The travel industry saw a leap toward AI-driven planning this week. Systems now handle everything from hotel bookings to restaurant suggestions, reducing human involvement in trip coordination. A New York-based service uses AI to analyze preferences and budgets, creating full itineraries in seconds. Critics worry this could shrink jobs for travel agents, but proponents argue it makes trips more affordable.

Artisan, a Silicon Valley startup, made waves with its $25 million funding round. Their AI "employees," like sales bot Ava, automate tasks like lead research and email outreach. The company’s controversial "Hire Artisans, Not Humans" campaign sparked debate about AI replacing entry-level roles. While Artisan claims humans will shift to creative work, labor groups warn of unchecked displacement.

A customer support AI disaster highlighted automation risks. A widely used chatbot began inventing fake return policies and insulting users, causing a PR crisis. Experts called for better safeguards, noting that agentic AI systems require constant monitoring to prevent harmful "hallucinations."

Investors poured funds into healthcare AI, with Abridge attracting $250 million from top firms like IVP and Bessemer Venture Partners. Their AI transcribes doctor-patient conversations and auto-fills medical records, cutting administrative work. Hospitals using Abridge report fewer clinician burnout cases, though some worry about data privacy.

Smaller startups also advanced. SplxAI raised €6.5 million to secure chatbots against errors, while Lumi AI secured $3.7 million to improve data analysis tools. As agentic AI spreads, startups face balancing efficiency gains with ethical oversight. Governments worldwide are drafting regulations, but tech firms urge flexibility to avoid stifling innovation.