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LIVE WORLD-WIDE TELETHON TO HELP FIGHT HOMELESSNESS AND BENEFIT THE LAS VEGAS RECUE MISSION DEBUTS LEADING UP TO THE BIG GAME

YourUpdateTV

Las Vegas Rescue Mission announced today that they will play host to the 1st Annual Alvin James, Approaching Life Under the Bridge Telethon on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024, from The Chapel, at their Las Vegas Rescue Mission location. This groundbreaking special event will be hosted by actor, musician, and former NFL player Julian Horton, and is sponsored by Door2Door Anywhere.com. All proceeds from the on-line telethon will go directly to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission as they have been recognized for the impactful work they are doing in the Las Vegas area. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://vimeo.com/910236902/36f170d396?share=copy The Alvin James, Approaching Life Under the Bridge Telethon is the brainchild of musician / songwriter and Executive Producer McKinley Horton who wanted to take his passion for fighting homelessness in the US to the next level and at the same time, honor one of his mentors, the late Alvin James. “Alvin James inspired me to look deeply into myself and my desire to help those in need it in any way I could, and with his recent passing last fall, I decided that the time was right “says Horton. The concept Mr. Horton came up with was to create a meaningful live event that not only includes an array of entertainers, but to also focus on the great work local non-profits are doing and try to shed light on their great work, the staff and volunteers that they have, and help them raise funds to benefit their programs and increase the impact they have on those who rely on them and the services they provide. “We all know how hard it is for local non-profits that deal with the homeless and other members of the underserved communities nation-wide face when it comes to financial support, so we decided to make sure 100 percent of all proceeds go directly to the local non-profit so that they can do what they do best which is help the people who need it.” Horton added. The result of that thinking was to honor the non-profit that is selected by The Alvin James, Approaching Life Under the Bridge selection committee, to coincide with a time of year where everyone is focused on an annual event and there is no event bigger than the annual big game. “As a sports fan and the father of a former NFL player, the committee and I came up with the idea of doing our telethon during the week before the big game in the city that the big game takes place” said Horton whose son, actor, musician and former NFLer, Julian Horton, will be one of the telethons host “so its so great to be partnering with the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, who the committee felt deserved the spotlight, for the amazing work we got to see first hand when we visited them “ Las Vegas Rescue Mission CEO, Heather Engle is super supportive of the goals of the Alvin James, Approaching Life Under the Bridge Telethon and with the Las Vegas Rescue Mission (LVRM ) as its partner, in what will now be an annual event with the 2nd Annual Telethon taking place in New Orleans site of the next Big Game, Engle and the staff at LVRM have also played a big role in getting the event off the ground. “Anytime we can get to share our mission statement with a wide audience we are always thankful and willing to help. This event will not only help people here in Las Vegas, but we hope to shed a brighter light on what we all know is as a major problem world-wide.We serve over 1,000 meals a day and have programs that not only deal with homelessness, but other important issues like addiction and mental health so we are very happy to be a part of this amazing event “ Engle noted Door2Door Anywhere.com, one of the world’s leading transportation companies, led by CEO Rattan Joea, is the sole sponsor of this years event and as Joea explains, the brand couldn’t be happier to be involved with the Alvin James, Approaching Life Under the Bridge Telethon for more than just brand exposure “For me and Door2Door Anywhere.com this isn’t about brand exposure, it’s about helping people, which has always been a part of my personal brand as well as our DOOR2Door Anywhere identity. We transport people all over the world and have a real worldview of the issues humanity is facing so to be able to play a role in helping the homeless and other underserved members of communities everywhere is vital to me..Our sponsorship of this 1st annual event is just the beginning of what we think will be a huge event going forward that will help people so we are all in and will be with the Telethon in Vegas this year, and then on to New Orleans next year, “ said Joea Host Julian Horton, (whose acting credits include a featured role in the hit film, National Champions, along with TV credits on Tyler Perry’s “Bruh”, Tough Love Atlanta, and others) didn’t need to be recruited by his father, his desire and passion to help change the lives of those less fortunate started at an early age. “ My passion has always been about helping those less fortunate than me …I was lucky, I’ve he had support throughout my life and I know how important it is to have that and when I see all the hurt, harm and pain going down on the streets these days as well as the struggle those without homes, support, and love face every minute of their lives…I just cant sit back and act like it isn’t there so I’m asking EVERYONE out there to tune in” For more information about the live stream and to donate go to www.vegasrescue.org and click on the events tab for THE ALVIN JAMES, APPROACHING LIFE UNDER THE BRIDGE TELETHON About the Las Vegas Rescue Mission: The Las Vegas Rescue Mission (LVRM) was founded in 1970 by a pastor and six businessmen who had calling to help those who were homeless and hungry. Together, they secured a tiny storefront at 414 West Bonanza Road. By God’s grace, they provided sandwiches and drinks, along with mats and blankets for men to eat and sleep away from the elements. LVRM is more than just a shelter, we stand as a beacon of hope. We continue to adapt to meet the needs of men, women, and their children in an ever-changing society. Through effective, innovative Christian recovery programs, the Mission provides a path for those who want to escape the despair of the streets. For more information about the live stream and to donate go to www.vegasrescue.org and click on the events tab for THE ALVIN JAMES, APPROACHING LIFE UNDER THE BRIDGE TELETHON Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 06, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Heart of Florida United Way's Digital Transformation Empowers Community Impact

