Google previews new AI robotics models
Read the latest news as Google unveils innovative AI models that enable robots to perform a wider range of real-world tasks
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The latest news in artificial intelligence (AI) including research, releases and partnerships.
This week features:
- Google unveils new AI robotics models
- SAP chief AI officer: AI agents are driving return on investment
- CFOs plan to accelerate growth by increasing AI investment
- UiPath acquires Peak to launch specialized AI agents
- Pipefy adds AI agents to process automation solution
Google unveils new AI robotics models
Google has previewed its latest ventures in AI-powered robotics, unveiling two new models which run on its Gemini 2.0 AI platform. The first is Gemini Robotics, an advanced vision-language-action (VLA) model that was built on Gemini 2.0 with the addition of physical actions as a new output modality for the purpose of directly controlling robots. The second is Gemini Robotics-ER, a Gemini model with advanced spatial understanding, enabling roboticists to run their own programs using Gemini’s embodied reasoning abilities.
“Both of these models enable a variety of robots to perform a wider range of real-world tasks than ever before,” the firm stated. In a video demonstration, Google DeepMind researchers demonstrated robots performing tasks such as packing lunchboxes and dunking toy basketballs in response to human commands, as well as adapting to changing environmental situations.
Google also announced a partnership with robotics developer Apptronik to build newer models.
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SAP chief AI officer: AI agents are driving return on investment
SAP’s AI-first strategy and AI agents are delivering key benefits and return on investment (ROI) for clients, according to Philipp Herzig, global chief AI officer and chief technology officer (CTO) at SAP Global.
Speaking to CNBC, Herzig said that SAP now boasts more than 34,000 enterprise customers using its AI capabilities across departments – from HR and finance to supply chain and procurement. “Even without agents we’re seeing [AI] efficiency and productivity gains between 10 and 20 percent,” Herzig said.
SAP is seeing “massive adoption” of AI – with the technology the biggest interest and growth area among its customers, Herzig stated. “If you look at our financial numbers from Q4, there’s a massive gain there.” SAP’s AI offerings – which are “deeply embedded” into business processes – are “exactly what more and more customers are looking for versus building them themselves,” according to Herzig. Building AI tools themselves requires businesses to invest heavily upfront before they can reap the benefits, he added.
“Now of course we make the next leap forward with AI agents – not just generating content with the help of generative AI or making predictions with the help of time serious models – but actually taking action.” AI agents can make a decision, and then together with humans, automate the entire process, Herzing concluded.
Watch Andreas Welsch, author of the AI Leadership Handbook, discuss getting started with agentic AI
CFOs plan to accelerate growth by increasing AI investment
Most chief financial officers (CFOs) intend to accelerate growth by increasing investment in AI adoption in the next 12 months, according to the 2025 CFO Outlook Survey from BDO. Companies will continue to pursue generative AI through a variety of strategies in the year ahead, the research found.
Some organizations are developing proprietary platforms (21 percent), while others are exploring third-party solutions (32 percent). Despite the continued interest in AI, CFOs cite challenges like employee adoption, scaling and inadequate IT infrastructure as the most significant hurdles to successful AI implementation.
“Moving into 2025, it’s clear CFOs are not just adapting to change but are actively embracing it and helping shape their organization’s response,” said Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA. “The bold steps being taken in AI, workforce development and sustainable operations are not merely reactions to market pressures – they are strategic moves to refine and redefine how leaders are conducting business. By embracing innovation and prioritizing resilience, these leaders are setting a new trajectory for growth.”
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UiPath acquires Peak to launch specialized AI agents
Enterprise automation and AI software company UiPath announced the acquisition of Peak, an AI-native company, to launch “vertically specialized” agents within its agentic automation platform. Peak enables customers to develop AI workflows, process data and provide predictions that are used to optimize critical business processes through APIs or integrated web applications. It also provides a new breed of AI-based decisioning applications that enable business users to make highly complex decisions such as planning inventory and optimizing product pricing decisions.
“With the acquisition of Peak, we are accelerating our mission to strengthen our vertical AI solutions strategy,” said Daniel Dines, founder and CEO of UiPath. “When combined with the UiPath platform, Peak’s exceptional purpose-built AI applications will enhance our ability to provide solutions that optimize industry-specific use cases and deliver incredible value to customers.”
Meanwhile, UiPath announced a free trial of Automation Cloud Public Sector to help government agencies address operational challenges and drive productivity improvements.
Watch Tyrone Smith Jr, program faculty member/adjunct associate professor at University of Southern California (USC) and founding member of Society of People Analytics, reflect on building trust in AI
Pipefy adds AI agents to process automation solution
Process automation platform provider Pipefy revealed the addition of AI agents to its solution to facilitate manual and repetitive processes within companies’ workflows. Pipefy AI agents are AI-based systems that can be autonomous or supervised and are designed to perform tasks, make decisions and interact with the environment independently, according to a press release. The AI agents leverage advanced algorithms and natural language, adapting to users’ behavior to deliver precise results, it added.
“A decade ago, when we started, automating workflows took weeks, sometimes months, and required specialized teams,” commented Alessio Alionço, founder and CEO of Pipefy. “Now, business teams can create, adjust and implement solutions in hours, maybe even minutes. The current challenge is to bridge the gap between AI's technical potential and companies' openness to adopting it. With AI agents, we aim for that.”
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