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Instacart Launches New AI-Powered Food Inspiration Search Tool, Ask Instacart

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New Ask Instacart search experience makes meal planning easier, faster, and more inspiring than ever before

SAN FRANCISCO, May 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, today launched Ask Instacart, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered search tool designed to assist with customers’ grocery shopping questions – saving them time, inspiring their routine, and helping them make food-related decisions by offering personalized recommendations throughout the shopping experience.

 

Instacart today launched an AI-powered search tool, designed to assist with customers’ grocery shopping questions.

By leveraging the language understanding capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT API and Instacart’s own AI models and unique catalog data that spans more than a billion shoppable items across more than 80,000 retail partner locations, Ask Instacart invites customers to ask questions about what to eat and how to make it, helping tackle the age-old daily question: ‘What’s for dinner?’. Starting to roll out to Instacart customers today and scaling to all U.S. customers over the coming weeks, Ask Instacart is a reimagined yet still familiar search experience directly embedded in the search bar in the Instacart app, providing customers with product recommendations that are intuitively organized, as well as additional useful information about food preparation, product attributes, dietary considerations, and more. The newly enhanced search experience also incorporates personalized question prompts into the search bar that anticipate customer preferences, remind them of their needs based on their shopping history, and inspire them to discover new products.

“A simple question like ‘What’s for dinner?’ is among the most complex for families everywhere to answer. From decisions about budget and dietary specifications to cooking skills, personal preferences, and so much more, Ask Instacart can help customers answer all of their food questions and deliver the ingredients for the perfect meal in as fast as an hour,” said JJ Zhuang, Chief Architect at Instacart. “Whether it’s, “What’s the best fish for tacos?” or “What should I make for a Memorial Day BBQ?,” by supercharging Instacart search with generative AI we can create a truly inspiring experience that unlocks even more opportunities to engage and help customers as they shop online from their favorite retailers.”

With Ask Instacart, customers will be able to:

Better understand what ingredients or dishes pair well with others, like, “What kind of side dishes should I serve with lamb chops?”Discover alternative ingredients that can be swapped for one another, like, “What fish is similar to salmon?”Get more information on cooking techniques, like, “What are good sauces for grilling chicken?”Generate lists of ingredients if they have a meal in mind, like, “What can I use in a stir fry?”Learn more about item attributes so they can get personalized dietary inspiration, like, “What are dairy-free snacks for kids?”Discover broader, context-specific inspiration for more open-ended queries, like, “What are the best veggies to roast?”

Further adding to the new experience, Ask Instacart will help match consumer needs – through the questions asked – with brand partners’ sponsored product campaigns, creating an even more convenient way for people to discover new products and access the products they already know and love.

The Ask Instacart launch comes as part of a growing suite of new AI-native initiatives from Instacart that we are working to roll out over the next year and beyond. In March, the company debuted an Instacart plugin for ChatGPT, which lets ChatGPT users express their food needs in natural language, with Instacart’s ability to make those needs instantly shoppable with ingredients delivered to their door in as fast as an hour. Since that launch, the Instacart plugin has been made available to all ChatGPT Plus subscribers, and Instacart has plans to launch additional plugins with Microsoft Bing and Google Bard in the coming months.

At Instacart, we know that generative AI technology is still in its early stages, so Ask Instacart is a highly specialized model designed to only respond to relevant food-related questions. Instacart is committed to incorporating AI features into our products in a responsible manner, with a goal of enhancing the overall Instacart shopping experience and delivering more food inspiration to customers.

About Instacart
Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, works with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop. The company partners with more than 1,200 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 80,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace. Instacart makes it possible for millions of people to get the groceries they need from the retailers they love, and for approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers to earn by picking, packing and delivering orders on their own flexible schedule. The Instacart Platform offers retailers a suite of enterprise-grade technology products and services to power their e-commerce experiences, fulfill orders, digitize brick-and-mortar stores, provide advertising services, and glean insights. With Instacart Ads, thousands of CPG brands – from category leaders to emerging brands – partner with the company to connect directly with consumers online, right at the point of purchase. With Instacart Health, the company is providing tools to increase nutrition security, make healthy choices easier for consumers, and expand the role that food can play in improving health outcomes. For more information, visit www.instacart.com/company, and to start shopping, visit www.instacart.com.

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Topband and Ecosolex Make Debut at Solartech Indonesia 2025: Full-Stack Innovation Powers a New Energy Future in Southeast Asia

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JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Topband Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 002139.SZ), together with its sub-brand Ecosolex, made a high-profile debut at Solartech Indonesia 2025, one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most influential renewable energy exhibitions. Under the theme “Full-Stack Innovation for a Smarter Energy Future,” Topband showcased its comprehensive energy solutions designed for both residential and commercial-industrial applications.

