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MetaOptics and Elsoft partner to scale next-generation semiconductor optics manufacturing equipment

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SINGAPORE and GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia, July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MetaOptics Ltd (Catalist: 9MT) (“MetaOptics” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) and Elsoft Research Berhad (Bursa Malaysia: 0090) (“Elsoft”) today jointly announced a strategic partnership to co-develop and mass produce the next generation of 12-inch large format precision, high speed metalens laser writers and leading-edge automatic testers that could sort metalens across widely applied wavelengths from visible light 425 ~ 630nm, in-frared 740 ~ 940nm and 1245 ~ 1310nm.

According to various independent market sources, the metalens market is forecasted to grow into a multi-billion-dollar market over the next few years, with demand for metalens fabrication and testing equipment expected to grow in tandem. This partnership is intended to put in place the equipment capacity needed to meet these potential market growth and expansion. MetaOptics is currently in discussions with potential foundry customers in the United States, Japan and Europe for the supply of these key metalens fabrication equipment and testers.

Under the partnership, the two companies will design, build and industrialise the key fabrication equipment behind the metalens value chain, from research and development through to high-volume manufacturing. The partnership unites Elsoft’s proven strength in automated test equipment with MetaOptics’ deep metalens design and process expertise.

The collaboration is expected to span three equipment families:

Next-generation 12-inch Direct Laser Writer platform: MetaOptics’ current 4-inch Direct Laser Writer platform, a maskless lithography tool that pattern metalens geometry at about 120nm precision range resolution, offers a quick-turn platform for prototyping and small-volume pilot builds.

The 12-inch Direct Laser Writer platform will enable simultaneous multi-lens writing in excess of hundreds of metalenses, for high-volume mass production of Co-packaged Optics at 0.1mm lens diameter. The 12-inch Direct Laser Writer platform will integrate easily into existing standard semiconductor processes, and provide a superior and cost-effective mass production solution in terms of maintenance and production uptime, as well as ease of conversion;Wafer-level automatic metalens testers: automated optical metrology systems that characterise metalens performance, including point-spread function, modulation transfer function (MTF), throughput and uniformity across the visible, near-infrared and short-wave infrared bands, scaling from single-coupon benches for research and development to full-wafer testers for production quality control; andMetalens module assembly and test system: an integrated platform that performs sub-micron, active alignment, UV-cured bonding and embedded optical test in a single automated flow, configurable for automated volume production of smartphone-camera and AR-glasses modules. This leading-edge automatic equipment assembles metalens onto sub modular packages of flexible circuit & imaging or monochrome sensors. Both components assembly stations and testing stations are designed to fit a single machine for high throughput and optimum cleanroom space utilisation.   

By combining MetaOptics’ metalens design and process know-how with Elsoft’s equipment manufacturing expertise, the partnership aims to shorten development cycles, improve production yields and shorten the path from prototyping to commercial-scale mass production. Both companies expect to benefit, with MetaOptics accelerating its transition to mass production capabilities as customer engagement moves into active evaluation and volume orders, and Elsoft extending its precision-equipment expertise into the fast-growing metalens market.

“Elsoft’s engineering quality speaks for itself, and we are proud to build alongside them,” said Mr Thng Chong Kim, Executive Chairman of MetaOptics. “Our 4-inch platforms let our customers prototype and iterate fast, and our 12-inch platforms, born from customer demand, are built for mass production. By pairing our metalens expertise with Elsoft’s precision manufacturing, we believe this partnership will deliver far more than either of us could achieve alone.”

“We are proud to put the quality and reliability of our systems behind this collaboration,” said Mr Tan Cheik Eaik, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Elsoft Research Berhad. “This partnership brings our precision manufacturing and automated-test expertise into the metalens market. Working alongside MetaOptics from prototyping through to mass production, we believe both companies are well positioned to serve the growing metalens industry.”

The parties will define the technical specifications, commercial terms and roadmap for the equipment programme, and intend to negotiate and enter into definitive agreements in due course. The partnership is not expected to have a material impact on the net tangible assets or earnings per share of the Group for the current financial year.

About MetaOptics Ltd

MetaOptics Ltd (Catalist: 9MT) is a leading-edge semiconductor optics company pioneering glass-based metalens solutions enhanced by AI-driven image processing. Using advanced optical design and a scalable 12-inch DUV lithography process, it powers next-generation applications in CPO, mobile, AR/VR, automotive and other emerging markets. Headquartered in Singapore, MetaOptics aims to deliver high-performance optics with the reliability and scalability demanded by today’s most innovative technology brands. Find out more at www.metaoptics.sg. For sales enquiries, please contact sales@metaoptics.sg.

