This Week's AI Agents News

The AI Shift: How autonomous are AI agents?

# The AI Shift: How autonomous are AI agents? ## Latest on OpenAI - [OpenAI](https://www.ft.com/stream/e3402603-d253-4aa1-ac4d-fc9bdbf4ccb8) [OpenAI admits AI ‘agent’ caused major cyber breach by itself](https://www.ft.com/content/9db74b25-45ad-4187-b4d7-0e4d414fe41c?syn-25a6b1a6=1) [](https://www.ft.com/content/9db74b25-45ad-4187-b4d7-0e4d414fe41c?syn-25a6b1a6=1) - [Apple Inc](https://www.ft.com/apple-inc)

Ft 5 days, 16 hours ago

OpenAI rogue AI agent’s attack expanded beyond Hugging Face

# OpenAI rogue AI agent’s attack expanded beyond Hugging Face The autonomous AI agent that [escaped](https://www.csoonline.com/article/4200043/openai-model-escape-puts-enterprise-ai-defenses-on-notice.html) during OpenAI testing exploited weaknesses across a customer workload, a third-party cloud platform, and Hugging Face’s production environment before being contained, according to new technical disclosures that provide the clearest picture yet of one of the first publicly documented AI-driven intrusion chains. ## Autonomous attack unfolded at machine speed Autonomous agents require additional safeguards such as task-specific permissions, runtime monitoring, approval workflows for sensitive actions, and policies that clearly define what an AI agent is permitted to access or execute.

Csoonline 5 days, 20 hours ago

Delaware Proposes New Legal Framework for Autonomous Agents

# Delaware Proposes New Legal Framework for Autonomous Agents [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/delaware-proposes-new-legal-framework-for-autonomous-agents/&t=Delaware+Proposes+New+Legal+Framework+for+Autonomous+Agents)[Tweet This Post](https://twitter.com/share?text=Delaware+Proposes+New+Legal+Framework+for+Autonomous+Agents%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-&url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/delaware-proposes-new-legal-framework-for-autonomous-agents/)[Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/delaware-proposes-new-legal-framework-for-autonomous-agents/&title=Delaware+Proposes+New+Legal+Framework+for+Autonomous+Agents&summary=&source=)[Share via Email](mailto:?subject=Delaware%20Proposes%20New%20Legal%20Framework%20for%20Autonomous%20Agents&BODY=I%20found%20this%20article%20interesting%20and%20want%20to%20share%20it%20with%20you.%20Check%20it%20out:%20https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/delaware-proposes-new-legal-framework-for-autonomous-agents/) | Listen to ArticleListenPause Delaware is proposing a new type of corporate entity designed specifically for autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents, according to a Monday (July 27) Bloomberg [report](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/esg/ai-run-company-gamble-tests-the-limits-of-delaware-corporate-law). ## Get the Full Story #### Featured News [Branch Wants Earned Wage Access to Be a Bridge, Not a Habit](https://www.pymnts.com/back-office/payroll/2026/branch-wants-earned-wage-access-to-be-a-bridge-not-a-habit/)

Pymnts 5 days, 20 hours ago

How are AI models able to autonomously hack others?

## Recommended Stories ### [Nvidia unveils new chip to bring AI directly to personal computers](https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/6/1/nvidia-unveils-new-chip-to-bring-ai-directly-to-personal-computers) This is likely the first incident of an AI “agent” – an AI system that can make decisions and take actions – acting autonomously, offering a rare glimpse into how these systems can plan, adapt and pursue goals with minimal human intervention.

Aljazeera 5 days, 20 hours ago

OpenAI’s rogue AI agent shows why we need federal rules for autonomous systems

Ten autonomous [AI](https://cyberscoop.com/tag/artificial-intelligence-ai/) agents operated across five virtual environments for fifteen days without human intervention. An autonomous AI agent adapts around enforcement.

Cyberscoop 5 days, 20 hours ago

Encore AI funding backs revenue agents

[Encore AI](https://www.gainencore.ai/) has raised new Series A funding and rebranded from Insait IO, positioning itself as a revenue-focused alternative to AI agents built mainly for support deflection. ## **What marketers should test before trusting revenue agents** Encore AI's funding is a useful signal that investors and enterprise buyers are still looking for AI that does more than reduce support cost. ## **Meta title** - Encore AI funding backs revenue agents