Avenue Z

Avenue Z, a strategic communications and marketing company, and Zillas, a top digital marketing agency in Orlando, are thrilled to announce Heart of Florida United Way's ( HFUW ) digital transformation with the launch of their new website. This transformative project underscores HFUW's dedication to serving the Central Florida community while aligning perfectly with Avenue Z’s mission of leveraging strategic communication and digital marketing to build brand reputations, foster relationships, and enhance return on investment. At the core of HFUW's mission is the belief in the power of collective action to bring about positive change in the community. The organization is steadfast in addressing the most pressing challenges facing Central Florida by uniting individuals, groups, and institutions to strategically and efficiently tackle these issues. Key Highlights of the Digital Transformation: 1. Community-Centric Design: The meticulously crafted website not only embodies HFUW's mission but also prioritizes the Central Florida community's needs in reaching digitally marginalized audiences. The user-centric design ensures seamless navigation, enabling visitors to easily access vital services and support, regardless of device or digital savvy. 2. Enhanced Accessibility: The redesigned website places a strong emphasis on accessibility, catering to diverse demographics, including seniors and younger audiences. Features such as clear fonts, large buttons, and responsive design ensure an inclusive user experience. 3. User Journey Content Alignment: HFUW had a wealth of existing content: inspiring stories, multilingual information, and helpful resources — all of which needed to be more visible to communicate the organization's impact and ways they can help. The website now features three key action items: procuring donations, recruiting volunteers, and providing help. After the redesign, the website is also better positioned to showcase HFUW's diverse programs and initiatives, inspiring community members to actively participate in driving positive change. 4. Streamlined Resource Access: The website provides corporate partners, volunteers, and individuals with effortless access to information about the many ways they can engage with HFUW, effectively reducing barriers to community engagement and support. Dani Moritz, Director of Marketing and Communications at HFUW, expressed her excitement about the project, stating, " Avenue Z has not only rejuvenated our website — making it more visually appealing than ever before — but has also helped us effectively communicate our unwavering commitment to the Central Florida community. This digital transformation empowers us to better serve our community and make a lasting impact. " Karlye Martorelli, Business Engagement Manager at HFUW commented on the impact this transformation will have on the population HFUW serves, which spans generations. “ We are working to inspire youth to take on STEM careers and more modern concepts. We want to reach younger generations and need our website to reflect that. I love the new design because it really does accomplish that, but it’s also user-friendly for seniors to navigate, as well. ” Avenue Z is immensely proud to have played a central role in advancing HFUW's mission to create enduring solutions that enhance the well-being of Central Florida residents. According to their 2021-2022 Annual Report, HFUW’s impact generated: $50 million invested into the community 703,000 people served 411,000 community members supported with basic needs 27,000 hours served by volunteers This digital transformation marks a significant milestone in HFUW's journey toward a stronger, more connected community, and should provide a measurable increase in impact performance. “ We are thrilled at the end result of partnering with Avenue Z on HFUW’s new website, ” said Jeff Hayward, President and CEO at HFUW. “ The design modernizes our brand and, most importantly, more effectively communicates who we are and what we do. My hope is that this digital marketing development helps us better communicate to a wider audience — so that we can work hand-in-hand with individuals and organizations across Central Florida to solve our community’s most pressing challenges. ” " As a proud supporter of Heart of Florida United Way, we are thrilled to have been a part of this transformative project. The redesigned website reflects our shared mission to create enduring solutions and enhance the well-being of Central Florida residents. Together, we are changing lives and making a significant difference, ” said Johnny Hughes, Chief Digital Officer at Avenue Z. Avenue Z also recently partnered with Heart of Florida United Way on their Change Maker Impact Awards. These awards recognize the individuals and groups who are making significant contributions to the Central Florida community. This year, Avenue Z was pleased to present the Women United Impact Award to Mia Poinsette of The Poinsette Foundation, for her work in uplifting children and families in Central Florida. Guided by disruptive philanthropy, her mission is to ‘serve the underestimated,’ addressing gaps in service and fulfilling immediate needs for women and children of color with over 80 partners and $100k reinvested in the local community, to date. About Heart of Florida United Way: Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) stands up for the education, financial stability, health, and basic needs of every person in Central Florida. Since 1939, HFUW has delivered programs, invested dollars, and convened community members around important issues impacting Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties. As Central Florida’s most comprehensive health and human services nonprofit, HFUW created a $50 million impact in Central Florida last year. In 2021-22, HFUW served more than 703,000 people through its direct service and funded programs. HFUW is home to notable community resources like the 211 Information & Referral Crisis Line; 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline; Mission United program for Veterans; TECHquity, an initiative bridging the digital divide; Destination Graduation at Seminole State College; the Ryan White Part B & General Revenue program, which administers nearly $2.3 million to provide HIV/AIDS services and referrals; the Planning Council Support program that facilitates community planning and priority setting for HIV services. United Way partners with individuals, local businesses, government, and other nonprofit agencies to open opportunities and close gaps in Central Florida. Visit www.HFUW.org for more information, or call (407) 835-0900. Avenue Z is a leading strategic communications and digital marketing company specializing in convergence marketing - uniting communications, media, creative, and proprietary analytics to transform public perception and accelerate growth. With offices nationwide, Avenue Z grows companies, causes, challengers, and changemakers to capitalize on the future with an unfair advantage: our converged capabilities and platforms. Visit: www.AvenueZ.com. Contact Details Avenue Z Press Inquiries press@avenuez.com Company Website https://www.avenuez.com/

