Connect with us

Technology

Jane Goodall Institute USA and FormationQ Launch First-of-its-kind Quantum Computing Research Programme to Explore the Ecological Roots of War and Peace

Published

on

LONDON and AUSTIN, Texas, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) USA and FormationQ today announced a landmark research partnership that will apply trapped-ions quantum computing by IonQ to one of the most enduring questions in behavioral ecology: why do some species engage in lethal intergroup violence while others live peacefully alongside their neighbours?

Launching on World Chimpanzee Day, which marks the 66th anniversary of Dr. Jane Goodall’s arrival at Gombe, Tanzania to begin her wild chimpanzee study, the two-year programme builds on more than six decades of pioneering field research, bringing together advanced computational modelling, hybrid quantum-classical computing and behavioural ecology into a new state-of-the-art collaborative research framework.

The programme, Ecology of War and Peace: Using Quantum-Enhanced Agent-Based Modelling to Explain Contrasting Intergroup Behaviour in Chimpanzees and Bonobos, will mark a first-of-its-kind application of quantum-enhanced computation to the study of ecology, evolution and behaviour, representing a bold new chapter in the Jane Goodall Institute USA’s decades-long legacy of using innovative technologies to support long-term research, conservation and education.

The programme will bring together JGI’s unparalleled scientific legacy, behavioural modelling developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota, FormationQ’s expertise in designing and operating applied programmes and IonQ’s quantum computing platform.

At the centre of the programme is B3GET (Behaviour, Ecology, Genetics, Evolution and Tradeoffs), a sophisticated agent-based model in which virtual primates live, move, forage, reproduce and interact across artificial landscapes. Researchers can systematically vary ecological conditions including food distribution, home range size and group cohesion rules, to investigate how environmental factors influence patterns of cooperation and conflict over time.

Chimpanzees and bonobos are humanity’s two closest living relatives, yet they display strikingly different patterns of intergroup behaviour. Jane Goodall famously observed chimpanzee warfare in the 1970s, in which chimpanzees engaged in organised, lethal inter-group conflict. Bonobos, however, are known to peacefully socialize between communities.

The answer in explaining this difference, researchers believe, lies in ecology: in the way food is distributed across the landscape, the size of the ranges each species must cover, and the moment-to-moment decisions individuals make about whether to travel alone or in groups. Decades of field research have provided extraordinary insights into these behaviours. However, understanding how numerous ecological variables interact across complex systems remains a significant challenge.

By combining advanced agent-based modelling with hybrid quantum-classical computational approaches, the programme will investigate how quantum computing can help researchers explore this complex space in new ways and improve the calibration of large-scale behavioural models, thereby helping identify the ecological conditions that distinguish the lethal intergroup aggression of chimpanzees from the more peaceful coexistence of bonobos.

The project will also provide insights into how chimpanzees’ natural behaviour connects to habitat and increased mortality. Both factors are essential to not only understand chimpanzees, but also better identify and protect habitats and model chimpanzee populations to develop more effective conservation strategies.

Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute and Principal Investigator, said:

“Dr. Jane Goodall spent over 65 years building the most comprehensive ongoing record of wild chimpanzees. That legacy of patient, rigorous observation is now meeting the frontier of quantum science. Understanding the ecological conditions that drive how chimpanzees interact with their habitats and neighbors is also relevant to understanding why populations thrive or decline, and where conservation action will matter most.

“This partnership embodies exactly what the Jane Goodall Institute’s scientific work stands for: strategically bringing the most powerful technology tools available to bear on the questions that matter most for chimpanzees, for conservation, and for our understanding of what it means to be human. This programme is one of the last that Jane and I worked on together. Launching it today, on the 66th anniversary of her first day at Gombe, is deeply meaningful to me.”

Nada Hosking, Founder and CEO of FormationQ said:

“This programme starts with a profound scientific question, decades of extraordinary field research and a sophisticated model built to understand a deeply complex natural system. FormationQ’s role in this partnership is to bring those elements together with IonQ’s frontier quantum computing capabilities and build a research programme around a question that has never before been approached in this way.

