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AudioEye Reports Record Second Quarter 2024 Results

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Thirty-Fourth Consecutive Period of Record Revenue

TUCSON, Ariz., July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — AudioEye, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEYE) (“AudioEye” or the “Company”), the industry-leading digital accessibility company, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

“For the second quarter, sequential revenues grew at an annualized growth rate of 19%, and adjusted EBITDA margin was 17%. Business momentum is strong, and we are increasing revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EPS guidance for the full year. Our operating leverage is clear, and we expect margins to improve further,” said AudioEye CEO David Moradi. “We were close to the ‘Rule of 40’ in the second quarter and expect to achieve the ‘Rule of 40’ in the third quarter.”

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Total revenue increased 8% to a record $8.5M from $7.8M in the same prior year period.Gross profit increased to $6.7M (79% of total revenue) from $6.0M (77% of total revenue) in the same prior year period. The increase was due to revenue growth compared to the same prior year period.Total operating expenses decreased 11% to $7.2M from $8.1M in the same prior year period. The decrease in operating expenses was due primarily to increased efficiency in sales and marketing and the completion of significant initiatives in R&D, partially offset by higher non-recurring G&A expenses.Net loss available to common stockholders improved 63% to $0.7M, or $(0.06) per share, from a net loss of $2.0M, or $(0.17) per share, in the same prior year period. The improvement in net loss was primarily due to revenue increases and efficiencies in sales and marketing and R&D.Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2024 was $1.5M, or adjusted EPS of $0.12, compared to a negative adjusted EBITDA of $(0.2M), or adjusted EPS of $(0.02), in the same prior year period. For the second quarter of 2024, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS reflect adjustments primarily for stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and litigation expense.Annual Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) as of June 30, 2024, increased $1.3M sequentially to $33.3M from $32.0M as of March 31, 2024.As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $5.1M in cash, compared to $7.0M as of March 31, 2024. The decrease in cash for the quarter was primarily driven by the final earn-out payment related to the acquisition of BOIA. Adjusted free cash flow (defined as Adjusted EBITDA less software capitalization) was approximately $1.0M in the second quarter of 2024.

Other Updates

In April 2024, the Department of Justice issued an approved rule for updated regulations under Title II of the ADA. These regulations mandate that state and local government entities ensure their websites and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities, following WCAG 2.1, Level AA technical standards beginning April 24, 2026, or April 26, 2027, depending upon the entity size.In May 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a final rule bolstering protection for individuals with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The rule ensures that web content and mobile applications provided by organizations that receive funding from HHS, including hospitals and most doctor’s offices, social service providers, nursing homes, etc. are compliant with WCAG 2.1, Level AA technical standards. Beginning May 11, 2026, organizations with 15 or more employees must ensure web content and mobile application compliance. Organizations with less than 15 employees will have until May 10, 2027.The Company announced an expanded partnership with Finalsite, the leading K-12 school community relationship management platform serving 7,000 clients in 115 countries worldwide, to significantly enhance digital accessibility for K-12 schools.In July 2024, AudioEye announced the launch of AudioEyeQ, a best-in-class accessibility learning platform offering free, on-demand accessibility education courses for anyone looking to expand their accessibility knowledge.Customer count increased 16% to approximately 121,000 customers as of June 30, 2024, compared to about 104,000 as of June 30, 2023. Both the Enterprise and the Partner and Marketplace channels contributed to the increase in customer count.

Financial Outlook
In the third quarter of 2024, the Company expects to generate revenue between $8.85M and $8.95M. It also expects adjusted EBITDA between $1.85M and $1.95M and adjusted EPS between $0.15 and $0.16 per share.

Based on strong results achieved year-to-date and a revised growth projection for the remainder of 2024, AudioEye management is updating its full-year financial outlook. The Company is increasing its full-year 2024 revenue guidance to between $34.5M and $34.8M and has revised its expected full-year 2024 adjusted EBITDA to between $6.0M and $6.3M, with expected adjusted EPS of between $0.48 and $0.51 per share.

Conference Call Information
AudioEye management will hold a conference call today, July 25, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss these results, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Date: Thursday, July 25, 2024
Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time)
U.S. dial-in number: 877-407-8289
International number: 201-689-8341
Webcast: Q224 Webcast Link

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group at 949-574-3860.

The conference call will also be webcast live and available for replay via the investor relations section of the Company’s website. The audio recording will remain available via the investor relations section of the Company’s website for 90 days.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available after 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the same day through August 8, 2024 via the following numbers:

Toll-free replay number: 877-660-6853
International replay number: 201-612-7415
Replay passcode: 13747156

About AudioEye
AudioEye exists to ensure the digital future we build is inclusive. By combining the latest AI automation technology with guidance from certified experts and direct input from the disability community, AudioEye helps ensure businesses of all sizes — including over 121,000 customers like Samsung, Calvin Klein, and Samsonite — are accessible and usable. Holding 23 US patents, AudioEye helps companies solve every aspect of digital accessibility with flexible approaches that best meet their needs. The comprehensive solution includes 24/7 accessibility monitoring, automated accessibility fixes, expert testing, developer tools, and industry-leading legal protection.

Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about AudioEye’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “should”, “confident”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “expects”, “estimates”, “projects”, “positioned”, “strategy”, “outlook” and similar words. You should read the statements that contain these types of words carefully. Such forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future cash flows of the Company, anticipated contributions from new sales channels, long-term growth prospects, opportunities in the digital accessibility industry, our revenue and ARR guidance, and our expectation of investments in marketing and sales. These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including the variability of AudioEye’s revenue and financial performance; risks associated with our new platform, sales channels and offerings; product development and technological changes; the acceptance of AudioEye’s products in the marketplace; the effectiveness of our integration efforts; competition; inherent uncertainties and costs associated with litigation; and general economic conditions. These and other risks are described more fully in AudioEye’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be events in the future that AudioEye is not able to predict accurately or over which AudioEye has no control. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s view as of the date of this press release, and AudioEye urges you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. AudioEye does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or uncertainties after the date hereof. Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this document may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.

About Key Operating Metrics
We consider annual recurring revenue (“ARR”) as a key operating metric and a key indicator of our overall business. We also use ARR as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expectations and for evaluating, on at least a quarterly and annual basis, actual results against such expectations.

We manage customers through two primary channels, Enterprise and Partner and Marketplace. Enterprise channel consists of our larger customers and organizations, including those with non-platform custom websites, who generally engage directly with AudioEye sales personnel for custom pricing and solutions. This channel also includes federal, state and local government agencies. The Partner and Marketplace channel consists of our CMS partners, platform & agency partners, authorized resellers and our marketplace. This channel serves small and medium sized businesses who are on a partner or reseller’s web-hosting platform or who purchase an AudioEye solution from our marketplace.

We define ARR as the sum of (i) for our Enterprise channel, the total of the annualized recurring fee at the date of determination under each active contract, plus (ii) for our Partner and Marketplace channel, the annual or monthly recurring fee for all active customers at the date of determination, in each case, assuming no changes to the subscription, multiplied by 12 if applicable. Recurring fees are defined as revenues expected to be generated from services typically offered as a subscription service such as our automation and platform, periodic auditing, human-assisted technological remediations, legal support and professional service offerings and other services that reoccur on a multi-year contract. This determination includes both annual and monthly contracts for recurring products. Some of our contracts are terminable prior to the expected term, which may impact future ARR. ARR excludes non-recurring fees, which are defined as revenue expected to be generated from services typically not offered as a subscription service such as our PDF remediation services business, one-time mobile application reports, and other miscellaneous services that are offered as non-subscription services or are expected to be one-time in nature.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
From time to time, we review adjusted financial measures that assist us in comparing our operating performance consistently over time, as such measures remove the impact of certain items, as applicable, such as our capital structure (primarily interest charges), items outside the control of the management team (taxes), and expenses that do not relate to our core operations, including significant transaction and litigation-related expenses and other costs that are expected to be non-recurring. In order to provide investors with greater insight and allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the information used in our financial and operational decision-making, the Company has supplemented the consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis in this press release with the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, and Adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share.

These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of Company results as reported under GAAP. The Company compensates for such limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using non-GAAP financial measures only as supplemental data. We also provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures used. Investors are encouraged to carefully review this reconciliation. In addition, because these non-GAAP measures are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, these measures, as defined by us, may differ from and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Adjusted Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share
We define: (i) Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), plus (less) interest expense (income), plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus stock-based compensation expense, plus non-cash valuation adjustment to contingent consideration, plus certain litigation expense, and plus loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets; (ii) Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of GAAP revenue; and (iii) Adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share as net income (loss) per diluted common share, plus (less) interest expense (income), plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus stock-based compensation expense, plus non-cash valuation adjustment to contingent consideration, plus certain litigation expense, and plus loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets, each on a per share basis. Adjusted earnings per diluted share would include incremental shares in the share count that are considered anti-dilutive in a GAAP net loss position. However, no incremental shares apply when there is an Adjusted loss per diluted share, as is the case for some of the periods presented in this press release.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, and Adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share are used to facilitate a comparison of our operating performance on a consistent basis from period to period and provide for a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than GAAP measures alone. All of the items adjusted in the Adjusted EBITDA to net loss and the Adjusted earnings (loss) per share calculations are either recurring non-cash items, or items that management does not consider in assessing our on-going operating performance. In the case of the non-cash items, such as stock-based compensation expense and valuation adjustments to assets and liabilities, management believes that investors may find it useful to assess our comparative operating performance because the measures without such items are expected to be less susceptible to variances in actual performance resulting from expenses that do not relate to our core operations and are more reflective of other factors that affect operating performance. In the case of items that do not relate to our core operations, management believes that investors may find it useful to assess our operating performance if the measures are presented without these items because their financial impact does not reflect ongoing operating performance.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of liquidity under GAAP, or otherwise, and is not an alternative to cash flow from continuing operating activities, despite the advantages regarding the use and analysis of these measures as mentioned above. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, and Adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share, as disclosed in this press release, have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP; nor are these measures intended to be measures of liquidity or free cash flow.

