Duck Creek Pioneers the Next Era of Cloud-Based Technology for P&C Insurers Through Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service

Incorporating Azure OpenAI Service and using Duck Creek’s low-code platform empowers insurers to modernize responsibly

BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, announces a breakthrough initiative in collaboration with Microsoft. This collaboration is poised to empower insurers to reimagine their businesses by facilitating smoother implementation processes and faster speed to market through the aid of generative artificial intelligence (AI)—a transformative technology that enables the creation of innovative applications and low-code solutions.

Duck Creek’s comprehensive platform is built on Microsoft Azure, the preferred technology for harnessing the power of Azure OpenAI Service, as large language models (LLMs) continue to redefine and shape the technology landscape. This represents a significant leap forward in the insurance sector, fostering innovation and efficiency that promises to influence how insurers conduct their business and engage with customers. By merging Duck Creek’s expertise in insurance solutions with the cutting-edge capabilities of Microsoft, this collaboration aims to create a brighter and more agile future for the entire insurance industry.

“Generative AI is a truly transformative technology, and our valued customers will benefit immensely from its powerful capabilities as we continue to drive the modernization of the insurance industry. Our objective is to empower insurers to innovate products faster and assist employees with AI tools,” said Mike Jackowski, Chief Executive Officer, Duck Creek Technologies. “This marks the next chapter in the evolution of our longstanding partnership, where we are pioneering in the space by uniting the exceptional talent of Microsoft and Duck Creek to develop cutting-edge technology solutions for the P&C and general insurance industries. In doing so, we are committed to spearheading the insurance industry’s embrace of generative AI and solving the innovation challenges insurers face—all while upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance and ethical responsibility.”

Duck Creek is harnessing this emerging technology to curate innovative solutions for insurers, helping them embrace the future of technology with:

  • Copilot solutions powered by near-real-time data, which empowers insurers to make informed decisions and respond to changing market conditions swiftly and effectively.
  • Enhanced productivity tools that improve efficiency and productivity throughout the insurance ecosystem, designed to benefit consumers, agents, underwriters, and claim adjusters.
  • The next era of low-code configurator tools that simplify the development and adoption of insurance products, enabling insurers to expedite their time-to-market for both new and ongoing configurations.

“Duck Creek will continue advancing how it brings responsible AI to the insurance industry and enables a rapid business transformation toward humanized experiences,” said Jess Keeney, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Duck Creek Technologies. “We are consistently assessing how our solutions can more seamlessly integrate into our customers’ operational landscapes, and we are dedicated to delivering meaningful outcomes and addressing significant business challenges. Both Duck Creek and Microsoft share a common dedication to enhancing the customer journey across the entire insurance lifecycle. This marks a significant evolution in how underwriters leverage consumer data and conduct risk analysis, the efficiency of claims handling, fraud detection, and the industry’s ability to meet customer needs and adapt to feedback promptly.”

“Innovative insurers want to move quickly to use the power of generative AI to drive demonstrable business value,” said Bill Borden, CVP for Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft. “We’re excited to deepen our collaboration with Duck Creek to deliver new generative AI-powered capabilities to help our joint insurance customers drive marked improvements in employee productivity, reinvent customer engagement, and bend the curve on innovation – both securely and responsibly.”

About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contacts:
Carley Bunch
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8980331

Methane emissions remains elusive challenge for oil and gas industry

LONDON and HOUSTON and SINGAPORE, Nov. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Methane remains a significant challenge for the oil and gas industry. COP28 could prove a landmark moment for methane reduction commitments, and companies and governments will need to take strong steps to reduce emissions and enforce new standards, according to a new Horizons report from Wood Mackenzie.

Methane is responsible for almost a third of the emissions-induced increase in global temperatures since the start of the industrial era and the oil and gas industry is estimated to account for up to a quarter of human-caused (anthropogenic) methane emissions, according to the report Mission invisible: tackling the oil and gas industry’s methane challenge.

According to Wood Mackenzie’s Emissions Benchmarking Tool, typical methane losses per field are small — less than 500 kilogram per hour (around 0.65 million cubic feet per day), which is below the measurable resolution of most current satellites — but around 96% of all fields have emissions on this scale, making it a large, cumulative problem. More significant emissions from larger fields are often spread across multiple production facilities, making them harder to quantify.

