KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Rectitude Holdings Ltd (Rectitude), a Singapore-based provider of safety equipment and related industrial-grade hardware products, posted a net income of SG$3.36 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (FY2024) compared to SG$3.93 million in the same period last year. (SG$1=RM3.44)
Revenue for the same period rose by 9.86 per cent to SG$41.35 million from SG$37.64 million posted a year ago, which was primarily driven by stronger customer demand for safety equipment given the increased construction activity within the company’s markets.
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the same fiscal year was SG$0.27 compared to SG$0.31 a year ago, according to Rectitude in a statement.
“We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown from all of our employees that resulted in a year of solid performance and growth, culminating in our successful IPO and listing on Nasdaq.
“The capital we raised through this process will be invested back into the company to cultivate and foster long-term sustainable growth, enhanced operational efficiencies and continued exemplary service to our customers,” said its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director, Jian Zhang.
Its gross profit margin for the same period improved 35.57 per cent of revenues, up 332 basis points to SG$14.71 million from SG$12.14 million, a year ago mainly due to increased sales volume of safety equipment and related operating leverage, favourable product mix, as well as improved efficiencies.
Meanwhile, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased to SG$6.37 million from SG$6.15 million in the prior year period, primarily due to exclusion of certain non-recurring items, such as professional fees incurred in relation to the initial public offering (IPO).
Contemplating the company’s outlook for FY2025, Zhang said the company will continue to invest in expanding its branches and developing new product offerings to meet the enhanced demand for worker safety within the Southeast Asian markets it serve.
“We maintain our focus on the core principles that have guided our company for more than 25 years as we drive our performance to new heights,” he concluded.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday 30 July 2024
Friday 26 July 2024
AKWEL: TURNOVER OF €528.8M IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2024
PARIS, France, July 26 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Champfromier, Thursday, July 25, 2024
TURNOVER OF €528.8M IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2024
Champfromier, Thursday, July 25, 2024
TURNOVER OF €528.8M IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2024
- Turnover down -2.8% at constant scope and exchange rates
- Net cash position of €115.1M on June 30, 2024
AKWEL (FR0000053027, AKW, PEA-eligible), parts and systems manufacturer for the automotive and heavy-vehicle industry, specialist in fluid management, mechanisms and E-powertrain parts, has recorded, over the first half of 2024, a consolidated turnover of €528.8M, down -3.1% compared to the first half of 2023.
.jpg)
(1) At constant scope and exchange rates
Over the first half of the year, AKWEL turnover at constant scope and exchange rates decreased by -2.8%, with a foreign exchange impact of -€2.0M.
The turnover is distributed by geographic production area as follows:
- France: €132.8M (-13.5%)
- Europe (excluding France) and Africa: €157.1M (-1.6%)
- North America: €158.7M (+4.4%)
- Asia and the Middle East (including Türkiye): €78.8M (+0.5%)
- South America: €1.5M (-36.6%)
Cooling activity remains the main contributor (+0.4%), followed by Decontamination product lines (-20.5%), whose decline explains the sharper decline in activity in France, Mechanisms (-6.8%), Fuel (-1.2%) and Air (+8.7%)..
After disbursement of the dividend, the company reached a consolidated net cash position of €115.1M on June 30, 2024, excluding lease liabilities, with €30.3M of investments made during the six-month period.
Taking into account the activity recorded in the first half of the year and the outlook to date for global automotive production for the full year of 2024, AKWEL expects its turnover to remain stable for the current financial year.
After disbursement of the dividend, the company reached a consolidated net cash position of €115.1M on June 30, 2024, excluding lease liabilities, with €30.3M of investments made during the six-month period.
Taking into account the activity recorded in the first half of the year and the outlook to date for global automotive production for the full year of 2024, AKWEL expects its turnover to remain stable for the current financial year.
| An independent family business, trading on Euronext Paris, AKWEL is a parts and systems manufacturer for the automotive and heavy-vehicle industry, and a specialist in fluid management, mechanisms and structural parts for electric vehicles. The Group achieves this with their first-rate industrial and technological know-how in mastering the application and processing of materials (plastic, rubber, metal) and mechatronic integration. Operating in 20 countries across 5 continents, AKWEL employs 9,600 people worldwide. Euronext Paris — Sub-fund B — ISIN: FR0000053027 — Reuters: AKW.PA — Bloomberg: AKW:FP |
Attachment
SOURCE : Akwel
Thursday 25 July 2024
NIQ UNVEILS REPORT DETAILING ESG PRIORITIES
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- NielsenIQ (NIQ), the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, has released its second Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Progress Report detailing the company’s ESG priorities.
According to NIQ in a statement, the report outlined how the company embeds inclusive, sustainable principles into its business model and its commitment to delivering intelligence and innovation to customers that positively impact economies, communities, and the environment.
“Our ESG strategy is designed to drive long-term value, for our employees, our stakeholders, our customers, our industry, our vendors, and our communities. We are focused on integrating our ESG priorities company-wide and increasing our impact.
“Additionally, by providing a thorough understanding of consumer purchasing behaviour, we aim to offer market intelligence to our clients and their ecosystems to support their sustainability efforts,” said NIQ Chief Executive Officer, Jim Peck.
Among the notable highlights in the report are that data is at the core of NIQ’s business and the company is focused on delivering secure and protected data with a high-level of precision and integrity.
It has established quality checks for field data collection, including having strict controls in place for field auditors to ensure high integrity and an incident response plan; and has a cybersecurity team that implements multiple layers of organisational, technical, and administrative measures to protect data.
NIQ incorporates privacy safeguards directly into the design and implementation of its products and services; as well as prioritises seamless security integration throughout the organisation, focusing on its people, data privacy, and confidentiality.
Furthermore, with a commitment to help shape marketplaces, NIQ collaborates with clients to encourage transition to more sustainable products by reflecting the evolving conscious consumer trends.
The company is also committed to building a diverse workforce, equitable processes, and an inclusive culture aligned with its core values; in addition to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion.
-- BERNAMA
Jumio unveils 83 Pct Singaporeans Concern Deepfakes May Sway Next Election
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- A new research from Jumio has unveiled growing concern among the general public on the political influence artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes may have on Singapore’s next election, and how they might influence trust in online media.
The Jumio 2024 Online Identity Study revealed that 83 per cent of Singapore consumers worried about the potential for AI and deepfakes to influence upcoming elections in their country, compared to 75 per cent globally.
The data found that consumers in the country feel deepfakes undermine trust in politicians and media, with 76 per cent reporting increased scepticism in online content, compared to the last election.
“With half of the global population participating in elections this year, the potential influence and impact of generative AI and deepfakes demand immediate attention.
“Online platforms hold a critical duty to leverage cutting-edge detection measures like multimodal, biometric-based verification systems to fortify our defences against deepfakes influencing pivotal elections,” said Jumio Chief Executive Officer, Robert Prigge in a statement.
Developments in AI and machine learning have made it much easier to create compelling fake news stories, altered images, videos or audio recordings, as well as can fabricate events, statements and appearances, spreading misinformation quickly and deceiving viewers who often take these false narratives as legitimate news.
In Singapore, officials are considering a temporary ban on political deepfakes ahead of the next general elections, which have yet to be called but must happen by November 2025.
