Jumio's Cutting-edge Liveness Detection Guarantees Users Are Real, Not A Spoof

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Jumio, an automated, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven identity verification, risk signals and compliance solutions provider, has unveiled Jumio Liveness, an enhanced, in-house technology designed to address increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics at Money20/20 USA.

This cutting-edge solution expands beyond traditional presentation attacks, such as paper or screen copies, and employs sophisticated AI models to block advanced threats like injection attacks and deepfakes.

Its Chief Product and Technology Officer, Bala Kumar said Jumio Liveness is designed to address the growing sophistication of fraud tactics while keeping the user experience simple.

“Our goal is to help businesses stay ahead of threats like deepfakes and ensure that legitimate users can securely access services without added complexity,” he said in a statement.

Jumio Liveness takes fraud detection to the next level by checking if more than one person is present throughout the selfie-capture process or if someone is being forced to undergo the identity verification process.

It also prevents the registration of unconscious individuals, such as those who are sleeping. These measures help ensure that only genuine, consenting users are able to access services, dramatically reducing fraud risks.

Jumio has established a comprehensive multi-layer defense strategy to tackle a wide range of attack types, both current and emerging. By combining liveness detection, AI-driven fraud detection, and anti-spoofing technologies, its system is designed to defend against existing threats while staying agile enough to address future attacks.

This robust strategy is backed by an expansive patent portfolio spanning nearly 100 unique patent families and ensures that businesses using the company’s services remain protected in an ever-evolving fraud landscape.

In addition, Jumio has mechanisms in place to constantly monitor for anomalies and suspicious activities. These systems continuously review daily traffic to identify new attack vectors as they emerge.

Any new insights are fed directly into the AI model’s training pipeline, creating a real-time feedback loop that enables Jumio’s technology to adapt rapidly, ensuring that its defense mechanisms remain updated and highly effective against evolving and sophisticated threats.

-- BERNAMA

BLACK & VEATCH TOUTS SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AT IMARC 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Asia Pacific’s mining industry can accelerate the adoption of more sustainable water management practices to protect freshwater resources for the local community while ensuring a more resilient and reliable water future, according to Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical human infrastructure solutions.

For example, in Australia, national science agency, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) estimates that mining and other industries use about 20 per cent of all water consumed in Australia.

“Proven and readily available water solutions, such as desalination and water recycling, can be designed and engineered to achieve greater energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs and carbon emissions for Asia Pacific’s mining sector, offsetting significant strategic risks,” he said.

“Partnering to implement these solutions will benefit the environment, local communities, mining companies and the industry overall,” said Black & Veatch vice president, director, Australia Pacific, Mick Scrivens in a statement.

As a result, at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2024, Black & Veatch is convening the conference’s only dedicated session on water management in the mining industry on Oct 30.

Hosted by Scrivens and featuring industry leaders and Black & Veatch experts, the session will explore how more resilient sustainability results can be achieved by integrating water planning across all stages of the mine lifecycle.

The session will also explore more targeted and affordable investments in appropriate technologies and solutions, and meaningful inclusion of critical stakeholders in the planning and design phases of projects.

In Australia, Black & Veatch has a strong track record of partnering with clients and communities to deliver quality services to water utilities, including award-winning projects such as the Bundamba Advanced Water Treatment Project that supported the nation’s response to the millennium drought.

-- BERNAMA

DUBAI PHILANTHROPIST ANOSH AHMED DONATES 10 MLN GBP TO LEBANON'S VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Dubai billionaire and Private Family Office Anosh Ahmed (PFOAA) founder, Anosh Ahmed and its foundation, announced donation of essential food worth 10 million GBP to Lebanon. (1GBP = RM5.65)

In a statement, Anosh said this donation is a step toward bringing nourishment, hope, and dignity to those in need.

“In times of hardship and recovery, no one should face hunger alone. As Lebanon heals from the recent conflict, we are standing with the most vulnerable, children and women, who have been impacted the most.

“Together, we can help restore not just meals, but a sense of comfort and compassion in the lives of those who need it most. May this support bring warmth and strength to those rebuilding their lives,” he said.

Anosh’s remarkable rise from a modest US$4,000 investment to a billionaire agripreneur demonstrates how ambition, innovation, technology, and sustainability can transform the agricultural sector.

At present, he is recognised as one of the largest leaseholders of agricultural land across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Over 22 years, his agribusiness has grown to a valuation of US$1.8 billion, managing over 50 billion square feet of land and generating diversified revenue streams from farming, processed goods, agri-tech ventures, and long-term real estate leases.

Anosh remains committed to his roots, in which he established a foundation that provides small-scale farmers with training, technology, and financial support, alongside creating a network of farmer cooperatives to ensure fair pricing and global market access.

His legacy has inspired a new generation of farmers to embrace sustainable, modern agriculture, and via workshops, documentaries, as well as his forthcoming autobiography titled From Soil to Success, Anosh continues to share his knowledge and passion, making him a beacon of hope and transformation in the agricultural sector.

