Leader in Freelancer Management Systems recognized for compliant, global contractor engagement at scale at The Contracting Awards 2026.

NEW YORK and LONDON, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- YunoJuno, the Freelancer Management System (FMS) for global enterprises that powers the entire contingent worker lifecycle, has been named International Contractor Services Provider of the Year at the annual Contracting Awards. The win marks YunoJuno's third consecutive year leading the category, following awards in 2024 and again in 2025 as part of a double win for Best Contractor Innovation.

The award comes as more businesses build international teams of contractors to access specialist flexible skills and move faster than local hiring allows. As these teams operate across numerous jurisdictions, enterprises look for a partner that can carry the compliance responsibility. YunoJuno compliantly engages independent contractors and indemnifies the end client against classification risk, giving enterprises the confidence to scale their global contractor workforce.

"Winning this category three years running reflects a sustained and rapid investment in making international contracting simple for the businesses that depend on it," said Runar Reistrup, CEO of YunoJuno. "Every step in our roadmap this year has been built around removing the operational and legal complexity that enterprises normally face with a global contractor workforce, while managing and eliminating the risks involved."

International Contractor Services Provider of the Year recognizes excellence in supporting contractor engagement across countries, judged on compliance, scale, payment infrastructure and the overall experience delivered to both enterprise clients and the contractors they engage.

The judging panel specifically recognized YunoJuno's:

- Global Reach and Scale: A network of more than 150,000 pre-vetted contractors across 165+ countries, connecting talent with over 12,000 businesses including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises.

- Expanded W2 Capabilities: A fully managed US Employer of Record (EOR) solution bringing the US engagement lifecycle in-platform, removing the need for enterprises to navigate employment law, payroll and tax documentation across separate external systems.

- Built-in Global Compliance: Automated worker classification workflows and indemnification coverage to help enterprises mitigate contractor misclassification risks.

- Multi-Currency Payments: Auto-generated invoices and real-time status tracking, simplifying payment management for businesses and contractors.

"Managing compliance risk when engaging independent contractors internationally is one of the biggest challenges facing enterprise workforce leaders," said Joao Martires, Chief Operating Officer at YunoJuno. "Our focus has been on building the compliance processes and infrastructure that give enterprises complete visibility and control when engaging contractors globally. This award recognizes the unseen work our teams have put into making that possible."

The latest win follows a significant period of growth for YunoJuno, which achieved its first full year of profitability alongside 45% revenue growth in 2025, driven by international expansion and increasing enterprise demand.

YunoJuno was also recognized as the highest Leader and a Star Performer in Everest Group's 2026 PEAK Matrix® Assessment for Freelancer Engagement and Management Systems (FEMS). In Everest Group's Contractor of Record (CoR) and Contingent Employer of Record (CEoR) Solutions PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2026, YunoJuno was recently named a Leader, further reinforcing its position in the global contractor management market.

About YunoJuno

YunoJuno is the leading global end-to-end Freelancer Engagement and Management System (FEMS) that helps enterprises source, onboard, manage, and pay contractor talent with complete compliance and transparency. YunoJuno's AI-powered technology streamlines the entire contractor engagement process while mitigating compliance risks, currently serving 12,000 businesses and hundreds of thousands of independent contractors and freelancers globally.

For more information, visit www.yunojuno.com

SOURCE YunoJuno

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AI proves its worth in banking - 29 percent would rather talk to AI about sensitive money matters: EOS Group Reports

- 46 percent of European consumers report improved communication with their bank through AI.

- 29 percent would prefer speaking with AI rather than a human when discussing sensitive financial topics.

- 61 percent want proactive AI alerts to warn of potential account overdrafts.

HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal advice has long been viewed as an essential part of banking relationships. This perception is shifting, as the latest EOS Banking AI Barometer reveals. The study examines how European consumers evaluate artificial intelligence in the banking sector. 46 percent report improved customer communication through AI support. Only 11 percent perceive a decline in service quality. Where technology genuinely helps, it is accepted. Nearly one in three respondents (29 percent) would prefer speaking with AI about sensitive banking matters rather than a human employee. Among 18-34-year-olds, this figure rises to 38 percent. However, the study indicates that AI still has limitations. Only 35 to 36 percent trust AI to understand their needs, act with precision, and solve problems effectively. Consumers show higher acceptance for information retrieval, speed, and availability. More than half of respondents (54 percent) value AI for helping them find information. Similarly, 51 percent praise faster communication and round-the-clock availability.

