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Chemical and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Can Elevate Innovation and Market Responsiveness With Exponential IT, Says Info-Tech Research Group

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Info-Tech Research Group’s latest blueprint addresses the pressing need for advanced technology integration in the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The research emphasizes adopting AI, cloud computing, and data analytics to overcome regulatory challenges, optimize operations, and drive sustainable growth and innovation. This strategic approach aims to balance maintaining existing IT infrastructure while investing in cutting-edge solutions to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

TORONTO, July 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – The chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry faces numerous challenges, including regulatory compliance, escalating production costs, and protecting proprietary data. In this demanding landscape, sustaining competitiveness and driving innovation requires strategically adopting advanced technologies. Recognizing this urgency, Info-Tech Research Group has published its latest blueprint, Priorities for Adopting an Exponential IT Mindset in the Chemical & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry. This research underscores the necessity for industry IT leaders to integrate AI, cloud computing, and data analytics to overcome current obstacles, optimize operations, and pave the way for sustainable growth and innovation.

“Industry 5.0, as well as the integration of technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and advanced robotics, have begun to usher in a profound paradigm shift that challenges traditional manufacturing philosophies, enabling precision, efficiency, and customization previously unimaginable,” says Shreyas Shukla, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. “The role of IT in this transformation is nothing short of critical. Advanced IT maturity will be essential in the effort to integrate new technologies into existing manufacturing ecosystems and enable seamless connectivity, data integrity, and system security.”

Info-Tech’s research highlights the unique challenges faced by the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, ranging from technological adoption and workforce adaptation to ethical considerations and sustainability goals. CIOs in the industry are finding it challenging to strike a balance between maintaining existing IT infrastructure and investing in new, innovative technology solutions. Furthermore, there is a significant struggle to recruit and retain skilled IT professionals proficient in the latest technologies. However, the firm emphasizes that manufacturers can optimize their operations and drive innovation by understanding these barriers and embracing the opportunities presented by exponential technologies.

“Multiple factors are contributing to sluggish demand for chemicals globally, including a recession in Europe, inflation in the United States, and a smaller-than-expected rebound in demand from China,” explains Shukla. “In addition, over-ordering during the pandemic has resulted in high inventory levels, leading to months of destocking. This is causing a slowdown in chemical output with many companies turning their focus toward reducing costs and improving efficiencies.”

While the chemical sector grapples with these challenges, the pharmaceutical industry has made notable advancements, particularly in areas such as vaccine development and cancer treatments. However, despite these breakthroughs, the sector faces significant economic pressures.

“The pharma industry has seen breakthroughs in vaccine development, cancer treatments, GLP-1 drugs that are revolutionizing weight management, gene therapy and gene editing technology for rare diseases, and new treatments for complex diseases like Alzheimer’s,” adds Shukla. “Yet, the sector continues to experience underperformance in capital markets relative to the market index. Every cost-related line item is going up due to inflation, interest rates, new tax regimes, and an increasing threat environment.”

The firm’s blueprint stresses the importance of adopting Exponential IT within the manufacturing industry to mitigate disruptions and drive innovation. While generative AI has been a catalyst for this transformation, Info-Tech’s research explains that the continuous emergence of new technologies is exerting additional pressure on organizations to adapt swiftly and efficiently. These advancements require a strategic approach to integrating and leveraging new technologies to maintain operational excellence and market relevance.

In its latest research, Info-Tech outlines four key priorities for Exponential IT transformations in the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry that organizations must embrace to ensure resilience and growth:

Transform Infrastructure & Apps to Utilities: Shifting from a focus on individual IT applications to leveraging innovative technologies like cloud services and low-code/no-code platforms is imperative for achieving agility and competitive advantage. This approach enables organizations to be more adaptive and responsive to market changes by facilitating rapid deployment and iteration of solutions.Mitigate Rampant Privacy Risks: Effective cybersecurity measures are essential to protect against potential data breaches and prevent unintended uses of AI platforms. These measures safeguard confidential data, research findings, and proprietary methodologies, thereby protecting corporate reputation and financial stability.Deliver Organizational Outcomes via Natural Language: Embracing the “platform as a product” approach democratizes technology across operations. This strategy leverages AI and ML-driven solutions more effectively, enabling employees who may not have traditional coding expertise to develop, customize, and manage applications independently.Build Outcome Measurement: Aligning IT with broader organizational goals is crucial for driving business value and innovation. By taking ownership of organizational targets, IT can better understand and address the strategic needs of the business, proactively identifying opportunities for technology to drive growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

By strategically aligning IT initiatives with organizational goals and fostering a culture of innovation, the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry can overcome barriers to digital transformation. Info-Tech’s comprehensive blueprint offers practical guidance on building a robust IT infrastructure, managing risks effectively, and creating a data-driven environment that supports continuous improvement. Adopting these priorities will help manufacturers navigate the complexities of the digital age, improve operational efficiency, sustain a competitive edge, and transform operations for long-term success.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Shreyas Shukla, an expert in the manufacturing sector, and access to the complete Priorities for Adopting an Exponential IT Mindset in the Chemical & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry blueprint, please contact pr@infotech.com.

