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  • OFSS Shares Slide as Oracle Flags Power Delays at Project Jupiter AI Campus

    OFSS Shares Slide as Oracle Flags Power Delays at Project Jupiter AI Campus

    Oracle Financial Services Software (OFSS) shares fell more than 5% intraday on Friday, September 25, after parent Oracle issued a force majeure notice covering possible power delays at its Project Jupiter data center in New Mexico. The campus is intended to provide AI computing capacity for OpenAI.

    The stock touched Rs. 10,332 on the National Stock Exchange before recovering to Rs. 10,572, down 3.2% for the session. For the week, OFSS was down about 11%, putting it on track for its steepest weekly decline since January 2025, when it fell more than 12%.

    Why Oracle issued the notice

    Blue Owl’s STACK Infrastructure is developing the 1,400-acre Jupiter campus in Doña Ana County. A person familiar with the agreement told Reuters that Oracle issued the notice because of possible delays in securing power. Under the contract, Oracle is responsible for arranging power for the site.

    Bloomberg reported that Oracle aims to delay certain payments if Jupiter misses its planned 2028 opening. Oracle is not seeking to exit as the campus’s main tenant, and a person familiar with the agreement said the company cannot terminate the lease.

    Oracle said Jupiter remains on its planned schedule. Blue Owl said the notice does not change the companies’ financial commitments. Both companies maintain they remain committed to the project.

    Financing and project pressures

    Jupiter has already faced setbacks involving a planned natural gas pipeline and challenges related to water and air-quality permits. The campus is part of Stargate, the AI infrastructure initiative involving OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank and other partners. Securing power remains a key step toward opening the facility.

    Blue Owl has about $3 billion of equity in Jupiter, while Oracle is responsible for debt costs, according to a person familiar with the agreement. Blue Owl earns a lower return during construction and expects a higher return after completion. A later opening would push back the start of those higher payments.

    Concerns about financing have also weighed on the project. Last week, banks quoted about $18 billion in loans tied to the campus at 89 to 91 cents on the dollar, as worries about Oracle’s borrowing and site setbacks made the debt harder to sell to investors.

    Near-term revenue impact

    Brokerage William Blair expects limited near-term effects on Oracle despite the power and regulatory concerns. It said Jupiter will contribute no revenue in Oracle’s fiscal 2027, leaving that year’s revenue unaffected by the campus’s delivery timetable.

    The notice has renewed attention on the costs and schedules behind large AI data centers. It does not indicate that OpenAI has reduced its demand for computing capacity. For OFSS, the development added to a week of sharp share losses as investors track Jupiter’s power supply and its planned 2028 opening.

  • Quantum Computing Becomes a Regulatory Priority for EU Banks and Crypto Custodians

    Quantum Computing Becomes a Regulatory Priority for EU Banks and Crypto Custodians

    The European Union’s three financial supervisors have added quantum computing to their autumn 2026 risk assessment, expanding regulatory attention on how banks, exchanges, and custodians prepare for future cryptographic threats.

    The European Banking Authority, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and the European Securities and Markets Authority issued the assessment through their Joint Committee on September 23. Core findings had already reached the EU Economic and Financial Committee’s Financial Stability Table on September 10.

    The update places quantum computing alongside two other major concerns: reliance on providers and infrastructure outside the EU, and rapid growth in private credit markets.

    Why quantum risk matters for finance

    Supervisors said quantum computing could transform several areas of finance, including process optimization, fraud detection, compliance monitoring, pricing, and financial simulations. Yet the same technology could weaken cryptographic systems that institutions use at scale to protect communications, transactions, databases, and blockchains.

    The assessment does not claim that quantum computers can currently break Bitcoin, Ethereum, or modern financial encryption. Nor does it describe an active quantum attack on European financial infrastructure. Instead, it focuses on preparation for a potential technological shift.

    ‘Harvest now, decrypt later’ raises the stakes

    A central concern is timing. The supervisors warned that quantum risks could emerge before commercially viable quantum applications become widely available, creating a security challenge before many firms gain practical economic benefits from the technology.

    The threat also extends beyond future data. Attackers could collect encrypted information today and attempt to decode it years later when stronger computers become available—a method known as “harvest now, decrypt later.” Information intercepted now could therefore face future exposure if it retains financial or security value for many years.

