Technology

Google Cloud Brings WeatherNext AI-Powered Weather Predictions to Enterprises

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2025

SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Google Cloud today announced that AI weather forecasting models created by Google DeepMind and Google Research, WeatherNext, are now available to Cloud enterprise customers via experimental datasets in Google BigQuery and Earth Engine. WeatherNext models offer state-of-the-art weather predictions that could help energy companies, retailers, financial services firms, manufacturers and others better prepare for extreme weather events.

Google Cloud brings WeatherNext models from Google DeepMind and Google Research to enterprises.

Increasingly frequent and extreme weather events pose monumental challenges to global energy companies. Hurricanes, heat waves, and cold snaps threaten their infrastructures and the communities they serve. In 2024 alone, 27 extreme weather events each caused more than $1 billion in losses in the United States. The annual number of catastrophic weather events has increased nearly sevenfold since the 1980s.

Historically, uncertain forecasts—especially beyond a few days—have made preparing for extreme weather a gamble. With WeatherNext, customers will have access to weather predictions that are more accurate than traditional physics-based weather models. This could help extend their timelines to prepare for extreme weather events and reduce those events’ impacts on their infrastructure, personnel, and communities. Customers will have access to two WeatherNext models:

WeatherNext Gen, a probabilistic system that provides better forecasts of both day-to-day weather and extreme events up to 15 days ahead than current ensemble models widely used todayWeatherNext Graph, a deterministic system that predicts medium-range weather conditions up to 10 days in advance.

These models’ weather forecasts could help energy customers more accurately predict energy demand and expected supply, better anticipate and prepare for storms, and protect their assets. Retailers can optimize inventory management based on anticipated demand fluctuations; supply chain businesses can proactively reroute shipments; and manufacturers can optimize production schedules based on weather impacts. Customers can leverage historical predictions for backtesting and real-time models for ongoing operations in BigQuery and Earth Engine. This work helps to keep the lights on and our communities safe.

“WeatherNext will change how businesses use AI for business critical operations affected by weather, including better planning for retail inventory, logistics disruptions, manufacturing production needs, distribution line maintenance, and many other uses,” said Carrie Tharp, VP, Global Solutions & Industries, Google Cloud. “By providing our most advanced weather forecasting AI technology, our customers can make more informed decisions, have better-protected infrastructure, and stronger business continuity as weather patterns evolve.”

“Opening WeatherNext to enterprises expands its applications from the research lab to the real world,” said Pete Battaglia, Director of Research for Sustainability, Google DeepMind. “It puts companies in the driver’s seat to proactively prepare for extreme weather and better serve their communities.”

One of the first companies to adopt WeatherNext is Carrier, a global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. Carrier is working with Google Cloud Consulting to develop and deploy its Home Energy Management System (HEMS), which combines dedicated battery storage with advanced HVAC systems to serve as an intelligent energy optimizer in homes. By leveraging AI-driven insights, Carrier’s HEMS solution will dynamically adjust HVAC energy consumption based on real-time weather forecasts and grid conditions, enhancing energy efficiency and grid resilience while maintaining uninterrupted homeowner comfort. With WeatherNext, Carrier can further refine HEMS’s forecasting capabilities, helping residential and commercial customers better manage energy demand, lower costs, and make more energy-efficient choices.

“By integrating Google Cloud’s AI platform with Google DeepMind’s and Google Research’s groundbreaking WeatherNext models into our advanced HEMS platform, we are creating smarter energy solutions that will help drive efficiency, resilience, and sustainability,” said Hakan Yilmaz, chief technology and sustainability officer, Carrier. “This collaboration will help take grid resilience capabilities to new levels and unlock greater value for our customers.”

WeatherNext is available now to Google Cloud enterprise customers. To request access to the data, visit deepmind.google/technologies/weathernext/. Contact your Google Cloud account representative or contact Google Cloud Consulting to learn more about how Google Cloud can help you build custom solutions. Businesses can also learn more by registering for a Google Cloud visit at CERAWeek, and keep up with the latest news on our newsroom and blog.