To properly and prudently evaluate our business, we encourage readers to review the consolidated GAAP financial statements included in this press release, and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. The following table sets forth reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP-based measure, as well as Adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share to net loss per diluted share, the most directly comparable GAAP-based measure. We strongly urge readers to review these reconciliations, along with the financial statements included in this press release.

Investor Contact:
Tom Colton
Gateway Group, Inc.
AEYE@gateway-grp.com
949-574-3860

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

Three months ended
June 30,

Six months ended
June 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue

$

8,470

$

7,836

$

16,553

$

15,608

Cost of revenue

1,764

1,787

3,525

3,489

Gross profit

6,706

6,049

13,028

12,119

Operating expenses:

       Selling and marketing

2,971

3,253

5,974

6,496

       Research and development

1,221

2,033

2,543

3,779

       General and administrative

3,011

2,791

5,639

5,926

   Total operating expenses

7,203

8,077

14,156

16,201

Operating loss

(497)

(2,028)

(1,128)

(4,082)

Interest income (expense), net

(238)

55

(436)

98

Net loss

$

(735)

$

(1,973)

$

(1,564)

$

(3,984)

Net loss per common share-basic and diluted

$

(0.06)

$

(0.17)

$

(0.13)

$

(0.34)

Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
and diluted

11,703

11,738

11,706

11,688

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

June 30,

December 31,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2024

2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

       Cash

$

5,086

$

9,236

       Accounts receivable, net

5,420

4,828

       Prepaid expenses and other current assets

1,050

712

   Total current assets

11,556

14,776

       Property and equipment, net

222

218

       Right of use assets

474

611

       Intangible assets, net

5,628

5,783

       Goodwill

4,001

4,001

       Other

123

106

   Total assets

$

22,004

$

25,495

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

       Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$

2,688

$

2,339

       Operating lease liabilities

211

312

       Finance lease liabilities

7

       Deferred revenue

7,050

6,472

       Contingent consideration

2,399

   Total current liabilities

9,949

11,529

Long term liabilities:

       Term loan, net

6,773

6,727

       Operating lease liabilities

319

417

       Deferred revenue

1

10

       Other

105

105

   Total liabilities

17,147

18,788

Stockholders’ equity:

       Preferred stock, $0.00001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized

       Common stock, $0.00001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 11,808 and 11,711
       shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023,
       respectively

1

1

       Additional paid-in capital

97,912

96,182

       Accumulated deficit

(93,056)

(89,476)

   Total stockholders’ equity

4,857

6,707

                Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

22,004

$

25,495

 

AUDIOEYE, INC.

RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(unaudited)

Three months ended
June 30,

Six months ended
June 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

Net loss (GAAP)

$

(735)

$

(1,973)

$

(1,564)

$

(3,984)

      Non-cash valuation adjustment to contingent
      consideration

159

(12)

214

      Interest (income) expense, net

238

(55)

436

(98)

      Stock-based compensation expense

975

1,031

1,858

2,149

      Litigation expense (1)

394

39

499

194

      Depreciation and amortization

596

577

1,168

1,103

      Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets

4

4

147

Adjusted EBITDA

$

1,472

$

(222)

$

2,389

$

(275)

Adjusted EBITDA margin (2)

17

%

(3)

%

14

%

(2)

%

Adjusted Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share
Reconciliation

Net loss per common share (GAAP) — diluted

$

(0.06)

$

(0.17)

$

(0.13)

$

(0.34)

      Non-cash valuation adjustment to contingent
      consideration

0.01

0.02

      Interest (income) expense, net

0.02

0.04

(0.01)

      Stock-based compensation expense

0.08

0.09

0.15

0.18

      Litigation expense (1)

0.03

0.04

0.02

      Depreciation and amortization

0.05

0.05

0.10

0.09

      Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived
      assets

0.01

Adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share (3)

$

0.12

$

(0.02)

$

0.20

$

(0.02)

Diluted weighted average shares (GAAP)

11,703

11,738

11,706

11,688

      Includable incremental shares (Non-GAAP) (3)

568

472

Adjusted diluted shares (Non-GAAP) (4)

12,271

11,738

12,178

11,688

(1)

Represents legal expenses related primarily to non-recurring litigation.

