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Thinkific Announces New Automatic Share Purchase Plan

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VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 12, 2024 /CNW/ – In connection with the Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) previously announced on November 10, 2023, Thinkific Labs Inc. (“Thinkific” or the “Company”) (TSX: THNC), a leading platform for creating, marketing and selling online learning products, announced that it has terminated the automatic share purchase plan (the “Existing ASPP”) previously entered into with Cormark Securities Inc. (the “Broker”) and established a new automatic share purchase plan (the “New ASPP”) with the Broker.

Under the New ASPP, the Company has authorized the Broker to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares of the Company (each, a “SVS”) under the NCIB during blackout periods implemented under the Company’s Insider Trading Policy (“Blackout Periods”) and outside of Blackout Periods only when instructed by the Company from time to time during the term of the New ASPP. The New ASPP will terminate on November 8, 2024, or earlier if the aggregate number of SVSs purchased under the NCIB reaches the Maximum Limit (as defined below) or if the NCIB has been terminated by the Company.

Trading limits and other parameters for purchases during Blackout Periods under the New ASPP have been pre-determined between the Company and the Broker in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX and applicable securities laws.

Under the NCIB, the Company may purchase for cancellation up to an aggregate of 2,444,358 SVSs (the “Maximum Limit”), representing approximately 10% of the public float (as defined in the rules and policies of the TSX) of the SVSs as of October 30, 2023. Under the NCIB, other than purchases made under a block purchase exception in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX, the Company may acquire, from time to time, up to 5,296 SVSs per day on the TSX, being 25% of the average daily trading volume of the SVSs for the period from May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023. Under the NCIB, purchases will be made through the facilities of the TSX, and/or permitted alternative Canadian trading systems, at prevailing market prices or such other prices as permitted under the rules and policies of the TSX and applicable securities laws. All SVSs purchased by the Company under the NCIB will be cancelled.

At the time of terminating the Existing ASPP and establishing the New ASPP, Thinkific was not aware of or in possession of any material undisclosed information about the Company, the SVSs or any other of its securities.

About Thinkific

Thinkific (TSX:THNC) makes it simple for Creator Educators and established businesses of any size to scale and generate revenue by teaching what they know. Our Platform gives businesses everything they need to build, market, and sell digital learning products – from courses to communities – and to run their business seamlessly under their own brand, on their own site. Thinkific’s 50,000+ active creators earn hundreds of millions of dollars in direct course, membership and community sales while teaching tens of millions of students. Thinkific is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with a distributed team.

This news release includes forward-looking statements and forward–looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements'”). Forward-looking statements are based on Thinkific’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made in light of information available to it at the time such forward-looking statements are made and considers Thinkific’s experience and its perception of trends. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding its intention to continue the NCIB, the termination of the Existing ASPP and the establishment of the New ASPP, the reasons for the NCIB, the timing and amount of purchases under the NCIB and the New ASPP and the cancellation of the SVSs purchased under the NCIB. Although Thinkific’s management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements and information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward–looking statements and information speak only as of the date on which they are made and Thinkific undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward–looking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some that are similar to other companies with online learning products and some that are unique to Thinkific. Thinkific’s actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by its forward-looking statements, so readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them.

The Annual Information Form of the Company dated March 4, 2024 and other documents filed by it from time to time with securities regulatory authorities describe in greater detail the risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and such factors are incorporated herein by reference. Copies of these documents are available under our profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE Thinkific Labs Inc.

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Concerns Around Ethical Risks of Generative AI Remain High Amid Increased Adoption: ‘Deloitte State of Ethics and Trust in Technology’ Report

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Over half (54%) of professionals surveyed believe technologies like Generative AI pose the highest ethical risk compared to other emerging technologies

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — While widespread use of Generative AI (GenAI) has broadened awareness of its potential benefits, concerns about the risks its misuse poses to businesses and individuals remain top of mind, according to Deloitte’s third annual report on the “State of Ethics and Trust in Technology.” Among the over 1,800 professionals surveyed for 2024’s report, 46% of individuals believe cognitive technologies have the potential to create the most social good when used responsibly, up from 39% in 2023. However, like last year’s report, over half (57% in 2023 and 54% in 2024) of respondents also said that cognitive technologies like AI and GenAI present the most severe ethical risks compared to other emerging technologies, underscoring the sustained need for ethical guidelines to govern its use.

When it comes to the development of ethical guidelines for emerging technologies, just over one-quarter (27%) of respondents report their organizations have distinct ethical standards for GenAI. Report findings suggest organizations where ethical guidelines are absent or underutilized may continue to be exposed to risks and miss opportunities to enhance stakeholder trust and build social, reputational and financial value.

