Mid-sized and large US enterprises face a widening gap in operational stability, with nine out of 10 organisations failing to detect third-party or supply chain disruptions until operations are actively impacted.

According to research from Economist Enterprise supported by AT&T Business, enterprise resilience strategies fall short where network connections, vendor systems and rapid digital deployments intersect.

The company surveyed 1,020 senior technology and operations executives to evaluate modern operational risks. The research identifies five key areas where resilience strategies are falling short of disruption risks.

The study found resilience priorities do not match disruption realities. Cybersecurity receives the largest share of spending, even though over one-third of the organisations cite third-party and supply chain failures as the primary driver of their most significant disruptions.

It also found trust stands in for verification. Over half of respondents assess the resilience of critical technology suppliers based on market reputation or assurances rather than empirical evidence or rigorous technical testing.

While larger companies have more resources, they also have more ground to cover. Despite having bigger budgets and specialised talent, only 5% of large enterprises avoided a major technology incident over the past year, compared to 27% of mid-market firms, largely due to legacy infrastructure and complex ecosystems.

Survey results indicate that AI adoption is moving faster than resilience preparation. Although relatively few (4%) companies identified AI or automation failures as the cause of their most significant disruption, the research shows organisations further along the AI adoption curve have already experienced at least one AI-related incident last year. Overall, preparedness for AI-related risks remains behind many other resilience capabilities.

It also found highly resilient organisations actively learn from past incidents, maintain clear executive ownership and regularly test recovery plans. While most companies practice cyber response, only 15% rehearse for wider geopolitical or supply chain disruptions.

Key
Zee Hussain, SVP of Global Enterprise Solutions at AT&T Business, emphasised technology resilience has evolved beyond traditional IT management into a core business strategy.

“Organisations that invest in visibility, resilient connectivity, and recovery readiness are better positioned to maintain customer trust, respond to disruption, and adapt to change,” he stated.

The findings are based on an Economist Enterprise survey of executives at mid-sized and large US enterprises across seven sectors, conducted between June and July 2026.

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OpenAI unveiled a specialised financial edition of its enterprise platform to help bank employees develop research, financial models and customised client materials.

ChatGPT for Financial Services runs on the company’s latest and most advanced model, GPT-6 Astra, and integrates direct data feeds from market intelligence providers like PitchBook, Crunchbase, LSEG, and Daloopa.

Development of the tool was guided by pilot partnerships with investment banking powerhouses Morgan Stanley and Evercore.

Nick Turley, OpenAI’s VP of product, told CNBC the company is “teaching ChatGPT to research like an analyst and back up its conclusions like an analyst as well”.

In a blog post yesterday (10 September), OpenAI noted early collaboration focused heavily on solving two major industry friction points: streamlined access to verified market data and automated artifact creation.

By hosting and indexing third-party datasets directly on its own infrastructure, the system enables citations which help bankers trace figures and claims back to their original sources.

The launch comes amid a broader push by OpenAI to broaden enterprise adoption and cement recurring revenues ahead of a widely expected stock market debut.

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OpenAI reportedly pulled the plug on its pilot programme which let US federal agencies use its models for just $1 per year, shifting instead to a usage-based pricing system to offer government workers a 50% discount off standard rates.

Bloomberg reported the shift concludes a deal struck in August 2025 between OpenAI and the US General Services Administration (GSA), under which the agency’s OneGov marketplace let federal entities access ChatGPT Enterprise for a nominal $1 per agency for one year. GSA also issued an Authority to Use for ChatGPT Enterprise as part of the programme.

The offer came shortly after GSA added OpenAI, Anthropic and Google to its list of approved AI vendors for civilian federal agencies, including an additional 60-day period for unlimited use of advanced features.

The news agency noted the arrangement represented the steepest technology discount GSA’s central purchasing arm had negotiated to date, which was scheduled to conclude on 30 September 2026.

The new agreement with the government is set to take effect on 1 October, lasting more than two years, according to Bloomberg.

Uptake
According to GSA figures cited by the news site, 3.5 million federal employees ultimately used ChatGPT under the pilot programme, generating $1.4 billion in claimed cost savings.

When the arrangement was first announced, OpenAI stated over 90,000 users across more than 3,500 US federal, state, and local government agencies sent more than 18 million messages on ChatGPT to support their day-to-day work dating back to 2024.

GSA’s public OneGov listings still show the original $1-per-agency pricing, with an expiration date of 30 September 2026, while OpenAI’s own government page had not been updated to reflect the shift.

The pilot was part of a broader push by GSA under its OneGov strategy to secure discounted access to frontier AI tools for federal agencies.

Alongside the OpenAI deal, GSA struck similar arrangements with Anthropic, offering Claude for Enterprise and Claude for Government at $1 across the executive, legislative and judicial branches, and with Google, offering Gemini for Government at $0.47 per agency.

