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Thea Serves Its One Billionth Practice Question, Cementing Its Place as a Leader in AI-Powered Active Learning

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ARLINGTON, Va., June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In an era when millions of students turn to AI to have answers handed to them, Thea has spent the last three years asking students the questions instead—and just crossed one billion practice questions served.

Thea, the AI-powered personalized learning platform headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, today announced that it has delivered its one billionth practice question. The milestone reflects the platform’s extraordinary growth and the trust that millions of students and educators across the world have placed in it.

The one billionth question was served on June 2, 2026, at 8:57 PM UTC to a student in Brazil.

“The scale of what we’ve built is incredible to think about: going from zero to a billion questions in less than three years,” said Anthony Bruce, CEO of Thea. “And even now, the rate of questions being served every second of the day is humbling. We are grateful to be a part of so many learning moments. Every single one of those questions is a student who showed up, put in the work, and trusted us to help them succeed.”

Transactional AI vs. Transformational AI: Thea Chose a Side

Most AI tools offer students a shortcut: type in a question, get the answer back. It’s fast, it’s frictionless, and it teaches students very little.

Thea was built on a different premise entirely. When a student uploads a problem set, a chapter of notes, or a slide deck, Thea doesn’t solve it for them. It asks them questions about it. The interaction is Socratic by design: rather than delivering answers, Thea draws out understanding through back-and-forth practice, surfacing what a student knows, what they don’t, and what they need to work on next.

There are no shortcuts. There is only active learning.

This is the distinction between AI that is transactional — used to get a quick answer a student won’t remember — and AI that is transformational: used to build genuine understanding. Thea is the latter.

Any Subject. Any Student. One Billion Questions.

“Qual foi a principal característica da Constituição brasileira de 1824?”

That was Thea’s one billionth question — a Brazilian history question, served in Portuguese, to a student in Maranhão, Brazil on June 2nd, 2026. Nine point nine seconds after it appeared on screen, the student answered: “It created a democratic system with direct elections for all offices.” The correct answer was that “[the 1824 Brazilian Constitution] established the Moderating Power, exclusive to the emperor.” Rather than simply marking it wrong and moving on, Thea’s platform responded the way a great learning partner should: noting the gap, reinforcing the concept, and serving a follow-up question to build the understanding the student needed.

It is a small moment. It also perfectly illustrates what Thea does: teach, not judge.

Thea supports any subject — from introductory biology and world history to advanced calculus, legal studies, business, and beyond. If a student is studying it, Thea can help them practice it.

Try it for yourself! Be part of the next billion questions at theastudy.com

Built on Learning Science, Not Shortcuts

Thea is built by a team of technologists and educators, people who understand both how to build great software and how students learn. That combination is rare, and it shows in every one of Thea’s features.

Thea’s flagship feature, Smart Study, transforms any uploaded material (lecture slides, video links, handwritten notes, etc.) into dynamic personalized questions that reflect the actual content being taught or learned. The system adapts in real time: quickly moving past concepts a student has mastered and lingering on areas where they need more support. Every question served is purposeful.

That focus on real outcomes is baked into the name itself. Thea was built to help students earn “The-A”.

A Platform for Educators, Too

Teachers use Thea to share their course content directly with students, uploading slides, notes, and materials that become the foundation for personalized practice sessions built around what’s being taught in class.

In return, educators gain something they’ve rarely had: visibility into how their students are studying. Thea’s platform provides detailed performance insights broken down by topic, individual student, or entire classes, revealing what’s happening during preparation time, not just on test day. Educators who have incorporated Thea into their classrooms have seen significant lift in student test performance among those who use the platform to prepare.

A Truly Global Platform

Thea serves students and educators in over 200 countries and territories. With support for more than 80 languages, Thea meets learners wherever they are, regardless of language, subject, or time zone. The one billionth question, delivered to a student in Brazil, is a symbol of Thea’s global reach.

Looking Ahead

As Thea celebrates this milestone, the team remains focused on what comes next: deeper personalization, expanded subject support, new tools for educators, and continued investment in the learning science that makes the platform work. After one billion questions, we are just now getting started.

To learn more or start studying for free, visit theastudy.com.

About Thea

Thea is an AI-powered personalized learning platform headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, built around a single goal: helping every student master their material and earn better grades. Founded by a student and built by a team of technology experts and professionals with deep educational backgrounds —Thea brings a rigorous, data-driven approach to learning science. Unlike AI tools that hand students answers, Thea asks them questions, using an active, adaptive method that builds real understanding. The platform supports over 80 languages, any academic subject, and serves millions of students and educators worldwide through features including Smart Study, games, flashcards, practice tests, and study guides. In 2026, Thea was named a Best Place to Work in its region by the Washington Business Journal. For more information, visit www.theastudy.com.