-- BERNAMA

XSOLLA SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS IN CAMBODIA AND INDONESIA TO MAXIMIZE GAME DEVELOPERS' REACH ACROSS SOUTHEAST ASIA LOCAL MARKETS

 

Xsolla Introduces 8 New Local Payment Methods in Cambodia and 12 New Payment Options in Indonesia, Supporting Game Developers in Reaching Growing Markets Across Southeast Asia

LOS ANGELES, Oct 25 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, is pleased to announce the expansion of its payment solutions in Cambodia and Indonesia, providing access to localized payment methods tailored to each region. This initiative aligns with Xsolla's broader strategy to strengthen its presence across Southeast Asia (SEA) and support game developers in effectively monetizing and distributing their games in these rapidly growing markets.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241024009821/en/ 

In Cambodia, Xsolla introduces eight new payment methods, including Internet banking options and digital wallets, tailored to the preferences of Cambodian users. This strategic expansion covers up to 90% of the payments market, ensuring that nearly every player in Cambodia can pay using their preferred method. For example, Bakong KHQR, a QR code-based payment system, holds 45% of the market share, while Acleda Bank accounts for 15%. Supported by the country’s ongoing digital transformation, with digital payment transactions surging by 28.7%, these solutions, including Wing Money, Pi Pay, and others, will enable game developers to reach nearly 2 million gamers in Cambodia, facilitating seamless checkout experiences and boosting sales.

In Indonesia, Xsolla is introducing several new payment methods to help game developers tap into the country’s vast gaming market, with over 185 million gamers out of a 275 million-strong population. Approximately 80% of consumers in Indonesia are unbanked or underbanked. With smartphone penetration reaching up to 80%, Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) are the most preferred option in Indonesia. By integrating these APMs, Xsolla can cover up to 90% of the market. This includes E-wallets, which account for 39% of the market, Bank Transfers at 27%, Cards at 17%, and Cash at 11%. Popular platforms such as ShopeePay, Jenius, and Akulaku are among the new payment options, simplifying transactions for Indonesian gamers and boosting market reach for game developers in one of the fastest-growing digital markets globally.

“Xsolla's commitment to empowering game developers to access new markets is central to our mission. By introducing localized payment methods in Cambodia and Indonesia, we provide our partners with the tools they need to succeed in these dynamic and rapidly growing gaming environments. This expansion is part of our ongoing efforts to support developers globally and help them overcome payment challenges,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer of Xsolla.

The gaming market in Cambodia is projected to reach $75.21 million by 2027, with mobile games accounting for 66% of the revenue in 2023. In Indonesia, digital transformation opens up significant opportunities for game developers, mainly through localized payment solutions that reduce friction and improve transaction success rates.

For more information about Xsolla’s payment solutions and how they can enhance your monetization strategy in Cambodia, Indonesia, and beyond, visit xsolla.pro/psrw 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=49606

​JUMIO NAMED A LEADER IN THE 2024 GARTNER® MAGIC QUADRANT™ FOR IDENTITY VERIFICATION

 

(Graphic: Business Wire)

Jumio recognized based on its Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct 25 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Jumio, the leading provider of automated, AI-driven identity verification, risk signals and compliance solutions, has been recognized as a Leader in the first-ever 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Identity Verification¹, published on October 21, 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241024542853/en/

Jumio was named a Leader among other identity verification vendors, and the evaluation was based on specific criteria that analyzed the company’s overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute.

As defined in the Magic Quadrant, “Leaders deliver a broad and comprehensive IDV product that addresses a wide range of use cases and customer needs. They have successfully built a significant installed customer base and revenue stream. Leaders demonstrate a superior vision that goes beyond simply doing more of the same at a larger scale. They also demonstrate strong execution to bring that vision to fruition. They anticipate IDV requirements and in some ways help shape the market.”

This inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant for Identity Verification replaces the Gartner Market Guide for Identity Verification, which repeatedly recognized Jumio as a Representative Vendor. Gartner produced this Magic Quadrant in response to identity verification market conditions.

“Gartner has observed that the number of vendors in the IDV market continues to grow, and is currently tracking over 100 vendors. While the core IDV process offered by them all is seemingly similar, there are many differences between vendors,” the report states.

“As the identity verification market continues to expand, it can become increasingly challenging for modern enterprises to sort through endless offerings to find an innovative solution to suit their needs,” said Anna Convery, Jumio CMO. “To be named a Leader in the first-ever Magic Quadrant is an honor and we believe this demonstrates that Jumio’s end-to-end approach to establishing and maintaining trust resonates with the market.”

The Jumio Platform is an end-to-end solution that verifies the identities of new and existing users, fights fraud and helps modern enterprises meet compliance mandates. With over 1 billion transactions processed worldwide, supporting 5,000+ types of ID documents across more than 200 countries and territories, Jumio leads the industry in global coverage.

To read the entire 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Identity Verification, click here.

