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Hong Kong Smart Apps Shine in Asia Smart App Awards 2024

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Hong Kong Sweeps Top Three in “Lifestyle, Social, and Entertainment” Category

Israel Wins Grand Award for Second Consecutive Year

HONG KONG, Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The “Asia Smart App Awards 2024” (ASA) held its Award Presentation Ceremony at New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel on 11 September 2024. Organised by the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the ASA is well supported by partners from 16 other Asian countries/ regions as co-organisers. The ASA is dedicated to recognising the outstanding achievements of industry professionals in the smart app industry across Asia. It also provides an excellent networking platform for local smart app industry professionals and their counterparts in the region, with the aim to fostering the growth and development of the smart app industry, while encouraging Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries to strengthen the use of smart apps in combination of technology to expand room for development. 

The Israeli company Vitalerter Ltd, developer of the Vitalerter app, which won the prestigious “Asia Smart App Awards 2024” Grand Award, also took home the Gold Award in the “Public Sector and Social Innovation Enterprise Category”. The app provides continuous monitoring for bedridden individuals using a non-contact wireless sensor that transmits data in real-time to an AI system for analysis. When the system detects a potential danger, it immediately alerts on-duty nursing staff via mobile phone.

Hong Kong contestants demonstrated outstanding performance in the 2024 edition of the ASA, particularly in the “Lifestyle and Entertainment Category”. Blua Health by Bupa (Asia) Limited won the Gold Award and the “Special Mention Award – Best UX/UI Design.” Blua Health is Hong Kong’s first AI-powered, one-stop health app, allowing users to assess their health status anytime, anywhere, guide their healthy lifestyle, and earn reward points. The Silver Award went to the Solos AirGo App, which enhances the smart glasses experience by integrating AI-driven conversations, translation, fitness tracking, and health monitoring, boosting productivity and well-being. The Bronze Award was won by the O+O MetaEvent Hub, which connects online and offline activities, enabling remote participants to engage in exhibitions and seminars through virtual avatars. The AI chatbot provides 24/7 service and analyses visitor behaviour to help optimise future events.

In the “Business and Commercial Category”, the Gold Award went to AIM, Korea’s first AI-driven investment app, offering top-tier personal investment advisory services. Users can quickly open accounts and receive expert advice from the AI algorithm “Esther” to invest in global markets. The app has served 70,000 users and manages $1 billion in assets. Other finalists in the three categories came from Israel, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, and Vietnam.

This year marks the 10th edition of the ASA. Since its inception in 2013, the competition has received over 1,300 smart app entries from across Asia, making it a prestigious and widely recognised event in the industry. It has become an annual highlight of the smart app industry in Asia. This edition, the ASA returns with the theme “AppAIchemy: Chapter 10 of ASA Saga”, highlighting the vibrant development of smart app across various fields including artificial intelligence (AI). The WTIA is pleased to continue collaborating with 16 co-organisers from various Asian countries and regions, including Mainland China, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar, to bring this timely event to further foster the growth of the burgeoning smart app sector in Asia. This edition’s ASA Award Presentation Ceremony and Summit took place on 11 September, bringing together the elites of the Asian smart app industry with the aim of promoting cooperation and development through exchanges and discussions, and driving innovation and the wider application of smart apps.

Officiating at this edition’s award presentation ceremony, Mrs. Lowell Cho, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries congratulated all the winners and encouraged Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries to leverage technology to drive industry development.

Keith Li, Chairman of the WTIA, also expressed during the award presentation ceremony, “It is with great pride and satisfaction that we commemorate the tenth anniversary of this prestigious Asian event. For this milestone edition, we have once again convened distinguished industry experts from 16 other Asian countries and regions here in Hong Kong, underscoring the international significance of this occasion. This edition’s theme centred on the exponential advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and the competing smart apps have aptly demonstrated their capacity to drive rapid innovation and transform industry paradigms across diverse sectors. I am particularly impressed by the exceptional innovation and technical acumen displayed by all contestants. Among them, the finalists deserve special commendation, with their tireless efforts and ingenuity duly recognised and rewarded. The ASA not only celebrates technological achievement but also reinforces Hong Kong’s position as a hub for innovation in the smart app industry across Asia. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and impact of these groundbreaking technologies in shaping our future.”

The ASA 2024 has three award categories: Public Sector and Social Innovation Category, Business and Commercial Category, and Lifestyle and Entertainment Category. The gold winners of each award category were further assessed to determine the winner of “Asia Smart App Grand Award”, which was presented to Vitalerter Ltd.

