI, there may be no obvious attacker, just a compliant agent acting on flawed assumptions. In the age of agents, when actions are driven by non-deterministic models, unintentional behavior is the breach – especially if safeguards are inadequate.
Imagine an agent is tasked with keeping a database up to date, and has access and permissions to insert or delete data. It could delete entries relating to Fast Company, for example, by accurately finding and removing the term ‘Fast Company’.
However, it could equally decide to delete all entries that contain the word ‘Fast’ or even entries starting with ‘F’. This crude action would achieve the same goal, but with a range of unintended consequences. With agents, the question of how they complete their task is at least as important as what that task is.
Onboarding agents like employeesAs organizations introduce teams of agents – or even become predominantly staffed by agents – that collaborate to rapidly make decisions and take action with a high level of opaqueness, the risk is amplified significantly.
The key to effective agentic adoption is a methodical approach from the start. Simply rebadging existing machine learning or GenAI activity, such as chatbots, as ‘agentic’ – a practice known as ‘agent washing’ – is a recipe for disappointing return on investment
Equally, arbitrarily implementing agents without understanding where they are truly needed is the same as hiring an employee who is unsuited to the intended role: it wastes time, resources, and can create tension and confusion in the workforce. Rather, businesses must identify which use cases are suitable for agentic activity and build appropriate technology and business models.
The security of the AI model underlying the agent should be extensively red-teamed, using simulated attacks to expose weaknesses and design flaws. When the agent has access to tools and data, a key test is its ability to resist agentic attacks that learn what does and doesn’t work, and adapt accordingly.
From there, governance means more than mere supervision; it means encoding organizational values, risk thresholds, escalation paths, and ‘stop’ conditions into agents' operational DNA. Think of it as digital onboarding. But instead of slide decks and HR training, these agents carry embedded culture codes that define how they act, what boundaries they respect, and when to ask for help.
As autonomous agents climb the (virtual) corporate ladder, the real risk isn't adoption – it's complacency. Businesses that treat AI agents as tools rather than dynamic, accountable team members will face escalating failures, eroding trust among customers.
Build cross-functional governance from day oneNo smart business would let a fresh grad run a billion-dollar division on day one. Likewise, no AI agent should be allowed to enter mission-critical systems without undergoing structured training, testing, and probation. Enterprises need to map responsibilities, surface hidden dependencies, and clarify which decisions need a human in the loop.
For example, imagine a global operations unit staffed by human analysts, with AI agents autonomously monitoring five markets in real-time, and a machine supervisor optimizing output across all of them. Who manages whom – and who gets credit or blame?
And what of performance? Traditional metrics, such as hours logged or tasks completed, don't capture the productivity of an agent running hundreds of simulations per hour, testing and iterating at scale and creating compounding value.
To help surface and answer these questions, many businesses are hiring Chief AI Officers and forming AI steering committees that have cross-department representation. Teams can collaboratively define guiding principles that not only align with each sector of the business but the company as a whole.
A well-configured agent should know when to act, when to pause, and when to ask for help. That kind of sophistication doesn’t happen by accident, it needs a proactive security and governance approach.
This isn't just a technical evolution; it's a test of leadership. The companies that design for transparency, adaptability, and AI-native governance will define the next era. NHRs aren't coming, they're already here. The only question is whether we'll lead them or be led by them.
We list the best HR outsourcing service and the best PEO service.
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- Volvo’s XC70 has been designed for China for now, but will hit other markets
- A 1.5-litre engine can be mated to 21.2kWh or 36.9kWh battery packs
- DC fast charging capability will come as standard
Volvo has revealed plans to launch a new XC70 model in China, which will neatly slot between its XC60 and XC90 SUVs, but will be offered in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version that’s capable of traveling 124-miles on battery power alone.
While the Swedish company already offers an enticing line up of hybrids in Europe and the US, the company has traditionally opted for smaller and lighter battery packs that offer around 50-miles of range.
Details of the upcoming XC70 suggest that it can be optioned with either 21.2kWh or 36.9kWh battery packs, which is larger than some pure EV city cars, such as the Fiat 500e and the BYD Seagull.
China’s CLTC range test is generally more generous when it comes to efficiency, so you can likely take the 124 miles of range with a pinch of salt in the real world (100-110 miles is more likely), but it is backed up by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine should the batteries run dry.
