2degrees AI Experiment Boosts Tool Use 400%, Saves 3000 Staff Hours Monthly

Several companies and organizations are advancing AI innovation through hands-on experimentation and strategic investments. New Zealand's 2degrees conducted a month-long AI initiative, engaging over 1500 employees in events and hackathons, resulting in AI tools to enhance business processes such as sales support. Meta Platforms acquired AI chip startup Rivos Inc. to reduce reliance on Nvidia and accelerate its AI infrastructure development, reflecting a $72 billion capital expenditure focus on AI and data centers. At TM Forum’s DTW 2025, Celfocus emphasized the shift from initial generative AI to Agentic AI for more autonomous operations in telecommunications, highlighting challenges like hallucinations and the need for integrated solutions. Broader AI adoption is also seen in consumer tech with OpenAI, Meta, and startups launching new AI-powered features, alongside significant investments in AI infrastructure and chips, despite ongoing cybersecurity concerns. Additionally, economic experts stress the necessity of comprehensive frameworks to understand AI’s transformative societal and economic impacts, cautioning against unprepared rapid adoption and highlighting debates on job displacement and policies like universal basic income.