Driving Business Value With Agentic AI
Agentic AI is revolutionary, because it can interact with other forms of artificial intelligence (AI) within an organization and has the ability to make informed decisions and then initiate and complete tasks without the need for human intervention. Organizations are already using agentic AI, whether it's for automating back-office tasks so financial advisors have more time to help clients, enabling more efficient industrial processes, or adjusting drill paths to optimize extraction in an oil patch.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Beyond AI Pilots: 3 Strategies To Successfully Scale AI In Healthcare
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic vision in healthcare — it's already proving its worth. From accelerating early diagnoses to streamlining administrative tasks, AI pilots have showcased real potential to transform clinical and operational outcomes. And yet, one stubborn challenge persists: why do so few AI initiatives in healthcare successfully scale? Take the example of a surgical AI assistant built to enhance workflow and support clinical decision-making. In a small clinical setting, it works brilliantly — surgeons report greater efficiency, patients see better outcomes, and leadership is eager to expand. But when the same AI solution is rolled out across a large hospital network, it falters. Diverse EHR systems, inconsistent workflows, and organizational complexity overwhelm the AI solution. The problem isn't just AI development — it's the absence of a systemwide strategy. Too often, healthcare AI is approached as a one-off experiment rather than a systemic investment. Pilots are launched in isolation, without long-term planning, institutional alignment, or operational readiness. As a result, even promising AI solutions lose traction once they leave the sandbox. For healthcare executives aiming to move beyond pilots and build scalable, AI-enabled enterprises, the path forward requires a more holistic approach. That means embedding AI into strategic planning, aligning with core clinical and business objectives, and defining measurable return on investment (ROI)— not just in financial terms, but in outcomes, experience, and equity. It also means investing in robust governance, workforce readiness, and cross-functional collaboration from day one. Because at the end of the day, the success of AI in healthcare won't be measured by how innovative the technology is — but by how effectively it improves outcomes, empowers clinicians, and delivers patient-centered care at scale. Here are three strategies to help healthcare organizations scale AI successfully: Alignment is the foundation for scaling AI. Solutions that advance both patient care and financial goals create a compelling value proposition—unlocking leadership support and operational resources. Intermountain Healthcare's sepsis early warning system is a textbook example. By targeting a critical clinical problem—early sepsis detection—the AI model saved lives and reduced ICU stays, yielding cost savings as a natural byproduct. This dual focus enabled rapid adoption across the system. Traditionally, AI ROI emphasized cost reduction—streamlining staffing, minimizing billing errors, or shortening stays. Today's leaders recognize that ROI must be more holistic. At UCLA Health, AI-powered clinical documentation through voice technology didn't just boost efficiency—it significantly reduced physician burnout, freeing clinicians to spend more time with patients. This 'experience ROI' is critical in today's care environment. Kaiser Permanente goes further by embedding equity into AI evaluation. They measure success by how well AI tools serve diverse patient populations, ensuring fair and effective care for all. By assessing outcomes, experience, adoption, and fairness, leaders gain a richer understanding of AI's true value. Scaling AI is as much about people as technology. The Cleveland Clinic's cross-disciplinary AI hubs demonstrate how integrated teams—including clinicians, engineers, compliance, and frontline staff—create sustainable AI adoption and innovation. This collaborative model ensures that AI solutions are responsibly implemented, continuously improved, and truly fit clinical workflows. Scaling AI in healthcare demands more than advanced algorithms—it requires embedding AI within strategic priorities, aligning with both clinical and business goals, and redefining ROI to include outcomes, experience, and equity. Strong governance, workforce readiness, and cross-functional collaboration are equally essential. When these elements come together, AI moves from isolated pilots to transformative enterprise assets—delivering measurable value for patients, providers, and health systems alike.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
The Growing Impact Of AI And Quantum On Cybersecurity
