Sep 1 – Oct 1, 2026 · 6 items
The AI week, for a plant manager
A real edition, written for: Plant Manager
The one thing
Which of these agent tools could cut your unplanned downtime by catching early warning signs in your maintenance logs?
OpenAI DevDay: agents, Codex Cloud, zero-retention safety
OpenAI announced over twenty updates at DevDay 2026. It introduced Dots as always-on agents for ongoing tasks. GPT-6.1 Sol launched with near-Astra performance at one-fifth the token cost. Ultrafast mode offers up to eight times faster token generation in Codex. Private Intelligence now supports zero data retention with private safety processing. Codex can now run in the cloud or via a refreshed CLI with voice control. Code Review in ChatGPT desktop app enables automated and manual reviews. Codex Security Cloud scans repositories and prepares fixes in the cloud. Decisions API entered limited preview for real-time classification. Agents API now supports computer use for software interaction. Bedrock Managed Agents brings OpenAI agents to AWS. Plugin extensions allow sidebar integration in ChatGPT. Improved plugin creation and discovery tools were released.
Why it matters for you
You run a plant where uptime and safety matter. These tools now let you automate long tasks without keeping data.
- Codex Cloud runs in the cloud, not just on local devices
- Private Intelligence now offers zero data retention
- Agents API supports computer use for software interaction
Try this
Ask your IT team if Codex Cloud can run your maintenance logs analysis
Paste this into your AI tool
Context: I am a Plant Manager in a manufacturing site in Switzerland. Task: Analyze these maintenance logs to identify patterns that predict downtime. Constraints: - Do not retain any data after analysis - Use only the logs I provide I'll paste: [maintenance logs from last 3 months] Output: A list of patterns with likelihood scores, no data stored.
Sources
NVIDIA launches Open Agent Safety Platform
NVIDIA launched Open Agent Safety Platform for full-stack agent governance. It combines OpenShell software and Sentry reference design. OpenShell sets secure runtime boundaries on NVIDIA Vera CPUs. It can extend to Arm and Intel platforms. Sentry runs on BlueField-4 DPUs to monitor agents in real time. Sentry quarantines agents breaking boundaries in milliseconds. Over 100 organizations are collaborating on the platform. Partners include Anthropic, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Dell, Figure, HPE, Hugging Face, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Palantir, Red Hat, Salesforce, SAP, Scale AI, ServiceNow and SpaceXAI. The platform is available now via NVIDIA’s developer resources and GitHub. It supports the Open Secure AI Alliance mission.
Why it matters for you
Your site’s agents need governance. This platform enforces policy and quarantines rogue agents at hardware level.
- Sentry quarantines agents breaking boundaries in milliseconds
- Over 100 organizations are collaborating on the platform
- Works on NVIDIA Vera CPUs and BlueField-4 DPUs
Try this
Check if your current agent infrastructure can integrate with NVIDIA’s platform
Sources
AI agents breached a network in under ten hours
An attacker used AI agents to breach an enterprise network in under ten hours. Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 investigated the intrusion and published its findings. The attacker set the objectives while agents mapped the network, scraped code repositories and took root credentials. They also triggered unauthorised build pipelines and stole cloud keys. With those keys they ran the victim's own AI services as attack infrastructure. No zero-day exploit or elite tradecraft was involved, only speed. Branch-protection controls blocked an attempt to plant backdoors in infrastructure code. The agent was also told to leave an 80-page audit of the company's weaknesses. Unit 42 advises automated containment playbooks, inventories of every model endpoint and API key, and mandatory multi-party code review. It expects more attackers to adopt agents.
Why it matters for you
Palo Alto’s report shows agents can map networks and steal credentials fast. Your site’s defenses must account for this speed.
