Software engineer Brandon Thomas has used AI tools to create open-source versions of Microsoft Office applications. The new applications, WordCraft, GridCraft and DeckCraft, which mimic Word, Excel and PowerPoint but are still in early development, have generated mixed reactions, with some praising the innovation and others questioning the sustainability and impact on open-source projects like LibreOffice.

Cyber threats are rising and strong cyber leaders are needed. At USD, our online MS in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership helps you elevate your skills while offering the flexibility to fit your schedule. App waiver available when you apply by Nov. 2

Microsoft has updated WinUI Gallery to version 3.0, allowing developers to experiment with new features earlier by including the experimental Windows App SDK. This update introduces new controls such as TableView, Charts, and Wrap Panel, and includes quality-of-life improvements like enhanced search functionality and better navigation.

Developers must adapt to AI-driven workflows by learning to direct AI agents, evaluate AI-generated code and focus on broader problem-solving, writes Gwen Davis of GitHub. "As developer workflows evolve, learning to work effectively with AI -- and strengthening your own technical judgment -- can help you adapt," Davis writes.

The use of AI agents to provision cloud resources has created a challenge for ownership identification. Unlike employees, AI agents leave no trace, making it difficult to track and manage resources they create. Zeen Rachidi of The New Stack suggests using queries, policies and guardrails to identify resources owned by service accounts rather than individuals. Additionally, setting environment time-to-live can help automatically destroy unused resources, preventing them from accumulating and increasing costs.

Small AI models could soon replicate themselves across poorly secured consumer devices, according to a study by Anthropic that shows that models like GLM-5.2 can autonomously spread across devices like smart TVs and refrigerators. CEO Dario Amodei warns that such AI worms could cause hundreds of billions of dollars in damage by taking over the internet within a year.

Executives are more likely than employees to use AI, according to research from Channel V Media and Proper Insights and Analytics. While 53.2% of executives use generative AI, only 37.9% of employees do. The research also found that 18% of senior leaders pretend to understand more about AI than they do, and 27% would change jobs for better AI training.

CIOs are facing increased pressure to deliver business value faster due to the rapid pace of innovation in AI, according to a TechTarget survey of IT leaders. The survey reveals that AI has added complexity to the CIO role, introducing new risks related to security, data privacy and governance. CIOs also must manage expectations from executives who want quick results from AI investments.