As a key platform in Southeast Asia’s energy transition, the exhibition drew widespread attention from global energy companies, government agencies, and industry experts. Backed by its robust capabilities in energy storage, Topband presented its signature “One Core, One Cloud, 3S” full-stack technology ecosystem—including self-developed battery cells, BMS, PCS, EMS, and a proprietary cloud platform. From cell to complete system, this vertically integrated approach demonstrated Topband’s end-to-end innovation capabilities. Combined with its ongoing localization strategy, the company quickly became a focal point at the event, securing multiple partnership intentions and underscoring its leadership in the new energy sector.

Full-Stack Technology for High-Value Energy Scenarios

At the exhibition, Topband emphasized its vertically integrated “component-to-system” development path by unveiling a series of tailored solutions for diverse use cases across the residential and commercial-industrial segments. Designed with the high heat, humidity, and grid instability of Southeast Asia in mind, Topband introduced its 215kWh and 100kWh C&I liquid-cooled energy storage cabinets. These systems, equipped with high-performance battery cells and advanced fire safety mechanisms, are well-suited for factories, shopping centers, hotels, and industrial parks—offering stable, 24/7 power supply.

Topband also showcased its 50kW and 100kW three-phase PV inverters, which deliver peak conversion efficiencies of up to 98.6%. These units are optimized for compatibility with a variety of PV modules and grid characteristics specific to Indonesia, enabling users to significantly reduce levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).

In the EV charging segment, Topband introduced its 60kW DC fast-charging solution, supporting dual-vehicle charging and real-time dynamic power allocation. With IP54 protection and an operating temperature range from -20°C to 50°C, it is engineered for outdoor reliability. OCPP protocol support allows seamless integration with customer cloud platforms, providing an efficient energy replenishment solution for electric commercial fleets and public charging infrastructure.

Localized Innovation to Support Indonesia’s Energy Transition

During the concurrent high-level forum, Riko Sugiyanto, Country Manager of Topband Indonesia, delivered a keynote titled “Trends in Energy Storage Battery Technology and Applications in Southeast Asia.” He emphasized the importance of safety and efficiency in storage systems, especially under Indonesia’s unique climate and geographical conditions. Riko highlighted Topband’s commitment to understanding the practical needs of local C&I energy users and offering adaptable solutions, such as modular system design, to respond rapidly to real project demands.

Drawing on years of global market experience and a responsive customer service framework, Topband is rapidly building a localized service and support network across Indonesia. This includes technical assistance, operations, and maintenance—ensuring quick response times and reliable aftersales care. These initiatives are in strong alignment with Indonesia’s national sustainability goals, including its “Net Zero Emission by 2060” commitment and the “Program Kepulauan Surya”(”Solar Archipelago”)development vision.

Driving Southeast Asia’s Energy Transformation

With its full-stack R&D capabilities and deep adaptation to local market needs, Topband is taking firm steps to participate in the transformation of Southeast Asia’s energy landscape. The company is playing a key role in accelerating the region’s transition to clean power—injecting long-term momentum into global sustainable energy development.

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2025 Belt and Road Creativity and Sustainable Development Seminar Held in Beijing

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BEIJING, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from CRI Online:

On April 20, the 2025 Belt and Road Creativity and Sustainable Development Seminar was held in Beijing. It was co-hosted by the International Center for Creativity and Sustainable Development (ICCSD), and the School of International and Public Affairs at Jilin University, and supported by ZGC Science Fiction Industry Innovation Center, and Beijing City of Design Development Co., Ltd. The Seminar was attended by 16 officials from foreign ministries, television stations, education ministries, and other departments of 11 countries, such as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Ghana, the Togolese Republic, and the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Lecture was given by Yang Baozhen, Member of the Advisory Committee of ICCSD, International Expert Committee Member of the China Association for Small & Medium Commercial Enterprises (CASMCE), and former consul of the Chinese Embassy in France

Yang Baozhen, guest speaker of the Seminar, gave a lecture revolving around “China’s Implementation of the U.N.’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” She introduced China’s methods, approaches and practical cases of poverty alleviation in detail from different aspects, such as economic initiatives, policies and mechanisms, public wellbeing, and fairness in education. Her speech vividly presented the core concept and values of Chinese modernization. Meanwhile, the lecture focused on the cooperation between China and Africa, sharing the fruitful achievements made by the two sides in infrastructure building, agricultural development, and medical assistance. In addition, Yang Baozhen called for enhanced international cooperation among different countries, so as to jointly help realize the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The African officials highly recognized China’s experience in poverty relief, and were amazed by the country’s enormous achievements in the field. They believed that China not only reminds the world of the importance and feasibility of poverty reduction, but also shares its courage and experience. In their view, China’s valuable experience in poverty alleviation has inspired new strategies for tackling poverty worldwide. They also praised China fulfilling its responsibility to promote global development as a responsible major country, and contributing to the common prosperity of the world. The officials emphasized China’s sustainable strategic planning in which continuous efforts have been put into poverty relief, and they thought that is inspiring. Some of them hoped they could learn from China’s experience in light of their respective national conditions, so as to help develop their countries.