¹Source: 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Identity Verification, Akif Khan, James Hoover, Nayara Sangiorgio, 21 October 2024.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Jumio

Jumio helps organizations to know and trust their customers online. From account opening to ongoing monitoring, the Jumio Platform provides advanced identity verification, risk signals and compliance solutions that help you accurately establish, maintain and reassert trust.

Leveraging powerful technology including automation, biometrics, AI/machine learning, liveness detection and no-code orchestration with hundreds of data sources, Jumio helps you fight fraud and financial crime, onboard good customers faster and meet regulatory compliance including KYC and AML. Jumio has processed more than 1 billion transactions spanning over 200 countries and territories from real-time web and mobile transactions.

Based in Sunnyvale, Jumio operates globally with offices and representation in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East and has been the recipient of numerous awards for innovation. Jumio is backed by Centana Growth Partners, Great Hill Partners and Millennium Technology Value Partners.

For more information, please visit www.jumio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241024542853/en/

Contact

U.S. Media Contact
Allison Knight
10Fold Communications
jumio@10fold.com
806-570-9819

Europe Media Contact
Harriet King
FleishmanHillard UK
harriet.king@fleishman.com
+44 7765673794

APAC Media Contact
Luke Nazir
FINN Partners
Luke.Nazir@finnpartners.com
+65 8139 2504

Source : Jumio

--BERNAMA

8x8 CPaaS Chosen To Support CareMonitor Telehealth Infrastructure

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Business communications, customer experience (CX), and communications platform as a service (CPaaS) platform provider, 8x8 Inc announced that CareMonitor has deployed 8x8 CPaaS to support critical patient interactions.

In a statement, 8x8 said CareMonitor integrated 8x8 Jitsi as a Service (JaaS) and 8x8 SMS API into its solution to support over 5,000 unique patient interactions each day.

8x8 Chief Product Officer, Hunter Middleton said seamless and consistent communication is undoubtedly important when it comes to healthcare and patient interactions.

“We are very proud of the work we are doing with CareMonitor, ensuring that its customers have the resources and tools they need to provide stress-free patient interactions time and time again,” he said.

Meanwhile, CareMonitor Chief Executive Officer, Deepak Biswal said: “By partnering with 8x8, we have reduced development time by 30 per cent while consistently delivering critical healthcare notifications at scale and providing a seamless telehealth experience for both patients and clinicians.”

With 8x8, CareMonitor has improved patient interactions by enabling timely health notifications that provide the option for the patient to start a two-way conversation, all via short message service (SMS).

In addition, 8x8 JaaS ensures Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant, secure telehealth capabilities between healthcare providers and patients across multiple devices.

Moreover, CareMonitor was able to drive cost optimisations, reducing total spend by 53 per cent and allowing the organisation to leverage these savings to accelerate further platform innovation.

Additional benefits since integrating 8x8 CPaaS include improved patient outcomes; scalability and reliability; out of the box functionality; and readily available support.

Served as a key enabler of business communications and CX in an ever-evolving digital transformation, 8x8 CPaaS includes SMS, messaging apps, voice, video interaction and video conferencing.

-- BERNAMA

YUNNAN'S DALI SHOWCASES ECOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE ERHAI FORUM, GAINING INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

The beautiful autumn scenery in Shangguan town, Dali, Yunnan, China. (Photo: Business Wire)


DALI, China, Oct 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The 2024 Erhai Forum on Global Ecological Civilization Construction, themed "Working Together to Promote Eco-Friendly Modernization," was successfully held on October 19 in Dali, Yunnan in Southwestern China. As the host, Dali emphasized its ecological civilization initiatives, drawing nearly 300 guests from China and abroad, and garnering international attention.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241022890255/en/

This year's forum placed particular emphasis on cross-border collaboration and project implementation, aiming to extend its impact beyond Dali and the Erhai region.

Notably, on September 24, 2024, the forum held its first European side event in Geneva, Switzerland, where China's "Erhai Experience" was shared internationally, fostering mutual learning with Switzerland's water management practices at Lake Geneva. This exchange further enhanced the forum’s influence, reputation, and global recognition.

Over the years, Dali has actively implemented the "Beautiful China" initiative, with a focus on precise governance to protect Erhai Lake. These efforts have created a new development model where environmental protection and economic growth go hand in hand, achieving the dual goals of ecological beauty and sustainable development.

By 2023, the pollution load entering Erhai Lake had significantly decreased, with all 27 major rivers flowing into the lake meeting excellent water quality standards.

This year, the "Digital Erhai" initiative was selected as a model case for China's digital development, and the "SF Express Erhai Model" became the only project from Yunnan that was recognized as one of the first pollution and carbon reduction cases in the Asia-Pacific region under the Basel Convention’s "Zero-Waste Cities" initiative.

In Jianchuan County, Jianhu Lake serves as a critical habitat for migratory birds traveling along the Hengduan Mountains corridor in Northwestern Yunnan. Meanwhile, early autumn brought the return of the endangered Cibi flower, blooming once again near Cibi Lake in Eryuan County.

