AI agents Archives

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Securing the Model Context Protocol: Building a safer agentic future on Windows

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a lightweight, open protocol functioning as JSON-RPC over HTTP, facilitating standardized discovery and invocation of tools. MCP defines three roles: MCP Hosts (applications accessing capabilities), MCP Clients (initiators of requests), and MCP Servers (services exposing functionalities). Windows 11 will incorporate MCP to enable developers to create intelligent applications leveraging generative AI. An early preview of MCP capabilities will be available for developer feedback. MCP introduces security risks, including cross-prompt injection, authentication gaps, credential leakage, tool poisoning, lack of containment, limited security review, registry risks, and command injection. To address these, Windows 11's MCP Security Architecture will establish security requirements for MCP servers, ensuring user safety and transparency, enforcing least privilege, and implementing security controls like proxy-mediated communication, tool-level authorization, a central server registry, and runtime isolation. MCP servers must comply with security requirements, including mandatory code signing, unchanged tool definitions at runtime, security testing, mandatory package identity, and declared privileges. An early private preview of MCP server capability will be offered to developers post-Microsoft Build for feedback, with a secure-by-default enforcement strategy planned for broader availability. Microsoft aims to enhance defenses continuously and collaborate with partners to bolster MCP's security framework.

Winsage

May 19, 2025

Microsoft CTO says the number of people using AI agents doubled in the last year

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Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2025

Databricks To Buy Serverless Postgres Company Neon

Databricks has agreed to acquire Neon, a significant player in the serverless Postgres market, to enhance its database capabilities and developer experience. Over 80 percent of databases on Neon are automatically created by AI agents, indicating a shift towards agent-driven workflows. Neon's architecture allows for rapid deployment of Postgres instances in under 500 milliseconds, features a cost structure that scales with usage through the separation of compute and storage, and is fully compatible with the Postgres ecosystem. The acquisition aims to eliminate inefficiencies in database scaling, improve performance for concurrent AI agents, and streamline infrastructure while maintaining security and governance. Following the acquisition, Neon's team will join Databricks to support the development of responsive and reliable AI agent systems.

Tech Optimizer

May 17, 2025

Databricks to Acquire Database Startup Neon for $1 Billion

Databricks plans to acquire Neon, a serverless Postgres provider, for billion. Neon's platform supports AI agents, with over 80% of databases provisioned automatically by them. The architecture allows rapid database spin-up in under 500 milliseconds and is compatible with the open-source Postgres ecosystem. Neon was founded in 2021 by Nikita Shamgunov, Heikki Linnakangas, and Stas Kelvich, and features a design that separates storage and compute for instant provisioning and auto-scaling. Databricks aims to integrate Neon’s technology into its Data Intelligence Platform to enhance AI workloads. Following the acquisition, Neon’s team will join Databricks while continuing to support the existing community. This acquisition is expected to impact the 0 billion database market. Databricks has also acquired Fennel and Tabular to enhance its capabilities in the tech landscape.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

Databricks to acquire Neon for AI-driven serverless Postgres

Databricks plans to acquire Neon, a company specializing in serverless Postgres technology, to enhance its AI-driven database offerings and developer workflows. The acquisition reflects Databricks' commitment to the evolving database market, which is increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. Neon’s technology is designed for AI agents, with over 80% of databases on its platform provisioned automatically by AI. Key features of Neon's platform include rapid provisioning of Postgres instances, cost efficiency through separated compute and storage, and full compatibility with the open-source Postgres ecosystem. The integration aims to address limitations of traditional databases, streamline infrastructure, and support the development of AI agent systems. Upon completion of the acquisition, Neon's team will join Databricks, and both companies aim to simplify data architecture and enhance AI agent capabilities. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals. Neon was founded in 2021 and focuses on serverless Postgres solutions, while Databricks serves over 10,000 organizations globally with its Data Intelligence Platform.

