On 6 February 2026, several developments highlighted the evolving role of artificial intelligence across industries. Technology firms are urging organisations to stop treating AI models as conversational assistants and instead manage them as fleets of agents. This shift, reported by Ars Technica, reframes adoption challenges as operational and governance issues rather than purely technical ones, signalling a new phase in enterprise AI strategy.
Meanwhile, consumer sentiment remains divided. A Circana survey, covered by PC Gamer, found that about one-third of users prefer not to have AI embedded in their devices. Many respondents cited privacy concerns or felt their devices already met their needs, underscoring the importance of trust and choice in product design.
Beyond consumer tech, Vision Marine Technologies unveiled Project Pelagos, an AI-driven platform for nautical retail intelligence, while Scandinavian Airlines SAS announced that AI has significantly reduced its response time to flight disruptions.
For South African businesses, these trends highlight both opportunities and caution. Enterprises must balance innovation with governance, while product teams should recognise that consumer adoption depends as much on confidence and transparency as on technical capability.