Despite these advantages, one key finding stands in contrast: 60 percent of respondents miss the human touch in AI communication. "46 percent of customers say service has improved through AI, only 11 percent perceive a decline. That is a clear signal for AI acceptance in customer service. But the 60 percent who miss the human element also tell us that AI alone is not the answer. The best banks use AI as a tool for better service, not as a replacement for relationships," says Marwin Ramcke, CEO of the EOS Group.

From information agent to financial coach

Respondents identify potential for AI-powered customer service, particularly in financially challenging situations. "Our study reveals a clear direction in the use of AI services: customers are ready to move beyond reactive AI. They're seeking intelligent anticipation. 61 percent want alerts warning of potential overdrafts, and 51 percent value AI-powered payment plan suggestions when facing outstanding receivables," explains the CEO of the EOS Group. Consumers who have previously experienced payment difficulties are notably more open to AI-powered support services from banks than the general population. Rather than simply responding to customer inquiries, AI systems could proactively warn of financial risks and recommend tailored assistance. "Customers are ready for smarter services – banks just need to deliver," Ramcke concludes.

About the study

For the EOS Banking AI Barometer study – How Europe really feels about AI in banking – 4,400 people in eleven European countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland, 400 respondents per country) were surveyed about their attitudes towards artificial intelligence in bank communications. The data was collected in July 2026, and the target group consisted of bank customers aged 18 to 65. The study was conducted online and was representative of the population. Find more information, infographics and downloads on the EOS Banking AI Barometer here.

About the EOS Group

The EOS Group is a leading technology-driven investor in receivables portfolios and an expert in the processing of outstanding receivables. With over 50 years of experience and offices in more than 20 countries, EOS offers smart services for receivables management worldwide. Its key target sectors are banking, real estate, telecommunications, utilities, and e-commerce. EOS employs close to 6,000 people and is part of Otto Group.

For more information on EOS Group: www.eos-solutions.com

SOURCE EOS Group

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The new ezW2 2026 software launches with e-file capability to streamline 2027 tax reporting.

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Halfpricesoft.com has announced the official release of ezW2 2026, designed to streamline W-2, W-3, 1099-NEC, and 1096 tax form preparation for the upcoming 2027 tax season. The updated software delivers versatile filing options, starting at $119.00 for single installations of the E-File version and $69.00 for the Print-and-Mail version. Both editions offer value by supporting unlimited forms for unlimited companies.

Get a jump start on the fast approaching 2027 tax season with the latest ezW2 software.

"Preparing year-end tax returns can be complex, but our goal with ezW2 2026 is to make tax reporting seamless and stress-free," said Dr. Ge, Founder of Halfpricesoft.com.

Dual Options for E-Filing W-2/W-3 to the SSA and 1099-NEC/1096 to the IRS

ezW2 2026 gives users full control over how they submit wage and nonemployee compensation data to government agencies, offering two flexible e-filing paths:

Option 1: Direct In-App E-Filing Service (Recommended)

- No Agency Accounts Required: Skip the lengthy application process for an IRS Transmitter Control Code (TCC) or SSA registration.

- Seamless Direct Transmission: Submit W-2/W-3 data directly to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and 1099-NEC/1096 forms directly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with a few clicks right from inside ezW2.

- Automated Tracking: Submissions are processed through Halfpricesoft's authorized systems with real-time status updates and error monitoring.

Option 2: Self-Filing via Agency Portals

- Generate Native E-File Documents: ezW2 automatically generates approved electronic file formats (.txt) containing Form W-2/W-3 data for the SSA or Form 1099-NEC/1096 data for the IRS.

- Direct Portal Upload: Upload the generated file directly through your own SSA Business Services Online (BSO) account or the IRS FIRE/IR-TCC portal.