The findings also showed that Singapore consumers are most confident in their ability to easily spot a deepfake of a political figure or celebrity with 60 per cent compared to just 33 per cent in the United Kingdom (UK), 37 per cent in the United States (US) and 51 per cent in Mexico.
Meanwhile, 66 per cent of consumers in Singapore say they trust political news that they see online, despite the possibility of encountering audio, video and image deepfakes, compared to the global average of 43 per cent.
Jumio’s study examined the views of more than 8,000 adult consumers, split evenly across the UK, US, Singapore and Mexico, providing a comprehensive global perspective on the impact of deepfakes.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday 24 July 2024
NX GLOBAL ENGINEERING CONDUCTS COASTAL CLEANUP IN SINGAPORE
TOKYO, July 24, 2024 /Kyodo JBN/ --
NX Global Engineering Pte. Ltd. (hereafter "NXGE"), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., conducted a cleanup activity at Singapore’s East Coast Park Beach on Friday, June 14.
NX Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202407123580-O3-25t0Cbsf
Group photo of participants:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202407123580/_prw_PI1fl_5ogX2Hlm.jpg
Cleanup in progress:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202407123580/_prw_PI2fl_IL2EE2Kt.jpg
This activity was organized as part of NXGE’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to reduce waste and pollution, thereby raising awareness of the need to preserve the natural environment. Twenty-one employees participated in the event, collecting a total of 24 bags of trash that included fishing nets, plastic bottles, and cigarette butts. "We are dedicated to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, and the East Coast Park Beach cleanup is a reflection of our values," said NXGE President Hirofumi Kawai.
The NX Group will continue acknowledging its social and public missions as a logistics company, as well as actively communicating with local communities, and engaging in community-based social contribution activities to achieve sustainable societies.
About the NX Group:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202407123580-O1-s09uKY7G.pdf
NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/
NX Group's official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/
Source: NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.
--BERNAMA
NX Global Engineering Pte. Ltd. (hereafter "NXGE"), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., conducted a cleanup activity at Singapore’s East Coast Park Beach on Friday, June 14.
NX Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202407123580-O3-25t0Cbsf
Group photo of participants:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202407123580/_prw_PI1fl_5ogX2Hlm.jpg
Cleanup in progress:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202407123580/_prw_PI2fl_IL2EE2Kt.jpg
This activity was organized as part of NXGE’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to reduce waste and pollution, thereby raising awareness of the need to preserve the natural environment. Twenty-one employees participated in the event, collecting a total of 24 bags of trash that included fishing nets, plastic bottles, and cigarette butts. "We are dedicated to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, and the East Coast Park Beach cleanup is a reflection of our values," said NXGE President Hirofumi Kawai.
The NX Group will continue acknowledging its social and public missions as a logistics company, as well as actively communicating with local communities, and engaging in community-based social contribution activities to achieve sustainable societies.
About the NX Group:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202407123580-O1-s09uKY7G.pdf
NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/
NX Group's official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/
Source: NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.
--BERNAMA
PRESERVING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: NX GLOBAL ENGINEERING’S COASTAL CLEANUP IN SINGAPORE
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- NX Global Engineering Pte Ltd (NXGE), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings Inc, recently conducted a cleanup activity at Singapore’s East Coast Park Beach.
According to a statement, 21 employees participated in the event, collecting a total of 24 bags of trash that included fishing nets, plastic bottles, and cigarette butts.
"We are dedicated to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, and the East Coast Park Beach cleanup is a reflection of our values," said NXGE President, Hirofumi Kawai.
This activity was organised as part of NXGE’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to reduce waste and pollution, thereby raising awareness of the need to preserve the natural environment.
The NX Group will continue acknowledging its social and public missions as a logistics company, as well as actively communicating with local communities, and engaging in community-based social contribution activities to achieve sustainable societies.
Distinguished by its unwavering commitment to excellence, the NX Group holds a strong market position in air, sea, rail, and truck transport as well as contract logistics, offering high-quality end-to-end supply chain solutions that seamlessly integrate information technology.
-- BERNAMA
According to a statement, 21 employees participated in the event, collecting a total of 24 bags of trash that included fishing nets, plastic bottles, and cigarette butts.
"We are dedicated to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, and the East Coast Park Beach cleanup is a reflection of our values," said NXGE President, Hirofumi Kawai.
This activity was organised as part of NXGE’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to reduce waste and pollution, thereby raising awareness of the need to preserve the natural environment.
The NX Group will continue acknowledging its social and public missions as a logistics company, as well as actively communicating with local communities, and engaging in community-based social contribution activities to achieve sustainable societies.
Distinguished by its unwavering commitment to excellence, the NX Group holds a strong market position in air, sea, rail, and truck transport as well as contract logistics, offering high-quality end-to-end supply chain solutions that seamlessly integrate information technology.
-- BERNAMA
Monday 22 July 2024
UTECH South East Asia Polyurethanes Conference Programme Announced
Singapore, July 22, 2024 /AgilityPR-AsiaNet/
Focus on sustainability and market opportunities in South East Asia
Organisers of the inaugural UTECH South East Asia polyurethanes conference and exhibition, taking place at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 13-14 November 2024, have announced a comprehensive speaker programme for the event’s free-to-attend conference. Sustainability and market opportunities in the polyurethanes sector in South East Asia are among the conference’s key themes. Visitor registration for the free-to-attend two-day conference and exhibition is now open at: www.utechseasia.com
In additional to a full two-day programme of leading polyurethanes industry speakers, the conference will also feature panel discussions looking at: the roadmap for sustainable polyurethane production in the Middle East; the real potential for the South East Asian polyurethane market; and sustainable, energy-efficient polyurethane solutions within construction in the region.
Leading industry figures already confirmed to speak include:
• Damini Dabholkar, Markets Editor, ICIS: Opportunities and challenges: Insights into the Asian polyurethane industry
• Jose Naraval, Material and Technology Engineer-Foams Material & Innovations, IKEA Purchasing Services Poland: Circular foam for the many
• A Sustainable Journey with Dow Polyurethane
• James Elliot, VP, Business Development – Chemicals, Argus Media: Complexity and volatility: unpicking the market and price drivers for isocyanates and polyols in Asia
• Patcharaporn Chainiwatana, SEA Market Development Manager Polyurethane, Dow Chemical Thailand: A Sustainable Journey with Dow Polyurethane
• Kuanliang Bao, Technical Service Manager of Polyol Business, Wanhua: Innovation and solution introduction of polyether polyols
• Stefan Hermes, CEO, King Global: Promoting PU as material in the South East Asian region and a look at the difference between comfort foams and technical foams
• Richard Stevenson, Senior Scientist – Polyol & Application Development, Econic Technologies: Redeeming CO2: coupling sustainability and performance for future polyurethanes
• Ilhan Kurt, Head of Research and Development, Pearl Polyurethanes: Improved properties of sandwich metal panels with modified Isocyanates components
• James Zhao, Technical Marketing Manager, Cardolite Chemical: Bio-based polyols, diols and diluents for EV PU applications
“We are delighted to be bringing the long-established UTECH polyurethanes trade show and conference experience to SouthEast Asia,” said Matt Barber, Global Events Director at event organiser Crain Communications. “Celebrating its 40th anniversary, our recent UTECH Europe event attracted record interest with more than 220 exhibitors and 10,366 visitors from 93 countries and we look forward to bringing the same successful formula to Singapore this November.”