    Existing EU rules push cryptographic migration

    European rules already provide a framework for dealing with emerging technology risks. The Digital Operational Resilience Act requires financial entities to use state-of-the-art cryptography against developing threats. The EU’s NIS Cooperation Group has also recommended that member states adopt a post-quantum cryptography migration strategy by the end of 2026.

    The September risk update arrives during a broader push toward digital resilience. On September 23, ESMA also named digital innovation as a new supervisory priority beginning in 2027.

    Bitcoin exposure illustrates the preparation gap

    For blockchain networks, some exposure can already be measured. Glassnode reported in May that 6.04 million BTC had public keys visible on-chain, representing 30.2% of Bitcoin’s issued supply. Glassnode valued those coins at more than $469 billion at the time of its assessment.

    According to the risk discussion, those visible public keys could become potential targets if a sufficiently advanced quantum computer gained the ability to defeat the cryptography protecting them. Such exposure would not necessarily require holders to make a new transaction.

    Estimates for so-called Q-Day—the point when quantum computers could break cryptographic protections underpinning networks including Bitcoin and Ethereum—vary. The material cited ranges from 2030 to 2032 and later.

    What it means for investors and custody providers

    For investors, the September assessment does not change the status of existing holdings today. It does, however, change the standards against which exchanges, banks, and custodians can increasingly be measured.

    Users can examine whether custody providers track post-quantum risks, maintain cryptographic migration plans, and explain how they intend to adapt security systems. Those checks rely on current provider practices rather than waiting for quantum technology to reach cryptographic-breaking capability.

    Bottom line

    EU supervisors now treat quantum computing as a financial security risk that requires preparation rather than immediate alarm. DORA and the 2026 migration timeline add pressure for stronger planning, while Bitcoin’s visible public-key exposure shows why crypto custodians must prepare before quantum capabilities mature.

  • Air India Shareholders Greenlight Rs. 17.74 Crore Payout for Departing CEO Campbell Wilson

    Air India Shareholders Greenlight Rs. 17.74 Crore Payout for Departing CEO Campbell Wilson

    Air India shareholders have approved a Rs. 17.74 crore cash payout for outgoing chief executive officer Campbell Wilson. The amount includes Rs. 15.24 crore in lieu of shares due under a long-term incentive plan and a separate Rs. 2.5 crore reward for fiscal year 2025, as reported by Business Standard. The approval comes as the airline prepares for a leadership change after a year of widening losses.

    Why Did Air India Approve the Cash Payout?

    Shareholders Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines approved the revised terms at Air India’s annual general meeting on August 10. The Rs. 15.24 crore portion replaces shares Wilson was entitled to receive under the airline’s long-term incentive plan for FY23 through FY25. Under the original terms, shares would have made up half of that incentive.

    Air India’s board approved the cash replacement and the Rs. 2.5 crore one-time reward on May 7, following a recommendation from its nomination and remuneration committee. The company then sought shareholder approval because the changes differed from Wilson’s previously approved pay terms.

    The approval establishes the amount Wilson can receive, but it does not confirm payment. Moneycontrol said it could not independently verify whether Air India had disbursed the money. The August resolution covers incentives through FY25 and does not disclose a similar cash replacement or one-time reward for FY26.

    How Was Wilson’s Pay Structured?

    Wilson became Air India’s CEO and managing director in July 2022, after the Tata Group acquired the airline from the government. His initial annual compensation was set at Rs. 21.5 crore for three years. That package included Rs. 8.5 crore in fixed pay, a potential Rs. 6.5 crore annual bonus, and Rs. 6.5 crore under the long-term incentive plan.

    A revised package effective April 2025 allowed annual compensation of up to Rs. 27.75 crore. It comprised Rs. 11.1 crore in fixed pay, about Rs. 8.32 crore in a performance-linked bonus, and a similar amount in long-term incentives. These figures describe his pay arrangements; they do not establish how much he received in any given year.

    Air India’s FY26 annual report did not give a separate breakdown of Wilson’s remuneration. It showed that salaries and allowances for all key managerial personnel rose from Rs. 29.9 crore in FY25 to Rs. 39.9 crore in FY26. That group includes Wilson, the chief financial officer, and the company secretary.

    What Happened During Wilson’s Final Year?

    Air India’s consolidated loss more than doubled to Rs. 22,238 crore in FY26 from Rs. 10,859 crore in FY25. Consolidated revenue fell to Rs. 71,870 crore from Rs. 78,636 crore. Both figures include Air India Express. Passenger numbers also declined, from 43.8 million to 36 million.