What’s more, Volvo claims the upcoming vehicle is capable of DC fast-charging, so battery packs can be brimmed to around 80 per cent in 28-minutes from the appropriate outlets, while bi-directional charging is also said to feature.
According to Auto Express, the vehicle is destined for China, where long range plug-in hybrids are all the rage, but the Swedish marque hasn’t ruled out bringing it to other markets “at a later date”.
Bridging the gap(Image credit: Volvo)Long-range plug-in hybrids, like the Volvo XC70, make a lot of sense — particularly for those with a charging outlet at home. Keeping the battery packs brimmed means the average daily mileage, which is as low as 19 miles per day in the UK, can easily be covered without troubling the engine.
Even much longer commutes can happily be dispatched in EV mode using Volvo’s larger battery packs, meaning only the longest journeys need to resort to fossil fuels.
Currently, public EV charging is expensive in the UK and much of Europe, which has been a key argument for many to not make the switch to EV. If charging is as expensive as filling up with fuel, then what’s the point?
With Volvo’s technology, owners could avoid the eye-watering charging fees found at highway service stations by instead opting to rely on the internal combustion engine. Once at a destination, it then makes sense to seek out cheaper, lower-power charging outlets to refill the battery packs.
Offering this sort of flexibility could be a huge draw for those currently sitting on the pure electric vehicle fence and, so long as it is plugged in and used predominantly as an EV, will reduce local emissions and could save owners money at the pumps.
you might also like- The iPhone 17 could go eSIM-only in more countries
- Changes are tipped for the Apple Clear Case accessory
- The launch is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9
Apple is almost certainly going to make the iPhone 17 official on Tuesday, September 9, but as we count down the days to the big launch event, the leaks are continuing – including fresh rumors around eSIMs and the official Apple Clear Case.
Current iPhone models are eSIM-only in the US, and according to a source speaking to MacRumors, retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are now being told to prepare to handle iPhones without physical SIM cards as well.
We've been hearing for months that the new, super-slim iPhone 17 Air model would only have support for eSIMs and not the physical cards, but it seems that's now going to be extended to other iPhones in more countries.
With eSIMs offering better security and more convenience, the move isn't really much of a surprise. Google has now gone eSIM-only for the first time with the new Google Pixel 10 series, though for now this only applies to phones sold in the US.
New iPhones, new casesYou’ve probably already seen the new iPhone 17 clear case, but here’s another look at it. Would you prefer an all-clear version? pic.twitter.com/jsCPankDkxSeptember 1, 2025
The other iPhone 17 leak doing the rounds today concerns the iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe – one of the official cases Apple is expected to launch for the new handset (and which it already offers for the iPhone 16 Pro).
As per images posted by tipsters @MajinBuOfficial and @SonnyDickson, there will be some tweaks to the design. Less of the case will be transparent, with a panel covering most of the back of the phone and hiding the MagSafe connectors.
We can also see there's a bigger cut-out for the cameras at the top, backing up the leaked renders we've seen of the redesign of this phone. The Apple logo also gets shifted down so it's in the center of the space below the cameras.
It also looks as though the case will support the new Crossbody Strap accessory that's been rumored, which lets you carry your iPhone with a magnetic lanyard. In a little over a week, we'll know for sure what Apple has been working on.
You might also like- New phishing campaign found targeting Google Classroom users
- CheckPoint has detected and blocked the sites
- Hackers often use legitimate services to disguise their attacks
New research by Check Point has revealed a large-scale social engineering campaign which sees hackers using Google Classroom to victimize students and educators across the world.
A range of industries and companies were targeted in five coordinated waves of attack containing over 115,000 phishing emails aimed at 13,500 organizations, with fake invitations sent promoting ‘commercial offers’ such as SEO services or product pitches.
The attack often goes undetected by security software because it piggybacks on Google Classroom’s legitimate infrastructure, bypassing traditional defenses, the experts warned.
Phishing protectionsTo protect against attacks such as these, CheckPoint reaffirms the need for robust training for employees and members of your organization - and warns users to be very cautious of unexpected invitations or communications.