Info-Tech LIVE 2024

Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group’s annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier event offers journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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Youdao Dictionary Pen Unveils at CES 2025, Showcasing Cutting-Edge AI Innovations and Applications in Education

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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Youdao, a leading intelligent learning company in China, is showcasing its AI-equipped smart device, the Youdao Dictionary Pen X7 series, at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025).This event showcases the strength of ‘Chinese AI’ in the field of educational technology to a global audience.

The Youdao booth attracted significant attention at the exhibition. The showcased Youdao Dictionary Pen X7 series features proprietary applications, including Hi Echo and Mr. P AI Tutor, which are based on the ‘Zi Yue’ educational large language model. It also provides offline translation capabilities through an edge-side large language model, drawing many users to experience the products.

During the exhibition, Youdao was invited to participate in the Microsoft Greater China offline event at CES 2025. Renlei Liu, Senior Vice President of Youdao, attended a high-level roundtable discussion. Alongside representatives from tech companies such as Microsoft, TCL, Lenovo, and TimeKettle, they explored AI innovation and the globalization of consumer electronics in China.

Renlei Liu stated that large language models possess exceptional natural language processing and interaction capabilities. Leveraging its extensive experience in the language and learning sectors, Youdao launched China’s first educational large language model, ‘Zi Yue’, in 2023. Based on this model, Youdao upgraded all of its software and hardware products and introduced a series of proprietary educational applications, including the digital human language coach, AI Document Q&A, and transcription services for international students.

Renlei Liu said, ‘We believe that before the emergence of truly super applications based on large language models, various companies are exploring vertical fields and specific scenarios, much like the early days of China’s mobile internet, when killer applications had not yet emerged and internet companies were innovating within vertical scenarios. There are many similarities between the era of large models and the mobile internet era, and we are actively experimenting as well’.

Youdao has also applied the reasoning and knowledge Q&A capabilities of the large language model to academic learning scenarios, launching the AI comprehensive inquiry learning assistant, Mr. P AI Tutor. It integrates the large language model and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) technology, enhancing the AI’s understanding of subject knowledge and the quality of its outputs. It offers guided explanations, multi-turn interactive heuristic teaching, and comprehensive Q&A support across all grades and subjects, addressing many issues in home tutoring scenarios.

Renlei Liu stated that Youdao is actively promoting the application of the “Zi Yue” educational large language model in various scenarios and has conducted a comprehensive AI upgrade of its business products to better meet users’ learning needs. As a result, Youdao’s AI subscription service has achieved rapid growth for seven consecutive quarters.

With the continuous development of large language model applications, improving the efficiency of AI research and development and application has become a key factor in industry competition. In response, Youdao has proposed a solution to harness the capabilities of smaller model applications. Renlei Liu pointed out that general large language models often aim for “large and comprehensive,” but the expansion of model size also leads to increased training and operational costs. For specific scenarios and tasks that require quick response times, using smaller models on the edge can facilitate more effective targeted training, enhance precision, and provide a better user experience.

The AI dictionary pen, equipped with a dedicated educational model can provide high-quality content and functional services, ensuring that it remains focused on learning purposes and is not used for entertainment or other applications. At the same time, by utilizing a smaller model on the edge for localized operation, it supports offline use, thereby avoiding disruptions from the network environment.

Renlei Liu stated that smaller models focus on high-quality vertical applications, which can continuously enhance user experience and build professional technical advantages through flexible and efficient training and iteration. Exploring the application of edge models in more specific scenarios is an important direction for Youdao’s development in AI technology.

In fact, Youdao has already made significant progress in the exploration of edge models. Based on its self-developed “Zi Yue” educational large language model, Youdao has developed the industry’s first edge large language model and applied it to the newly launched X7 series of dictionary pens. This dictionary pen features offline large language model translation capabilities, achieving translation results comparable to those of online NMT (Neural Machine Translation), greatly enhancing the accuracy and fluency of language learning.

As a star product in Youdao’s smart devices lineup, the Youdao Dictionary Pen X7 series has truly become an AI large language model dictionary pen. It is equipped with two proprietary applications of the first educational large language model, “Zi Yue” in China: the AI All-Subject Tutor, Mr. P AI Tutor, and the digital human language coach, Hi Echo, while also providing AI intelligent learning features such as AI essay refinement.

