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Minister Guilbeault provides update with new design options for the Clean Electricity Regulations

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OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 16, 2024 /CNW/ – Building a clean electricity grid is central to our efforts to fight climate change and build a more prosperous future. All G7 countries, including Canada and the United States, have committed to transitioning to a net-zero electricity grid as a foundational measure to help achieve low-carbon economies by 2050. As the demand for electricity increases over the coming decades, it will be important to ensure that the expanded supply is clean, affordable, and reliable.

Last year, the Government of Canada released Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region of Canada, backed by over $40 billion to support each province and territory’s path to a cleaner grid. Finalizing the Clean Electricity Regulations later this year will support this commitment.

Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, released an update on the consultations and on the design options being considered for the final Clean Electricity Regulations. These options address the feedback received during the last six months of extensive consultations with provincial and territorial governments, the Canada Electricity Advisory Council, Indigenous representatives, electricity providers, industry, environmental organizations, and interested Canadians.

The improvements under consideration would enhance the flexibility for provincial operators to continue to ensure reliable and affordable power while maintaining Canada’s ability to achieve its emissions reduction goal.

The updated regulatory design options involve a new approach to the core performance standard that would set an annual emissions limit that is tailored to each generation unit, based on its size. This would enable more efficient and cleaner units to run for longer periods of time. It would also increase flexibility to address peak power needs and the use of standby (or on-demand) power to support the build-out of cleaner technologies. This approach could be supplemented by offsets, emissions pooling, and a more flexible approach to industrial cogeneration.

Before finalizing the Clean Electricity Regulations later this year, the Government of Canada will continue to engage on these options under consideration with interested stakeholders, including provinces and utilities. Continued collaboration is essential to ensure that the Clean Electricity Regulations deliver significant emissions reductions while supporting reliability and affordability. Comments on the potential changes are welcome until March 15, 2024, and can be submitted by email to ecd-dec@ec.gc.ca.

Quotes

“Building a clean, affordable, and reliable electricity system is at the foundation of Canada’s efforts to tackle climate change, and a generational opportunity to drive clean economic growth across the country for decades to come. We’ve been doing extensive consultations to make sure we get it right. We’ve heard the challenges faced by some provinces for whom this is a bigger lift, whose power generation relies heavily on fossil fuels. We’re coming to the table with substantial investment to support their path to a cleaner grid. And we’re coming back with new options for the regulation for consideration that respond to their concerns, while still reaching our shared goals. We’re here to collaborate on real solutions that will leave our communities better off for the long term.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Bringing clean, reliable, and affordable power to every region of Canada is a nation-building project that requires significant investments, thoughtful regulations, and deep collaboration. Today’s update illustrates how the Government of Canada is listening to and working with all partners in our efforts to build and grow a clean electricity system that benefits all Canadians. As we take steps forward, we will continue to dialogue with provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, and all Canadians to make sure we get this crucial project right.”

– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Quick facts

By 2050, as Canadians use more clean electricity, they are expected to spend about 12 percent less on energy overall.Achieving a net-zero electricity system is a shared responsibility between federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Provinces and territories are responsible for the management of electricity systems, including the pace and extent of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.The Government of Canada estimates that regardless of the implementation of the Clean Electricity Regulations, it will cost more than $400 billion nationally through 2050 to undertake routine replacements of aging facilities and expand generation capacity to meet the expected increase in demand.The federal government is investing over $40 billion to support the clean electricity transition. This includes funding for the Smart Grid Program; the Energy Innovation Program – Smart Grids; the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program; concessional financing provided by the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Investment Tax Credits for Clean Electricity; clean technology; clean hydrogen; and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.The Canada Electricity Advisory Council is an independent body of 19 experts who provide the Government of Canada with advice on actions needed to achieve our 2035 and 2050 net-zero emissions goals as they pertain to electricity. It was established in May 2023 and recently issued its interim report.

Associated links

Winter 2024 Update to the Regulatory Framework for the Clean Electricity Regulations

Powering Canada Forward: Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System for Every Region of Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Twitter page

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

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Gloo and Faith Assistant Partner to Build Custom AI for Churches and Ministries

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Gloo expands AI offerings to churches and ministries with custom models and community engagement capabilities

BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gloo, the technology platform for the faith ecosystem, announced the acquisition of Faith Assistant (previously Bible Chat). The artificial intelligence-based chatbot helps ministries engage their people through conversational AI, trained on the ministry’s own content. The company serves a variety of organizations — from churches and parachurches to publishers, seminaries and home school organizations. 

“We’ve admired Faith Assistant’s vision and innovation since their impressive work during the first Gloo AI Hackathon,” said Steele Billings, chief AI officer at Gloo. “Faith Assistant puts ministries in control of their content — they decide what the model is trained on and where it’s deployed. This aligns perfectly with our mission to provide trusted AI tools for redemptive purposes, and we’re excited to be a part of scaling it to the next level.”

