Tag: Businesses

Company Check : Businesses Choose Proxies As VPNs Face Rising Scrutiny

Posted on by Paul Stradling

A growing number of UK companies are moving away from VPNs and adopting proxy services instead, while regulatory pressures and changing business needs reshape the digital tools used for online operations.

Regulatory Drivers Behind the Shift

The trigger for this apparent trend has been the UK’s Online Safety Act, which came into force on 25 July 2025. The law requires platforms hosting user-generated content to carry out risk assessments, enforce strict age verification, and prevent users from bypassing restrictions. Ofcom, the regulator tasked with enforcement, has flagged VPNs as a potential loophole in these measures. This has left businesses increasingly wary about relying on them, even though the government has said there are no immediate plans to ban VPN services outright.

VPN usage in the UK has nevertheless surged in the wake of the Act. For example, figures show Proton VPN sign-ups rose by 1,800 per cent and Nord Security registrations climbed by 1,000 per cent in the days following the new rules, while VPN apps dominated the UK App Store rankings. However, what once looked like a straightforward privacy tool has now become a focal point for regulators. Companies that rely on VPNs for tasks such as market research, competitive analysis, or data collection are finding themselves exposed to new risks of compliance problems and potential scrutiny.

Proxy Demand Surge

This uncertainty has pushed many businesses to explore alternatives. Proxies, which route traffic through an intermediary server without encrypting it in the same way as a VPN, have emerged as a preferred option for a growing range of enterprises. Data from Decodo, a global proxy provider, shows UK proxy users have increased by 65 per cent since the Act was introduced, with proxy traffic rising by 88 per cent.

Industry leaders suggest this is not just a temporary workaround but a reflection of a more deliberate strategy. “Companies around the globe are getting smarter about how they operate in highly competitive landscapes. Instead of just picking the most popular tools, they’re choosing what actually works best for them,” said Vytautas Savickas, CEO at Decodo.

Examples of Proxy Providers

Several proxy companies now leading the market for UK businesses. For example, Oxylabs and Bright Data are recognised for their scale, offering millions of residential, datacentre, mobile and ISP IP addresses worldwide, including large UK pools. Decodo, formerly Smartproxy, has become popular for its balance of affordability and ease of use, while Webshare provides reliable service and even a free tier for smaller tasks. SOAX specialises in city-level targeting across the UK, making it useful for location-sensitive operations, while IPRoyal and Rampage Proxies are seen as accessible entry-level choices. Together, these firms illustrate how far the proxy market has developed, offering tools that range from budget options to enterprise-grade services.

How Much Do Proxies Cost?

Obviously, pricing for proxies varies depending on type, usage volume and provider. Just as an example, however, at the lower end, services like Rampage Proxies start around $1 per gigabyte for residential proxies, while SOAX charges about $3.60 per gigabyte on smaller plans, dropping to closer to $2.50 for high-volume commitments. Enterprise providers such as Oxylabs and Bright Data are typically in the $3–$4 per gigabyte range. In practical terms, this means a small business might spend £100–£300 per month, with medium-sized operations budgeting £300–£1,000, and large enterprises paying upwards of £1,200. By contrast, business VPNs usually charge per user, between $7 and $18 a month, which is cost-effective for secure team access but less suited to the high-volume, region-specific tasks where proxies are increasingly used.

Technical and Strategic Benefits

One reason proxies are becoming more attractive is the greater level of control they provide. VPNs typically encrypt traffic and route it through a single tunnel, which is valuable for privacy but less useful for certain business functions. Proxies, on the other hand, allow more granular routing and customisable access. This means organisations can target data collection by location, test region-specific websites, or monitor competitors without triggering the same kinds of red flags that VPN use often does.

For example, in eCommerce, proxies are being used for price tracking and ad verification, ensuring that online campaigns appear correctly in different regions. In finance and fintech, they help detect fraudulent activity by simulating access from multiple jurisdictions. In digital marketing, SEO teams rely on proxies to monitor search results from specific countries.

