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HKU and Getech Launch Industrial AI Joint Laboratory to Advance AI Innovation Through Industry-Academia Collaboration

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HONG KONG, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Getech Technology, a leading industrial AI solutions provider under TCL Industries, signed an agreement on April 16, 2025, to establish the HKU-Getech Industrial AI Joint Laboratory. Under the agreement, Getech will invest tens of millions of Hong Kong Dollars over the next five years to fund the lab’s operations, focusing on industrial AI innovation and real-world applications. As part of the collaboration, HKU’s Vice-President (Research) Professor Zuo-Jun (Max) Shen has been appointed as Getech’s Honorary Chief Scientist and will provide strategic R&D guidance and advice. The signing ceremony, held at the HKU campus, was attended by HKU President Professor Xiang Zhang and TCL Founder and Chairman Dongsheng Li, both of whom delivered keynote addresses at the event. Other attendees included Prof. Shen, Associate Vice-President (Research and Innovation), Professor Stephanie Kwai Yee Ma, as well as TCL Industries Vice President and Getech CEO Jun He.

The collaboration will draw on HKU’s research expertise and advanced capabilities in AI to accelerate the development of commercially viable, high-quality industrial AI technologies. The partnership aims to support the commercialization of academic research outcomes and foster growth in the industrial AI sector. Jointly managed by both parties, with Professor Shen serving as Director, the lab will focus on research into innovation and real-world applications of industrial AI, including optimization engines for supply chain operations; AMHS intelligent material handling and scheduling systems; the deployment of AI agents and hyper-automation; and the development of large language models (LLMs) and industrial big data platforms. The initial project, currently in the planning stage, will involve the development of an intelligent AMHS handling and scheduling system. HKU’s research team will collaborate with Getech Technology’s AMHS engineers to advance AI algorithms capable of managing over 1,000 overhead hoist transports (OHTs), with the goal of enhancing the performance of intelligent equipment. The planned research efforts align with Getech Technology’s vision of empowering smarter industries, while also underscoring HKU’s commitment to enhancing its competitiveness in the AI sector.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Zhang expressed his optimism about the partnership, “The formal agreement with TCL marks the official launch of our collaborative efforts in AI, with particular emphasis on industrial applications. HKU has made significant strides in foundational research across disciplines, backed by a cohort of distinguished researchers. We are now committed to translating these academic results into practical industrial applications and commercialization with the aim of advancing industrial development through new and emerging technologies.”

LI Dongsheng, Founder and Chairman of TCL, expressed strong support for the collaboration. He commented, “AI is a strategic priority for TCL. In 2024 alone, our AI initiatives delivered a measurable financial impact of 540 million yuan. The establishment of the lab led by Prof. Shen represents a milestone in TCL’s AI strategic roadmap.”

During the project briefing session, Mr. He outlined the lab’s framework and key initiatives planned for Phase 1. He said, “Getech is aligned with the Hong Kong government’s development roadmap by establishing our R&D center here to accelerate innovation in industrial AI. This initiative aims to position Hong Kong as a new international hub for supply chain management with the mission of driving intelligent transformation across both Chinese and global manufacturing sectors. In addition, the partnership lays the groundwork for the continued integration of industrial resources as we pursue smart manufacturing opportunities worldwide.”

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Shen, widely recognized as a leading researcher in his field, stated, “The HKU-TCL partnership represents a seminal advancement in AI, particularly for industrial applications. As AI emerges as the defining technological paradigm, HKU has remained at the forefront through initiatives such as establishing the School of Computing and Data Science to pioneer cutting-edge research. Our vision extends beyond foundational research to cross-disciplinary AI integration with global educational impact. Under Mr. Li’s leadership, TCL has consistently demonstrated its role as a ‘Technology Change Leader’ through sustained innovation. The collaboration will combine HKU’s academic excellence with TCL’s industrial expertise to create a laboratory with global impact that will drive progress in manufacturing and supply chains worldwide. As the lab’s director, I will work closely with TCL while engaging HKU faculty, students, and investors to collectively shape the future of industrial AI.”

Since the early stages of this AI wave, the Hong Kong government has demonstrated forward-looking leadership. The Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint published in 2022 identified AI as a priority sector, establishing strategic directives and action plans to strengthen the local AI ecosystem. Building on this vision, the 2025/2026 Budget proposed a HK$1 billion allocation to establish the Hong Kong AI Research Institute and approved five flagship projects led by local universities and research organizations to accelerate the development of several LLMs.

With the establishment of the joint lab, HKU will leverage its business partners’ real-world operational environments and R&D funding to sharpen its focus on addressing industrial needs and challenges through new technologies and applied research. Capitalizing on Hong Kong’s strategic position as a hub in Southeast Asia, the lab’s “technology R&D – scenario testing – global deployment” model will provide Southeast Asian manufacturers with replicable intelligent transformation pathways. Furthermore, Hong Kong’s international talent pool will enhance the lab’s capabilities in implementing depth-focused projects. These initiatives are expected to generate a substantial number of research roles for Hong Kong and neighboring areas, bringing together leading researchers and R&D engineers to build a strong industrial AI talent pipeline and reinforce the foundational ecosystem for AI-driven industrial transformation.