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of GAAP revenue.

(3)

Adjusted earnings per adjusted diluted share for our common stock is computed using the treasury stock method.

(4)

The number of diluted weighted average shares used for this calculation is the same as the weighted average common shares outstanding share count when the Company reports a GAAP net loss and a negative Adjusted EBITDA.

 

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SOURCE AudioEye, Inc.

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Technology

2CRSi SA: Annual Revenue of €416.2 Million¹, Up 88% for Fiscal Year 2025/26

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STRASBOURG, France, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 2CRSi (ISIN: FR0013341781), a designer and manufacturer of high-performance, energy-efficient servers, today reports its revenue for fiscal year 2025/26. Over the period, the Group generated revenue of €416.2 million[1], an increase of more than 88% compared with fiscal year 2024/25 (€220.7 million).

Another Record-Breaking Year

This performance reflects the Group’s strong commercial momentum as well as the success of the strategic transformation launched nearly two years ago to position 2CRSi in the Artificial Intelligence infrastructure market.

Initially set at €300 million at the beginning of the fiscal year[2], then raised to more than €400 million in March 2026[3], the revenue target has now been exceeded, demonstrating the Group’s ability to anticipate market developments and successfully execute its commercial growth strategy in the rapidly expanding global Artificial Intelligence market. As a reminder, the €610 million framework agreement referred to in our detailed response[4] of July 16, 2026 generated no revenue during fiscal year 2025/26: the year’s growth was entirely driven by other orders that were delivered and invoiced.

Increasing Diversification of the Customer Portfolio

The portfolio of the Group’s main customers invoiced during the fiscal year consists predominantly of new customers signed during the period, demonstrating the Group’s ability to win new strategic accounts and rapidly convert its commercial pipeline into revenue.

2CRSi’s largest customer accounted for less than 20% of consolidated revenue, while the Group’s top five customers represented approximately 70%, compared with more than 90% in fiscal year 2024/25.

While equipment sales represented approximately 94% of total revenue, service revenue increased significantly in value to reach €24.7 million (compared with €8.3 million in 2024/25, representing growth of nearly 200%). As services generate higher margins, they will constitute a key development driver over the coming fiscal years. In particular, 2CRSi Cloud Solutions recorded its first significant billings, notably in connection with the ÆTHER project.

Positive Cash Flow and Strengthened Financial Position

At the end of the fiscal year, the Group’s cash position stood at €14.4 million1 (compared with -€0.2 million one year earlier), its highest year-end cash balance since its IPO in 2018. This strengthened financial position provides 2CRSi with the resources to support its continued growth trajectory.

Group Year-End Cash Position by Fiscal Year (in € thousands)

2026/27 Ambition: Targeting €1 Billion in Revenue

During the RAISE Summit, the global Artificial Intelligence summit held in Paris on July 8–9, 2026, bringing together more than 9,000 leading industry participants, the announcement[5] of the ÆTHER consortium members and the advanced negotiations for the upcoming acquisition by ÆTHER Infrastructures of two industrial sites in the Strasbourg region significantly boosted customer demand for the megawatts of computing capacity that will be deployed there. Like the other consortium members, 2CRSi expects to benefit from this momentum and anticipates an increase in order intake, with part of these orders expected to be delivered during the current fiscal year.

In light of this commercial momentum, 2CRSi confirms its ambition to achieve €1 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2026/27.

Beyond sustaining its growth trajectory, improving margins will also remain a key priority for the Group through increasing the contribution of services and higher value-added solutions to its overall business.

Next event: Publication of Fiscal Year 2025/26 Annual Results: October 29, 2026

About 2CRSi

Founded in 2005 in Strasbourg, France, 2CRSi designs, develops, and manufactures high-performance computing servers and innovative solutions for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing (HPC), and data storage. Committed to responsible and sustainable practices, the Group operates across multiple continents and provides highly energy-efficient technology solutions to industries including technology, manufacturing, gaming, scientific research, and data centers. 2CRSi has been listed since June 2018 on the regulated market of Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0013341781) and was transferred to Euronext Growth in November 2022.