February 02, 2024 08:45 AM Eastern Standard Time

The Best AI Girl Generator Apps You Must Try 2024

Summit Ventures BV

In today's technologically driven world, AI girl generator apps have gained immense popularity for their ability to create virtual AI companions. With a plethora of options available, we've curated a list of top-notch AI girl generator tools that you should explore in 2024. These applications offer innovative AI girl generation capabilities, providing unique and engaging experiences. Table of Featured AI Girl Generators 1. Introduction to AI Generated Girls 2. Featured AI Girl Generator Tools 2.1 GPTGirlfriend.online 2.2 GlamGirls.ai 2.3 ChaiApp.pro 2.4 AI-Girlfriend.co 2.5 AI-Companion.co 3. Frequently Asked Questions 4. Conclusion Top Five AI Girl Generator Apps The world of AI girl generators has seen significant growth, offering a variety of engaging options. While each application brings its unique features to the table, GPTGirlfriend.online stands out with its exceptionally engaging interactions and a wide range of capabilities. Girlfriend GPT: Your Gateway to AI Generated Girls Girlfriend GPT is an innovative AI-powered tool that brings your favorite AI girl characters to life, offering interactive experiences. This platform provides a wide array of activities, enabling you to create a virtual space for engaging conversations with your AI girl companion. Moreover, GPTGirlfriend.online offers unrestricted content for a diverse experience. Key Features: Empowers you to create your personalized AI girl companion. Allows unrestricted interactions and conversations. Offers affordable premium and deluxe subscription plans. Resumes conversations with long-term memory. Glam Girls AI: Generate your AI Girl in Seconds Glam Girls is renowned for having the best AI generated girls in the space. This platform is designed for those interested in crafting glamorous AI characters. Whether you're looking for AI girls with a sense of style or unique personalities, GlamGirls.ai has you covered. Key Features: Multiple scenarios for AI girl generation. Customizable interface to align with your preferences. Accommodates various interests and preferences in AI girl characters. Chai App: Create AI Girls for NSFW AI Images Chai App offers an intuitive platform for generating AI girls and companions, particularly suited for NSFW AI image generation. This application excels in providing realistic AI chatbot interactions and customization options for your AI girl companions. Key Features: Intuitive navigation for an immersive experience. Realistic chatbot interactions. Allows customization of AI girl companions. Features advanced capabilities for generating AI girls. AI Girlfriend: Personalized AI Girlfriends for Engaging Conversations AI-Girlfriend.co is the perfect choice for those seeking personalized AI girlfriends. This platform allows you to tailor your AI girlfriend according to your preferences. AI-Girlfriend.co creates engaging and realistic interactions with your ideal AI girlfriend character. Key Features: Provides realistic AI companion interactions with varied emotions and backgrounds. Abundance of features available for diverse AI girlfriend interactions. Offers budget-friendly pricing for personalized AI girlfriends. AI Companion: Engage with AI waifus and husbands AI-Companion.co is known for its wide range of character options in the AI girl generator domain. This versatile platform accommodates various conversations and interactions with AI chatbots, offering personalized experiences. Key Features: Support for multiple languages, enhancing accessibility. Personalization options to tailor the chatbot according to individual preferences. Broad spectrum of interests and character types for diverse user needs. Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is an AI girl generator? A: An AI girl generator is a software application that uses artificial intelligence to create virtual AI girl characters for various purposes, such as entertainment, interaction, or chatbot companionship. Q: How do AI girl generators work? A: AI girl generators work by utilizing advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to generate AI girl characters with customizable traits, personalities, and conversation capabilities. Q: Can a AI girl generator be used for NSFW content? A: Some AI generated girls are designed to cater to NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content, offering options for more mature and adult-themed interactions. However, not all AI girl generator apps support explicit content. Q: Can I customize AI girl characters generated by these tools? A: Yes, most AI girl generator apps allow users to customize AI girl characters by selecting specific traits, appearances, and personalities to create personalized virtual companions. Q: Are there age restrictions for using AI girl generators? A: Yes, to use AI girl generators, users typically need to be at least 18 years old, as these tools may generate content that is intended for adults. Conclusion In the realm of technology, AI generated girls offer a gateway to interactive virtual companionship. These tools have transformed how we connect with AI characters, providing endless entertainment and personal interactions. Whether you seek customizable AI girls, engaging AI girlfriends, or glamorous AI characters, these apps cater to diverse preferences. They bridge the virtual and real worlds, offering a glimpse into the potential of AI companions. This guide has highlighted top AI girl generator apps in 2024, each with unique features. Some may include NSFW content, so choose accordingly. AI girlfriend apps pioneer technological innovation, enabling users to create, personalize, and interact with AI characters. Explore these apps for a distinctive experience in the world of AI companionship. Unlock the potential of AI girl generators today. GPTGirlfriend.online is the most advanced AI companion subscription service with a community of more than 1,000,000 Monthly Active Users. With more than 25,000 characters, it has transformed how people interact with and experience AI. Please refer to our detailed Terms of Use and Community Guidelines for comprehensive information on usage, safety, and ethical considerations on GPTGirlfriend.online Contact Details GPTGirlfriend Business hello@enias.io Company Website https://www.gptgirlfriend.online

February 01, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CommPRO and CommunicationsMatch™ Partner on New Business Generation Platform for Public Relations Industry