Government role
According to the report, government action will be vital to reduction efforts, with three high-level actions that can stimulate progress:

  1. Greater ambition. Implementable and enforceable policy would be a positive start, such as global collaboration on stopping all large-scale flaring and venting.
  2. Consistent enforcement. Policymakers and regulators must collaborate with industry to set realistic targets and timelines for emission reductions while ensuring that fees and fines are levied appropriately and loopholes are closed.
  3. Financial support for technology. Governments can support funding to improve both measurement technology and abatement solutions. For example, as part of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) US$350 million in funding is available to monitor and reduce methane emissions.

Kevin Baxter
+44 330 124 9400
Kevin.Baxter@woodmac.com

Vivien Lebbon
+44 330 174 7486
Vivien.lebbon@woodmac.com

Mark Thomton
+1 630 881 6885
Mark.thomton@woodmac.com

Hla Myat Mon
+65 8533 8860
Hla.MyatMon@woodmac.com

The Big Partnership (UK PR agency)
woodmac@bigpartnership.co.uk

About Wood Mackenzie
Wood Mackenzie is the global insight business for renewables, energy and natural resources. Driven by data. Powered by people. In the middle of an energy revolution, businesses and governments need reliable and actionable insight to lead the transition to a sustainable future. That’s why we cover the entire supply chain with unparalleled breadth and depth, backed by over 50 years’ experience in natural resources. Today, our team of over 2,000 experts operate across 30 global locations, inspiring customers’ decisions through real-time analytics, consultancy, events and thought leadership. Together, we deliver the insight they need to separate risk from opportunity and make bold decisions when it matters most. For more information, visit woodmac.com.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000899572

LeddarTech Appoints Chris Stewart as Chief Financial Officer

QUEBEC CITY, Canada, Nov. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech®, an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology for ADAS and AD, proudly announces the appointment of Mr. Chris Stewart as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).

As CFO at LeddarTech, Mr. Stewart will be instrumental in supporting LeddarTech in completing its recently announced business combination with Prospector Capital Corp. and transitioning to a publicly traded company.

Mr. Stewart has over 20 years of financial management experience at companies ranging from startups to large public companies. Mr. Stewart previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Bionano Genomics Inc. (NASDAQ: BNGO) from September 2020 until joining LeddarTech in November 2023, Head of Maxwell Ultracapacitors at Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) from May 2019 to July 2020 and as Vice President of Finance and Information Technology at Maxwell Technologies Inc., a public energy storage company, from July 2015 to May 2019, at which time the company was acquired by Tesla. In addition, Mr. Stewart held multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Finance at Entropic Communications and Chief Financial Officer of V-ENABLE Inc. (currently GroundTruth), a leader in targeted mobile advertising.

Mr. Stewart received his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

“I am thrilled to join such a visionary company and work alongside LeddarTech’s employees at such an exciting time,” stated Mr. Stewart. “I eagerly anticipate forging formidable alliances at all levels, including with LeddarTech’s shareholders and its board of directors and leadership team, and support LeddarTech as it works toward completing its business combination and operating as a publicly traded company. I am extremely energized by LeddarTech’s accomplishments and look forward to helping it realize all of its potential.”

Mr. Charles Boulanger, CEO of LeddarTech, commented: “I am very pleased that Chris has joined the executive team of LeddarTech as Chief Financial Officer. As an accomplished financial executive with extensive experience in leading and optimizing the financial operations of various organizations, Chris has a strong track record of managing and transforming financial functions to drive profitability and growth. Chris’s skill set perfectly aligns with LeddarTech’s strategic goals.”

LeddarTech Inc. (“LeddarTech”) and Prospector Capital Corp. (“Prospector”) (NASDAQ: PRSR, PRSRU, PRSRW), a Cayman Islands exempted company led by former Qualcomm President Derek Aberle and chaired by former Qualcomm Vice Chairman Steve Altman, are party to a definitive business combination agreement that, upon completion of the business combination, would result in LeddarTech becoming a publicly listed company. Upon closing of the transaction, which is expected during the fourth quarter of 2023, the combined company formed through the business combination, LeddarTech Holdings Inc. (“Newco”), is expected to be listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

About LeddarTech

A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal, Toronto and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS and autonomous driving (AD) applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment, allowing for better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 150 patent applications (80 granted) that enhance ADAS and AD capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

About Prospector Capital Corp.