The study, led by Deloitte’s Technology Trust Ethics practice, surveyed over 1,800 business and technical professionals globally to understand how organizations value and implement ethical principles for emerging technologies. The practice interviewed 26 specialists and leaders across industries and within Deloitte to gather insights in support of the survey’s findings.

“The accelerated adoption of GenAI and other emerging technologies demands a collaborative approach among organizations, leaders, and professionals with diverse experiences and perspectives to define and implement appropriate ethical standards,” said Lara Abrash, chair, Deloitte US. “Future generations will look back on the decisions made today. It is important to honor the collective responsibility for those who will inherit the world shaped during this time.” 

Key findings

Safety first: In this year’s survey, 78% of respondents selected “safe and secure” as one of the top three ethical technology principles, a 37% increase from respondents in the previous year’s survey. When it comes to concerns around AI, respondents highlighted data privacy as the most significant, with 40% of respondents ranking data privacy as their top concern.

Organizations face challenges building trust among employees: Trust in one’s organization and its emerging technologies may be declining and more pronounced in younger generations. In 2023, 87% of millennial and 81% of Gen Z respondents reported buy-in to their organization’s ethical messaging; in 2024 those figures decreased to 77% and 65% respectively. Overall buy-in fell from 89% to 81%, indicating employees of all ages are aligned with their organizations but may decline if left unaddressed.

Reputation is top of mind: When asked to rank the potential negative outcomes to organizations if ethical standards are not followed for emerging technologies, respondents rated reputational damage (82%), financial damage (66%), and regulatory penalties (60%) as their top three concerns.

Trainings and tools outpace other ethics approaches: Investment in technology ethics training is on the rise, with 80% of respondents required to complete mandatory technology ethics training, an increase of seven percentage points since 2022. Furthermore, two-thirds (67%) of respondents reported their organization provides internal tools to familiarize employees with AI. However, diverse focus groups appear to be less utilized in enacting ethical technology standards with 36% of respondents indicating their organizations used diverse focus groups in the development of standards, the same response rate as last year.

“Widespread availability and adoption of GenAI may have raised respondents’ familiarity and confidence in the technology, driving up optimism about its potential for good,” said Beena Ammanath, executive director, Global Deloitte AI Institute and Trustworthy AI leader, Deloitte LLP. “The continued cautionary sentiments around its apparent risks underscores the need for specific, evolved ethical frameworks that enable positive impact. Designated ethics leaders, diverse working groups, trainings and internal AI tools are methods that should be applied concurrently to help increase the pace and success of ethical guidance efforts.”

Deloitte’s Technology Trust Ethics practice is part of the US Purpose & DEI Office and focuses on embedding ethical decision-making into the development and use of emerging technology, to build trust in those technologies and expand the equitable opportunities of a tech-savvy world to all people.

The practice developed a Technology Trust Ethics framework to help organizations assess the ethical implications of emerging technologies and guide responsible decision-making in the design, operation and governance of those technologies.

Methodology
Deloitte’s research included interviews in April and May 2024 with 26 executives and surveyed more than 1,800 business and technical professionals involved in developing, consuming or managing emerging technologies. Respondents represented industry sectors including technology, media and telecommunications; financial services; life sciences and health care; consumer; energy, resources and industrials; academia; government and public service; and nonprofit. The survey spanned the impact of Generative AI on organizations, the understanding of and value placed on ethical principles for emerging technologies, and mechanisms to implement ethical behavior throughout their organizations. 

About Deloitte
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the “Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

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SOURCE Deloitte

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Green Security Welcomes Anton Vishnyak as Chief Technology Officer to Fuel Growth

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Vishnyak to drive innovation in compliance and access management SaaS platform

CLEARWATER, Fla., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Green Security LLC, a leading provider of SaaS healthcare compliance and access management solutions, announced today that it appointed Anton Vishnyak as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Vishnyak has more than a decade of experience building and scaling software engineering organizations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anton to the Green Security team,” said Mickey Meehan, Chief Executive Officer of Green Security. “His expertise in technology strategy, coupled with his experience in managing high-performing engineering teams, will be pivotal as we continue to scale our platform and expand our offerings. Anton’s ability to engage with developers, architects, customers, and partners at all levels of detail will enhance our capacity to innovate and deliver exceptional service.”

As CTO, Vishnyak will lead the company’s technology strategy and oversee software solution development, reinforcing Green Security’s position in healthcare access management, compliance and safety.