Tech Optimizer

May 16, 2025

The $1 Billion database bet: What Databricks’ Neon acquisition means for your AI strategy

Databricks acquired the privately held serverless PostgreSQL startup Neon for approximately billion. Neon, founded in 2022, had previously raised million in a Series B funding round. Over 80% of the databases generated on Neon's platform were initiated by AI agents. PostgreSQL, an established relational database platform, is ranked as the fourth most popular database as of 2025. Serverless PostgreSQL offers operational simplicity, allowing on-demand resource allocation, which is particularly beneficial for AI-centric projects. Major cloud providers, including Google, Microsoft, and AWS, offer serverless PostgreSQL services. Databricks aims to build a developer and AI-agent-friendly database platform with this acquisition. Serverless architectures excel in handling short bursts and smaller workloads, providing rapid scalability, but may present challenges in data management. Neon’s model enhances appeal for developers by distinguishing between storage and compute, facilitating automated scaling. The acquisition indicates a shift in infrastructure requirements for successful AI implementation, highlighting the need for flexible, instantly scalable serverless solutions.

Tech Optimizer

May 15, 2025

Databricks to acquire serverless database startup Neon for USD 1 Billion

Databricks intends to acquire Neon, a serverless Postgres startup, for approximately USD 1 billion. Neon specializes in a modern database service based on PostgreSQL, offering features such as near-instantaneous database provisioning, elastic scaling, and powerful branching capabilities. This acquisition aims to enhance Databricks' offerings for AI tools, particularly AI Agents. Databricks has a history of expanding through acquisitions, including the purchase of MosaicML for USD 1.3 billion in 2023 and Tabular for over USD 1 billion in 2024. The company has a valuation of USD 62 billion and projected annualized revenue of USD 2.4 billion by mid-year. The acquisition awaits regulatory approvals.

Tech Optimizer

May 15, 2025

Databricks to Acquire Neon in USD 1 Billion Deal to Power AI Agent Workflows with Serverless Postgres

Databricks intends to acquire Neon, a cloud-based serverless Postgres platform, for approximately USD 1 billion. Neon, founded in 2021, offers a managed, open-source Postgres service with features like effortless database cloning, isolated environment testing, and point-in-time data restoration. Over 80% of databases on Neon are created by AI agents. The acquisition aims to enhance Databricks' infrastructure for AI-native applications, allowing developers to create isolated Postgres instances quickly and decouple compute and storage resources. Neon has raised USD 129.5 million from investors, while Databricks has secured over USD 19 billion in funding, with a valuation of USD 62 billion. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals, and Neon's team will join Databricks post-acquisition.

Tech Optimizer

May 14, 2025

Databricks Acquires Neon for $1 Billion, Boosting AI Infrastructure with Serverless PostgreSQL

Databricks has acquired Neon, a cloud-based database startup specializing in serverless PostgreSQL, in a billion-dollar deal. This acquisition aims to enhance Databricks' role in the AI tooling landscape and reflects a shift in the database market to meet the needs of AI-native applications. Neon, founded in 2021 and based in Menlo Park, California, had raised nearly million before this acquisition. Databricks CEO Ali Ghodsi noted that 80% of databases on their platform are created by code rather than humans, indicating a shift in database management driven by autonomous AI agents. Databricks has been actively acquiring companies to strengthen its AI development capabilities, having previously acquired firms like MosaicML and Arcion. Ghodsi emphasized that as a private entity, Databricks can make long-term strategic decisions without public market pressures. The acquisition reflects a broader trend of increased deal-making in the AI sector and highlights the growing importance of robust data infrastructure in the context of sovereign AI initiatives.

Tech Optimizer

May 14, 2025

Databricks buys serverless database startup Neon for reported $1B

Databricks Inc. has confirmed its acquisition of Neon Inc. for approximately billion. Databricks, based in San Francisco, was valued at billion after its last funding round. Neon specializes in managed cloud databases, has raised over million in funding, and utilizes a proprietary storage engine built on PostgreSQL. Neon's architecture allows for rapid deployment of database instances in under a second, which enhances performance for AI agents. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by July 31.