“The faith ecosystem is diverse — it includes pastors, professors, administrators, missionaries and organizations looking to serve others. We’re seeing our AI help these ministries engage people on a deeper level, 24/7,” said Chase Cappo, co-founder of Faith Assistant. “Now, with Gloo, we can help more ministries implement unique AI strategies to accomplish their missions.”

Faith Assistant creates custom AI models and chatbots, or AI assistants, for organizations like Luis Palau Association, Concordia Church, The Christian Post and Texas-based radio station, KCBI. The customized model answers questions, recommends resources and even connects users with staff or volunteers who are ready to respond. 

“Our journey has always been about using technology to support the Church’s mission,” said Andrew Rogers, co-founder of Faith Assistant. “Partnering with Gloo means we can expand that vision while staying true to our core values. Their commitment to empowering ministry leaders aligns perfectly with our goals.”

“The platform lets us provide 24/7 answers, encouragement and support, which means we can serve our audience whenever they need us,” said Emily Haring Thevarajoo, Digital Content Director at KCBI Radio, about Faith Assistant. “It’s also helped us think differently about how we engage listeners and even how we approach donors. With its analytics, we’re able to better understand everything from the kinds of questions being asked to the challenges our community is walking through.”

Cappo and Rogers will continue to contribute to the growth of Faith Assistant while integrating it into Gloo, with Cappo assuming the role of director of the Gloo AI Enterprise Division.

As part of the expansion, Faith Assistant will launch a free version for churches built on the Gloo Kingdom-Aligned Large Language Model (KALLM). The free subscription will allow church leaders to create their own AI assistant, trained on their sermons and content. Church leaders can access advanced Faith Assistant features as part of the Gloo+ membership. Enterprise options are available for larger ministries and publishers looking for fully custom AI models that transform content into interactive, two-way conversations. This tiered approach will make the AI assistant available and affordable for ministries of all sizes.

Churches and ministries can learn more at faithassistant.com.

Gloo is the technology platform connecting the Christian faith ecosystem. Gloo connects ministry leaders to resources, people, insights and funding so their people and communities flourish and their organizations thrive. Gloo enables trusted exchange between organizations and people, so they can collaborate with greater confidence. Gloo serves over 90,000 churches and over 1,000 resource partners. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gloo-and-faith-assistant-partner-to-build-custom-ai-for-churches-and-ministries-302352336.html

SOURCE Gloo

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VOCODIA HOLDINGS INC. AND TRACCOM INC. HAVE SIGNED AN MOU TO FORM A JOINT VENTURE THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE EVENT MONITORING WITH NARRATIVE AI

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Real Time Voice-Enabled Alerts and Conversations to Redefine Crisis Response, Process Management, and Decision Making

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Traccom Inc. (OTCMKTS: TRCC), through its wholly owned subsidiary and operating entity Vulcain Inc., and Vocodia Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS: VHAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding towards forming a joint venture to introduce “Narrative AI.” This cutting-edge solution integrates causal analysis with advanced voice AI technology. The partnership has been formed to set a new standard in real time event monitoring, Response Management©, and decision-making across industries.

Transforming Event Monitoring with Narrative AI
Narrative AI represents the next frontier in proactive alert systems. Unlike traditional text-based notifications that often lack urgency and interactivity, this innovative platform uses Vulcain’s Causal AI solution to monitor real time critical events. When Causal AI reasoning predicts an event breach, the system triggers an immediate actionable and appropriate response management process to the relevant response parties.

This capability ensures swift communication and active problem-solving. Narrative AI utilizes an intelligent dialogue regarding the impending event and recommends potential actions to mitigate its impact. Narrative AI applications provide unparalleled precision and speed. Current Response Management AI use cases include emergency management, logistics, healthcare, and financial risk monitoring.

“Text Alerts Aren’t Enough”
Brian Podolak, CEO of Vocodia, emphasized the critical need for Response Management innovation.
“In high-stakes situations, text alert systems fall short. Narrative AI goes beyond simple notifications, enabling real time, Response Management that ensures clarity, prompt action, and better outcomes. This is the future of event response.”

Greg Duffell, CEO of Vulcain, added:
“Our mission at Vulcain has always been to empower organizations with actionable insights through causal intelligence. Partnering with Vocodia allows us to take this vision further, by combining our expertise with their state-of-the-art Response Management AI. Narrative AI doesn’t just inform—it engages in intelligent conversation, ensuring that the right people take the right actions at the right time.”

Robust Pipeline
Both companies shared their optimism on the revenue potential of this joint venture. A preliminary pipeline of opportunities is already established across multiple industries. The partnership plans to scale rapidly and is targeting aggressive revenue growth for 2025, with Narrative AI as a key driver of profitability.