As one of the most effective thermal insulation materials, polyurethane offers huge unrealised potential to reduce the energy used to heat and cool buildings. Once seen as harder to recycle than other polymer-based materials, commercially viable innovations are emerging for the mechanical and chemical recycling of polyurethanes. With rising CO2 emissions being the fundamental driver of global warming, many companies are using CO2 to produce new raw materials for polyurethane. Bio-based polyols derived from natural raw materials including soya beans, caster beans and cashew nuts are becoming increasing available. In the automotive sector, innovative polyurethane materials are helping manufacturers to enhance vehicle sustainability and playing a key role in EV battery development. These innovations and more can be discovered at the UTECH Europe exhibition and conference.
Leading global and regional companies and organisations who have already confirmed their attendance as exhibitors include: Pearl Polyurethane Systems, Momentive, Kuraray, SD Korea, Asia Polyurethane Manufacturing, Saan Global and Zhejiang Wansheng.
For full details of the conference programme and to register to attend, visit the UTECH South East Asia website: www.utechseasia.com
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/utech-se-asia/
UTECH Events Calendar
PU China, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre, 17-19 July 2024 www.puchina.eu
UTECH Middle East Foam and Polyurethane Expo, Dubai World Trade Centre, 10-12 September 2024 www.mefpu.com/
UTECH Southeast Asia, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 13-14 November 2024 www.utechseasia.com
UTECH India – Sustainable Polyurethane & Foam Expo, NESCO, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, 4-6 December 2024 www.ifpuexpo.com
UTECH Las Americas, Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City, 3-5 June 2025 www.utechlasamericas.com/
UTECH Europe, MECC, Maastricht, Netherlands, 20-22 April 2027 www.utecheurope.eu/
Contact details:
Media Contact:
Doug Bentall
Iona Communications, London
Tel: +44 7799 615319
Email: doug@ionacommunications.com
For more information:
Matt Barber, Director, Global Trade Shows
Crain Communications
Tel: +44 7739 302081
Email: mabarber@crain.com
SOURCE: UTECH
--BERNAMA
Focus on sustainability and market opportunities in South East Asia
Organisers of the inaugural UTECH South East Asia polyurethanes conference and exhibition, taking place at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from 13-14 November 2024, have announced a comprehensive speaker programme for the event’s free-to-attend conference. Sustainability and market opportunities in the polyurethanes sector in South East Asia are among the conference’s key themes. Visitor registration for the free-to-attend two-day conference and exhibition is now open at: www.utechseasia.com
In additional to a full two-day programme of leading polyurethanes industry speakers, the conference will also feature panel discussions looking at: the roadmap for sustainable polyurethane production in the Middle East; the real potential for the South East Asian polyurethane market; and sustainable, energy-efficient polyurethane solutions within construction in the region.
Leading industry figures already confirmed to speak include:
• Damini Dabholkar, Markets Editor, ICIS: Opportunities and challenges: Insights into the Asian polyurethane industry
• Jose Naraval, Material and Technology Engineer-Foams Material & Innovations, IKEA Purchasing Services Poland: Circular foam for the many
• A Sustainable Journey with Dow Polyurethane
• James Elliot, VP, Business Development – Chemicals, Argus Media: Complexity and volatility: unpicking the market and price drivers for isocyanates and polyols in Asia
• Patcharaporn Chainiwatana, SEA Market Development Manager Polyurethane, Dow Chemical Thailand: A Sustainable Journey with Dow Polyurethane
• Kuanliang Bao, Technical Service Manager of Polyol Business, Wanhua: Innovation and solution introduction of polyether polyols
• Stefan Hermes, CEO, King Global: Promoting PU as material in the South East Asian region and a look at the difference between comfort foams and technical foams
• Richard Stevenson, Senior Scientist – Polyol & Application Development, Econic Technologies: Redeeming CO2: coupling sustainability and performance for future polyurethanes
• Ilhan Kurt, Head of Research and Development, Pearl Polyurethanes: Improved properties of sandwich metal panels with modified Isocyanates components
• James Zhao, Technical Marketing Manager, Cardolite Chemical: Bio-based polyols, diols and diluents for EV PU applications
“We are delighted to be bringing the long-established UTECH polyurethanes trade show and conference experience to SouthEast Asia,” said Matt Barber, Global Events Director at event organiser Crain Communications. “Celebrating its 40th anniversary, our recent UTECH Europe event attracted record interest with more than 220 exhibitors and 10,366 visitors from 93 countries and we look forward to bringing the same successful formula to Singapore this November.”
As one of the most effective thermal insulation materials, polyurethane offers huge unrealised potential to reduce the energy used to heat and cool buildings. Once seen as harder to recycle than other polymer-based materials, commercially viable innovations are emerging for the mechanical and chemical recycling of polyurethanes. With rising CO2 emissions being the fundamental driver of global warming, many companies are using CO2 to produce new raw materials for polyurethane. Bio-based polyols derived from natural raw materials including soya beans, caster beans and cashew nuts are becoming increasing available. In the automotive sector, innovative polyurethane materials are helping manufacturers to enhance vehicle sustainability and playing a key role in EV battery development. These innovations and more can be discovered at the UTECH Europe exhibition and conference.
Leading global and regional companies and organisations who have already confirmed their attendance as exhibitors include: Pearl Polyurethane Systems, Momentive, Kuraray, SD Korea, Asia Polyurethane Manufacturing, Saan Global and Zhejiang Wansheng.
For full details of the conference programme and to register to attend, visit the UTECH South East Asia website: www.utechseasia.com
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/utech-se-asia/
UTECH Events Calendar
PU China, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre, 17-19 July 2024 www.puchina.eu
UTECH Middle East Foam and Polyurethane Expo, Dubai World Trade Centre, 10-12 September 2024 www.mefpu.com/
UTECH Southeast Asia, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 13-14 November 2024 www.utechseasia.com
UTECH India – Sustainable Polyurethane & Foam Expo, NESCO, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, 4-6 December 2024 www.ifpuexpo.com
UTECH Las Americas, Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City, 3-5 June 2025 www.utechlasamericas.com/
UTECH Europe, MECC, Maastricht, Netherlands, 20-22 April 2027 www.utecheurope.eu/
Contact details:
Media Contact:
Doug Bentall
Iona Communications, London
Tel: +44 7799 615319
Email: doug@ionacommunications.com
For more information:
Matt Barber, Director, Global Trade Shows
Crain Communications
Tel: +44 7739 302081
Email: mabarber@crain.com
SOURCE: UTECH
--BERNAMA
Sunday 21 July 2024
DIVERSE HYBRID CLOUDS ENABLE ASIA PACIFIC IT STRATEGIES
Service providers help companies assemble unique combinations of public and private clouds and colocation resources, ISG Provider Lens™ report says
SYDNEY, July 19 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Enterprises in Asia Pacific are turning to hybrid cloud and data center services to meet specialized business, legal, cultural and IT requirements, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a leading global technology research and advisory firm.The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ Private/Hybrid Cloud — Data Center Solutions report for Asia Pacific, which covers Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and India, finds that various combinations of public, private and on-premises data centers are ideal for most companies in the region.
