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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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Chelsea FC announces multi-year sleeve partnership with Sokin, the business payments and FX platform

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October 23, 2026

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Chelsea FC name fast-growing fintech platform as Principal Partner

LONDON, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chelsea Football Club has today announced a multi-year partnership with Sokin, the embedded finance and payments company used by businesses worldwide. Sokin will be named a Principal Partner and Official Business Payments and FX Partner of Chelsea FC and Chelsea FC Women.

As a Principal Partner, Sokin will be represented on the sleeves of the Chelsea FC men’s, women’s and academy home, away, and third kits from the 2026/27 season.

The partnership brings together two ambitious London-headquartered organisations with worldwide reach – a club with millions of fans across the world and a fintech platform through which businesses move more than $11 billion a year. A club of Chelsea’s scale works in many currencies every day, with partners, competitions and supporters around the world, and needs a financial partner built to handle that.

Sokin gives finance teams business payments, multi-currency accounts, foreign exchange, checkout and treasury in one place, so they spend less time juggling banks and providers and keep more of what they move.

As Official Business Payments and FX Partner, Sokin will simplify how Chelsea FC sends, receives and manages money in the currencies the club operates in.

The Sokin logo will feature on the sleeve of the Chelsea shirt for the first time [when the men’s team host Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 24th October.]

Jason Gannon, President at Chelsea FC said:

“At Chelsea, we seek to partner with organisations that share our ambition and innovative mindset. Sokin’s expertise in business payments, and their focus on making both simpler for the businesses they serve, makes them a natural fit for the Club. We are pleased to welcome Sokin to the Chelsea family and look forward to working together in the years ahead.”

Vroon Modgill, CEO and founder at Sokin said:

“Chelsea plays on the biggest stage in world football, and its business runs in dozens of currencies. Sokin was built for that with regulated, multi-currency payments and foreign exchange for organisations that operate internationally. We’re proud to be the platform behind the business payments and FX of one of the most iconic teams in football. Sokin’s platform serves businesses in more than 170 countries. We’re thrilled to be partners for the season ahead. An organisation as sophisticated as Chelsea doesn’t leave its finances to chance.”

About Sokin

Sokin is the financial layer global business runs on. Businesses can transact, convert and hold money in 70+ currencies across 170+ countries. Some businesses use Sokin to manage global finance in-house. Others build it into their products to power financial experiences for their customers. Businesses move more than $9 billion a year on licenses Sokin holds in 36+ countries and infrastructure Sokin owns. Founded in 2019, Sokin has raised over $100 million from investors including Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital and Prysm Capital.

About Chelsea Football Club

Chelsea Football Club is one of the biggest, most successful football clubs globally and our men’s team are reigning world champions, having won the four-yearly FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. Our women’s team, Chelsea Women, are also multiple trophy winners.

Founded in 1905, Chelsea is London’s most central football club, based at the iconic 40,000-capacity Stamford Bridge stadium. Nicknamed the Blues, the club lifted the Champions League for the first time in 2012 and domestically has won the Premier League five times, the FA Cup eight times, the Football League Cup five times and the Football League Championship once, in 1955.

The Chelsea Women’s team have enjoyed a huge amount of success and in 2025 won the FA Women’s Super League for a sixth consecutive year and the eighth time overall. The Women’s FA Cup has been won on six occasions. We have also captured the FA Women’s League Cup four times as well as reaching the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in 2021. In two seasons, 2020/21 and 2024/25, a domestic treble of trophies was secured.

The Chelsea Foundation boasts one of the most extensive community initiatives in sport, helping to improve the lives of children and young people all over the world.

Media Contacts:

Taina Biggs
taina.biggs@sokin.com 

Nerissa Chesterfield
nerissa.chesterfield@chelseafc.com 

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Amy Johnson Appointed President of GDIT

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October 23, 2026

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RESTON, Va., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) announced today that Amy Johnson has been appointed as president of GDIT, effective November 3.

Johnson is a 27-year veteran of General Dynamics Mission Systems, where she held increasingly senior roles in engineering, engineering management and business leadership across cybersecurity, defense electronics, space and intelligence systems, most recently as vice president and general manager for Space, Cyber and Intelligence. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science and computer systems engineering. 

“Amy has a proven track record of leading teams to solve complex and highly technical challenges for our customers,” said Phebe Novakovic, CEO of General Dynamics. “I am confident that her dynamic leadership, operational rigor and deep commitment to our values and culture will deliver value to our customers, employees and shareholders.”

GDIT delivers digital modernization, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software development solutions to the U.S. federal government, defense, intelligence agencies and other customers. It is a business unit of General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 120,000 people worldwide and generated $52.6 billion in revenue in 2025. More information is available at gd.com.

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Yazan Al Homsi Invests US$500,000 in Toronto Drone Maker Arcanus Aerial Systems

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41 minutes ago

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October 23, 2026

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Private investment comes as Arcanus builds out Canadian manufacturing capacity for autonomous aerial systems

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yazan Al Homsi, a UAE-based investor and managing partner of Catalyst Communications DMCC, has invested US$500,000 in Arcanus Aerial Systems Inc., a Toronto-headquartered developer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems for defence, public safety and critical infrastructure customers. Al Homsi is an investor only and holds no operational, advisory or board role with the company. Other terms were not disclosed.

Arcanus is a Canadian-controlled company. It currently lists more than 15 platforms across heavy-lift, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), cargo, strike and counter-drone missions. According to the company, its published line-up includes:

AB 516e: a long-endurance vertical take-off fixed-wing aircraft rated for three hours of flight.AE 401: a counter-drone interceptor with a top speed of 300 km/h.AC 5250: a cargo platform with a 250 kg payload and a range of more than 2,300 km.

Alongside defence, Arcanus markets its systems for wildfire detection, search and rescue, Arctic sovereignty, border and maritime patrol, and pipeline and power line monitoring.

The company has spent 2026 assembling its domestic production base. In April, Arcanus signed a binding term sheet with Portugal-based Beyond Vision, granting it rights to manufacture, commercialize and support Beyond Vision’s unmanned aerial systems in Canada.

In June, Arcanus announced a five-year agreement appointing FeralX Systems Inc. as a non-exclusive Canadian contract manufacturer for several of its platforms.

“Canada has the engineering talent to build these systems at home, and recent years have shown how much depends on having that capacity domestically,” said Yazan Al Homsi. “What stood out to me about Arcanus was the manufacturing groundwork already in place: licensing, a production partner, and a range of aircraft that serves wildfire crews and search-and-rescue teams alongside defence customers.”

About Yazan Al Homsi

Yazan Al Homsi is a UAE-based investor and managing partner of Catalyst Communications DMCC, which he founded in Dubai in 2018. He was previously based in Vancouver, where he founded Founders Round Capital in 2017 and built a track record of investments in early-stage and small-cap companies. He earned a finance degree from McGill University in 2004 and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Before turning to investing, he spent more than a decade with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Middle East, rising to director and focusing on transaction due diligence and valuation.

Media Contact
Catalyst Communications DMCC
catalyst-wire@protonmail.com

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