“This incident underscores the importance of multi-layered defenses,” CheckPoint’s statement confirms. “Attackers are increasingly weaponizing legitimate cloud services—making traditional email gateways insufficient to stop evolving phishing tactics."
The research also recommends using AI-powered detection to analyze content, to extend social engineering protections beyond just messaging and SaaS services, and to continuously monitor cloud applications.
Criminals often utilize legitimate platforms and services to distribute social engineering attacks or malware because it can help to evade detections. Earlier in 2025, hackers were observed bypassing security tools by mimicking legitimate login pages and stealing Microsoft credentials.
Microsoft’s Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) connects an organization’s internal systems to Microsoft services. In this campaign, malvertising was used to distribute the phishing attack - and since the attack didn’t rely on email, traditional email security filters weren’t effective.
Although social engineering attacks can be potent and convincing, they do primarily rely on human error to be effective - which means that being wary and ensuring all members of your organization are sufficiently trained and tested in spotting attacks is the most effective defense.
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- Google warns Salesloft attack may have compromised Workspace accounts and Salesforce instances
We've still got a few days until The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 9 is released (September 3), but luckily, Prime Video has given us an entirely new trailer (which you can catch below) for the final three episodes of the season. Belly (Lola Tung) is set to have her Emily in Paris moment, fleeing to the city after her wedding to Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) fell through at the last minute.
Not to be a hater, but this is exactly what I wanted to happen anyway. The only way Belly was going to turn her life around was to ditch the boys she's been yearning for – but that doesn't mean they won't be following her to Paris in some form. In fact, I think the new trailer tells us exactly how the love triangle is going to shake out.
At the end of season 3 episode 8, Belly spots Conrad (Christopher Briney) at the airport, after spending her entire bachelorette and pre-wedding prep pining for him (and then denying her feelings to anyone who asks). The closing moments set the scene for the start of a new romantic love affair, with the pair whisked away to Europe to start afresh.
I don't think this will happen in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 9, and two details in the final trailer prove me right... and I love being right.
The final trailer for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 9 proves Belly is imagining Conrad at the airportThe first clue is that Conrad is obviously completely missing from the above trailer, much like Jeremiah. Instead, the emphasis is place on Belly rediscovering who she actually is away from the drama, introducing brand-new characters as she begins to make friends as part of a study abroad scheme.
This only proves my theory of Conrad being a fantasy at the airport right, conjured in Belly mind's of what she wants to see, not who is actually there. I'd put good money on episode 9 opening with Belly looking at Conrad, a figure walking in front of him before his face changes completely, revealed as a stranger who merely looks similar.
The second clue is what we see at the end of the trailer. As Belly arrives back home to her new French pad, she finds a letter from Conrad on the doorstep. That's right, people – his letters are likely to be even more emotional than the one we've already seen from his mom. It's a touch that indicates the kind of person he is, as if routinely going out of his way to make Belly's life better (like the peach stand scene) didn't already tell us.
Writing a letter instead of texting or emailing is the hit of old-school romance we sorely want from the hit Amazon show, completely buying into Belly's visions of a love affair for the ages. It also keeps him at the perfect distance while she continues to find her feet, as well as padding out the remaining three episodes as far as they'll stretch.
I think we're also going to see Belly forcing herself into imagining Jeremiah was there with her, prolonging the inevitable even further. I'm just grateful we're getting a proper break from her indecision in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 9... I'm fed up screaming at the TV for her to put herself first.
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- Study finds 96% of SMBs agree tech could help them reach new markets
- AI, digital marketing and ecommerce offer the biggest opportunities
- High costs and limited budgets highlight the need for removed barriers
Nearly all (96%) of the small and medium-sized businesses surveyed in a recent study by Shopify agree technology will help them to reach new markets in the next 12 months - but key hurdles are preventing them from full success.
Unsurprisingly, AI tools topped the list, with 43% seeing it as the most helpful for global expansion, but many raised cash concerns.
High costs and limited budgets (44%) and uncertainty around ROI (30%) are currently preventing SMBs from full rollout, while larger cash-backed enterprises are accelerating with a more trial-and-error approach.
SMBs are more cautious about tech rolloutsWith larger companies proving that artificial intelligence investments can bring huge rewards, one in three (35%) UK SMBs are now taking more risks to gain an edge in a competitive landscape, with previous caution highlighting a gap between ambition and execution.
