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The 200-Millisecond Gap in Human Conversation: Inside FinVolution’s Push to Give AI a Conversational “Social Instinct”

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SHANGHAI, Aug. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AI voice assistants can now understand what people say, but knowing when to jump into a conversation is a different problem entirely. At the finals of the 11th FinVolution Global Data Science Competition, ten teams competed to solve exactly that: giving AI a stronger “social instinct”—the ability to sense in real time whether a speaker is about to keep talking, hand off the floor, offer a quick acknowledgment, interrupt, or go quiet.

The finals of the competition, also known as the “FinVolution Cup,” concluded on July 29th in Shanghai. Contestants built their models on real telephone conversation recordings ranging from five to 30 seconds, predicting which of five conversational actions—continuation, turn-switching, brief response, interruption, or silence—was most likely within the following two seconds.

This year’s edition drew 776 participants across 553 teams. After preliminary and semifinal rounds, ten teams advanced to the in-person final, representing Nanyang Technological University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the University of Science and Technology of China, Jilin University, Ant International, and Megvii Technology, among other institutions.

At the final, most teams pursued multimodal approaches, combining non-textual signals such as intonation, pace, and volume to sharpen their predictions. The winning team distinguished itself by resolving key challenges in iteration efficiency, ultimately producing a model with stronger generalization performance.

“In the past, we asked AI to understand conversation and speak in a human-like voice. As voice technology matures, we want it to learn to ‘jump in’ more naturally,” said Yuxiang Wang, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer of FinVolution, in his opening remarks. “The FinVolution Cup aims to connect frontier academic thinking with real industry problems. The ten teams here today have shown us, through their solutions, that AI is one step closer to being truly ‘social.'”

According to the competition’s designers, today’s large language models can accurately understand what people say in human-machine dialogues, but they still struggle to respond naturally. That gap comes down to timing: humans typically need about 600 milliseconds to formulate a response, yet the actual gap between turns in real conversation is often just 200 milliseconds. This means people begin anticipating and preparing their replies well before the other person finishes speaking. Replicating that natural anticipation is a capability current voice AI largely lacks.

Advancing turn-taking modeling could make human-AI interaction markedly smoother, with particular value in customer service and companionship applications where natural conversational rhythm matters most. For AI customer service in particular, closing this gap could bring the experience closer to speaking with a real person, building user trust and improving overall satisfaction.

“Over eleven years, the FinVolution Cup has held to one principle: use competition to drive research, and research to drive application,” said Pingping Chen, President of FinVolution, in her closing remarks. “This year we turned our attention to the rhythm of conversation. AI should not only understand what is said, but also know when to speak and when to stay silent. We hope these solutions will find their way into more human-machine dialogue scenarios, making the exchange between people and machines more natural and warmer.”

This year’s competition is an official partner event of the 15th CCF International Conference on Natural Language Processing and Chinese Computing (NLPCC 2026), with academic guidance from the China Computer Federation’s Technical Committee on Natural Language Processing and collaboration from Fudan University’s NLP Laboratory. Top-performing teams will be invited to present at NLPCC 2026 and engage with AI researchers from around the world.

The finals judging panel included Yueting Zhuang, Qiushi Distinguished Professor at Zhejiang University and Director of the Ministry of Education’s AI Collaborative Innovation Center, and Xuanjing Huang, Distinguished Professor at Fudan University and Chair of the CCF Technical Committee on Natural Language Processing, along with other leading scholars from top academic institutions.

This marks the third consecutive year the FinVolution Cup has partnered with a leading international academic conference, following its designation as an official challenge of IJCAI in 2024 and CIKM in 2025. This underscores the competition’s growing role in connecting with the global AI research community.

Launched in 2016, the FinVolution Cup has drawn close to 10,000 participants from universities and enterprises in China and abroad, making it one of China’s leading fintech competitions. Past challenges have stayed closely tied to real-world fintech scenarios, spanning credit assessment, fraud detection, user behavior analysis, dialect recognition, deepfake voice detection, and now conversational turn-taking modeling—continuing to move frontier technology from the lab into practical application.

 

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SOURCE FinVolution Group

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360training Expands Commercial Training Portfolio with Acquisition of Atlantic Training

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AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 360training.com, Inc. today announced the acquisition of select assets from Atlantic Training, a provider of HR compliance, OSHA, and workplace safety training primarily serving businesses.