“We believe the real promise of quantum will emerge when world-leading domain expertise, data and models are connected to the technology in ways that allow researchers to ask new questions. There could be few more meaningful places to begin than with Jane Goodall’s extraordinary scientific legacy and what it can still teach us about nature, conservation and ourselves.”

Notes to Editors

B3GET was developed by Dr. Kristin N. Crouse, a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Minnesota, who will serve as Co-Investigator and full-time research lead on the project. The project team also includes Dr. Michael L. Wilson as the Co-Investigator, University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences and with research infrastructure support from the University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute. Michael Wilson, Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, is a Principal Investigator of the Gombe Research Consortium with over 25 years’ experience working with the Gombe chimpanzee project, including three years serving as Director of Field Research for Gombe Stream Research Centre.

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) USA brings insights from over 65 years of records of field research, informing the focus areas for this research programme with their specialist domain expertise. FormationQ will bring the partners together, designing and operating the applied quantum component of the programme, while IonQ will provide the quantum computing platform and technical capability through their trapped-ion systems.

About the Jane Goodall Institute

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global conservation organization founded in 1977 that advances Dr. Jane Goodall’s legacy in 30 offices around the world. The Jane Goodall Institute continues Jane’s vision of inspiring hope and transforming it into action through science driven, technology enabled programs focused on wildlife research and rehabilitation, community-led conservation, and youth engagement. Through the youth program Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, now active in 75 countries around the world and counting, JGI is creating a movement of compassionate people who uphold its mission to create a better world for people, other animals, and our shared environment. 

Learn more at JaneGoodall.org and RootsAndShoots.org. Follow @JaneGoodallInst and @RootsAndShoots.

About FormationQ

FormationQ is the enablement layer for global quantum adoption. The company builds the institutional pathways and collaborative structures that allow quantum technologies to move from frontier research into real-world use. Working with leading institutions and technology partners, FormationQ operates and supports programmes that advance talent development, application formation, and ecosystem coordination in ways that can be governed, trusted, and sustained over time.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and foundry – delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, NVIDIA, and Astrazeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.

Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.

FormationQ Media Contacts
formationq@edelman.com 
FormationQ
media@formationq.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jane-goodall-institute-usa-and-formationq-launch-first-of-its-kind-quantum-computing-research-programme-to-explore-the-ecological-roots-of-war-and-peace-302824400.html

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Media join forces to shape shared narrative

Published

on

By

Alliance: Mutual learning among civilizations promoted

KUNMING, China, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily Asia Pacific:

Dinh Thuy Dung, a bilingual Vietnamese broadcaster, owes her career to the influence of Chinese culture. The young woman, who hails from a small Vietnamese village, said she learned Chinese because of a pop song.

“It was the first time I felt the charm of the Chinese language, and it sparked my desire to learn Chinese,” she said on Tuesday while addressing the audience at the South and Southeast Asian Media Network Annual Meeting 2026 in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.

“After choosing to learn Chinese, I was able to participate in exchange programs and travel. … I became a Vietnamese-Chinese bilingual broadcaster.”

At work, Dung found a purpose larger than herself. “I could introduce Vietnam’s culture, landscape and people to Chinese audiences,” she said. “At the same time, I could bring China’s culture and stories back to my Vietnamese friends.”

Her career embodies the very cooperation that media professionals from across South and Southeast Asia have gathered at the Kunming meeting to advance.

Representatives of more than 170 media outlets, news organizations and think tanks from the region attended the annual meeting of the network that was launched in 2024.

The network was initiated by the Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia and China Daily Asia Pacific.

Zeng Yan, head of the publicity department of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, said that amid accelerating global changes and rising uncertainties, China remains committed to building a community with a shared future for humanity and contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to address global challenges and advance a more just and reasonable international order.

