LONDON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AI to Replace Civil Servants and Save £45 Billion: What Does This Mean for Insurance? 

The UK government is betting big on AI. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to replace civil servants with artificial intelligence, calling the state “overcautious and flabby” and promising sweeping reforms. The goal? To cut inefficiencies and save taxpayers £45 billion through automation. 

With thousands of government jobs under review and AI well-suited for routine tasks, the civil service could unlock unprecedented efficiency – saving an estimated £45 billion while empowering its workforce 

Will the Government’s use of AI legitimise its use in wider industry? Are their parallels within insurance?   

The insurance industry faces the same challenges as a market that’s burdened with time-consuming, manual data entry and administrative tasks. AI is poised to change that by automating these processes, allowing underwriters to focus on higher-value decisions, resulting in faster, more accurate quotes, better risk management and a more competitive insurance market. 

Much like in government, AI can reduce operational costs in insurance by eliminating repetitive tasks such as keying (and re-keying) submissions, document analysis, and manual risk evaluations. By leveraging AI, insurers can significantly speed up the quote process, improve efficiency and lower premiums. 

Rewriting the Underwriter job description 

However, AI isn’t replacing underwriters; it’s redefining their roles. As Starmer put it, “No person’s time should be spent on a task where AI can do it better, quicker, and to the same high quality.” 

For underwriters, this signals a shift from administrative work to strategic decision-making, portfolio expansion, and coverage innovation. Instead of spending time on data entry or outsourcing submissions for manual processing, underwriters will be free to focus on evaluating complex risks and maximising capacity deployment. 

AI won’t make you obsolete; but your competitors using it might 

As the government leads the charge in AI-driven reform, the insurance sector must follow. AI is not just a tool for cost-cutting, it’s a powerful driver of efficiency, customer experience, and competitive advantage. 

The question is no longer if AI will reshape underwriting but how quickly insurers will adopt it. Those who embrace AI may well outpace their competitors. Those who don’t? They risk being left behind, because AI won’t replace underwriters – but underwriters who use AI will replace those who don’t. 

About Concirrus 

Concirrus revolutionizes underwriting in specialty and commercial insurance with AI-driven solutions that turn hours-long processes into decisions made in seconds. Founded in 2012, it serves sectors like aviation, transportation, marine, surety, construction, political violence, and terrorism. Trusted by leading insurers, its AI analytics streamline operations, optimize risk assessment, and empower smarter, faster decisions in a rapidly evolving industry. To learn more, visit: https://concirrus.ai 

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Trifecta of power, water and high-speed connectivity boost DC Hub’s appeal

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City will have an approximately 25km dedicated fiber trunk linking it to Cyberjaya, reinforcing its position as a premier data center location. This dedicated fiber trunk enhances regional connectivity by enabling high-speed, low-latency link to Cyberjaya’s data hubs, which have direct fiber routes to Singapore. This seamless connection provides access to Singapore’s cloud services, fintech ecosystem, and global internet exchanges, ensuring faster data transfer, improved redundancy, and greater scalability.

The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by Lionel Leong, Mah Sing’s Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, and Mansor Mohd Kassim, the Chief Executive Officer of Front Connect Sdn. Bhd. (“FCSB”), a licensed Network Facility Provider (NFP) which has been awarded the job. Witnessing the ceremony was Tan Sri Dato‘ Sri Leong Hoy Kum, Mah Sing’s Founder and Group Managing Director and Sun Jian Wei, FCSB’s Director.

“At Mah Sing, we take our project deliverables seriously, ensuring that every initiative is executed with precision and purpose. The dedicated fiber trunk is a testament to our commitment to building a well-equipped, future-ready data hub that meets the urgency of today’s digital demands. By enhancing connectivity and ensuring redundancy, we are strengthening Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City’s position as a high-performance data center location, always ready to serve the evolving needs of the industry,” said Lionel Leong.

With immediate access to power infrastructure, water availability, and high-speed connectivity, Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City provides a significant “speed to market” advantage.