CommPRO

CommPRO and CommunicationsMatch™ have launched a new, innovative partnership to integrate CommunicationsMatch’s agency search and RFP tools with CommPRO’s publishing and events, to effectively drive new client-agency connections and business opportunities. The partnership will provide clients, agencies, and service providers a new path to meaningfully engage, as well as create, view and respond to RFPs. It includes the ability to contribute thought leadership, share research, join exclusive leadership events, receive RFPs, and benefit from banner advertising. "For over a decade, CommPRO has been a source of industry insights, thought leadership, connections, and high-profile events in the communications industry," said Fay Shapiro, publisher of CommPRO. "Integrating CommunicationsMatch’s capabilities into our membership offerings will provide a powerful tool for agencies to share their communications expertise, grow businesses and build brands." The new integrated tools will be available to CommPRO members as part of new industry subscription offerings. Members will benefit from invitations to exclusive editorial coverage, the ability to contribute content and press releases, and promoted comprehensive CommunicationsMatch™ profiles to CommPRO’s network of 50,000 clients and agency professionals. These profiles are also searchable through communicationmatch.com and additional partner search tools, which have been used for 150,000 searches and 600,000 profile views. "A significant challenge for agencies and service providers has always been to be top of mind when clients are looking to hire," said Simon Erskine Locke, founder & CEO of CommunicationsMatch™. "The partnership provides a path for firms to highlight their expertise with CommPRO’s audience, maximize lead generation opportunities with the integration of profiles, tap into industry RFPs, and be found when clients use our tools to search for qualified firms.” About CommPRO Founded by Fay Shapiro, CommPRO has been a trailblazing force in the public relations and communications industry since 2010. As the premier publishing, events, and community media company, CommPRO is dedicated to delivering unparalleled insights, research, podcasts and thought leadership. With an unwavering commitment to serving the evolving needs of communication professionals, CommPRO remains at the forefront, providing a comprehensive platform that empowers industry leaders through events, and senior leaders connections.. Learn more at www.commpro.biz. About CommunicationsMatch CommunicationsMatch™’s agency search, RFP tools, and services help companies save time, achieve better search outcomes, and build stronger brands. CommunicationsMatch™ powers search tools integrated into PRSA, Counselors Academy, and CommPRO. With thousands of agency and individual profiles, companies can search for PR and communications partners based on location, size, clients, keywords, ownership, designations, diversity, and more. Find out more at www.communicationsmatch.com. For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: Contact Details CommPRO.biz Fay Shapiro +1 917-453-5159 fay@commpro.biz CommunicationsMatch Simon Erskine Locke +1 917-359-6969 slocke@communicationsmatch.com Company Website https://communicationsmatch.com

January 31, 2024 10:20 AM Eastern Standard Time

Hot Paper Lantern Adds Three New Partners to its Leadership Team

Hot Paper Lantern

Hot Paper Lantern, an integrated communications and marketing agency that helps brands build their reputations, create impact, and generate growth, announced today that three senior vice presidents, Carol Dasaro, Julianna Jacobson, and Mike Adorno, have been made Partners. This move rewards three outstanding leaders and practitioners and also rounds out the agency’s leadership at the highest level. Dasaro is the Senior Vice President of Program Management and Operations, responsible for the strategic resource planning and operational execution of client programs and the agency’s creative and web development resources. Dasaro also oversees the operational processes, systems, and training programs within HPL. Jacobson serves as Senior Vice President of Marketing Communications, leading the strategy and execution of corporate communications, internal communications, and digital marketing campaigns for B2B and B2C clients, as well as overseeing the development and execution of HPL’s PR, digital marketing, and social media programs. Adorno is the Senior Vice President of Communications, responsible for implementing and driving external public relations and media strategies for clients. He also leads Digital Sport by HPL, providing communication, marketing, and brand awareness capabilities to sports, sports technology, NIL collectives, and sports betting companies. All three executives play pivotal roles in managing and mentoring employee growth and helping to win new business while creating quality-driven programs for HPL’s clients. They have also helped fuel agency growth in the second half of 2023 and now into 2024. “I’m excited to be able to announce these new partners at the firm. As 2024 has begun with real growth for the agency, it’s clear that Carol, Julianna, and Mike really play significant roles in both executing on our vision and working with our exceptional staff to do great work for our clients,” said CEO Edward Moed. “It was important for the agency to promote from within and bring each of these leaders into the partnership structure to both reward them for their outstanding work and contributions, but also help continue to solidify the agency’s leadership for the long term.” ABOUT HOT PAPER LANTERN Hot Paper Lantern (HPL) is a New York City-based integrated communications and marketing agency that helps brands build their reputations, create impact, and generate growth. HPL partners with clients to find, engage, and form deeper connections with employees, customers, and the media. www.hotpaperlantern.com Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Julija Paulius +1 212-404-6609 jpaulius@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://hotpaperlantern.com/

January 31, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Sonichem Launches Project to Transform the Automotive Industry with Bio-Based Plastics