Artificial Intelligence and Quantum getty In mid-2025, we are entering the early stages of a new age of digital transformation where networked technologies that combine engineering, computer algorithms, and culture are becoming impactful on a global scale. The upcoming digital revolution and technological convergence will drastically affect our patterns of living, working, and networking in the near future. It is certain that science and technology will continue to propel humanity ahead at an exponential pace, and adapting to the emerging technological ecosystem will be critical to making that vision a reality. Organizations that aspire to succeed in the new digital economy must prioritize innovation, reliability, quality, cost-effectiveness, and security. The amalgamation of artificial intelligence with quantum computing will transform existing computational paradigms, heralding a promising future, but with risks. Digital Transformation Propelled by Emerging Technologies Technologies Impacting Digital Transformation Chuck Brooks Significant technical innovation is defining the transformative digital age. It is a time in history characterized by information exchange and analysis by intelligent systems powered by artificial intelligence algorithms and developing technologies. Such a digital revolution may increase efficiency and economic success, but it also introduces substantial security dangers. The transformative effects of emerging technologies in this year by artificial intelligence and quantum computing will be hugely impactful; however, their cybersecurity challenges on society will require the need for proactive security adaptation and collaboration to mitigate new threats. Cybersecurity Challenges for The New Technological Era The growing complexity of AI-enabled cyberattacks, as well as the urgent need for strong defensive systems, are serious cybersecurity issues. As organizations become increasingly linked and data-driven, their vulnerabilities grow. A proactive security posture, rather than a reactive one, is necessary to prosper and survive. This includes the need for ongoing monitoring, enhanced threat intelligence, and thorough incident response plans. Cybersecurity is more than just an IT concern; it is an essential component of every company strategy. In this age of instant digital connectivity, every company's operation, reputation, brand, and income streams are all at risk. Cybercrime is an issue that impacts every size company. Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that the cost of cybercrime will reach $10.5 trillion USD by the end of this year. Cybercrime To Cost The World $10.5 Trillion Annually By 2025 ( The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence on Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Chuck Brooks Cybersecurity and AI are key areas of focus in the emerging digital ecosystem. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems aim to reproduce human characteristics and processing power in a machine and outperform human speed and constraints. It is already taking place. Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled computers are mostly used for automation tasks, including speech recognition, learning, planning, and problem-solving. By prioritizing and acting on data, AI technologies can make decision-making more efficient, especially in bigger networks with numerous users and factors. For cybersecurity, artificial intelligence may expedite the swift detection and identification of cyber threats. Cybersecurity companies have developed AI-powered software and platforms that oversee real-time network activities by analyzing data and files to detect unauthorized communication attempts, illicit connections, anomalous or malicious credential usage, brute force login attempts, atypical data movement, and data exfiltration. This allows organizations to gain statistical insights and protect against anomalies before their reporting and correction. AI improves network monitoring and threat detection tools for smart security by reducing noise, providing prioritized alarms, using contextual data supported by evidence, and performing automated analysis based on correlation indices from cyber threat intelligence. On-premises systems, cloud computing, and edge computing have made the total IT perimeter for many organizations and institutions more complex and dispersed. This requires improved threat detection, analysis, and incident response, as well as increased visibility. This is the most critical component of smart cybersecurity. Smart cybersecurity can detect, filter, neutralize, and remediate cyber threats. Additionally, predictive and generative AI algorithms may apply predictive models more effectively in cybersecurity, resulting in improved security data and results. AI solutions for threat intelligence and network monitoring may assist in improving cybersecurity. Generative AI (GenAI) may be able to deploy predictive models in cybersecurity in a more effective manner, yielding better outcomes and more reliable security data. AI agents and GenAI might collaborate to identify strategies to decrease risk while also improving cybersecurity knowledge and incident response for corporations and organizations. Generative AI can swiftly extract important information, best practices, and recommended actions from the security industry's corpus of knowledge. Agentic AI-enabled cybersecurity offers enormous promise for detecting, preventing, halting, and resolving cyberthreats. Agentic AI can assist with the primary issues of threat detection, response time, and analyst burden. These technologies automate duties while still allowing for human oversight, making security teams more effective in an increasingly perilous digital environment. While AI and ML are crucial tools for cyber defense, they may also provide asymmetrical tools for adversarial hackers. While they may be used to rapidly identify hazardous abnormalities and enhance cybersecurity measures, threat actors may also exploit them. Adversarial nations and nefarious hackers are now using AI and MI to discern and exploit vulnerabilities in threat-detecting frameworks. They use several techniques to do this. Their favored techniques often include automated phishing schemes that replicate human actions, with malware that autonomously alters itself to mislead or compromise cybersecurity frameworks and applications. Cybercriminals are now using AI and machine learning technologies to penetrate and analyze victims' networks. According to