Connect with us

Technology

Changes in Spotify-Owned Findaway Voice’s Terms of Use Sparks Industry Concern

Published

on

The Coalition of Concerned Creators outlines changes, reactions and sources for literary creators to learn more as new Findaway Terms of Use generate confusion and concern

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Spotify-owned Findaway Voices recently introduced new terms of use for its Audiobook Product, a platform used by authors to publish their audiobooks on major services. As a result, the new terms sparked significant concern among authors and rights holders, prompting many to swiftly attempt to cancel their contracts or voice their concerns on social channels.

“At the moment this was announced, it became clear that this would pose an immediate threat to the livelihoods of thousands of independent authors and creators,” said the Coalition of Concerned Creators. “We have seen what happened to musicians when Spotify forced new terms and royalty changes on them, and we should all be hyper-cognizant of how Spotify could try to exploit authors in the same way.”

Findaway Voices and Spotify’s contentious history of licensing terms and its undervaluation of artists and creators has intensified concerns.

In the initial email detailing the changes, the updated terms would have allowed Spotify to use independent authors’ work without paying royalties, sparking immediate backlash from indie authors, narrators and author groups. The terms initially stated, “You hereby grant Spotify a non-exclusive, transferable, royalty-free, fully paid, irrevocable, worldwide license to reproduce, make available, perform and display, translate, modify, create derivative works from, distribute, and otherwise use any such User Content through any medium…you also agree to waive, and not to enforce, any “moral rights” or equivalent rights, such as your right to object to derogatory treatment of such User Content.”

The backlash against these new terms was so intense that Findaway Voices did immediate damage control, modifying them the very next day. Despite the update, there are still questions that have yet to be answered about the extent of Spotify’s rights. The Society of Authors “urged Spotify to explicitly clarify in their terms of use that no works will be used in the development of any type of generative artificial intelligence model or product without creators’ permission.”

“I terminated my contract with Findaway Voices,” said R.J. Blain, an author and a member of the Coalition of Concerned Creators. “I was in their Royalty Share (Voices Share) program, and I informed them I was not accepting their terms of use promptly after they announced the changes. They are attempting to force me into paying their cancellation fee for refusing to accept their terms of use. I have said no.”

Authors and narrators have been advised to review the updated terms and consider their options carefully.

In a first-response statement to the coalition, Orna Ross, the Founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors, said, “Our Watchdog, John Doppler, has been in touch, and we’re waiting for Findaway to come back to us on the issues raised.” 

To learn more about this ongoing incident, you can read the following resources and articles:

Society of Authors: SoA urges Findaway Voices by Spotify to clarify new Terms of UseAlliance of Independent Authors: Self-Publishing News: Findaway Voices Terms – What’s Really Changed?Bloomberg: Spotify and Independent Audiobook Authors FaceoffWriters Beware: Outrage Over New Terms of Use at Findaway Voices Forces ChangePublishing Perspectives: UK’s Society of Authors: More Clarity in Spotify’s Terms

About the Coalition of Concerned Creators
We are writers, musicians, literary agents, and other creators demanding transparency from Spotify. Specifically, we are concerned by the streaming giant’s new audiobook streaming offering and the impact it will have on author compensation, the value of books, and the literary industry more broadly.

Press Contact: concernedcreators@gmail.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/changes-in-spotify-owned-findaway-voices-terms-of-use-sparks-industry-concern-302073381.html

SOURCE Coalition of Concerned Creators

Continue Reading

Technology

DIGITIMES Intelligence: Chip Controls Are Reshaping China’s Auto Supply Chain — BYD Shows What Comes Next

Published

on

By

TAIPEI, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global automotive industry is entering a new phase in which semiconductors are becoming as strategically important as batteries, motors and manufacturing scale. As vehicles evolve into software-defined, AI-enabled platforms, chips increasingly determine everything from power management and cockpit functions to advanced driver-assistance systems. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and technology restrictions are pushing automakers to rethink where those chips come from — turning semiconductor supply into a strategic issue for the global auto industry.

China sits at the center of that shift. U.S. and allied export controls introduced since 2022 were designed primarily to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductor technologies and manufacturing equipment. Yet the restrictions have also added urgency to Beijing’s long-running localization strategy. A March 2026 analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that the controls have accelerated the adoption of domestic chips and equipment, while strengthening coordinated efforts across government and industry to localize semiconductor design and manufacturing.

The automotive sector is becoming one of the clearest testing grounds for that strategy. Chinese automakers are accelerating efforts to increase domestic chip sourcing as Beijing pushes for greater semiconductor self-reliance across strategic industries. The shift is especially significant because modern electric and intelligent vehicles depend on a broad range of semiconductors — from mature-node power devices and microcontrollers to increasingly sophisticated computing chips for smart-driving systems.