Sonichem

A consortium led by sustainable technology innovator Sonichem has been granted nearly £600,000 in funding from Innovate UK ’s 'Resource efficiency for materials and manufacturing' (REforMM) programme. The funding will accelerate the development of the proprietary Sonichem ultrasound technology and the production of renewable, cost-effective alternatives to petrochemicals commonly used in the production of plastics, resins, and composites within the automotive industry. The cutting-edge CARMA (carbon-neutral agroforestry-derived resins to materials for automotive applications) project will apply Sonichem’s ultrasonic processing technique to automotive applications for the first time. The patented breakthrough approach converts sawdust, the biomass by-product from forestry operations, into high-quality lignin. This renewable material will then serve as the basis for bio-based platform chemicals, creating green alternatives to conventional petrochemical-derived materials currently used to produce various vehicle components. This transformative initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with technology innovation catalyst CPI, the National Composites Centre (NCC), Scott Bader, SHD Composites and Polestar, with each industry leader contributing its own specialised knowledge and expertise. In particular, CPI will support scale-up of the Sonichem technology; Scott Bader will pioneer the development of high-performance, sustainable composite resin formulations; and the NCC, SHD Composites and Polestar will together explore the potential of these novel materials for automotive interiors applications. The CARMA project aligns with the UK Government's focus on resource-efficient, sustainable industrial materials as it aims to significantly reduce the UK’s reliance on imported composite materials, which currently amounts to approximately £250-260 million per year. The newly awarded funding from Innovate UK will enable the international consortium to establish a robust and renewable lignin supply chain within the UK and accelerate the formulation of sustainable plastics and resins that contribute to steering the automotive industry toward a net-zero future and enhancing the UK’s bioeconomy. Adrian Black, CEO of Sonichem, said: “We're extremely pleased to have the backing of Innovate UK's REforMM programme for this strong industrial consortium. This funding is a catalyst in our quest to offer the automotive industry a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-derived plastics. With Sonichem's ultrasound technology and the collaborative expertise of our partners, we are set to make strides toward a net-zero future and strengthen the UK's bioeconomy.” David Fishpool, Verification Manager at the NCC, said: “Creating a sustainable future is at the core of our mission. The National Composites Centre is proud to be part of this transformative initiative to accelerate the development of sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to petrochemicals in the production of plastics, resins, and composites for the automotive industry. Our role in this project underscores our commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the materials sector. We eagerly anticipate contributing our expertise to this vital effort today, for a greener tomorrow.” Steven Brown, Group Sustainable Technology Manager at Scott Bader, commented: “Scott Bader is pleased to be part of this exciting project, and we look forward to working with our highly regarded industrial and technology partners to accelerate the valorisation of abundant and sustainable biomass towards high-performance materials.” Nick Smith, Technical Director at SHD Composites, said: “SHD Composite Materials Ltd. is very excited to be working with Sonichem on the next generation of sustainable resins wholly sourced from UK feedstocks as part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the ecological impact of our products. These materials have the potential to be a game changer in the high-value composites market.” Read more about this trailblazing partnership on the new Sonichem website. About Sonichem Sonichem (formerly Bio-Sep) is an award-winning clean tech company dedicated to pioneering green chemical production through innovative ultrasonics. Our proprietary technology transforms low-value woody biomass into valuable green chemicals, with applications spanning bio-based materials, resins and composites, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and more. This sustainable solution is currently being showcased at our industrial-scale pilot plant, with plans in place to build a commercial biorefinery. About CPI CPI catalyses the adoption of advanced technologies and manufacturing solutions to benefit people, places, and our planet. We’re a pioneering social enterprise that accelerates the development, scale-up and commercialisation of smart AgriFoodTech, energy storage, HealthTech, materials, and pharma innovations. Through our incredible innovation experts and infrastructure, we look beyond the obvious to transform healthcare and drive towards a sustainable future. As a trusted partner of industry, academia, government, entrepreneurs and the investment community, we connect the dots within the innovation ecosystem to make great ideas and inventions a reality. We believe by working together we can build a better collective future, and as part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we facilitate access to world-class organisations to deliver transformation across industries and landscapes. Creating lasting global impact from the North of England and Scotland, we invest in people and disruptive technologies to invigorate economies, create circular supply chains and make our world a better place. About the NCC The National Composites Centre (NCC) is the UK’s world-leading composite research and development facility, where innovators come when they need to make things lighter, stronger, smarter and more sustainable. Its key focus areas are composites, digital engineering, hydrogen and sustainability. With access to 'beyond' state-of-the-art technology and the best composites engineering capabilities in the world, the NCC collaborates with customers to solve the most complex engineering challenges of our time. Part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the NCC works across all manufacturing sectors and has forged strong links with aerospace, energy, defence, space, construction, infrastructure, auto, rail, marine and biomedical fields. It works with organisations across the board from micro enterprises and SMEs to disrupters, the supply chain and OEMs, providing businesses with a de-risked environment to design, develop, test and scale their ideas and get them to market fast. For more information, visit https://www.nccuk.com/ About Scott Bader Scott Bader is an employee-owned global manufacturer of advanced composites, structural adhesives and functional polymers. Established in 1921, we have a century of expertise in manufacturing high-quality, innovative products for a variety of markets around the world. Scott Bader now employs 800 people across seven manufacturing sites and 18 offices worldwide. Scott Bader is committed to expanding its global reach, with recent ventures including North America, India, Japan and Australia, while continuing to build on its reputation for innovation, outstanding quality and technical expertise. About SHD Composites SHD Composites Group operates through four manufacturing sites in the UK, Europe and USA, and is a well-established industry supplier of high-quality structural and tooling prepreg materials. Accredited to AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015, SHD prides itself on its quality, service and responsiveness to local customer needs. © 2024 kdm communications limited Contact Details Editorial contact for further information or follow-up Alex Rowthorn at kdm communications limited, St Neots, UK +44 1480 405333 ideas@kdm-communications.com Company Website https://sonichem.com/

January 30, 2024 09:58 AM Eastern Standard Time

Sonichem Launches Project to Transform the Automotive Industry with Bio-Based Plastics