Founded in 2005, Atlantic Training has spent more than 20 years helping organizations address workplace training needs. The company has served more than 10,000 clients and delivered more than 5 million courses to organizations ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Its catalog includes workplace safety, HR compliance, soft skills, and OSHA-focused training across dozens of industries, along with its WAVE EHS management software. The acquisition also brings 305 courses offered through a variety of formats to 360training’s catalog.

The addition expands 360training’s capabilities for commercial and enterprise customers while supporting its strategy to accelerate B2B growth, increase recurring revenue, and expand its mix of contracted and relationship-based customer accounts. It builds on the strength of a company already recognized on Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Learning Providers list.

“Atlantic Training is a strong strategic addition because of its focus on helping businesses manage important training responsibilities across their workforces,” said Tom Anderson, CEO of 360training. “The acquisition expands the breadth of our commercial training portfolio while strengthening our ability to build long-term relationships with employers. As we continue to grow 360training, we are focused on bringing together specialized training portfolios that complement our existing capabilities and give businesses and learners access to a broader range of training solutions.”

“We saw a strong fit between Atlantic Training and 360training, particularly in our shared focus on helping businesses meet their workplace training and compliance needs,” said Anthony LaFazia, founder and CEO of Atlantic Training. “Throughout the process, the 360training team was transparent, commercially minded, and straightforward to work with, which made for a smooth transaction. We believe Atlantic Training is well positioned as part of 360training’s broader training portfolio, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead for our customers.”

Atlantic Training’s catalog was built around the needs of employers, spanning safety and compliance as well as broader workforce development. Its addition strengthens 360training’s ability to support organizations managing training across multiple roles, locations and areas of responsibility, including industries experiencing significant investment and workforce expansion in construction, manufacturing, energy, utilities, data centers, and other infrastructure supporting the continued growth of AI and advanced technology across the United States.

“Workplace training plays an important role in helping organizations build safer environments and address their compliance responsibilities,” said Samantha Montalbano, COO of 360training. “As investment in infrastructure and AI drives new facilities, projects, and workforce needs across the country, employers need scalable ways to prepare workers and maintain strong safety and compliance practices. Bringing Atlantic Training’s capabilities together with 360training gives us an opportunity to support more businesses and employees with practical, high-quality training while advancing our broader mission of helping create safer communities.”

“For our business customers, the value is in making workforce training easier to access and manage while expanding the range of topics available to their teams,” said Ryan Linders, CMO of 360training. “Atlantic Training brings a catalog designed around the needs of employers, from workplace safety and OSHA training to HR compliance and soft skills. Adding those offerings gives us more ways to support employers across the employee lifecycle and build lasting relationships with organizations that have ongoing training needs.”

The addition of Atlantic Training builds on 360training’s broader strategy of expanding through specialized training providers with complementary expertise and established customer relationships. It strengthens a portfolio that already serves individuals and businesses across environmental health and safety, food and beverage, real estate, healthcare, financial services, and power and utilities.

Atlantic Training customers gain access to 360training’s broader online training infrastructure, while 360training customers gain a wider range of commercial training across workforce safety, compliance and professional development.

About 360training
Established in 1997, 360training.com, Inc. is a trusted leader specializing in comprehensive online training solutions for individuals and businesses across various industries, including food and beverage, environmental health and safety, real estate, healthcare, financial services, and power and utilities. Having issued over 21 million training certificates to 12.5+ million learners across 17+ brands, 360training embraces innovative technology and a commitment to quality education to offer accredited courses, fostering safe and healthy communities. As part of this commitment, the company continues to seek acquisition opportunities that build synergies and enhance value for its customers.

360training’s family of brands include Learn2Serve, OSHAcampus, AgentCampus, OSHA.com, VanEd, AdvanceOnline, ACLS Medical Training, American Health Training, American Resuscitation Council, Canadian Food Safety/SafeCheck®, Compliance Training Online, eMedCert.com, Hard Hat Training, HIPAA Exams, Mortgage Educators and Compliance (MEC), My Mortgage Trainer, National Food Handlers Foundation, National Forklift Foundation, National HAZWOPER Foundation, National OSHA Foundation, Ready Training Online (RTO®), TABC On The Fly, BASSET On The Fly, Certified On The Fly, TIPS, and UST Training. 360training is a portfolio company of GreyLion and Vestar Capital Partners.

Please visit www.360training.com or our social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn to learn more. 

