AI-Media and Speechmatics Announce Strategic Partnership to Evolve Captioning and Language Services Technologies

AI-Media and Speechmatics Partnership

AI-Media and Speechmatics today announce a strategic expansion of their multi-year partnership to deliver new and better AI-driven products to market.

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Sept. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AI-Media – the global leader in audiovisual encoding technology and AI-driven transcription and translation solutions, and Speechmatics – the market leader in speech recognition technology, today announce a strategic expansion of their multi-year partnership to deliver new and better AI-driven products to market.

This partnership brings together Speechmatics’ leading speech-to-text technology and AI-Media’s unique iCap-based encoding appliances and secure network that seamlessly embeds the technology within customers’ existing workflows and automation systems.

By integrating these capabilities, AI-Media’s LEXI 3.0 has been the first AI product to overtake the quality of human-in-the-loop alternatives in the live video market – at a fraction of the cost.

Tony Abrahams, CEO of AI-Media, shared his thoughts on the partnership:

“Our data derived from the performance of LEXI 3.0 has shown Speechmatics to be one of our most trusted engines over the last two years, consistently delivering accurate results that continue to improve. This partnership brings our two companies even closer as we co-develop and ideate innovative solutions for the future of captioning and translation.

Together, we will create solutions that are accurate, reliable and adaptable to the diverse needs of our global clientele.

This collaboration deepens the partnership that has seen AI-Media’s iCap encoding ecosystem emerge as the leading choice of broadcasters and government customers around the world looking to get the best possible performance from these game changing AI technologies from Speechmatics.”

By leveraging Speechmatics’ advanced speech recognition engine and AI-Media’s cutting-edge workflow and encoding technologies, this partnership addresses the diverse and complex needs of various industries, from broadcasting to government and enterprise sectors.

The partnership broadens Speechmatics’ reach by integrating its core technology into AI-Media’s LEXI 3.0 product.

Extending the success of LEXI 3.0 into the European broadcast market is a near term objective – Speechmatics’ emerging multilingual capabilities align perfectly with AI-Media’s growth plans.

A Vision for the Future

This new partnership elevates AI-Media to become Speechmatics’ largest live captioning market partner, marking a significant milestone in their collaboration.

“Speechmatics has become the leading Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) provider within broadcast because of our high accuracy and low latency across multiple languages, both live and offline. AI-Media has successfully integrated our technology into their market leading broadcast infrastructure to achieve impressive growth in their chosen markets, and this strategic partnership brings closer collaboration to allow for more rapid innovation and agility. As a result, global broadcasters will continue to get the best captioning service on the market and our combined strength in AI driven captioning can be utilised in a broader array of verticals,” said Katy Wigdahl, CEO of Speechmatics.

Together, AI-Media and Speechmatics are committed to integrating best-in-class technologies to set new industry standards. This collaboration is not just a technical integration but a partnership of vision and innovation, aimed at continuously evolving and adapting to the dynamic demands of the global language services market.

Visit AI-Media at IBC 2024

Experience AI-Media’s latest innovations at IBC 2024 and discover why broadcasters and organisations worldwide trust AI-Media and LEXI to transform their captioning workflows. To book a 1:1 meeting click HERE. For more information, visit ai-media.tv.

About AI-Media

Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media is a pioneering technology company specialising in AI language and captioning workflow solutions.

As a global leader, AI-Media provides high-quality AI-powered live and recorded captioning and translation technology and solutions to a diverse range of customers and markets worldwide.

For the first time in February 2024, AI-Media unveiled groundbreaking data showcasing the superiority of its AI captioning product, LEXI, over traditional more expensive human workflows in the live video market.

With deep industry experience and sophisticated AI technology to create solutions which streamline and simplify processes, AI-Media empowers leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies globally to ensure seamless accessibility and inclusivity of their content.

AI-Media (ASX: AIM) commenced trading on the ASX on 15 September 2020.