The two special mention awards introduced in this edition, namely the Special Mention Award – The Best Start-up and the Special Mention Award – The Best UX/UI Design, were open to teams from Hong Kong and the 16 participating countries or regions, aiming to recognise innovative applications from start-ups and applications demonstrating excellence in user experience and interface design. ReCube Limited from Hong Kong won the Best Start-up Award with their application “ReCube”, which allows users to easily borrow and return reusable tableware at partner restaurants, while encouraging environmental protection through a points system, thereby promoting sustainable development in the community. As for the Best UX/UI Design Award, a smart app from another Hong Kong company, Bupa (Asia) Limited’s Blua Health outshone its competitors by utilising AI technology to provide personalised health management advice so that users can conduct health assessments anytime, anywhere through the app, and cultivate healthy lifestyle habits through a points reward system.

The lists of the Asia Smart App Awards 2024’s awardees* are as follows:

Asia Smart App Grand Award

Awardee: Israeli – Vitalerter (Vitalerter Ltd)

Public Sector and Social Innovation Category:

Gold Award – Israeli – Vitalerter (Vitalerter Ltd)Silver Award – Indonesia – paperless (PT Digital Kreasi Muslim)Bronze Award – Indonesia – Silang App (Silang.id)

Business and Commercial Category:

Gold Award – Korea – AIM (AIM Inc.)Silver Award – Vietnam – Store Optimizer (Palexy Company Limited)Bronze Award – Malaysia – Agmo EV Super App (Agmo Holdings Limited)

Lifestyle and Entertainment Category:

Gold Award – Hong Kong – Blua Health (Bupa (Asia) Limited)Silver Award – Hong Kong – Solos AirGo App (Solos Technology Limited)Bronze Award – Hong Kong – O+O Meta Event Hub (Chef Digital Limited)

Special Mention Award–The Best Start up

Awardee: ReCube, ReCube Limited (Hong Kong)

Special Mention Award–The Best UX/UI design

Awardee: Blua Health, Bupa (Asia) Limited (Hong Kong)

*Further details and full winner lists (including the list of Certificate of Merit winners) of each category of “Asia Smart App Awards 2024” are available on official website at https://bestasiaapp.hk

The Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA) organises the Asia Smart App Awards (ASA) 2024, the 10th edition following the success of past editions, with funding support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA). The ASA is dedicated to recognising the contributions of industry insiders to the smart app industry, provide a networking platform for smart app industry professionals from Hong Kong to other Asian countries and regions, encouraging growth and development of the industry.

The WTIA remains committed to enhancing the reach of these awards across Asia, bolstering the development of the local smart app industry, and facilitating local smart app talent in business expansion. The awards have drawn participants from an increasing number of Asian countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, Cambodia, and Bangladesh.

In addition to the “Asia Smart App Awards 2024” Award Presentation Ceremony, the Asia Smart App Summit was held on the same day. The Summit convened expert representatives from 17 Asian countries and regions to engage in discussions about trending topics.

The organiser express its gratitude to the CCIDA for the funding and to all the partners, supporting organisations, and speakers for their strong support. The highlights of all events of the ASA 2024 will be uploaded to https://contest2024.bestasiaapp.hk/  for review.

Media Enquiry:

Market Hubs Holdings Limited

Lierence Li

Debbie So

+852 3998-4900

+852 3998-4900

lierence@markethubsgroup.com

debbie@markethubsgroup.com

About the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association

The Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA), established in 2001, is a not-for profit, politically-neutral trade association dedicated to the wireless and mobile industry. The WTIA acts as a platform, an aggregator, and a community for industry professionals to learn and drive emerging wireless and mobile technologies, governance, and standards. It facilitates networking between like-minded professionals, boost interoperability between networks and devices, and strives to help all organisations apply these technologies to existing or new businesses. The WTIA also represents and is supported by digital industries pertaining to mobile such as digital entertainment, digital marketing & media, and start-up sectors. To know more about the WTIA, please visit http://www.hkwtia.org

About the Asia Smart App Awards (ASA)

The Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA) organises the Asia Smart App Awards (ASA) 2024, the 10th edition following the success of past editions, with funding support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA). By uniting 16 co-organisers from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Israel, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, in addition to Hong Kong, the ASA carries this auspicious occasion to further encourage the development of the expanding smart app industry. For more details about the ASA, please visit www.bestasiaapp.hk.