    In its annual report, the airline said airspace closures, longer flight times, payload restrictions, and geopolitical volatility affected long-haul operations. It also cited U.S. visa and tariff constraints. Following the June 2025 crash of flight AI171 near Ahmedabad, Air India paused some operations for safety checks and reviews.

    During Wilson’s tenure, Air India placed orders for 600 aircraft, including a 470-plane order in 2023. The airline announced his resignation on April 7, 2026, and named former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as its next CEO and managing director on August 5. Wilson’s appointment had originally been due to run until July 2027.

  • Ethereum Pushes Toward $2,800 as Five-Day Spot ETF Inflow Streak Signals Demand

    Ethereum Pushes Toward $2,800 as Five-Day Spot ETF Inflow Streak Signals Demand

    Ethereum Outpaces Broader Crypto Market

    Ethereum climbed 3.36% in 24 hours to $2,737.26, according to the market data cited in the report. That gain topped the 2.49% advance in the wider crypto market by 0.87 percentage points, showing ETH attracting stronger demand than the broader digital-asset complex.

    Even with the move, Ethereum remained below $2,800, a level it briefly approached earlier in the week. The token had traded near $2,804 before slipping back under $2,800 and falling to about $2,680. It later recovered to roughly $2,730, keeping the $2,800 zone in focus.

    Spot Ethereum ETFs Extend Inflow Streak to Five Sessions

    U.S. spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds pulled in $66.1 million in net inflows on Sept. 24, based on Farside Investors data. The funds have now recorded positive flows in every session since Sept. 18, bringing the five-day total to $746.5 million.

    The daily pace has cooled from the $270 million added on Sept. 21. Investors put in $162.2 million on Sept. 22 and $104.5 million on Sept. 23 before the Sept. 24 figure. Even with the slower run rate, the streak points to continued appetite for Ethereum investment products while ETH trades near $2,700.

    BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale Lead Sept. 24 Flows

    BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust, ticker ETHA, brought in $26.8 million on Sept. 24. Fidelity’s Ethereum fund added $21.5 million, and Grayscale’s Ethereum Mini Trust took in $17.8 million. Farside’s data puts ETHA’s cumulative net inflows above $13.2 billion.

    Altcoins Rally Alongside ETH

    The CoinMarketCap Altcoin Season Index rose 9.62% to 57 in the market snapshot used for the report. Chainlink gained 14.55%, while Quant jumped 36.11%. Those moves came as traders increased exposure to altcoins during the same session that Ethereum outperformed the broader market.

    Can ETH Reclaim $2,800?

    Traders are watching the $2,775 to $2,825 range. A sustained break above that band would bring higher price levels back into view. A technical analyst outlook cited in the report identifies $2,920 as the next level to watch after a daily close above $2,800, with $3,177 as a further upside target.

    On the downside, the outlook places initial support near $2,626, within a wider support area that extends to $2,440. A move below $2,626 would shift attention toward the lower end of that range.

    Traders Union analyst Viktoras Karapetjanc tied his positive view to ETF demand, while adding the condition that key support levels hold. For now, $2,800 remains the immediate price test for ETH after its earlier retreat from that level.

    What to Watch Next

    ETF flow data will show whether the five-session inflow run continues. Ethereum’s ability to close above $2,800 on a daily basis could set up a test of $2,920, while a drop below $2,626 would put the focus back on support near $2,440.

  • XRP Ledger Stablecoin Market Cap Surpasses $1.159 Billion; RLUSD Leads with 92% Share as Permission Delegation Upgrade Nears Activation

    XRP Ledger Stablecoin Market Cap Surpasses $1.159 Billion; RLUSD Leads with 92% Share as Permission Delegation Upgrade Nears Activation

    XRP Ledger Stablecoin Market Cap Hits $1.159 Billion

    The XRP Ledger’s stablecoin market capitalization reached approximately $1.159 billion on September 25, after adding $67.12 million over the previous week, according to data from DefiLlama. Ripple USD (RLUSD) was the primary driver, accounting for $1.067 billion of the total — a dominant 92.1% share of the tracked stablecoin market on the network.