Core Features of ezW2 2026

- Data Import Capabilities: Quickly import employee, contractor, and payment details from external .csv files or spreadsheet formats to eliminate manual data entry.

- PDF Generation: Export employee W-2s and contractor 1099s as PDF documents for digital distribution.

Visit today download the ezW2 2026 demo and test for up to 30 days. ezW2 2026 is fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Windows Server systems, as well as macOS via virtual environments.

About Halfpricesoft.com

Halfpricesoft.com has been helping SMBs, accountants, and entrepreneurs simplify payroll and compliance for more than 20 years. Trusted by thousands of U.S. companies, the firm offers affordable, easy-to-use solutions including online and desktop payroll, employee attendance tracking, accounting, check printing, W-2/1099/1095 ACA form filing, and ezACH direct deposit software. Designed with business owners in mind, Halfpricesoft.com products make payroll processing and business management faster and easier.

SOURCE Halfpricesoft.com

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One of the most substantial additions is a pair of new reference bodies representing Class I Obesity (BMI 30–34.9) and Class III Obesity (BMI above 40), based on World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifications. Designed as comprehensive 3D anatomical references for the study of clinical obesity, these models represent one of the first resources of its kind for examining the anatomical changes associated with obesity in a full-body, interactive format. With this disease affecting approximately one in eight people worldwide, these reference bodies provide an opportunity to compare the anatomy of obesity with normal anatomical structures and relationships, revealing changes that extend well beyond external appearance.

Developing these reference bodies required extensive scientific research and medical imaging to accurately represent both external and internal anatomical changes associated with obesity. Visible changes include skin folds, stretch marks associated with mechanical stress from increased tissue volume, and substantial increases in subcutaneous and visceral fat, which can displace and compress surrounding organs. Deeper anatomical changes include muscle hypertrophy and myosteatosis, liver changes associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and ovarian changes associated with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). Instead of depicting obesity solely through differences in body size or fat distribution, the models incorporate changes across multiple systems and regions, giving students a more realistic understanding of the range of bodies they may encounter in clinical practice.

This Table update also brings new interactive physiology simulations based on real human anatomy. Swallowing can now be examined from multiple perspectives, with more than 50 structures involved in the process represented in detail. Students can follow the coordinated movement through the oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus using internal views that reveal the process from within the body. A simulated video fluoroscopic view adds a clinical perspective, connecting the anatomical sequence students see in 3D with the way swallowing is evaluated in medical practice.

Sleep can be explored in a similarly dynamic way: The new sleep physiology simulation visualizes brain activity across the major stages of sleep, including awake, N1, N2, N3, and REM, and with the sleep apnea simulation, students can watch the airway collapse and reopen during obstructive sleep apnea while observing associated muscular movements and neural stimulation.

The Anatomage Table update also includes:

- Additional physiology simulations, exploring lymphatic physiology, hepatic physiology, alveolar gas exchange, muscle capillary exchange, neuromuscular junction, pancreatic secretion, reflex arcs, intestinal villi absorption, and placental exchange.

- A new healthy male reference body that provides an additional standardized model for anatomical study.

- New interactive exercises to challenge students, like building anatomical pathways in the correct sequence and identifying anatomical structures and sections within 3D renderings of real CT scans.

- An expanded Multi-Body library, increasing opportunities to compare anatomy across individuals and explore the natural variation in human structures.

- An enhanced ultrasound simulation with simultaneous comparison of 3D anatomy, 2D slice data, and a clinically realistic simulated ultrasound image.

- State-of the-art real HiP-CT imaging scans, enhanced with Anatomage's 3D rendering technology.

- Nearly 200 new histology slides.

- Translations into French, German, Italian and Spanish will be available soon together with the Anatomical Terminology (Latin).

The latest iteration of the Anatomage Table software provides a more complete view of the human body, particularly in the context of clinical obesity. Students can move between individual anatomical variation, disease-related changes, clinical imaging, microscopic structures, and physiological processes, building connections across levels of anatomy and physiology that are often studied separately. By bringing structure, function, and clinical context into the same interactive environment, the Anatomage Table provides a deeper way to explore the complexity and multidimensionality of the human body, redefining the possibilities of 3D medical education.