About Elsoft Research Berhad

Elsoft Research Berhad is a Malaysian-based technology group listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. Elsoft designs and develops automated test equipment, burn-in systems and application-specific embedded systems, primarily for the semiconductor, optoelectronics and automotive industries. Its expertise in test and automation equipment positions it as a manufacturing partner for MetaOptics’ metalens production and test systems.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/metaoptics-and-elsoft-partner-to-scale-next-generation-semiconductor-optics-manufacturing-equipment-302838868.html

SOURCE METAOPTICS LTD

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W.A. Chester Awarded Major High-Pressure Fluid-Filled Transmission Infrastructure Project

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New transmission feeder will enhance long-term grid reliability, increase system resiliency, and support future regional power demand

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — W.A. Chester, a division of United Utility Services (UUS), announced today the award of a major underground transmission infrastructure contract involving the installation of a new 230 kV high-pressure fluid-filled (HPFF) circuit. The circuit is part of a broader project that will connect two substations in the city of Miami Beach. Installation, which will span approximately three miles, is scheduled to begin this year and continue through 2028.

The goal of this initiative is to strengthen long-term electric transmission reliability. Key components of the work include multiple over-water horizontal directional drill (HDD) installations, subsea jetting operations, open-trench installation of new 10-inch steel pipe, floating pipe operations, HPFF cable installation, splicing and terminations, fluid-line adjustments, commissioning, and final energization of the new feeder circuit.

W.A. Chester will leverage its extensive experience performing similarly complex submerged HPFF installations, including prior work involving underwater pipe assembly and river-crossing operations.

“This project will provide long-term reliability benefits for the utility provider and the customers who depend on its transmission network every day,” said Brett Hurlburt, President, Operations – Northeast. “By delivering critical infrastructure improvements with a strong focus on safety, quality, and execution certainty, we’re helping support a more resilient power system capable of meeting the region’s growing energy demands for years to come.”

The project further reinforces W.A. Chester’s position as a leading contractor for complex underground and submarine transmission infrastructure throughout North America.

About United Utility Services

United Utility Services is a leading provider of essential infrastructure services for North America’s power grid. UUS provides integrated service solutions—from design, construction, and installation to repairs and maintenance—for electrical power transmission and distribution systems, substations, smart grid solutions, battery storage systems, and more. Visit www.unitedutility.com to learn more.

Contact
Brett Hurlburt
President, Operations – Northeast
United Utility Services
419807@email4pr.com
(504) 584.4943

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wa-chester-awarded-major-high-pressure-fluid-filled-transmission-infrastructure-project-302838656.html

SOURCE United Utility Services

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Gist CMO Speaks on the Death of the Click and What Comes Next at Ai4 2026

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Peter Sloterdyk Will Discuss How “AI Eats the Web That Feeds It” on August 4 in Las Vegas

LOS ANGELES, July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Peter Sloterdyk, Chief Marketing Officer of Gist, aplatform designed to track, measure, and optimize brand visibility across major AI answer engines, will take the stage at Ai4 2026, America’s largest AI industry conference, drawing more than 12,000 attendees to The Venetian in Las Vegas. Presenting the session “AI Eats the Web That Feeds It” at 4:40PM PT on Tuesday, August 4, Sloterdyk will address the supply-side squeeze threatening the open web and Gist’s role in building the infrastructure to understand, analyze, build, and measure brand, publisher, and creator presence in AI answers.

Sloterdyk’s session will deconstruct today’s Q&A economy. In the last two years, small publishers lost roughly 60% of search referrals; AI referrals are nowhere close to replacing them, and the ad supply funding the open web is contracting behind it. He will trace how this shift is rewriting the rules of visibility, moving brands and publishers beyond traditional SEO and into GEO, the emerging discipline for earning credit and relevance inside AI-generated answers.

“The click was the monetization mechanism for the entire open web, and it’s disappearing,” said Sloterdyk. “There’s no ‘page one’ inside an AI conversational answer. A brand is either part of the response, or it is invisible. In this growing zero-click world, the top of the funnel has materially changed. Brands and publishers have a rare chance today to set the stakes for what comes next. There is a first-mover advantage for those that choose not to wait-and-see.”

Gist is an AI visibility platform that helps brands, publishers, and creators stay present in AI-generated answers across all the major LLMs. Its parent company ProRata provides revolutionary attribution technology to ensure that when AI draws on human-created content, the creators receive proper credit and compensation.

Sloterdyk leads global brand strategy, marketing, communications, and growth for Gist, bringing more than two decades of marketing leadership across technology, media, and consumer platforms, with a track record of scaling emerging companies into trusted global brands. Prior to his current role, Sloterdyk served as Global Chief Marketing and Technology Officer at Koala, the Australia-founded direct-to-consumer furniture brand. Before that, he led original series marketing at Netflix, devising campaigns that expanded and engaged the platform’s audience. Sloterdyk formerly led the global marketing organization for the Grindr family of brands, overseeing worldwide marketing, user growth, and brand strategy during a period of rapid international expansion.