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SOURCE Thea Study

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FROM ITS FIRST EYEGLASS LENS TO BILLIONS OF LENS OPTIONS: NIKON LENSWEAR CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF JAPANESE OPTICAL INNOVATIONS

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October 27, 2026

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OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 27, 2026 /CNW/ — Nikon Lenswear celebrates 80 years of innovation since the introduction of its first eyeglass lens, the Pointal Lens, a legacy that began in 1946. 

What began with a single lens designed to help people see more clearly has evolved into a wide range of vision solutions, up to billions of potential lens options, tailored to different lifestyles and visual needs. Today, Nikon Lenswear offers highly personalized lenses designed to match how people live, work, and experience the world.

ROOTED IN A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN OPTICAL INNOVATIONS 

For 80 years, Nikon Lenswear has pursued excellence in vision care to improve the way people see. By combining Japanese craftsmanship, advanced technology, and a deep understanding of vision, Nikon Lenswear continues to create eyeglass lenses designed to deliver clear, comfortable, and precise vision.

“No two people see the world in exactly the same way. As visual needs become increasingly diverse, personalized vision has become essential. At Nikon Lenswear, we remain committed to developing solutions tailored to each wearer, helping them enjoy clear, comfortable, and natural vision in every aspect of their lives,” said Denise Bernachez, President of Nikon Lenswear in Canada. 

Drawing on Nikon’s expertise in optics and imaging, gained through more than a century of developing precision optical technologies, Nikon Lenswear continuously develops new solutions designed for wearers.

BRINGING NIKON CAMERA’S OPTICAL EXPERTISE TO EYEGLASS LENSES

The latest lens innovations from Nikon Lenswear draw inspiration from Nikon’s long-standing expertise in camera optics and contrast evaluation.

Building on Nikon’s expertise in camera lens contrast evaluation, Nikon Lenswear adapted this approach to the unique requirements of human vision and used these insights to develop the Z Series portfolio, featuring innovative eyeglass lens designs engineered to enhance contrast perception and visual clarity.

From single vision to progressive lenses, Nikon Lenswear continues to innovate across its portfolio to address the diverse vision and lifestyle needs of wearers, guided by one simple philosophy: there is an eyeglass lens uniquely crafted for every wearer.

At this 80-year milestone, Nikon Lenswear reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of vision experience through innovations, precision, and contrast enhancement, in its ongoing pursuit of delivering a vision experience people can truly feel. 

Please visit your local Nikon Lenswear eye care professional or visit https://www.nikonlenswear.com/en-ca

SOURCE Nikon Lenswear

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PNCC Safeguards Voice Networks in Palau with Telecoms Fraud Prevention Solution from Oculeus

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October 27, 2026

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Oculeus AFS provides dedicated anti-fraud layer to protect PNCC’s subscribers and commercial operations against new and ongoing telecoms fraud threats

FRANKFURT, Germany, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Oculeus, a leading provider of innovative software solutions for telecommunications service providers, today announced that the company has deployed its Oculeus Anti-Fraud System (AFS) for Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC), the national telecommunications provider of the Republic of Palau.

PNCC provides mobile, fixed, broadband and international connectivity services nationwide to residential and business customers. The company operates Palau’s domestic fiber-optic backbone and is currently modernizing the country’s mobile infrastructure.

In common with other Pacific Island nations, PNCC faces unique challenges to its network and is fully committed to protecting its infrastructure against global scam activities and unauthorized international routing schemes that target local consumers.

Oculeus AFS provides PNCC with a dedicated solution to protect its voice network infrastructure by rapidly identifying and blocking such attacks before subscribers and operations are impacted. Oculeus AFS leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) together with anomaly detection to analyze large volumes of telecommunications activity and mitigate fraudulent or abusive traffic in near-real-time. PNCC is using the system in a way that maximizes its automation features and allows the company to apply effective anti-fraud protections.

“As we further modernize Palau’s communications infrastructure, maintaining the highest standards of network integrity is our top priority,” stated Simon Fraser, CEO at PNCC. “We selected the Oculeus solution as it combines the latest technology with a competitive and accessible pricing model, backed by the reassurance of an existing worldwide customer base. The solution also brings great automation benefits and allows us to enhance operational resilience by utilizing and upskilling our existing team.”

“PNCC has a strong regional reputation for its culture of innovation and we are proud to be contributing to the company’s ambitious development,” said Arnd Baranowski, CEO of Oculeus. “We are also pleased to be expanding our presence in the South Pacific, helping to show how small telcos around the world can leverage cutting-edge technology to protect their operations and customers against complex telecoms fraud threats.”

About Oculeus

Oculeus is a leading provider of innovative software solutions for telecommunications service providers, network operators and other providers of voice and messaging services. The company’s product portfolio includes solutions for interconnect wholesale management, retail voice management and telecommunications fraud protection. Oculeus’ AI-driven solutions utilize state-of-the-art technologies for service providers to build and maintain efficient and highly automated network and business operations. Oculeus has been serving customers worldwide since 2004 as a technology partner and strategic vendor. For more information, please visit www.oculeus.com.