    RLUSD Continues to Dominate Stablecoin Growth

    RLUSD’s market cap on the XRP Ledger rose 11.55% over the past 30 days, outpacing the overall stablecoin market on the network, which expanded 9.8% in the same period. This growth further widened the gap between RLUSD and its competitors. For example, USDC’s tracked market cap on XRPL dropped 21.86% over the month to approximately $4.62 million, although it rebounded 6.71% in the latest week — just above RLUSD’s 6.69% weekly increase. Other stablecoins also saw declines: Valtorum USD fell 7.03% to $72.77 million, and EUR CoinVertible dropped 2.37% to around $11.37 million.

    These figures track only balances recorded on the XRP Ledger and do not represent each stablecoin’s total circulation across all supported blockchains. The data also does not confirm that holders exchanged USDC or other tokens directly for RLUSD; such movement would require transaction-level evidence.

    Stablecoin Growth Is Not Directly Tied to XRP Buying

    DefiLlama defines chain stablecoin market capitalization as the total tracked value of stablecoins on a blockchain, distinct from trading volume or DeFi deposits. Therefore, the $67.12 million weekly increase does not represent an equivalent amount of XRP purchases, nor does it confirm institutional investment without identifying the entities behind the balances. The available data shows RLUSD as the most tracked stablecoin on XRPL but does not reveal who holds the tokens or why balances grew.

    RLUSD is designed to maintain a one-dollar value, backed by segregated cash and cash-equivalent reserves. It operates on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum, meaning the $1.067 billion figure only reflects the portion on XRPL. Ripple notes that RLUSD targets payments, settlements, and treasury flows, while XRP remains XRPL’s native cryptocurrency with a market-determined price.

    XRPL Upgrade Targets Institutional Permission Controls

    The XRP Ledger is approaching a second attempt at the PermissionDelegationV1_1 amendment, which entered a 14-day activation countdown on September 21 after 29 of 35 trusted validators signaled support. If validator support holds at or above the required 80% threshold, the amendment could activate on October 5.

    This feature would allow account owners to delegate specific actions — such as transaction processing — without granting full control over the account. Each delegate can receive up to 10 permissions, and the main account can revoke them at any time. For example, a payments desk could be authorized to process transactions without the ability to change critical security settings. Stablecoin issuers and custodians could use internet-connected systems for daily operations while keeping higher-level account keys offline.

    The amendment replaces an earlier version that was rejected by validators after a community tester discovered a flaw on a testnet. The flaw allowed an attacker to make another account pay fees for improperly signed transactions, potentially draining XRP through repeated transaction charges. The revised amendment, included in xrpld 3.3.0, changes how the network handles unauthorized transactions, preventing fee charges before signature verification.

    Conclusion

    The XRP Ledger’s stablecoin market capitalization has reached $1.159 billion, with RLUSD commanding a 92.1% share. Meanwhile, the PermissionDelegationV1_1 amendment, which introduces more granular account controls, is on track for possible activation on October 5 after developers fixed a security flaw in the earlier version.

  • Reliance Digital Deal: Get iPhone 17 Pro for Just Rs. 56,990

    Reliance Digital Deal: Get iPhone 17 Pro for Just Rs. 56,990

    Reliance Digital has launched a compelling promotional offer on the iPhone 17 Pro, reducing its effective price to just Rs. 56,990 for eligible buyers in India. The deal also applies to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which can drop to Rs. 71,990 under similar terms. The promotion, announced on September 23 shortly after Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 series, combines store discounts, exchange bonuses, and bank cashback to deliver substantial savings.

    The iPhone 17 Pro 256GB model carries an MRP of Rs. 1,34,900. Reliance Digital is offering an upfront in-store discount of Rs. 9,910, bringing the base price down before additional benefits. Customers can then leverage the SwapEasy exchange program to trade in their old devices and receive up to Rs. 55,000, depending on the model and condition. An additional exchange bonus of up to Rs. 10,000 further sweetens the deal. Select bank cardholders can also enjoy cashback of up to Rs. 3,000, making the total savings significant.

    The same offer structure applies to the iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB, which has an MRP of Rs. 1,49,900. After applying all eligible benefits, the effective price falls to Rs. 71,990. Actual savings may vary based on the trade-in value of the exchanged phone and the buyer’s eligibility for bank offers. Customers can get a real-time estimate of their exchange value through the SwapEasy tool before finalizing the purchase.

    The promotion is available across Reliance Digital stores, MyJio stores, the Reliance Digital website, and JioMart. All color variants of both iPhone 17 Pro models are reportedly in stock with no waitlists. The retailer also supports no-cost EMI options to further ease the purchase. “Your reason to go Pro just got bigger,” Reliance Digital said while announcing the deal, emphasizing the combination of exchange value, bonuses, cashback, and flexible payment options.

