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France to be the Country of Honour at ALL IN, the largest event dedicated to Canadian AI

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MONTREAL, Aug. 26, 2024 /CNW/ – The second edition of ALL IN, the most important event dedicated to Canadian artificial intelligence (AI), will take place in Montreal from September 11 to 12, 2024. Following the outstanding success of its first edition, ALL IN is now expanding its scope with a greater emphasis on global engagement, positioning itself as a key player in the international AI ecosystem. ALL IN is therefore excited to announce France as the Country of Honour, highlighting the strong collaboration between the two countries.

With a rich history of groundbreaking innovations, France has secured its position as a global frontrunner in technology and AI, more specifically. As ALL IN and the entire Canadian AI ecosystem are looking forward to a future of collaborative opportunities with the rest of the world, France will have a presence of choice at ALL IN and will showcase an inspiring ecosystem of AI startups and well-established companies like L’Oréal that are already using AI in their daily operations—some of which are currently working with Canadian AI service and product providers.

Like Canada, France has been at the forefront of AI innovation ever since. It has taken decisive steps to become a global leader in the development and adoption of AI technologies, beginning with its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence launched in 2017—the very same year Canada established the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. As recently as May, France reaffirmed AI as a strategic priority and will invest at least €4 billion in AI as part of the France 2030 economic plan.

Today, over 600 French startups specialize in AI, marking a 24% increase between 2021 and 2023, which underscores the dynamism of the French AI ecosystem. These indicators have led to France becoming the number one country in Europe for foreign investment projects in AI.

France and Canada share a multitude of other similarities, particularly in their efforts to enhance computing power and infrastructure, as well as in fostering the widespread adoption of AI. The French government is leading by example in this area: in sectors such as health, judiciary, education, and defence, the French government is setting a precedent by heavily investing and integrating AI to boost productivity and efficiency.

Both countries are also united in their ambition to develop AI-powered economies. As France works to promote the widespread adoption of AI in business, it is expected that the impact of AI dissemination on the French economy could be massive, with economic growth potentially doubling.

Canada and France support inclusive governance of artificial intelligence to ensure the coherence of AI regulatory frameworks and to promote their convergence. They also aim to harness AI for the public good, given the economic potential and global social consequences of this technological revolution.

Under their respective G7 presidencies in 2018 and 2019, Canada and France worked towards the launch of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), which now has 29 members worldwide. The first two GPAI centres of expertise were opened in Montreal and Paris. Canada and France now welcome the establishment of an integrated partnership between GPAI and the OECD. The AI Action Summit, scheduled for February 2025, will be an opportunity to strengthen this global governance and to undertake concrete actions on AI.

Last week, the program and the list of confirmed speakers have been released online.

Quotes

Canada is pleased to welcome France as the Country of Honour at ALL IN, an important event dedicated to AI. Canada and France have both been at the forefront of AI development. I am pleased to see our partnership continue as both countries work towards the ethical commercialization and adoption of AI to boost productivity and efficiency. I look forward to our continued engagement and collaboration on the advancement of AI.” — The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Government of Canada

France, much like Canada, stands as a beacon of innovation and technological progress. Together, we have the potential to develop an innovative, competitive, and democratic artificial intelligence that upholds our freedoms and our linguistic diversity. I am delighted that France is being honoured at ALL IN which is part of the major international meetings devoted to AI, such as the next Francophonie Summit on October 4 and the AI Action Summit in February 2025 in France. This is a testament to our shared commitment to this technological revolution.” — Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Government of France

“We are extremely pleased to welcome France to ALL IN this year and to continue building upon the close ties between our two nations, especially in the field of AI. Being able to host fellow leading AI nations is a testament to the strength and international reputation that ALL IN has built since its very beginning, and it sets the stage for the months and years ahead.” — Helene Desmarais, Co-Founder & President, ALL IN

“Business France is honoured that France has been designated as the Country of Honour at the ALL IN 2024 event. This event offers an exceptional platform for our French AI companies, startups, and scale-ups to collaborate with leading Canadian and international partners. Less than 6 months before the AI Action Summit in Paris, we are thrilled to welcome among this delegation some of the major players from our French industries, renowned for their commitment to innovation. Business France, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is delighted to contribute to the success of the French delegation and to the future synergies between our two ecosystems.”— Frédéric Rossi, CEO North America, Business France

ALL IN will serve as a dynamic hub for French AI leaders to engage with Canadian and global decision-makers, fostering innovation and strategic alliances. This collaboration also underscores the strong diplomatic relations between France and Canada and reflects ALL IN’s expanding influence on the world stage.

About ALL IN (allinevent.ai)

ALL IN, the most important event dedicated to Canadian artificial intelligence, is an initiative of SCALE AI, Canada’s AI Global Innovation Cluster. Co-organized with CEIMIA, Mila, and supported by the entire Canadian AI ecosystem, ALL IN has become one of Canada’s major tech events, driving innovation and business. Beyond insightful discussions, the event fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing, creating an environment where decision-makers can explore innovative solutions and concrete AI projects, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships to flourish in an AI-driven economy.