In Yousuo Town, Eryuan County, freshly harvested water caltrops are being shipped to major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

Along the Erhai ecological corridor, the beautifully restored landscapes have driven the growth of eco-tourism around the lake. Additionally, a series of ecological agriculture projects are taking shape, providing job opportunities for local people and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Through strengthened international cooperation and by sharing its successful practices in protecting Erhai Lake, Dali aims to provide Chinese wisdom and solutions for the global effort to build an ecological civilization.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241022890255/en/

Contact

Eason Zhou, evisionsinfo@gmail.com

Source : Dali Information Office

--BERNAMA

JUMIO’S PATENT COUNT EXCEEDS 300, REINFORCING POSITION IN IDENTITY SOLUTIONS

(Graphic: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Jumio, an automated, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven identity verification, risk signals and compliance solutions provider, announced it has more than 300 issued patents and patent applications.

The strength of Jumio’s global Internet Protocol (IP) portfolio spans nearly 100 unique patent families and further accelerates the company’s vision of eradicating identity theft and leveraging AI, biometrics, machine learning, liveness detection, authentication and anti-spoofing technology.

Jumio chief executive officer, Robert Prigge said these newest developments put the company in an even stronger position to evolve and maintain its position as the leader in identity solutions.

“Our ever-growing IP portfolio represents our continued investment and dedication to innovation. We have the best and brightest talent in the industry as is evidenced by the robust pipeline of patentable ideas coming from our employees,” he said in a statement.

Jumio pioneered the ID + selfie approach to identity verification, has processed over one billion transactions and enables organisations to orchestrate the customer identity lifecycle with a single, unified platform supporting more than 5,000 ID types in over 200 countries and territories.

Leveraging the unmatched global coverage, scale and size of its data network, Jumio is able to drive smarter verification and fraud detection decisions, all to provide industry-leading catch rates with fewer false positives.

Jumio’s patent programme encourages innovation and creativity among employees.

-- BERNAMA

Kodansha’s App K MANGA Branches Into Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- Kodansha Ltd, one of Japan’s major publishers with hit manga titles such as Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, Blue Lock, and GACHIAKUTA, has launched its official manga app “K MANGA” in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

The app is now available on iOS and Android platforms, offering over 500 titles in English, including 100 ongoing manga series across a variety of genres that are updated simultaneously with their release in Japan.

To commemorate the launch, Kodansha said in a statement that five hugely popular titles will be discounted by 50 per cent for a limited time.

Kodansha’s overseas manga sales have surged in recent years, driven largely by the success of titles like Attack on Titan and Tokyo Revengers, reflecting the growing popularity and acceptance of Japanese manga among English-speaking readers.

K MANGA was launched in the United States last May, marking the service’s first expansion into other markets.

Kodansha is striving to further increase accessibility for English-speaking fans, delivering the latest stories as quickly as possible.

Additionally, the company intends to continue expanding into new regions as part of its goal to establish K MANGA as a worldwide platform that connects fans with their favourite works and creators with their audiences.

-- BERNAMA

HDFC BANK OFFERS SINGAPOREAN FINANCIAL PRODUCTS, SERVICES VIA NEW BRANCH

Singapore Branch (Photo: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- HDFC Bank, India’s private sector bank, has opened its first branch in Singapore to provide banking services and has been granted a wholesale banking licence by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) effective Oct 15.

“A presence in a major international financial centre like Singapore will help us meet the banking requirements of our valued customers in the region, which include MNCs, portfolio investors, wealth customers and trade partners of our Indian clients.

“We would also like to thank the MAS and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for their continued support and guidance,” said HDFC Bank Group Head - International Banking, Investment Banking, Private Banking, Digital Ecosystems and BaaS, Rakesh Singh in a statement.

The branch was inaugurated by Rakesh Singh, in the presence of HDFC Bank Singapore Chief Executive Officer, Gaurav Khandelwal, and other senior management personnel.

Earlier a representative office of erstwhile HDFC Limited, it became a representative office of the bank, post the merger from July 1, last year.

It provided loan-related administrative services to NRIs in Singapore for availing housing loans and purchase of properties in India, in which this facility will continue to be provided through the new branch.

The bank’s international operations now comprise five branches, with one each in Hong Kong, Bahrain, Dubai, Singapore and an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in Gujarat International Finance Tech City, in addition to existing representative offices in Kenya, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and London.

-- BERNAMA

Kioxia’s Latest XD8 Series Intended For Cloud, Hyperscale Environments

KIOXIA XD8 Series PCIe 5.0 NVMe EDSFF E1.S SSDs for Cloud and Hyperscale Environments (Photo: Business Wire) 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Kioxia Corporation, a world leader in memory solutions, has announced the availability of its new KIOXIA XD8 Series PCIe 5.0 Enterprise and Datacenter Standard Form Factor (EDSFF) E1.S solid-state drives (SSDs).