About the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) established in June 2024, formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, promoting the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries under the industry-oriented principle, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community to implement Hong Kong’s positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. CCIDA’s website: www.ccidahk.gov.hk.

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SOURCE The Wireless Technology Industry Association

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Bill Faust Named Consulting Magazine Top Consultant of the Year in Industry Specialization

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Impact Advisors Leader Recognized for Expertise in Healthcare IT Implementation

CHICAGO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Impact Advisors, a leading healthcare management consulting firm, is proud to announce that Bill Faust, Managing Director, has been named a Top Consultant of the Year by Consulting Magazine in the category of Industry Specialization. This prestigious award honors consultants who demonstrate deep domain expertise and deliver exceptional value to clients within their field.

“Bill’s recognition as a Top Consultant of the Year is a testament to his deep industry expertise and unwavering commitment to client success.” -Andy Smith, managing partner and co-founder of Impact Advisors

Faust brings more than 28 years of healthcare IT experience, with a distinguished track record leading large-scale, complex implementations for both ambulatory and acute care organizations. Over the past 25 years, he has held progressive leadership roles supporting major Epic and Oracle initiatives, helping healthcare systems successfully navigate digital transformation and achieve measurable outcomes.

In his role at Impact Advisors, Faust leads the firm’s EHR Implementation & Support practice, where he is responsible for driving strategy, delivery excellence, and client success across some of the most complex healthcare IT programs in the country. His ability to combine deep technical knowledge with strong executive communication has enabled him to build trusted relationships with clients and vendor partners alike.

“Bill’s recognition as a Top Consultant of the Year is a testament to his deep industry expertise and unwavering commitment to client success,” said Andy Smith, managing partner and co-founder of Impact Advisors. “He consistently delivers high-impact results for our clients while helping advance the healthcare industry through his thoughtful, strategic leadership. Bill joined our team as our ninth colleague, and we’re fortunate to have had his guidance for all these years.”

Consulting Magazine’s Top Consultants awards recognize outstanding professionals who have made significant contributions to the consulting profession and their clients. The Industry Specialization category specifically highlights consultants who have demonstrated exceptional depth of knowledge and impact within a defined sector.

Faust’s recognition underscores Impact Advisors’ continued leadership in healthcare consulting and its commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that improve patient care and operational performance.

About Impact Advisors

Impact Advisors is a leading healthcare management consulting firm offering a comprehensive suite of technology-enabled performance improvement solutions that deliver measurable and sustainable value for clients. Our commitment to excellence has earned Best in KLAS® recognition for 19 consecutive years, and our distinctive culture has been named a “Best Place to Work” by Modern Healthcare for 16 years. Learn more at www.impact-advisors.com.

Media Contact

Catherine Povalitis, Impact Advisors, 1 815-282-9976, cpovalitis@chartwellagency.com, https://www.impact-advisors.com/

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SOURCE Impact Advisors

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Hewlett Foundation President: Philanthropy Must Bridge AI Governance Gap Between Washington and Silicon Valley

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Amber D. Miller makes the case for philanthropy and civil society to protect critical infrastructure and deliver broad benefits.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As conversations between Washington and Silicon Valley about AI policy grow more contentious, Hewlett Foundation President Amber D. Miller calls on philanthropy to step up. In a new op-ed published by RealClearPolicy, Miller argues that governments and industry can’t close America’s AI governance gap alone, but independent institutions and philanthropy can help bridge the divide.

Drawing on her background as a physicist, Miller advocates for a practical, non-ideological approach to AI governance focused on protecting critical infrastructure, preventing strategic technological surprise, and keeping people safe while fostering innovation.

“Much of America’s critical infrastructure is highly distributed and deeply vulnerable, and its protection is dangerously under-resourced. The Hewlett Foundation wants to maximize the public benefits of emerging technologies while proactively mitigating their risks.”

To address these challenges, the Hewlett Foundation recently announced $10 million in exploratory grants to support the security of emerging technologies, including AI, biotechnology, and quantum computing.

Major grants were awarded to Stanford University’s Hoover Institution for its Tech Futures Lab, which focuses on anticipating technological surprises and enhancing U.S. resilience and Vanderbilt University’s Institute for National Security for its Wicked Problems Lab, which is building defenses against synthetic information warfare like deepfakes.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the director of the Hoover Institution, highlighted the importance of integrating security into innovation: “Innovation is key to national security…. Innovators will have more valuable, more marketable products if they build security into it at the front end.”