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SOURCE Getech Technology Co., Ltd

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Koozee Introduces Freeform Canvas and MCP in Major Platform Update

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November 5, 2026

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Koozee Launches Freeform Canvas and MCP to Make Apparel Visual Production Repeatable

SYDNEY, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — STARII TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD today announced a major update to Koozee, its AI apparel visual production platform. The update introduces Freeform Canvas, a node-based workspace for reusable, multi-step fashion content workflows, and Koozee MCP, which lets supported AI agents access Koozee’s fashion visual tools for batch image generation. The company also consolidated its preset workflows under Quick Create.

“Freeform Canvas helps apparel teams connect each step of visual production and reuse workflows across a collection. MCP lets them bring Koozee’s fashion tools into supported AI agent workflows,” said Adrian Bennett, product lead at Koozee.

QUICK CREATE

Sellers choose an outcome — a model try-on, a flat lay, a ghost mannequin shot, a pose or scene change, an enhancement pass, or a short product video — upload a garment photo, and receive a finished visual. No prompt writing is required.

FREEFORM CANVAS

Freeform Canvas is a node-based workspace for connecting garment photos, model photos and visual references, or starting with an idea to generate text, images or video. Users can choose templates such as Outfit Swap or Recolor Garment, select an AI engine and carry each output into the next step to refine or extend a look. Users can add nodes and, for more creative control, add written instructions or reference images.

An approved look can become flat lays, three-view outfit images, nine-frame storyboards, scene variations or videos for product pages, ads and social media. Teams can save the workflow, replace assets and apply it across a whole collection. Canvas supports Gemini, Claude, GPT, Nano Banana, Seedance and Kling for text, image and video tasks.

MCP CONNECTS KOOZEE WITH AI AGENTS

Koozee MCP connects Koozee’s fashion visual tools to Codex, Claude Code, WorkBuddy, Antigravity and more. Users can request batch fashion image generation directly from their existing AI workspace. A copyable setup prompt connects the agent using OAuth and Streamable HTTP and configures it to use Koozee MCP for image generation.

AVAILABILITY

Both features are available now. Learn more about Koozee at koozee.ai.

ABOUT KOOZEE

Koozee is an AI visual production platform for apparel e-commerce

MULTIMEDIA

Image link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/26-1105-s2p-koozee-canvas-300dpi.webp 

Image caption: Koozee Freeform Canvas connects apparel references; MCP enables AI-agent fashion image generation. Models shown are AI-generated.

This release was issued through Send2Press® on behalf of the news source. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.send2press.com/.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/koozee-introduces-freeform-canvas-and-mcp-in-major-platform-update-302931134.html

SOURCE STARII TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD

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Financial Cents Brings Back WorkflowCon for 2026 — Bigger Than Ever and Still Free

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November 5, 2026

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Back by popular demand after a standout 2025, the two-day virtual conference for small and growing accounting firms returns November 9–10 with an expanded lineup: four keynotes, more than 20 speakers across five tracks and the Small & Mighty Awards

ATLANTA, Nov. 5, 2026 /CNW/ — WorkflowCon is back. Financial Cents, the practice management software built for small and growing accounting and bookkeeping firms, is bringing back its free annual virtual conference — and this year, it’s bigger than ever. After a standout 2025, WorkflowCon returns November 9–10, 2026, with an expanded two-day program for firm owners and teams across North America who want to grow with intention. Registration is open now, and attendance is completely free.

This year’s theme, “Focus Is the New Flex,” reframes what success looks like for small and growing firms. With owners pulled in every direction and pressured to offer more services to more clients, WorkflowCon makes the case for a different approach: deciding what not to do. The program spotlights firm owners who have committed to a single growth lever — a client niche, a service line or a distinct way of working — and held steady everywhere else.

The free, 100% virtual event spans five tracks — Workflow, AI, Client, Revenue and Team — so every member of a firm can find a relevant path. Attendees can join for one day or both, and session recordings are available afterward.

WorkflowCon 2026 features four keynote speakers:

Ethan Kross, PhD, psychologist and bestselling author of Shift and Chatter, who closes Day 1 with a session on managing emotions under pressure;Keila Hill-Trawick, CPA, founder and CEO of Little Fish Accounting, who delivers the opening plenary;Jan Haugo, founder of SmartAccountant.ai and co-author of Intuit’s AI certification; andNicole Davis, CPA, founder of Conscious Accounting and a Forbes Top 200 CPA.

They are joined by more than 20 firm owners, operators and advisors leading sessions throughout the program.