Prospector is a special-purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses with a focus on companies with advanced and highly differentiated solutions for the technology sector. The company is led by a team of experienced investors and executives focused on identifying and investing in high-growth companies with strong management teams and attractive market opportunities. Prospector’s securities are traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbols “PRSR,” “PRSRU” and “PRSRW.”

Important Information About the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed business combination, Prospector, LeddarTech and Newco will prepare and will file with the SEC the registration statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”), and Prospector will mail the proxy statement/prospectus contained within the Registration Statement to its shareholders and file other documents regarding the business combination with the SEC. This press release is not a substitute for any proxy statement, registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus or other documents Prospector or Newco may file with the SEC in connection with the business combination. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY PROSPECTOR OR NEWCO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION, BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and other documents filed with the SEC by Prospector or Newco through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act (which forward-looking statements shall also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements regarding the business combination involving Prospector, LeddarTech and Newco, the ability to consummate the business combination and the timing thereof, the anticipated benefits from the business combination, the closing of the private placement financing and expected proceeds therefrom and statements relating to Newco’s anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the risk that the conditions to the closing of the business combination are not satisfied, including the failure to timely or at all obtain shareholder approval for the business combination or the failure to timely or at all obtain any required regulatory clearances, including of the Superior Court of Justice of Québec; (ii) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the business combination and the ability of each of Prospector, LeddarTech and Newco to consummate the business combination; (iii) the possibility that other anticipated benefits of the business combination will not be realized, and the anticipated tax treatment of the business combination; (iv) the occurrence of any event that could give rise to termination of the business combination; (v) the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the business combination or other settlements or investigations may affect the timing or occurrence of the business combination or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (vi) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (vii) possible disruptions from the business combination that could harm LeddarTech’s business; (viii) the ability of LeddarTech to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (ix) potential adverse reactions or changes to relationships with customers, employees, suppliers or other parties resulting from the announcement or completion of the business combination; (x) potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships, during the pendency of the business combination that could affect LeddarTech’s financial performance; (xi) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including COVID-19), as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; (xiii) access to capital and financing and LeddarTech’s ability to maintain compliance with debt covenants; and (xiv) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Prospector’s reports filed with the SEC, including Prospector’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, periodic Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, periodic Current Reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC, as well as the risk factors to be contained in the Registration Statement. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Neither Prospector nor LeddarTech can give any assurance that the conditions to the business combination will be satisfied. Except as required by applicable law, neither Prospector nor LeddarTech undertakes any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Prospector or Newco, a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Participants in Solicitation

Prospector, LeddarTech and Newco, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the business combination. Information about the directors and executive officers of Prospector can be found in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the business combination, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Registration Statement and other relevant materials when they are filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the source indicated above.

Contact:
Daniel Aitken, Vice-President, Global Marketing, Communications and Investor Relations, LeddarTech Inc. Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 232 daniel.aitken@LeddarTech.com

Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8979411

New Report From ApplyBoard Highlights Need For Alignment Across International Education Sector

ApplyBoard’s third annual trends report uncovers the top trends in international education for 2024 and beyond

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ApplyBoard, the leading international student mobility technology platform, has released its third annual trends report, intended to help stakeholders in international education navigate the increasingly competitive sector landscape. The report, Alignment for Student and Institution Success: Top Trends in International Education for 2024 and Beyond, leverages extensive industry data, proprietary ApplyBoard intelligence, exclusive surveys, and candid student interviews to uncover the trends most likely to impact student mobility in the coming years.

Demand for international education is at an all-time high. In each of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, student visa applications rose by at least 23% in 2022, and numbers continued to rise through 2023. With so many students going abroad, the report argues that it is essential that governments, institutions, and businesses align programs, policies, and priorities to develop more pathways for prosperity for all stakeholders. For example, institutions can better ensure student success by working with businesses to identify workforce needs and designing programs that train students capable of filling them.

“More than ever, alignment is needed across the international education sector to ensure the success of students and institutions alike,” says Meti Basiri, Co-Founder and CEO of ApplyBoard. “When governments, institutions, and businesses work collectively in pursuit of common goals, students receive a better educational experience and are better positioned to succeed during and after their studies. At ApplyBoard, we’re committed to working with our partners to bring this standard to life.”

