SHANGHAI, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —  A news report from Yicai Global:

A press conference for the 2026 World Laureates Forum (WLF) was held in Lingang, Shanghai, on October 22. WU Xiaohua, Chairman of the World Laureates Foundation, presented an overview of this year’s forum and its key highlights. Six other speakers then took turns outlining the agendas and highlights of the six parallel forums and answering questions from reporters. The speakers were HU Dawei, Vice President of Shanghai University; XU Xu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Lingang Laboratory; MENG Guang, Deputy Chair of the University Council at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; YANG Yanqin, Secretary of the Party Committee of Software Engineering Institute at East China Normal University; GENG Zhaohua, Vice Dean of the Xuemin Institute of Advanced Studies at Fudan University; and ZHAO Hongduo, Assistant President of Tongji University. The press conference was chaired by FAN Jianrong, Secretary-General of the World Laureates Foundation.

According to information released at the press conference, the 2026 WLF will take place from October 30 to November 1 at its permanent venue, the Lingang Center in Shanghai, under the theme “New Science Paradigm: Break Through for the Next Decade.” The opening ceremony and main forum will be held on the morning of October 31. WAN Gang, former President of the China Association for Science and Technology, will serve as the forum’s Chinese chair, and Randy W. SCHEKMAN, a recipient of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, will serve as its international chair. The forum is hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology and co-hosted by the Parkland Foundation and the HongShan Charity Foundation. As many as 25 international and domestic scientific organizations, leading universities, and top laboratories will organize or support the event.

This year’s forum will bring together 33 recipients of leading international awards, including the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Wolf Prize, and Fields Medal, alongside numerous members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and overseas academies, distinguished experts and scholars, outstanding young scientists, and representatives of leading sci-tech enterprises. Focusing on the frontiers of global science and technology, the participants will discuss major issues concerning future sciences, including research paradigms, value chains, international cooperation, talent development, and science and technology governance.

The forum follows a “1+6+4+1” structure: one combined event comprising the opening ceremony, award ceremony, and main forum; six parallel forums; four themed events; and one closing ceremony. These will be complemented by a series of special activities, including science and technology tours and related exchange events. Together, the activities will engage leading scientists, senior researchers, young scientists, young people involved in science and technology innovation, and industrial incubation platforms. The opening ceremony will also feature the presentation of the 2026 WLF Prize in Computer Science or Mathematics and the 2026 WLF Prize in Life Science or Medicine, alongside the 2026 WLF Prize for Young Scientists, newly introduced this year.

Seven Key Highlights

Compared with previous editions, this year’s forum will feature an enhanced program with seven key highlights.

A more distinguished lineup of participants

33 leading scientists have confirmed their attendance, including seven Nobel laureates and three Turing Award laureates. Of these 33 scientists, seven will be attending the forum for the first time. They will be joined by 139 senior scientists and 81 young scientists, forming a distinctly tiered talent structure. Notably, participation by high-level Chinese scholars and members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering will increase significantly this year, further strengthening the lineup.

2026 WLF Prize laureates to be officially introduced at the opening ceremony

The 2026 WLF Prize Laureates were officially announced at the Lingang Center on September 10. The laureates, including SHAO Feng, the first Chinese national to win the prize, will receive their awards at the opening ceremony. Leading scientists from China and abroad, including Andrew Chi-Chih YAO, Liqun LUO, Efim ZELMANOV, and Randy W. SCHEKMAN, will attend to announce the awards and present them to the laureates. In addition, this year’s WLF Prize laureates will take part in a series of WLF Prize campus visits, meeting and exchanging ideas with young scholars at leading universities in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

A more prestigious opening ceremony and main forum

As the forum’s flagship event, the opening ceremony and main forum will retain their three customary components: opening addresses, the awards ceremony, and keynote speeches. This year’s opening ceremony will take place at the Summit Grand Ballroom in the Lingang Center and with roughly double the seating of last year’s ceremony.The main forum will be a particular highlight. Omar M. YAGHI, a recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; HU Hailan, a female member of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Laurent LAFFORGUE, a 2002 Fields Medalist; and ZENG Yuqun, founder and chairman of CATL, will deliver keynote speeches in that order. This will mark the first time that a leading scientist from industry joins recipients of top scientific awards on stage to discuss the forum’s central themes.