The Youdao Dictionary Pen X7 received an enthusiastic response from users upon its launch. It quickly became the best-selling product in the thousand-yuan price range, surpassing 30,000 units sold. During the 2024 Nov 11th Shopping Festival in China, the Youdao Dictionary Pen X7 Pro topped several industry rankings on major e-commerce platforms, marking the fifth consecutive year that Youdao dictionary pens have held the top position for sales in the same category across both JD.com and Tmall.

This time, Youdao showcased the Dictionary Pen X7 series at CES 2025, receiving widespread recognition on an international stage.

Focusing on AI + education, Youdao will continue to increase its investment in the research and development of edge model applications, promoting the implementation of large language models in more educational scenarios to provide learners with a better learning experience through efficient educational products.

About Youdao, Inc. 

Youdao, Inc. (NYSE: DAO) is a leading intelligent learning company in China focused on using technology to provide educational content, applications, and solutions for learners of all ages. Founded in 2006 as part of NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES; HKEX: 9999), Youdao offers a wide range of online courses, interactive learning apps, and smart learning devices.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.youdao.com & https://smart.youdao.com/en/.

CONTACT: youdaopr@rd.netease.com  

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SOURCE Youdao

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HTX 2025 Outlook: Five Sectors to Look Forward to, and How Trump’s Policy Will Affect Crypto Industry

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SINGAPORE, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The year 2024 marks a significant chapter in the history of the crypto industry, where we witnessed continuous breakthroughs in blockchain technology, surges in Bitcoin price, and a gradually more open regulatory environment, with cryptocurrencies gaining increasing recognition from the mainstream. As 2025 unfolds, HTX, the world’s leading digital asset exchange, has released its latest report, HTX 2024 Global Web3 Blockchain Ecosystem Review and 2025 Outlook, which provides forward-looking insights into the development prospects of the crypto industry.

Key Sectors for 2025

In the report, HTX highlighted five key sectors that showed encouraging progress last year, and will continue to closely monitor these areas in 2025.

Bitcoin Ecosystem

In 2024, Bitcoin‘s market dominance kept increasing, solidifying its position as the core asset, with spot ETFs acting as liquidity channels, and U.S. listed companies such as MicroStrategy (MSTR) serving as the vehicles to absorb unlimited dollar liquidity.

As a result, it is increasingly essential to further develop Bitcoin‘s ecosystem and enhance capital utilization efficiency. With strong support from macro markets and infrastructure support, a further surge in Bitcoin demand over the next two years is well-anticipated.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure remained a cornerstone in 2024’s crypto investments and funding. The synergy between capital and technology has driven the rapid development of Layer 1, Layer 2,  and middleware projects, among others.

Layer 1 solutions, in particular, now represent the focal point of technical development and exploration within the crypto space, and it is expected to remain a priority for development resources and capital investment in the future.

Meme Coins

The Meme coin sector emerged as a hotspot in 2024, fostering community consensus while integrating with fields like DeFi and GameFi to create new use cases. As the crypto market environment grows increasingly favorable, more retail investors are expected to enter the market, positioning Meme projects as vital channels for capital inflows.

AI

In 2024, the intersection of Crypto and AI sector has been driving the exploration of several segmented fields, the hottest one of which is AI agents. In the future, AI agents will gradually become personal butlers and assistants for users, serving them with comprehensive capabilities. Over time, they may develop unique cultures and religions.

This deep integration of AI and encryption technology is a groundbreaking evolution that is unattainable within Web2 and cannot be achieved by Web3 relying solely on encryption technology.

TON Ecosystem

Attributable to Telegram’s hundreds of millions of users and robust technical support, the TON ecosystem achieved significant milestones in various fields, pioneering the monetization of Web2 social applications through crypto. Moving into 2025, it needs to explore and find new business models to improve user retention and identify its next growth curve.

Donald Trump Effect: Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Worth Anticipating

The report also discusses the potential impact of crypto-friendly policies that could arise after Donald Trump takes office. Two important bills, the FIT21 Act and the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, are likely to pass more quickly thanks to him.

The FIT21 Act aims to create a clear legal framework for token issuance and trading by classifying tokens as digital assets or digital commodities, transferring the regulatory responsibilities of many blockchain projects from the SEC to the CFTC, and introducing a safe harbor mechanism. This would help standardize and promote the healthy growth of the entire industry.

The Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises, if passed, would mark Bitcoin‘s transition from a niche asset to a nationally recognized reserve asset, greatly enhancing its legitimacy and recognition. It may also prompt other countries to adopt similar measures to further advance Bitcoin‘s global recognition and application.