“There is no one right or wrong approach to data center resources,” said Michael Gale, partner and regional leader, ISG Asia Pacific. “The best strategy is the one that is most effective for each organization.”
Cloud and data center choices in the region are largely shaped by factors such as cost, security, data privacy and interoperability requirements, the report says. Access to computing power for generative AI (GenAI) has become another key consideration. Conditions unique to certain parts of Asia Pacific influence companies’ decisions, especially because costs, network capacity and access to experienced labor vary widely across the region. In some cases, complex geopolitical issues affect which networks enterprises can use and where their data can be stored.
Companies struggling to manage IT budgets and resources are turning to managed services providers for help in migrating applications to the right IT architectures, ISG says. These must meet requirements for server downtime, data loss and other factors. Increasingly, enterprises want to automate operations through AI and ML technologies to boost efficiency and cut costs.
Friday 19 July 2024
WAKO ANNOUNCES NEW SPACE IN GINZA FLAGSHIP STORE
TOKYO, July 19, 2024 /Kyodo JBN/ --
WAKO Co., Ltd., based in the Ginza shopping district of Tokyo's Chuo Ward, is pleased to announce the completion of remodeling of the basement floor of its flagship store, a well-known landmark in the area. Its official reopening is scheduled for July 20. WAKO is Japan's premier specialty department store, noted for its uncompromising pursuit of refined luxury, and this newly renovated space will exemplify its corporate theme, "AMAZING WAKO." The space was designed by the New Material Research Laboratory, an architectural firm founded and led by artist Hiroshi Sugimoto and architect Tomoyuki Sakakida.
Image1: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108267/202407123593/_prw_PI1fl_GDwzWVBq.jpg
Concept
The defining concept for this space is the "Theatre of Time," a space for the expression and exchange of a culture that is rich in both tradition and innovation. The "Stage" at the center of the floor features a horizontal mechanism like giant clock hands. This conveys a sense of constant change, and each change in the position of the hands transforms the space into something new.
WAKO has always placed great value on the theme of time. This underscores the brand's devotion to creating new value in visitors' lives, hopefully leading to a richer, more enjoyable future. WAKO's concept of time revolves around two themes:
- Japanese aesthetics sensibilities that are drawn from the constant changing of the seasons and humankind's interaction with nature.
- Traditions and techniques handed down over hundreds of years, vast amounts of time spent in creative pursuits, and endless thoughts about the future.
Basement floor
The basement floor is conceived as a space to showcase designers, craftspeople, and others active at the forefront of fashion, jewelry, modern art, and other creative fields. These professionals echo the aesthetics, culture, and techniques that have defined Japan since ancient times, while also introducing new brands that bring innovative approaches to these fields. The Stage at the center of the floor has two "hands" like those of a clock, which can be reconfigured into an endless variety of patterns. A corridor surrounding the Stage serves as a walking route past the creations on display, each with its own special story to tell. Together, the "Stage and Corridor" foster new encounters and deeper interactions both among visitors and with the works being showcased.
Image2: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108267/202407123593/_prw_PI2fl_HN9pNBN9.jpg
*Design architect: New Material Research Laboratory
Photo: Masatomo Moriyama
"Stage and Corridor" design concept
Harmony and Light, Stage and Corridor
"WAKO's flagship store is a Ginza icon, giving any renovation major significance. In redesigning the basement floor, we settled on the theme 'Stage and Corridor.' At the center of the space is a stage with long and short 'hands' that can be turned like a clock's. Around the stage runs a corridor enclosed by wooden grilles, allowing visitors to stroll comfortably around the sales area. This Neo-Renaissance space glows serenely with harmonious light. This evokes the Japanese concept of 'wa' or harmony, which we pursued as a motif throughout the design. The materials used include rare and specially acquired items from around Japan, ranging from Kirishima and Yanase cedar to stonework and 'fusuma' (sliding door)-style paper from Kyoto. The faint aroma of cedar wood in the air and the traditional Japanese craftsmanship evident throughout the space are sure to foster a tranquil, harmonious state of mind."
(New Material Research Laboratory)
For more information, please visit:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202407123593-O3-Msc9x630.pdf
WAKO official website: https://www.wako.co.jp/
Arts & Culture website: https://www.wako.co.jp/c/artsandculture
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsandculture_wako_ginzatokyo/
Source: WAKO Co., Ltd.
--BERNAMA
WAKO Co., Ltd., based in the Ginza shopping district of Tokyo's Chuo Ward, is pleased to announce the completion of remodeling of the basement floor of its flagship store, a well-known landmark in the area. Its official reopening is scheduled for July 20. WAKO is Japan's premier specialty department store, noted for its uncompromising pursuit of refined luxury, and this newly renovated space will exemplify its corporate theme, "AMAZING WAKO." The space was designed by the New Material Research Laboratory, an architectural firm founded and led by artist Hiroshi Sugimoto and architect Tomoyuki Sakakida.
Image1: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108267/202407123593/_prw_PI1fl_GDwzWVBq.jpg
Concept
The defining concept for this space is the "Theatre of Time," a space for the expression and exchange of a culture that is rich in both tradition and innovation. The "Stage" at the center of the floor features a horizontal mechanism like giant clock hands. This conveys a sense of constant change, and each change in the position of the hands transforms the space into something new.
WAKO has always placed great value on the theme of time. This underscores the brand's devotion to creating new value in visitors' lives, hopefully leading to a richer, more enjoyable future. WAKO's concept of time revolves around two themes:
- Japanese aesthetics sensibilities that are drawn from the constant changing of the seasons and humankind's interaction with nature.
- Traditions and techniques handed down over hundreds of years, vast amounts of time spent in creative pursuits, and endless thoughts about the future.
Basement floor
The basement floor is conceived as a space to showcase designers, craftspeople, and others active at the forefront of fashion, jewelry, modern art, and other creative fields. These professionals echo the aesthetics, culture, and techniques that have defined Japan since ancient times, while also introducing new brands that bring innovative approaches to these fields. The Stage at the center of the floor has two "hands" like those of a clock, which can be reconfigured into an endless variety of patterns. A corridor surrounding the Stage serves as a walking route past the creations on display, each with its own special story to tell. Together, the "Stage and Corridor" foster new encounters and deeper interactions both among visitors and with the works being showcased.
Image2: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108267/202407123593/_prw_PI2fl_HN9pNBN9.jpg
*Design architect: New Material Research Laboratory
Photo: Masatomo Moriyama
"Stage and Corridor" design concept
Harmony and Light, Stage and Corridor
"WAKO's flagship store is a Ginza icon, giving any renovation major significance. In redesigning the basement floor, we settled on the theme 'Stage and Corridor.' At the center of the space is a stage with long and short 'hands' that can be turned like a clock's. Around the stage runs a corridor enclosed by wooden grilles, allowing visitors to stroll comfortably around the sales area. This Neo-Renaissance space glows serenely with harmonious light. This evokes the Japanese concept of 'wa' or harmony, which we pursued as a motif throughout the design. The materials used include rare and specially acquired items from around Japan, ranging from Kirishima and Yanase cedar to stonework and 'fusuma' (sliding door)-style paper from Kyoto. The faint aroma of cedar wood in the air and the traditional Japanese craftsmanship evident throughout the space are sure to foster a tranquil, harmonious state of mind."