About Palau National Communications Corporation

Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) is the national telecommunications provider of the Republic of Palau, delivering mobile, fixed, broadband and international connectivity services nationwide. The company was established in 1982 and is a state-owned corporation. For more information, please visit www.pnccpalau.com.

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news@oculeus.com

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pncc-safeguards-voice-networks-in-palau-with-telecoms-fraud-prevention-solution-from-oculeus-302919384.html

SOURCE Oculeus

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Epson’s Point-of-Sale Solutions Bring Streamlined Order Pickup to Multi-Vendor Food Hall in Florida

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October 27, 2026

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Kluck’s Cloud-Native Restaurant Platform and Epson Liner-Free Thermal Label Printers Simplify Order Fulfillment and Eliminate Guest Pickup Confusion for Central Park St. Pete Food Hall

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. , Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Epson today announced that Central Park St. Pete Food Hall, a multi-concept dining destination in St. Petersburg, Florida, has found success with Epson point-of-sale (POS) labeling and printing solutions for its innovative multi-vendor ordering and fulfillment model. Leveraging OmniLink® TM-L100 liner-free thermal label printers across every vendor stall and OmniLink mSeries receipt printers at bars and expo stations, Central Park St. Pete provides guests with a frictionless pickup experience while simplifying operations for food hall operators and vendors alike.

Epson OmniLink TM-L100 linerfree label printers help Central Park St. Pete create frictionless guest pickup experiences.

“Central Park St. Pete was built around the idea that guests should be able to explore multiple food concepts as easily as they would a single restaurant,” said Natalia Levey, co-owner, Central Park St. Pete. “Each kitchen runs its own menu and hours, but whether guests order at a kiosk or online for takeout, it feels like one cohesive experience. Epson’s printing and labeling technology helps streamline workflow and the customer experience by making pickup intuitive and stress-free, allowing guests to focus on enjoying the food rather than figuring out which order belongs to them.”

Powered by Kluck, a cloud-native restaurant technology platform, Central Park St. Pete enables guests to order from multiple food concepts in a single transaction through kiosks or QR codes. As orders are prepared independently by individual vendors, Kluck allows the Food Hall to ensure every item is clearly identified and delivered to the correct guest, critical to maintaining a seamless customer experience.

“Getting orders to the kitchen isn’t the challenge, it’s everything that happens afterward,” said Cary Hicks, co-founder, Kluck. “Food halls create a unique operational challenge because a single transaction needs to be routed to multiple kitchens simultaneously. We designed our cloud-native platform to orchestrate that complexity behind the scenes. Epson’s solutions allow us to automatically generate labels at the correct vendor location in real time, ensuring every item is clearly identified and ready for pickup without adding extra steps for staff.”

Central Park St. Pete selected Epson as its exclusive printer provider, standardizing on a single platform across the facility to streamline deployment, support and day-to-day operations. Epson’s ePOS™ technology enables Kluck’s cloud-native platform to route print jobs across the network, ensuring labels are automatically generated at the appropriate vendor location.

“As hospitality concepts evolve, operators need technology that can support flexible and connected service models,” said Ian Livesay, product manager, Epson America, Inc. “Whether it’s a traditional restaurant or a multi-vendor venue, accurate labeling and reliable networked printing play an important role in creating efficient workflows and positive guest experiences. We’re proud to help innovative operators like Central Park St. Pete deliver both.”

Today, guests can place a single order across multiple vendors, pay once and easily collect their food from different stalls throughout the venue – a seamless experience from checkout to pickup.

“Reliable printing is one of those things nobody notices until it fails, and Epson’s printers have been extremely reliable for us,” said Hicks. “The TM-L100 label printers integrate seamlessly with our platform, printing each guest’s name directly on every order so guests always know exactly which food is theirs. That simple detail is what makes pickup across multiple vendors feel effortless. Central Park St. Pete proved the model, and we’re now brining the same Kluck and Epson solution to food halls and multi-vendor operators across the country.”

For more information about Epson’s hospitality solutions, visit www.epson.com/poshospitality.

About Epson
Epson is a technology innovation and engineering company whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company uses technology and engineering ability to implement real-world solutions in precision innovation, industrial and robotics, office and home printing, and visual and lifestyle.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1.4 trillion. corporate.epson/en/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), X (x.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica) and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

EPSON is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. ePOS is a trademark and OmniLink is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2026 Epson America, Inc.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epsons-point-of-sale-solutions-bring-streamlined-order-pickup-to-multi-vendor-food-hall-in-florida-302920194.html

SOURCE Epson America, Inc.

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