FCSB will serve as the custodian, operator, and sales representative, managing fiber connectivity for Mah Sing, the owner of the dedicated fiber trunk. Under a profit-sharing management, both parties will benefit from long-term growth and sustainability.

Strategically positioned near Cyberjaya’s data center ecosystem, Mah Sing DC Hub@ Southville City will offer seamless high-speed, low-latency connectivity. The fiber trunk is designed to meet the future expansion need. Mah Sing has also secured a secondary route through Fiberail’s network to further enhance stability.

The dedicated fiber trunk provides data center operators with direct access to dark fiber, enabling scalability, redundancy, and resilience. Operators can deploy custom network solutions, scale operations with unlimited bandwidth, and future-proof their connectivity needs. Furthermore, the connectivity to Cyberjaya Data Center will establish Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City as an international gateway for data centers in Johor and Singapore, further solidifying its strategic importance in the region.

Expanding Market for Data Centers and Dark Fiber

Malaysia’s data center market is rapidly growing, driven by cloud adoption, digital transformation, and 5G expansion. Dark fiber offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and full control over network infrastructure, allowing seamless expansion and custom configurations. Unlike traditional ISP bandwidth, leasing dark fiber provides long-term scalability without metered usage constraints, making it a more cost-effective option for data center operators.

Mah Sing’s investment aligns with the projected growth of the global dark fiber market. The fiber trunk will primarily support data center operators under long-term lease agreements, including 10 to 15-year Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) contracts. Additionally, this infrastructure creates new opportunities for telecommunications providers, supporting 5G deployment and enhancing enterprise connectivity.

By prioritizing connectivity and network redundancy, Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City is set to become a strategic hub for global technology firms. With dark fiber readily available, data center operators will benefit from superior scalability, stability, and security, reinforcing Mah Sing’s role in Malaysia’s digital economy.

Infrastructure Readiness and Speed to Market Advantage

Spanning 150 acres, Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City will become a key data center hub with a minimum 500MW power capacity, offering substantial space for data center development. The hub offers a unique competitive advantage due to its infrastructure readiness. With immediate access to power infrastructure, water availability, and high-speed connectivity, Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City provides a significant “speed to market” advantage.

This is particularly crucial given the ongoing shortage of power and water in other locations, making it challenging for operators to set up their data centers efficiently. Southville City’s well-planned infrastructure allows businesses to get their facilities up and running faster compared to competing areas, positioning it as an attractive destination for data center investment.

Mah Sing is also exploring a 42-acre site in Meridin East, Johor Bahru, for a potential 300MW power capacity data center, reinforcing its commitment to high-growth digital assets.  

Southville City: A Prime Location for Data Centers

Southville City, a 428-acre integrated freehold township, is poised to become a preferred destination for data centers. With reliable power supply, water, and fiber connectivity, Southville City is ideally situated for data centers. It can potentially form a strategic triangle of data center hubs with Cyberjaya and Bukit Jalil which are both located approximately 20km from Southville City.

Southville City’s strategic position within Bangi, the Knowledge Hub of Selangor, ensures a steady supply of skilled talent from nearby government training centers and educational institutions, facilitating the smooth integration of new data center initiatives and businesses into a thriving ecosystem. Southville City offers excellent connectivity with direct access to the North-South Expressway and proximity to Kuala Lumpur and mature neighborhoods like Kajang and Putrajaya. This vibrant real estate landscape underscores Southville City’s potential as a hub for high-tech infrastructure, meeting the evolving demands of the digital era.

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SOURCE Mah Sing Group Berhad

CHUR, Switzerland, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The network technology service provider Talkpool presents another year of stable financial results. The company has reduced to the MAX while preparing for growth. 

This is a summary of Talkpool’s interim financial results for 24Q4 and the calendar year 2024. The full 13-page report is available on Published Financial Reports & Filings – Talkpool.