The news site noted those agreements are also due to expire on 30 September 2026, with no successor terms yet made public for either company

The initial round of dollar-a-year deals was key to the Trump Administration’s America’s AI Action Plan, which aimed to accelerate AI adoption across federal government.

Bloomberg reported the move to usage-based pricing could mean OpenAI is looking to convert pilot-stage government adoption into a more sustainable commercial relationship, as the company works to build out revenue ahead of a planned public listing.

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Ericsson deployed a private 5G network at a US airport to support operations and lay the groundwork for future digital transformation projects.

The launch at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) was carried out in partnership with Insight Enterprises and the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC).

The new network gives the airport its own dedicated wireless infrastructure, separate from public cellular and Wi-Fi. It covers indoor and outdoor areas across MSP’s five-square-mile campus.

The MAC had relied on Wi-Fi for operational technologies including mobile devices, surveillance systems and real-time data applications. But Wi-Fi proved vulnerable to interference from unmanaged devices and airfield obstacles. Equipment also struggled with mobility as it moved between access points.

Rather than expand Wi-Fi or invest in more fibre, the MAC chose Ericsson Private 5G. The goal was broader, more predictable coverage across the site.

The network now supports video systems, common-use ticketing equipment and mobile workforce applications. Airport staff use connected tablets throughout operational areas. The network also delivers secure cellular coverage across runways, taxiways and gate areas.

Eduardo Valencia, CIO for the MAC, said transportation, public safety, maintenance and security all depend on connectivity. He compared the airport to running a city without residents. He said the network provides enterprise-grade connectivity across a challenging airfield environment, where a growing number of systems and mobile assets must stay connected to keep operations safe and efficient.

Insight Enterprises resold and manages the Ericsson Private 5G service while Pierson Wireless led deployment and installation.

Scott Friedlander, SVP at Insight Public Sector, stated deploying private cellular across a large, complex airport required close collaboration between technology providers and stakeholders.

One early use case comes from Axis Communications. Its private cellular-enabled camera system delivers HD video monitoring on airport trams.

The network also supports dozens of connected airport vehicles fitted with Ericsson Cradlepoint routers. These give MSP teams access to operational applications across the airfield, using both private 5G and public cellular networks when needed.

Going forward, the MAC plans to extend connectivity to airlines, concessionaires and other airport partners. It also aims to expand its own use of the network to improve maintenance and operations.

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Analog Devices struck a deal to acquire Alif Semiconductor in an all-cash deal worth $1.4 billion, as the analogue chip maker moves to bolster its edge AI capabilities.

The deal adds Alif’s AI-native microcontrollers and fusion processors, which combine low-power neural processing with connectivity, security and power management on a single chip.

Analog Devices stated the technology would advance “Physical Intelligence”, enabling systems to sense, reason and act locally in real time while meeting demanding power, latency, security and reliability constraints.

It positioned the deal as a response to the expansion of AI capabilities beyond interpreting text and images toward characterising real-world signals including motion, sound, vibration, radio waves and thermodynamics.

By combining its expertise in sensing, signal processing, power and connectivity with Alif’s digital processing platform, customers can build complete system-level solutions rather than sourcing components separately, Analog Devices explained.

CEO Vincent Roche explained AI is moving out of the data centre and into the physical world, where latency, power and trust cannot be compromised and described the deal as central to what he called the next frontier of embodied, deterministic AI.

Analog Devices stated Alif’s silicon is already shipping in production, with design wins across consumer and industrial customers.

The company expects the acquisition to widen its addressable market across industrial, data centre infrastructure, defence, energy, robotics, digital health and wearable applications.

The transaction was approved by both companies’ boards and includes up to $200 million in additional contingent consideration.

It is expected to close before the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

Analog Devices arranged an all-cash acquisition of Empower Semiconductor for $1.5 billion in May aimed at improving power density for AI compute.

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Apple officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, as new CEO John Ternus headlined the company’s signature event for the first time at its Cupertino, California, headquarters.

The iPhone Duo makes its debut seven years after Samsung launched its first foldable smartphone and on the heels of a recent launch by Huawei. Pre-orders for the device begin in October.

After running through the launches of the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5, Ternus saved the foldable for last but drew a quick distinction between the Duo and competing devices.

“Others have created foldables that just feel like two phones awkwardly stuck together,” Ternus (pictured) said during the company’s Surprise and Shine event yesterday (9 September).

He described the Duo as having “a larger display that feels as natural and intuitive as iPad,” and stated it has the “largest display ever on an iPhone, while still fitting easily in your pocket”.