For more information: https://2crsi.com/

Media Contacts

2CRSi

Jean-Philippe LLOBERA

France Director
investors@2crsi.com

03 68 41 10 70

Seitosei.Actifin

Foucauld Charavay

Financial Communication  
Foucauld.charavay@seitosei-actifin.com 

06 37 83 33 19

Seitosei.Actifin

Isabelle Dray

Financial Press Relations
isabelle.dray@seitosei-actifin.com

06 85 36 85 11

References:

[1] Unaudited Data
[2] https://investors.2crsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2CRSI-announces-its-strategic-plan-with-a-strong-development-focus-in-the-US.pdf
[3] https://investors.2crsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2CRSi-announces-an-increase-in-its-half-year-result-by-4.6.pdf
[4] https://investors.2crsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2CRSis-detailed-response-to-the-allegations-in-the-Grizzly-Research-report.pdf
[5] https://investors.2crsi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2CRSi-the-AETHER-Consortium-Reveals-Itself.pdf 

Regulatory filing PDF file

File: 2CRSi Announces 2026 Revenue of €416.2 Million an 88% Increase

 

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SOURCE 2CRSi SA

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Technology

Nearly Half of Senior Leaders Feel Only Partly Prepared to Lead AI Transformation, as Ambition Outpaces Readiness

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Almost half of senior leaders (46%) say they are prepared only to a small extent to lead organisation-wide transformation driven by AI, while 2% report being not prepared at all. Keeping pace with rapidly evolving AI technology is cited as the most significant challenge (40%) faced by senior leaders, followed by regulatory and compliance uncertainty (37%) and insufficient budget or resources for AI adoption (36%).Only about a third of senior leaders (34%) have attended formal training or upskilling related to leadership in the AI era within the past two years. Over half (53%) are planning to do so in the coming months and years, with 13% reporting no plans to undertake such training.The most common shift in leadership approach is an increased focus on people management during AI-driven change, cited by 37% of leaders, particularly in supporting morale and employee well-being. This is followed by greater time spent on upskilling themselves and their teams (31%), and on strategic decision-making (30%). 

SINGAPORE, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how organisations operate and compete. However, the leaders responsible for steering this transformation report a gap between what is expected of them and their preparedness to deliver. Almost half of senior leaders (46%) say they are prepared only to a small extent to lead organisation-wide transformation driven by AI, while a further 2% report being not prepared at all. In comparison, 37% are prepared to a moderate extent, and only 15% consider themselves prepared to a large extent.

Senior leaders identify several factors contributing to this readiness gap. Keeping pace with rapidly evolving AI technology is cited as the top challenge (40%), followed by regulatory and compliance uncertainty (37%). Resource constraints are also a key pressure point, with 36% pointing to insufficient budget or resources for AI adoption. In addition, 34% highlight challenges related to data quality and governance, while another 34% cite the need to upskill or reskill employees to work effectively alongside AI.

These are some of the key findings from NTUC LearningHub’s Special Report on Leadership in an AI-Driven World. The report surveyed 131 senior leaders from organisations of different sizes and across industries, including Infocomm Technology, Finance, Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare and others. All respondents reported some level of experience with AI and are involved, to varying degrees, in AI adoption decisions within their organisation.

This readiness gap extends into decision-making. Senior leaders generally express moderate levels of confidence in making high-stakes AI-related decisions. Over two in five (43%) report being quite confident, while 13% say they are very confident. However, 40% indicate they are not very confident and 4% not confident at all.

Despite that, only about a third of senior leaders (34%) have attended formal training or upskilling on leading in an AI-driven workplace within the past two years. Among those who have not yet done so, many indicate plans to pursue training, including 22% within the next six months, 20% within the next year, and 11% within the next two years. Only 13% report having no plans to undertake such training. Among the training areas leaders prioritise, AI literacy and strategic understanding (57%) emerge as the key priority, followed by data-driven decision-making (46%), and ethical AI governance and responsible deployment (40%).

Alongside this, the most common shift in leadership approach is an increased focus on people management during AI-driven change, cited by 37% of leaders, particularly in supporting morale and employee well-being. This is followed by greater time spent on upskilling themselves and their teams (31%) and on strategic decision-making (30%). Ethical and governance considerations also feature strongly at 27%, alongside a similar share who report dedicating more effort to change management (27%), including communicating how AI may affect roles and ways of working.

These shifts reflect a broader recognition among leaders that navigating AI transformation requires more than technical fluency alone. Two in five (40%) senior leaders regard human-centric skills as very important in leading an organisation in the AI era, while nearly half (48%) consider them to be quite important. Among the capabilities leaders consider most critical, creative thinking and critical thinking each emerge at 47%, closely followed by sense-making (46%), problem-solving (44%) and effective communication (43%).

Commenting on the report’s findings, Mr Sean Lim, Chief Human Resource Officer, NTUC LearningHub, says, “The gap between expectation and readiness reflects a fundamental shift in what is required of leadership in today’s AI era. Leaders were once expected to hold all the answers and direct from the top. However, they must now act as strategic navigators, making sense of complexity and providing guidance through this period of rapid change and uncertainty. This means a shift towards coaching and empowering people, while also aligning competing priorities across technology, business and operational needs. It is a demanding shift, but it is encouraging to know that many senior leaders are already planning to further their own development to lead their teams through this period of AI transformation.”