About GreyLion Partners LP
GreyLion focuses on investing in high-growth businesses in the lower middle market across two sectors: (i) services and (ii) specialized industrial and manufacturing. The team seeks to partner with existing owners and management teams to deliver capital in tailored and flexible structures. The GreyLion partners have spent nearly two decades executing a consistent strategy of investing $25-$125 million of capital per investment, primarily within the United States. For more information on GreyLion, please visit www.greylion.com.

About Vestar Capital Partners
Vestar Capital Partners is a leading U.S. middle-market private equity firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments. Vestar invests and collaborates with incumbent management teams and private owners to build long-term enterprise value, focusing on Consumer, Business & Technology Services, and Healthcare.

About Atlantic Training
Founded in 2005, Atlantic Training provides online training solutions primarily for businesses, helping organizations address workplace safety, compliance and workforce development needs. Its training catalog includes workplace safety, OSHA, HR compliance and soft skills courses across dozens of industries, serving organizations ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Atlantic Training’s offerings also include WAVE EHS management software and a learning management system. For more information, visit www.atlantictraining.com.

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SOURCE 360training.com, Inc.

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The Nursing Shortage Is Growing: Gateway Education Makes RN Prerequisites More Affordable

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With a national shortage of registered nurses projected through 2038, Gateway Education is making general education and prerequisite courses more affordable and flexible for aspiring RNs.

GREENWOOD, Ind., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For someone who has dreamed of becoming a Registered Nurse, deciding to pursue that goal can be a big moment. For many students, the journey starts well before the first day of nursing school with the general education and prerequisite courses required for their program.

For students at different stages of life, finding an affordable and flexible way to complete those courses can play a big part in making the path to nursing feel realistic.

Gateway Education is working to make that part of the journey more affordable and flexible.

“When someone tells us they want to become a registered nurse, there is usually a reason behind it,” said David Christy, President of Gateway Education. “Maybe they desire expanded opportunities in healthcare, a better future for their family. Maybe they had an experience with a friend or family member that made them want to become a nurse, or maybe becoming a nurse has always been their dream. We want students to see that getting started may be more affordable and a lot easier than they originally thought.”

The need for more registered nurses gives that goal broader importance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 180,800 openings for registered nurses each year, on average, from 2025 through 2035. The Health Resources and Services Administration also projects a national shortage of registered nurses through 2038.

It is no secret that America needs more nurses. And the nursing shortage doesn’t only affect people considering a career in healthcare. It affects patients, families and communities. Research has linked higher registered nurse staffing with better patient outcomes, including lower hospital mortality and fewer adverse events.

That is why creating more accessible ways for future nurses to begin their education matters. Gateway believes that making the first part of that journey more affordable and flexible can help more people see becoming a nurse as a realistic possibility. More people pursuing nursing today could mean a stronger nursing workforce caring for our families and communities in the years ahead.

Making the Path More Manageable

The majority of registered nursing programs require general education courses as part of their degree or admission requirements, even though specific requirements vary by school and program.

Depending on the nursing program, students may need courses such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology with lab, Nutrition, Developmental Psychology, Psychology, Statistics and English Composition. Gateway offers these and many other courses online, allowing students to complete them at their own pace.

Students work through courses at their own pace rather than following a traditional semester schedule, giving them more control over when and how quickly they complete their coursework.

Gateway courses are $79 each, with a $95 monthly membership. Students can complete more than one course while their membership is active, so those who move through courses more quickly can lower their average cost per credit.

“There are people who would make incredible nurses but may look at the time and cost involved and decide it isn’t realistic for them,” Christy said. “If we can make the beginning of that journey more manageable, more of those people take the next step. When the country needs registered nurses, that matters.”

Just as important as getting started is knowing the courses will count. Gateway guarantees acceptance of its courses at partner colleges and universities. Students planning to attend a school outside Gateway’s partner network should confirm that school’s transfer requirements before enrolling.

Flexible Does Not Mean Less Rigorous

Students can complete a Gateway course at their own pace, but they still must do the work and demonstrate understanding of the material.

Gateway courses are ACE recommended for college credit and have been evaluated by independent faculty subject matter experts through the American Council on Education. The review considers course content, assessments, assignment rubrics, and examples of student work when determining the appropriate amount and level of recommended academic credit.

Students must complete the coursework, meet the learning outcomes, and complete mandatory assessments. The flexibility is in the pace, not the academic expectations.