    It is important to note that the offer does not represent a permanent price cut. The standard MRPs remain Rs. 1,34,900 for the iPhone 17 Pro and Rs. 1,49,900 for the Pro Max. Interested buyers should verify exchange values, bank eligibility, and offer terms before purchasing.

  • Halo’s Next Chapter: Microsoft Transfers Development to Activision After Studio Layoffs

    Halo’s Next Chapter: Microsoft Transfers Development to Activision After Studio Layoffs

    Microsoft is reshaping its approach to the beloved Halo franchise. Following the latest round of Xbox layoffs, Halo Studios—formerly known as 363 Studios—has seen its workforce reduced to approximately 30 employees. Reports indicate this diminished team will continue to support the existing Halo community and assist with other Xbox projects, while the responsibility for developing the next mainline Halo game has been handed over to Activision, the publisher behind Call of Duty.

    According to sources, Halo Studios recently presented an updated vision for Halo 7 to Xbox executives. The proposed title was set to include a campaign, player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) multiplayer modes, along with Forge—the iconic in-game creation tool that lets players build custom multiplayer maps and game modes. The studio was also reportedly exploring remakes of Halo 2 and Halo 3, as well as a standalone spinoff based on the novel First Strike. However, the layoffs have cast uncertainty over these projects.

    Activision is forming a dedicated Halo team rather than redirecting resources from its existing Call of Duty studios. Activision president Rob Kostich stated, “For Halo, our goal is clear: make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place. It is a bold ambition, one that this franchise deserves. We have already begun assembling a purpose-built team, unique in capability and talent, ready and excited to deliver this next chapter with the community.”

    This strategic move marks a significant departure from the long-standing model where Halo Studios served as the franchise’s primary developer. For Microsoft, consolidating resources across fewer teams aligns with a broader restructuring of its AAA game development. Activision already coordinates multiple studios for Call of Duty, enabling large-scale projects to share production staff and resources—a blueprint that may now benefit Halo.

    Xbox is similarly merging other development groups: Playground Games and Turn 10 now collaborate on Forza and Fable titles, while Bethesda has assumed a larger role in major projects. The Halo transition underscores Microsoft’s new focus on shared resources and flexible studio assignments, signaling that even its most iconic franchises may no longer remain confined to a single studio throughout their lifecycle.

  • MeetKai Deploys NVIDIA-Based Sovereign AI Across Six Nations, Reaching Over 700 Million People

    MeetKai Deploys NVIDIA-Based Sovereign AI Across Six Nations, Reaching Over 700 Million People

    MeetKai has officially launched its sovereign AI platform, powered entirely by NVIDIA accelerated computing, across six countries. The rollout targets Brazil, Ukraine, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh, collectively covering more than 700 million individuals. The platform allows governments and enterprises to run AI models locally on their own infrastructure, reducing reliance on foreign cloud services.

    MeetKai Expands Sovereign AI Infrastructure

    The initiative centers on data sovereignty, enabling nations to deploy AI systems within their own borders. By minimizing dependence on overseas cloud providers, MeetKai gives countries greater control over AI model training, deployment, and data management. The company also plans to support local AI skill development and offer secure, air-gapped deployments for sensitive government and enterprise use cases.

    Ukraine and Brazil Projects Lead the Rollout

    In Ukraine, MeetKai is partnering with Kyivstar to build a national-scale AI factory. This project is designed to establish self-contained AI infrastructure that meets national security and operational requirements. In Brazil, MeetKai secured a public tender with SERPRO, the federal data processing service, marking a critical milestone in its sovereign AI expansion across these six markets.

    NVIDIA Technology at the Core

    Every component of MeetKai’s sovereign AI platform is built on NVIDIA accelerated computing. The infrastructure supports local AI model deployment while enabling governments and businesses to maintain full control over their data and workloads. MeetKai also hinted at future expansion into African markets, where it intends to leverage NVIDIA technology for additional sovereign AI deployments.

    The six-country launch underscores a growing global focus on sovereign AI infrastructure, as governments and enterprises seek to develop local capabilities and reduce dependence on overseas cloud systems.