Sonichem

A consortium led by sustainable technology innovator Sonichem has been granted nearly £600,000 in funding from Innovate UK ’s 'Resource efficiency for materials and manufacturing' (REforMM) program. The funding will accelerate the development of the proprietary Sonichem ultrasound technology and the production of renewable, cost-effective alternatives to petrochemicals commonly used in the production of plastics, resins, and composites within the automotive industry. The cutting-edge CARMA (carbon-neutral agroforestry-derived resins to materials for automotive applications) project will apply Sonichem’s ultrasonic processing technique to automotive applications for the first time. The patented breakthrough approach converts sawdust, the biomass by-product from forestry operations, into high-quality lignin. This renewable material will then serve as the basis for bio-based platform chemicals, creating green alternatives to conventional petrochemical-derived materials currently used to produce various vehicle components. This transformative initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with technology innovation catalyst CPI, the National Composites Centre (NCC), Scott Bader, SHD Composites and Polestar, with each industry leader contributing its own specialized knowledge and expertise. In particular, CPI will support scale-up of the Sonichem technology; Scott Bader will pioneer the development of high-performance, sustainable composite resin formulations; and the NCC, SHD Composites and Polestar will together explore the potential of these novel materials for automotive interiors applications. The CARMA project aligns with the UK Government's focus on resource-efficient, sustainable industrial materials as it aims to significantly reduce the UK’s reliance on imported composite materials, which currently amounts to approximately £250-260 million per year. The newly awarded funding from Innovate UK will enable the international consortium to establish a robust and renewable lignin supply chain within the UK and accelerate the formulation of sustainable plastics and resins that contribute to steering the automotive industry toward a net-zero future and enhancing the country’s bioeconomy. Adrian Black, CEO of Sonichem, said: “We're extremely pleased to have the backing of Innovate UK's REforMM programme for this strong industrial consortium. This funding is a catalyst in our quest to offer the automotive industry a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-derived plastics. With Sonichem's ultrasound technology and the collaborative expertise of our partners, we are set to make strides toward a net-zero future and strengthen the UK's bioeconomy.” David Fishpool, Verification Manager at the NCC, said: “Creating a sustainable future is at the core of our mission. The National Composites Centre is proud to be part of this transformative initiative to accelerate the development of sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to petrochemicals in the production of plastics, resins, and composites for the automotive industry. Our role in this project underscores our commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the materials sector. We eagerly anticipate contributing our expertise to this vital effort today, for a greener tomorrow.” Steven Brown, Group Sustainable Technology Manager at Scott Bader, commented: “Scott Bader is pleased to be part of this exciting project, and we look forward to working with our highly regarded industrial and technology partners to accelerate the valorization of abundant and sustainable biomass towards high-performance materials.” Nick Smith, Technical Director at SHD Composites, said: “SHD Composite Materials Ltd. is very excited to be working with Sonichem on the next generation of sustainable resins wholly sourced from UK feedstocks as part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the ecological impact of our products. These materials have the potential to be a game changer in the high-value composites market.” Read more about this trailblazing partnership on the new Sonichem website. About Sonichem Sonichem (formerly Bio-Sep) is an award-winning clean tech company dedicated to pioneering green chemical production through innovative ultrasonics. Our proprietary technology transforms low-value woody biomass into valuable green chemicals, with applications spanning bio-based materials, resins and composites, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and more. This sustainable solution is currently being showcased at our industrial-scale pilot plant, with plans in place to build a commercial biorefinery. About CPI CPI catalyzes the adoption of advanced technologies and manufacturing solutions to benefit people, places, and our planet. We’re a pioneering social enterprise that accelerates the development, scale-up and commercialization of smart AgriFoodTech, energy storage, HealthTech, materials, and pharma innovations. Through our incredible innovation experts and infrastructure, we look beyond the obvious to transform healthcare and drive towards a sustainable future. As a trusted partner of industry, academia, government, entrepreneurs and the investment community, we connect the dots within the innovation ecosystem to make great ideas and inventions a reality. We believe by working together we can build a better collective future, and as part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we facilitate access to world-class organizations to deliver transformation across industries and landscapes. Creating lasting global impact from the North of England and Scotland, we invest in people and disruptive technologies to invigorate economies, create circular supply chains and make our world a better place. About the NCC The National Composites Centre (NCC) is the UK’s world-leading composite research and development facility, where innovators come when they need to make things lighter, stronger, smarter and more sustainable. Its key focus areas are composites, digital engineering, hydrogen and sustainability. With access to 'beyond' state-of-the-art technology and the best composites engineering capabilities in the world, the NCC collaborates with customers to solve the most complex engineering challenges of our time. Part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the NCC works across all manufacturing sectors and has forged strong links with aerospace, energy, defense, space, construction, infrastructure, auto, rail, marine and biomedical fields. It works with organizations across the board from micro enterprises and SMEs to disrupters, the supply chain and OEMs, providing businesses with a de-risked environment to design, develop, test and scale their ideas and get them to market fast. For more information, visit https://www.nccuk.com/ About Scott Bader Scott Bader is an employee-owned global manufacturer of advanced composites, structural adhesives and functional polymers. Established in 1921, we have a century of expertise in manufacturing high-quality, innovative products for a variety of markets around the world. Scott Bader now employs 800 people across seven manufacturing sites and 18 offices worldwide. Scott Bader is committed to expanding its global reach, with recent ventures including North America, India, Japan and Australia, while continuing to build on its reputation for innovation, outstanding quality and technical expertise. About SHD Composites SHD Composites Group operates through four manufacturing sites in the UK, Europe and USA, and is a well-established industry supplier of high-quality structural and tooling prepreg materials. Accredited to AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015, SHD prides itself on its quality, service and responsiveness to local customer needs. © 2024 kdm communications limited Contact Details Editorial contact for further information or follow-up Alex Rowthorn at kdm communications limited, St Neots, UK +44 1480 405333 ideas@kdm-communications.com Fax +44 1480 477833 Company Website https://sonichem.com/