The update will be available for eligible Anatomage Tables at no additional cost.

About Anatomage

Anatomage is a market leader in medical imaging and education technology, transforming traditional learning through continuous innovation. With an ecosystem of medical imaging software and hardware, the company delivers world-class anatomy and physiology content at the highest level of accuracy. Anatomage is committed to enhancing its technologies to transform standard anatomy learning, medical training, treatment planning, as well as revolutionize science education.

Media Contact:

dott. Davide Giacomo Tommasi

Anatomage Italy srl

Phone: +39 02 35 99 05 04

Email: [email protected]

eu.anatomage.com

SOURCE Anatomage Inc.

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Resort for a Day Wins 2026 Travel Weekly Gold Magellan Award in Service Category

Award recognizes the company's commitment to trusted resort day-pass experiences, transparent pricing and traveler confidence

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Resort for a Day, the largest provider of resort day passes for cruise travelers, won a 2026 Travel Weekly Gold Magellan Award in the Tour Operators – Overall | Service category for its commitment to providing reliable, trusted experiences for cruise travelers.

Presented annually by Travel Weekly, the Magellan Awards recognize outstanding design, marketing and services across the travel industry. Resort for a Day's winning entry, "Service Built on Trust, Transparency and Reliability," highlights the brand's continued focus on making it easier for cruise travelers to book resort day passes and confidently plan and enjoy their time ashore.

"What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that service is at the heart of everything we do," said Lynn Walters, director of Resort for a Day. "Our travelers are trusting us to help make the most of their time ashore, and we work hard to make that experience as easy and dependable as possible. From our resort partnerships to our Best Price Guarantee and Military Discount Program, we're continually looking for ways to give travelers greater confidence when they book with us."

The award entry highlighted three key elements of Resort for a Day's service approach:

More Than 100 Resort Partners Across 30+ Cruise Ports

Resort for a Day offers access to more than 100 resort partners across 30+ cruise ports, providing travelers with a range of options for enjoying a resort experience during their time ashore.

Best Price Guarantee

The introduction of the Best Price Guarantee reinforces Resort for a Day's commitment to transparency and value, giving travelers added confidence when booking their resort day.

Expanded Military Discount Program

Resort for a Day expanded its Military Discount Program to offer 10% savings to active-duty and retired military members and their families, recognizing and supporting those who have served.

The Magellan Awards are judged by a panel of experienced travel professionals and recognize excellence across a broad range of travel industry categories. Entries are evaluated against a standard of excellence established by Travel Weekly and its judging panel.

For a complete list of winners, visit Travel Weekly Magellan Awards.

About Resort for a Day

Resort for a Day is the largest provider of resort day passes for cruise travelers, offering access to top-rated resorts in more than 30 cruise destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and the Mediterranean. Part of World Travel Holdings, the company allows travelers to easily book day access to resort amenities such as pools, beaches, dining and spa facilities, without the need for an overnight stay, making it a convenient way to enhance any cruise itinerary. resortforaday.com.

About Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly is the most influential provider of news, research, opinion, and analysis to the North American travel trade marketplace. It reaches a broad industry audience in print, online, and through live events throughout the year.

About Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group is the leading business-to-business information and marketing solutions company serving all segments of the global travel industry. For more information, visit NorthstarTravelGroup.com.

Media Contact:

Lakecia Gayle

Public Relations Specialist

Resort for a Day

[email protected]

617-587-6751

SOURCE Resort for a Day

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SciBase's EIS Technology Selected as Primary Endpoint in NIH Skin Barrier Study

STOCKHOLM, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SciBase Holding AB ("SciBase") (STO: SCIB), a leader in AI-based devices for detection and prevention in dermatology, today announces that a new study will be initiated in a collaboration between NIH (National Institute of Health, US) and the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF). In the NIH led study - THREAT (Testing Harms Related to Exposure to Allergenic Toxins), SciBase Nevisense and its Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) technology will be used as a primary endpoint to explore how environmental exposure impacts the skin. The study design has been described in an editorial published in the leading peer-reviewed journal Allergy titled "Exploring the Link Between Environmental Exposures and Disease via Direct Challenge".

