NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — AMEC (the International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication) announced today that it has joined forces with the Global Data Quality initiative to extend its efforts to address the risks associated with poor data accuracy and trust in unstructured social, media, and related voice of customer data.

The Global Data Quality initiative is an industry-wide effort by leading research and insights organizations to address emerging and ongoing risks associated with poor data quality in the market and social research, consumer insights, and analytics industry.

A new AMEC-led workstream comes at a time when unstructured data continues its exponential growth and has a significant impact on the development and evolution of social and media analysis, brand and reputation tracking, and trend discovery as well as generative AI and LLMs. Estimates suggest unstructured data currently accounts for over 80% of all data generated globally and is growing 55-65% annually.

According to the Social Intelligence Lab’s 2024 State of Social Listening study, data quality and accuracy remain a top concern for industry practitioners. The new workstream will address key factors contributing to quality challenges including human bias, inconsistent definitions, the lack of clear benchmarks and guidelines, as well as a general absence of rigorous measurement and performance tracking.

Rob Key, AMEC director and founder and CEO of the AI-powered NLP and predictive insights firm, Converseon, will lead the workstream, which will eventually include other key brands, technology platforms, and AI and NLP (natural language processing) experts.

“Finding truth and accuracy in unstructured data is rapidly becoming a central challenge for society and businesses,” says Key. “We believe we have an obligation to ‘get the data right’ to accurately reflect the opinions of consumers and other key stakeholders in a trusted manner that also aligns with growing AI-related standards and regulations.

“Unstructured data represents an essential and powerful dataset that is having increased influence and impact across the insights industry,” commented Melanie Courtright, Chief Executive Officer of the Insights Association. “We welcome the expertise AMEC provides and are excited to extend the GDQ’s efforts into this important and growing area of the insights ecosystem.”

Johna Burke, Chief Executive Officer of AMEC. “AMEC has a long-standing history of leadership in establishing key frameworks designed to elevate media and social analysis, such as the Barcelona Principles. This effort is a natural and important extension of this work and commitment to best practices in PR and Communication measurement and evaluation. We look forward to collaborating not just with current members of the GDQ but also with other peer organizations in social and media evaluation analysis on this important mission.”

About AMEC

AMEC is the world’s largest media intelligence and insights professional organization, representing organizations and practitioners who provide media evaluation and communication research. AMEC currently has more than 200 members in 86 countries worldwide.

About the Global Data Quality Initiative

Founded in 2023, the Global Data Quality initiative is a coordinated effort to address ongoing and emerging risks to data quality in the market and social research, consumer insights, and analytics industry. Participating organizations include: ESOMAR, Insights Association, The Market Research Society (MRS), Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA), SampleCon, The Research Society (Australia), the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC), The Association of Market Research Austria (VMÖ), and the Global Research Business Network (GRBN).

Media Contact

Nino Razmadze, Converseon, 1 3479093644, nrazmadze@converseon.com, http://www.converseon.com

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SOURCE AMEC

The Foundation recognizes Mariah Hicks as an exceptional scholar pursuing a career in the field of Computer Science

MIAMI, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Louis Hernandez Jr.’s Foundation For A Bright Future (“For A Bright Future”) (“FABF”), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development, awarded its 2024 Fintech Innovation Scholarship to Mariah Hicks, 19, of Illinois.

The Fintech Innovation Scholarship For A Bright Future empowers underrepresented and exceptional students to shape the future of fintech and make a lasting difference in the industry.

Mariah Hicks is pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Economics at Spelman College, where she began her freshman year as of the fall of 2024. Mariah’s journey exemplifies resilience and determination. During her junior year of high school, her stepfather’s severe illness and subsequent amputations halved her family’s income and left them with $150,000 in medical debt. She overcame this challenge by taking on caregiving responsibilities for her stepfather and younger sister: balancing cooking, cleaning, and driving to appointments while maintaining a commendable academic standing. Despite these hardships, Mariah has been able to launch the Wisdom Workshop, a nonprofit tutoring service where she inspired a struggling student to embrace C++ programming. Her dedication to education and community service shines through her leadership roles as Key Club treasurer, a Peer Power student leader, and a mentor for FinPro World. Mariah remains passionate about addressing societal challenges and she plans to use her degree to tackle poverty and economic policy while continuing to uplift her community.

“By alleviating my financial stress and any external misdirection from my studies, this scholarship will create positive impact leading to my future successes; for that I am forever grateful,” said Mariah Hicks.

For A Bright Future Foundation was founded by Louis Hernandez, Jr., CEO of Black Dragon Capital℠, a multi-phased investment firm focused on advanced technologies in high-growth segments that strengthen economic stability within communities. Committed to illuminating the path to success, the foundation provides scholarships emphasizing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), financial technology, healthcare, and education. These opportunities are tailored to uplift students from underserved demographics, including single-parent households and families with military backgrounds.

For A Bright Future empowers underserved communities by championing equal access to education. In 2024, the Foundation received nearly 6,000 applications, underscoring the critical need for educational support. Through rigorous evaluation by expert reviewers, scholarships are awarded to exceptional students who excel academically and demonstrate a passion for community impact, creating a new generation of leaders and changemakers.

We express our sincerest thanks to the hardworking leadership behind our Scholarship Committee, Chairwoman Susie Hernandez and Vice-Chairwoman Jennifer Oddo. We also recognize Christina Stubbs, SVP at Amerant Bank, for her remarkable insights as part of the Fintech Innovation Scholarship selection team.

Lastly, we would also like to express our gratitude to For A Bright Future’s operational team led by Gina Rogoto, SVP of Operations and Programs, for their steadfast commitment to finding the best and brightest candidates across the country and facilitating the scholarship process.

