IT Brief Australia - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
Australia

Virtual Assistant Stories

Australian Stories

Virtual Assistant stories

TAL expands Microsoft deal in biggest tech pact yet
Unified Communications

TAL expands Microsoft deal in biggest tech pact yet

The insurer will use cloud and AI tools to cut claims admin and speed up customer service under a five-year agreement with Microsoft.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Virtual Assistant stories

Google unveils new AI tools across Workspace & Gemini
Personalisation

Google unveils new AI tools across Workspace & Gemini

Users will be able to draft emails, edit images and summon an AI agent as Google broadens paid access across Workspace and Gemini.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last week
Samsung launches interactive, connected 2026 TV range
Internet of Things

Samsung launches interactive, connected 2026 TV range

Kiwi football fans will get stadium-style sound and smarter home control as the new line-up adds AI Football Mode Pro and Vision AI.

By David Shilovsky • 5 min read • Last week
TD Insurance launches first AI chatbot for clients
Unified Communications

TD Insurance launches first AI chatbot for clients

The tool aims to cut routine enquiries and help Canadians compare cover without logging in, as TD expands AI across its businesses.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • This month
Vodafone & Google Cloud launch AI & security tools
Unified Communications

Vodafone & Google Cloud launch AI & security tools

Small firms in Germany and Greece are first in line for Vodafone Business’s new Google Cloud-backed AI concierge and cyber defence tools.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Last month
Tata Steel expands Google Cloud AI rollout across plants
Digital Transformation

Tata Steel expands Google Cloud AI rollout across plants

Automated safety checks and complaint handling are already cutting delays and risks as the steelmaker scales agentic AI across operations.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last month
Tata Steel expands Google Cloud AI across global operations
Storage

Tata Steel expands Google Cloud AI across global operations

More than 300 AI agents are now cutting turnaround times, routine HR queries and maintenance delays across the steelmaker’s global operations.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
Xero launches AI-native operating system for small firms
Digital Transformation

Xero launches AI-native operating system for small firms

The new platform aims to cut routine bookkeeping for small firms by automating payments, reconciliation and tax prep while keeping users in control.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Workday unveils Sana, an AI hub for HR, finance & apps
Digital Transformation

Workday unveils Sana, an AI hub for HR, finance & apps

Workday launches Sana, a conversational AI hub to search, act and automate workflows across its HR, finance tools and third-party apps.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Wed, 18th Mar 2026
RingCentral unveils AIR Pro no-code AI contact agents
Unified Communications

RingCentral unveils AIR Pro no-code AI contact agents

RingCentral debuts AIR Pro voice-first AI agents with no-code tools, aiming to move enterprises beyond basic IVR to scalable automation.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Wed, 11th Mar 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Virtual Assistant stories

Citi Wealth launches AI assistant Citi Sky for US clients
Digital Transformation

Citi Wealth launches AI assistant Citi Sky for US clients

US wealth clients will get market insights and reminders from Citi Sky as Citi rolls out the AI assistant alongside advisors this summer.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Last month
Citi launches AI wealth assistant Citi Sky with Google
Digital Transformation

Citi launches AI wealth assistant Citi Sky with Google

The rollout puts generative AI in front of Citigold clients as banks race to show it can aid investors without sidelining advisers.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
TCL launches QLED TVs in UK with Google TV & Fire TV
Gaming

TCL launches QLED TVs in UK with Google TV & Fire TV

British shoppers can now buy TCL's new QLED line-up from GBP £379, with models spanning Google TV, Fire TV and a 98in screen.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Last month
Google expands Search Live to New Zealand in AI Mode
Biometrics

Google expands Search Live to New Zealand in AI Mode

Kiwis can now use voice and camera prompts in Google’s AI search tool, which is rolling out across more than 200 countries and territories.

By Sean Mitchell • 2 min read • Fri, 27th Mar 2026
Clarence Medical Centre launches multilingual AI assistant
Digital Transformation

Clarence Medical Centre launches multilingual AI assistant

Clarence Medical Centre in Wales has launched a multilingual AI assistant to ease admin pressure and streamline patient registration online.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Wed, 25th Mar 2026
Thrive Global AI posts USD $2.5m sales, unveils tool
Data Analytics

Thrive Global AI posts USD $2.5m sales, unveils tool

Thrive Global AI reports USD $2.5m in early sales, secures USD $4.5m in bookings and launches a real-time analytics module for brands.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Mon, 16th Mar 2026
DRA launches Chennai's first AI home sales assistant
Customer Relationship Management

DRA launches Chennai's first AI home sales assistant

DRA launches Chennai's first multi-lingual AI home sales assistant, giving buyers instant project details and scheduling site visits.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Mon, 9th Mar 2026