To download the Special Report on Leadership in an AI-Driven World, please visit https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/media/research-reports/2026/Leadership-AI-World. To find out more about the courses, training, and grants, please contact NTUC LearningHub at www.ntuclearninghub.com.

### END ###

About NTUC LearningHub

NTUC LearningHub is the leading Continuing Education and Training provider in Singapore which aims to transform the lifelong employability of working people. Since our corporatisation in 2004, we have been working with employers and individual learners to provide learning solutions in areas such as Infocomm Technology, Generative AI & Cloud, Healthcare, Retail & Food Services, Employability & Literacy, Business Excellence, Workplace Safety & Health, Security, Human Resources & Coaching and Foreign Workers Training.

To date, NTUC LearningHub has helped over 34,000 organisations and achieved more than 3.2 million training places across more than 1,000 courses with a pool of about 1,000 certified trainers. As a Total Learning Solutions provider to organisations, we also forge partnerships to offer a wide range of relevant end-to-end training. Besides in-person training, we also offer instructor-led virtual live classes (VLCs) and asynchronous online learning. The NTUC LearningHub Learning eXperience Platform (LXP)—a one-stop online learning platform—offers timely, bite-sized and quality content for learners to upskill anytime and anywhere. Beyond learning, LXP also serves as a platform for jobs and skills development for both workers and companies.

For more information, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com.

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SOURCE NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd

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THE LEGO GROUP INTRODUCES THE LEGO® SMART PLAY™ GATEWAY AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2026

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Booth #2829 invites attendees to step inside the worlds of two iconic franchises through the groundbreaking LEGO SMART Play experienceAttendees will be able to experience two beloved franchises like never before, as LEGO SMART Play adds a new dimension of interactive playOther exciting ways to experience the LEGO brand on-site July 23-26 include multiple new product reveals making global debuts, in-booth programming and a scavenger hunt for brand prizes

SAN DIEGO, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The LEGO Group is unveiling the LEGO® SMART Play™ Gateway at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 — a booth experience powered by LEGO SMART Play technology that puts attendees right at the center of their fandoms and brings LEGO sets to life with a newfound layer of interactivity. At the LEGO SMART Play Gateway, fans will step inside the heart of two of pop culture’s most beloved franchises.

The LEGO Group will also further debut several new LEGO sets spanning numerous fandoms at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 — continuing to offer a LEGO set for every age and interest!

Enter a New Dimension of Play at the LEGO SMART Play Gateway

Launched this year, LEGO SMART Play provides open-ended physical play through responsive technology that reacts in real time. The LEGO SMART Play platform is powered by the SMART Brick, a 2×4 LEGO brick compatible with the LEGO System in Play that holds more than 20 patented world-first technologies. The SMART Brick can read SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures, synthesize light and sounds and sense precise motion, allowing kids to build, interact and create their own stories as their creations play back.

Attendees at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 are invited to step through the doors of the LEGO SMART Play Gateway, a retro-futuristic interworld departure terminal. Blending mid-century modern design with the technological optimism of LEGO SMART Play, the space transports fans from the show floor through SMART Play™-powered portals and into one of two fully immersive destinations:

Destination: LEGO Pokémon™ Lab

Destination: LEGO Pokémon™ Lab invites fans into the starting point of every Pokémon Trainer’s journey, a Lab recreated with scaled-up LEGO bricks and populated by life-sized LEGO Pokémon™ builds powered by LEGO SMART Play.Guests can choose their first partner Pokémon by selecting a Poké Ball to reveal Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle and interact with their chosen Pokémon via SMART Brick lights and sounds. Portal visitors can further try out a game of “Hide and Pikachu” inspired by the LEGO Pokémon™ SMART Play: Training House with Pikachu set or interact with Eevee as its ears sway and the gems around its glow.Don’t depart without exploring the display case highlighting a full range of LEGO Pokémon™ sets available this year.

Destination: Mos Eisley

Destination: Mos Eisley transports Star Wars™ fans straight to Mos Eisley Cantina, recreated as a series of oversized LEGO brick environments pulled directly from the world of LEGO Star Wars™ SMART Play (specifically, the LEGO Star Wars™ SMART Play: Mos Eisley Cantina™ set!).Interactive touchpoints are woven throughout, doubling as iconic photo opportunities: grab the mic and swing it to trigger a SMART Brick remix of the iconic Cantina Song as the Modal Nodes band plays along; slide into the infamous corner booth for a face-to-face encounter with Greedo; and visit the Dewback Petting Zoo for a photo op with a purring, snoozing Dewback.Eagle-eyed fans can also decode hidden Aurebesh signage to unlock in-universe Easter eggs scattered throughout the space.