January 30, 2024 09:55 AM Eastern Standard Time

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The best generative AI solutions of 2024

AIport

January 25, 2024 — Ever since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in the fall of 2022, generative AI (GenAI) solutions have continued to disrupt industries with their surprising and never-before-seen features. Many of the generative AI solutions we hear about today are based on large language models (LLM), which allow them to successfully communicate with end users. Every such model has to be pre-trained on vast amounts of data and then fine-tuned using a variety of different methods. As we’re approaching the end of January, let’s look at the list of the most noteworthy of these models and explore the generative AI solutions they power. Compiled by the AIport newsletter team, this list is by no means exhaustive, but it is a review of what we believe are the LLM-based generative AI solutions and tools that are likely to make headlines this year. GPT (OpenAI and Microsoft) Expectedly, the first LLM on our list with some of the highest expectations this year is at the core of ChatGPT from OpenAI. GPT wasn’t the first LLM out there (there had been others like BERT ), but it was certainly the first one that resulted in a market-ready GenAI product. The original GPT model (Generative Pretrained Transformers) had 170 billion parameters, while the latest version, GPT-4, boasts over 1.75 trillion. The model’s applications are far and wide, being the basis not only for ChatGPT, but also Microsoft’s Bing Chat, which is now part of the Copilot infrastructure. While ChatGPT remains arguably the most impressive text-producing GenAI tool, Bing Chat (unlike ChatGPT) has internet access, making it ideal for web browsing. In addition, the same core GPT model is being utilized by other entities — from Panasonic Connect in Japan, OCBC Bank’s ChatGPT in Singapore, and KPMG’s KaiChat in Germany to the UK government’s upcoming GOV.UK chat. Notably, GPT is also a vital part of OpenAI’s DALL-E suite — a solution that generates images based on descriptions from text. PaLM and Gemini (Google) The next one on our list is Google’s PaLM (Pathways Language Model). The model, boasting 540 billion parameters, was first successfully tested in the spring of 2022. A year later, PaLM 2 was announced and subsequently integrated into Bard — Google’s GenAI chatbot — becoming available to test users around the world. Bard is considered among the finest solutions for productivity, having internet access like Bing Chat, but being less about navigating the web and more about answering burning questions. Bard was seriously bolstered at the end of last year with Google’s highly anticipated launch of the multimodal LLM, Gemini, which had been trained on images and audio/video files, not just text. The jury is still out on how far this update will take Bard, but the expectations are very high indeed. LLaMA (Meta, Microsoft, and Hugging Face) LLaMA (Large Language Model Meta AI) from Meta was released in February last year. However, the 65-billion-parameter model was leaked online as a downloadable torrent only a week later. While the model did not lead to any ChatGPT-like products at Meta, another AI company — Hugging Face — picked it up and released Hugging Chat. Offering internet access, this GenAI solution has been praised as “the first open source alternative to ChatGPT” with a snarky sense of humor. Not to be outdone, Meta partnered with Microsoft to produce LLaMA 2 in July of last year. Following that, the company announced a beta release of Meta AI at the end of September — a GenAI chatbot, currently available in the US, that can “provide real-time information and generate photorealistic images” from text prompts. This solution is expected to reach Meta users across the rest of the globe later in the year. Claude (Anthropic) Our next LLM is made by Anthropic, and it’s named Claude. Founded in 2021, the company along with its language model may be a less familiar name to most non-geeks. But this is likely to change in 2024. That’s the case not only because the latest version of the namesake GenAI chatbot released last year can now process long PDF files of up to 75,000 words, taking moments to summarize entire books. But also because this has already caught the attention of both Google and Amazon who are keen to invest $2 and $4 billion respectively. While Claude doesn’t offer internet access, its processing power, namely input character memory, outpowers every competitor by a wide margin, including ChatGPT. And the company is said to be working on yet more handy features as we speak. HyperCLOVA X (Naver) HyperCLOVA X is both the LLM and the namesake GenAI chatbot released by the South Korean search engine giant, Naver, last August. Boasting over 200 billion parameters, the LLM is being used mainly for AI-assisted web browsing, much like Bing Chat. While HyperCLOVA X doesn’t speak English, the chatbot’s proficiency in Korean is impressive, having learned 6,500 more Korean words than ChatGPT. In addition to answering user queries, HyperCLOVA X has been designed to offer AI assistance to businesses across numerous sectors — from finance to gaming. Naver is also presently working to make HyperCLOVA X multimodal, following in the footsteps of Google’s Gemini, so another big international headline is likely on the way. Pangu (Huawei) Last spring, Huawei, one of the global tech leaders, unveiled Pangu — an LLM with 1.085 trillion parameters in over 40 natural and programming languages. This LLM now powers the Chinese company’s GenAI assistant called Celia, which resides within Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4 operating system. Supposedly, Celia has already outperformed both Siri and Google Assistant as a phone-based virtual assistant in terms of prompt execution accuracy, such as finding specific photos and documents stored on a device. And as more Huawei smartphones are being churned out, Celia is expected to reach more global users this year with further refinements to the Pangu model. In addition, Pangu is available through Huawei Cloud for commercial use. According to a statement from the company’s leadership, the newest Pangu 3.0 utilizes hierarchical architecture, allowing it to be quickly fine-tuned for a wide range of downstream applications (including Huawei’s autonomous vehicle solutions ), which we’ll surely see more of in 2024. MiLM-6B (Xiaomi) Next up is another Chinese company, Xiaomi — one of the largest phone manufacturers in the world. The company made an entry into the LLM race last summer with its MiLM-6B, a lightweight model created for mobile devices. Boasting 6.4 billion parameters, MiLM-6B has reportedly outperformed rivals in its category and achieved notable scores from evaluation platforms like C-Eval and CMMLU. Xiaomi’s leadership has been vocal for some time about integrating LLMs into its smartphones. It appears that the company’s virtual assistant, Xiao AI, has now finally become a fully fledged GenAI chatbot, generating over 11 words per second. By this metric, despite operating locally on the phone, Xiao AI has matched the performance of some LLMs running on cloud computing services. It’ll be interesting to see whether Xiao AI gets assimilated into the company’s other products, as the rumors suggest, including the recently announced Xiaomi SU7, an autonomous-enabled electric sedan. YandexGPT (Yandex) The final entry on our list is an LLM named YandexGPT from the Russian search engine Yandex. The namesake GenAI solution with 100 billion parameters was beta-released in May last year. The more recent release of YandexGPT2 has demonstrated a 65% improvement in response quality, with a 1.5-fold increase in training data. Interestingly, this GenAI solution was tested and scored enough points to enter a Russian university. YandexGPT was also integrated into Yandex’s flagship virtual assistant named Alice, as well as the company’s smart speakers. Furthermore, the LLM has allowed the company’s e-shoppers to view summarized customer reviews in one place. With YandexGPT at the core, the company now also offers visual GenAI solutions, YandexART and Shedevrum, that can generate images from text, much like Open AI’s DALL-E. Currently, the LLM is also being merged with Yandex Search to offer the end user something similar to Bing Chat and HyperCLOVA X. It’s likely that we’ll see a new announcement pertaining to this development later in the year. New kids on the block Apart from the above entries on our list, several brand new LLMs along with their GenAI solutions are expected to arrive any day from other big players. Among them are Samsung from South Korea, Tencent from China, as well as Amazon and Apple. In fact, Apple already has an internal AI chatbot for employees, but its much-talked-about AppleGPT based on the company’s LLM, Ajax, is said to be around the corner. Amazon began to offer a service for building AI chatbots called Lex a while ago, but more notably, the company recently announced its upcoming GenAI solution tailored for commercial use. Japan doesn’t intend to be left behind either — at least three major LLM initiatives are currently being played out. Among them is a joint project between Fujitsu, RIKEN, Tokyo Tech, and Tohoku University who are developing a series of LLMs using one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, Fugaku. In addition, both NTT and SoftBank are reportedly in the final stages of developing their “homegrown” LLMs. While much remains unclear and covered in mist (or is it gray goo 😉), one thing is certain — 2024 is going to be the most AI-intense year we have seen yet! If you enjoyed this listicle, visit AIport for more exclusive insights into the latest tech trends, with a focus on the global ML landscape. All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Contact Details NettResults PR Nick Leighton +1 949-478-5880 nick.leighton@nettresultsllc.com Company Website https://aiport.substack.com/