As Gabriele Verbickaitė, Product Marketing Manager at Decodo, explained: “More organisations in the UK are investing time in understanding the tools that power secure and efficient online operations. Most companies test out different solutions, providers, and do their research on proxies and VPNs, and they’re also making more informed, strategic choices.”

Innovative Proxy Types

It should also be noted here that the technology itself has matured rapidly. For example, modern proxy services are no longer niche or unstable tools but come bundled with enterprise-grade security features and user-friendly platforms. Companies can now choose from residential proxies, which mimic the IP addresses of home users, also mobile proxies, which use cellular networks, ISP proxies, which combine stability with speed, and datacentre proxies, which are optimised for scale and performance.

This variety gives firms options that align with their specific objectives. Residential and mobile proxies, for example, are harder to detect and block, making them useful for ad verification or web scraping. ISP and datacentre proxies, by contrast, are better suited to tasks requiring speed and high volumes of data. Vaidotas Juknys, Head of Commerce at Decodo, said: “UK businesses are quickly adopting proxy services, moving beyond simple VPNs to more advanced setups that offer greater control over their online activity. It’s no longer just about staying private – performance and reliability are now just as important.”

Security Trade-Offs

However, despite their appeal, proxies are not without risks. The key difference is that proxies do not encrypt traffic in the same way that VPNs do, leaving data potentially more exposed to interception or monitoring. For businesses dealing with sensitive information, this can create vulnerabilities if additional protections are not in place.

Free or poorly managed proxies pose even greater concerns. Studies have shown that many free proxy services are either unstable or actively malicious. Research published last year (University of Maryland and the Max Planck Institute for Informatics) found that only around 34.5 per cent of free proxies tested were active, with many exposing users to adware, credential theft, or malware. For this reason, security experts warn that firms should treat proxies as part of a broader, layered security strategy rather than a like-for-like replacement for VPNs.

At the same time, critics note that the rapid adoption of proxies could create its own regulatory flashpoints. Just as VPNs are being scrutinised for their role in bypassing restrictions, widespread proxy use may eventually attract similar attention. Privacy campaigners argue that this arms race between regulation and circumvention tools risks undermining trust in digital services altogether.

Some Key Challenges and Criticisms

The transition also raises some practical challenges. For example, businesses must ensure that the proxy providers they use have robust security and compliance standards. Unlike VPNs, which are relatively standardised, the proxy market is fragmented, with varying levels of reliability and transparency among providers. Companies that depend heavily on proxies for data-driven decision-making could find themselves exposed if those services are blocked, blacklisted, or compromised.

Another criticism is that while proxies offer technical advantages, they do not necessarily solve the deeper issues driving regulation in the first place. The Online Safety Act was designed to protect children and reduce harmful content online, yet businesses adopting proxies to sidestep VPN concerns may only be shifting the problem rather than addressing it.

These concerns highlight the complexity of the issue. On one side, businesses need practical tools to compete globally, collect data, and operate efficiently. On the other, regulators are pushing for tighter oversight of digital access, with VPNs and now proxies caught in the middle of the debate.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

The evidence suggests that the move from VPNs to proxies is more than just a passing reaction to regulation. For UK businesses, proxies appear to offer some real operational advantages, from accurate regional targeting to resilience against restrictions that can disrupt data-driven work. Sectors such as eCommerce, finance and digital marketing are already embedding these services into their daily operations, treating them not as optional extras but as essential infrastructure. For many firms, the ability to monitor competitors, verify advertising, or track prices across multiple markets has become too important to risk on tools that may fall under heavier regulatory pressure.

However, the shift also carries unavoidable trade-offs. For example, proxies may deliver speed and flexibility, but they do not provide the same encryption and privacy protections as VPNs, which creates a different risk profile. This is forcing companies to rethink their wider security strategies and balance operational performance with robust safeguards. For regulators, the trend signals another layer of complexity, as proxy use could undermine some of the very protections that the Online Safety Act was intended to enforce.