(New Material Research Laboratory)
For more information, please visit:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202407123593-O3-Msc9x630.pdf
WAKO official website: https://www.wako.co.jp/
Arts & Culture website: https://www.wako.co.jp/c/artsandculture
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsandculture_wako_ginzatokyo/
Source: WAKO Co., Ltd.
--BERNAMA
Wednesday 17 July 2024
KOLMAR KOREA RESTRUCTURES LEADERSHIP TO ACCELERATE NORTH AMERICAN EXPANSION
KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Kolmar Korea has appointed a new head for its North American operations and a Global Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO) to speed up its global expansion in the cosmetics industry to its North American subsidiary.
With the plan to build its second United States (US) plant early next year, the company has also set up a strategic framework that integrates production, sales, and research and development (R&D) to better penetrate the local market.
“This appointment underscores our commitment to gaining new momentum in the North American market by placing industry experts at the forefront. Kolmar Korea will focus on fostering growth through the synergistic collaboration of sales, production, and R&D and expanding its influence beyond North America to Europe,” said its representative in a statement.
Hence, Kolmar Korea has named President Yongchul Hur as Chief Executive Officer of Kolmar Laboratories and Kolmar USA, its North American subsidiaries, who intends to leverage his decades of industry experience to steer local business in North America.
Meanwhile, Philippe Warnery has been appointed as GCCO; George Rivera as Chief Science Officer (CSO) of the North American subsidiary; and Managing Director Inki Park as head of the North American R&D Center, responsible for bridging the Korean and North American markets.
The key part of the recent appointments is bringing in many people with vast experience in the global cosmetics market and this is expected to help the company enter the North American market successfully.
Kolmar Korea intends to leverage this strategic hires to maximise the operational capacity of its North American production facilities, including the first US plant and the second plant under construction.
The company aims to achieve US$100 million in sales in the next five years, therefore it plans to aggressively expand its sales network not only in North America but also in Central and South America. (US$1=RM4.67)
Moreover, with the rising popularity of K-beauty in the US market through global distribution channels, the company also plans to actively promote Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) sales that emphasise market accessibility and logistics efficiency for small and medium-sized Korean indie brands seeking entry into the US market.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday 16 July 2024
NEW ZEALAND’S POLICE HEALTH PLAN OUTLOOKS REVISED TO NEGATIVE - AM BEST
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- AM Best has revised the outlooks for New Zealand’s Police Health Plan Limited (PHP) to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a-” (Excellent).
The credit ratings (ratings) reflect PHP’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
In addition, the ratings factor in a neutral impact from the company’s ultimate ownership by the New Zealand Police Association (NZPA), according to the credit rating agency in a statement.
The revision of the outlooks to negative from stable reflects increasing pressure on PHP’s operating performance, which also places pressure on its balance sheet strength fundamentals, given the declining risk-adjusted capitalisation due to underwriting losses and its limited financial flexibility.
Although exhibiting a decreasing trend, PHP’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation that remains at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, reflecting the company’s moderate underwriting leverage and conservative investment approach.
AM Best assesses PHP’s operating performance as adequate, with a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 3.5 per cent (fiscal years 2019-2023), albeit exhibiting a decreasing trend over the period.
As a not-for-profit insurer, given that the company’s regulatory solvency ratio is higher than its internal target and it does not pay dividends, PHP is in the process of returning part of its capital to policyholders by maintaining an elevated loss ratio over the medium term.
Prospectively, the rating agency expects PHP to maintain long-term performance close to break-even despite weaker underwriting results. However, if its claims experience is significantly above plan, AM Best expects PHP to adjust premium rates rapidly, as it has done historically.
Despite having a relatively small premium base in New Zealand’s health insurance market, the company’s business profile assessment factors in its high penetration rate within the police force and its close integration with the NZPA, which gives rise to synergy and efficiency benefits.
-- BERNAMA
Saturday 13 July 2024
Rectitude Commemorates IPO Completion With Nasdaq Bell Ringing Ceremony
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- Rectitude Holdings Ltd (Rectitude), a Singapore-based safety equipment and related industrial products provider, has announced its management team participated in a Nasdaq Bell Ringing Ceremony at Capella Singapore.
Rectitude Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director, Jian Zhang in a statement said this bell ringing ceremony marked a historic moment for the company as it celebrates its successful listing on Nasdaq, one of the world’s premier equity markets.
“This represents the result of years of effort and dedication that our entire team has put into growing the company.
“We are now looking forward to our next chapter and how we will provide long-term value for our shareholders and continue to solidify our position as the leading provider of safety and industrial solutions in Singapore and throughout Southeast Asia,” he said.
The bell ringing ceremony highlights Rectitude’s successful initial public offering (IPO) and listing on Nasdaq, in which the company began trading on June 21 under the ticker symbol “RECT”.
Nasdaq investor relations and IPO director for Asean, Hiren Krishnani, also attended the ceremony.
Founded in 1997, Rectitude’s products and solutions are marketed to a wide array of distributor networks and end markets, both in Singapore and increasingly throughout the Southeast Asian region, including Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
-- BERNAMA
Friday 12 July 2024
THAILAND’S THAIRE LIFE CREDIT RATINGS WITHDRAWN - AM BEST
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (Good) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “bbb+” (Good) of Thailand’s Thaire Life Assurance Public Company Limited (Thaire Life).
These credit ratings (ratings) which have a stable outlook reflected Thaire Life’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Concurrently, AM Best in a statement said it has withdrawn these ratings as the company has requested to no longer participate in the credit rating agency’s interactive rating process.
Thaire Life’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which remained at the strongest level at fiscal year-end 2023, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio.
The rating agency considers the company to have a moderate risk investment portfolio given its exposure to higher-risk asset classes of equities and mutual funds, although this is in part mitigated by a good level of overall portfolio diversification.
Partially offsetting balance sheet strength factors include the company’s high dividend payout ratio over recent years, which has constrained growth in its capital and surplus.
AM Best views Thaire Life’s operating performance as adequate, with a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 8.7 per cent (2019-2023), as underwriting margins have thinned over time due to business growth in the less profitable health reinsurance notwithstanding that the company has generated consistent underwriting profits over the past five years.
In addition, the company’s underwriting performance in recent periods was impacted negatively by medical inflation and higher medical insurance utilisation and is expected to remain constrained over the near term.
With a business profile considered to be neutral, Thaire Life is the only domestic life reinsurer in Thailand, and it maintains long-standing relationships with key cedants. Future business expansion is expected to be supported by new product development initiatives, strategic business partnerships and distribution channel diversification.
-- BERNAMA
These credit ratings (ratings) which have a stable outlook reflected Thaire Life’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Concurrently, AM Best in a statement said it has withdrawn these ratings as the company has requested to no longer participate in the credit rating agency’s interactive rating process.
Thaire Life’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which remained at the strongest level at fiscal year-end 2023, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio.
The rating agency considers the company to have a moderate risk investment portfolio given its exposure to higher-risk asset classes of equities and mutual funds, although this is in part mitigated by a good level of overall portfolio diversification.
Partially offsetting balance sheet strength factors include the company’s high dividend payout ratio over recent years, which has constrained growth in its capital and surplus.