Six parallel forums focusing on the frontiers of science and technology

The six parallel forums will focus on six emerging or frontier fields: future semiconductors, biomedicine, aerospace information, artificial intelligence, future energy, and quantum science. The forums will be organized by Shanghai University, Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, East China Normal University, Fudan University, and Tongji University, respectively, in collaboration with national academic societies and leading companies.

Four engaging themed events

The Young Scientists Forum, themed “The Next Decade: Young Scientists Define Questions, Science Reshapes the Future,” will bring together laureates of the WLF Prize for Young Scientists and young scholars from around the world, giving them the opportunity to engage in dialogue with leading scientists.

The SHE Forum, themed “The Next Decade: Women’s Leadership in Science and a Resilient Future in the Age of AI,” will highlight the contributions and influence of women in science and technology worldwide.

The Future Scientists Forum, designed for children and teenagers and themed “The Next Decade: My Pact with Science,” will offer young participants opportunities to meet leading scientists from China and abroad face to face and inspire them to pursue their scientific dreams.

The World Top-Performing Incubator Conference, themed “The Next Decade: Deep Tech Transfer, The Critical Leap from Lab to Market,” will bring together incubator leaders from around the world to promote the incubation and commercialization of deep-tech research outcomes.

A series of distinctive side events

Science and technology tours along four routes will take participants to major research facilities and leading technology companies in Shanghai, including Tongji University’s intelligent connected vehicle testing and evaluation base, the National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, and JCET’s automotive electronics facility. The tours will provide a comprehensive view of the latest achievements in Shanghai’s development as an international center for science and technology innovation.

The WLF HUB will be open to young researchers free of charge. A research poster exhibition featuring work by young scientists will also be held during the forum to showcase their latest findings at the frontiers of science and foster collaboration among industry, universities, and research institutes.

During the forum, a temporary exhibition titled “Liu Hui: The Great Mathematician of Ancient China,” will also be held in Shanghai. Through rare editions of historical texts, art installations, digital films, and interactive experiences, the exhibition will showcase the remarkable achievements of ancient Chinese mathematics and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Major outcomes to be unveiled at the closing ceremony

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the WLF. Under the theme “WLF’s 10th Anniversary: A New Beginning,” this year’s closing ceremony will highlight the key outcomes of this year’s forum, launch the global call for nominations for the 2027 WLF Prize, and formally put forward a proposal to establish an international organization. Together, these announcements will set out a blueprint for the forum’s transition from an annual gathering to a permanent platform for international cooperation in science and technology.

Six Parallel Forums

2026 marks the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), with proactive planning for future industries becoming a key priority. In collaboration with leading universities in Shanghai, research institutions, and national academic societies, the 2026 WLF will organize six parallel forums covering future semiconductors, biomedicine, aerospace information, artificial intelligence, future energy, and quantum science. Aligned with national strategic deployments and Shanghai’s industrial development priorities, the forums will look ahead to the next decade and address key questions concerning scientific breakthroughs and industrial transformation across these six fields.

The Future Semiconductor Forum is jointly hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and Shanghai University, with support from Fudan University, the Shanghai Institute of Microelectronics Industry at Shanghai University, and the journals Acta Electronica Sinica, Journal of Mechanical Engineering, and Moore and More. Academicians LIU Ming (female), WU Hanming, and Benoît DUBUIS will serve as co-chairs. ZHANG Jianhua (female), Vice President of Shanghai University, will serve as chair of the Organizing Committee. Academicians LIU Sheng and Adrian Mihai IONESCU, along with other experts, will participate in the discussions at the forum. Under the theme “The Next Decade: The Future of Semiconductors and Chips,” the forum will explore how AI can drive innovation and development in the semiconductor industry, assess technological development trajectories over the next decade, and examine models for training innovative talent.

