Author: Marlet Salazar

Technology editor of The Philippine Star

As companies begin deploying agentic AI (artificial intelligence), experts say clear guardrails are needed to ensure these systems stay within the limits set by organizations. Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can plan tasks, make decisions, and carry out actions with little human involvement. Unlike traditional AI tools that simply respond to prompts, these systems can complete workflows, access company data, and interact with other software to finish a task. Because of this level of independence, companies are becoming more cautious about how the technology is used. One concern is that an AI agent may interpret its objective differently…

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Technology brand Xiaomi has launched a new lineup of flagship smartphones and smart devices in the Philippines following their global unveiling at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, with the debut of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in the local market taking center stage. The Ultra model marks the first time Xiaomi’s top-tier smartphone line is being officially introduced in the country since the company began positioning the series globally two years ago. Priced at PHP 99,999, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra sits at the top of the company’s smartphone lineup, focusing on advanced imaging and video capabilities. The device offers cinema-grade…

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As more companies adopt artificial intelligence (AI) for customer service, sales, and internal operations, two issues are moving to the forefront: data control and response speed. Many agent AI platforms today are built on top of global large language model (LLM) providers. While this allows for rapid deployment, it also raises questions about where enterprise data is processed, how it is stored, and whether companies have full control over their information. For Gnani Innovations Private Limited, owning the full technology stack is important to its strategy. Founded in 2016, the company develops both the foundation models and the application layer…

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When Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 Series at its Unpacked event held in San Francisco, most of the buzz was around its advanced use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the integration of Agentic AI into the system. But some of the, what we think, are useful features aren’t just flashy, but they are practical, the kind consumers will actually use in daily life. Here’s a quick look at the features that could make a real difference. 1. Screen Privacy The Galaxy S26 comes with a new screen privacy mode that keeps people around you from seeing what’s on your screen.…

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Messaging app Telegram will continue operating in the Philippines after it reached an agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to act faster against illegal online activities. A few days ago, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said they were considering banning the app because of reports of illegal activities happening in the platform. The agreement came after talks with Telegram leaders Ronak Singh and Abhimanyu Yadav and Philippine officials, according to the DICT’s post on its Facebook page. About 59.1% of internet users in the Philippines now use Telegram, based…

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SAN FRANCISCO – Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy Buds4, adding new audio hardware, adaptive software, and updated designs, at its Galaxy Unpacked event. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro features a new wider woofer designed to increase the effective speaker area by nearly 20% compared with the previous generation. Samsung said the change allows for stronger bass and clearer sound without increasing the size of the earbuds. The Pro model also supports 24-bit/96kHz audio and uses a two-way speaker system tuned for balanced output across low and high frequencies. Active Noise Cancellation, or ANC, has also been updated.…

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SAN FRANCISCO – Samsung is relying heavily on Galaxy AI as the next growth driver in Southeast Asia, targeting both consumers and enterprises as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes productivity and the whole device ecosystem. “AI can understand user intent and proactively handle tasks, simplifying work without loss,” said CU Kim, president and CEO, Southeast Asia and Oceania, Samsung, during a roundtable discussion with the media. Still, he cautioned that wider AI adoption also expands more security concerns. As AI systems handle more sensitive data, security becomes a business priority. Samsung sees business-to-business opportunities across eight Southeast Asian markets where it…

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SAN FRANCISCO — At its annual Unpacked event, Samsung doubled down on its third-generation AI smartphones, the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra, expanding its Galaxy AI features. The updates, along with new features, focus on how artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI (GenAI), help users handle everyday tasks more efficiently. The company is also advancing its Agentic AI, or Multi AI Agent, by integrating it at the operating system level. The deeper integration reduces the need to switch between apps and allows a single prompt to generate multiple actions or results. Camera features have always been one of the…

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The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is considering whether to block Telegram in the Philippines over reports that the messaging app is being used to spread pornographic materials and run illegal gambling activities. Henry Aguda, secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, said in an interview on a radio program aired on DZRH that the government may have to consider banning the messaging app if these activities continue. The possible ban comes weeks after the DICT temporarily banned Grok, the artificial intelligence (AI) tool of X, following reports abroad that it was being used to generate…

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Technology Xiaomi has announced its latest device, the Xiaomi Tag, a Bluetooth tracker that weighs 10 grams and measures 7.2 mm thick. Xiaomi Tag runs on a user-replaceable CR2032 coin battery, with an estimated battery life of about one year under normal use. Xiaomi said the tracker is designed for budget-conscious consumers who want basic, reliable location tracking without paying premium prices. The Xiaomi Tag supports both Apple’s Find My network and Google Find Hub, according Xiaomi’s official channels. The cross-platform support allows iOS and Android users to track items through their preferred apps instead of being tied to a…

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