In the study healthy subjects will either be exposed to common skin products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), bedding and clothing made of synthetic fibers, or pure contactants free of SLS and apparel/linen made from natural fibers (100% cotton). The effects of these exposures will be measured and compared using skin impedance (electrical impedance spectroscopy, EIS) as a marker of skin barrier dysfunction. Skin impedance devices transmit electrical signals at different frequencies that sense opposition to the electrical flow thus reflecting the barrier functional status of the skin.

The key highlights of the study are:

- NIH has selected skin impedance, measured using SciBase's EIS technology, as the primary endpoint for assessing the impact of environmental exposures on skin barrier function in the THREAT study.

- The study involves 80 healthy volunteers and investigates the effects of everyday exposures, including detergents, personal care products and synthetic textiles.

- EIS will be used to monitor changes in skin barrier function over time, alongside molecular, microbiome and inflammatory biomarkers.

- The study highlights the scientific relevance of EIS as an objective method for assessing skin barrier function, with potential applications in dermatology, cosmetic research and skin care product development.

"We are pleased that our Nevisense technology has been selected for this important NIH-led research initiative. The use of skin impedance as a primary endpoint highlights the scientific relevance of EIS in assessing skin barrier function. We believe this represents an important step in expanding the role of our technology in dermatology and skin health research," said Pia Renaudin, CEO of SciBase.

The article can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.70537

For additional information, please contact:

Pia Renaudin, CEO, tel. +46732069802, e-mail: [email protected]

Certified Advisor (CA): DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ) Phone: +46 8 588 68 570, E-mail: [email protected]

About SciBase

SciBase is a global medical technology company, specializing in early detection and prevention in dermatology. SciBase develops, manufactures, and commercializes Nevisense, a unique point-of-care platform that combines AI and advanced EIS technology to elevate diagnostic accuracy, ensuring proactive skin health management.

Our commitment is to minimize patient suffering, allowing clinicians to improve and save lives through timely detection and intervention and reduce healthcare costs.

Built on more than 20 years of research at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, SciBase is a leader in dermatological advancements.

The company has been on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market exchange since June 2, 2015 and the company's Certified Adviser is Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ). Learn more at www.scibase.com. For press releases and financial reports visit: http://investors.scibase.se/en/pressreleases

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

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Markel strengthens Marine & Energy Liability team in London with key appointments

LONDON, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), today announced two key appointments within its Marine & Energy Liability underwriting team in London. Josephine Stroud has been appointed Head of Energy Liability, while Jenny McFarlane joins as Senior Underwriter – Marine & Energy Liability, with both appointments strengthening Markel's London Market underwriting team.

Both appointments follow the establishment of Markel's new Marine Transportation business within its London Market operations, which brings together Hull & Hull War, MECO, Marine & Energy Liabilities (M&E), and Transport & Logistics, giving brokers greater access to underwriting expertise across these portfolios.

As Head of Energy Liability, Stroud will be responsible for underwriting multi-line, cross-class facilities, working alongside Rhys O'Neill, Head of Marine Liability, to drive further profitable growth across the Marine & Energy Liability portfolio. She'll oversee risk assessments and help develop risk mitigation strategies, working closely with brokers, distribution partners and stakeholders to continue delivering effective underwriting solutions for clients' evolving risk exposures.

In her new role as Senior Underwriter – Marine & Energy Liability, McFarlane will support the strategic development and continued evolution of the Marine & Energy Liability product offering, ensuring clients continue to receive specialist coverage and support. She'll help develop new wordings, drive broker engagement and identify growth opportunities, while maintaining underwriting discipline and delivering high service levels.

Based in London, Stroud and McFarlane will report into the Marine & Energy Liability team, part of the Marine Transportation business, led by Grant Smith.

Smith said: "I'm delighted to welcome Josephine and Jenny to our growing Marine & Energy Liability team. They bring strong expertise and enthusiasm for portfolio management, underwriting, data analysis, claims service and client relationship management. Our Marine Transportation business was built on the technical expertise and precision that Josephine and Jenny bring to their new roles. With their appointments, our Marine & Energy Liability operation is well positioned to continue supporting clients as they navigate an increasingly complex and volatile risk landscape."