AM Best views Thaire Life’s operating performance as adequate, with a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 8.7 per cent (2019-2023), as underwriting margins have thinned over time due to business growth in the less profitable health reinsurance notwithstanding that the company has generated consistent underwriting profits over the past five years.
In addition, the company’s underwriting performance in recent periods was impacted negatively by medical inflation and higher medical insurance utilisation and is expected to remain constrained over the near term.
With a business profile considered to be neutral, Thaire Life is the only domestic life reinsurer in Thailand, and it maintains long-standing relationships with key cedants. Future business expansion is expected to be supported by new product development initiatives, strategic business partnerships and distribution channel diversification.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday 10 July 2024
Xsolla Forward Night Japan 2024 To Share Insights, Solutions In Gaming Industry
 |
| (Graphic: Xsolla) |
KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Global video game commerce company, Xsolla has announced the inaugural FORWARD NIGHT JAPAN 2024 seminar and networking event, taking place on July 16 in Tokyo and July 18 in Kyoto.
According to a statement, this event will unite global gaming and marketing leaders to explore the latest updates and business opportunities in the gaming industry.
The event promises insightful sessions led by industry experts who will share fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to challenge and stimulate attendees' thinking, in addition to key sessions that will cover a range of topics essential for the growth and development of the gaming industry.
Among the sessions to be highlighted are the strengths of the participating companies and their contributions to the gaming industry with the event aims to foster further development of Japan's domestic gaming market by addressing critical challenges and opportunities.
As the gaming industry is experiencing significant growth, with predictions suggesting it could reach approximately 100 trillion Japanese yen globally, developers face substantial marketing challenges, particularly in monetising through local sales tax in various countries. (100 Japanese yen = RM2.92)
Hence, FORWARD NIGHT JAPAN 2024 aims to address these challenges by bringing together global experts to share their insights and solutions.
-- BERNAMA
THE 'INSIGHTS 2024: ATTITUDES TOWARD AI' REPORT REVEALS RESEARCHERS AND CLINICIANS BELIEVE IN AI'S POTENTIAL BUT DEMAND TRANSPARENCY IN ORDER TO TRUST TOOLS
AsiaNet 0200259
LONDON, July 10, 2024 / AgilityPR-AsiaNet / --
Elsevier’s survey of 3,000 researchers and clinicians shows willingness to use AI in their daily work, with clear differences in attitude between US, China, and India
Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to transform research and healthcare, yet adoption of AI for work use remains low as does use of even the most popular AI platforms like Bard and ChatGPT, according to a new study by Elsevier, a global leader in scientific information and data analytics. The Insights 2024: Attitudes toward AI report, based on a survey of 3,000 researchers and clinicians across 123 countries, reveals that both groups see AI having the greatest potential in accelerating knowledge discovery, increasing work quality and saving costs.
However, to maximize the use of AI, both groups are clear about the specific concerns that need to be addressed: they want assurances of quality content, trust and transparency before integrating AI tools into their daily work.
Most notably, the majority of clinicians and researchers familiar with AI, said they believe in AI's potential to help them and their organizations in their work:
• 94% of researchers and 96% of clinicians think AI will help accelerate knowledge discovery
• 92% of researchers and 96% of clinicians think it will help rapidly increase the volume of scholarly and medical research
• 92% of researchers and clinicians foresee cost savings for institutions and businesses
• 87% think it will help increase work quality overall
• 85% of both groups believe AI will free up time to focus on higher value projects.
However, both respondent groups fear further rise in misinformation could impact critical decisions:
• 95% of researchers along with 93% of clinicians believe AI will be used for misinformation
• 86% of researchers and 85% of clinicians believe AI could cause critical errors, while a similar ratio expressed concern about AI leading to weakened critical thinking
• 81% of researchers worry AI will erode critical thinking with 82% of doctors expressing concern that physicians will become over reliant on AI to make clinical decisions
• 79% of clinicians and 80% of researchers believe AI will cause disruption to society.
Researchers and clinicians expect tools to be based on high quality, trusted content and want transparency about the use of generative AI:
• If AI tools are backed by trusted content, quality controls and responsible AI principles, 89% of researchers who expressed belief AI can benefit their work would use it to generate a synthesis of articles, while 94% of clinicians who believe AI can benefit their work said they would employ AI to assess symptoms and identify conditions or diseases.
• Transparency is key. 81% of researchers and clinicians expect to be told whether the tools they are using depend on generative AI.
• 71% expect generative AI dependent tools’ results to be based on high quality trusted sources only.
• 78% of researchers and 80% of clinicians expect to be informed if the peer-review recommendations they receive about manuscripts utilize generative AI.
The findings also reveal different attitudes amongst researchers and clinicians in the world’s top three research-generating nations, the US, China and India:
• Of those familiar with AI over half (54%) have actively used AI with just under a third (31%) for a specific work-related purpose. This is higher in China (39%) and lower in India (22%)
• Only 11% of respondents consider themselves very familiar with AI or use it often. 67% of those who have not used AI expect to in two to five years with China (83%) and India (79%) outpacing the US (53%) significantly
• US respondents are less likely to feel positive about the future impact of AI on their area of work - 28% in the US vs. 46% in China, 41% in India.
Researchers and clinicians in China, India and the US who believe AI would help them in their work are more closely aligned, albeit still with some difference in how likely they are to use a trusted AI assistant to review prior studies, identify gaps in knowledge and generate a new research hypothesis for testing. Respondents in India stood at 100% likelihood, China at 96%, and the US at 84%.
Kieran West, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Elsevier, said: “AI has the potential to transform many aspects of our lives, including research, innovation and healthcare, all vital drivers of societal progress. As it becomes more integrated into our everyday lives and continues to advance at a rapid pace, its adoption is expected to rise. Researchers and clinicians worldwide are telling us they have an appetite for adoption to aid their profession and work, but not at the cost of ethics, transparency and accuracy. They have indicated that high quality, verified information, responsible development and transparency are paramount to building trust in AI tools, and alleviating concerns over misinformation and inaccuracy. This report suggests some steps that need to be taken to build confidence and usage in the AI tools of today and tomorrow.”
For more than a decade, Elsevier has been using AI and machine learning technologies in combination with our world-class peer-reviewed content, extensive data sets and expert human oversight to create products that help the research, life sciences and healthcare communities be more effective every day. We do so in line with Elsevier's Responsible AI Principles and Privacy Principles and in collaboration with our communities to ensure our solutions help them achieve their goals. By incorporating generative AI in our offerings, we aim to make it easier and more intuitive for customers to find the information they can trust to accelerate scientific discovery, empower collaboration and transform patient care.
For the full findings from the Insights 2024: Attitudes toward AI study, including additional insights from researchers and clinicians, please visit elsevier.com/insights/attitudes-toward-ai or contact the media representative at the top of this release.
About Elsevier
As a global leader in scientific information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making with innovative solutions based on trusted, evidence-based content and advanced AI-enabled digital technologies.
We have supported the work of our research and healthcare communities for more than 140 years. Our 9,500 employees around the world, including 2,500 technologists, are dedicated to supporting researchers, librarians, academic leaders, funders, governments, R&D-intensive companies, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals and educators in their critical work. Our 2,900 scientific journals and iconic reference books include the foremost titles in their fields, including Cell Press, The Lancet and Gray’s Anatomy.
