New artificial intelligence solution improves questionnaire response efficiency, consistency, and compliance through human-in-the-loop oversight

MENLO PARK, Calif., June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global consulting firm Protiviti has been awarded a second U.S. patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its innovation, “Systems and Methods for Automated Data Set Matching Services.”

The patented technology leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to help organizations automate and streamline high-volume questionnaire response processes, including third-party risk assessments, security questionnaires, regulatory requests, and client due diligence.

The system uses machine learning to analyze, categorize and map large datasets of structured questions into relevant domains, then identifies similarities across new and historical questions to surface the most relevant preapproved responses.

Scalable use cases across industries

While initially developed for cybersecurity and third-party risk questionnaires, the AI-powered system can be applied broadly across:

Vendor and supplier risk managementRegulatory and compliance reportingESG and sustainability questionnairesClient onboarding and due diligenceInternal audit and controls documentation

Why it matters

Organizations across industries face growing pressure to respond quickly and accurately to large volumes of complex, repetitive questionnaires. Manual processes are time-intensive, inconsistent, and difficult to scale.

Protiviti’s patented solution addresses this challenge by enabling teams to:

Automatically classify and organize questions using AIMatch new questions to previously approved responses from a centralized answer libraryReduce duplication and manual effort across teamsImprove consistency, accuracy, and turnaround timeMaintain compliance with built-in human review workflows

Executive perspective

“This innovation addresses a common and costly challenge for organizations—responding to hundreds of similar questionnaires from customers, regulators, and partners,” said Scott Laliberte, managing director at Protiviti and co-inventor of the patent.

“By applying AI to identify and deliver the most relevant responses quickly—while keeping humans in control—we help organizations increase efficiency, improve response quality, and reduce operational burden without sacrificing accuracy or compliance.”

“We weren’t trying to reinvent everything; we focused on combining new AI approaches with a better way to reuse existing knowledge,” said Kalabe Haile, a Protiviti senior manager who played a key role in designing the patented technology. “That’s what really unlocks scale and consistency.”

Driving innovation through Protiviti’s patent program

This patent reflects the continued momentum of Protiviti’s Global Patent Program, launched in 2022 to accelerate innovation and develop practical solutions to real-world client challenges.

The program encourages employees to:

Identify common business pain pointsExperiment with AI and advanced technologiesCollaborate across disciplinesTransform ideas into patentable, client-ready solutions

About Protiviti

Protiviti is a global consulting firm that helps clients transform and protect their businesses and respond to planned and unexpected events. Through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries, Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms deliver deep expertise and tailored capabilities across technology, artificial intelligence, data, operations, finance, legal, compliance, HR, marketing, digital, risk, and internal audit—enabling organizations to accelerate innovation, navigate risks and safeguard what matters most.

Named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list since 2015, Protiviti Inc. has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI)

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SOURCE Protiviti

GALWAY, Ireland, June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MBRYONICS, a leader in satellite optical transport, and NTT, a global technology and business solutions provider, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enter into a strategic partnership focused on the development and commercialization of coherent optical transceivers for space applications.

The collaboration aims to establish a standardized, high-speed backbone for space communications, ensuring seamless interoperability across the “Internet in Space” for global carriers and orbital layers.

A Unified Orbital Backbone

As a cornerstone of this alliance, advanced coherent digital signal processing (DSP) chips will be integrated into MBRYONICS’ Optical Communications Transceiver platform, making MBRYONICS the first company to incorporate and adopt NTT’s DSP chip into its transceivers and OCT systems. By combining NTT’s world-class technological heritage and telecommunications expertise with MBRYONICS’ agile photonic satellite solutions, the partnership will address the growing demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity in the orbital economy.

The MBRYONICS and NTT and partnership focuses on three primary objectives:

Standardizing the Backbone: Establishing high-speed links to ensure interoperability across diverse satellite constellations.Global Deployment: Collaborating on the international rollout of optical transceivers for carriers and orbital transport layers for all satellite networks.Terrestrial-Space Convergence: Creating a seamless transition where ground fiber and satellite links act as one invisible, unified network.

Scaling the Connected Cosmos

The two companies will collaborate on the global deployment of optical infrastructure, scaling the systems necessary for a truly connected orbital economy.

“Technology is only as powerful as the network it supports,” said John Mackey, CEO of MBRYONICS. “Partnering with NTT allows us to scale our vision for the ‘Internet in Space.’ By integrating NTT’s advanced DSP capabilities into our coherent photonics platform, we are closing the gap between terrestrial fiber and satellite networks, providing the global infrastructure needed for the next generation of satellite networks, powering direct to device, cloud and AI services.”