About Gateway Education

Gateway Education provides affordable, flexible online college-level courses that help learners complete general education, prerequisite, and other eligible coursework on their path toward more than 500 degree options with Gateway partner institutions.

Courses are online and self-paced, with course materials, student support, and learning resources included in Gateway’s membership model. Gateway courses are ACE recommended for college credit and have been evaluated through the American Council on Education’s independent faculty review process.

To learn more, visit www.gatewayeducation.com.

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SOURCE Gateway Education

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EverPeak® expands to Georgia: instant, online workers’ comp insurance for small businesses

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New offering brings straightforward, reliable workers’ comp coverage directly to Georgia small business owners, backed by more than a century of industry experience

DENVER, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EverPeak, a workers’ compensation insurance solution built on the success of its Colorado-based direct channel with Pinnacol Assurance, today announced the launch of its direct-to-customer insurance offering in Georgia. The expansion marks EverPeak’s first step in bringing its fast, digital-first workers’ comp experience directly to small businesses in the U.S., giving Georgia business owners, even those with complex risk, a quicker, simpler way to get covered.

Georgia small business owners can now get an online quote and purchase a workers’ compensation policy in minutes, without ever picking up the phone. Policies start as low as $18 a month, and customers receive an instant certificate of insurance upon purchase, which eliminates the delays and paperwork often associated with traditional insurance buying.

“Small business owners in Georgia don’t have time to wait around for a quote,” said Kathy Kranz, EverPeak president. “We built this experience so that the hardest-working businesses in the state can get the coverage they need in the time it takes to grab a coffee, backed by the same expertise that’s made Pinnacol’s direct channel a success in Colorado.”

EverPeak’s Georgia launch targets the diverse array of small businesses that keep local economies running. A few examples of businesses EverPeak supports are contractors and skilled trades such as painters, carpenters, plumbers, and HVAC technicians; medical and veterinarian practices, small retailers and local e-commerce businesses, including boutiques, specialty grocers, and pet supply shops; professional service and technology firms, from law offices to software developers; and personal service and wellness businesses like salons, spas and dental practices. EverPeak’s prowess with complicated risks means many businesses are a good fit.

Fast, reliable coverage backed by decades of experience

EverPeak’s direct offering is designed around three core commitments to policyholders:

Speed and simplicity: An online quote process and instant certificate of insurance mean business owners can secure coverage without delay.Proven expertise: EverPeak is backed by more than 100 years of workers’ compensation experience.Responsive claims support: Via our partners, Policyholders can expect contact from a claims representative within 24 hours of reporting a claim, and a return-to-work program has helped injured employees return to work 25 days faster than the industry standard on average.

EverPeak also emphasizes accessible, high-quality customer service, with no phone trees and direct lines to support — an approach that has helped the company earn strong customer satisfaction scores.

Availability and what’s to come

EverPeak’s direct workers’ compensation quotes are available now to eligible small businesses in Georgia. Business owners can get a quote and purchase a policy online. EverPeak will be launching a direct channel in additional states soon.

About EverPeak Insurance

EverPeak Insurance is a workers’ compensation insurance solution offering comprehensive coverage and market-leading service for businesses across the United States. With an approach to care based on Pinnacol Assurance’s 100+ years of industry-leading underwriting, claims and risk management experience, we cover the hardest-working businesses because we work hard, too. EverPeak Insurance offers skilled protection for businesses with the toughest risks and partners with insurance agents who strive to offer the best protection to those businesses that need it most. Learn more at everpeak.com.

Key takeaways:

Georgia direct expansion: EverPeak launched its direct-to-customer digital workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia, marking its first state expansion for this direct model. EverPeak’s plans further state direct channel expansions.

Fast and affordable digital process: Georgia small business owners can obtain an online quote and policy in minutes starting as low as $18/month, receiving an instant certificate of insurance with zero phone trees.

Target industries: Focuses on a broad array of small to mid-sized businesses across skilled trades (contractors, plumbers, HVAC), small retail and e-commerce, professional services, and personal wellness practices (salons, dental practices).

Core benefits: Features an online quote workflow, 24-hour initial claims contact, and a return-to-work program that helps injured workers return 25 days faster than the industry average.

Media Contact:

Liz Johnson Director, Public Relations, EverPeak Insurance 720.939.7238 (mobile) liz.johnson@pinnacol.com

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SOURCE EverPeak Insurance

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