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DCA’s Responsible Markets Initiative to Scrutinize Growing Impact of Online Markets on Economy and Internet Safety

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From Tickets to Accommodations to Drugs to Domains Names to Goods and Services, Consumers Need Online Markets to be Trustworthy and Safe

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Digital Citizens Alliance today launched the Responsible Markets Initiative (RMI) to raise awareness about the need to keep online secondary markets, which 75 percent of Internet users rely upon, trustworthy and safe.

“When Internet users search for tickets to an event, rental accommodations, or goods and services such as retail products or domain names, they are as likely to consider using an online secondary market as they are the original seller,” said Tom Galvin, executive director of the Digital Citizens Alliance. “But all too often, these online markets are not subject to the same rules. This initiative intends to spotlight online secondary markets to help consumers make smart decisions and provide information to policymakers grappling with how to ensure online trust and safety.”

Americans, by a 6-1 ratio, believe these markets are becoming an increasingly larger portion of the overall economy. That comes from personal experience. Here’s how many Americans reported using online secondary markets in the last year, according to a Digital Citizens research survey conducted in June 2024:

Retail Goods                       

51 %

Event Tickets                       

35 %

Travel Accommodations         

33 %

Pharmaceutical Drugs           

16 %

Automobile                       

14 %

Domain Name                   

11 %

Yet, the Digital Citizens research survey shows an emerging trust gap for online markets. Seventy-two percent of Americans believe primary sellers are more trustworthy than secondary sellers. When asked whether online secondary markets have led to an increase, decrease, or no change in retail or travel scams, credit card fraud, identity theft, or copycat website schemes, 57 percent of Americans say “yes.”  Only five percent say “no.”

The initial markets the Responsible Markets Initiative will explore include:

Event tickets. Online sellers such as StubHub, which boasts that it has sold tickets to over 10 million events worldwide, play an increasingly vital role in the distribution of tickets. Fifty percent of Americans say that after purchasing tickets on the secondary market, either the seats were of lower quality than advertised, the price was not fair, or they had trouble entering the venue.

Travel accommodations. Online marketplaces such as Airbnb and VRBO have booked billions of stays worldwide. However, guests have long raised concerns about their safety, and a recent CNN investigation found that Airbnb is failing to protect its guests from hidden cameras.

Goods and Services. Whether counterfeit luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, other drugs, or toys made of dangerous materials, online markets have been especially risky for consumers. The online sale of counterfeit products has exploded, and many Americans don’t realize that third parties are peddling many products sold on platforms such as Amazon.

Domain Names: The secondary domain market poses an issue for consumers and businesses alike. Consumers may often be tricked into purchasing event tickets at a premium because an online site appears to be the venue box office when it’s actually a reseller. The emergence of domain secondary markets has led to a spike in domain name prices, making it difficult for small business owners to establish an online presence.

Americans are looking for greater scrutiny on online markets. By an 8-1 margin (64 percent to 8 percent), survey respondents said online secondary markets should face more regulations. And 67 percent of Americans said they would be more likely to rely on and use online secondary markets if they were better regulated.

“Given that online secondary markets are likely to become an even bigger part of consumers’ lives and more important to the economy, we have to ensure that they operate in a trustworthy fashion. We hope that Digital Citizens’ Responsible Markets Initiative will help advance the cause of trust in these markets,” said Galvin.

About Digital Citizens Alliance
The Digital Citizens Alliance is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) organization that is a consumer-oriented coalition focused on educating the public and policymakers on the threats that consumers face on the Internet. Digital Citizens wants to create a dialogue on the importance for Internet stakeholders— individuals, government, and industry—to make the Web a safer place. Based in Washington, DC, the Digital Citizens Alliance counts among its supporters: private citizens, the health, pharmaceutical, and creative industries, online safety experts, and other communities focused on Internet safety. Visit us at www.digitalcitizensalliance.org.

Media Contact: Adam Benson, adam@vrge.us

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dcas-responsible-markets-initiative-to-scrutinize-growing-impact-of-online-markets-on-economy-and-internet-safety-302211878.html

SOURCE Digital Citizens Alliance

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On World Cleanup Day 2024, VIAIM’s Newly Launched Service Upgrade Provides Added Multilingual Support and Commitment to Environmental Goals, Helping to Shape a More Sustainable Future

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VIAIM,  an AI technology hardware company deeply rooted in the smart office sector, is marking the inaugural World Cleanup Day 2024, which falls on September 20, with the official launch of a service package upgrade, reinforcing its dedication to both innovation and environmental responsibility.

