New Digital Direct Reports Capability Enables Organizations to Hire Specialized AI Employees That Collaborate, Remember Context, Connect to Enterprise Systems, and Complete Work Across Departments

BOSTON, Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CollectivIQ, the world’s first AI consensus platform for business intelligence, today announced the launch of Digital Direct Reports (DDRs), a first-of-its-kind capability that enables employees to hire AI teammates for specific roles across their organization. Unlike general-purpose AI agents that answer questions or take on specific tasks, Digital Direct Reports are role-based AI employees designed to own business functions and responsibilities, connect to business systems, and complete work alongside human teams.

Digital Direct Reports allow organizations of all sizes, from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies, to seamlessly deploy AI project managers, executive assistants, software engineers, recruiters, data specialists, and other role-specific teammates that retain context, collaborate with one another, and take action within enterprise workflows. Each Digital Direct Report is given a first and last name and is purpose-built for a specific function, with the tools, permissions, and knowledge needed to perform that job. Rather than acting as a single conversational assistant, DDRs empower organizations to assemble teams of AI specialists that work together across functions just as human colleagues do.

For example:

An Executive Assistant DDR can manage calendars, summarize meetings, draft emails, and surface important priorities.A Project Manager DDR can monitor Jira boards, coordinate schedules, identify project risks, and generate executive status reports.An Engineer DDR can work with GitHub repositories, assist with development tasks, and support engineering workflows.HR and Recruiting DDRs can help hire human employees, organize candidate information, and streamline administrative work.

“As AI becomes part of every business, the next opportunity will go well beyond simple AI chat. Instead, the next iteration of AI impact will center on putting that intelligence to perform proactive work like a good junior employee.” said John Davie, CEO of CollectivIQ. “Digital Direct Reports represent the evolution of enterprise AI by giving every employee access to specialized AI teammates that understand their role, remember how they work, and can have projects delegated to them.”

Digital Direct Reports keep humans in the loop, operate within the CollectivIQ platform, and connect directly to enterprise systems, including Microsoft 365, Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, Atlassian Jira, Confluence, and GitHub, with additional integrations planned. Rather than forcing employees to switch between applications, DDRs work across existing systems to gather information, coordinate tasks, and execute routine work.

“With CollectivIQ’s Digital Direct Reports, Mohegan Sun is exploring how AI can inform and automate many of our administrative responsibilities, from gathering purchasing insights and tracking supplier activity to helping our teams stay ahead of inventory needs,” said Paul Surprenant, Senior Director of Corporate Purchasing at Mohegan Gaming. “By automating routine coordination, our employees can spend more time making strategic decisions that enhance the guest experience.”

Unlike traditional AI assistants that start fresh with every conversation, each Digital Direct Report maintains persistent context about its responsibilities, previous work, and user preferences. This continuity enables DDRs to become increasingly effective over time while preserving organizational knowledge and reducing repetitive work.

Digital Direct Reports are also designed with enterprise governance in mind. Actions can require approvals when appropriate, activity is auditable, and organizations maintain visibility into how AI teammates interact with company systems and data.

The launch builds on CollectivIQ’s mission to help enterprises harness intelligent, honest AI at the best value. The platform already enables users to leverage multiple leading AI models through a single platform. Digital Direct Reports extend that vision by moving beyond AI conversations to AI collaboration, allowing organizations to delegate meaningful work to specialized AI teammates while employees focus on higher-value decision-making.

Digital Direct Reports are available today within the CollectivIQ platform.

For more information, visit www.collectiviq.ai.

About CollectivIQ
CollectivIQ is the intelligence layer for the AI era, unifying leading LLMs into a single consensus-driven platform that delivers more accurate, secure, and cost-efficient insight. Founded by the leadership team behind Buyers Edge Platform, CollectivIQ was built to bring accountability, governance, and economic alignment to enterprise AI adoption. Learn more at www.collectiviq.ai.

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SOURCE CollectivIQ

Real-time language translation, virtual dispatch, and vehicle lookups are now possible on the radio fleets organizations already own — without hardware upgrades

STONY BROOK, N.Y., Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Haloid Solutions announced today that it has integrated OpenAI’s real-time voice AI —ChatGPT’s Voice — with conventional land mobile radio (LMR) systems, allowing radio users to speak with the AI platform over the channels and hardware they already own. Haloid is the first company to publicly demonstrate this new capability on standard LMR radios.

In a working demonstration, Haloid engineers connected four analog portable radios to OpenAI’s Realtime API using a combination of off-the-shelf hardware and custom-developed software. The system translated live radio traffic between languages and returned the location of GPS-equipped vehicles in response to spoken queries from the field.

“We pursued this integration to democratize the benefits of AI for all LMR users, regardless of organization size. Within a week of ordering our integration service, a small church or a large police agency can connect the radios they’ve relied on for decades to the capabilities of AI. This is a game changer,” said John Pershing, Managing Director at Haloid Solutions.

A short demonstration of the integration is available here: https://haloidsolutions.com/blogs/newsroom/haloid-connects-chatgpt-voice-to-analog-two-way-radios-bridging-ai-and-mission-critical-land-mobile-radio

Bringing AI to radio fleets without replacing them
Radio owners can connect existing LMR radios and repeaters to AI voice platforms without overhauling their communications systems. With Haloid’s approach, organizations keep their existing radio fleets. An AI voice platform can operate as a virtual dispatcher on a shared channel or sit on a dedicated talkgroup, handling language translation, information lookups, and logging alongside normal traffic. Haloid can connect analog, P25, and DMR systems.