The Lingang Symposium on Brain Diseases, initiated by Lingang Laboratory, is jointly hosted by the laboratory, the Chinese Society for Biomaterials, and the Chinese Society for Cell Biology. Nobel laureate Randy W. SCHEKMAN, WLF Prize laureate YUAN Junying (female), CAS Academician HU Hailan (female), and other distinguished scientists will share their latest findings. Focusing on major cerebral diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression, the forum will adopt a “3+1” structure, comprising three disease-focused sessions and one session dedicated to translational medicine, under the theme “The Next Decade: From Neuroscience Discoveries to Translational Medicine Breakthroughs.”

The Aerospace Forum is jointly hosted by the Chinese Society of Astronautics, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, with support from the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics and the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites, both under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Christian FEICHTINGER, Executive Director of the IAF, and CAS Academician HAN Jiecai, President of Harbin Institute of Technology, will serve as co-chairs. Sir Martin SWEETING, Academicians WANG Jianyu and LI Dong, and other experts will participate in the discussions. Under the theme “The Next Decade: Explore Universe, Benefit Humanity,” the forum aims to build an interdisciplinary hub for an increasingly interconnected space sector, linking overarching strategy, frontier technologies, engineering applications, and international cooperation.

The Artificial Intelligence Forum is jointly hosted by East China Normal University, the Chinese Association of Automation, and the China Institute of Communications, with support from Cambricon Technologies and Journal on Communications. CAS Academician HE Jifeng and Turing Award laureate Joseph SIFAKIS will serve as co-chairs. Turing Award laureates Martin HELLMAN and Jack DONGARRA, alongside industry representatives including CHEN Yunji and GAO Quanzhong, will participate in the discussions. Under the theme “The Next Decade: The Evolution and Governance of Artificial Intelligence,” the forum will place equal emphasis on technological innovation and ethical governance. Discussions will focus on cutting-edge technologies such as trustworthy AI, high-performance computing, AI chips, and humanoid robotics, as well as common challenges in global AI governance, aiming to help build a fair and equitable governance framework.

The Future Energy Forum and Watt Annual Meeting are jointly hosted by Fudan University, Watt, the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering, CATL’s 21C Lab, and other organizations. Under the theme “The Next Decade: Future Energy, Energy Storage, and Computing Power Centers,” the forum will bring together the academic publishing community and industry to help translate research breakthroughs into practical applications. It will focus on new energy technologies, large-scale energy storage, energy use in computing centers, and space-based photovoltaics. Nobel laureate in Physics Konstantin NOVOSELOV, Eni Award laureate Jürgen CARO, and other distinguished experts will present the latest advances in the field.

The Quantum Science Forum is jointly hosted by the Chinese Physical Society, Tongji University, and the University of Science and Technology of China. Academicians YANG Jinlong and PAN Jianwei, together with Sir Andre GEIM, will serve as co-chairs. Under the theme “The Next Decade: Toward Practical Quantum Computing,” the forum will bring together Nobel laureates, academy members from China and abroad, leading young researchers, and founders of quantum technology companies. Through exchanges across disciplines and from diverse perspectives, the forum will explore the key challenges, pathways, and development trends in translating quantum technologies from the laboratory into industrial applications.

Themed Events and Special Activities

This year’s WLF will feature four major themed events: the Young Scientists Forum, the SHE Forum, the Future Scientists Forum, and the World Top-Performing Incubator Conference. They will focus, respectively, on exchanges among young scholars, showcasing the contributions of women in science and technology, inspiring scientific curiosity among children and teenagers, and promoting the incubation and commercialization of scientific and technological research outcomes. Together, these events will foster dialogue across the full spectrum of scientific enlightenment, talent development, and industrial application, helping to drive future innovation.