Stroud commented: "The marine and energy industries continue to face uncertainty, driven by heightened geopolitical volatility, energy security challenges and disruption to global shipping routes. Against this backdrop, clients need tailored, innovative solutions backed by specialist underwriting expertise. I look forward to working closely with our underwriting team and brokers to continue delivering consistently high levels of service and prioritise our clients' needs, especially during times of geopolitical instability."

McFarlane added: "I'm thrilled to be taking on my new role as Senior Underwriter in Markel's Marine & Energy Liability team. I look forward to driving innovation across our product offering, strengthening broker relationships and enhancing Markel's client proposition to ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients and the wider market."

Stroud has more than 18 years' experience in liability broking and underwriting, having worked at Willis Towers Watson and, most recently, AXA XL. At AXA XL, she was responsible for underwriting, risk assessment and pricing for clients operating across the oil and gas sector and the energy transition.

McFarlane joins from Tokio Marine HCC International, bringing more than eight years' experience in Marine & Energy Liability.

About Markel Insurance

We are Markel Insurance, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we leverage a broad array of capabilities and expertise to create intelligent solutions for the most complex specialty insurance needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide.

SOURCE Markel

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Commitment to the European Commission's AI in Science Enablers Initiative includes 4,000 complimentary AI product licenses, support for new research collaborations, and expanded PhD, postdoctoral, and master's training in AI-assisted research

DUBLIN, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Elsevier, a global leader in advanced information and decision support in science and healthcare, today announced its pledge to the European Commission's AI in Science Enablers Initiative.

Elsevier's contribution spans complimentary access to its AI-powered research and clinical tools, funded research collaborations, and training for the next generation of AI-literate researchers and clinicians, reflecting the company's mission to help advance science and healthcare to advance human progress.

The pledge was announced at the AI in Science Summit in Dublin, which brought together over 1,000 participants from the research, technology, business, and policy communities to launch the Commission's initiative to mobilize private-sector and philanthropic support for European science.

Elsevier AI solutions

Elsevier will make available 4,000 complimentary licenses for European researchers, healthcare professionals and students:

- 1,000 LeapSpace™ licenses for early-career and senior researchers, alongside a proposed Europe-wide Challenge to be developed with the Commission. LeapSpace is a research-grade AI workspace that helps researchers carry out complex tasks across their complete workflows.

- 1,000 ClinicalKey AI licenses. ClinicalKey AI is an EHR and API-enabled clinical decision support tool designed to quickly surface the latest evidence at the point of care.

- 1,000 ClinicalKey Nursing AI licenses. ClinicalKey Nursing AI is a clinical AI tool built specifically for nurses and designed to support both point of care decision-making and professional growth across the nursing career journey.

- 1,000 Complete Anatomy licenses. Complete Anatomy is the world's most advanced 3D anatomy platform.

Research collaboration and training

Alongside these licenses, Elsevier is committing an estimated €1m a year of in-kind support and funding to strengthen Europe's AI research talent pipeline and to advance responsible, AI-centered research:

- At least three new collaborations per year with European research institutions, drawing on in-kind support from Elsevier's data science, ethics and software development experts, alongside access to its content suite and knowledge discovery tools.

- Participation in the Horizon-funded AIRIS project, which supports AI-enabled hypothesis generation in biomedicine.

- Establishment of a new Centre on Hybrid Intelligence for Trustworthy Research, in partnership with the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

- Training and career development for approximately 10 PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and master's students in AI per year, through programs across the company.

Kumsal Bayazit, CEO, Elsevier, said: "Europe's world-leading researchers and clinicians are working at the frontier of AI, and they need platforms and partnerships they can trust. Through this pledge, Elsevier is bringing the full breadth of its capabilities to that effort — funded collaborations, training for the next generation of scientists, and research-grade AI and clinical solutions for better outcomes. We're proud to support the European Commission's AI in Science Enablers Initiative and to help build an AI research ecosystem for Europe that is innovative, responsible, and sustainable."

Elsevier will continue to work with the European Commission to refine the details of its pledge, including the scope of the LeapSpace Challenge, in the weeks following the Summit. To apply for complimentary access to Elsevier's AI-powered research and clinical tools, please visit: www.elsevier.com/promotions/eu-ai-science-enablers-portal.