According to Kioxia in a statement, the new drives are the company’s third generation of E1.S SSDs and are compliant with PCIe 5.0 (32 GT/s x 4) and NVMe 2.0 specifications, as well as supporting the Open Compute Project (OCP) Datacenter NVMe SSD v2.5 specification.

Designed for cloud and hyperscale environments, the KIOXIA XD8 Series meets the growing demand for higher performance, enhanced efficiency, and greater scalability in data centres.

The new drives empower cloud providers and hyperscalers to optimise their infrastructure, delivering superior performance while maintaining operational efficiency.

Available in capacities of 1.92, 3.84 and 7.68 terabytes (TB), KIOXIA XD8 Series evaluation drives are now sampling to select customers.

In addition, KIOXIA XD8 Series also features additional NVMe support including NVM Express Management Interface (NVMe-MI) v1.2c; sequential read performance up to 12,500 megabytes (MB) per second; and sequential write performance up to 5,800 MB per second.

-- BERNAMA

EBC EXPANDS SERVICES FOR HNWIS, INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS WITH SECOND AFSL

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- In a significant move toward expanding its global asset management footprint, EBC Financial Group (EBC) has successfully obtained an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) for Asset Management from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).

This acquisition strengthens EBC's ability to provide sophisticated investment solutions to institutional investors, professional investors, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) worldwide, according to a statement.

By securing the AFSL, EBC is not only deepening its presence in Australia but also enhancing its capacity to serve clients across global markets, aligning with its broader strategy to offer diversified and regulated asset management services on a global scale.

EBC Country Head of Australia, Kris Wang said the acquisition of this licence reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest regulatory standards while broadening its asset management capabilities.

“We are dedicated to delivering a diversified and robust investment portfolio designed to meet the varied requirements of high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. We see immense potential in Australia's growing high-net-worth segment.

“Our goal is to leverage our global expertise to help investors optimise their portfolios through diversified and innovative investment strategies. We also plan to expand our services to include family office management and other global investment products in the near future,” said Wang.

The new licence, issued to EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd, strengthens the group’s existing offerings. It complements EBC’s existing AFSL for General Financial Advice, enhancing its ability to deliver a comprehensive range of investment strategies across asset classes such as real estate, fixed income, equities, and alternative investments.

The new licence empowers EBC to offer specialised services exclusively for wholesale clients globally, including general financial product advice on managed investment plans (excluding investor-directed portfolio services) and securities.

Additionally, EBC is now authorised to facilitate financial product transactions, including issuing, applying for, acquiring, varying, or disposing of interests in managed investment schemes and securities. This also extends to offering custodial services that provide enhanced protection and transparency for client assets.

With the new asset management licence, EBC continues to solidify its global presence, offering premium financial services to wholesale clients in both developed and emerging markets.

-- BERNAMA

AITO PRESENTS OUTSTANDING SUVS LINEUP AT PARIS MOTOR SHOW 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- AITO, a high-end intelligent electric vehicle brand, has appeared at the Paris Motor Show 2024, displaying an outstanding lineup of three luxury Range Extended Electric Vehicles (REEVs).

Combining "Traditional Luxury and Technological Luxury", AITO in a statement said it is introducing new luxury concepts, to provide leading intelligent mobility experiences to consumers worldwide.

Embracing "Intelligence Redefining Luxury", AITO introduced its product lineup and innovations, including the AITO 9, AITO 7, and AITO 5, along with the AITO MF Platform and Super Range-extender technology.

The "Eurasian Tour with AITO", an expedition approximately 15,000 kilometres (km) from AITO’s Super Factory in Chongqing, China, preceded the company’s arrival at the 90th Paris Motor Show, which validated the exceptional performance of its models in complex and challenging environments.

From factory floor to auto show, the convoy, featuring the displayed three models, travelled through 12 cities over 38 days, and with AITO intelligent driving assistance technology managing over 8,800 km, mitigating driving fatigue during the Tour.

As the All-Scenario Intelligent Flagship SUV, the AITO 9 showcased its remarkable performance in tough environments during the expedition. It faced the most demanding circumstances, such as extreme road conditions, intense temperatures, and difficult terrains from high-altitude mountains to arid deserts.

Meanwhile, positioned as the Range Extended large-size comfort SUV, the AITO 7 easily adapts to any family travel scenario and was highly praised during the expedition for its unification of space and comfort.

Featuring a sporty design with a clean, powerful silhouette, the AITO 5 is a stylish urban performance mid-size sports SUV that was built on a full aluminum alloy chassis with a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, delivering exceptional handling while ensuring a lightweight structure.

AITO's exceptional product performance is powered by the versatile and continuously evolving AITO MF Platform, the only platform in the industry capable of supporting Super Range-extended Electric, Battery Electric, and Ultra Hybrid power options.

-- BERNAMA

 

 

H2O.ai Partners AI Verify Foundation To Ensure Safe AI Deployment

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Open-source leader in generative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), H2O.ai has announced a collaboration with AI Verify to ensure the safe deployment of AI.