She highlighted the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, saying that they provide guidance for responding to global challenges and promoting international cooperation.

Zeng noted that over the past three years, the regional media network had expanded its membership, improved its mechanisms, established a liaison office, released annual work plans and promoted practical cooperation.

She said that Yunnan is closely connected with South and Southeast Asian countries by geography, people-to-people ties and shared cultural links, creating many stories worth telling and sharing.

She called for cooperation in artificial intelligence-assisted news production, multilingual intelligent translation, cross-platform distribution, short-video production and data journalism, so that authentic, diverse and warm regional content could be produced more efficiently and have more precise reach and broader dissemination.

Over 20 pacts signed

More than 20 cooperation agreements were signed during the annual meeting, covering joint production, tourism promotion, academic exchanges and youth programs, with the aim of creating flagship projects with regional identity and international influence.

At the meeting, Zhu Baoxia, deputy publisher of China Daily, underscored the alliance’s growth and ambition.

“It has built an important platform for exchanges and cooperation that promotes regional connectivity and mutual learning among civilizations,” Zhu said.

She highlighted China Daily’s long-standing mission to “bridge China and the world”, citing that the “Run with History” series, launched in 2019, has been held in historical cities including Bagan in Myanmar, Ayutthaya in Thailand and Luang Prabang in Laos, attracting more than 13,000 participants.

“Using sports as a bond and culture as a vehicle, we have built a down-to-earth and warm platform for people-to-people friendly exchanges,” Zhu said.

She added that guided by the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s four global initiatives, connectivity, trade ties and shared interests between China and South and Southeast Asian countries have continued to deepen, creating a path of open, inclusive and mutually beneficial development.

She called on the network members to strengthen cooperation and contribute to regional prosperity.

Htin Linn Aung, Myanmar’s information minister, said at the meeting that while technology connects people, it also amplifies shared regional threats.

“Common challenges such as climate change, economic instability, public health hazards and transnational security issues can no longer be addressed by a single country alone,” he said.

He emphasized the media’s responsibility in the digital age.

“The spread of misinformation and disinformation has the potential to create misunderstandings and undermine trust among nations,” he warned.

He called on the media to play a role beyond simply reporting news.

“The media can also serve as the diplomats who strengthen friendship among nations, as the bridges that connect diverse cultures and as the partners that promote mutual understanding among the peoples,” he said.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-join-forces-to-shape-shared-narrative-302826433.html

SOURCE China Daily Asia Pacific

Continue Reading

Technology

The Expo Group Appoints Chris Cavanaugh as President, Corporate to Accelerate Experiential Marketing Platform Growth

Published

on

By

New leadership signals The Expo Group’s commitment to reinventing how corporate brands connect, compete, and win 

DALLAS, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Expo Group, Architects Connecting CommunitiesSM, announces the appointment of Chris Cavanaugh as President, Corporate. Cavanaugh is charged with shaping corporate growth strategy, demonstrating The Expo Group’s commitment to architecting events and leading the next evolution of experiential marketing through bold acquisitions, expanded capabilities, and relentless innovation.

The move comes as experiential marketing emerges as a business imperative. In an era of digital intelligence and increasing online noise, the brands that are poised to win are those that create authentic human connections at trade shows, corporate events, and in-person experiences.

“Chris is a rare combination of visionary and operator,” said Randy Pekowski, CEO of The Expo Group. “With 30 years building brands and scaling businesses across experiential marketing, exhibitions, and marketing services, he knows how to create enterprise value. More importantly, he knows where this industry is going. Chris’s expertise will position The Expo Group for its next phase of growth and expansion of our experiential marketing platform.”

Cavanaugh brings a perspective shaped by leading some of the most respected organizations in the industry. As CEO of The Imagine Group, a leading provider of creative, print, and digital solutions, he transformed the business for its next phase of growth. As CMO of Freeman, one of the world’s largest brand experience companies, he drove global brand strategy through significant expansion. Earlier, he held senior leadership roles at Jack Morton, one of the world’s premier experiential agencies. He also founded Jumpstart Consulting, advising private equity firms and executive teams on growth strategy and acquisitions.