Visit Speechmatics at IBC 2024

Join Speechmatics at IBC 2024 and explore the latest advancements in Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology. Discover why leading broadcasters and organizations like AI Media trust Speechmatics for real-time, accurate, and scalable ASR solutions. To schedule a 1:1 meeting, click HERE. For more information, visit speechmatics.com

About Speechmatics

Speechmatics is a global leader in Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology, trusted by the biggest brands in the media and broadcasting industry. Our cutting-edge ASR solutions deliver the lowest latency and highest accuracy in the market, providing broadcasters with the fastest, most reliable real-time transcription services available.

Pioneering Innovation in ASR: We continuously push the boundaries of ASR technology to ensure our customers stay ahead. Our solutions not only capture spoken words but also recognize audio events such as laughter, applause, and music, setting us apart from the competition.

We’re excited to introduce Ursa 2, our latest breakthrough mode, offering an 18% reduction in errors across 50 languages, including enhanced support for Arabic dialects, Irish, and Maltese—bringing our language coverage to all 24 official EU languages. With latency reduced to under 1 second, Ursa 2 enhances real-time transcription at lightning-fast speed without compromising accuracy.

For broadcasters and organizations aiming for precision and speed in their captioning workflows, Speechmatics is the go-to choice.

Media Contact: Fiona Habben – Fiona.habben@ai-media.tv

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5929ce95-d0a8-4632-a788-8e90065db860

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9229707

Zenas BioPharma Announces Pricing of Upsized Initial Public Offering

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zenas BioPharma, Inc. (“Zenas”), (Nasdaq: ZBIO) a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to being a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative immunology-based therapies, today announced the pricing of its upsized initial public offering of 13,235,294 shares of its common stock at an initial public offering price of $17.00 per share. All of the shares are being offered by Zenas. The gross proceeds from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $225.0 million. Zenas’ common stock is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on September 13, 2024 under the ticker symbol “ZBIO”. The offering is expected to close on September 16, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. In addition, Zenas has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,985,294 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

Morgan Stanley, Jefferies, Citigroup, and Guggenheim Securities are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

Registration statements relating to the shares being sold in the offering have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and became effective on September 12, 2024. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, or by email at prospectus@morganstanley.com; and from Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (877) 821-7388, or by email at Prospectus_Department@Jefferies.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Zenas BioPharma, Inc.

Zenas is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative immunology-based therapies for patients in need. Our core business strategy combines our experienced leadership team with a disciplined product candidate acquisition approach to identify, acquire and develop product candidates globally that we believe can provide superior clinical benefits to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Zenas’ lead product candidate, obexelimab, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, including statements about the completion, timing and size of the initial public offering and the commencement of trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Each forward-looking statement is subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions and no assurance can be given that the initial public offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described or at all. Completion of the proposed initial public offering and the terms thereof are subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond the control of Zenas, including, without limitation, market conditions, failure of customary closing conditions and the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus that forms a part of the registration statement, in the form last filed with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and Zenas undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:
Matthew Osborne
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Matt.osborne@zenasbio.com

Media Contact:
Argot Partners
Zenas@argotpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9230259

UN Secretary-General condemns Israeli airstrikes on school sheltering displaced people in Gaza

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres condemned on Friday Israeli bombing a school serving as a shelter in Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza strip, killing 18 people and six United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) staff.

‘The continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is unconscionable, Civilians as well as the infrastructure they rely on must be protected and the essential needs of civilians met’ Stéphane Dujarric the Spokesman for Guterres said in a statement

Guterres called on to abide by international humanitarian law at all times, and an immediate ceasefire.

UN official pointed out that this incident raises the number of UNRWA staff killed to 220 workers and it must be independently and thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability.

UNRWA said that six of its employees were killed in the Israeli bombing, including a director of a shelter and a number of members of a team providing assistance to the displaced, noting that the school had been
bombed five times since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, and it had been sheltering about 12,000 displaced persons, most of whom were women and children.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Saudi Arabia Participates in G20 Digital Economy Meeting in Brazil

Head of the Saudi delegation to the Group of Twenty (G20) digital economy working group in Brazil, Saudi Digital Government Authority Governor Ahmed Mohammed Al-Suwaiyan underscored Saudi Arabia’s efforts in generative artificial intelligence (AI) to empower individuals, protect the planet, and create new opportunities through technology and innovation.