Duo specs
Once opened, the doublewide screen is 50% larger than the size of the iPhone 18 Pro Max and measures 7.6 inches on the diagonal, stated Greg Joswiak, Apple’s SVP for worldwide marketing.

The device pairs a mirror-polished grade 5 titanium chassis with a custom precision hinge engineered from over 100 components to deliver structural stiffness and smooth operation.

Powering the device is the A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, coupled with a custom vapor chamber cooling system, 16-core Neural Engine, and a 7-core GPU.

The device runs on iOS 27, which introduces side-by-side Split View multitasking to the iPhone lineup, and features an under-display FaceTime camera on the main panel alongside a side-mounted Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button.

The imaging hardware centres on a 48MP Fusion Main camera capable of 4K120 fps Dolby Vision recording, complemented by a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera with macro support and a Center Stage front sensor.

The dual-battery architecture supports up to 31 hours of continuous video playback on the main screen or up to 44 hours on the cover screen, with support for fast wired charging as well as MagSafe and Qi2 wireless standards.

On the connectivity front, the device is eSIM-only globally, holds an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, and incorporates Apple’s custom C2 cellular modem system along with the N1 wireless chip. The C2 modem integrates support for US mmWave 5G spectrum alongside Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

Available in star white and night sky finishes, the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the base 256GB storage tier, with additional options extending to 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Pre-orders open on 16 October, with broad retail launch following on 23 October.

Anshu Goel, Lead Analyst, Digital Consumer at GSMA Intelligence, told Mobile World Live the Duo price point is worth watching going forward.

“While the quality and iOS customisation for Duo look good, this price point will limit demand,” he explained. “However, Apple customers are unlikely to go looking elsewhere if considering a foldable purchase.”

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
Apple also unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, both powered by the same A20 Pro chip as the Duo. The pair introduce a redesigned 48MP variable-aperture main camera with physical aperture blades, a first for iPhone, alongside a slimmer Dynamic Island now capable of displaying up to three simultaneous Live Activities. New colour options include Burgundy and Glacier.

Pricing rose $100 over the equivalent iPhone 17 models, with the 18 Pro starting at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299.

Analyst views
Paolo Pescatore, chief analyst at PP Foresight, said Apple has taken its time entering the foldable category and is now seeking to redefine what consumers should expect from a smartphone rather than simply following rivals.

He noted higher pricing across the premium iPhone 18 line-up could also sway some customers toward the foldable, narrowing the perceived jump to a completely new form factor.

“Apple will now flex its considerable marketing muscle to kick-start demand and give the foldable category a major boost,” he said. “I fully expect it to be an instant hit, benefiting the wider market and developer community while putting rivals firmly on notice.”

He added that the increasingly split iPhone launch cycle gives Apple a powerful new revenue engine throughout the year, rather than concentrating attention on a single annual upgrade window, calling it a significant strategic shift and “potentially a gold mine for the business.”

On the leadership transition, Pescatore called the event a hugely important first moment for Ternus and a strong start to a new chapter at Apple.

“His challenge is to build on an enormously successful foundation while bringing fresh energy, ideas and priorities to the business,” he said, adding that the confident tone from the top mattered as an opening statement.

Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC, said Apple appears to have hit it out of the park with the iPhone Duo.

“While a passport-size form factor is not new, the execution here looks quite good,” she said. “The user experience is intuitive and fluid, with a seamless transition from closed to open. The ease of use, coupled with an elegant design, should make the Duo stand out among the crowd of foldable devices today.”

She added the device could be a blockbuster product for Apple, and a great way for new CEO John Ternus to kick off his tenure.

CCS Insight chief analyst Ben Wood added the iPhone Duo was always going to eclipse Apple’s other announcements at the event, hailing a distinctive new design to the iPhone line-up and marking the company’s entry into the niche foldable category.

He stated while foldable smartphones are not new, Apple has clearly learnt from the evolution of rival devices from Samsung and others, noting the company has a track record of entering categories once they reach a certain level of maturity.

Wood said the Duo has benefited from major advances in flexible display quality and reliability, pointing to its near-creaseless screen, which, like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8, uses a titanium plate beneath the display.

At $1,999, Wood said the Duo is Apple’s most expensive iPhone to date and $700 more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, though less than some had feared, and said he expects strong demand.

However, he cautioned foldables remain a niche product accounting for less than 5% of the overall smartphone market, adding that the Duo’s arrival could still provide a lift to the wider foldable segment.

iOS 27
Wood also pointed to the significance of iOS 27, which brings major performance improvements and the latest version of Apple Intelligence and Siri, saying the update marks a step up from Apple’s earlier AI efforts based on his experience with the beta release.

He noted AI increasingly looks like less of a differentiator on smartphones, adding that Apple’s long-term commitment to privacy is likely to remain its most distinctive position on AI.

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