This upgrade introduces Malay and Thai language support, expanding the total number of supported languages from 11 to 13. With these additions, VIAIM is taking another step towards making seamless cross-cultural communication more accessible, especially for users across Southeast Asia. At the same time, the Company continues to align its operations with sustainability efforts, lowering the usage threshold for customers and offering environmentally friendly solutions that contribute to a greener planet.

As part of VIAIM’s latest service package upgrade, users enjoy enhanced features designed to make their work and daily lives more efficient. These include free transcription and translation time, along with increased access to To-do List and Summary functions, providing customers with more comprehensive functionality at no additional cost.

These upgrades not only reflect the brand’s core philosophy of “user-first”, but also emphasize VIAIM’s commitment to continuously enhancing user experiences. Now, users can manage tasks more effectively, saving time and reducing the need for additional services, making their workflow more streamlined and productive.

Beyond product and service innovations, VIAIM remains committed to its environmental goals, aligning with global best practices in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. VIAIM believes that, just as its users seek to improve their daily lives through technology, the company must contribute to a better world for future generations.

VIAIM is fully committed to environmental protection and sustainable development through its use of molded pulp, an environmentally friendly material for packaging while maintaining a laser focus on technology upgrades that reflect its customer-centric philosophy. The company utilizes molded pulp, an eco-friendly packaging material, to minimize environmental impact, while its smart office solutions contributes to a paperless workplace, further reducing waste. This dual focus on customer convenience and sustainability enhances the overall value that VIAIM delivers to its global customer base.

“Innovation serves as a breakthrough in technology and is also a cornerstone of environmental and social responsibility,” said TOM, Product Manager of VIAIM. “With our latest service upgrades, we not only improve the user experience but also make it easier for our customers to participate in sustainable practices. By embracing these advancements, users can contribute to environmental preservation, while enjoying the benefits of advanced cross-language support and smarter office tools. VIAIM’s mission is to bridge technological innovation with social responsibility, inviting our customers to join us in creating a brighter, more sustainable future.”

About VIAIM

VIAIM is an innovative technology company in the consumer-goods sector. With a focus on versatile, multimodal interactions, we strive to provide effective solutions that meet users’ specific needs. By harnessing state-of-the-art technology, we bring our visionary ideals to life, helping people embrace the incredible possibilities the Company offers.

CONTACT:
Qian Wang
wangqian@vision-intelligence.tech

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SOURCE VIAIM

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G42 Collaborates with NVIDIA to Deliver Next-Generation Climate Solutions Using Earth-2

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — G42, a leader in AI and cloud computing, today announced that it is partnering with NVIDIA to advance climate technology with a focus on developing AI solutions aimed at dramatically enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasting globally.

The collaboration builds on NVIDIA’s Earth-2, an open platform that accelerates climate and weather predictions with interactive, AI-augmented, high-resolution simulation. G42 and NVIDIA will initially focus on a square-kilometer resolution weather forecasting model that improves the accuracy of meteorological predictions.

Key to this initiative is the establishment of a new operational base and Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for research and development, driving forward both companies’ commitment to environmental sustainability. This facility will also mobilize the creation of tailored climate and weather solutions that leverage over 100 petabytes of geophysical data assets.

Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, said, “This initiative with NVIDIA is a testament to our commitment to applying AI in ways that not only innovate but also solve critical global challenges. Establishing the Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi allows us to leverage our unique capabilities and insights to foster a sustainable future for the world.”

In addition to fostering innovation in climate technology, the initiative will focus on building a robust framework for integrating enhanced weather prediction capabilities with comprehensive data metrics and visualization. This will assist organizations worldwide in achieving their sustainability goals through well-informed, data-driven environmental strategies.

“Our collaboration with G42 marks a pivotal step toward harnessing AI to understand and predict climate phenomena with unprecedented accuracy,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “The Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab will propel environmental solutions using the most advanced accelerated computing and AI technology to benefit millions of people around the world.”

By uniting G42’s AI expertise with NVIDIA’s computational acumen, this partnership aims to deliver transformative climate solutions that combine scientific accuracy with real-world applicability, driving impactful change across industries and ecosystems.

About G42

G42 is a technology holding group, a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities, today.
To know more visit www.g42.ai.