As a part of the collaboration, H2O has launched an initiative alongside the foundation to provide clients the ability to test and govern their AI systems using H2O’s platform and further the global open-source community.

In addition, H2O has agreed to contribute benchmarks and code to AI Verify’s open-source Project Moonshot toolkit for large language model (LLM) application testing and provide support for tests recommended by AI Verify on its ML and LLM Ops platform.

“H2O has been committed to the open-source community since our founding and we believe every organisation should have a strategy to safely test AI.

“Working with AI Verify clearly aligns with our values and we look forward to continue leading the charge for responsible AI adoption,” said H2O.ai chief executive officer and co-founder, Sri Ambati in a statement.

Meanwhile, AI Verify Foundation executive director, Shameek Kundu said: “We believe that appropriate tools and approaches to AI testing is critical to enable adoption of AI for society, business and citizens. We are very pleased to have H2O, an active member of the foundation, as a partner in this journey.”

H2O’s contribution to AI Verify’s Project Moonshot provides one of the world’s first LLM Evaluation Toolkits, designed to integrate benchmarking, red teaming, and testing baselines.

The toolkit helps developers, compliance teams, and AI system owners manage LLM deployment risks by providing a seamless way to evaluate their applications’ performance, both pre- and post-deployment.

This announcement comes on the heels of H2O’s AI 100 List, which recognises the top 100 individuals driving innovation and impact in AI across industries and sectors globally.

-- BERNAMA

ARTHUR D. LITTLE EXPANDS AUSTRALIAN OFFICE WITH APPOINTMENT OF FRANCO SANTUCCI AS PARTNER AND ADDITION OF NEW TEAM

^{Franco Santucci has joined Arthur D. Little as a Partner (Photo: Business Wire)}


MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct 8 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Arthur D. Little (ADL) today announced an expansion of its Australian office, with the appointment of Franco Santucci as Partner and Andrew Sampson as Principal, supported by a new team consisting of Sandro Voegeli, Principal, and Richard Song, Senior Advisor. Based in Melbourne, Franco joins from energy consultancy Energise Partners, which he co-founded in 2020 with Sandro Voegeli, while Andrew was previously at EY. They will focus on developing the firm’s business in the energy sector, working with clients on growth strategy, business model reinvention and portfolio optimization.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241007724680/en/

 

Franco brings over 30 years of consulting experience to ADL. Prior to Energise Partners, he was Global Head of Power & Utilities for EY Parthenon. He has also held senior partner roles at EY and Deloitte, and has worked at AT Kearney and McKinsey. He has been involved with several startups, and advised on investments in renewable and sustainable companies. Franco is well known within the energy & resources industry and business community.

Andrew is an experienced transformation, supply chain strategy, turn-around, cost reduction and profit improvement advisor, with consulting and line management experience across diverse industries including utilities/energy, consumer goods, retail, mining and government in Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe. He has over 25 years experience, working for consultancies such as EY and Deloitte as well as within large organizations including HJ Heinz and Mayne Pharma.

Franco and Andrew will be supported by Sandro Voegeli and Richard Song. Sandro has over 25 years of management consulting and industry experience with a focus on energy and utilities, previously working at boutique consulting firm, Energise Partners, which he co-founded, as well as at Deloitte and EY Parthenon. Richard has over a decade of experience in investment banking (JP Morgan & Citi) and buy-side institutions (HRL Morrison & ESR Australia) where he was involved in some of the largest transactions in the Australian market. He specializes in financial modelling, preparing companies to raise capital and providing investment analysis & advice.

Michael Kruse, Energy & Utilities Practice Leader at ADL, comments, “Our new team, led by Franco Santucci, brings deep experience and proven expertise in the energy sector to our Australian office, enabling us to expand our practice to meet the needs of a major local industry undergoing radical change. With the appointment of Franco, we have ambitious plans to further grow our local team, supporting clients across the Australian energy, utilities and resources sector.”

Franco Santucci, Partner at ADL, adds “The Australian energy sector is undergoing unprecedented change, driven by decarbonization and the rise of renewable energy. This is dramatically reshaping the industry and company strategies, and I look forward to working with our new team, and the wider global energy practice at ADL, to help our clients seize the opportunities that this transformation brings.”

Franco holds a Master in Management Technology, MMT from Melbourne University Business School and a Bachelor of Science, Statistics from Monash University. Andrew has an MBA from Melbourne University Business School and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Melbourne.

For further information, please visit www.adlittle.com

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241007724680/en/


Contact

Cate Bonthuys
Catalyst Comms
+44 7746 546773
bonthuys.cate@adlittle.com

Source : Arthur D. Little

Recursion Obtains FDA Approval For AI-Discovered Cancer Treatment Clinical Trial

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Recursion announced the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared an investigational new drug (IND) application for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of REC-1245, a new chemical entity for the treatment of biomarker-enriched solid tumours and lymphoma.

According to Recursion in a statement, the Phase 1/2 clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and potential monotherapy efficacy of REC-1245, and is expected to initiate in the fourth quarter of this year.