Contact:
 Gina Rogoto, SVP of Operations & Programs,
 For A Bright Future
 Email: gmr@forabrightfuturefoundation.org

About Louis Hernandez Jr.’s Foundation For A Bright Future
Louis Hernandez Jr.’s Foundation For A Bright Future is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development. Our initiatives provide equal opportunity for all children to have the tools and opportunities to fulfill their life goals and become constructive members of our global community.

To learn more or support For A Bright Future educational programs, please visit our donation page at www.forabrightfuturefoundation.org.

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

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SOURCE Louis Hernandez Jr.’s Foundation For A Bright Future

Built on Gastro Girl’s trusted, evidence-based knowledge base and powered by cutting-edge AI, the app delivers personalized tools to help patients take charge of their digestive health

DOVER, Del., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gastro Girl, Inc., a trusted leader in digestive health education and patient empowerment, proudly announces the launch of the Ask Gastro Girl App. This innovative, AI-powered digestive health coach is designed to deliver trusted, evidence-based guidance, empowering patients to better understand and manage their digestive health.

Amid today’s overwhelming sea of health information, the Ask Gastro Girl App stands out by combining cutting-edge artificial intelligence with the trusted expertise of Gastro Girl’s extensive knowledge base—built on insights from top GI clinicians, the latest research, and evidence-based clinical guidelines. The app provides patients with reliable answers to their questions, personalized tools for health tracking, meal planning, and practical wellness tips, all tailored to their unique needs.

“Since creating Gastro Girl in 2006, I’ve seen the overwhelming challenges patients face in their digestive health journeys,” says Jacqueline Gaulin, Founder, Chief Patient Advocate, and Chief Strategy Officer, Gastro Girl, Inc. “I launched the Ask Gastro Girl AI-powered App to help people get digestive support any time they need it. I’ve heard countless stories of delayed diagnoses, frustrated searches for answers, and the confusion caused by quick-fix solutions that only add to their distress. “My hope is that no one ever feels lost or misled on this journey, whether they’ve sought care or are just beginning to take their first steps. Many patients turn to the internet or social media, only to encounter misinformation that worsens their sense of uncertainty. Others, facing long wait times or fear of seeking care, feel stuck and unsupported. With the Ask Gastro Girl App, patients get the reliable guidance they need and are no longer left to navigate this difficult journey alone.”

Digestive challenges are often made worse by a healthcare system that doesn’t allow providers the time to offer the necessary support or address the daily concerns many patients have as they manage their GI symptoms.

“As a healthcare provider, it’s not always possible to offer the daily support many digestive health patients need,” said Daniel J. Pambianco, MD, FACG, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Charlottesville, VA, and former president of the American College of Gastroenterology. “Limited appointment time makes it challenging to provide clear, evidence-based guidance that helps patients fully understand their conditions and treatment options. The Ask Gastro Girl App serves as a vital triage tool, offering immediate, reliable support, which boosts patient confidence and enables more focused, productive discussions with healthcare providers, ultimately improving outcomes and care.”

By combining the power of AI with trusted, evidence-based expertise, the app complements, rather than replaces, the care patients receive from their providers.

Addressing Critical Challenges in Digestive Health

Key Features of the Ask Gastro Girl App

Evidence-Based: Combats misinformation by providing reliable, science-backed answers through Gastro Girl’s proprietary knowledge base, incorporating educational insights from top GI clinicians, the latest research, and clinical guidelines.Expert Guidance: Delivers information to help patients better understand their symptoms and access expert-driven resources, offering practical steps such as when to seek care or consider a screening colonoscopy.Personalized Support: Assists patients at every stage of their digestive health journey with tools for health tracking, meal planning, and practical lifestyle tips. Whether managing a diagnosis, addressing symptoms, or focusing on overall wellness, these resources empower individuals to take proactive steps.24/7 AI-Powered Coach: Combines advanced technology with trusted, evidence-based insights to provide reliable answers to common questions. Supporting patients with timely and accurate information, the AI-powered coach complements care from healthcare professionals by addressing routine inquiries, allowing providers to focus on delivering personalized care and managing complex patient needs.Transparent and Secure AI: Designed with privacy and accountability at its core, the app is both HIPAA- and SOC 2-compliant, ensuring the highest standards of patient data security and trust. Every interaction is powered by responsible, evidence-backed algorithms to deliver personalized guidance while safeguarding user privacy.

Now Available
The Ask Gastro Girl App is available for download on App Store and Google Play. For more information, visit Ask Gastro Girl.

Note: This app is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.

About Gastro Girl, Inc.
Gastro Girl, Inc. is a trusted leader in digestive health education and patient empowerment. The company’s roots trace back to 2006, when Jacqueline Gaulin, a former healthcare journalist and advocate, created the Gastro Girl persona and blog to provide a voice for individuals struggling with digestive health issues. What began as a blog for sharing credible, evidence-based information has since evolved into a dynamic company founded in 2015, dedicated to bridging the gap between patients and the care they deserve.

As the official patient education partner of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) since 2016, Gastro Girl collaborates with leading gastroenterologists and top industry organizations to deliver trusted, actionable guidance on a wide range of digestive health conditions. With over 2 million views and 35,000 subscribers on YouTube and a fast growing podcast audience, Gastro Girl is a recognized and respected resource in the digestive health space.

Today, Gastro Girl is dedicated to empowering individuals to confidently navigate their digestive health journey, fostering informed participation in their healthcare and collaborative decision-making with their care team. Through innovative tools like the revolutionary Ask Gastro Girl App, strategic partnerships, and engaging patient-centered content, Gastro Girl is transforming the way people access and understand digestive health care.

For more information, visit gastrogirl.com

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SOURCE Gastro Girl, Inc.