SOURCE ALL IN

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Air Products to Expand Integrated Gas Supply Network for Semiconductor Manufacturer in Taiwan

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New investment to support next-generation facility expansion

TAIPEI, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Air Products (NYSE:APD), a world-leading industrial gases company, today announced Air Products San Fu has been awarded a long-term agreement to support a semiconductor manufacturer’s expansion in Taiwan. The project will supply multiple new semiconductor fabs and back-end packaging facilities, supporting growing demand driven by artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

Air Products San Fu will build, own, and operate four large state-of-the-art air separation units and bulk gas supply systems with new underground pipeline systems. The company will supply a range of industrial gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and helium to support the customer’s semiconductor operations.

The new underground pipeline systems will be connected to Air Products’ existing pipeline network in Taiwan, further enhancing supply reliability, operational efficiency, and resilience.  

“Air Products is honored to be selected by our strategic customer to support their continued growth, building on our proven track record and strong long-term partnership,” said Paul Yang, President, Air Products San Fu. “This project further reinforces our role as a trusted supplier in Taiwan and reflects our long-term commitment to grow with our customers. It also underscores our world-class performance in safety, reliability and operational excellence, which are critical to meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of the electronics industry.”

Air Products has been serving the Taiwan market through Air Products San Fu for more than 70 years and has established leading supply positions across key science parks with extensive pipeline networks. The company operates one of the world’s largest ultra-high purity nitrogen pipeline systems in Southern Taiwan and is the first gas company in Taiwan awarded ISO9002 and ISO14000 certifications. 

This latest project further strengthens Air Products’ integrated supply footprint across both front-end semiconductor manufacturing and back-end advanced packaging, reinforcing its position as a key supplier to the electronics industry in Taiwan.

Air Products has served the global electronics industry for more than 40 years, supplying industrial gases safely and reliably to many of the world’s leading technology companies.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 85 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets and generating a cleaner future. The Company supplies essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, medical and food. As the leading global hydrogen supplier, Air Products develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world’s largest hydrogen projects. Through its sale of equipment businesses, the Company also provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally.

Air Products had fiscal 2025 sales of $12 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries. For more information, visit airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedInXFacebook or Instagram.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/air-products-to-expand-integrated-gas-supply-network-for-semiconductor-manufacturer-in-taiwan-302831489.html

SOURCE Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

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Air Products to Expand Integrated Gas Supply Network for Semiconductor Manufacturer in Taiwan

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New investment to support next-generation facility expansion

TAIPEI, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Air Products (NYSE:APD), a world-leading industrial gases company, today announced Air Products San Fu has been awarded a long-term agreement to support a semiconductor manufacturer’s expansion in Taiwan. The project will supply multiple new semiconductor fabs and back-end packaging facilities, supporting growing demand driven by artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

Air Products San Fu will build, own, and operate four large state-of-the-art air separation units and bulk gas supply systems with new underground pipeline systems. The company will supply a range of industrial gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and helium to support the customer’s semiconductor operations.

The new underground pipeline systems will be connected to Air Products’ existing pipeline network in Taiwan, further enhancing supply reliability, operational efficiency, and resilience.  

“Air Products is honored to be selected by our strategic customer to support their continued growth, building on our proven track record and strong long-term partnership,” said Paul Yang, President, Air Products San Fu. “This project further reinforces our role as a trusted supplier in Taiwan and reflects our long-term commitment to grow with our customers. It also underscores our world-class performance in safety, reliability and operational excellence, which are critical to meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of the electronics industry.”

Air Products has been serving the Taiwan market through Air Products San Fu for more than 70 years and has established leading supply positions across key science parks with extensive pipeline networks. The company operates one of the world’s largest ultra-high purity nitrogen pipeline systems in Southern Taiwan and is the first gas company in Taiwan awarded ISO9002 and ISO14000 certifications. 

This latest project further strengthens Air Products’ integrated supply footprint across both front-end semiconductor manufacturing and back-end advanced packaging, reinforcing its position as a key supplier to the electronics industry in Taiwan.

Air Products has served the global electronics industry for more than 40 years, supplying industrial gases safely and reliably to many of the world’s leading technology companies.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 85 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets and generating a cleaner future. The Company supplies essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, medical and food. As the leading global hydrogen supplier, Air Products develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world’s largest hydrogen projects. Through its sale of equipment businesses, the Company also provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally.

Air Products had fiscal 2025 sales of $12 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries. For more information, visit airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedInXFacebook or Instagram.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/air-products-to-expand-integrated-gas-supply-network-for-semiconductor-manufacturer-in-taiwan-302831489.html

SOURCE Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

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UOB partners Visa to launch new Visa Infinite tiers across ASEAN in landmark multi-market launch of such scale

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More than 300,000 cardholders will enjoy expanded suite of premium benefits as UOB strengthens its regional leadership in premium payment solutions.