OCTOBER – DECEMBER KEY DEVELOPMENTS

The year ended with a stable performance in line with the “reduce to the MAX” motto. More conservative accounting practices were applied throughout the year 2024. The operational performance and profitability increased during the last months of the year.           The German business had a slow ending of the year after very good performance in the first 9 months of 2024. The Swiss company and Pakistani company showed strong performance during October to December of 2024.          Talkpool is returning to its telecom network services roots, building upon its legacy of bringing communication technology to diverse regions worldwide. The company has delayed publishing its new strategy as it continues to thoroughly evaluate strategic opportunities.           Moving forward, Talkpool’s primary focus is to grow and strengthen its companies in Germany, Switzerland, and Pakistan. This growth trajectory will be accelerated through the implementation of cutting-edge technology tools powered by artificial intelligence, enabling more efficient service delivery and expanded market reach.

This report contains insider information that Talkpool AG is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication at 08:30 o’clock Central European Time on Friday the 14th of March 2025.

This is Talkpool

Talkpool works behind the scenes to plan, build and improve large communication networks. Competence includes implementation of new technology including hardware, software, project management and human resources management. The company partners with Original Equipment Manufacturers to distribute, integrate and maintain technology that enhances telecommunication infrastructure.

Talkpool has global geographical reach and experience. The business has three main companies:          

Germany: Fixed network planning of fibre and Copper technology performed by 40 staffSwitzerland: One large Operation and Maintenance project of a complete mobile and fixed network in the Caribbean performed by approx. 400 staffPakistan: Market leader with 45 projects to plan, implement, integrate, optimize and refurbish telecom sites performed by approximately 1 000 employees

Talkpool also owns businesses in the USA, Saudi Arabia and Sweden. The company is traded in Stockholm (Nasdaq First North) and Frankfurt (Deutsche Börse) with ISIN CH0322161768. The business has Swedish roots, is majority-owned by Swedish shareholders and managed by a Swedish team. A streamlined and efficient business is now emerging after a turnaround period that has taken several years.

Management Comments

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly surpassing human capabilities across numerous domains. While many telecommunications network operations are still in the early stages of this technological transformation, Talkpool is strategically positioning itself to harness the full potential of AI tools. By automating repetitive tasks currently performed by humans and optimizing use of infrastructure, Talkpool aims to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver superior network performance for its clients.

Talkpool followed the motto “reduce to the MAX” in 2024 – keeping costs low while maximizing future opportunities. Additional resources have been allocated to sales and business development without increasing the cost base.

Germany has during 2024 developed into Talkpool’s most important market. The German work volumes in the fourth quarter were however lower than previously, and accounting practices were further tightened.

The Swiss company continued to overperform based on operational profits from its Operation and Maintenance project in the Caribbean and low headquarter costs.

The business in Pakistan is going through big changes. An effort to export remote services and technology from Pakistan has been initiated. Pakistan has been in a crisis, but the business ended 2024 with a positive trend.

The TALK share price (ISIN CH0322161768) dived from just below SEK 8.0 (€0.62) per share in early October 2024 to SEK 6.3 (€0.45) at the end of the year, only to return to just below SEK 8.0 (€0.62) at the time of writing this text.

Beginning of the year 2025

The business has started the new year as stable as it finished 2024. After 8 years of absence, Talkpool visited the world’s largest wireless show #MWC25 in Barcelona and signed two separate contracts for Artificial Intelligence tools. New sales managers have been hired while efforts to minimize costs continue.

Business development activities have increased in Talkpool’s Miami office. Promising negotiations with optical fiber network operators are undergoing and a network services trial is evaluated in the USA.

Talkpool is considering re-entering the Swedish market to meet new demands for secure mobile communication technology.

Looking ahead, Talkpool is planning to accelerate growth while continuing to focus on cashflow and profit margins.

Despite economic uncertainties, demand for Talkpool’s services remains resilient, with clients increasingly turning to innovation as a response to challenging market conditions. In this turbulent global landscape, Talkpool has established itself as a trusted anchor, providing stability and forward-thinking solutions when clients need them most.

Financial development

KEY FIGURES

The annual revenue for 2024 remained in line with 2023 levels, with a small increase to EUR 15.8 million in 2024 from EUR 15.6 million in the previous year.

The gross margin throughout 2024 remained stable at an average just below 27%. The Gross Margin in 2024 was approximately 2.5% higher than in the previous year.