Against this backdrop, a new DIGITIMES Intelligence report identifies BYD as a particularly revealing case of what happens when policy-driven localization meets years of prior corporate investment. Unlike automakers that are only now accelerating their semiconductor strategies, BYD began building in-house chip capabilities more than two decades ago, initially focusing on power-control semiconductors needed for electric vehicles.

That strategy has steadily moved up the semiconductor value chain. BYD’s early work in IGBT and silicon carbide (SiC) power devices helped secure critical electronic-control components for its EV business. Its semiconductor roadmap has since expanded toward higher-compute smart-driving SoCs, culminating in the Xuanji A3, which the DIGITIMES Intelligence report identifies as entering scaled production on a 4nm automotive-grade process.

The difference is not simply chip design. DIGITIMES Intelligence finds that BYD has spent more than two decades building an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) model spanning chip design, wafer fabrication and mass-production deployment, supported by multiple in-house fabs and a dedicated semiconductor engineering organization. That vertical integration gives BYD a different starting point from automakers now entering custom silicon primarily in response to supply-chain pressure.

The strategic value of that investment may ultimately extend beyond cars. DIGITIMES senior analyst Jessie Lin notes that intelligent vehicles and humanoid robots share many of the same foundational technologies, including AI processors, sensors, motors, batteries and control systems. BYD’s accumulated expertise in smart-driving silicon and algorithms could therefore provide a foundation for expansion into robotics and other physical AI applications.

That possibility is becoming more relevant as China accelerates its push into embodied and physical AI. At the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, more than 300 companies showcased over 2,000 robotics exhibits, with humanoid robots increasingly demonstrated in manufacturing, logistics and household applications rather than simply as prototypes. The growing overlap between China’s EV and robotics ecosystems could make capabilities in batteries, motors, sensors, manufacturing and AI increasingly transferable across the two industries.

BYD’s trajectory also illustrates why the long-term impact of semiconductor export controls is difficult to assess in simple terms. Restrictions can constrain access to frontier technology in the short term, while simultaneously strengthening incentives for domestic substitution and investment. CSIS has argued that although export controls have limited China’s access to some leading-edge technologies, they have also added momentum to domestic semiconductor innovation and localization.

The implications extend beyond BYD or even China’s auto industry. As cars become more dependent on advanced computing, semiconductor capability is increasingly becoming part of automakers’ competitive strategy — alongside software, batteries, manufacturing and supply-chain resilience. The rise of vertically integrated players such as BYD could therefore reshape not only automotive semiconductor sourcing, but also the boundaries between automakers, chipmakers and emerging physical AI companies.

The new DIGITIMES Intelligence report examines BYD’s semiconductor evolution from power devices and SiC to smart-driving SoCs, the structural advantages created by its IDM model, and how those capabilities could position the company as China’s automotive semiconductor localization accelerates and physical AI emerges as a new growth frontier.

For more information: DIGITIMES Intelligence – BYD Semiconductor Report
https://dgt.ms/reportBYDchips_prnewswire

About DIGITIMES

DIGITIMES is a Decision Intelligence platform rooted at the core of the industry, dedicated to helping global decision–makers navigate change and formulate strategies through first–hand insights and AI–driven analysis. We integrate intelligence services, forward–looking research, and influence marketing to provide comprehensive support from insights to execution—continuously defining the future with clarity and serving as a long–term strategic partner for businesses moving forward.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digitimes-intelligence-chip-controls-are-reshaping-chinas-auto-supply-chain–byd-shows-what-comes-next-302871068.html

SOURCE DIGITIMES

Continue Reading

Technology

AI, Connectivity and What Comes Next: Inside Asia Innovation Summit 2026

Published

on

By

SINGAPORE, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Globe Teleservices (GTS), a global telecom solutions provider, hosted the Asia Innovation Summit 2026 on 20 August in Singapore, bringing together 50+ industry leaders from 30+ companies across MNOs, technology providers and enterprise ecosystems to discuss the forces reshaping digital communications.

The expert-led panels focused on the key shifts reshaping digital communications, including the convergence of telecom, cloud and OTT, and the rise of Agentic AI in business messaging. Speakers explored the move from campaign-led communication to continuous, intelligent and context-driven interactions, with identity and consent becoming critical to trusted engagement.

The Summit also addressed the changing economics of A2P SMS, as the industry moves from volume-led models towards subscriber engagement, sustainable value and measurable outcomes. Together, the sessions pointed to a clear shift in communication – from delivering messages at scale to creating greater value from every interaction

“Telecom and digital communications are entering a new phase, driven by AI, Network APIs and evolving communication models. The Asia Innovation Summit has become a platform for industry leaders to share perspectives, exchange ideas and collaborate on the opportunities shaping this next phase.” said Ashutosh Agrawal, Group CEO, Globe Teleservices.

With diverse perspectives spanning telecom, technology and enterprise ecosystems, Asia Innovation Summit 2026 reinforced the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of digital communications. The summit served as a forum to share industry insights and identify new opportunities for innovation across Asia and beyond.