Media contacts
Media and PR Team, G42
media@g42.ai

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/g42-collaborates-with-nvidia-to-deliver-next-generation-climate-solutions-using-earth-2-302253818.html

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Kawasaki and CB&I Sign Strategic Collaborative Agreement for Promoting Commercial-Use Liquefied Hydrogen Supply Chain

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HOUSTON, Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Kawasaki) and CB&I, a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott, announced today their signing of a strategic agreement for promoting a commercial-use liquefied hydrogen (LH2) supply chain and realizing a zero-carbon-emission society. The signing ceremony took place at Gastech Exhibition & Conference in Houston on September 18, 2024.

“We are very pleased for this opportunity to build and launch a commercial liquefied hydrogen supply chain in cooperation with CB&I,” said Motohiko Nishimura, President, Energy Solutions & Marine Engineering Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. “By taking advantage of both companies’ strengths and specialized know-how, we aim to cost down hydrogen, strengthen hydrogen supply chain competitiveness, and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon society.”

Both companies will use their specialized know-how to provide infrastructure that will enable commercial-scale international LH2 supply chains in order to help achieve carbon-neutrality. By leveraging our combined expertise to deliver large-scale LH2 infrastructure solutions, CB&I and Kawasaki are removing barriers, driving down costs and enhancing scalability across the entire supply chain.

“This strategic partnership represents a significant advancement in liquid hydrogen storage capabilities,” said Mark Butts, Senior Vice President of CB&I. “Our technical expertise and extensive experience in liquid hydrogen storage position us at the forefront of the energy transition, delivering reliable storage solutions and executing projects worldwide with proven success.”

Under this agreement, the companies will provide infrastructure to advance the global realization of a sustainable energy economy and meet decarbonization targets. This collaboration will reduce LH2 infrastructure costs and contribute to more widespread use of this clean and efficient energy source.

About CB&I
CB&I is the world’s leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks, and terminals. With more than 60,000 structures completed throughout its 130-year history, CB&I has the global expertise and strategically located operations to provide its customers world-class storage solutions for even the most complex energy infrastructure projects. CB&I is a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott. To learn more, visit www.cbi.com.

About McDermott
McDermott is a premier, fully-integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. Our customers trust our technology-driven approach engineered to responsibly harness and transform global energy resources into the products the world needs. From concept to commissioning, McDermott’s innovative expertise and capabilities advance the next generation of global energy infrastructure—empowering a brighter, more sustainable future for us all. Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott’s locally-focused and globally-integrated resources include more than 30,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com.

About Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. is general engineering manufacturer with over 125 years of experience manufacturing products spanning land, sea and air. Kawasaki established the Kawasaki Group’s new vision statement, “Group Vision 2030: Trustworthy Solutions for the Future,” and is focusing on three fields, “A Safe and Secure Remotely-Connected Society,” “Near-Future Mobility,” and “Energy and Environmental Solutions” in order to provide solutions for social issues. For “Energy and Environmental Solutions” in particular, by securing the technology necessary for the entire supply chain (for production, transportation, storage and utilization) ahead of the rest of the world, Kawasaki aims to bring about a society that utilizes hydrogen, the ultimate clean energy that emits no carbon dioxide when used. To learn more, visit https://global.kawasaki.com/en.

Forward-Looking Statements
McDermott cautions that statements in this communication which are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about the expected benefits from the collaboration agreement discussed in this press release.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: adverse changes in the markets in which we operate or credit or capital markets; our inability to successfully execute on contracts in backlog; changes in project design or schedules; the availability of qualified personnel; changes in the terms, scope or timing of contracts, contract cancellations, change orders and other modifications and actions by our customers and other business counterparties; changes in industry norms; actions by lenders, other creditors, customers and other business counterparties of McDermott and adverse outcomes in legal or other dispute resolution proceedings. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. This communication reflects the views of McDermott’s management as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, McDermott undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

For media inquiries, please use the contact information below:

Reba Reid
Global Media Relations
+1 281 588 5636
RReid@McDermott.com

Kristi Krupala-Grove
CB&I Media Relations
+1 346 313 9636
KKrupala2@mcdermott.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kawasaki-and-cbi-sign-strategic-collaborative-agreement-for-promoting-commercial-use-liquefied-hydrogen-supply-chain-302253698.html

SOURCE McDermott International, Ltd

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