Shopify Head of Northern Europe Partnerships Matthias Kleven said: “SMBs are ready to innovate – but need clear pathways, affordable tools, and measurable outcomes to fully commit.”
Digital marketing tools (38%) and ecommerce platforms (36%) also emerged as key areas for investment among UK SMBs, with around three in five agreeing that their own website allows for more personalized marketing strategies (57%) and allows them to build an emotional connection with customers (63%).
What the study fails to note is the type of AI that’s helping SMBs the most – customer-facing AI like chatbots and personalized marketing have the potential to create more tailored experiences, but automation and predictive analytics can help businesses do more with their data.
Looking ahead, SMBs could pilot technologies they’re not already using in certain areas to gauge ROI before fully deploying, taking lessons from larger enterprises that have already made these types of investments.
Shopify is also calling for the removal of barriers, enabling business owners to more easily access tech that delivers value.
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- The developers of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle have discussed its upcoming DLC in a new interview
- The Order of the Giants will feature a dynamic difficulty level that will scale based on your progress in the main game
- The expansion will be integrated into the existing Vatican level
The Indiana Jones and the Great Circle developers have discussed the game's upcoming downloadable content (DLC) in a new interview.
In a conversation with IGN, creative director Axel Torvenius and lead game designer Zeke Virant revealed that the The Order of the Giants DLC will adapt its difficulty level depending on your progress in the main game.
Set in the Vatican location, it will be smartly integrated in the game's existing content.
"The conventional way of doing DLC is to add something that stands after, or a miniature game on the side, but we didn't really feel that that was the best," Torvenius said.
According to the developers, implementing the expansion in this way was a challenge but it should make for a smoother experience for all players, no matter where they are in the game.
"Players who are at the end of the game don't need to worry about the difficulty as actually we have a new system in place where players are dynamically scaled based on how far they progressed," Virant said.
"We know a lot of players are coming back from the endgame and would like to have a continuation of that difficulty, especially if they have health upgrades and a lot of abilities.
"If you've progressed to the Vatican but you haven't gotten to Giza yet, we keep it on a first tier of difficulty," he added. "If you've gotten to Giza, then we adjust it up to a second tier. And then once you've gotten to Sukhothai, we adjust to a third tier."
This will impact things like the amount of health each enemy has, in addition to how many will attack at one time.
As someone who first played the game back at launch, I've been raring for an excuse for a new playthrough and The Order of the Giants sounds perfect. Now that I know I won't be experiencing the DLC at a disadvantage on a fresh save, there's no reason not to pull the trigger.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is available now on PC, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PlayStation 5. A Nintendo Switch 2 port is also on the way.
You might also like...- Team Cherry has confirmed price and release time for Hollow Knight Silksong on September 4
- Expect to pay just $19.99 (around £19.99) for the upcoming game
- It'll be playable in the morning in the US, and in the afternoon for UK players
Developer Team Cherry has confirmed both the price and release timing for Hollow Knight: Silksong, which (and it still feels unreal to type this) is launching this week on September 4.
A couple days back, US retailer GameStop had leaked the price of the game (via PC Gamer), suggesting it was going to cost just $20.
Now, Team Cherry has taken to Bluesky to officially confirm this will indeed be the case. Silksong will launch at $19.99 and, while Team Cherry didn't highlight a UK price, we can likely expect it to be £19.99 in the region.
Four days until release! Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available on 4th September.Release times:7AM PT | 10AM ET | 4PM CEST | 11PM JSTGame price:USD $19.99 | EUR €19.99 | JPY ¥2300
— @teamcherry.bsky.social (@teamcherry.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-09-01T11:06:14.563ZThe Aussie developer also locked in global release times for Hollow Knight: Silksong, and thankfully, we won't need to wait until stupid-o-clock to play on September 4. Depending on your region, the game will be playable at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST / 4pm CEST / 11pm JST / 12am AEST (on September 5).
And if you're wondering what all the fuss is about, the original Hollow Knight is currently half price on Steam, where it's currently available for the price of a lunch. You wouldn't be alone in that either, as the game impressively reached an all-time peak concurrent player count of 70,000 just yesterday according to SteamDB.
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