Its Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Gibson said: "In under 18 months, leveraging some of our newer chemistry tools, Recursion rapidly progressed REC-1245 from novel target biology to preclinical drug candidate, more than twice the speed of industry average.”

Recursion identified the novel regulatory role of RBM39 associated with CDK12 using its maps of biology and first reported this relationship in early 2023 during Recursion’s research and development (R&D) and investor event, Download Day.

The company believes the modulation of RBM39 may be associated with a therapeutic effect in certain biomarker-enriched solid tumours and lymphoma.

Meanwhile, its Chief R&D Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, Dr Najat Khan explained that RBM39 degraders may offer a promising therapeutic approach for patients with solid tumours, particularly those with limited treatment options.

“This mechanism provides new opportunities for targeting tumours, which are often resistant to conventional treatments. By advancing this research, we aim to deliver a critical option for patients facing significant unmet needs, ultimately improving their prognosis and quality of life,” she added.

Additionally, Recursion estimates that the initially addressable population for this potential therapeutic to be more than 100,000 patients in the US and European Union Five (EU5), collectively, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

REC-1245 is a potent and selective RBM39 degrader with a potential first-in-class profile. Preclinical data support that RBM39 degradation induces splicing defects that downregulate DNA Damage Response (DDR) networks and cell cycle checkpoints.

-- BERNAMA

Study Finds 100 Pct Singapore's Marketers, Agencies Confronted With Data Challenges

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Lotame, the global technology company that makes customer data smarter, faster, and easier to use for digital marketers, revealed in its new report that 100 per cent of marketers and agencies surveyed in Singapore encounter barriers in data orchestration and utilisation.

Fielded by Cint, its report ‘The State of Data Collaboration: A Global Perspective’ found that data challenges are ubiquitous, as is planned investment in marketing and data technology, with data collaboration platforms delivering multiple tangible benefits.

In a statement, Lotame Chief Executive Officer, Andy Monfried said orchestrating and activating data remains a major struggle for marketers and agencies, both inside and outside their organisations, but they are finally overcoming this barrier through a combination of technology and a shift in mindset.

The findings from the survey also showed that 78 per cent of respondents recognise the urgency of leveraging first-party data, which is eight per cent higher than the global average.

In addition, more than half (53 per cent) of marketers and a quarter of agencies are fully reliant on third-party cookies, and yet a portfolio approach to identity solutions has emerged, with an average of 3.1 options used in tandem to maximise reach with no clear frontrunner.

Furthermore, 34 per cent of respondents anticipate a reduction in programmatic spend compared to 28 per cent expecting an increase, though agencies are twice as optimistic as marketers.

Meanwhile, 99 per cent of respondents plan to adopt new marketing technologies and data technologies, with around a third of agencies and marketers not planning on retiring any of their current technologies in the near future.

The study highlighted that clean room adoption is strong, with three in five respondents currently using the technology. Respondents also, however, report a range of challenges, from lack of data overlap to ID scale and required expertise, with an average of 2.3 challenges reported.

Despite being a relatively new technology, data collaboration platforms have been adopted by almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of marketers and a third of agencies, with an average of 2.3 positive changes to marketing operations.

Lotame commissioned industry research into how marketers and agencies are addressing data challenges and opportunities in a post-cookie digital advertising landscape, surveying more than 1,200 marketing and agency professionals across six global markets, namely Singapore, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and North America, between June and July.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST GEARS UP FOR INDONESIA RENDEZ-VOUS CONFERENCE IN BALI, NEXT WEEK

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best announced that it will sponsor, exhibit and lead a session at the 28th Indonesia Rendez-Vous Conference, taking place in Bali, Indonesia, from Oct 9 to 12.

Its associate director, analytics, Chris Lim is set to give a presentation on what AM Best’s market segment outlook for Indonesia’s non-life insurance segment will be heading into 2025 during the event.

According to AM Best in a statement, his presentation, which is scheduled for Oct 10, will also discuss the challenges and developments in the marketplace.

Lim has been with the credit rating agency since 2019 and leads a team of credit rating analysts responsible for assessing the creditworthiness of (re)insurance companies, with a particular emphasis on the South and Southeast Asia markets.

Themed “Securing Stability & Unravelling Risk Impacting the Insurance Landscape”, this year’s Rendez-Vous conference attendees can also visit the exhibition area on Oct 10 and 11 to receive more information about AM Best, its role in the insurance industry and the resources it offers to insurance professionals, including Best’s credit ratings.

AM Best is sponsoring the Indonesia Rendez-Vous as a news partner, in which the conference is held each year and is one of the leading events of the General Insurance Association of Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA

MENLO SECURITY SURPASSES US$100 MLN ARR, LEADING SECURE ENTERPRISE BROWSER MARKET

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Menlo Security, the pioneer of Secure Enterprise Browsers announced the company has surpassed US$100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and achieved 50 per cent growth in the last 24 months. (US$1=RM4.15)

According to a statement, more than 1,000 global enterprises and government agencies rely on Menlo Security to provide a safe and secure browsing experience, on any browser and any device.