Contentgrip 5 days, 20 hours ago

Freehand raises $75M as Meta and Unilever hand their supply chains to AI agents

# Freehand raises $75M as Meta and Unilever hand their supply chains to AI agents - Freehand has raised $75 million in funding co-led by Battery Ventures and NewRoad Capital Partners, with backing from PSP Growth, chaired by former US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, and Nexus Venture Partners. - Its AI agents already manage supply-chain operations for Meta, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Dunkin’ and Cardinal Health. - Customers have reported recovering 5–10% of supply-chain spend, completing workflows 5–7x faster, and reducing procure-to-pay cycles by more than 70%. [Freehand](https://www.freehand.ai/) has raised $75 million to expand its AI agents that manage supply-chain spend for Fortune 500 companies, with the round co-led by Battery Ventures and NewRoad Capital Partners. PSP Growth, the investment firm chaired by former US Commerce Secretary [Penny Pritzker](https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-pritzker), and [Nexus Venture Partners](https://techfundingnews.com/indias-nexus-venture-to-raise-700m-to-bet-on-native-and-us-tech-startups/) also joined the round. The funding lands as Freehand’s agents are already live inside Meta, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Dunkin’ and Cardinal Health, taking over work long handled by legacy software and outsourced labour. ## The market opportunity and what’s next - [AI](https://techfundingnews.com/tag/ai/) - [funding](https://techfundingnews.com/tag/funding/) - [news](https://techfundingnews.com/tag/news/) ##### Related Posts - [Funding News](https://techfundingnews.com/category/funding/) - [Latest News](https://techfundingnews.com/category/latest-news/) - [UK Tech News](https://techfundingnews.com/category/uk/) ## [Web3 gaming startup Nefta scores fast funding of $1M within one year of existence](https://techfundingnews.com/web3-gaming-startup-nefta-scores-fast-funding-of-1m-within-one-year-of-existence/) - [Funding News](https://techfundingnews.com/category/funding/) - [US Tech News](https://techfundingnews.co

Techfundingnews 5 days, 20 hours ago

AI security startup Onyx raises $113 million Series B at $640 million valuation

# AI security startup Onyx raises $113 million Series B at $640 million valuation ## Just four months after emerging from stealth, the Israeli startup is betting that securing AI agents will become one of cybersecurity's biggest markets. [Meir Orbach](https://www.calcalistech.com/tags/Meir_Orbach) 00:00, 30.07.26  Askmeanyquestion Click to listen [Powered bywhtvr.ai](https://www.whtvr.ai/?utm_source=watermark&utm_campaign=google.com) The latest financing values the company at an estimated $640 million, representing a several-fold increase from its previous valuation. [Full list of Israeli high-tech funding rounds in 2026](https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rq8lzbs4c) Onyx develops a platform that enables enterprises to deploy AI agents securely and at scale by managing permissions, monitoring agent activity, and preventing risks associated with autonomous AI systems. The new funding will be used to accelerate development of the company's next-generation AI models and expand its sales, business development, and marketing operations in the United States and other international markets. 1 View gallery  Onyx Security founders. (Netanel Tobias) Founded in 2024 by Maxim Bar Kogan, a veteran of Unit 8200 and former Vice President of Product and Engineering at Mixtiles, and Gil Elbaz, an AI entrepreneur who previously served in the Israeli Air Force's Operational Technology Unit, Onyx now employs more than 80 people across Israel, the United States, and Canada. The company already works with several Fortune 500 customers. In June, Anthropic announced that it had integrated Onyx's technolo

Calcalistech 5 days, 20 hours ago

Rogue OpenAI agent that hacked startup tried to attack other firms

# Rogue OpenAI agent that hacked startup tried to attack other firms #### SecureDrop - [OpenAI](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/openai) - [AI (artificial intelligence)](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/artificialintelligenceai) - [Technology sector](https://www.theguardian.com/business/technology) - [ChatGPT](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/chatgpt) - [news](https://www.theguardian.com/tone/news) ## More on this story  ### OpenAI ‘in early talks to give 5% stake to US government’  ### OpenAI staggers AI model release after Trump administration request  ### Anthropic surges as OpenAI struggles to keep up 

Theguardian 5 days, 20 hours ago

Encore AI raises $30M to build AI agents that learn from customer calls

# Encore AI raises $30M to build AI agents that learn from customer calls [Ram Iyer](https://techcrunch.com/author/ram-iyer/) 7:41 AM PDT · July 29, 2026 [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2026%2F07%2F29%2Fencore-ai-raises-30m-to-build-ai-agents-that-learn-from-customer-calls%2F)[Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2026%2F07%2F29%2Fencore-ai-raises-30m-to-build-ai-agents-that-learn-from-customer-calls%2F&text=Encore+AI+raises+%2430M+to+build+AI+agents+that+learn+from+customer+calls&via=techcrunch)[Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2026%2F07%2F29%2Fencore-ai-raises-30m-to-build-ai-agents-that-learn-from-customer-calls%2F&title=Encore+AI+raises+%2430M+to+build+AI+agents+that+learn+from+customer+calls&summary=The+startup+analyzes+calls%2C+messages%2C+and+CRM+data+to+identify+effective+sales+techniques+and+turn+them+into+playbooks+for+AI+agents.&mini=1&source=TechCrunch)[Share on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2026%2F07%2F29%2Fencore-ai-raises-30m-to-build-ai-agents-that-learn-from-customer-calls%2F&title=Encore+AI+raises+%2430M+to+build+AI+agents+that+learn+from+customer+calls)[Share over Email](mailto:?subject=Encore+AI+raises+%2430M+to+build+AI+agents+that+learn+from+customer+calls&body=Article%3A+https%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2026%2F07%2F29%2Fencore-ai-raises-30m-to-build-ai-agents-that-learn-from-customer-calls%2F)[Copy Share Link](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/29/encore-ai-raises-30m-to-build-ai-agents-that-learn-from-customer-calls/) [Encore AI](https://www.gainencore.ai/), a startup that studies companies’ customer interactions to train and deploy AI voice agents that can work alongside customer support and sales teams, or operate autonomously, has raised $30 million in a Series A round led by Team8. Founded in 2022 as Insait IO by CEO Dvir Ginzburg, the company