Financial position and cash flow

KEY FIGURES

[EUR]

The consolidated balance sheet continued to strengthen, with an increasingly positive net debt trend. The Total interest-bearing liabilities declined due to ongoing loan amortization. The long-term loans, marked with green color as “non-current interest-bearing liabilities” in the graph above, have almost been reduced in half from 1’339 thousand to EUR 690 thousand.

The Net Debt of EUR 786 thousand is calculated by deducting Total Debt from the Cash and Cash Equivalents. For Talkpool at the end of 2024, the Net Cash amounted to 1.408m€ cash – 1.504m€ current liabilities – 690k€ long-term liabilities = -786 thousand. The net debt will be reduced by approximately EUR 450 thousand after validating the conversion of shares decided in 2024 and executed in 2025. If the current trend continues, Talkpool will reach zero net debt in the beginning of the year 2025.

EQUITY

The Total equity increased throughout 2024, reaching EUR 1 044 thousand by year-end. Talkpool is since 2016 using an unusual accounting practice, whereby goodwill is discounted from equity. This accounting method has led to drastically reduced equity levels. Equity cannot be negative when applying standard accounting practices, but Talkpool has during many years had a negative equity amounting to several million Euros. Equity incl. minority interest has recovered from negative EUR 1 156 136 at the end of 2022 to a positive equity of EUR 89 871 at the end of 2023 to (positive) EUR 1 044 487 at the end of 2024.

Talkpool has improved its Equity Ratio (=Total Shareholders’ Equity / Total Assets) to 17.4% in 2024. This is a low Equity Ratio for an established service company. The main reason for the low Equity Ratio is Talkpool’s unusual way of discounting goodwill from equity.

Return on Equity (ROE) measures how efficiently a company generates profits from its shareholders’ investments. ROE is calculated as Net Income / Average Equity for the year. A Return of Equity of over 30% is considered as extremely high. This is however distorted in a similar way as described above.

CASH-FLOW AND INVESTMENTS

OCT 1ST – DEC 31ST 2024

Operating cash flow amounted to EUR 490 thousand, a significant improvement compared to the negative EUR 757 thousand recorded in Q4 2023. Strong cashflow will be a key priority in Talkpool’s new strategy.

Working capital reached EUR 231 thousand in Q4 2024, compared to negative EUR 687 thousand in the same period last year.

JAN 1ST – DEC 31ST 2024

Operating cash flow totaled EUR 1 433 thousand for the full year 2024. This is a big improvement compared to previous years. No major extraordinary events occurred and the OCF trend was positive. Despite amortizing loans, Talkpool had more cash at the end of the year than it had at the beginning of 2024.

Talkpool has now reached a healthy level of cashflow generation and intends to intensely continue focusing on cashflow generation. Operating cash flow (OCF) for service companies varies by industry segment, size, and business model, but there are some general benchmarks. For healthy service companies, operating cash flow typically ranges from 8% to 20% of revenue, and this can be compared to Talkpool’s OCF of 9.1% for 2024 and 12.3% for the last quarter.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER THE PERIOD

Bonds were converted in September 2024. The resulting capital increase will be completed in the first half year 2025. In this report, we’ve assumed that the validation day for the conversion will be in 2025.

AUDITOR’S REVIEW

The company’s auditors have not audited this report.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

As per 31 December 2016, goodwill acquired is no longer capitalized and depreciated,
but offset against equity.

For further information:

Magnus Sparrholm, Interim CEO 
Telephone: +41 79 758 15 48
magnus.sparrholm@talkpool.com

Erika Loretz, Accounting & Finance Manager 
Telephone: +41 79 333 59 71
erika.loretz@talkpool.com

Talkpool

Gäuggelistrasse 7 Telephone: +41 81 250 20 20 
CH-7000 Chur Mail: info@talkpool.com 
Switzerland Web: www.talkpool.com 

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

CERTIFIED ADVISOR

G&W Fondkommission

This disclosure contains information that TalkPool AG is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 14-03-2025 08:30 CET.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/talkpool-ag/r/year-end-report-q4-2024,c4118875

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