January 25, 2024 09:53 AM Pacific Standard Time

The Media and Democracy Project Submits Letter to The New York Times Urging Reinstatement of Public Editor

Raynor Ave.

The Media and Democracy Project (MAD) on Sunday, submitted a letter to The New York Times urging its leadership to reinstate a public editor. From 2003-2017, the news organization had a public editor, “to be responsible for supervising the implementation of proper journalism ethics at that publication. These responsibilities include[d] identifying and examining critical errors or omissions and acting as a liaison to the public.” In 2017, the position was eliminated, and the NYT explained that the role was no longer necessary because the Times’ “followers on social media and our readers across the internet have come together to collectively serve as a modern watchdog, more vigilant and forceful than one person could ever be.” The Times also created another avenue for feedback, making its articles open to public comment in their Reader Center. The letter from the Media and Democracy Project reads in part: “The intentional move by The New York Times to rely on social media for public feedback in 2017 has been a failure… Turning the job of a public editor over to social media and the Reader Center has devolved into grievance, with shocking comments and trolling, often of no value to the public or the newspaper. A public editor's job is not only to provide constructive criticism and direct contact with journalists and editors, but also to open a window to the public as to how the newsroom functions.” MAD asserts that the Times needs a public editor to uphold proper journalism ethics, reinvigorate meaningful, responsive communications with subscribers, and importantly reset the news industry standard as a liaison with the public. The organization is encouraging others to contact the NYT to support the reinstatement of the position. A copy of the letter is available here. The Media and Democracy Project: MAD is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, grassroots organization focused on strengthening a free and independent media in the public interest. MAD aims to improve our national discourse so that American voters can engage in informed decision-making. As part of that goal, MAD has an interest in the responsibility of journalists and media to report fully, accurately, and fairly on the electoral process and the outcome of elections. Additional information is available at www.MediaAndDemocracyProject.Org. Contact Details Raynor Ave. Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/

January 22, 2024 04:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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