“I am excited to join Green Security and help drive its next growth phase,” said Anton Vishnyak. “Green Security’s commitment to safeguarding healthcare facilities through advanced software solutions resonates strongly with me. We have an impressive team, and I look forward to working closely with them on enhancing our technology offerings and continuing to set new standards for automated access compliance solutions.”

Vishnyak’s impressive career includes roles as Head of Engineering at Venice Music where he created the first AI manager for recording artists, VP of Software Engineering at ATLAS Lift Tech where he led the development of a hospital patient monitoring system to prevent Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries (HAPI) – saving hospitals millions of dollars yearly in litigation and worker compensation costs (patent pending), and the CTO position at b8ta, where he led the creation of a patented innovative retail platform that powered over 35 stores in addition to joint ventures with Macy’s, Toys’R’Us and international b8ta locations in the Middle East and Japan.

Furthermore Vishnyak led development of an enterprise platform that powered contract negotiation and benchmarking required by modern hospital procurement departments at purchased services tech firm Conductiv (formerly Medpricer), and led the development of a retail design platform used by Apple to manage their worldwide non-owned store retail displays and an inventory/rep scheduling platform powering Stryker and J&J distributors across their sales and surgical visits at Mobitor Corporation.

Vishnyak is the company’s third executive hire this summer, following the appointment of Mickey Meehan to Chief Executive Officer and Rhonda Harms to Chief Financial Officer.

About Green Security LLC

Green Security is a leading provider of enterprise access compliance and safety solutions for the healthcare providers, creating a safe and secure visitor environment, while efficiently managing visits from more than 120,000 approved vendors representatives across more than 130 healthcare systems representing more than 1,500 facilities across the United States. Their innovative platform automates vendor background checks and access management, ensuring only authorized personnel can enter healthcare facilities. By elevating security standards and streamlining processes, Green Security empowers healthcare organizations to protect patients, staff, and facilities while maintaining operational efficiency.

Media Contact

Kim Peterson, Green Security, 1 (720) 316-4517, Kim.Peterson@kp-communications.com, https://www.greensecurityllc.com/ 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/green-security-welcomes-anton-vishnyak-as-chief-technology-officer-to-fuel-growth-302255347.html

SOURCE Green Security

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Open XR Optics Forum Releases Management Requirements White Paper

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Open XR Optics Forum is excited to announce the publication of its Management Requirements White Paper. With 17 authors of 13 forum member companies, this pivotal document provides an in-depth evaluation of the management interface and API requirements essential for advancing the development and adoption of next generation advanced pluggable transceivers, including Open XR optics products and services.

Key Highlights:

Relevance to Next-Generation Pluggable Transceivers: The white paper’s findings are crucial for managing all next-generation advanced pluggable transceivers, ensuring seamless integration and interoperability across multi-vendor environments.Focus on Multivendor Integration: Emphasizing the importance of decoupling host and module functionalities, the white paper lays the groundwork for a multivendor operational environment and seamless automation of Open XR Optics networks.Alignment with Industry Standards: The document ensures that Open XR management requirements are reflected in API and data model definitions, aligning closely with existing industry standards to facilitate smooth network evolution.Future Steps: Recommendations for further evaluation and standards activities include analyzing potential gaps in the OpenConfig definition and propose extensions to OpenConfig to support XR Optics functionality.

The Open XR Optics Forum continues to drive innovation and standardization to better enable the wide scale deployment of coherent pluggable transceiver technology in a variety of host devices across a variety of network applications. This white paper is a testament to the collaborative efforts and dedication of our member companies and contributors.

For more information and to download the white paper, visit Open XR Optics Forum at www.openxropticsforum.org.

About Open XR Optics Forum
Open XR Optics Forum was founded to foster collaboration between its members to facilitate the adoption and accelerate the growth of network architectures leveraging intelligent point-to-point and point-to-multipoint coherent pluggable transceivers. Members will work to ensure the products and services developed align with existing standards and operational models by driving the standardization of network interfaces and electro-mechanical hardware interfaces, demonstrating interoperability, establishing multi-sourcing potential, and developing and publishing new specifications as needed. This will accelerate the wide adoption and deployment of XR optics’ innovative technology by a broad spectrum of network operators in a wide variety of applications. Open XR Optics Forum membership is intended for network operators, network equipment vendors, and component suppliers.

Media Contact
Engage PR for Open XR Optics Forum
Jeannette Bitz
jbitz@engagepr.com 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/open-xr-optics-forum-releases-management-requirements-white-paper-302254755.html

SOURCE Open XR Optics Forum

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