- Agents mapped the network, scraped code and took root credentials
- No zero-day exploits were used, only speed
- Branch-protection controls blocked backdoor attempts
Try this
Review your agent access controls and audit logs for unusual activity
OpenAI Dots: always-on assistants for ongoing tasks
OpenAI launched Dots, always-on AI assistants that work without constant direction. They run on GPT-6 Astra with their own cloud computer. Dots connect to over 4,000 apps via plugins. They learn user preferences and work 24/7 on tasks. Users can inspect a dot’s work on its cloud computer. Dots can also use a user’s laptop with permission. They message progress or questions in ChatGPT, Slack, or Teams. Built-in safeguards include read-only tools for background work. Users control access, permissions, and approvals via Custom Rules. Specialist dots for organizations have their own identity and access. These are in focused enterprise pilots. Microsoft Agent 365 will integrate specialist dots. Dots roll out to Pro and Business Premium users in eligible markets.
Why it matters for you
Dots can run 24/7 on tasks like monitoring equipment. They learn preferences and message progress in ChatGPT.
- Dots connect to over 4,000 apps via plugins
- They run on GPT-6 Astra with their own cloud computer
- Enterprise beta requires admin enable
Try this
Ask your admin if Dots can be enabled for your team
Sources
Salesforce bundles AI agents, Slack, analytics in new editions
Salesforce replaced its sales and service packaging with three new editions. Core, Advanced and Max now apply to Agentforce Sales, Service and Industries. Each tier bundles AI agents, Slack, embedded analytics, data security and the Premier Success Plan. Core lists at $195 per user per month and Advanced at $395. Max stays at $550, the same price as the earlier Agentforce 1 Edition. Existing Agentforce 1 customers can move to Max at no extra cost. Each tier carries a set allowance of Flex Credits for running agents. Industry edition pricing takes effect later in the fall. Pricing on legacy editions stays unchanged for current customers. Salesforce says Max editions will later include Headless 360 capacity.
Why it matters for you
Your procurement team may be evaluating Salesforce. These editions bundle AI agents with Slack and analytics.
- Core at $195/user/month, Advanced at $395, Max at $550
- Each tier includes Flex Credits for running agents
- Industry edition pricing starts later this fall
Try this
Ask procurement if the new Salesforce editions fit your AI agent needs
Perplexity Automations for long-running agents
Perplexity Computer launched Automations for long-running agents. Agents remember prior work and pick up where they left off. They run on a schedule or when events occur in Slack, Gmail, Outlook, Linear, or GitHub. Users set triggers, define tasks, and specify outputs like Slack or Gmail. Automations can flag missed updates or deadlines. Users create them via the omnibar or the Automations interface. Admins can limit connector permissions. Automations do not use credits while waiting for triggers. Existing Scheduled Tasks can be migrated to Automations. Automations are available to all Computer users.
Why it matters for you
Automations remember prior work and trigger on schedules or events. They can flag missed updates or deadlines.
- Agents run on a schedule or when events occur in Slack, Gmail, etc.
- Existing Scheduled Tasks can be migrated to Automations
- Automations do not use credits while waiting for triggers
Try this
Test Automations with a non-critical maintenance reminder task
Paste this into your AI tool
Context: I manage a production plant in Switzerland. Task: Set up a daily reminder to check equipment calibration logs. Constraints: - Trigger at 8 AM local time - Send a Slack message if calibration is overdue I'll paste: [equipment calibration schedule] Output: Confirmation of the automation setup and first trigger time.
Build this
Every week, one small thing to build with AI in something you actually care about. No work in it. Five minutes to set up, and worth keeping if it earns a second run.
A shortlist of five places to visit on your next day out, with the weakest one explained
Five minutes to set up
Context: I am planning a day out and want to discover new places. Task: Find five places near [location] I have never visited, then rank them. Constraints: - Include a one-sentence reason for each - Defend why the last-ranked place still belongs on the list Output: The ranked list with reasons, and the defense for the last one.
- Have the location ready in one line
- Run this in ChatGPT where you can see the full answer
- Check that every place is real and currently open
- Re-run with a different location next time
Yours arrives Thursday.
This one was written for a plant manager. Tell us what you do and the next one is written for you — same news, your job, once a week.