New paper by Dr. Wayne L. McCoy examines how employers can turn AI skill development into a talent retention strategy.

PHOENIX, Ariz., June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has published a new white paper, “The Retention Mandate: Bridging the AI Fluency Gap to Secure the 2026 Workforce,” authored by Wayne L. McCoy, DM, MBA, and released through the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR).

The paper examines a growing workplace challenge: employees are rapidly building artificial intelligence skills, while many organizations are still developing the policies, processes and career pathways needed to support AI-enabled work. Drawing on the 2026 Career Optimism Index® study and research on workplace psychology, technology readiness and organizational governance, McCoy argues that AI fluency is no longer only a productivity issue — it is a retention issue.

“Workers are not waiting for organizations to define the future of AI at work,” said McCoy. “Many are already learning, experimenting and building confidence with AI tools. The opportunity for employers is to create the structure around that energy with clear standards, practical training, manager support and career pathways that help employees see a future inside the organization.”

The white paper identifies what McCoy describes as an AI fluency gap: a disconnect between worker skill development and organizational readiness. It notes that employee-led AI learning can create mobility and confidence, but also uncertainty when job descriptions, policies, training systems and manager expectations do not keep pace.

What the white paper addresses

“The Retention Mandate” examines how organizations can better align people, processes, technology and data as AI becomes more embedded in the workplace. The paper highlights several factors shaping AI workforce retention:

Employee-led AI learning and “shadow learning”AI’s impact on productivity, skills development and professional identityPsychological safety and employee trust during AI adoptionGovernance structures for responsible organizational AI useManager capability as a driver of employee confidence and retention

The paper proposes a four-step roadmap for employers seeking to strengthen AI readiness and retain AI-fluent talent:

Define AI career pathways and standardsEstablish skills assessment systemsExpand training, tools and structured enablementBuild AI capability among managers

McCoy’s analysis positions AI adoption as a socio-technical transformation, not simply a technology rollout. The paper encourages organizations to pair AI implementation with clear governance, workforce development and leadership practices that support employee confidence, adaptability and long-term engagement.

About the author

Wayne L. McCoy, DM, MBA, serves as a dissertation chair and staff faculty member in University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies. He brings experience in business leadership, technology, entrepreneurship and higher education instruction. McCoy earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Management from University of Phoenix.

“The Retention Mandate: Bridging the AI Fluency Gap to Secure the 2026 Workforce” is available on the College of Doctoral Studies’ Research Hub.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

About the College of Doctoral Studies
University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-white-paper-on-closing-the-ai-fluency-gap-to-support-workforce-retention-published-by-the-university-of-phoenix-college-of-doctoral-studies-302805050.html

SOURCE University of Phoenix

SmartEsq, an AI-powered legal technology platform built for private fund formation lawyers, has won the LegalTechTalk 2026 LaunchPad Startup Pitch Competition, beating out hundreds of applicants to be named the top legal technology innovator at one of the industry’s most prominent global events. The company’s platform targets some of the most time-intensive work in private funds law — LPA review, side letter analysis, and MFN management — replacing fragmented, email-driven workflows with AI-powered processes that the company says reduce manual effort by up to 80%. SmartEsq was founded by private equity attorneys and legal technologists with more than 105 years of combined experience in fund formation, artificial intelligence, and data science. The win comes as law firms and legal departments accelerate their move toward specialized AI tools capable of handling the precision and risk standards that complex legal work demands. As the 2026 LaunchPad winner, SmartEsq will return to the main stage at LegalTechTalk 2027 to present before a global audience of legal leaders, investors, and technology decision-makers.

NEW YORK, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — SmartEsq, the AI-powered legal technology platform transforming private funds formation workflows, today announced it has been named the winner of the prestigious LegalTechTalk 2026 LaunchPad Startup Pitch Competition, selected by a distinguished panel of legal, technology, and investment leaders as one of the companies shaping the future of legal services.

The LaunchPad Startup Pitch Competition is among LegalTechTalk’s most competitive programs, spotlighting the next generation of category-defining legal technology companies. From hundreds of global applicants, only 30 startups were selected to pitch live before an elite panel of judges. SmartEsq emerged as the winner based on its innovation, market opportunity, scalability, and compelling vision for applying AI to some of the legal industry’s most complex and high-value workflows.

“Winning the LegalTechTalk LaunchPad is a powerful validation of what we’re building,” said Esther Chiang, Co-Founder and CEO of SmartEsq. “Private funds lawyers are under tremendous pressure to manage increasingly complex fund terms, side letter obligations, and investor requirements while maintaining absolute precision. Generic AI tools weren’t built for this level of complexity. SmartEsq was. We are purpose-built to help legal professionals work faster, smarter, and with greater confidence without compromising accuracy or trust.”