research issued Thursday by cybersecurity firm Team8, one in every four CISOs has encountered an AI-generated attack on their company's network in the last year, and AI threats are now at the top of their priority lists. According to Team8, the real number of firms attacked by AI-powered assaults "may be even higher," since most AI-driven threats imitate human behavior and are difficult to identify without sophisticated metrics such as time to exploitation and velocity indicators. AI, Risk, and the Road Ahead: Key Findings from the 2025 CISO Village Survey - Team8 A 2025 IBM/Ponemon Institute research study found that one out of every six breaches involved AI-driven attacks. Attackers are using generative AI to perfect and scale their phishing campaigns and other social engineering attacks. IBM: Cost of U.S. data breach reaches all-time high and shadow AI isn't helping | Network World Small firms, organizations that lack the in-house expertise, and the financial resources for significant investments in sophisticated cybersecurity mitigation technologies are the most vulnerable. Cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence technology to automate their attacks by accessing and analyzing victim networks. Their favorite strategies for deceiving or undermining cyber-defense systems and applications include self-modifying malware and automated phishing efforts. As a result, their focused attacks are more deadly, planned, and quick. Cybercriminals regularly use business email compromise (BEC) fraud schemes to defraud victims by impersonating a legitimate person or company. Hackers may use generative AI to create emails that closely resemble the language, style, and tone of the person or organization they are impersonating, confounding the difference between false and real communications. They can deploy AI tools that can even spoof a person with fake videos and voice mimicking. The most effective approaches for preventing and detecting spoofs and hacks entail always being vigilant. Avoid clicking on links in emails or websites without first checking the sender's identity. Install antivirus and AI-enabled spoof detection software and consider using packet filtering capabilities provided by multiple manufacturers. In addition, with AI-enabled attacks expanding, Zero Trust identity-centric security is important for recognizing identity access and management as the point of greatest marginal risk reduction. Clearly, AI is a transformative force in cybersecurity, offering both immense opportunities and significant risks. To succeed in this changing environment, organizations must take a comprehensive approach that combines advanced AI security tools with strong basic cybersecurity practices, focuses on proactive defense methods, and continuously adjust to new threats. Quantum Computing's Emerging Capabilities and Threats Quantum Computing Chuck Brooks Quantum computing works by harnessing the distinctive properties of atoms and subatomic particles. Physicists are creating quantum computers with exceptional computing speeds, enabling a new kind of analytics and cryptography. There are estimates that organizations are en route toward building commercially viable, fault-tolerant quantum computers within the decade. Quantum computing is becoming more viable as technology advances, making it easier to develop and more efficient at scaling. The gate model and quantum annealing are the two most used quantum computing strategies. Workable quantum solutions based on annealing systems are now widely used. And gate models may appear much sooner than expected. Some annealing quantum-type computers are already commercialized. Photonics computers, which use light photons instead of electrons for data transmission and processing, are already being manufactured in the quantum realm. The benefit of quantum photonic computing lies in its functionality at room temperature, since the particles exhibit greater stability. Quantum Computing Inc. (Nasdaq: QUBT), an innovative, integrated photonics and quantum optics technology company, recently announced the successful shipment of its first commercial entangled photon source to support research in quantum networking and secure communications. Quantum Computing Inc. Ships First Commercial Entangled Photon Source for Quantum Communication Research Quantum computing is expected to advance mankind into the future by revolutionizing artificial intelligence and data analytics. As we reach the achievement of a fully functional quantum computer, a new domain of supercomputing arises that will impact practically every aspect of our lives. The computational power and velocity of quantum computing will assist in addressing some of the most significant and intricate concerns confronting humanity. Quantum computing will allow computers to analyze extensive data sets and conduct analyses at remarkable speeds. It will enable the rapid downloading of whole libraries in only seconds. The incorporation of AI will significantly alter society in terms of research, education, and predictive analytics. Quantum computing will be transformative to all society and enable exponentially faster problem-solving compared to classical computing, especially for complex fields like cryptography, materials science, and AI. Conversely, quantum computing could potentially disrupt the entire cybersecurity ecosystem in the near future. The achievement of quantum computing, along with the concept of quantum supremacy, may raise significant concerns. The United States and other countries are apprehensive that hackers are now pilfering data to be decrypted by quantum computers within the next ten years. The same computing capacity that enables rapid