Anthropic has employed the classic Game Boy game Pokémon Red to test its latest AI model, Claude 3.7 Sonnet. Unlike its predecessor, Claude 3.0 Sonnet, which struggled to leave the starting area, the updated model successfully battled three gym leaders, demonstrating impressive progress. Equipped with basic memory, screen pixel input, and function calls, Claude 3.7 Sonnet leveraged “extended thinking” to perform 35,000 actions and achieve significant milestones. The company revealed that within hours, the AI defeated Brock and subsequently conquered Misty, showcasing its advanced problem-solving capabilities. Pokémon Red joins a range of games now used to assess AI performance

New research reveals that 58% of businesses are adopting AI due to competitive pressure. The “Impact of Technology on the Workplace” report surveyed over 1,000 executives and found that most companies fear being left behind if they don’t invest in AI. Other motivators include pressure from investors (41%) and stakeholders (30%). Currently, AI is mainly used for written tasks, data analysis, and customer support. While AI offers benefits like increased productivity, the report warns of potential downsides such as job losses as automation increases.

Amazon has announced Alexa+, a new AI-powered virtual assistant that promises enhanced conversational abilities and expanded capabilities. According to Amazon’s SVP of Devices & Services Panos Panay, Alexa+ leverages generative AI to offer more natural interactions, deeper personalization, and improved task completion across various services and devices. The upgraded assistant will be available for free to Prime members and $19.99/month for others. Alexa+ aims to seamlessly integrate into users’ lives, managing homes, making reservations, and even navigating the internet autonomously.

Over 20% of businesses are now spending between $50,000 and $100,000 annually on AI, with 9% investing over $500,000. It represents a rapid growth in AI adoption and expenditure compared to previous years, highlighting both the benefits and risks associated with this trend. Most businesses report satisfaction with their AI investments, citing high returns. However, concerns remain about cybersecurity and policy gaps.

SnapLogic’s recent report “AI Agents: The Final Frontier of the Enterprise” reveals that 84% of IT leaders trust AI agents equally or more than humans. The study, which surveyed over 1,000 IT decision-makers across four countries, shows high confidence in AI agents’ ability to deliver business outcomes. Despite widespread interest, only 50% of organizations are currently using or planning to implement AI agents due to concerns about data security and integration challenges. The report highlights the potential of AI agents to transform enterprises while identifying key barriers to adoption.