About Globe Teleservices

Globe Teleservices Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore-based global telecom solutions provider with a presence across Malaysia, USA, Dubai, Tanzania, Ghana, India and Hong Kong. GTS provides next-gen solutions in A2P monetization, omnichannel messaging, anti-fraud and cloud services. GTS is a member of MEF, GSMA and GLF. Its recognitions include Singapore’s Fastest Growing Companies 2026, 2025 and 2024, AI Initiative of the Year – Malaysia & Telecom Technology Solutions Provider of the Year – Malaysia at the Asian Telecom Awards 2026.

 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ai-connectivity-and-what-comes-next-inside-asia-innovation-summit-2026-302871082.html

Continue Reading

Technology

AIA Australia, Long Service Corporation, New Zealand Police and RMBL Investments Named 2026 Appian APJ Innovation Award Winners

Published

on

By

Four organisations recognised for transforming mission-critical operations through process and AI

SYDNEY, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Appian [Nasdaq: APPN] today announced AIA Australia, Long Service Corporation New South Wales (NSW), New Zealand Police and RMBL Investments as the winners of its 2026 Asia Pacific and Japan Innovation Awards. The Innovation Awards celebrate customers driving AI automation and process transformation with measurable results on the Appian Platform.

The entrants span financial services, government, public safety, land administration and worker entitlements. The four Australian and New Zealand organisations were recognised for leveraging the Appian Platform to accelerate insurance claims, administer portable long service leave at scale, transform non-emergency police case management, and support the growth of investment and lending operations. They demonstrate how organisations can redesign complex processes, connect fragmented data and apply AI to deliver measurable improvements for employees, customers and communities.

“Real innovation earns its place in an organisation by making critical work faster, simpler and more accountable,” said Charlie Hutchinson, SVP Asia Pacific and Japan at Appian. “This year’s winners have moved beyond incremental improvements to redesign the processes at the heart of their operations. They demonstrate the measurable impact that process and AI can deliver when applied to work that really matters.”

The 2026 Appian APJ Innovation Award winners are:

AIA Australia

AIA Australia, a leading life and health insurer that protects the lives of more than 3 million Australians, is transforming claims management through a digital-first approach that makes the claims experience simpler, more transparent and easier to navigate.

Leveraging the Appian platform, AIA has created a connected ecosystem that streamlines interactions between customers, fund partners and claims teams, enabling greater efficiency and more personalised support for its customers when they need it most.

By innovating across the end-to-end claims journey, AIA is strengthening its ability to deliver timely assistance at critical moments while establishing a foundation for ongoing innovation and future growth.

Long Service Corporation (LSC) NSW

Long Service Corporation, working with Deloitte, built a digital application on Appian to administer the NSW Community Services Industry portable long service leave scheme.

The application connects workers, employers and Long Service Corporation through dedicated digital portals supporting registration, identity verification, worker nominations, service returns, payments and notifications. By bringing these functions together in one platform, the application enables Long Service Corporation to administer the scheme more efficiently and at scale. Since its launch in April 2026, more than 2,200 employers have submitted over 8,800 service returns and more than 220,000 workers have been nominated into the scheme. The platform has also processed more than $110 million in levy payments to fund workers’ portable long service leave entitlements.

New Zealand Police

New Zealand Police built a nationwide case management system on Appian for its 105 non-emergency service, replacing separate regional processes previously managed through Microsoft Outlook and shared folders.

The Appian Platform centralises incoming emails and case information, applies 35,000 assignment rules and intelligently directs cases according to factors including offence type and location. The solution has reduced case processing time from up to two weeks to four hours, cut backlogs from approximately 4,000 cases to fewer than 50 during most shifts and saved 18,000 hours annually in email management. It has also enabled the equivalent of at least 10 full-time employees to move from administrative triage into higher-value frontline support.

RMBL Investments

RMBL Investments, working with Persistent, has used the Appian Platform to connect its investor, borrower, introducer and employee operations.

The Appian environment spans customer self-service, investment and loan applications, portfolio management, servicing, communications, IT service management, document generation and AI-enabled processes. It now supports more than 5,000 clients and approximately A$3 billion in funds under management. The multi-year transformation has helped streamline operations, with efficiency improvements of up to 72% in some areas, giving RMBL greater capacity to grow without manual effort increasing at the same pace.

About Appian

Appian provides AI automation for the most important business processes at the world’s largest organisations.

On the Appian platform, customers build AI-powered processes that accelerate work, reduce cost, and manage risk. Our platform is known for its unique power, reliability, and scale. We’ve been automating processes for more than 25 years and understand enterprise operations like no one else. For more information, visit appian.com. [Nasdaq: APPN]

Follow Appian: LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/aia-australia-long-service-corporation-new-zealand-police-and-rmbl-investments-named-2026-appian-apj-innovation-award-winners-302870988.html

SOURCE Appian

Continue Reading

Trending