decoding or resolution of complex issues might also be used to undermine cybersecurity. This poses a direct danger to banking systems and other essential infrastructure. A typical computer would need a billion years to decrypt the current RSA-2048 standard encryption. A functioning quantum computer may possibly achieve a break-in in under two minutes. Q-Day, as called by quantum researchers, is the time when powerful quantum computers might use Shor's method to break all public key systems that depend on integer factorization and other security techniques. It will make today's security mechanisms obsolete. Governments, standards groups like NIST, and cybersecurity experts warn that the countdown to Q-Day has already begun. NIST's Post-Quantum Cryptography Project is working to standardize new cryptographic algorithms that are resistant to quantum assaults. A document that has been prepared by the Office of Management and Budget instructs government agencies to completely transition to a post-quantum cryptography standard. Quantum computing may improve cybersecurity by using improved cryptography algorithms. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) creates secure communication channels by using quantum mechanics concepts. In QKD, every effort to eavesdrop affects the quantum state, quickly informing both parties. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) strives to provide encryption algorithms that are resilient to quantum attacks. As per the latest findings of ISACA's worldwide Quantum Computing Pulse Poll. Even while 62% of cybersecurity and technology experts fear that quantum computing will crack current internet encryption, just 5% think that it is a top concern for the near future and just 5% indicate that their companies have a clear plan for quantum computing. Chris Dimitriadis, Chief Global Strategy Officer at ISACA, provides a good summary of the importance of both AI and quantum for our future and cybersecurity. ' As a society that relies so heavily on digital systems, it's imperative that we take this seriously. Organizations must make sure that they are already planning about how their operations might look in a post-quantum world while they keep developing a trained workforce on AI. They simply cannot afford to defer this critical preparation, risking the stability of the global economy itself. We need to build a holistically trained workforce on Quantum (and continue doing this for AI) and then create a plan for transition to the post-quantum era, enabling the safe adoption of these emerging technologies, so we can enjoy the benefits of innovation in a safe manner.' Press Releases 2025 Quantum computings rapid rise is a risk to cybersecurity and business stability The remainder of 2025 will witness a range of both new and old cyberthreats as cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing develop in functionality and understanding. This year will be especially challenging for everyone involved in protecting their data and company continuity against cyberattacks. To confront the expanding cyber threats going forward in our new digital era, it will be important to understand the evolving threat landscape and adapt to it with a comprehensive strategy that addresses both old and new threats. Cybersecurity will need more investments in people and processes, stronger public-private sector collaboration, and a comprehensive risk management approach. With the advent of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, there is little time to lose.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
5 important questions to ask your financial advisor
A financial advisor can have a major impact on your finances — both for good and bad. The best financial advisors can help you stick to a long-term investing plan that meets your investment goals over time, while the worst advisors are more likely to put you in investments that line their own pockets, potentially costing you tens of thousands of dollars for advice that was supposedly free. When you hire a financial advisor, you need to essentially conduct a job interview to make sure that a would-be advisor's approach and incentives align with your own. Here are five key questions to ask financial advisors to see if they're the right fit for your needs. Compare advisors: Bankrate's list of the best financial advisors 1. 'Are you a fiduciary?' Many people assume any financial advisor is a fiduciary. Unfortunately, many individuals can hang a sign that says they're a financial advisor without having to give you good advice. In many cases, so-called advisors are really just salespeople in disguise. So you need to determine whether they're going to work in your best interest. That's why you need to ask them if they're a fiduciary, because it helps align their interests with yours. According to the Certified Financial Planning Board, a fiduciary must 'place the interests of the client above the interests of the … professional and the … professional's firm' and 'avoid conflicts of interest,' among other requirements. Instead of the fiduciary standard, many financial advisors are held to a lower suitability standard, which requires a financial advisor to make sure the investment is suitable but not necessarily the best for you. This lower standard means that advisors can recommend investments that make more money for them, even if they aren't the best for you. The answer you want: Ask your potential advisor whether he or she is a fiduciary and whether they're obligated to work in your best interest at all times. If you want the chance at getting the best advice, you need to hear that they are always a fiduciary on your behalf. 2. 