The forum will further strengthen collaboration between universities and local partners in science, technology, and innovation, providing a strong impetus to Shanghai’s development. Closely aligned with Shanghai’s efforts to build an international center for science and technology innovation, it will arrange four science and technology tour routes to comprehensively showcase the city’s major research infrastructure and its latest achievements in collaboration among industry, universities, and research institutes.

A series of engaging side events will bring the appeal of science beyond the conference venue. The World Laureates HUB will provide an informal space for scientists to exchange ideas freely, allowing researchers from different fields to spark new ideas and explore collaborations across disciplines. A series of campus visits by WLF Prize laureates will bring leading scientists to campuses and the front lines of research. For the first time, the scientists will leave Shanghai and travel to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, where, at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, they will meet students face to face, sharing their scientific ideas and the spirit of science with the younger generation.

CHEN Xin, vice chair of the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, attended the press conference, along with senior representatives from the Lingang Special Area Administrative Committee, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, East China Normal University, Shanghai University, Lingang Laboratory, the Shanghai Lingang Science and Technology Innovation and Development Foundation, and the World Laureates Foundation, as well as more than 20 media representatives.

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SOURCE Yicai Global

Leading beauty industry voices, Dr. Aamna Adel, UK Consultant Dermatologist and HCP influencer, Alice Crossley, Principal Strategic Foresight Analyst at The Future Laboratory, and Tiffany Buathier, Founder of The New Well, share their perspectives on the next phase of beauty technology and what it means for the industry.

AMSTERDAM, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Personal care has become a meaningful part of daily well-being, with people making intentional choices about how they begin their mornings, unwind in the evening and care for themselves throughout the day. Launching the new Philips Lumea 9900 Pro, the first at-home IPL with audio feedback and motion guidance that talks to you[1], illustrates how beauty technology is evolving everyday routines into moments of care.

Looking ahead, three emerging trends are expected to redefine how people experience beauty technology, shaping more personalized, supportive and meaningful relationships.

Trend one: Personal guidance becomes the new expectation

Consumers have access to more beauty information than ever, but more information does not always bring greater confidence. Research shows that 62% of U.S. beauty and personal care buyers are interested in hyper-personalized products[2].

Alice Crossley, Principal Strategic Foresight Analyst at The Future Laboratory, says: “Consumers increasingly expect beauty and wellness technology to be responsive, adaptive, and intelligent. Real-time guidance, personalized insights, and clear communication about ‘why’ the technology is recommending a particular step are no longer differentiators, they are becoming integral to what is expected by consumers. Brands that can translate complex science into relatable guidance that feels intimate and actionable will define the next steps of beauty innovation.”

Won Sook Ko, Global Category Leader for Beauty at Philips, adds: “Consumers want products grounded in science that deliver results, with personalization and care embedded. The future is about intelligence meeting intimacy: moving from technology that asks people to adapt, to intelligent technology that adapts to them.”

Trend two: At-home devices will become confidence-boosting beauty partners

The most compelling technologies will not require people to become experts before they begin. Instead, they will act as trusted partners, supporting people throughout the experience and turning uncertainty into confidence. Consistency, supported by that confidence, is what helps routines become lasting habits.

Dr Aamna Adel, UK Consultant Dermatologist and HCP influencer with over 2.5 million followers, says: “From what I see both online and, in my clinic, the biggest barrier to adopting beauty technology isn’t the technology itself, it’s confidence.”

“The most successful beauty routines are built on understanding, consistency, and trust. That’s why personalized feedback is becoming an increasingly important part of the beauty experience. When people receive clear, evidence-based support throughout their journey, they’re more likely to build confidence, develop empowering rituals, and achieve the results they’re looking for.”

Tiffany Buathier, Founder of The New Well explains: “Confidence thrives when women have genuine choice. When technology removes doubt over what to do and how, it creates space for intention-setting and self-trust. Beauty rituals become moments of autonomy and that’s where real enjoyment and empowerment happen.”

Trend three: The most intelligent beauty will feel more human

As beauty becomes more data-led, the opportunity is to avoid making routines more mechanical, but instead more personal. The technologies that endure will respect individual choice, respond to real needs and leave space for enjoyment; whether someone is desiring smoother feeling skin, or simply a routine that fits their lifestyle, technology should support their goals without taking away their sense of control.