  • China’s AI Film Industry Surges on Government Subsidies and Computing Power

    China’s AI Film Industry Surges on Government Subsidies and Computing Power

    China is making a significant push to dominate the AI-powered film and short-video industry, leveraging a powerful combination of government subsidies, cheap rent, and direct computing support. Cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing are at the forefront, offering incentives ranging from subsidized office space to cloud-based AI models and computing vouchers. This strategy is part of a wider national effort to build domestic AI industries through local technology clusters and government-backed financial assistance.

    Filmmakers Benefit from Government Incentives

    AI filmmaker Zhu Zhili, who chose Shenzhen two years ago for its technology ecosystem, says officials from cities across China regularly approach him about relocating his business. He operates his studio from a shared workspace supported by the Shenzhen government and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The incentives, he notes, include “cheap rent, living allowance and computing support,” which are crucial for lowering the barrier to entry for AI-generated content production.

    Production Costs Plummet

    The financial impact is stark. According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, the cost of producing AI short dramas dropped from around 5,000 yuan (USD 747) per minute to just a few hundred yuan during the first half of 2026. In another striking example, postgraduate film-directing student Pan Xiaojun in Hainan found that producing a conventional wedding scene cost about 60,000 yuan using traditional methods, but only 1,400 yuan using AI. This sharp reduction is giving independent filmmakers and smaller studios unprecedented room to experiment.

    New Concerns Emerge

    However, this rapid expansion is not without its challenges. The surge in AI-generated film and video is raising concerns over an oversupply of content, unresolved copyright issues, and the unauthorized use of actors’ likenesses. Questions are also emerging about long-term audience engagement with AI-generated films as the volume of such content continues to increase.

    China’s comprehensive approach—combining financial incentives, technology access, and local industrial support—is creating a powerful AI-focused film ecosystem. For filmmakers, cheaper production and government-backed infrastructure offer immense opportunities, even as the industry grapples with unresolved questions about ownership, rights, and sustainable audience demand.

  • Microsoft Unveils Revamped Copilot: AI Agents, Office Integration, and Code-Building Tools

    Microsoft Unveils Revamped Copilot: AI Agents, Office Integration, and Code-Building Tools

    Microsoft has launched a significantly updated version of its Copilot platform, integrating AI agents, enhanced Office capabilities, and a new code-building feature into a unified experience. The company positions this revamped Copilot as a central hub where users can ask questions, delegate complex tasks, create documents, and develop small software solutions using natural language.

    New Copilot Home Experience

    The update introduces three core capabilities: Home, Code, and Autopilot. Home merges Chat and Cowork into a single starting point, streamlining user interaction. Chat handles questions, lookups, and drafting, while Cowork manages multi-step tasks and delivers completed outcomes. Microsoft plans for Copilot to intelligently route requests to the appropriate mode—Chat, Cowork, or Code—without manual selection.

    Office functionality within Copilot enables users to create and edit Word documents, Excel workbooks, and PowerPoint presentations directly through the interface. Files remain editable and stay synchronized with their corresponding Microsoft 365 applications.

    Code Feature Empowers Non-Developers

    Microsoft’s new Code feature targets non-developers, allowing them to build purpose-built software by describing an app, tracker, dashboard, or workflow in natural language. Under the hood, Code leverages the same technology as GitHub Copilot and operates in a sandboxed environment. Solutions can include desktop widgets, interactive dashboards, and cloud-hosted internal applications.

    Code enters Microsoft’s Frontier program at the end of the month, with broader rollout in subsequent weeks. A preview is also scheduled for Microsoft 365 Premium and Pro subscribers later this year.

    Autopilot: Persistent AI Agent

    Autopilot (formerly Scout) is Microsoft’s persistent agent that continues working after a user assigns a goal. Users can name, role, and objective the agent, after which it monitors channels, follows up on conversations, and handles recurring tasks. The agent lives in the cloud with its own identity, memory, and workspace within an organization’s tenant. It works across Teams, Outlook, chats, channels, and documents, subject to permissions and auditing. Autopilot enters private preview at the end of September.

    Expanded Business Data and Spending Controls

    Microsoft is expanding Copilot’s access to business context through Microsoft IQ. Fabric IQ brings data from Power BI semantic models into Copilot, and integration with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform is planned for public preview. A new plugin registry consolidates Microsoft, partner, and custom plugins into one catalog for central admin approval.

    FinOps capabilities help manage AI spending. A user subscription license covers Copilot across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, with usage-based billing for Cowork, Code, and Autopilot. New administrative controls let organizations manage spending policies, model availability, and credit requests.