'How are you paid?' It pays to keep in mind the familiar phrase, 'He who pays the piper calls the tune.' It's vital that you apply that wisdom to your choice of financial advisor and ask your potential advisor: 'How are you paid?' If you're not paying the advisor directly, you're probably not getting the best advice. Many financial companies — insurers, brokers and others — can set you up with a financial advisor, but these individuals are typically paid by the firm itself. They're compensated when individuals buy their products and services, so they're incentivized to work in their own interest, not yours. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean you're getting bad advice, but are you really getting the best advice? So you must know how advisors are paid if you want to understand whether they are incentivized to act in your best interest. The answer you want: Look for a fee-only fiduciary advisor for the best chance of receiving advice aligned with your goals, but expect to pay for the advisor out of your own pocket, often on an hourly basis. Still, the advice may be much better than the free advice from an advisor who is a salesperson in disguise. 3. 'How will you help me stick to my financial goals?' One of the biggest ways that a good advisor can add value to your life is by helping you stick to a solid financial plan. When the stock market falls, many clients get skittish. They're inclined to sell after prices have fallen and only buy back into the market when things feel safe, setting themselves up to sell low and buy high. A good advisor helps clients stay away from this kind of wealth-destroying behavior. So be sure to ask potential advisors how they're going to help you do that. This aspect of a good advisor is highly underrated, but it's so valuable. A good advisor can help you calm down during a market meltdown when stocks are plummeting. Then, the advisor can help you understand how to make good financial decisions amid the panic. That can be especially valuable for long-term retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. The answer you want: The best financial advisors are able to work with your personality to keep you on track, especially during tough times. Make sure they understand your specific fears and goals and feel confident in their own ability to keep your financial plan in focus. An advisor needs to be part psychologist to keep you on the path to financial success, while ensuring you are pursuing strategies that align with your goals. 4. 'How does your firm measure your performance as a financial advisor?' How a firm measures the success of its advisors should also give you a good idea of how the advisor is incentivized to work on your behalf. If you have a firm that prioritizes only advisors who bring in more money, you should expect an advisor who will try to sell you products. Success can be measured in a variety of ways. Financial advisors should be measured by their ability to give advice to their clients and create positive outcomes for them. Performance can also be focused on acquiring professional designations such as the certified financial planner (CFP), education or client investment performance. Because a financial advisor is supposed to be in the business of giving advice, their performance measures should reflect that. The answer you want: Ask potential advisors how their employment performance is measured by their firm. Ideally, they are evaluated on their ability to give advice and help people rather than their ability to generate revenue for their company. 5. 'What happens if you change companies?' At its best, working with an advisor should be like working with any other professional, such as a doctor or dentist. You'll get the best experience if you can find someone who wants to do right by you for the long haul. You can build up decades of trust and a strong working relationship. But like those other professionals, sometimes financial advisors change firms, and it may not be so easy to transfer your accounts and follow someone you trust. Many advisors, for example, have non-compete agreements with their company so that they can't solicit clients if they change employers. In some cases, advisors may not even be able to contact you to say that they're working at a new company and that you can move your investments there. Your account may simply be reassigned to a new advisor who's not as familiar with you and your situation. At some companies, advisors can take some basic client information when they leave the firm as part of what's called the broker protocol. Under this protocol, an advisor can take key contact information for clients that they personally served. But not all companies are part of the protocol, so you'll want to ask what happens if your potential broker changes their employer. The answer you want: Companies handle an advisor leaving in different ways. In this case, it's more about having full understanding of how your account might be handled in the event that your advisor leaves. Get started: Match with an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals Bottom line It can be difficult to open up your financial life to someone else, making you feel vulnerable. That's why it's important to hire an advisor who is closely aligned with your best interests. Look for advisors who are fiduciaries and are financially compensated and managed in ways that make them more likely to be aligned with your goals and needs. Finally, it's crucial to understand that you're paying someone for an important job — so interview them carefully to ensure they'll do it well. — Bankrate's Lisa Dammeyer contributed to an update of this article. Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