During the ministerial meeting, he emphasized the support and empowerment provided by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister for improving the digital economy and innovation sector and showcasing key achievements of Saudi Vision 2030 in building a digital society and economy, especially those related to youth and women empowerment, which led to increasing women’s participation in the technology sector from 7% in 2018 to 35% today.

Regarding digital government, he explained that digital identity is a cornerstone for achieving high levels of digital inclusion, describing it as fundamental to building trust in the digit
al economy. He expressed pride in the achievements of the digital government in Saudi Arabia, noting that the World Bank ranked the Kingdom third globally in the e-government maturity index (GOVTECH).

Listing the achievements the Kingdom has realized in digital economy and AI under the support of HRH Crown Prince, he cited the launch of the AI framework during the Global AI Summit organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and the inauguration of the International Center for AI Research and Ethics in partnership with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Al-Suwaiyan held several separate meetings over two days with Brazilian Minister of Communications Juscelino Filho, Norwegian Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Governance Kariann Tong, Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mohammad Cagir, Spanish Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Works José Luis, UN International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General Doreen Bogd
an, and UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Tawfiq Jlassi.

These meetings aimed to explore partnership opportunities in various fields of digital economy, digital government, digital entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, space connectivity technologies, and expanding technological investments between friendly nations and Saudi Arabia.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Arabia Explores Agriculture, Food Security Cooperation with G20 Countries

Saudi Arabia explored cooperation in agriculture and food security and ways to support and develop them by strengthening investment opportunities and increasing trade with the Group of Twenty (G20), contributing to global food security and sustainable development.

This took place during the participation of Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, in the G20 agriculture ministers’ meeting held in Brazil’s capital. Eng. Al-Fadley held several bilateral meetings with agriculture ministers from member countries.

Eng. Al-Fadley and his delegation also held an extensive meeting with Brazilian businessmen, discussing ways to enhance cooperation and increase investment opportunities in environment, water, and agriculture for economic and developmental benefit. They also discussed increasing trade in food and livestock and strengthening the partnership between Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Arabia Explores Agriculture, Food Security Cooperation with G20 Countries

Saudi Arabia explored cooperation in agriculture and food security and ways to support and develop them by strengthening investment opportunities and increasing trade with the Group of Twenty (G20), contributing to global food security and sustainable development.

This took place during the participation of Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, in the G20 agriculture ministers’ meeting held in Brazil’s capital. Eng. Al-Fadley held several bilateral meetings with agriculture ministers from member countries.

Eng. Al-Fadley and his delegation also held an extensive meeting with Brazilian businessmen, discussing ways to enhance cooperation and increase investment opportunities in environment, water, and agriculture for economic and developmental benefit. They also discussed increasing trade in food and livestock and strengthening the partnership between Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Russia terminates accreditation 6 UK diplomats for involvement in subversive activities in the country

Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), has announced revoking accreditation of 6 British diplomats after documents were found proving their involvement in intelligence and subversive activities against Russia.

‘We have obtained documents confirming that London was planning to escalate the military and political situation in the region’ FSB said in a statement, adding that the main structure coordinating subversive policies against Russia and in the CIS is the Directorate for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the British Foreign Office, whose main task through its own intelligence after the start of the military operation in Ukraine has become to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.

The statement added that Russian foreign ministry has terminated the accreditation of six employees from the political section of the British Embassy in Moscow, due to evidence of subversive intelligence work being found.’

‘this is not the first time that the FSB has revealed facts about reconnaissance and sabotage operati
ons carried out by the British in Russia, which they hide as other activities’ the statement pointed out explaining that last February, the British Council’s activities in the Kherson region were discovered, where facts about the British Council using Ukrainian refugees living in Britain to obtain intelligence of a military-political nature were established through close contacts in the Kherson region.’

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Russia terminates accreditation 6 UK diplomats for involvement in subversive activities in the country

Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), has announced revoking accreditation of 6 British diplomats after documents were found proving their involvement in intelligence and subversive activities against Russia.