Key Features of Narrative AI:

Causal Event Monitoring: Advanced AI algorithms track and analyze complex event patterns in real time.Response Management©: Dynamic mechanisms including natural-sounding voice AI engages stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding and rapid, pre-emptive action that identifies, reduces, and eliminates threat levels.Cross-Industry Applications: Suitable for emergency response, logistics, healthcare, financial services, and more.Scalable Integration: Seamlessly integrates into existing workflows, enabling immediate deployment and impact.

Pioneering the Future of Crisis Response
This venture builds on Vocodia’s expertise in Response Management AI and Vulcain ‘s Causal AI Platform. Together, the companies aim to redefine how organizations monitor and respond to critical events, with solutions that are intelligent and intuitive.

About Vocodia Holdings Corp.

Vocodia is an AI software company that develops practical AI solutions, making them easily accessible for businesses through cloud-based platforms. These solutions are cost-effective and scalable to enterprise levels. Vocodia specializes in conversational AI, providing scalable enterprise-level AI sales and customer service solutions. Their Digital Intelligent Sales Agents (DISAs) are designed to sound and feel human, performing tasks that require human-like conversation, thereby reducing labor costs and enhancing communication effectiveness. For more information, please visit: http://www.vocodia.com.

About Traccom, Inc.

Vulcain is at the intersection of human and artificial intelligence, leading the charge to AI 3.0 with high value feature solutions for business. Vulcain’s Causal AI platform is used for harmonizing, testing, and validating data for extracting and commercializing knowledge. The Vulcain platform combines hundreds of millions of AI ready data sets with human domain knowledge. It can provide a ready to use solution that can be customized, scaled and adapted for customer use-cases and human intervention.  With a commitment to human-AI, excellence, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions, the company believes that it is poised for long-term growth and success in the global AI marketplace.

For more information about the company and its wholly owned subsidiary Vulcain, Inc., email shareholders@vulcain.ai or visit www.vulcain.ai 

Forward-Looking Statements This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,”, “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and undertake no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contact Details: (561) 484-5234

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vocodia-holdings-inc-and-traccom-inc-have-signed-an-mou-to-form-a-joint-venture-that-will-revolutionize-event-monitoring-with-narrative-ai-302352337.html

SOURCE VOCODIA HOLDINGS INC.

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Casio Privia PX-S Series Named ‘Home Digital Keyboard of the Year’ for the Fourth Consecutive Year

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Casio’s Flagship PX-S7000 Earns Top Industry Recognition from MMR’s Prestigious Dealers’ Choice Awards

DOVER, N.J., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Casio’s Privia PX-S Series has once again been crowned “Home Digital Keyboard of the Year” by Musical Merchandise Review’s (MMR) esteemed Dealers’ Choice Awards. This marks the fourth consecutive year and the ninth win since 2015—solidifying Casio’s leadership in the digital piano market.

“This repeated acknowledgment reflects not only the strength of our instruments but also the unwavering trust music retailers and customers place in Casio,” said Stephen Schmidt, vice president of Casio’s Electronic Musical Instruments Division.

As an award determined solely by U.S. music retailers, this recognition underscores the PX-S Series’ exceptional design, performance, and reliability—qualities that resonate deeply with musicians and dealers nationwide.

“We are honored to see Privia recognized for the fourth straight year,” said Stephen Schmidt, vice president of Casio’s Electronic Musical Instruments Division. “This repeated acknowledgment reflects not only the strength of our instruments but also the unwavering trust music retailers and customers place in Casio. The PX-S7000, in particular, redefines elegance and excellence in the digital piano space.”

Since its inception, the Casio Privia line has earned global acclaim for delivering premium sound, authentic touch, and timeless style while remaining accessible and practical. The standout model of the series, the PX-S7000, pushes boundaries further with its unmatched sound quality, sophisticated mid-century modern design, and professional-grade performance.

Christian Wissmuller, executive editor of MMR, shared, “The PX-S7000 is a stunningly successful pairing of impressive, professional-level sound and playability with powerfully appealing aesthetics. Casio’s designers devoted just as much thought and energy into creating an instrument that would enhance the visual appeal of a domestic living space as they did on engineering specs that have yielded a wonderful-sounding musical instrument. The numbers don’t lie: for four years in a row, now, the PX-S Series consoles have been irresistibly compelling options for end-users, consistently generating profit – and satisfied, repeat customers – for MI retailers.

About the Awards

For 32 years, MMR’s Dealers’ Choice Awards have celebrated the best-in-class products shaping the musical instrument industry. Voted on by retailers, these awards highlight instruments that drive innovation, delight customers, and fuel business success.

The Casio Privia PX-S Series is available nationwide at select music dealers. For more information on Casio’s full lineup of electronic musical instruments, visit Casio.com.

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casio.com.

Media Contact
Peter Giles, Giles Communications, 1 (914) 644-3500 700, pgiles@giles.com, www.giles.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/casio-privia-px-s-series-named-home-digital-keyboard-of-the-year-for-the-fourth-consecutive-year-302351604.html

SOURCE Giles Communications

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