Guardforce AI extends partnership with global sportswear brand

The extended partnership will see Guardforce AI deploy its smart retail solutions, which integrate AI-driven CCTV analytics with RFID-based inventory systems, to five more of the sportswear brand's Thailand locations in 2026 and another in 2027. This follows a successful 2025 rollout at two locations and the installation of AI cameras in 13 other stores. The company's goal is to improve security, reduce inventory errors, and correlate foot traffic with sales. Guardforce AI, traditionally a security and logistics provider, has been expanding its Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform, which now operates in ten markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, and the U.S. The company's AI and robotics solutions cover hotel self-check-in, AIoT robot advertising, and disinfection services. Recently, Guardforce AI's board approved a $5 million share repurchase program and the company announced a letter of intent to acquire MGAI Limited, an AI-powered speech therapy platform. The application of agentic AI, where systems act autonomously to achieve goals, is a growing trend in retail for tasks like inventory management and hyper-personalization. AI agents can analyze real-time data on sales and demand to automate purchase orders and adjust to shifting customer behavior without direct human intervention. This shift is part of a broader trend where AI is becoming the core engine for programmatic advertising decisions, moving from reactive to predictive optimization. For adtech leaders, the 2026 landscape is defined by the final phase-out of third-party cookies, making first-party data strategies essential. The focus is shifting to privacy-safe targeting methods and the convergence of adtech and martech stacks, with AI-driven algorithms expected to handle over 71% of total ad spend. Connected TV (CTV) and retail media networks are also becoming core, scalable programmatic channels. The 2026 Formula 1 season will see significant regulation changes, including new power units with a near 50:50 split between internal combustion and electric power, active aerodynamics, and the entry of new manufacturers like Audi and Ford. The grid expands to 11 teams with the debut of Cadillac, fielding drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez. Pre-season testing suggests a competitive field, with some analysts placing Mercedes and Ferrari as early front-runners. In London, February arts highlights include a major Tracey Emin retrospective at the Tate Modern and Rose Wylie at the Royal Academy. Theatre-goers can catch Cynthia Erivo in "Dracula" or new plays like "Shadowlands" at the Aldwych Theatre. The month also features the London Winter Run, the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens, and extensive Lunar New Year celebrations.