About the AI in Science Enablers Initiatives

The AI in Science Enablers Initiative is a European Commission initiative to maximize the impact of private-sector and philanthropic support for the European research community, and to make these initiatives as visible and accessible as possible to researchers and scientific organizations across Europe.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a global leader in advanced information and decision support. For over a century, we have been helping advance science and healthcare to advance human progress. We support academic and corporate research communities, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals, and educators across 170 countries in their vital work. We help impact makers achieve better outcomes with research and clinical-grade solutions built on the world's leading evidence-based scientific and medical content, precision AI, and expert human assessment. We champion inclusion and sustainability, working with the communities that we serve. The Elsevier Foundation supports research and health partnerships around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.elsevier.com and follow us on social media @elsevierconnect.

SOURCE Elsevier Limited

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Twinnin Launches Human Verified and Defend Twinn to Give People and Businesses Control over AI use of Human Likeness

Model Management joins as the first Human Verified partner, opening Twinnin to over three million models alongside a new service for registering objections and initiating takedown requests

LONDON, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Twinnin, the top human likeness consent and licensing registry, co-founded by Kat Grobler and William Haakon Berg, today launches Human Verified and Defend Twinn to support consent-based AI use and help individuals challenge misuse.

"SAG-AFTRA set the rule for Hollywood: no consent, no replica, and no replica without pay," Grobler said. "Everyone else is still dealing with scraped faces and fine print. Twinnin gives every performer, union card or not, the deal Hollywood fought for."

Defend Twinn lets people verify their identity, register a timestamped objection to AI use of their likeness and initiate and track takedown requests.

"For models, their likeness is their livelihood. Companies need to know whose image they are using and what permission they have. "Technology is moving faster than the laws meant to protect people. Governments need to act with greater urgency. Anyone using a person's likeness commercially should have their permission and pay them for it," said Grobler.

Human Verified accredits businesses using human likenesses with consent. Model Management joins as Twinnin's first Human Verified partner, opening the company to its network of over three million models through an exclusive agreement. The Human Verified mark will appear on its website, signalling its commitment to consent-based AI use of human likenesses.

"As the world's largest provider of digital twins, we already ID-verify every model. Twinnin adds an independent, neutral trust layer: technically and legally sound third-party confirmation of each model's identity and choice for brands. As the first Human Verified partner, we join Twinnin in defending models' rights wherever their image is misused. Using someone's likeness starts with consent," said Andreas von Estorff, CEO of Model Management.

Twinnin's technology is led by Chief Technology Officer Dr Mary Maller. United US managed the re-brand of Twinnin.

About Twinnin

Twinnin is a consent, licensing and provenance registry for human likeness, founded by Katrien Grobler. It helps people manage permission for AI use of their digital likeness and helps businesses access likenesses with consent. Grobler previously served as Head of Brand at Vodafone and has more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across Vodafone, Reckitt and Unilever.

Media enquiries

Morgan Blair Borer | Blair Reputation Management

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 7444 869082

SOURCE Twinnin

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TOKYO and MUNICH, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TIER IV, the pioneering force behind Autoware, the world's leading open-source software for autonomous driving, and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have established the TUM Autoware Research Center by TIER IV through a multi-year strategic research collaboration. Bringing together three TUM research groups, the initiative aims to advance safe and scalable autonomous driving systems based on Autoware, strengthen TUM's role as a leading contributor to the Autoware community in Europe, and accelerate the transfer of research into real-world mobility applications.

Background

As vehicles become more autonomous, connected and software-defined, open-source software is becoming increasingly important to Europe's automotive industry. The European Commission's concept paper on an open European software-defined vehicle platform identifies a strong open-source strategy, reference implementations, standardized software components and shared validation tools as key foundations for European collaboration and competitiveness.

TUM has demonstrated this approach through EDGAR, its autonomous research vehicle running the open-source Autoware. At IAA MOBILITY 2025, EDGAR offered public demonstration rides from Messe München to downtown across urban, rural and highway environments, showcasing how open-source software, research and engineering can be integrated and evaluated under varied real-world traffic conditions.

