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MBZUAI Launches Institute of Foundation Models and Establishes Silicon Valley AI Lab

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ — Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has expanded its global footprint with the launch of its Institute of Foundation Models (IFM). The IFM is a multi-site initiative consisting of a newly established Silicon Valley Lab in Sunnyvale, CA, combined with previously announced lab facilities in Paris and Abu Dhabi.

The launch event yesterday at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, establishes the third node in its global research network. This strategic expansion connects the university with California’s vibrant ecosystem of AI researchers, startups, and tech companies.

For the UAE and MBZUAI, this move represents another strategic step in the country’s long-term economic diversification plan. By investing in cutting-edge technologies like advanced AI foundation models, the UAE continues to build knowledge-based sectors to support its long-term economic and social transformation efforts.

“Today’s launch of the IFM represents a major step forward for the collaboration and global development of frontier-class AI foundation models,” said Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor, MBZUAI. “Our expansion into Silicon Valley provides a critical footprint to grow our presence in one of the most vibrant AI ecosystems in the world. We’re creating pathways for knowledge exchange with leading institutions and accessing a talent pool that understands how to scale research into real-world applications.”

The launch event drew representatives from the world’s leading AI companies and academic institutions, highlighting the growing interest in MBZUAI’s global approach to foundation model research.

At the heart of MBZUAI’s demonstrations was PAN, a world model capable of infinite simulations of diverse realities ranging from basic physical interactions to complex agent scenarios.

Unlike previous systems focused primarily on generating text, audio, or images, PAN predicts comprehensive world states by integrating multimodal inputs like language, video, spatial data, and physical actions. This enables advanced reasoning, strategic planning, and nuanced decision-making for applications from autonomous driving to robotics.

PAN’s innovative hierarchical architecture supports multi-level reasoning and real-time interaction within simulations, maintaining high accuracy over extended scenarios. Its companion, PAN-Agent, showcases its utility in multimodal reasoning tasks, such as mathematics and coding, within dynamic simulated environments.

K2 and JAIS: Advanced Foundation Models with Global Impact

The IFM lab is also advancing two flagship AI systems demonstrating the commitment to further advance frontier-class foundation models: K2 and JAIS.

A soon to be released update to K2-65B will focus on delivering breakthrough reasoning capabilities with sustainable performance.

JAIS stands as the world’s most advanced Arabic large language model. At the IFM JAIS will continue to expand in capability with increased language support and add more context to preserve and promote the cultures it supports.

Building AI in the Open: Transparency as a Core Value

MBZUAI has established one of the industry’s most transparent approaches to AI development, open-sourcing not just models but entire development processes—positioning IFM as a leader in building openly. The LLM360 initiative provides researchers with complete materials including training code, datasets, and model checkpoints. This openness is balanced with safeguards including international advisory boards and peer review processes that maintain research integrity.

The IFM’s structure includes dedicated teams focused on model architecture, training methods, evaluation frameworks, and safety systems—combining the agility of a startup with the resources of an established research institution.

About Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) 

MBZUAI is a research-focused university in Abu Dhabi, and the first university dedicated entirely to the advancement of science through AI. For more information, visit www.mbzuai.ac.ae

For press inquiries:
Aya Sakoury 
Head of PR and Strategic Communications
media@mbzuai.ac.ae 

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2695164/MBZUAI.jpg

 

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SOURCE MBZUAI

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Composers for Wicked: For Good, Palm Royale, Pluribus, Stranger Things, The Age of Disclosure, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time, and Video Game Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate’s Fortune Receive 2026 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards

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ASCAP Honors David Vanacore with Golden Note Award

LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This evening, at its exclusive ASCAP Screen Celebrates event in Los Angeles, ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) announced the 2026 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards honorees along with the ASCAP Screen Music Awards winners behind today’s most compelling film, television and video game music.