In the afternoon, the officials went on a field trip to the Shougang Park. They visited the “RE International Center for Digital Creativity.” The Center is a digital museum-like institution displaying cultural heritage based on the transformation of the Park’s industrial relics. Using technologies like holography, digital sound field control, and extended reality (XR), it transforms the former industrial silo into a cool time machine. The officials marveled at exhibitions—the Infinite Iron City and Return to the Old Summer Palace, embracing the past and present of the Shougang Park and the splendid Summer Palace in fascinating lights and shadows.

International officials visited an exhibition named Return to the Old Summer Palace

Rumbidzai Mwalilino, a Malawian official, spoke highly of the Shougang Park using technology to conserve cultural heritage. For her, the Park reproduces historical scenes through virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI), creating a more vivid format to communicate cultural heritage and a lively and appreciable carrier of cultural memories for the young generation. She said that inspires cultural inheritance and protection in the digital era.

International officials experienced an exhibition named “Huanju – Multiverse Immersive Sci-Fi Exhibition”

As technological waves emerge, the deep integration of culture and technology leads to the creation of innovation and changes. New cultural sectors are appearing, with the cultural industry chain continuously extending. The sci-fi industry is booming, causing cutting-edge technology such as VR, augmented reality (AR), and AI to change the way we interact with the digital world. In the metaverse digital experience complex at Shougang Park, the delegation of officials experienced an exhibition named “Huanju – Multiverse Immersive Sci-Fi Exhibition.” From Dinosaur Crisis to Rhythm Agent and Star Trek, seven sci-fi planets provided the officials with a cyber sci-fi show, leading them into a magnificent and wonderful sci-fi world.

Koroma Mark Thaimu, an official from the Republic of Sierra Leone, pointed out that China has always attached great importance to cultural inheritance while promoting the digital transformation, and has protected its unique culture and infused development with long-lasting vitality by embedding local culture into technological innovation. He planned to bring China’s experience in integrating technology and culture to Africa, hoping to harness technological innovation to support the preservation and continued development of cultural heritage.

It is said that the Seminar focuses on core topics, such as creative design, technological innovation, urban renewal and green transformation. Through special lectures, case discussion, and immersive field research, it shares China’s exploration and experience in creativity and sustainable development with officials from countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other relevant nations. This program builds a platform for mutual learning among civilizations based on creative endowment. It shares China’s sustainable development pattern that incorporates traditions into modern technology, and encourages officials to develop adaptable solutions according to their respective national conditions, so as to help achieve the global SDGs.

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SOURCE CRIOnline

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Cross-Border Collaboration Ignites Interactive Frenzy! Jackaroo King Teams Up with Middle East Top Influencer Duo Ali & Ziyad for Live Streaming Extravaganza

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 2nd at 19:00 GMT+3, Jackaroo King—a premium product steadfast in preserving the essence of the original Jackaroo gameplay—joined forces with the Middle East’s wildly popular influencer duo علي وزياد  to host a laughter-filled, surprise-packed cross-border livestream event. Titled “Humor Without Borders, Interactive Carnival,” the livestream captivated global audiences with immersive entertainment experiences through customized virtual gifts, talent showcases, gaming challenges, and player award ceremonies, reaffirming Jackaroo King’s leadership in pioneering interactive innovation.

As one of the Middle East’s most influential influencer duos, علي وزياد has amassed over 7.75 million fans across TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and other platforms, thanks to their signature humor and relatable creative content. During the livestream, the duo seamlessly blended their comedic flair with Jackaroo King’s highly interactive DNA.

This collaboration between Jackaroo King and علي وزياد exemplifies a powerful alliance between brand and influencer, delivering not only a visual spectacle but also setting a new benchmark for cross-industry partnerships. Jackaroo King’s Middle East Market Director commented: “Partnering with علي وزياد transcends mere traffic synergy—it’s cultural resonance. By leveraging humor as a ‘soft touchpoint,’ we aim to showcase the brand’s innovative spirit and social value to our users.”

Rooted in the classic Jackaroo gameplay yet reimagined for the digital age, Jackaroo King has emerged as a Middle East phenomenon by prioritizing “authentic gameplay + innovative social experiences” to build an immersive social gaming ecosystem for Gen-Z. Guided by its three core strategies—”digitally redefining classic rules,””expanding real-time interactive scenarios,” and “cross-border content co-creation”—the app continues to amplify its global influence.

With a mission to “Bring Joy and Friends to Young People Around the World” and a vision to “Bring People Together Through Games, Leading the Trend of Global Online Social Entertainment,” Jackaroo King—a product deeply rooted in tradition yet boldly innovative—is redefining how the next generation socializes and plays.

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