Other grantees include, the AI Now Institute, Aspen Institute, Atlantic Council, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Council on Foreign Relations, Georgetown University, Global Network Initiative, Institute for Security and Technology, Observer Research Foundation America, RAND, and Sentinel Bio.

Miller calls on others to join Hewlett, writing, “America has led every major technological era of the modern age, helping usher in significant discoveries that have benefited communities both here and around the world. Whether it continues to lead will depend not only on breakthroughs in labs, but on whether innovation earns public trust and delivers broad benefits. Philanthropy, with its long-term focus and commitment to charitable good, can do much to help.”

For more, read the op-ed and grant announcement: https://hewlett.org/americas-ai-governance-gap-needs-independent-oversight/ 

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SOURCE The Hewlett Foundation

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Hyperscale Data Sees Rising Demand Across Defense Portfolio Amid Heightened Global Activity

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LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), an artificial intelligence (“AI”) data center company anchored by Bitcoin (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Gresham Worldwide, Inc., which is expected to be merged with another wholly owned subsidiary of the Company called Ballista Group, Inc., and the related party TurnOnGreen, Inc. (the “Defense Systems Group”), are actively supporting the expected increase in global defense production through its integrated portfolio of high-performance defense engineering and manufacturing subsidiaries.

The Defense Systems Group operates as an integrated engineering and manufacturing platform serving defense, aerospace, and industrial markets, delivering mission-critical electronics, radio frequency (“RF”) systems, power platforms, and advanced control technologies across the full lifecycle, from design through long-term sustainment. 

Recent global events, including but not limited to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, have contributed to increased demand signals across defense and mission-critical infrastructure supply chains. Management of the Defense Systems Group has observed a measurable uptick in inbound inquiries, program discussions and order flow across the group’s core product lines, particularly in:

RF and microwave systems supporting radar and electronic warfare;Power systems and ruggedized electronics for defense and mobility platforms; andTest, validation, and simulation technologies for mission-critical environments.

“These are environments where failure is not an option,” said Milton “Todd” Ault III, Executive Chairman of Hyperscale Data. He added that “The Defense Systems Group was assembled to deliver precision-engineered solutions for exactly these mission-critical applications, and we are seeing that demand accelerate in real time.” Further, Mr. Ault stated that “The group’s combination of deep engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a global operational footprint provides a strong foundation to support long-term growth across defense, aerospace, and other mission-critical technology sectors.

The Defense Systems Group platform supports highly regulated and security-sensitive programs, operating under certifications including ISO, AS9100, and ITAR compliance, and serves customers across defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure sectors globally. 

“As geopolitical conditions evolve, supply chains for advanced electronics and defense-related technologies are becoming increasingly constrained,” stated William Horne, Chief Executive Officer of Hyperscale Data. “The Defense Systems Group collectively provides a vertically integrated platform supporting advanced defense electronics, power systems, RF and microwave components, and precision-engineered subsystems, positioning the organization to support current and emerging demand across multiple strategic defense programs.”

While the Company continues to monitor global developments, management of the Defense Systems Group believes that sustained demand for mission-critical electronics, ruggedized power systems, and secure infrastructure technologies could present potential opportunities across the Defense Systems Group.

For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data’s public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov.

About Hyperscale Data, Inc.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Sentinum, Inc., Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging AI ecosystems and other industries. Hyperscale Data’s other wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc. (“ACG”), is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact.

Hyperscale Data currently expects the divestiture of ACG (the “Divestiture”) to occur in the second quarter of 2027. Upon the occurrence of the Divestiture, the Company would be an owner and operator of data centers to support high-performance computing services, as well as a holder of the digital assets. Until the Divestiture occurs, the Company will continue to provide, through ACG and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an AI software platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, ACG is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data’s headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 190, Las Vegas, NV 89141.

On December 23, 2024, the Company issued one million (1,000,000) shares of a newly designated Series F Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”) to all common stockholders and holders of the Series C Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis. The Divestiture will occur through the voluntary exchange of the Series F Preferred Stock for shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of ACG (collectively, the “ACG Shares”). The Company reminds its stockholders that only those holders of the Series F Preferred Stock who agree to surrender such shares, and do not properly withdraw such surrender, in the exchange offer through which the Divestiture will occur, will be entitled to receive the ACG Shares and consequently be shareholders of ACG upon the occurrence of the Divestiture.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company’s business and financial results are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at hyperscaledata.com.

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SOURCE Hyperscale Data Inc.

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