Won Sook Ko, Global Category Leader for Beauty at Philips, says: “We’re not here to tell women what to do with their appearance. Our role is to give them agency and empower them to make their own choices. We can then support those choices with safe, personalized guidance and education every step of the way. With the Philips Lumea 9900 Pro, we’ve combined 25 years of IPL research with real-time audio feedback and motion guidance to help make IPL more intuitive and accessible at home. It eliminates the uncertainty that prevents many women from even trying IPL to transform it from a necessary task into a ritual women return to.”

Transforming at-home hair removal into a more personalized self-care experience

The Philips Lumea 9900 Pro is the easiest long-lasting hair removal device by Philips Lumea. Its first-of-its-kind IPL app provides real-time audio feedback and visual guidance, making every treatment feel human and intuitive from the very first session.

The Philips Lumea 9900 Pro is now available for purchase with a recommended retail price of EUR 799.99

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips’ patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in image-guided therapy, diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, monitoring, enterprise informatics and personal health. Philips generated 2025 sales of approximately EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 63,700 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

[1] based on at home IPL devices in market.

[2] Mintel (2025, April 17). Personalisation trends are redefining the beauty and personal care industry. Retrieved from https://www.mintel.com/insights/beauty-and-personal-care/personalisation-trends-are-redefining-the-bpc-industry/ 

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SOURCE Philips

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Digital WOW, powered by ConsultPR.net, conducted its annual member benefit webinar for M&A Source® on October 21st, 2026. The Digital WOW was selected years ago, after an intense vetting process, to serve as a member benefit for the lower middle market advisors and related firms that are members of the M&A Source® group. The lower middle market refers to advisors who specialize in selling and buying businesses between $2 million and $100 million in revenue. The recent webinar was well attended and focused almost exclusively on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the arena.

The M&A advisors in this space require very specialized and niche digital marketing, websites and software to be able to attract their ideal clients and service them to a world-class standard. The following is an excerpt of the agenda and the main points that were covered during the presentation:

Is Your Website AI Ready?Is Your Website Indexable & Searchable by AI Bots?AI Generative ContentLeveraging AI for E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)AI’s Impact on Digital MarketingSearch Engine Result DominationAI’s Impact on SEO StrategyIs AI Always the Right Choice?Why Human-Created Newsletters, Website Content, Social Media and Videos Still Perform BetterGoogle Penalties and the Risks of AI-Generated ContentConversational Search TrendAre You Using AI in PPC Campaigns?

The webinar, led by EVP Chuck Konga and CEO Paul Ramkissoon, was followed by an excellent question and answer session. Several attendees expressed interest in following up in person by stopping by WOW’s booth at the upcoming M&A conference in Houston in early November 2026. The Digital WOW remains committed to M&A Source® and its membership and is happy to have provided this vanguard knowledge and guidance to its members at no cost as a continued member benefit.

“Not surprised at the level of engagement we saw at this year’s webinar. AI is reshaping every corner of the digital marketing, website and software landscape and the M&A advisory community is no exception. Our research and development, engineering and marketing teams have been working in concert to ensure that the advancements and efficiencies that can be gained from AI are recommended early and implemented urgently to keep clients ahead of the curve. We appreciate M&A Source® for allowing us to be a part of their illustrious roster of member benefit providers.” — Paul Ramkissoon, The Digital WOW, powered by ConsultPR.net

To learn more about The Digital WOW, powered by ConsultPR.net, visit the company’s website.

About The Digital WOW

The Digital WOW, powered by ConsultPR.net, is a full-service digital agency with over twenty-five years of experience serving clients across the United States. The company provides custom software development, digital marketing programs, website design and development, and related digital services under one roof. Having served 1,000+ clients, the company focuses on measurable results, service consistency, and strategic guidance that helps clients stay competitive in their industries.

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SOURCE The Digital WOW