A developer used AI tool Claude to upgrade a Java application to the latest version, using a two-agent approach to ensure accuracy and control. The agents, Migrator and Verifier, worked together to plan and review the upgrade. The process was guided by a checklist.
Editor's noteUpgrading a Java app with AI is a controlled experiment, not a hands-off process. The real test is not whether Claude can automate the upgrade, but whether it can do so without losing human oversight and control. Watch the checklist, not the code, to see if the AI's plan holds up to human scrutiny.
TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft blames a configuration change for Exchange Admin Center tumble
Microsoft's Exchange Admin Center was unavailable due to a configuration change, causing an 'Internal Server Error' for administrators. The issue was resolved by rolling back the change. This is the latest in a series of outages caused by similar configuration changes.
AI-pilled bosses and clients are turning designers into ‘pixel pushers’
Graphic designers are being asked to work with AI-generated designs, leading to feelings of undervaluation and 'pixel pushing' rather than creative work. Many designers feel their skills are being replaced by AI. Some have even been laid off due to the perceived threat of AI.
MARKETING & DESIGN
AI-generated UI, What the AI era owes you, Amazing Glass, Jev for UX
AI-generated UI prioritises speed over craftsmanship, according to Sophie Shrimpton, while a new AI era brings opportunities and challenges for designers, including the need to connect design systems with AI tools.
Editor's noteAI-generated UI prioritising speed over craftsmanship is a symptom of a broader design trend: the erosion of human touch in favour of efficiency. Watch the quality of design outputs as AI tools are scaled up, and whether the trade-off in craftsmanship is worth the speed gain.
Design Brands Are Now Duping Themselves—Sort Of
Home goods retailers are creating their own 'dupes' of high-end products, using AI-generated images to market them, in response to social media-fuelled demand for low-cost, high-end lookalikes. This trend is driven by the success of counterfeit goods, now known as 'dupes', on social media. Brands are embracing the trend.
Britain's oldest running team has a combined age of 321, and Rankin shot their portraits
Altra's campaign features four British runners aged 75-85, who have a total age of 321 years. They were photographed by Rankin for the campaign, which aims to inspire younger runners.
ADVERTISING & PR
Ad industry tallies early losses from Apple’s Safari tracking block
Apple's latest software update has blocked some major companies from tracking users for targeted ads, echoing previous disruptions in 2017 and 2021, which cost the industry billions. The move has left ad executives on edge, anticipating significant losses. The exact cost is yet to be tallied.
‘An important capability for us’: PepsiCo CEO on Publicis switch
PepsiCo's CEO Ramon Laguarta described the company's partnership with Publicis Groupe as 'an important capability' allowing for more data-driven investment, following the switch from Omnicom after three decades. The move is estimated to involve $1.9 billion in annual media spending. Publicis won the account without a formal review.
Editor's notePepsiCo's partnership with Publicis is a strategic bet on data-driven marketing. The move's value lies in its potential to unlock granular insights, not just a new agency. Watch whether Publicis can deliver on Laguarta's promise of more precise investment, and whether the partnership's benefits outweigh the $1.9 billion annual media spend.
New York Times, Observer, Economist, ITV News among 40 new members to join SPUR Coalition
The SPUR Coalition has expanded to over 40 new members, including major news outlets, to set rules for AI companies using publisher IP without permission and develop paid licensing agreements.
How MOps teams are restructuring for autonomous AI agents
Marketing organisations are reorganising their operations teams to work with AI agents, creating new roles such as system orchestrators and AI governance managers to oversee autonomous workflows and prevent errors.
HUMAN RESOURCES
BambooHR Launches Connector for Claude
BambooHR has launched a connector for Claude, allowing team members to handle HR tasks in plain language within conversations without leaving the platform. The connector is built on BambooHR's new connection layer, the MCP. It simplifies everyday HR work for teams.
Editor's noteBambooHR's connector for Claude is a hedge, not a rule, because it requires teams to adopt a new platform and language to handle HR tasks. The cost is in the time and effort to learn and adapt. Watch whether the connector's adoption rate matches BambooHR's existing user base.
Why AI-Enabled Workplaces Need to Double Down on Trust: 4 Capabilities to Build Now
Organisations with AI-enabled workplaces need to focus on building trust through observable, learnable, and repeatable behaviours. This requires managers to develop trust-building skills and teams to codify these practices. Four key capabilities can help achieve this.
10 Coursera Free Courses For L&D And EdTech Professionals In 2026
Coursera provides 10 free courses for learning and development specialists and education technology experts, covering topics such as instructional design, AI, and digital learning. These courses are available on various subjects, including learning experience design and assessment. They are accessible to professionals in the field.
PUBLIC POLICY
TV Networks Protested Press Bans by Declining To Cover Trump. That Might Have Been Illegal, the DOJ Says.
Four major US TV networks suspended participation in the White House press pool after President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The DOJ has now investigated this move, suggesting it may have breached antitrust laws.
Editor's noteTV networks' press pool boycott was a gesture, not a rule. The DOJ's antitrust investigation suggests it was a lever to pressure Trump, not a demonstration of solidarity. Watch whether the networks' participation in the pool is restored, and whether the DOJ's inquiry is used to silence them.
Congratulations to the Hoover Institution's Robert E. Hall, on His Economics Nobel Prize
Robert E. Hall, a Stanford economist and Hoover Institution senior fellow, has been awarded the 2026 economics Nobel Prize for his work on microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilization, shared with Michael Woodford.
For America.gov, the front door is only as good as the back office
The White House's America.gov portal aims to simplify federal information and services, but its success relies on agencies' ability to handle increased workload and address accountability questions arising from AI-generated answers.