Its chief executive officer and co-founder, Amir Ben-Efraim said hitting US$100 million in ARR is a powerful validation of its vision and a direct reflection of the trust its customers place to secure and manage their browsers.

“Enterprises have recognised the need for browser security and our secure enterprise browser solution provides high efficacy browser security combined with a transparent user experience that is easy to deploy and manage,” he said.

Menlo Security holds US$350 million in total contract value (TCV), raised US$260 million in total funding, and expects to be cash flow positive in 2025, while achieving an impressive 110 per cent in net retention rate (NRR) and growing its gross revenue retention (GRR) by 97 per cent in the last 12 months.

Digital transformation has revolutionised the workplace, enabling online collaboration across organisations. In February, Menlo Security launched the industry’s first cloud-delivered Secure Enterprise Browser solution, delivering a comprehensive approach to protecting enterprise users where they work and securing applications from Internet-borne attacks.

Furthermore, in a recent report, Gartner predicts that by 2030, enterprise browsers will be the core platform for delivering workforce productivity and security software on managed and unmanaged devices for a seamless hybrid work experience.

The Menlo Secure Enterprise Browser solution enables the workspace of tomorrow, providing comprehensive enterprise browser security across desktops and mobile devices to protect users, applications, and data, all while allowing customers to continue using their browser of choice.

Menlo is trusted by major global businesses, including eight of the 10 largest financial institutions in the world, 24 Global Fortune 500 companies, and large government institutions in the United States and abroad.

-- BERNAMA

UMC, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Team Up To Amplify Semiconductor Talent Pipeline

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), a global semiconductor foundry, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) to enhance training for engineering talents and expand the workforce for the growing semiconductor industry.

Under the agreement, UMC will contribute to course design for the microelectronics specialisation of the Diploma in Electronic & Computer Engineering (ECE) offered by NP, bringing industry perspective to help students better prepare for future careers in the semiconductor field.

“It is very exciting to witness the heightened level of interest in the semiconductor field over the last few years, and we hope by teaming up with academic institutions like NP we can strengthen the talent pipeline to support the industry’s future growth,” said UMC Vice President, Michael Hsu in a statement.

Meanwhile, NP School of Engineering Director, Tan Wei Lian said: “NP’s timely partnership with UMC enables us to equip students with industry-relevant knowledge and practical experience, positioning them to meet industry challenges and drive the future of semiconductor technology.

“We look forward to UMC’s role in co-designing, co-delivering and co-assessing the curriculum for our ECE microelectronics specialisation, and providing exciting opportunities for working professionals to upskill or reskill.”

In addition to full-time diploma courses, UMC and NP are exploring the development of semiconductor work-study programmes for recent graduates to gain practical training and continuing education training (CET) courses offering working professionals upskilling and reskilling opportunities.

UMC is currently expanding its existing site (Fab 12i) in Pasir Ris Wafer Fab Park, set to be one of the most advanced semiconductor foundries in Singapore when it begins production in 2026. It is also expected to create a significant number of skilled engineering jobs as the new facility scales up production.

Fab 12i plays a critical role in satisfying demand from UMC’s global customer base, accounting for approximately 14 per cent of total capacity, and the company’s largest research and development team outside of Taiwan, where it is headquartered, is also located in Fab 12i.

-- BERNAMA

BHSI UNVEILS GLOBAL, UK CASUALTY PROMOTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has named Caroline Alder-Smurthwaite to its Global Underwriting Office for Casualty & Healthcare and promoted Charlotte Behar to succeed Alder-Smurthwaite as Head of Casualty, United Kingdom (UK).

BHSI Deputy Global Chief Underwriting Officer, Hilary Browne said Alder-Smurthwaite has done an excellent job steering the company’s casualty business in the UK, prioritising consistency and stability for its customers and brokers.

“She leaves our UK Casualty business in excellent hands, with Charlotte ensuring a seamless transition and bringing strong financial acumen, underwriting talent, and customer and broker relationships to her elevated role,” she said in a statement.

Meanwhile, BHSI Country Manager, UK, Nick Major said: “Just as we emphasise building strong, lasting relationships with our customers and brokers, we similarly prioritise building a deep and enduring bench of talent inside BHSI.

“This pair of promotions is indicative of our excellent depth of talent and our success in this endeavour. I am excited to work with Caroline and Charlotte as they move into their new roles.”

Continuing to be based in London, Alder-Smurthwaite joined BHSI as Head of General Casualty, UK, in 2021 and brings 25 years of industry experience to her new leadership role, while Behar, who was previously UK General Casualty Manager, joined BHSI in 2020 and has nearly 15 years of underwriting experience in the European marketplace.

BHSI provides commercial property, casualty, healthcare professional liability, executive and professional lines, transactional liability, surety, marine, travel, programmes, accident and health, medical stop loss, homeowners, and multinational insurance.

-- BERNAMA