‘We have obtained documents confirming that London was planning to escalate the military and political situation in the region’ FSB said in a statement, adding that the main structure coordinating subversive policies against Russia and in the CIS is the Directorate for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the British Foreign Office, whose main task through its own intelligence after the start of the military operation in Ukraine has become to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.

The statement added that Russian foreign ministry has terminated the accreditation of six employees from the political section of the British Embassy in Moscow, due to evidence of subversive intelligence work being found.’

‘this is not the first time that the FSB has revealed facts about reconnaissance and sabotage operati
ons carried out by the British in Russia, which they hide as other activities’ the statement pointed out explaining that last February, the British Council’s activities in the Kherson region were discovered, where facts about the British Council using Ukrainian refugees living in Britain to obtain intelligence of a military-political nature were established through close contacts in the Kherson region.’

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Saudi Arabia Urges Global Cooperation for Sustainable Food Security

Saudi Arabia has called for a concerted global effort to achieve sustainable food security through long-term strategic shifts and enhanced international cooperation. In a speech at the Group of Twenty (G20) agriculture ministers’ meeting in Brazil, Environment, Water, and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman AlFadley emphasized the need for innovative solutions and practical measures to address growing food needs.

AlFadley acknowledged the progress made in technology and innovation but stressed the continued need for investment in agriculture to increase productivity and build resilience in food systems. He highlighted the importance of improving access to sustainable financing for agricultural development.

Saudi Arabia has actively encouraged domestic and foreign investments in its agricultural sector, resulting in a significant increase in agricultural loans and a 35% growth in the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). AlFadley called for addressing supply-chain and input issues to stabili
ze prices and maintain efficient food markets, urging countries to avoid trade restrictions that can negatively impact global food security.

The minister emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement, including the private sector and civil society, to achieve common goals for sustainable food systems. He commended Brazil’s Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty initiative and highlighted the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief’s) efforts to support food-security projects in 78 countries.

AlFadley also addressed the One Health approach, emphasizing the need to address antimicrobial resistance to protect food systems. He invited participants to the fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Arabia Urges Global Cooperation for Sustainable Food Security

Saudi Arabia has called for a concerted global effort to achieve sustainable food security through long-term strategic shifts and enhanced international cooperation. In a speech at the Group of Twenty (G20) agriculture ministers’ meeting in Brazil, Environment, Water, and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman AlFadley emphasized the need for innovative solutions and practical measures to address growing food needs.

AlFadley acknowledged the progress made in technology and innovation but stressed the continued need for investment in agriculture to increase productivity and build resilience in food systems. He highlighted the importance of improving access to sustainable financing for agricultural development.

Saudi Arabia has actively encouraged domestic and foreign investments in its agricultural sector, resulting in a significant increase in agricultural loans and a 35% growth in the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). AlFadley called for addressing supply-chain and input issues to stabili
ze prices and maintain efficient food markets, urging countries to avoid trade restrictions that can negatively impact global food security.

The minister emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement, including the private sector and civil society, to achieve common goals for sustainable food systems. He commended Brazil’s Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty initiative and highlighted the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief’s) efforts to support food-security projects in 78 countries.

AlFadley also addressed the One Health approach, emphasizing the need to address antimicrobial resistance to protect food systems. He invited participants to the fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Lebanese resistance targets Beria base of Israeli enemy

Lebanese resistance targeted on Friday the Israeli enemy’s Beria barracks base in northern occupied Palestine with a barrage of Katyusha rockets.

‘In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in Gaza Strip, and their valiant and honorable resistance, and as a response to the attack and assassination carried out by the Zionist enemy in KafrJoz’s town, the resistance fighters bombed the main air defense missile base of the enemy affiliated with the Northern Region Command in Beria barracks with a barrage of Katyusha rockets’, the resistance said in a statement

Yesterday, the resistance targeted Rosh Hanikra and Metzova settlements for the first time with rocket, and carried out an attack with squadrons of drones on Nahal Gershom base.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency