Thrive has announced the launch of its Managed AI Services. The five key components of their offering include: Use Case Identification, where they help businesses define clear, impactful AI applications to ensure ROI; Data Assessment to verify organizations have appropriate data infrastructure; Security Implementation leveraging their cybersecurity expertise to protect data and AI systems; AI Policy & Governance to establish compliance-aligned usage guidelines; and Employee Training to ensure staff can effectively utilize AI tools while adhering to company policies and best practices
Addigy has launched a new Apple Security Suite in collaboration with SentinelOne, designed to provide IT teams and managed service providers with comprehensive security solutions for macOS devices. This integration combines Addigy’s device management platform with SentinelOne’s endpoint detection and response, as well as managed detection and response services, offering a unified console for compliance and threat defense. The suite features real-time malware protection, automated compliance remediation, and dashboards for easy reporting aligned with frameworks like SOC2, CIS, and NIST. SentinelOne has also announced its plan to deliver its artificial intelligence defense solutions to small and mid-sized businesses through the Pax8 Marketplace.
Arctic Wolf has unveiled its AI Security Assistant, a generative artificial intelligence tool designed to enhance security operations within the Aurora platform. This innovative assistant, currently in beta, offers customers faster answers and self-service capabilities, allowing for natural language interaction to gain context about their security environment. Recent updates to the AI Security Assistant include skills that streamline security incident management, such as ticket and threat bulletin summarization, and explanations of common vulnerabilities
Acronis and Intel have announced a new collaboration that integrates Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud with Intel’s AI-powered Core Ultra processors, enhancing threat detection and remediation for endpoint devices. This partnership aims to deliver advanced cybersecurity solutions without compromising system performance, allowing managed service providers and enterprises to operate more efficiently. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud utilizes Artificial Intelligence to analyze behavioral patterns and detect real-time threats, including ransomware and fileless malware. By offloading AI workloads to the processor’s neural processing unit, this integration reduces CPU load by up to 92%, optimizing device performance and extending battery life.
OpenAI has announced that its Projects feature will now be available to free users of ChatGPT, allowing them to organize conversations around specific topics. Previously, this feature was exclusive to paid subscribers, but it now offers free users the ability to set custom instructions and manage how the AI responds. In addition to this rollout, OpenAI is increasing the number of files users can reference within a project—free users can upload up to five files, while Plus subscribers can upload 25 and Pro subscribers can upload 40.
Microsoft has announced the release of Windows Backup for Organizations, a commercial version of its backup solution designed for managed environments. This tool allows organizations to back up Windows 10 and Windows 11 settings, as well as a list of installed Microsoft Store applications, for easy restoration on new devices. The backup functionality is opt-in and requires administrators to enable it.
Microsoft Word is set to automatically save new documents to the cloud, eliminating the need for users to enable AutoSave and cloud storage options manually. This update is currently being tested by Microsoft 365 Insiders. However, the transition has met some resistance, with users expressing frustration over the perceived complexity added to saving files locally, particularly those who prefer not to use OneDrive.
Why do we care?
Thrive’s new Managed AI Services? That’s the playbook. Stop selling tools, start selling outcomes—define the use case, make sure the data’s good, secure it, govern it, train the staff. That’s exactly where service providers should be leaning in.
Addigy and SentinelOne are beefing up Mac security, Arctic Wolf’s rolling out an AI SOC assistant, Acronis and Intel are teaming up for faster endpoint protection—it’s all AI, AI, AI in security. That’s good, but let’s not forget: if customers don’t see reduced risk or faster response, it’s just buzzwords.
Then there’s OpenAI giving free users better project management—expect more “shadow AI” use inside your customers. And Microsoft—one hand gives you Windows Backup for Organizations, which is useful, the other hand takes away your local save defaults in Word, forcing more OneDrive. Guess which one your customers are going to complain about.
The new normal: AI is baked into everything, vendors are making workflow changes, and your job as an IT service provider is to smooth it all out and prove the value. Otherwise, you’re just doing vendor tech support for free.