Key findings from this year’s report include:

 

  • Major English-speaking destination countries face increased competition from non-Anglophone destination markets entering 2024.
  • Aging destination markets need skilled workers in areas like health and STEM, but institutions need to better align student inflows with these job market needs in order to both fill these roles and ensure student success. 
    • Job demand in health care is expected to grow by at least 13% by 2031 in both Canada and the US. Aging populations require increased health care services, and international students will be critical for filling the gaps.
    • Destination markets will face significant skills shortages in STEM in the coming years, but lack of knowledge and mentorship regarding these fields mean international students are not well positioned to address these shortages.
  • Replacing retirees will require alignment on stay-and-work messaging: 48% of students interested in studying in North America and the UK are looking for a clear path to permanent residency post-degree.
  • Housing shortages, upcoming elections and new government policies will all shape student sentiment in the years to come.
  • Student diversity is needed to ensure the long-term health of the international education sector. Nigeria, the Philippines, and Colombia are three countries where strategic recruitment efforts could pay dividends for institutions.

 

Uncover these insights and more by reading ApplyBoard’s Trends Report online here.

About ApplyBoard
ApplyBoard empowers students around the world to access the best education by simplifying the study abroad search, application, and acceptance process to more than 1,750 institutions across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. ApplyBoard, headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, has helped more than 600,000 students from more than 125 countries along their educational journeys since 2015. To learn more, visit: www.applyboard.com

Brooke Kelly
ApplyBoard
226-220-5319
brooke.kelly@applyboard.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8979086

AI-Media to Showcase Cutting-Edge Captioning Tech at Global Media Congress

AI-Media at Global Media Congress

AI-Media provides cutting edge caption and translation solution at Global Media Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Media Congress is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from November 14 to 16, 2023, following its successful 2022 edition. This year, AI-Media,  will play a central role as the live caption and translation provider, offering advanced solutions to enhance the live event experience.

In today’s world, events like the Global Media Congress provide a valuable platform for media professionals to connect, discover trends, and collaborate. Ensuring that the content reaches a diverse, international audience is crucial, and AI-Media’s technology is making this more achievable than ever.

James Ward, Chief Sales Officer, AI-Media, commented about the event:

“I am thrilled to see AI-Media’s innovative captioning and translation solutions take centre stage at the Global Media Congress. Our technology is not just a game-changer; it’s a bridge-builder, enabling diverse audiences to connect seamlessly and engage in a global conversation. We’re proud to contribute to making events like this more accessible, inclusive, and internationally connected.”

AI-Media’s Innovative Solution Features:

  • Remote Translation to 5 UN Languages: AI-Media’s technology can seamlessly translate content from English into five United Nations languages: Arabic, French, Russian, Chinese, and Spanish. This capability eliminates language barriers and promotes inclusivity.
  • Audio Translation on the Same Stream: In addition to text translation, AI-Media offers real-time audio translation, allowing attendees to listen to content in their preferred language, enhancing engagement.
  • Accessibility for All: In-venue attendees can access live translated content from their own smartphones or web devices through the event app. This simple solution makes events more accessible and engaging for all participants.

Expanding Reach and Enhancing Satisfaction:

AI-Media’s captioning and translation technology goes beyond convenience; it broadens the reach of events and broadcasts. Offering multilingual content and real-time translation can significantly increase global reach and satisfaction levels, creating more immersive experiences for all.

AI-Media’s LEXI captioning and translation solutions are at the forefront of making events like the Global Media Congress more accessible, inclusive, and globally connected. By overcoming language barriers, AI-Media facilitates cultural exchange and shared knowledge.

For inquiries about how AI-Media can enhance your next event or broadcast with inclusive, multilingual content, visit AI-MEDIA.TV

About AI-Media
Founded in Australia in 2003, technology company AI-Media is a global leader in live and recorded captioning, transcription and translation solutions. The company helps the world’s leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies ensure high accuracy, secure and cost-effective captioning via its AI-powered LEXI automatic captioning solution. LEXI captions are delivered to millions of screens worldwide via AI-Media’s range of captioning encoders and its iCap Cloud Network – the world’s largest, most secure caption delivery network. Globally, AI-Media delivers over 8 million minutes of live and recorded media monthly. AI-Media trades on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:AIM. For more information, please visit AI-Media.tv.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/156e404f-5cc8-4ddc-8f1a-ffac86ebdb33

Media Contact: 
Fiona Habben 
Senior Marketing Manager – Global 
Fiona.habben@ai-media.tv

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8978024