What this means for UK businesses is that digital infrastructure decisions are no longer simply about cost or convenience. For proxy providers, the surge in demand represents an opportunity to cement their place in the enterprise market, but it also brings responsibility to deliver reliable, transparent and secure services. For policymakers, the growth of proxies underscores the difficulty of regulating technologies that adapt faster than legislation.

The result is a more finely balanced environment, where businesses gain new capabilities but also face new scrutiny. Proxies may now be the tool of choice for many UK firms, but their adoption highlights wider questions about how companies, regulators and consumers can navigate the shifting ground of online access and digital control.

Company Check – Google Search Now Lets AI Call Local Businesses On Your Behalf

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Users in the United States can now ask Google Search to make real-world phone calls for them, gathering service and pricing information from local businesses without speaking to anyone themselves.

AI Used in Local Enquiries

Google has rolled out a new AI-powered calling feature within Search that allows users to collect information from businesses such as pet groomers, garages, and dental clinics. Instead of having to make a phone call personally, users can now instruct Google’s AI to handle the enquiry on their behalf.

UK Soon?

The feature is currently available to all Search users in the United States. It’s worth noting here that although Google has not provided a confirmed timeline for the UK launch of this feature, based on the company’s typical rollout strategy for Search and Gemini features, a wider international release often follows within several months of a successful US launch.

How To Use It

Using the new AI-powered agentic calling feature, when someone searches for a service like “dog groomers near me”, a new option appears offering to “Have AI check pricing”. Users are then asked a few follow-up questions, such as what type of pet they have, what service they need, and when they would prefer an appointment. From there, Google’s AI makes the call, gathers information, and returns a summary by email or text.

According to Google, every call begins with a clear announcement that it is an automated system from Google acting on behalf of a user. This is intended to prevent confusion and maintain transparency, especially after earlier versions of the technology were criticised for sounding too human and failing to identify themselves clearly.

How the Technology Works

In terms of the tech behind it, the feature uses a combination of Google’s Gemini model and its existing Duplex technology, which has been used for AI voice calls since 2018. Duplex originally drew attention for its ability to make bookings or ask for opening hours using natural-sounding speech, but was temporarily scaled back due to concerns about transparency and practical usage limits.

However, this new version is more focused and practical, targeting specific types of local businesses and providing structured information directly back to the user. The use of Gemini helps the system handle follow-up questions and summarise results more clearly, while Duplex provides the voice interface that handles the actual phone call.

Google has stated that business owners retain control and can opt out of receiving these calls via their Google Business Profile settings.

Access, Availability, and Cost

The AI calling feature is free to use and is currently being made available to all Search users in the US. However, those subscribed to Google’s AI Pro and AI Ultra plans will benefit from higher usage limits, allowing them to make more AI-driven requests each day.

Google AI Pro is priced at 19.99 US dollars per month. Subscribers gain access not only to enhanced call limits but also to a broader set of advanced AI features across other Google products, including Docs, Gmail, and Search.

There is no confirmed launch date for international availability, but Google has indicated that it plans to expand access globally over time.

Convenient

This feature may appeal most to people who prefer not to make calls themselves. For example, younger users in particular have shown in surveys that they are more likely to avoid phone conversations where possible. For many, the ability to compare availability and pricing from several providers without needing to speak to anyone may be seen as a welcome convenience.

For example, someone looking for car servicing could quickly receive quotes from three nearby garages with minimal effort. The AI not only makes the call but ensures the response is presented clearly and directly.

Mixed Impact For Businesses

For businesses, however, the impact may be more mixed. For example, while the system could generate new leads, it also adds a layer of automation that some business owners may find disruptive or unfamiliar. Staff answering the phone must be prepared to speak with an automated caller and provide information in a way that can be understood and relayed accurately.

Part of a Bigger Transformation in Search

Google’s introduction of AI calling is really part of a wider evolution of Search towards more agentic, action-oriented tools. For example, at the same time as launching this calling feature, the company also announced the rollout of two other significant updates for users on its AI Pro and AI Ultra subscription tiers, i.e. Gemini 2.5 Pro in AI Mode, and a new Deep Search capability designed for complex research tasks.

Gemini 2.5 Pro Comes to AI Mode

AI Mode is Google’s conversational interface in Search that allows users to pose complex or multi-part questions and receive structured answers with helpful links. Until now, it used a version of Gemini based on the 1.5 model. However, with the new rollout, paying subscribers can now switch to Gemini 2.5 Pro, a more advanced model that performs better in coding, mathematics, and advanced reasoning.

Users can select Gemini 2.5 Pro from a drop-down menu within AI Mode. The new model offers clearer logic, better problem-solving abilities, and more precise answers. Google says it is especially helpful for users tackling more technical tasks, such as software development or quantitative research.

Deep Search Adds Multi-Step Research Capabilities

Also new is Deep Search, a feature designed to save users hours of research by allowing the AI to run hundreds of background searches and reason across different sources. The result is a fully cited and structured report that addresses a query in depth.

Google says Deep Search is useful for work-related research, hobbies, academic study, or life decisions such as evaluating mortgages or comparing investment options. Rather than manually visiting multiple websites and comparing answers, users receive a compiled response that includes context, sources, and suggestions.

This feature is currently available to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the United States who have opted into Google’s AI Mode experiments in Labs. It builds on the trend of shifting from traditional search queries towards more autonomous AI assistance.

Impressive Tools with Practical Considerations

The new agentic features represent a major change in how people interact with information online. Instead of simply retrieving answers, Google’s AI now takes action on the user’s behalf, whether by conducting research or placing real-world phone calls.

However, the effectiveness of these tools will depend on adoption and reliability. If local businesses do not respond well to AI calls, or if the information returned is inconsistent, the user experience could suffer. Similarly, the shift towards subscription-based access raises concerns about accessibility, especially if more functionality becomes limited to paying users.

Even so, the direction is clear. Google is continuing to reshape Search into a more proactive and intelligent assistant, with features that aim to remove friction from both digital and real-world tasks. As the company put it in its announcement, “We’re bringing some of our most cutting-edge AI features to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers first, and we look forward to continuing to bring advanced capabilities in Search to all our users globally.”

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Google is clearly moving Search from a place to find answers to a tool that completes tasks. Features like AI-powered calling change how users interact with businesses, removing the need for phone conversations altogether in some cases. If rolled out in the UK, this could directly affect how service providers handle enquiries, especially in sectors like grooming, repairs, and healthcare. Businesses that respond promptly and provide accurate, up-to-date information through their Google listings will be better placed to benefit. Those that fail to do so may find themselves left out of automated selection entirely.

For subscribers, the introduction of Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search adds a new layer of functionality to Search. These tools are designed to deliver more complete, structured answers and reduce the time spent piecing together information manually. That is likely to appeal to professionals, researchers, and anyone dealing with complex decisions. However, the decision to reserve the most powerful features for paying users raises questions about who gets access to high-quality AI support and who does not. It may also increase pressure on non-paying users to upgrade, particularly if the standard tools begin to feel limited by comparison.

As these capabilities continue to expand, they are likely to influence how people expect digital services to behave. For UK businesses, the priority will be staying visible and responsive within this new model. For users, the benefits will depend on how well the tools perform across a range of everyday tasks, and how widely they are made available.

Tech Insight : Block Spam Calls

Posted on by Paul Stradling

In this Tech Insight, we look at how UK businesses can identify, block, and protect themselves against the growing nuisance (and threat) of spam calls, and why doing so is now essential for productivity, security, and reputation.

More Than a Nuisance

If you’ve noticed more spam calls slipping through lately, you’re not imagining things. Nuisance calls, i.e. from robotic sales pitches to full-blown scam attempts, have become a major source of disruption (and risk) for UK businesses.

In fact, research from Ofcom estimates that UK consumers and businesses receive over 4.4 billion nuisance calls and texts per year, with a significant proportion targeting workplaces. From lost productivity and operational distraction to fraud and reputational damage, spam calls are creating headaches across sectors. For some, they’re also creating serious financial losses.

What Counts As a Spam Call?

Broadly speaking, spam calls refer to any unsolicited or unwanted phone call, particularly those made in bulk. They may originate from real people or bots, domestic numbers or international spoofed lines, and their intentions can range from sales to scams. Common categories include:

– Telemarketing calls. These are usually from legitimate businesses, yet are often annoying and unwanted.

– Robocalls. This type of call uses pre-recorded messages, often tied to fake tech support, medical cover or financial offers.

– Scam calls. These calls are designed to try and trick the recipient into handing over personal or financial information.

– Silent or abandoned calls. These are often used to verify if a number is “live” for future targeting.

Although some spam calls are relatively harmless, many are sophisticated fraud attempts. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) notes an increasing link between spam calls and cybercrime, including phishing, identity theft, and voice cloning scams.

A Growing Threat to Businesses

Spam calls are no longer just a nuisance to receptionists or front-line teams. For UK companies of all sizes, they can lead to missed leads, disrupted workflows, and even data breaches.

For example, a recent study by Truecaller found that globally, businesses lose an average of $14 billion a year to phone scams. While exact UK figures are harder to isolate, UK Finance reported over £1.2 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with social engineering scams, often initiated via phone, accounting for a large slice.

For example:

– A logistics company in Manchester reported receiving over 20 spoofed calls a day, some impersonating HMRC or customs officers.

– A legal firm in Surrey was conned out of £28,000 after a senior partner unknowingly responded to a voice-phishing scam, believing it was a client confirming bank details.

– An SME in the retail sector said they had to dedicate an admin staff member solely to filtering phone calls, costing them hours of productivity weekly.

As fraud tactics become more advanced, including the use of AI-generated voices and deepfake impersonation, spam calls are quickly evolving from an irritation into a significant security risk.

How Are They Getting Your Number?

One of the most frustrating aspects of spam calls is how widespread and persistent they are, even for numbers that were never shared publicly.

Here’s how they’re likely getting in:

– Data breaches. Your number may have been compromised in a company breach or exposed via a third-party contact.

– Web scraping. Spammers use bots to harvest numbers from websites, contact pages, and social media profiles.

– Number generators. Robocallers simply dial every possible variation of UK numbers using auto-dialling software.

– Data brokers. Some marketing companies sell on contact lists without appropriate consent.

Even legitimate-seeming calls may not be what they appear. Number spoofing allows fraudsters to display fake caller IDs, often mimicking well-known institutions or even internal office numbers.

Why Businesses Need a Serious Defence Strategy

The problem is no longer solvable simply with caller ID alone and, for UK businesses, relying on staff to manually screen calls is unsustainable. Not only does it eat into valuable time, but it also increases the risk of missing genuine client calls.

Instead, a layered and proactive approach is needed. Ideally, this type of approach should include:

– Network-level blocking. All major UK mobile networks (including EE, O2, Vodafone and Three) now offer spam filtering and scam call protection. Some, like O2’s Call Defence, automatically warn users about suspicious numbers. EE flags suspected scam calls in real time.

– Smartphone features. Both Android and iPhone users can activate built-in call blocking and spam detection tools. On Android, turning on ‘Caller ID & spam’ and filtering spam calls will silence known nuisance numbers. On iPhone, enabling ‘Silence Unknown Callers’ sends calls from unknown numbers straight to voicemail – though with the risk of missing new contacts.

– Call screening software. Businesses can deploy dedicated VoIP services or call management apps like Hiya, Truecaller for Business, or BT’s Call Protect to detect, divert and report malicious calls. These platforms often use real-time databases of spam numbers and AI-based filtering to block unwanted calls before they reach a human.

– Staff awareness and call protocols. Employee training is essential. Staff should be reminded never to give sensitive information over the phone unless they can verify the caller. Set up internal rules, such as always calling back a client on a verified number instead of trusting inbound requests.

– Registration with TPS (Telephone Preference Service). UK businesses can also register with the Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) to legally opt out of receiving marketing calls. While this doesn’t block international spam, it offers some protection from UK-based telemarketers, and gives businesses legal grounds to complain if calls persist.

Common Spam Call Tactics in 2025

Spam calls have evolved. It’s no longer just robotic PPI chasers. Today’s fraudsters are deploying more advanced (and sinister) tricks. For example, watch out for:

– Impersonation scams. Callers claiming to be from HMRC, the bank, Microsoft, or your own IT provider.

– “Can you hear me?” traps. Designed to get a voice recording of you saying “yes”, which can be used to authorise charges or access.

– Fake client inquiries. Scammers pretending to be new customers, asking for personal or operational details.

– Missed call scams. You receive a one-ring call from an international number and calling back triggers premium charges.

There are also increasing reports of AI voice synthesis being used to impersonate real people, including senior managers. These so-called “deep voice” scams are alarmingly convincing and often target finance or HR departments.

Tools and Tech to Help Businesses Fight Back

Fortunately, there are real, actionable tools businesses can use to block, track, and report spam calls. Just some examples of such tools include:

– PhoneSystem (BT, 3CX, RingCentral, etc.). Business-grade phone systems often include spam detection, call screening, and custom call-routing features.

– Spam call reporting portals. Use the ICO’s nuisance call reporting tool and Action Fraud to report malicious activity. This helps build national data for enforcement.

– AI-based call blockers. Tools like Nomorobo, RoboKiller, and Truecaller Premium now cater to UK businesses and use dynamic databases to identify threats in real time.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on Ofcom’s anti-scam call initiatives, including new proposals to limit international number spoofing and force providers to apply stricter blocking at the network level. Telecoms companies must also now verify caller ID information, with penalties for failure to comply.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

While individuals have long had the option to silence unknown numbers or install spam blockers, the stakes for businesses are far higher. For example, one missed call might be a scam, whereas another could be a potential client. That’s the balancing act UK firms are now having to perform daily, all while trying to protect staff, safeguard data, and maintain trust with customers. Also, today’s spam calls are often weaponised to breach security systems, manipulate staff, or undermine day-to-day operations.

However, many small and medium-sized enterprises still treat spam call management as a back-office issue. But the evidence suggests it deserves boardroom-level attention. Whether it’s the £1.2 billion in fraud losses reported last year, or the growing number of AI-enabled voice scams, the message is that this is a frontline threat. If left unmanaged, it risks eroding not just productivity, but confidence, both internally and externally.

At the same time, thankfully, telecom providers and regulators like Ofcom are starting to take more decisive steps, from enforcing stricter ID verification rules to proposing new crackdowns on number spoofing. These efforts, while welcome, still rely heavily on businesses taking initiative, by adopting smarter tools, reviewing internal call-handling protocols, and registering with services like the CTPS.

What this all means for UK businesses is a shift in mindset where phone security can no longer really be treated separately from cybersecurity. Stakeholders across departments, from IT and operations to HR and finance, should now collaborate to manage the risks, spot the red flags, and ensure no call gets through that shouldn’t. It’s not just about stopping nuisance calls. It’s about protecting reputation, maintaining customer confidence, and staying one step ahead.

Tech Insight : (Unbelievable) AI Advances For Businesses

Posted on by Paul Stradling

In this Tech Insight, we look at the latest AI developments, including AI agents creating their own language, Opera’s new AI-powered browsing assistant, and a growing debate over the risks of an international race to artificial general intelligence.

AI Agents Are Speaking Their Own Language

A new experiment called ‘GibberLink’ has just demonstrated an intriguing concept, i.e. AI voice agents that can recognise when they are speaking to another AI and then switch to a more efficient communication method (which is incomprehensible to humans). Developed at a hackathon in London by Meta engineers Boris Starkov and Anton Pidkuiko, GibberLink replaces human-like speech with GGWave, a sound-based protocol that allows AI systems to exchange information faster and with less computing power.

To human ears, the communication sounds like a series of beeps and boops, reminiscent of dial-up internet modems from the 1980s. While it may seem like a niche experiment, the technology could actually have real-world applications. For example, as companies increasingly deploy AI-powered customer service agents, there may be a need for them to communicate directly. By using this machine-native ‘language,’ AI agents could cut computing costs significantly, making AI-driven voice interactions cheaper and more efficient.

The apparent viral success of GibberLink has sparked both fascination and concern. For example, some fear that AI developing its own incomprehensible communication methods could reduce transparency and accountability. However, Starkov and Pidkuiko insist their project is simply an experiment, and they have open-sourced the code rather than commercialising it (at least for now).

Opera’s AI Assistant Could Change How We Browse

It seems that Opera, the long-standing web browser, is aiming to redefine internet browsing with its AI-powered feature called ‘Browser Operator’. Unlike traditional AI assistants that simply summarise search results, Browser Operator actively completes tasks for users. For example, if you need to book a flight, it’s just a case of providing a few details, and the AI will search, compare prices, and add the best option for you.

What sets Opera’s AI apart from competitors like OpenAI’s Operator and Anthropic’s Claude is that it operates locally within the browser. This ensures not only faster performance but also better privacy, as user data never leaves the device. Unlike cloud-based AI tools, which require remote servers to function, Browser Operator processes requests directly on the user’s machine.

The potential benefits are clear, i.e. more efficient browsing, time saved on repetitive online tasks, and a more seamless digital experience. However, as with any AI-driven automation, questions remain about how much control users will ultimately have over decisions made on their behalf. Opera has included safeguards, allowing users to pause or cancel tasks at any time, ensuring that humans remain in the loop.

Eric Schmidt Warns Against an AI Arms Race

Amidst the rapid AI advancements, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and two co-authors, Alexandr Wang and Dan Hendrycks, have just published a policy paper warning against a US-led push for artificial general intelligence (AGI). It seems they’re concerned that an aggressive AI race could provoke international retaliation, particularly from China, and potentially destabilise global relations.

Schmidt and his colleagues argue that the pursuit of AGI (a hypothetical AI system with intelligence surpassing human capabilities) should not be treated like the Manhattan Project, the US government’s programme to develop nuclear weapons in the 1940s. Instead, they propose a more cautious strategy, advocating for ‘Mutual Assured AI Malfunction’ (MAIM), which suggests that governments should focus on defensive measures to deter AI-driven threats rather than escalating an AI arms race.

The paper challenges the notion that the US must ‘win’ the AGI race, arguing that such thinking could lead to dangerous consequences, including pre-emptive cyberattacks from adversaries. Instead, they suggest limiting access to powerful AI chips, strengthening cybersecurity, and ensuring AI remains under human control.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

These developments show just how rapidly AI is reshaping industries, and why businesses need to stay ahead of the curve. The rise of AI agents like GibberLink suggests a future where automated systems could interact more efficiently without human intervention. While this might reduce costs, businesses relying on AI-driven communication must consider transparency and ethical oversight to maintain customer trust and regulatory compliance.

Meanwhile, Opera’s Browser Operator signals a shift in how AI can automate everyday digital tasks. For businesses, this could mean exploring ways to integrate AI-powered automation into their workflows to improve efficiency. Whether it’s customer service, e-commerce, or operations, AI-driven task completion could actually free up human employees for more strategic work. However, as with any AI system, companies will need to carefully manage data privacy concerns and ensure these tools remain user-controlled rather than fully autonomous.

Also, the debate over AGI development highlights broader implications for businesses investing in AI research. If governments take a more defensive stance, regulations around AI chips and open-source models could tighten, limiting access to cutting-edge AI innovations. For businesses in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and AI ethics, this could create new opportunities (but also new risks). Understanding the shifting regulatory landscape will be critical for companies looking to leverage AI without falling foul of future legal constraints.

The main message here is, therefore, that as AI continues to evolve, businesses that can embrace its efficiencies while maintaining ethical and regulatory oversight are likely to be best positioned for long-term success. Whether integrating AI assistants, automating customer interactions, or staying informed on global AI policy, companies that adapt strategically will stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven world.