“The excitement around LEGO SMART Play began earlier this year and continues to grow with the launch of new sets on August 1. We are thrilled to bring these themes to life at the LEGO SMART Play Gateway during San Diego Comic-Con,” said Beth McKenna, Head of U.S. Marketing at the LEGO Group. “LEGO SMART Play represents the most significant advancement in LEGO® play since the Minifigure. Comic-Con is the ideal venue to showcase the possibilities of LEGO SMART Play, where attendees unite over the stories, characters, and worlds they adore.”

Sets Debuting at San Diego Comic-Con 2026

Brand new sets from across the LEGO brand’s most beloved franchises, not specific to SMART Play, are on display flanking the rear of the gateway; as each display case operates as its own destination, inviting fans and enthusiasts to explore and build upon the worlds they love most.

Boldly Build Where No One Has Built Before with the NEW LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701™ Bridge

The LEGO Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701™ Bridge (11385), the ultimate tribute to one of the most iconic ships in sci-fi history, is a perfect way to celebrate Star Trek’s 60th anniversary in 2026 – and it reveals at San Diego Comic-Con!

This 1,701-piece set, available at LEGO Stores and LEGO.com exclusively beginning September 1 and available for pre-order now, recreates the iconic bridge and transporter room from the original series in authentic detail with eight LEGO Minifigures representing the Starfleet crew. Turn a dial to beam crew from the transporter room, swish open the turbo lift doors and rock the captain’s chair to simulate warp turbulence and space battles; this is a mission-worthy build for any Trekkie.

Outside of the booth, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701™ Bridge set will make its first appearance at the Star Trek: The Collector Frontier Panel, accompanied by LEGO set designers Henrik Andersen and Crystal Marie Fontan to explain the process and inspiration that went into recreating the U.S.S. Enterprise. The panel takes place Thursday, July 23, 11:00am to 12:00pm in Room 5AB. For those on the hunt for further LEGO Star Trek sights, be sure to visit the “Star Trek: Boldly Built” activation at the Marriot Marquis on W. Harbor Drive July 23-26, where attendees can take a photo in a LEGO brick-built Captain’s Chair – made out of 83,568 LEGO bricks!

Relive the Classic with the NEW LEGO Donkey Kong™ Arcade

Jump back into a classic age of gaming with the LEGO Donkey Kong Arcade (72051), on display for the first time at San Diego Comic-Con and available in stores August 1. This 1,367-piece collectible set pays homage to the iconic arcade cabinet, complete with Jumpman, Donkey Kong and Lady, plus scaffold, ladder and hammer details straight from the original Nintendo® game.

Pull the lever to release one of the 21 barrels at a time, move Jumpman with the joystick and press the button to make him jump over the barrels — there is even a mechanism to circulate the barrels in a continuous loop to keep the fun rolling! A must-have for adult fans of classic arcade games and retro decor.

Bringing the Swamp to San Diego with NEW LEGO Minifigures Shrek Series

The LEGO Minifigures Shrek Series (71053) brings 12 beloved characters from the franchise to Minifigure form at San Diego Comic-Con, each tucked inside a sealed mystery box for ages six and up. Discover Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots, Lord Farquaad and more, most with at least one themed accessory like blind mice, a magic mirror or lollipop. Collect them all, play out scenes from the films or put them on display. These are available September 1, but the fairytale will continue in 2027 with more LEGO Shrek!

This summer marks the 25th anniversary of the first Shrek film, which launched a global blockbuster franchise. A new chapter begins next summer, when DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 5 arrives in cinemas worldwide.

Within and Beyond the Booth

Attendees can explore the LEGO SMART Play™ Gateway from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26 at booth #2829, where the power of LEGO SMART Play comes to life across every corner of the experience.

Beyond the SMART Play Gateway, fans can attend LEGO-brand panels celebrating major milestones, hunt for exclusive LEGO finds in a scavenger hunt spanning the entire convention floor and take home collectible souvenirs to remember the experience:

LEGO NINJAGO® Celebrates – 15 Years and Counting! NINJAGO voice talent will take the stage to celebrate 15 years of everyone’s favorite minifig ninja team – LEGO NINJAGO! They will talk about their best-loved moments from hundreds of episodes and perform a staged reading of an all-new, exclusive canon scene written by fellow panelists, LEGO NINJAGO: Dragons Rising head writers Kevin Burke & Chris “Doc” Wyatt. Thursday, July 23, 2:15pm-3:15pm in Room 6BCF. In-booth signings July 23, 4:00pm-5:00pm and Friday, July 24 2:30pm-3:30pm. NINJAGO fans will be further pleased to know that the LEGO brand debuted the third installation of its partnership with Crocs™, the NINJAGO collection, at San Diego Comic-Con this morning, The release features Classic Clogs for adults and kids inspired by one of the franchise’s most beloved heroes, Lloyd; fans can further personalize their look with character-inspired Jibbitz™ charm packs.Lost Luggage Scavenger Hunt. Keep your eyes open — LEGO luggage tags are being hidden within the San Diego Convention Center daily, July 23-26. Find one and return it to the LEGO booth to claim a prize package, including exclusive brand artwork commissioned for San Diego Comic-Con 2026.Travel souvenirs to take home from your journey. Visitors can collect limited-edition boarding passes, exclusive LEGO Travel Guides, destination postcards and IP-themed travel stickers in-booth — all designed to commemorate the trip long after the show floor closes.

More Information 

All products on display at the show, including LEGO set reveals, can be found at LEGO.com/san-diego-comic-con. For more information on the LEGO Group activities at San Diego Comic-Con, contact press@america.lego.com

Notes to Editor 

Product Information

LEGO® Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701™ Bridge (11385)

Age Grade: 18+MSRP: $199.99Piece Count: 1,701Global Launch Date: September 1, 2027 (available for pre-order now) at LEGO Stores and LEGO.comDescription: Set course for a voyage of creativity with the LEGO® Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701™ Bridge building set for adults. Recreate the iconic bridge and transporter room that served as the backdrop for epic scenes aboard the legendary starship. Rock the captain’s chair to simulate ship turbulence and turn a dial to beam crew members. Includes eight iconic Star Trek character Minifigures.

LEGO® Donkey Kong™ Arcade (72051)

Age Grade: 18+MSRP: $199.99Piece Count: 1367Global Launch Date: August 1, 2026 at LEGO Stores and select retailersDescription: Join Jumpman on the construction site again with this LEGO® brick model of the iconic Donkey Kong™ arcade game. Pull the lever for Donkey Kong to ‘throw’ barrels one after the other. Move Jumpman with the joystick and press the button to make him leap over the barrels. This set pays homage to the original Donkey Kong arcade cabinet game and makes a fun, nostalgic addition to your game room.

LEGO® Minifigures Shrek Series (71053)

Age Grade: 6+MSRP: $4.99Piece Count: 7Global Launch Date: September 1, 2026 at LEGO Stores and select retailersDescription: Enjoy movie adventures with LEGO® Minifigures Shrek Series mystery boxes. There are 12 detailed characters to collect, including Shrek, Fiona and Donkey, Puss in Boots, Prince Charming, Big Bad Wolf and Lord Farquaad and most come with at least one accessory. Expand your Minifigure collection or use them to play out your favorite scenes from the DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek films. Open your box and find out who’s inside!

About the LEGO Group

The LEGO Group’s mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine.

The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words Leg Godt, which mean “Play Well”.

Today, the LEGO Group remains a family-owned company headquartered in Billund. Its products are now sold in more than 130 countries worldwide. For more information: www.LEGO.com.

About The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, please visit www.pokemon.co.uk.

STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

About Paramount Products & Experiences

Paramount Products & Experiences oversees all licensing, merchandising, and location-based experiences for Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), a leading next generation global media and entertainment company. The division brings to life iconic franchises and beloved characters through innovative products and immersive experiences across categories including toys, apparel, publishing, food and beverage, theme parks, hotels, cruises, attractions, and live entertainment. Its global portfolio is powered by content from brands such as Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, CBS, MTV, Comedy Central, and Paramount+, and fan-favorite franchises like PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Trek, and Yellowstone. To explore our range of consumer products and Paramount-branded merchandise, visit ParamountShop.com.

TM & © 2026 CBS Studios Inc. Star Trek and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek Franchise  

For the past two decades, children of all ages have been enchanted by DreamWorks Animation’s delightful, irreverent adventures of a misunderstood ogre and his ragtag group of roguish fairytale folk. Beginning with Shrek, the 2001 Academy Award® winner for Best Animated Feature, Shrek (Mike Myers), Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Donkey (Oscar® nominee Eddie Murphy), Puss in Boots (Oscar® nominee Antonio Banderas) and their signature friends, family and tormentors have grown into an indelible part of pop culture, reminding audiences around the globe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

The four Shrek franchise films have earned more than $2.9 billion worldwide, spawning a global live-touring show, an award-winning Broadway musical that earned eight Tony nominations and 12 Drama Desk nominations, plus an immersive, top-tourist destination in London and popular events and attractions across Universal Studios theme parks worldwide. 

From an astonishing consumer products campaign to imaginative digital extensions and a global animation exhibition tour, the iconic age of Shrek now enters a thrilling new era in 2027, as DreamWorks Animation reimagines this wonderous tale for a new generation with Shrek 5. Stars Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy return, now joined by Emmy winning superstar Zendaya (Dune franchise, Euphoria) as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter. 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-lego-group-introduces-the-lego-smart-play-gateway-at-san-diego-comic-con-2026-302833040.html

SOURCE The LEGO Group

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