About Google Cloud
Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

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SOURCE Google Cloud

Technology

Meiyume (Group) LTD Achieves EcoVadis Gold Rating for 2026, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Beauty

Published

36 minutes ago

May 4, 2026

HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Meiyume (Group) LTD has achieved the EcoVadis Gold rating for 2026, with the company being in the 96th percentile globally and among the top-performing companies for sustainability.

EcoVadis evaluates companies across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The Gold rating reflects Meiyume’s strong performance and continued commitment to embedding sustainability across its supply chain.

A supplier’s commitment to sustainability is increasingly important to brands, as they work to meet rising regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations for transparency and responsible practices. In this landscape, choosing the right partners is essential. Partners like Meiyume play a key role in enabling more responsible, future-ready solutions while helping to strengthen sustainability standards across the supply chain.

A Holistic Sustainability Strategy: Meiyume’s 5Ps Framework

Meiyume’s sustainability approach is guided by its 5Ps framework: Product, Process, Places, People, and Principle, ensuring a comprehensive integration across the business:

Product – Advancing sustainable innovation in formulations and packaging

Process – Strengthening responsible sourcing and supply chain practices

Places – Enhancing operational efficiency and environmental performance

People – Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace

Principle – Upholding strong governance and compliance standards

Sustainability as an Ongoing Journey

While the EcoVadis Gold rating marks an important milestone, Meiyume views sustainability as an ongoing journey. The company remains committed to strengthening its sustainability performance and supporting beauty and personal care brands in achieving their sustainability goals.

About Meiyume:

Formerly LF Beauty, Meiyume offers end-to-end beauty solutions—packaging, ODM, OEM —grounded in sustainability and insights. Powered by it’s Beauty Intelligence Platform and a global sourcing network, Meiyume brings visions to life with agility, intelligence, and responsibility.

https://meiyume.com/
2/F HK Spinners Industrial Building, Phases I & II, 800 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

SOURCE Meiyume

Technology

Marketna: Launching Smart Arabic Platform for Digital Classified Ads

Published

36 minutes ago

May 4, 2026

DUBAI, UAE, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — “Marketna” has announced the launch of its new digital classified advertising platform for the Arab world, available through its mobile app and website.

With the slogan “Easy Buy and Sell,” Marketna is a platform connecting buyers and sellers across various sectors, including cars, property, electronics, home furniture and appliances, jobs, and services, enabling users to advertise and sell almost anything.

The platform, enhanced with artificial intelligence technologies, aims to simplify the online advertising process through a secure and user-friendly environment.

Marketna offers its services in both Arabic and English, currently covering nine Arab countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Lebanon. Expansion is underway to include Syria, Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, along with the addition of French as a supported language.

This initiative comes as part of Marketna’s vision to become a leading digital e-commerce platform across the Arab world, with a focus on the quality of user experience.

Marketna aims to build an inclusive online community that connects the region’s markets, thereby boosting the prosperity of the Arab digital economy.

Smooth and Easy Classified Ad Creation and Publishing

Marketna is built on four core pillars that make the buying and selling experience unique:

Speed and Simplicity: One-step registration and three-step ad postingSafety and Trust: Focus on protecting user data and privacyPremium Service: Fast ad approval and exceptional customer supportGreater Outreach: Maximum exposure to the target audience

Supporting Individuals and Business Owners

The platform offers individual sellers additional features through a “Premium” membership, granting ongoing benefits such as the ability to publish unlimited ads, extended ad validity, priority in search results, and a special seller badge.

Through a “Business” account, which can be created in just a few minutes, Marketna provides dedicated accounts for small, medium, and large business owners, enabling them to advertise cars and real estate in a professional way.

New users, both individuals and merchants, can post their basic ads for free, and receive exclusive discounts to boost their ads upon upgrading to a “Premium” or “Business Plus” membership, allowing them to reach a larger pool of potential buyers.