The Act was submitted to Congress for deliberation on August 4, 2024, and referred to the Senate Banking Committee for review. Trump is well-positioned to push this bill through. Meanwhile, several U.S. states have already proposed their own Bitcoin Strategic Reserve bills. By 2025, Bitcoin as a strategic reserve may become a reality.

Additionally, under Trump’s presidency, the SAB121 Act is likely to be repealed, allowing traditional financial institutions to hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets, further accelerating the institutionalization of crypto assets and contributing to the overall maturity of the crypto market. The SEC’s application criteria of the Howey Test may also be relaxed, increasing the likelihood of more spot crypto ETFs being approved and more public listings of crypto companies.

Meanwhile, the report also provides a comprehensive summary of 2024, looking back on the key events that had a major impact on the crypto industry while summing up what HTX had achieved over the last year.

To learn more, please visit: https://square.htx.com/htx-2024-global-web3-blockchain-ecosystem-review-and-2025-outlook/ 

About HTX

Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

As a world-leading gateway to Web3, we harbor global capabilities that enable us to provide users with safe and reliable services.

Our growth strategy – “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance”, underpins our commitment to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

Contact Details

Ruder Finn Asia
htx@ruderfinn.com 

Company Website
https://www.htx.com

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SOURCE HTX

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ZWSOFT 2024 Year in Review: Empowering Sustainable Innovation

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GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 2024 marked a transformative year for ZWSOFT, driven by its new mission: Empowering Sustainable Innovation. The ZWSOFT team took significant steps to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and deliver lasting value for customers, partners, and the global community.

From refining its all-in-one CAx solutions to fostering a thriving global ecosystem and nurturing talents, 2024 was a year of significant achievements and meaningful impact.

Refining All-in-One CAx Solutions for Global Professionals

In 2024, ZWSOFT unveiled the latest generation of its flagship products: ZWCAD 2025, ZW3D 2025, ZWCAD MFG 2025, PHOENICS 2025, and CADbro 2025. These releases introduced 45+ new features and 3,800+ enhancements, including powerful 3D capabilities, motion simulation, and AI-driven tools—all designed to deliver exceptional performance and empower professionals across industries.

These enhancements empower over 1.4 million users across 90+ countries, contributing to a 97.4% customer satisfaction rate in the company’s annual customer satisfaction survey. Throughout 2024, ZWCAD consistently earned recognition as a Leader and ranked among the top five in G2’s General-Purpose CAD category, solidifying its reputation as a reliable choice for designers and engineers worldwide.

Building Win-Win Partnerships for Greater Impact

ZWSOFT continued to build a vibrant global ecosystem based on collaboration, innovation, and shared success. The company’s flagship conference, ZWorld 2024, and prominent industry events such as Hannover Messe provided valuable platforms to connect with professionals worldwide and exchange insights on sustainable solutions for the AEC and manufacturing industries.

ZWSOFT further strengthened its global presence with five ZCON events held in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Japan, and Vietnam, fostering stronger partnerships and unlocking new growth opportunities in key markets.

Collaboration remains at the core of ZWSOFT’s ecosystem. In 2024, the company partnered with over 260 global developers to deliver 300+ third-party applications and 430+ industry-specific solutions, tailored to address the unique needs of professionals across various industries.

Empowering Talents for a Sustainable Future

ZWSOFT’s commitment to nurturing future professionals and fostering innovation remained strong in 2024. The company collaborated with eight universities, providing software, equipment, and scholarships to support students and educators. The 2024 ZWSOFT CAD Competition attracted over 7,000 participants from 700+ universities, inspiring the next generation of designers and engineers.

ZWSOFT also continued to invest in its global workforce by launching the Overseas New Employee Training Program to help new team members integrate and thrive. Additionally, the company celebrated its people-first culture through ZWSOFT Family Day, bringing employees and their families together to foster a sense of community and recognize their contributions.

As 2025 begins, ZWSOFT remains committed to its mission of empowering sustainable innovation for businesses and individuals worldwide. With the strong foundation built in 2024, the company is poised to drive further progress, strengthen partnerships, and create a more sustainable future alongside its customers, partners, and employees.

Visit ZWSOFT’s 2024 Year in Review to learn more about the milestones that shaped an exceptional year.

About ZWSOFT

ZWSOFT aims to provide reliable all-in-one CAx (CAD/CAE/CAM) solutions for designers and engineers worldwide and enables them to streamline complex design workflows at a fair and reasonable price. Since ZWSOFT’s inception in 1998, over 1.4 million customers from more than 90 countries have chosen our products and solutions to solve their design challenges. Among the list are the world’s most innovative companies across various industries, including Saint-Gobain, LG, and Ericsson.

Website: https://www.zwsoft.com/ 

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SOURCE ZWSOFT CO., LTD. (Guangzhou)

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