Together with the Elsevier Foundation, we work in partnership with the communities we serve to drive inclusive health and research within our own organization and around the world.
Elsevier is part of RELX (https://www.relx.com/), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information on our work, digital solutions and content, visit www.elsevier.com/
Media contacts:
Dan DiPietro-James
Global Media Relations Director
dan.james@elsevier.com
Source: Elsevier
Elsevier’s survey of 3,000 researchers and clinicians shows willingness to use AI in their daily work, with clear differences in attitude between US, China, and India
Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to transform research and healthcare, yet adoption of AI for work use remains low as does use of even the most popular AI platforms like Bard and ChatGPT, according to a new study by Elsevier, a global leader in scientific information and data analytics. The Insights 2024: Attitudes toward AI report, based on a survey of 3,000 researchers and clinicians across 123 countries, reveals that both groups see AI having the greatest potential in accelerating knowledge discovery, increasing work quality and saving costs.
However, to maximize the use of AI, both groups are clear about the specific concerns that need to be addressed: they want assurances of quality content, trust and transparency before integrating AI tools into their daily work.
Most notably, the majority of clinicians and researchers familiar with AI, said they believe in AI's potential to help them and their organizations in their work:
• 94% of researchers and 96% of clinicians think AI will help accelerate knowledge discovery
• 92% of researchers and 96% of clinicians think it will help rapidly increase the volume of scholarly and medical research
• 92% of researchers and clinicians foresee cost savings for institutions and businesses
• 87% think it will help increase work quality overall
• 85% of both groups believe AI will free up time to focus on higher value projects.
However, both respondent groups fear further rise in misinformation could impact critical decisions:
• 95% of researchers along with 93% of clinicians believe AI will be used for misinformation
• 86% of researchers and 85% of clinicians believe AI could cause critical errors, while a similar ratio expressed concern about AI leading to weakened critical thinking
• 81% of researchers worry AI will erode critical thinking with 82% of doctors expressing concern that physicians will become over reliant on AI to make clinical decisions
• 79% of clinicians and 80% of researchers believe AI will cause disruption to society.
Researchers and clinicians expect tools to be based on high quality, trusted content and want transparency about the use of generative AI:
• If AI tools are backed by trusted content, quality controls and responsible AI principles, 89% of researchers who expressed belief AI can benefit their work would use it to generate a synthesis of articles, while 94% of clinicians who believe AI can benefit their work said they would employ AI to assess symptoms and identify conditions or diseases.
• Transparency is key. 81% of researchers and clinicians expect to be told whether the tools they are using depend on generative AI.
• 71% expect generative AI dependent tools’ results to be based on high quality trusted sources only.
• 78% of researchers and 80% of clinicians expect to be informed if the peer-review recommendations they receive about manuscripts utilize generative AI.
The findings also reveal different attitudes amongst researchers and clinicians in the world’s top three research-generating nations, the US, China and India:
• Of those familiar with AI over half (54%) have actively used AI with just under a third (31%) for a specific work-related purpose. This is higher in China (39%) and lower in India (22%)
• Only 11% of respondents consider themselves very familiar with AI or use it often. 67% of those who have not used AI expect to in two to five years with China (83%) and India (79%) outpacing the US (53%) significantly
• US respondents are less likely to feel positive about the future impact of AI on their area of work - 28% in the US vs. 46% in China, 41% in India.
Researchers and clinicians in China, India and the US who believe AI would help them in their work are more closely aligned, albeit still with some difference in how likely they are to use a trusted AI assistant to review prior studies, identify gaps in knowledge and generate a new research hypothesis for testing. Respondents in India stood at 100% likelihood, China at 96%, and the US at 84%.
Kieran West, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Elsevier, said: “AI has the potential to transform many aspects of our lives, including research, innovation and healthcare, all vital drivers of societal progress. As it becomes more integrated into our everyday lives and continues to advance at a rapid pace, its adoption is expected to rise. Researchers and clinicians worldwide are telling us they have an appetite for adoption to aid their profession and work, but not at the cost of ethics, transparency and accuracy. They have indicated that high quality, verified information, responsible development and transparency are paramount to building trust in AI tools, and alleviating concerns over misinformation and inaccuracy. This report suggests some steps that need to be taken to build confidence and usage in the AI tools of today and tomorrow.”
For more than a decade, Elsevier has been using AI and machine learning technologies in combination with our world-class peer-reviewed content, extensive data sets and expert human oversight to create products that help the research, life sciences and healthcare communities be more effective every day. We do so in line with Elsevier's Responsible AI Principles and Privacy Principles and in collaboration with our communities to ensure our solutions help them achieve their goals. By incorporating generative AI in our offerings, we aim to make it easier and more intuitive for customers to find the information they can trust to accelerate scientific discovery, empower collaboration and transform patient care.
For the full findings from the Insights 2024: Attitudes toward AI study, including additional insights from researchers and clinicians, please visit elsevier.com/insights/attitudes-toward-ai or contact the media representative at the top of this release.
About Elsevier
As a global leader in scientific information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making with innovative solutions based on trusted, evidence-based content and advanced AI-enabled digital technologies.
We have supported the work of our research and healthcare communities for more than 140 years. Our 9,500 employees around the world, including 2,500 technologists, are dedicated to supporting researchers, librarians, academic leaders, funders, governments, R&D-intensive companies, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals and educators in their critical work. Our 2,900 scientific journals and iconic reference books include the foremost titles in their fields, including Cell Press, The Lancet and Gray’s Anatomy.
Together with the Elsevier Foundation, we work in partnership with the communities we serve to drive inclusive health and research within our own organization and around the world.
Elsevier is part of RELX (https://www.relx.com/), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information on our work, digital solutions and content, visit www.elsevier.com/
Media contacts:
Dan DiPietro-James
Global Media Relations Director
dan.james@elsevier.com
Source: Elsevier
NX Vietnam North-South Rail Transport Service Reduces Environmental Impact
KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Nippon Express (Vietnam) Co Ltd (NX Vietnam), a group company of Nippon Express Holdings Inc, recently launched a service providing north-south rail transport between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
This daily rail transport service covers 1,700 kilometres between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south in about 48 hours, to lower susceptibility to traffic congestion and meet the logistics needs of its customers.
According to a statement, rail transport is capable of transporting large volumes of cargo with far fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than truck transport, helping to reduce companies' environmental impact.
The Vietnamese economy has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, spurring a rapid increase in logistics needs across a variety of industries, including manufacturing and retail sales.
The logistics networks linking the country's north and south are in particularly high demand as key routes between manufacturing bases and consumption centres, resulting in severe and chronic traffic congestion in Vietnam, adding to the time and cost of truck transport.
In addition, a new environmental protection law came into effect in the country in 2022, requiring companies to make even greater efforts to reduce their environmental impact.
The NX Group will continue providing high-quality logistics services to meet the needs of its customers even as it strives to reduce CO2 emissions, achieve sustainable societies, and grow alongside local communities worldwide.
-- BERNAMA
Saturday 6 July 2024
aiMotive Latest Generation Simulator Granted ISO 26262 Certification
KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- Global leader in automotive simulation technology, aiMotive announced it has obtained ISO 26262 certification from TÜV Nord for the latest generation of its simulator, aiSim 5.