An Optimal User Experience via the Marketna Smart App

The Marketna Classified Ads Smart App is available for Android devices on the Google Play Store, allowing users to browse ads and post listings from anywhere, at any time, with the ability to communicate directly through in-app chat.

The app features a simplified, modern, and responsive interface. An iOS version for Apple devices is coming soon, with the goal of supporting all users.

For more information about Marketna and its services, visit the official website at https://marketna.com.

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SOURCE Marketna

Technology

2026 Hong Kong Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report: BeGiftHK Reveals “Specialization and Wellness” as the New Standard for Corporate Gifting

Published

36 minutes ago

May 4, 2026

HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BeGiftHK, a leading professional corporate gift company in Hong Kong, today officially released the “2026 Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report.” The report highlights that following profound changes in corporate culture in the post-pandemic era, the Hong Kong B2B gift market has officially moved away from the “low-price, high-volume” model. It has been replaced by a new purchasing logic centered on “Employee Wellness” and “Brand Specialization.”

Pickleball Customization: The New Corporate Sports Social Favorite of 2026

The most prominent trend highlighted in the report is the strong rise of “sports social gifts.” Data shows that in the first quarter of 2026, inquiries for Pickleball customization equipment surged by 210% compared to the same period last year.

A spokesperson for BeGiftHK analyzed: “In 2026, a corporate gift is no longer just an object; it is a brand touchpoint. Due to its low entry barrier and high participation across all age groups, Pickleball has become the top choice for large enterprises for hosting Team Building and ESG promotion activities. The professional-grade T700 carbon fiber paddles we provide, combined with high-quality customized designs, successfully transform the act of gifting into a highly social brand experience.”

Technology Defines Authority: Full-Color UV Digital Printing Enhances Corporate Image

Regarding the craftsmanship requirements for gift customization, purchasers in 2026 have demonstrated unprecedented attention to detail. The report indicates that over 85% of multinational organizations and financial enterprises prioritize the precision of printing technology when selecting a Hong Kong corporate gift company.

BeGiftHK has addressed the limitations of traditional screen printing, such as the inability to render gradients and high-precision logos, by introducing cutting-edge “Full-Color UV Digital Printing” technology. This commitment to professionalism has led BeGiftHK to frequently receive high praise as a “Souvenir Recommendation of the Year” in various commercial evaluations.

ESG Transformation: From “Green Products” to “Social Responsibility”

The report concludes by emphasizing that ESG factors have permeated every stage of the purchasing decision. In 2026, the demand for “Recycled PET (RPET)” materials and “Sustainable Sports Solutions” among Hong Kong enterprises consistently accounted for over 40% of the market share. Through its robust supply chain accumulated over years of deep cultivation in the Hong Kong market, BeGiftHK not only provides eco-friendly materials but also assists organizations in planning gift solutions with social impact, integrating “ESG narratives” into every exquisite gift box.

Rooted in Hong Kong, Defining the Future

As an established authoritative brand in the market, BeGiftHK, with its keen market insights and excellent execution, has successfully provided one-stop corporate gift customization services for numerous NGOs, educational institutions, and Fortune 500 companies. Looking ahead, the company will continue to drive industry innovation, creating the most valuable brand souvenirs for Hong Kong organizations with a more professional and forward-looking vision.

About BeGiftHK

BeGiftHK is a professional gift solution provider headquartered in Hong Kong. The company is committed to providing customers with closed-loop gift customization services, including design, production, quality inspection, and logistics, through innovative technology and a unique industry perspective. With the core concepts of “Professionalism, Design, and Value,” BeGiftHK is a designated gift partner for many large-scale events and corporate anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong.

Media Inquiries, please contact:

Contact Person: BeGiftHK Customer Service DepartmentCompany Name: Ideas Promotion Ltd (BeGiftHK)Phone: +852 3490 6532Email: info@ideaspromotion.com.hkWebsite: https://begifthk.com

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SOURCE BeGiftHK