The ASCAP Screen Music Awards celebrate composers whose work elevates the art of visual storytelling across film, television and interactive media. Included in these are the ASCAP Composers’ Choice Awards, which are chosen by the ASCAP composer and songwriter community, an exclusive honor among US performing rights organizations. The 2026 winners, selected from a competitive field of nominees, created music for a critically acclaimed television comedy-drama series, a major cinematic musical adaptation, a landmark historical documentary series, and a standout fantasy-adventure video game, among others:

2026 ASCAP Composers’ Choice Award Winners

Film Score of the Year: Wicked: For Good – John Powell & Stephen SchwartzTelevision Score of the Year: Palm Royale – Jeff ToyneTelevision Theme of the Year: Pluribus – Dave Porter; Stranger Things – Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (tie)Documentary Film Score of the Year: The Age of Disclosure – Blair Mowat Documentary Series Score of the Year: Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time – Amanda Jones Video Game Score of the Year: Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate’s Fortune – Wilbert Roget II, Jon Everist and Cody Matthew Johnson

In other categories, while Michael Giacchino received Top Domestic Box Office Film of the Year for Zootopia 2. Jake Staley earned Top Network Television Series for his work on the drama High Potential, and John Sereda received Top Cable Television Series for the historical drama When Calls the Heart. David Vanacore was the top winner in the Most Performed Themes & Underscore category.

This marked Vanacore’s 22nd consecutive win in the Most Performed Themes and Underscore category, and his 11th consecutive time as the top winner. During the celebration, Vanacore was also presented with ASCAP’s prestigious Golden Note Award in recognition of his extraordinary career achievements and impact on television music. A pioneering force in unscripted scoring, Vanacore has composed the music for CBS’s Survivor since its debut in 2000, with 2026 marking the series’ landmark 50th season.

ASCAP’s Golden Note Award is presented to artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Previous recipients include Lionel Richie, Jeff Lynne, Quincy Jones, Jermaine Dupri, Reba McEntire, Alicia Keys and composers Alf Clausen and Mark Snow.

The complete list of winners is available on the ASCAP website: www.ascap.com/screenawards26

About ASCAP
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world’s most talented music creators. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar collected to its members as royalties and has the lowest overhead rate of any U.S. PRO. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees and identifies, matches, processes and pays royalties to its members for trillions of performances every year. The ASCAP blanket license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on X and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.

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SOURCE ASCAP – American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

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28.13%, 26.4%! LONGi Sets New World Records for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell and Module Efficiency

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XI’AN, China, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, LONGi announced two major technological breakthroughs. First, its independently developed Hybrid Interdigitated-Back-Contact (HIBC) solar cell has been certified by the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) in Germany, achieving a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 28.13%. This marks yet another step forward toward the theoretical efficiency limit of crystalline silicon solar cells, following LONGi’s previous efficiency record of 28.04% set in January 2026. Second, modules fabricated based on HIBC solar cells have been certified by the U.S. National Laboratory of the Rockies(NLR), with efficiency breaking through to 26.4% — setting a new record after LONGi had earlier pushed the crystalline silicon module efficiency to 26%.

As the ultimate solution for single-junction crystalline silicon cell technology, the HIBC cell developed by LONGi’s Central R&D Institute represents a culmination of the strengths of various cell technologies. The R&D team has innovatively introduced core technologies such as in-situ Patterned Edge Passivation (iPET) and Laser-Induced Crystallization modification (LIC). Through systematic optimization of structural design, material selection, and fabrication processes, the team has achieved multiple breakthroughs in optical performance, interface passivation quality, and charge transport efficiency, paving a mature pathway for the commercial deployment of ultra-high-efficiency crystalline silicon cells.

These hardcore breakthroughs in technological strength have already translated into a leading edge in mass production. In April 2026, the authoritative global PV media outlet TaiyangNews released its ranking of commercialized mass-produced module efficiencies, and LONGi’s  EcoLife series modules, powered by HIBC technology, secured the top spot with a mass-production efficiency of 25%. This achievement marks the official completion of a complete closed loop spanning from laboratory R&D to large-scale commercial application for HIBC cells, delivering yet another premium clean energy solution to global customers — one that offers “high efficiency, high energy yield, aesthetic versatility, and certified safety and reliability”.

Having been deeply engaged in the clean energy field for many years, LONGi has established a comprehensive “Green Power + Green Hydrogen + Energy Storage” full-chain clean energy solution, consistently driving technological iteration through independent innovation to deliver high-quality products across all application scenarios to global customers. Moving forward, LONGi will continue to focus on technological innovation, accelerating the translation of laboratory efficiency breakthroughs into large-scale manufacturing, and serving the global energy transition with more competitive clean energy products to help build a zero-carbon and sustainable green energy ecosystem.

SOURCE LONGi

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DentScribe Is Not Just an AI Scribe; It Supports the Entire Dental Day

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From the morning huddle to chairside review, notes, perio charting, treatment coordination, after-care, and follow-up, DentScribe helps busy dentists and DSOs see the full power of dental AI.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A dentist’s day is not one task. It is a chain reaction.