SINGAPORE, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UOB has partnered with Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to relaunch several card products across its five key markets (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam) under Visa’s newly introduced premium card tiers, Visa Infinite Privilege and Visa Infinite Private.

UOB is progressively upgrading its suite of affluent and high-net-worth (HNW) card solutions to the new Visa Infinite tiers, reinforcing the Bank’s leadership in premium card innovation. With the relaunch, more than 300,000 UOB Visa Infinite cardholders across ASEAN will be upgraded to higher card tiers, giving them access to an expanded suite of premium benefits. All other cardholders will continue to enjoy their existing privileges, with no downgrades across the portfolio. Eligible UOB Visa Infinite cardholders will be notified of their new card tiers via UOB’s official channels from September onwards, with no action required from them.

UOB is currently Visa’s largest card issuer in ASEAN[1] and brings an unparalleled regional footprint and customer base, serving over 8.5 million customers across the region. As the first Visa issuer across ASEAN to execute a launch of this scale across multiple markets, UOB and Visa are setting a new benchmark for regional card offerings, delivering elevated privileges and experiences to affluent cardmembers in the region. This collaboration is timely as affluent spending in ASEAN experiences strong growth. The number of new UOB affluent cardholders[2] grew over 10 per cent year-on-year in 2025, while card billings for this segment surged more than 25 per cent in the same year.

Visa unveiled its refreshed Visa Infinite offering in Asia Pacific on 16 July 2026, reimagined for the evolving needs of today’s affluent consumers. Anchored in a three-tier card suite, the enhanced platform introduces greater flexibility, personalisation and differentiated benefits across the affluent spectrum. In addition to Visa Infinite, the portfolio now includes the newly launched Visa Infinite Privilege and Visa Infinite Private, enabling issuers to deliver more tailored value propositions, experiences and rewards to distinct customer segments within a unified premium framework.

Selected top-tier UOB cardholders across the region will enjoy access to enhanced platform privileges and UOB-exclusive curated experiences, tailored to their respective Visa Infinite tiers. This aligns with UOB’s sharpened customer segmentation approach and enhanced card value propositions, aimed at serving the unique needs of customers by offering exclusive privileges tailored to their lifestyle preferences.

Mr Pratik Bhattacharjee, Head of Group Cards and Payment Products, UOB, said, “As UOB continues to sharpen our customer-centric operating model, we are focused on serving our customers more holistically across the wealth spectrum. Our partnership with Visa marks a significant milestone in this journey, allowing us to deepen our engagement with affluent customers by curating exclusive experiences that money cannot buy. As we continue strengthening our offerings to cater to each customer’s aspirations and lifestyle, our goal is to connect with them through life moments and opportunities that truly matter.”

Mr. T.R. Ramachandran, Head of Products & Solutions for Asia Pacific, Visa, said, “The affluent segment is one of the fastest-growing consumer segments in Asia Pacific, with expectations evolving alongside it. Today’s affluent consumers are seeking experiences that are more personalised, seamless and relevant to their lifestyles. The refreshed Visa Infinite portfolio is designed to meet these changing expectations, and through our partnership with UOB, we are extending these enhanced experiences to affluent customers across Southeast Asia.”

Greater personalisation through tiered privileges

With Visa’s enhanced Infinite tier segmentation, selected cardholders will benefit from more tailored services, differentiated privileges and elevated experiences that reflect their evolving lifestyle needs. This includes access to curated regional and global lifestyle offers as well as premium destination-based travel and dining privileges worldwide as part of the base membership. In addition, selected cardholders will get exclusive access to top-tier concerts and global sporting events like FIFA World Cup™, and reserved entitlements to key lifestyle offerings under Visa Infinite Privilege. At the highest tier, Visa Infinite Private offers bespoke invitation-only experiences highly personalised for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

Leveraging its deep understanding of affluent customers across the region, UOB will complement Visa’s refreshed benefits with exclusive privileges, curated experiences and value-added offerings tailored to the unique preferences of its cardmembers. For example, selected cardholders will be able to enjoy specially-customised luxury travel experiences and privileged access to curated series of rare timepieces.

Paired with the Bank’s unparalleled regional connectivity, advisory excellence and One Bank ecosystem, this partnership with Visa aligns with UOB’s aim to bring together banking, wealth and lifestyle holistically to all customers. This also furthers the Bank’s ambition to become the Bank of Choice for aspiring customers across ASEAN.

-END-

About UOB

UOB is a leading Asian bank with a global network in Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Operating through our head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, we have a global network of more than 470 branches and offices in 19 markets. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For more than nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.

The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at www.visa.com.sg 

[1] Largest card issuer by total billings

[2] Includes UOB Reserve Card, UOB Zenith Card and UOB Visa Infinite cards

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/uob-partners-visa-to-launch-new-visa-infinite-tiers-across-asean-in-landmark-multi-market-launch-of-such-scale-302830578.html

SOURCE UOB

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