“This is a pivotal milestone for our technology as we expand into space,” said Minako Tsumenaga, SVP of NTT. “Through this collaboration, our advanced DSPs will empower satellite networks, enabling high-capacity optical links not only between satellites but also between satellites and ground stations. Mbryonics’s coherent platform will break down the barriers for our terrestrial capabilities to apply to non-terrestrial networks, aligning perfectly with our NTT C89 concept for establishing optical based space network infrastructure”

About MBRYONICS: MBRYONICS is a deep-tech company providing the only comprehensive Optical Communications Platform to build the internet in space. The company’s 25-800G transceiver platform is the only solution compatible with all major optical communication standards, delivering the highest throughputs and the critical interoperability layer for LEO, MEO, and GEO constellations.

About NTT: NTT is a global leader in telecommunications and IT services, providing the foundational network infrastructure and technological innovations to connect the world. Under the umbrella of NTT C89, its space business brand, NTT has been actively developing optical-based space infrastructure.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mbryonics-and-ntt-announce-strategic-partnership-to-build-the-internet-of-space-302790887.html

SOURCE MBRYONICS

Canadians can save more with Walmart+, the membership that pays for itself

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 4, 2026 /CNW/ – Walmart+ has arrived in Canada, unlocking a first-of-its-kind membership program that goes beyond delivery for Canadians, bringing together unlimited same-day delivery from store, free shipping with no order minimum from Walmart.ca and a subscription to Crave – all for $8.97 per month or $89 annually.

Canada is the first Walmart market outside of the United States to launch Walmart+. This program offers everything customers love about Delivery Pass, which launched at the same everyday low price of $89 in 2023, plus more. Existing Delivery Pass members will automatically become Walmart+ members.

“Walmart+ is a game-changer for Canadians, especially the busy families who rely on our everyday low prices,” said Catherine Theberge-Conner, Head of Membership, Walmart Canada. “With Walmart+, Canadians can access a unique membership offering that combines unlimited grocery and general merchandise delivery with benefits beyond retail – all for only $89 per year. Canadians are going to love the level of convenience, assortment and value they get with Walmart+, with more to come.”

At launch, Walmart+ benefits include:

Unlimited free same-day delivery from store on orders over $35, at the same everyday low prices available in our stores. Members even save on Express Delivery, which arrives in 2 hours or less.Free shipping with no order minimum on thousands of items from Walmart.ca and the Walmart app.A subscription to Crave Standard with Ads: From acclaimed Crave Originals like Heated Rivalry, Project Runway Canada, and Shoresy, to exclusive HBO and Max Originals, popular CTV and Noovo series, blockbuster films and more, Walmart+ is the only membership to offer Crave as an embedded benefit at no additional cost. Plus, members can access select live sports, including competitions from marquee leagues across Canada and around the world.

“Crave is built around bringing Canadians premium entertainment that fits naturally into their everyday lives,” said Steve Cummings, Vice President, Subscription Sales and Partnerships, Bell Media. “Through Walmart+, we’re making that experience even more accessible by pairing Crave’s premium content lineup, with one of the country’s most compelling membership offerings. It’s an exciting opportunity to reach audiences through a service that delivers value and convenience, every day.”

Walmart+ members will also continue to enjoy Walmart’s flexible and convenient pickup and delivery experience, including:

The ability to add items to an existing scheduled order up to three hours prior to the start of their selected pickup or delivery slot time.Express Delivery in two hours or less, for a discounted fee.Free pickup from store.

“For the first time, we’ve unlocked free shipping with no order minimum, arriving as soon as the next day, for thousands of items on Walmart.ca,” said Andrew Go, Vice President, eCommerce and Marketing, Walmart Canada. “This benefit is only available through Walmart+ and is going to transform how Canadians shop with Walmart, giving them even more convenience, value and flexibility every day.”

Walmart+ is designed to help Canadians save time and get more value from the way they already shop at Walmart. New customers can start a free 30-day trial of Walmart+ at https://www.walmart.ca/en/plus 

About Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer of more than 400 stores nationwide serving 1.5 million customers each day. Walmart Canada’s flagship online store, Walmart.ca is visited by more than 1.5 million customers daily. With more than 100,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada’s largest employers and is ranked one of the country’s top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada’s extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart Canada has raised and donated more than $940 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca and on Walmart Canada’s social media pages – Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Walmart Canada