The recognition reflects a broader shift in the legal industry as firms and legal departments move beyond AI experimentation toward specialized, enterprise-ready solutions built around the unique complexity, standards, and risk requirements of legal work. SmartEsq is leading this transformation by applying artificial intelligence to private fund formation—streamlining LPA review, side letter analysis, and MFN management—to reduce manual work by up to 80%, surface critical insights, and enable lawyers to focus on higher-value strategic counsel.

As the 2026 LaunchPad winner, SmartEsq will return to the main stage at LegalTechTalk 2027, providing an opportunity to showcase its continued innovation before a global audience of legal leaders, investors, and technology decision-makers.

About SmartEsq

SmartEsq is an AI-powered legal technology company purpose-built for private fund formation lawyers. Created by seasoned private equity attorneys and legal technologists with more than 105 years of combined expertise in fund formation, artificial intelligence, and data science, SmartEsq transforms the most complex and time-intensive aspects of fund formation, including LPA markups, side letter management, and MFN analysis. The platform replaces fragmented, email-driven workflows with intelligent, structured processes that improve collaboration between private equity firms and outside counsel, reduce manual effort by up to 80%, and allow lawyers to focus on strategic advice, negotiation, and client outcomes.

Media Contact

Katherine Loanzon, SmartEsq, 1 2155001219, katherine.loanzon@smartesq.ai, https://www.smartesq.ai/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/smartesq-wins-legaltechtalk-2026-launchpad-startup-pitch-competition-recognized-as-a-leading-ai-innovator-transforming-private-funds-law-302805439.html

SOURCE SmartEsq

MUMBAI, India, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 5paisa Capital Ltd., one of India’s leading digital brokers, today announced the launch of AlgoSpace at its Algo Convention event at the Bombay Stock Exchange. AlgoSpace is a new algorithmic trading platform designed to make algo trading accessible to every retail trader. 

A product that is meant to make “Algo Trading for Everyone,” AlgoSpace enables users to browse, select, and deploy curated trading strategies – without the need for coding, technical infrastructure, or complex configurations. The platform brings together simplicity, speed, and intelligent automation to help traders participate in algo-driven trading with ease. 

Solving for Simplicity in Algo Trading 

While algorithmic trading has long been associated with institutions and technically advanced traders, retail participation has often been limited by complexity and high entry barriers. AlgoSpace by 5paisa bridges this gap by offering a curated selection of battle-tested strategies, allowing traders to focus on strategy selection rather than technical implementation. 

With instant deployment and seamless integration into the 5paisa trading ecosystem, AlgoSpace by 5paisa removes friction at every step – making algo trading intuitive, efficient, and accessible. 

Commenting on the launch, Gaurav Seth, MD & CEO, 5paisa Capital, said: 

“At 5paisa, our focus has always been on simplifying advanced trading tools for retail India. With AlgoSpace, we are making algo trading accessible to everyone. Traders can now access curated strategies and deploy them seamlessly at no extra cost.” 

Key Highlights of AlgoSpace 

Strategy Deployment: Browse a curated marketplace of trading strategies and deploy then seamlessly. Battle-Tested Algos: Pre-built strategies for Indian market conditions and diverse styles. No Coding Required: No programming, scripting, or technical setup – simply select and deploy. Zero Platform Fees: Trade using AlgoSpace with no additional platform charges or commissions. Seamless Execution: Fully integrated with the 5paisa ecosystem for real-time order execution and monitoring. Insights & Controls: Backtesting, performance analytics, and complete visibility into positions and capital usage. 

AlgoSpace by 5paisa represents a shift in how retail traders can engage with algorithmic strategies, moving away from complexity towards clarity, control, and intelligent automation. By combining curated strategies with instant execution and a no-code experience, 5paisa continues its mission to democratise advanced trading tools and make professional-grade capabilities available to every trader. 

About 5paisa Capital 

5paisa Capital Ltd. is one of India’s leading digital-first brokers, offering cost-effective and technology-driven financial services to retail investors. With a mission to democratise investing, 5paisa continues to innovate at the intersection of finance and technology, delivering seamless trading and investing solutions to millions across the country. 

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2997850/5paisa_Launches_AlgoSpace.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/5paisa-capital-launches-algospace-algo-trading-for-everyone-made-simple-and-accessible-302805778.html