Integration with existing enterprise systems
Because the AI layer runs in software, it can be connected to an organization’s existing tools — dispatch, asset tracking, work-order, and inventory systems — so that spoken requests over the radio return live operational data. Haloid provides both the hardware interfacing and the software integration work, which lets organizations pilot the capability without a large capital outlay.

What Haloid is offering

Proven AI-to-LMR integration. Haloid has connected commercial LMR radios to OpenAI’s real-time voice AI, ChatGPT Voice, using existing radios and infrastructure, showing that organizations of any size can pilot AI over the systems they already operate. Additional AI platforms are supported as well.Almost unlimited functions. Supported use cases include live language translation, virtual dispatch, call logging and transcription, and voice-driven queries against enterprise systems.Beta program. Haloid is inviting businesses and government agencies to join its AI Beta program, and is accepting requests for production integration and custom software development.

To learn more about AI-integrated solutions or apply to Haloid’s AI Beta program, interested parties can contact Haloid’s AI developers directly.

About Haloid Solutions

Haloid Solutions is a New York-based provider of integrated communication solutions and technologies. It also offers leasing, financing, consulting, and related services. Its clients include public safety, government, military, education, and commercial customers.

OpenAI, ChatGPT, and Realtime API are trademarks of OpenAI.

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SOURCE HALOID SOLUTIONS

New law recognizes employment social enterprises within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment

CHICAGO, Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Redefine Alliance and IL RESET (Illinois Resourcing Employment Social Enterprises Together) are thrilled to celebrate Governor JB Pritzker’s signing of House Bill 3751 into law. This marks a significant milestone for inclusive employment, and helps continue to pave a pathway to quality jobs for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans living with systemic barriers to employment.

The new law formally includes employment social enterprises (ESEs) within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OEEE). Through this, Illinois ESEs will now receive access to state-driven business assistance programs, technical support, grants, loans, and procurement opportunities, creating opportunities to scale these economic engines and employ more Illinoisans.

ESEs are mission-driven, revenue-generating businesses that combine commercial enterprise with workforce development. These nonprofit and for-profit enterprises provide employment, job training, and supportive services to individuals facing significant barriers to employment, including those with experiences of incarceration, homelessness, disabilities, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges. In Illinois more than 1.7 million Illinoisans are justice impacted, more than 200,000 Illinoisans are experiencing housing instability, and more than 2 million Illinoisans have a mental health condition.

Illinois is only the third state in the nation to define ESEs in state law.

“This legislation recognizes that economic development and workforce development go hand in hand,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago), the bill’s Senate sponsor. “Employment social enterprises prove every day that investing in people creates stronger businesses, stronger communities, and a stronger Illinois economy. By ensuring these organizations have access to the same economic development resources available to other businesses, we’re opening new doors for innovation, job creation, and economic opportunity for Illinoisans who have too often been left behind.”

Representative Jawaharial Williams (D-Chicago), the House sponsor, said the legislation reflects Illinois’ commitment to building an economy that works for everyone.

“Employment social enterprises create real jobs while helping people overcome barriers to employment. This law acknowledges the tremendous value these organizations bring to our workforce and economy by ensuring they have a seat at the table in Illinois’ economic development efforts.”

ESEs have demonstrated significant economic and social impact, both across Illinois and around the country. Research has found that employment social enterprises generate an estimated $2.23 in benefits for every $1 spent, producing returns for taxpayers, governments, and businesses while reducing reliance on public assistance and lowering recidivism.

The legislation was supported by the Illinois Resourcing Employment Social Enterprises Together (IL RESET) coalition, representing more than 33 ESEs across Illinois. IL RESET is a state coalition organized by Redefine Alliance, an intermediary that invests capital via grants, loans, and technical assistance into ESEs across the country.

Redefine Alliance

“Today marks an important milestone for employment social enterprises across Illinois,” said Manie Grewal, head of policy at Redefine Alliance. “This law recognizes that businesses can create both economic opportunity and social impact, the third such law passed in the country. By ensuring employment social enterprises have access to the state’s economic development ecosystem, Illinois is investing in innovative businesses that strengthen communities, expand our workforce, and create pathways to for talented people who have been sidelined by the labor market. Redefine Alliance is grateful to Governor Pritzker, Senator Celina Villanueva, Representative Jawaharial Williams, and the bipartisan coalition of legislators and advocates who helped make this vision law.”

New Moms – IL RESET member

“At New Moms, we are always exploring innovative ways to support young moms’ pursuit of economic mobility,” said Anne VanderWeele, vice president of policy and government affairs at New Moms. “We know that when families have the peace of mind a reliable income provides, they are better able to pursue further employment and educational goals. Our employment social enterprise, Bright Endeavors, provides real-time job training and experience through paid transitional jobs in our manufacturing business. We also contribute to the local economy with a thriving small business. It’s a win for them, a win for us, and a win for our community.”

CONTACT:
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, Redefine Alliance
420633@email4pr.com | (415) 510-6021

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SOURCE Redefine Alliance