AI News Update: Does OpenAI’s new Jalapeño chip actually run faster than Nvidia Blackwell? and more

We’ve released updates to the following update channel for Microsoft 365 Apps: Current Channel Microsoft 365 Message Center ID: MC1462425 Last Modified: August 27, 2026 Category: Message Center Tags: New feature, Feature update Status: Launched Products & Platforms: Microsoft 365 apps When this will happen We’ll be gradually rolling out this update of Microsoft 365 …

OpenAI’s custom inference chip promises faster ChatGPT and lower costs OpenAI just showed off real benchmark results for Jalapeño, its first custom chip built specifically to run AI models, not train them. Think of inference as the moment ChatGPT actually writes your reply. That is what this chip is built for. It was co-built with …

Summary Copilot Cowork adds an effort-level picker in the compose experience, letting users choose Light, Medium, or higher effort for different task types. The change is available to users with access to Copilot Cowork across web, Windows, and Mac. Selected effort level affects response quality, response speed, and usage consumption; existing model availability and governance …

Summary Microsoft 365 Copilot is adding session sharing and response sharing so users can generate a link to share either an entire chat session or a single Copilot response with others in the same organization. Recipients will be able to open shared content in a read-only view and continue the conversation in their own Copilot …

Summary Microsoft Defender XDR is adding a unified identity response workflow so analysts can take supported actions across linked accounts from one place. Supported actions can include disabling/enabling accounts, revoking sessions, marking accounts compromised, and forcing password changes, depending on the connected identity system or app. The capability applies to Microsoft and third-party identity/SaaS connectors, …

Summary Microsoft Defender XDR is adding a unified Timeline view on the Identity page that consolidates identity activity and alerts into one investigation experience. The new timeline pulls together events from Microsoft Entra sign-ins, Microsoft Graph audit events, SaaS cloud activity, and device logons, with additional context and filters. This change is aimed at SOC …

Connected Plans let teams link related plans together to organize work across projects and initiatives. Navigate between connected plans and make related work easier to find and manage.  Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 569929 Last Modified: August 26, 2026 GA date: September CY2026 Category: Roadmap Update Tags: New feature Status: In development Products & Platforms: Planner

Copilot Notebooks now lets users add Power BI reports as references, bringing report data directly into their notebooks alongside files. Copilot uses this information to help generate more relevant summaries, presentations, and briefs grounded in the organization’s data.  Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 569928 Last Modified: August 26, 2026 GA date: September CY2026 Preview date: August …

We are announcing the ability to enable the Investment project feature in Dynamics 365 Project Operations. This feature will reach general availability on September 25, 2026. Microsoft 365 Message Center ID: MC1462013 Last Modified: August 26, 2026 Category: Stay informed Tags: New feature Status: Launched Products & Platforms: Dynamics 365 Apps How does this affect …

Is the Garmin Fenix 9 worth the upgrade if I have a Fenix 8? Thinking of buying the Garmin Fenix 9? Here is why its new backcountry LTE isn’t like an Apple Watch—and why the titanium upgrade won’t save you weight. Key Takeaways What: The Garmin Fenix 9 improves map rendering speeds and adds titanium …