AI Sector Daily Digest: July 29, 2026

In brief

1. Google brings Gemini Spark to Australia

• Google says Gemini Spark will launch to Google AI Pro subscribers in Australia over the next few weeks, with the service available in English to Pro and Ultra subscribers. 1
• The agent can work in the background, even when a laptop is closed or a phone is locked, and connect to Gmail, Docs, and Sheets on Google's cloud infrastructure. 1
• Google says users choose when Spark runs and which apps it can access; it is designed to ask before high-stakes actions such as spending money or sending email. 1

2. Cyera agrees to buy Oasis Security for about $1 billion

• Data-security company Cyera announced a letter of intent to acquire Oasis Security for approximately $1 billion, mostly in cash with the remainder in Cyera shares. 2
• Oasis focuses on non-human identities, including AI agents that need permissions to access enterprise software; it has raised about $195 million since its 2022 founding. 2
• Cyera plans to fold Oasis's technology into a combined identity and data-security platform. Cyera recently raised $600 million at a $12 billion valuation and has raised about $2.3 billion in total funding. 2

3. Spur raises $200 million to identify bot traffic

• Spur Intelligence, a Florida cybersecurity startup, raised a $200 million round led by Insight Partners. 3
• Its software helps enterprises distinguish legitimate users from hidden bot traffic, including activity routed through criminal VPNs, residential proxy networks, and anonymization infrastructure. 3
• Spur was founded in 2017 by two former Defense Department engineers, before ChatGPT's public launch; TechCrunch frames the round around the rapid growth of automated and agentic traffic online. 3

4. Zuckerberg argues against blocking Chinese AI models

• Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the Financial Times that the U.S. government should not block Chinese models simply to gain an edge in the AI race. Reuters published the account on July 28. 4
• Zuckerberg called a ban on cutting-edge Chinese AI "not an effective solution" and said U.S. companies should systematically identify bottlenecks and roadblocks that limit their ability to compete. 4
• His position comes as the Trump administration targets new Chinese robots and power inverters and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns that Chinese companies could face financial sanctions or placement on the Commerce Department's Entity List. 4

5. Proposed U.S. bill targets robotaxi emergency failures

• Rep. Kevin Mullin introduced the proposed AV Emergency Response Coordination Act after incidents in which autonomous vehicles blocked ambulances and fire trucks, entered active crime scenes, or failed to recognize cones and flares. 5
• The bill would require clear emergency protocols, a 24-hour hotline for public officials, and minimum national standards developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5
• It would also let public officials geofence autonomous vehicles during emergencies. Waymo said it supports a federal framework and standardized engagement with first responders; the bill is proposed, not enacted. 5

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