DentScribe transforms the dental day – from morning huddle to follow-up – into connected, actionable intelligence.

It starts before the first patient sits down. The team has only a few minutes for the morning huddle. Who is coming in today? What did we miss last time? Which patients have unscheduled treatment? Which issues need attention before they become bigger problems?

Then the dentist walks into the operatory and needs instant context. What is in the chart? What did the patient defer? What did the provider recommend at the last visit? What should not be missed today?

Then comes the appointment itself: diagnosis, treatment, patient education, clinical judgment, documentation, perio charting, billing support, and follow-up planning.

And when the patient leaves the chair, the work is still not done. The treatment coordinator must explain the plan, discuss cost, review financing or insurance, handle hesitation, schedule the next visit, and make sure the patient understands what happens next.

This is why DentScribe is built to be more than an AI scribe.

DentScribe today reinforced the full range of its AI platform for dental practices and DSOs – a connected suite of capabilities designed to support the busy dentist and team across the dental day, from preparation to patient care to follow-up.

“Dentists do not experience their day as isolated tasks,” said Dr. Vinni K. Singh, Founder & CEO of DentScribe. “The morning huddle affects the chairside conversation. The chairside conversation affects the SOAP note. The SOAP note is the ground truth for production opportunities, treatment coordination, after-care, and doctor communications. DentScribe brings those pieces together so AI can support the real workflow of the dental office.”

The DentScribe ‘aha’ is simple: the note is only the beginning.

A SOAP note contains the dentist’s true clinical assessment. DentScribe turns that ground truth into action across the practice.

Before the day begins, DentScribe GPS helps the team prepare with a smarter morning huddle.Before and during the appointment, DentScribe CoPilot helps surface chairside reminders and unresolved opportunities.During and after care, DentScribe helps generate comprehensive SOAP notes and supports AI voice perio charting.After the appointment, DentScribe Treatment Coordinator Notes help document the financial and scheduling conversation.Before the patient forgets, DentScribe After-Care Summaries help explain what happened, what matters, and what comes next.When another provider needs context, DentScribe supports referral letters, specialist reports, and doctor communications.Across the office, DentScribe supports PMS-connected workflows, CDT-aware documentation, and practice-specific templates.

For busy dentists, that means less time buried in notes and fewer missed details.

For front-desk and treatment teams, it means clearer handoffs, better follow-up, and a more consistent way to document patient concerns.

For patients, it means a smoother experience, clearer next steps, and a better understanding of the care being recommended.

For DSOs and practice owners, it means DentScribe is not merely a documentation tool. It is an AI operating layer that can help reveal missed opportunities, reduce leakage, improve communication, and give leaders better visibility into the daily workflow of the practice.

“DentScribe’s ground-truth approach is powerful because it starts with what the dentist actually said, observed, and recommended,” said Dr. Ratinder Paul Singh Ahuja, Board Chair of DentScribe. “When that information becomes structured and actionable across the practice, AI becomes far more than a scribe – it becomes a system for better care delivery and production.”

DentScribe’s platform was designed for the reality of modern dentistry: fragmented systems, tight schedules, incomplete handoffs, late-night charting, missed follow-ups, and lost production. By bringing together documentation, CoPilot intelligence, GPS morning huddle insights, perio charting, treatment coordination, after-care, doctor communications, and PMS integration, DentScribe gives dental teams a clearer way to manage the full patient workflow.

The result is the “aha” moment many dentists and DSOs are looking for: An AI agent that optimizes their entire patient care workflow.

Ready to see the full DentScribe platform? Book a live demo: https://www.dentscribe.ai/book-a-demo

About DentScribe
DentScribe  is the agentic AI platform for dental documentation and production. DentScribe automatically generates comprehensive SOAP notes from dentist-patient conversations and publishes them directly into leading practice management systems. With DentScribe CoPilot, those notes become chairside checklists that close care gaps and increase case acceptance. With DentScribe GPS, leaders gain a practice-wide daily brief that turns morning huddles into a reliable engine for production and patient outcomes. Founded by practicing dentist Dr. Vinni K. Singh in Sunnyvale, California, DentScribe helps dentists reclaim time, deliver better care, and grow their practices – without changing how they work. Learn more or book a demo at dentscribe.ai.

Media Contact
DentScribe Media Relations
hello@dentscribe.ai
+1-650-446-6161
710 Lakeway Dr. #200, Sunnyvale, CA 94085

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SOURCE DentScribe

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