About Gist
Gist, a ProRata company, helps brands, publishers, creators, and agencies own the conversation from question to answer. Powered by ProRata’s revolutionary attribution technology, Gist tracks, analyzes, and measures the content that shapes AI answers, so partners understand why AI recommends them, what to do next, and how to maintain authority. For more information, visit www.gist.ai.

About Ai4 2026
Ai4 2026 is America’s largest AI conference, taking place August 4-6, 2026, at The Venetian in Las Vegas. The event brings together thousands of business executives and technology leaders to explore AI agents, generative AI, enterprise AI transformation, and real-world AI applications across every major industry. For more information, visit https://ai4.io/

Press Contact
Frances Alban
Mark Allen & Co.
786.200.4315
419820@email4pr.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gist-cmo-speaks-on-the-death-of-the-click-and-what-comes-next-at-ai4-2026-302838824.html

SOURCE Gist

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TD strengthens Its Responsible AI Principles to support trust in AI innovation

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TD Framework embeds fairness, transparency and accountability across the AI lifecycle as adoption accelerates

TORONTO, July 30, 2026 /CNW/ — As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in banking, TD Bank Group (“TD” or “the Bank”) today introduced its enterprise-wide Responsible AI Principles, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment that   innovation is to be guided by strong oversight, transparency and accountability.

The TD Responsible AI Principles establish seven commitments that guide how AI is developed, deployed and used across TD. These commitments address laws that already apply to financial institutions, as well as transparency and explainability, data use and privacy, fairness, quality and accountability, reliability, and security. TD is also incorporating the Responsible AI Principles into employee education programs, helping colleagues understand expectations related to the responsible use of AI at the Bank.

“The future of banking will increasingly be powered by AI,” said Sumee Seetharaman, Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Practice at TD. “Our Responsible AI Principles are designed to help the Bank scale that technology responsibly, with the governance, oversight and transparency needed to maintain the trust our clients place in us every day.”

These Responsible AI Principles establish clear expectations for fairness, transparency, explainability and accountability, while the Bank’s governance and risk-management processes require the consistent application of those principles across AI use cases. TD is embedding these Responsible AI Principles throughout the lifecycle of its AI systems, from initial design and development through deployment and ongoing monitoring. Every AI use case introduced at TD must align with these principles and undergo assessments for explainability, fairness and performance development.

“Trust has always been the foundation of banking, and that won’t change as AI becomes more deeply embedded in our industry,” said Ajai Bambawale, Chief Risk Officer, TD. “Our Responsible AI Principles provide a clear framework for adopting these technologies responsibly, enabling innovation while requiring transparency, accountability and trust at every step. We’ve embedded our Responsible AI Principles into AI use cases across the Bank. For example, in colleague-facing virtual assistants, we apply controls such as retrieval grounding, human oversight and continuous monitoring to help mitigate the risk of inaccurate, unsupported or inappropriate AI-generated guidance.”

The framework is supported by governance and risk management processes, including model risk assessments, privacy impact assessments and independent oversight reviews to ensure alignment with the principles.

The Responsible AI Principles are embedded in the AI Risk framework and policy. They are overseen by the Bank’s AI Risk Management team and operationalized by the Trustworthy AI team, a specialized group of scientists focused on advancing the safe and secure use of the technology at TD.

Under TD’s AI Risk Management framework, AI use cases are evaluated against requirements related to fairness, explainability, privacy and performance before they are deployed. The Trustworthy AI team continues to monitor AI use cases once deployed, tracking performance, fairness and explainability so that systems continue to operate as intended.

Through these measures, TD aims to deliver AI capabilities that are transparent, accountable and resilient, helping clients and colleagues benefit from innovation with confidence.

Advice‑Forward Q&A: Understanding Responsible AI at TD

Why are the TD Responsible AI Principles important now?
AI, Gen AI and agentic AI adoption are accelerating and introducing new risks. Clear principles help ensure AI is used ethically, transparently and safely.

How can TD oversee that AI remains trustworthy over time?
Through continuous monitoring and model review processes that reassess risk and performance as systems evolve.

What does this mean for clients and investors?
Clients benefit from more transparent and reliable AI systems, while investors gain confidence that AI risks are actively managed and governed.

About TD Bank Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (“TD” or the “Bank”). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by assets and serves 28.1 million clients in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Auto Finance Canada; U.S. Banking, including TD Auto Finance U.S., and TD Wealth (U.S.); Wealth Management and Insurance, including TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities and TD Cowen. TD also ranks among North America’s leading digital banks, with more than 13 million active mobile users in Canada and the U.S. TD had $2.1 trillion in assets on April 30, 2026. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol “TD” on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.

SOURCE TD Bank Group

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