Originally granted in 2020, aiSim was the world’s first simulator for advanced driver assistance systems/autonomous driving (ADAS/AD) to achieve this certification, according to a statement.
TÜV Nord has confirmed that aiSim 5 complies with ISO 26262:2018 standards for automotive safety integrity level D (ASIL D) and the certification emphasises the simulator's physics-based aspects, complete determinism, and adherence to an end-to-end ISO 26262-compliant development process.
It covers 33 customer use cases of scenario-based verification and validation, including the simulation of major sensor modalities and all application programming interfaces (APIs) to enable seamless integration with other tools and models.
The unprecedented complexity of the solutions needed for automated driving in the automotive industry can only be solved by relying on the results of massive simulations.
It is important that aiSim 5's ISO 26262 certification streamlines the validation process for customers, and by integrating aiSim into their validation pipelines, customers benefit from simplified compliance with ISO standards, saving time, resources, and costs.
Launched in January this year, aiSim 5 represents a significant advancement in simulation technology given that it is also infused with Automotive General Intelligence (AutoGI) to enable an unprecedented scale of virtual contents and environments available for simulation.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday 4 July 2024
AEROSPIKE APPOINTS VENKATESH GUNTUR AS COUNTRY MANAGER FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA
SINGAPORE & MANILA, Philippines, July 4 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aerospike, Inc. (“Aerospike”), a leading database solutions provider, today announced the appointment of Venkatesh Guntur as the new Country Manager for Southeast Asia (ASEAN). In this strategic role, Venkatesh will spearhead Aerospike's business operations in the region, focusing on elevating the company's presence, driving growth, and delivering exceptional customer service.
Speaking about his appointment, Aveekshith Bushan, Vice President and GM, Asia Pacific and Japan, Aerospike, commented, “With his extensive experience and proven leadership, Venkatesh will be an invaluable addition to our team as we continue to expand our footprint in the enterprise and fast-growing AI-centric business applications segments in the ASEAN region. We are delighted to welcome him aboard.”
Venkatesh brings over 25 years of experience in enterprise IT sales leadership, having driven strategic sales initiatives and fostered innovation in the technology sector for several successful organizations. Before joining Aerospike, he held key leadership positions at companies such as Couchbase, ADP, Blue Prism, and Ramco Systems. Venkatesh is passionate about business outcome-based value selling through technologies like real-time databases, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
“I am honored to join Aerospike and look forward to further building on the company’s reputation as the most scalable, efficient, and cost-effective real-time database solution in the region," said Venkatesh.
Aerospike is a massively scalable, millisecond latency, real-time multi-model database that cost-effectively processes transactions, documents, graphs and vectors for real-time operations and decision making. It enables organizations to feed AI/ML systems high volumes of real-time data faster, with up to 80% less infrastructure than other database providers.
Aerospike is a registered trademark of Aerospike, Inc.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240703674433/en/
Contact
Kristle Chia - +65 9756 2004
Source : Aerospike, Inc.
Speaking about his appointment, Aveekshith Bushan, Vice President and GM, Asia Pacific and Japan, Aerospike, commented, “With his extensive experience and proven leadership, Venkatesh will be an invaluable addition to our team as we continue to expand our footprint in the enterprise and fast-growing AI-centric business applications segments in the ASEAN region. We are delighted to welcome him aboard.”
Venkatesh brings over 25 years of experience in enterprise IT sales leadership, having driven strategic sales initiatives and fostered innovation in the technology sector for several successful organizations. Before joining Aerospike, he held key leadership positions at companies such as Couchbase, ADP, Blue Prism, and Ramco Systems. Venkatesh is passionate about business outcome-based value selling through technologies like real-time databases, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
“I am honored to join Aerospike and look forward to further building on the company’s reputation as the most scalable, efficient, and cost-effective real-time database solution in the region," said Venkatesh.
Aerospike is a massively scalable, millisecond latency, real-time multi-model database that cost-effectively processes transactions, documents, graphs and vectors for real-time operations and decision making. It enables organizations to feed AI/ML systems high volumes of real-time data faster, with up to 80% less infrastructure than other database providers.
Aerospike is a registered trademark of Aerospike, Inc.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240703674433/en/
Contact
Kristle Chia - +65 9756 2004
Source : Aerospike, Inc.
Monday 1 July 2024
GLOBAL SWF: 5 INSTITUTIONS ACHIEVE PERFECT SCORE IN GSR PRACTICES, EFFORTS
KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- Global SWF published its fifth edition of its governance, sustainability, and resilience (GSR) scoreboard, which has become the measuring stick of best practices among state-owned investors.
In a statement, the firm said the report will be officially presented at an in-person event in New York City, on July 11.
“The GSR scoreboard is the only objective, quantitative, and independent evaluation of best practices among sovereign investors, and we are fully committed to contributing to the advancement of the industry.
“These institutions are very heterogeneous by nature, but there is a reduced number of them that are leading the way when it comes to best practices and positive change,” said Global SWF Founder and Managing Director, Diego López.
This year’s results saw sustainability scores continue to improve globally, when compared to 2023, and yet, the average score in governance (77 per cent) is still much higher than that in sustainability (51 per cent) and in resilience (50 per cent).
Five entities with different mandates got full marks, namely two Canadian pension managers (CDPQ, BCI), a European strategic fund (ISIF), and two Asia Pacific state-owned investors (Temasek, NZ Super).
Meanwhile, the Middle East as a region continues to improve, and the average score has gone up by 16 per cent since 2020 with progress led by Saudi Arabia’s PIF (96 per cent in 2024) and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala (92 per cent).
Furthermore, there continues to be a positive and strong correlation between best practices, as measured by Global SWF’s GSR scores, and the financial performance of sovereign investors in the long run.
The annual exercise analyses the world’s 200 largest sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds, which manage US$27.5 trillion on behalf of 80 countries, and is based on 25 different elements that are answered binarily using only public information. (US$1=RM4.71)
-- BERNAMA
In a statement, the firm said the report will be officially presented at an in-person event in New York City, on July 11.
“The GSR scoreboard is the only objective, quantitative, and independent evaluation of best practices among sovereign investors, and we are fully committed to contributing to the advancement of the industry.
“These institutions are very heterogeneous by nature, but there is a reduced number of them that are leading the way when it comes to best practices and positive change,” said Global SWF Founder and Managing Director, Diego López.
This year’s results saw sustainability scores continue to improve globally, when compared to 2023, and yet, the average score in governance (77 per cent) is still much higher than that in sustainability (51 per cent) and in resilience (50 per cent).
Five entities with different mandates got full marks, namely two Canadian pension managers (CDPQ, BCI), a European strategic fund (ISIF), and two Asia Pacific state-owned investors (Temasek, NZ Super).
Meanwhile, the Middle East as a region continues to improve, and the average score has gone up by 16 per cent since 2020 with progress led by Saudi Arabia’s PIF (96 per cent in 2024) and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala (92 per cent).
Furthermore, there continues to be a positive and strong correlation between best practices, as measured by Global SWF’s GSR scores, and the financial performance of sovereign investors in the long run.
The annual exercise analyses the world’s 200 largest sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds, which manage US$27.5 trillion on behalf of 80 countries, and is based on 25 different elements that are answered binarily using only public information. (US$1=RM4.71)
-- BERNAMA
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