Techcrunch 5 days, 20 hours ago

Mark Zuckerberg predicts that billions of people will have personal AI agents in five years

# Mark Zuckerberg predicts that billions of people will have personal AI agents in five years  Google emphasized [custom AI agents](https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/19/how-to-use-googles-new-ai-agents-to-go-beyond-your-standard-searches/) as a key new feature in its [Search overhaul](https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/19/google-search-as-you-know-it-is-over/), which sparked outcry from users who felt bogged down by the constant onslaught of AI results on Google. Meanwhile, subscriptions to Anthropic's Claude have [skyrocketed](https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/28/anthropics-claude-popularity-with-paying-consumers-is-skyrocketing/) as engineers fawn over the agentic coding assistant Claude Code. Meta's Reality Labs, the organization responsible for its AR glasses, VR headsets, and related software, lost around [$4.6 billion](https://investor.atmeta.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2026/Meta-Reports-Second-Quarter-2026-Results/default.aspx) this quarter, roughly in line with the losses the division has posted [each quarter](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/29/meta-is-still-burning-money-on-ar-vr/) since 2021. This week, Meta and BlackRock announced a partnership to build a [$14 billion data center](http://reuters.com/technology/meta-blackrock-partner-14-billion-el-paso-data-center-2026-07-28/) in El Paso, Texas. So far, Meta's business agents, rolled out globally on WhatsApp and Messenger this quarter, have been adopted by more than one million businesses.

Finance 5 days, 20 hours ago

OpenAI Agent Used Exposed Credentials Across Four Services During Hugging Face Breach

OpenAI on Tuesday revealed the rogue artificial intelligence (AI) agent that escaped its sealed evaluation environment and broke into Hugging Face's...

Thehackernews 6 days, 20 hours ago

AI agent infrastructure platform Alphea secures $5M strategic funding

Alphea, building an AI-native distributed cloud and operating environment for autonomous agents, has raised $5 million in strategic funding from investors.

Cryptorank 6 days, 20 hours ago

An AI agent can pass every safety check and still leak secrets

# An AI agent can pass every safety check and still leak secrets The maintainer reads the whole exchange the next morning. [Elad Meged](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eladmeged/), a founding engineer at [Novee Security](https://novee.security/), ran that sequence against three vendors’ own repositories, in the configurations those vendors ship by default. Meged builds AI agents for automated penetration testing at Novee, and he turned the same offensive techniques back onto the agents themselves. ### Anthropic paid out every round “A bounty rewards a finding, scoped to ‘here’s a specific bug, here’s what it’s worth,’ so a vendor can pay generously round after round and still treat each one as isolated,” Meged said. ### Vendors keep patching surfaces Meged will present the code-level analysis and live demonstrations at [Black Hat USA 2026](https://lp.novee.security/meet-us-at-blackhat/). ### What to trace this week Meged has one audit for teams running these agents in production now. “Trace every path where the agent’s output, or any state the agent can influence, gets consumed by a later stage with different privileges. Is it published? Is it loaded as configuration? Is it passed to a tool with broader access than the approval assumed? “Most teams audit what the agent can do. More about - [agentic AI](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/tag/agentic-ai/) - [Anthropic](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/tag/anthropic/) - [Black Hat USA 2026](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/tag/black-hat-usa-2026/) - [DevSecOps](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/tag/devsecops/) - [Google](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/tag/google/) - [Novee](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/tag/novee/) - [prompt injection](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/tag/prompt-injection/) ## **Featured** news - [Hugging Face breach reignites open-weights debate, raises liability questions](https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/07/28/hugging-face-breach-ciso-playbook-open-weight-llms/) - [JetBrains fixes critical una

Helpnetsecurity 6 days, 21 hours ago

OCBC Turns to AI Agents to Speed Up Account Opening for the Rich

[Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp.](https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/OCBC:SP) is deploying a platform of AI agents that will cut approval times to 15 business days, well inside the roughly [one-month](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-25/singapore-seeks-to-cut-account-opening-time-for-rich-to-a-month-mpkm0rte) target the financial regulator has.

Bloomberg 6 days, 22 hours ago