“WorkflowCon is an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, learn from other firm owners, and think differently about how you’re running your business,” said Hill-Trawick.

Highlights from the agenda include candid, practitioner-led sessions such as “Would You Fire This Client?” with Al-Nesha Jones, CPA, and Tony Proctor, EA; “Pricing Is How You Say No” with Logan Graf, CPA; “Attract A-Players in 45 Minutes” with Ryan Lazanis, CPA; “The Minimum Viable Operations Manual” with Justine Lackey; and “Before AI Touches Client Data,” a frank look at the questions every tool should answer before being entrusted with sensitive client data. The event opens with a host welcome from Financial Cents CEO Shahram Zarshenas. The full agenda, including Day 2 sessions, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Running a firm means being pulled in a dozen directions at once, and the pressure to do more of everything never really lets up,” said Zarshenas. “WorkflowCon makes the opposite case. The firms we admire most didn’t grow by saying yes to everything; they got clear on what mattered and had the discipline to let the rest go. We created these two days so firm owners can step back from the daily grind, learn from peers who’ve made those calls and leave with a better sense of where to focus.”

The event will also crown the winners of the Small & Mighty Awards, which recognize standout accounting, bookkeeping, tax and advisory professionals across the U.S. and Canada in four categories. The four winners — selected from 12 finalists by an independent panel of practitioners — will be revealed live on Day 2.

Registration is free and open now at workflowcon.com.

Firms that want help making the case to a manager can use the conference’s ready-made “Convince Your Boss” email template, also available on the site.

About Financial Cents

Financial Cents is a leading practice management platform built to help accounting and bookkeeping firms streamline workflows, improve collaboration and scale without chaos. Thousands of firms across North America rely on Financial Cents to manage their work, clients and teams in one place. It is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra and 4.7 out of 5 on G2. Learn more at financial-cents.com.

Media Contact
marketing@financial-cents.com 

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SOURCE Financial Cents

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Quality Steak, Inc.’s Bella Philly Steaks™ Brings Authentic Philly Cheesesteak to the Frozen Aisle

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November 5, 2026

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Marinated Beef and Chicken Sandwich Slices create meals in minutes, now in approximately 300 Target stores and with online retailers nationwide

VOORHEES TOWNSHIP, N.J., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quality Steak, Inc., a family-owned Philadelphia-area meat company with more than 50 years of food industry experience, today announced the retail launch of Bella Philly Steaks™, a line of frozen Beef and Chicken Sandwich Slices. The products have been on shelf at approximately 300 Target stores along the East Coast since mid-September and are available nationwide online through Amazon.com, Di Bruno Bros. and Misfits Market. Each 12-ounce box has an in-store MSRP of $7.99. Additional retail distribution is planned for 2027.

Bella Philly Steaks are made with chopped, formed and sliced premium beef or chicken and finished with an exclusive marinade that delivers authentic Philly flavor.

Beyond the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak, Bella Philly Steaks are a simple, protein-forward base for meals at home, including skillet dinners, stuffed peppers, flatbread and pizza toppings, protein bowls, breakfast sandwiches, soups, cheesesteak dips and more.

“We’re proud to be a leading supplier and partner for restaurants across the country, and we’re excited to bring that same quality to consumers at home. In foodservice, you learn fast that a product has to be consistent, good-tasting and full of flavor, because professional kitchens don’t have time to spare,” said Gavin Mutter, managing partner of Quality Steak, Inc. “A kitchen at home at 6 p.m. is no different. We built Bella Philly Steaks to bring that same standard to families who want a real, protein-rich meal without the work and headache of planning.”

Home cooking is gaining momentum. According to FMI’s 2026 research on shopper meal trends, 44% of shoppers are having more family meals at home than a year ago, and 35% are cooking more often. The launch of Bella Philly Steaks will be supported by consumer and trade promotions, recipes, social content, couponing and influencer partnerships.

Find where to buy, plus recipes and product news, at BellaPhillySteaks.com. Follow Bella Philly Steaks on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

About Quality Steak, Inc.
Quality Steak, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company based in Voorhees, New Jersey, with more than 50 years of meat expertise serving foodservice customers nationwide. A leading independent supplier of raw and fully cooked thin-sliced beef and chicken steak, the company also offers customized ready-to-eat protein products. Quality Steak, Inc. delivers value through innovative products, consistent quality and superior customer service. Through its new retail brand, Bella Philly Steaks, the company is on a quest to bring authentic Philadelphia flavor to home kitchens nationwide.

Media Contact:
Alissa Davis
VP Marketing
Quality Steak, Inc.
609-519-4873
Alissa.Davis@QualityFoodsInc.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quality-steak-incs-bella-philly-steaks-brings-authentic-philly-cheesesteak-to-the-frozen-aisle-302931144.html

SOURCE Quality Steaks, Inc

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