TUM has also demonstrated the rapid adaptation to a new city. Within a week, the TUM team successfully deployed EDGAR and demonstrated autonomous operation on the urban roads of Berlin. This demonstration, in collaboration with TÜV-Verband, tested a new assessment methodology for Level 4 autonomous driving under real-world traffic conditions for the German government.

Collaboration overview

Through strategic research funding from TIER IV, the TUM Autoware Research Center by TIER IV will bring together expertise from TUM research groups at the Chair of Automotive Technology (FTM), the Professorships of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) and Autonomous Vehicle Systems (AVS). The center will serve as a long-term base for autonomous driving research, open-source software development and doctoral training. It will also connect academic, industrial and public-transport projects and provide a platform for demonstrations and benchmark challenges.

The collaboration will focus on three areas:

- Safety: Developing a hybrid architecture that combines deep-learning-based driving models with rule-based supervision. A verifiable "safety guardian" will monitor driving behavior and intervene when necessary based on defined safety constraints.

- Evaluation: Creating a benchmarking and verification framework for component- and system-level testing across simulation, offline analysis and real-world operation, building on TUM's EDGAR research platform and CommonRoad expertise.

- Scalability: Establishing a repeatable process for adapting and evaluating Autoware in new environments, with improvements contributed to open-source projects wherever appropriate.

Future prospects

TIER IV and TUM intend the initiative to provide a foundation for expanding the open autonomous driving ecosystem in Germany and across Europe, connecting academic research, industrial development and public-transport projects. The collaboration aims to provide European vehicle manufacturers with technologies and evaluation methods that support the development of open, safe, scalable, and product-oriented autonomous driving systems. Open software, shared evaluation methods and visible demonstrations will give organizations a common platform on which to test technologies, develop talent and advance autonomous mobility toward commercial and public use.

Supporting quotes

"Safe autonomous driving at scale requires progress across AI, system architecture, verification and deployment," said Shinpei Kato, founder and CEO of TIER IV. "By combining TUM's research capabilities with TIER IV's experience in developing and deploying Autoware, we aim to create technologies and open benchmarks that benefit the broader autonomous driving ecosystem. This collaboration also marks an important step toward advancing the open autonomous driving ecosystem in Europe, providing OEM manufacturers with technologies and evaluation methods that support the development of safe and scalable autonomous driving systems."

"At TUM, we are combining learning-based methods with traditional rule-based systems to make autonomous systems that can scale but are also verifiably safe, and actually deploying them in the real world. Our autonomous research platform EDGAR is built upon the open-source software stack Autoware, which provides a great baseline for autonomous driving research and education," said Johannes Betz, Professor of Autonomous Vehicle Systems, TUM.

About the Technical University of Munich

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of the world's leading universities in terms of research, teaching and innovation, with around 700 professorships, 52,000 students and 13,000 staff. TUM's range of subjects includes computer sciences, engineering, natural and life sciences, medicine, economics and social sciences. As an entrepreneurial university, TUM envisages itself as a global hub of knowledge exchange, open to society. Every year, around 100 start-ups are founded at TUM, which acts as a key player in Munich's high-tech ecosystem. The university is represented around the world by its TUM Asia campus in Singapore along with offices in Beijing, Brussels, Mumbai, San Francisco, São Paulo and Shenzhen. Nobel Prize laureates and inventors such as Rudolf Diesel, Carl von Linde and Rudolf Mößbauer have conducted research at TUM, which was awarded the title of University of Excellence in 2006, 2012, 2019 and 2026. International rankings regularly cite TUM as the best university in the European Union.

About TIER IV

TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware, open-source software for autonomous driving. With a comprehensive suite of platforms and services built around Autoware, TIER IV provides everything from software development and vehicle procurement to operational support. Through the Autoware ecosystem, TIER IV works with partners worldwide to shape the future of intelligent vehicles with open-source software, aiming to create mobility that is safer, more sustainable, and accessible to all.

Media contacts

TIER IV

[email protected]

Technical University of Munich

PR contact 

Mr. Moritz Müller [email protected]

*Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.

SOURCE TIER IV, Inc.

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