“Audiences expect more, and brands that show up with richer, more relevant experiences earn their trust,” said Cavanaugh. “As digital technologies and data continue to transform how organizations engage audiences, the demand for authentic, in-person experiences continues to grow and deliver measurable business outcomes. The strongest experiential strategies combine data and insights with meaningful human connections, enhancing and personalizing the experience.”

In his new role, Cavanaugh will oversee corporate development, brand marketing, acquisition integration, and the company’s expansion strategy, growing The Expo Group’s experiential marketing platform, while shaping the client strategies that turn events and experiences into measurable business results.

To explore how experiential marketing can drive lasting business impact, contact Marketing@TheExpoGroup.com.

About The Expo Group

The Expo Group architects meaningful connections through the design and management of personalized, high-impact trade shows and events. By applying behavioral science and strategic insight, the company helps clients reimagine the event experience—delivering customized brand environments that drive engagement, valuable content, authentic connections, and measurable commerce. Headquartered in Dallas, The Expo Group operates additional offices in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Learn more at www.theexpogroup.com.

Media Contact:
Lonnie Hackney
Director, Marketing
972.751.9137
418798@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-expo-group-appoints-chris-cavanaugh-as-president-corporate-to-accelerate-experiential-marketing-platform-growth-302826001.html

SOURCE The Expo Group

Continue Reading

Technology

Attain Technology Named to MSP Summit’s 2026 MSPs to Watch List

Published

on

By

Providence-based managed IT services provider recognized for operational excellence and growth potential using the same methodology as the industry benchmark MSP 501

PROVIDENCE, R.I., July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Attain Technology, a Providence, Rhode Island managed IT services provider, has been named to MSP Summit’s 2026 MSPs to Watch list. The recognition honors managed service providers that demonstrate world-class operational performance and strong growth potential.

MSP Summit, an Informa event and the organization behind the industry’s benchmark MSP 501, evaluated the MSPs to Watch list using the same rigorous methodology as the MSP 501. The assessment examined revenue mix quality, recurring revenue percentage, revenue per employee efficiency, and year-over-year growth. According to MSP Summit, many MSPs to Watch companies outperform larger MSP 501 organizations on the metrics that matter most, including recurring revenue, growth rate, operational efficiency, and service innovation.

The distinction reflects how well a managed service provider is built and run, not simply its size. For Attain Technology, it validates a deliberate focus on operational excellence and forward-thinking solutions for the small and mid-size businesses it serves across Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts, with specialization in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

“We’ve been very intentional about building a business that prioritizes operational excellence, meaningful client outcomes, and forward-thinking solutions, so it’s rewarding to see that effort reflected in this distinction,” said Robert “Bob” Paradise, CEO of Attain Technology.

Founded in 2008, Attain Technology delivers managed IT services, cybersecurity, and AI readiness consulting designed to help clients operate securely and grow with confidence. The firm’s recognition arrives as it continues to expand its AI consulting practice, helping regional businesses adopt practical, secure automation.

The full 2026 MSPs to Watch list is available on the official MSP Summit announcement. Businesses interested in learning more about Attain Technology’s managed services and AI readiness offerings can visit the company’s website or contact its Providence office directly.

About Attain Technology

Attain Technology is a managed IT services provider and AI consulting firm based at 275 Reservoir Ave, Providence, RI 02907. Founded in 2008, Attain serves small and mid-size businesses across Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts, with vertical specialization in construction and manufacturing. Learn more at www.attaintechnology.com.

Media Contact:
Matthew DePardo
Attain Technology
401-244-5200 x112
418882@email4pr.com
www.attaintechnology.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attain-technology-named-to-msp-summits-2026-msps-to-watch-list-302826246.html

SOURCE Attain Technology Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending