Connect with us

Technology

CenterPoint Energy and Neara Announce Post-Hurricane Beryl Collaboration to Advance Electric Resiliency Across Greater Houston Region

Published

on

Mobilizing AI capabilities and digital modeling technologies will help optimize safety, reliability and resilience while reducing the impact on CenterPoint’s customers

HOUSTON, Oct. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As part of the company’s ambition to become the most resilient coastal electric grid in the country, CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) today announced it has reached an agreement with Neara, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered infrastructure modeling platform for engineering-grade simulations and analytics, to deploy Neara’s AI capabilities across CenterPoint’s 5,000-square-mile Greater Houston service area.

CenterPoint will supplement its existing systems with Neara’s technology to focus its investments strategically and cost-effectively and to continue to advance safety, reliability and resilience for the benefit of its approximately 2.8 million customers. Neara’s AI-enabled simulation and analytics platform are expected to help CenterPoint reduce customer outages and accelerate restoration efforts across its system.

“Leveraging technology and AI to deliver better outcomes for our customers and communities is a significant part of the commitment we made after Hurricane Beryl,” said CenterPoint President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Wells. “By simulating the potential impact of severe weather events on our infrastructure and customers, Neara’s platform and tools will inform our plans and actions before, during and after major weather events to help reduce the impact and duration of power outages. Understanding how weather scenarios and their risks could affect our operations will position us to be several steps ahead on our preparedness and response.”

Robert Brook, Neara Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Americas, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with CenterPoint as they lead the charge in addressing today’s most existential energy challenges. Our 3D digital modeling technology will help CenterPoint proactively reduce customer outages by simulating severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, heat waves and flash floods, and their potential impact on the utility’s infrastructure.”

Neara’s technology will also support CenterPoint’s ongoing efforts to address higher-risk vegetation along power lines, as well as identify critical equipment upgrades, including pole replacements or reinforcements, quickly and efficiently. Additionally, Neara’s predictive technology will help CenterPoint prioritize specific assets and locations where grid hardening improvements will help optimize system-wide benefit. As targeted system upgrades are completed, CenterPoint will be able to quantify performance increases at the individual asset level and forecast, deliver and measure resilience improvements.

In late August 2024, CenterPoint announced the completion, ahead of schedule, of core resiliency actions as part of the first phase of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), which included a series of targeted immediate actions to improve the resiliency of CenterPoint Houston Electric’s grid. The company also announced the boldest series of resiliency actions in its history, including a second phase of GHRI (currently underway from September 1, 2024 – June 1, 2025) which will include system hardening, strategic undergrounding, self-healing grid technology and further enhancements to the company’s outage tracker, as well as a longer-term resilience plan– which will be filed after discussions with stakeholders, elected officials, and customers – of approximately $5 billion in resiliency investment from 2026 to 2028, potentially doubling its prior planned investment.

Forward Looking Statement
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “projection,” “should,” “target,” “will” or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding our resiliency investments, timing, forgoing profits and related matters, are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the impact of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and CenterPoint’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About CenterPoint Energy
As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

About Neara
Neara’s AI-assisted predictive modeling software helps infrastructure owners drive critical proactive decisions by conducting precise analyses in hours and days that would otherwise take months or years in the field. Engineering-grade simulation analyses reveal how assets behave in real-world environments during any scenario — empowering better, faster, more cost-effective decisions. The model supports end-to-end network governance, from routine operational decisions to emergency scenarios and major grid-hardening investments — without verification from manual surveys. Neara’s technology has modeled >1.5 million square miles of global network territory featuring ~10 million assets, across four continents from California to Ireland and Australia. Neara’s utility customers identify outage risks 9x faster, restore power 3x faster, and save thousands of field visits per year. More information is available at www.neara.com.

Media Contacts
CenterPoint Energy
Media: media.relations@centerpointenergy.com
Investors: Jackie Richert/Ben Vallejo, 713.207.6500

Neara
Media: neara@haymaker.co

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/centerpoint-energy-and-neara-announce-post-hurricane-beryl-collaboration-to-advance-electric-resiliency-across-greater-houston-region-302266211.html

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

Continue Reading

Technology

Best AI Tools for Marketing Content (2026): CapCut Recognized for Faster AI-Powered Video and Image Creation by Better Business Advice

Published

on

By

NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Better Business Advice has recognized CapCut in its 2026 coverage of the best AI tools for marketing content, highlighting its collection of AI-powered features for creating and editing videos, images, audio, and other campaign assets. The recognition reflects growing interest in tools that help transform creative concepts into usable marketing materials while reducing the manual work involved in production.

Best AI Marketing Tools

Seedance 2.0 – an AI video generation model that creates videos from text prompts or imagesSeedream – an AI image generation model that creates high-quality visuals from text prompts

AI-powered content creation is changing how businesses develop digital marketing campaigns. From promotional videos and product imagery to social media graphics and branded audio, organizations face growing demand for creative assets across multiple digital channels. Tools that simplify production and support faster experimentation are becoming an increasingly important part of modern marketing workflows.

CapCut offers a range of AI-assisted capabilities covering several stages of content creation. These include text-based video generation, AI image generation, background removal, image expansion, music generation, and photo animation. Together, the tools provide options for producing marketing assets for social media, digital advertising, product promotions, and other online campaigns.

AI Video Generation Supports Promotional Campaigns

Video is an important format for communicating product information, presenting services, and building audience engagement. However, producing video content regularly can require significant planning, editing, and creative resources.

CapCut’s Seedance 2.0 AI video generator supports prompt-based video creation. Users can describe a creative concept and generate video content that serves as a starting point for further development.

The capability can support promotional videos, product showcases, educational content, and social media campaigns. It also gives creators a way to explore different visual approaches during the planning stage before refining the selected direction.

For businesses producing content across multiple channels, AI-assisted video generation can help reduce the effort required to develop initial concepts. Generated material can then be reviewed and edited to align with campaign objectives, brand guidelines, and platform requirements.

Image Generation Helps Develop Marketing Concepts

Visual assets influence how products, services, and campaigns are presented to audiences. Developing suitable imagery often involves several rounds of brainstorming and creative testing before a final direction is selected.

CapCut’s Seedream AI image generator enables users to create images from text prompts. The tool can support concept drafts, campaign planning, and experimentation with different visual styles.

For example, a seasonal marketing campaign may require several approaches to backgrounds, compositions, and visual themes. AI-generated drafts can help illustrate those options before resources are committed to final production.

CapCut’s GPT Image 2 provides another option for generating images from natural language instructions. The feature can support the development of promotional graphics, campaign imagery, and other visual assets.

These tools help shorten the early stages of creative development by making it easier to turn written ideas into visual references. Human review remains important to ensure the resulting assets accurately represent the product and meet the campaign’s requirements.

Image Editing Simplifies Asset Preparation

AI image generation is only one part of preparing content for publication. Existing photographs and graphics often need adjustments before they can be used across marketing channels.

CapCut’s AI background removal tool helps separate subjects from their original backgrounds. This can be useful when preparing product images, promotional graphics, and other assets that require a different visual setting.

The AI Image Extender addresses the challenge of adapting images to different layouts. By generating content beyond an image’s original boundaries, the tool can help users adjust compositions for different formats without relying entirely on cropping or stretching.

These capabilities can support the preparation of visuals for social media posts, website banners, digital advertisements, and product promotions. They also provide options for repurposing existing creative assets instead of producing entirely new images for every placement.

AI Audio and Photo Animation Expand Creative Options

Marketing content often combines visuals, movement, and sound to communicate a message. Producing these elements separately can add complexity to the creative process.

CapCut’s SeedMusic AI audio generator supports AI-assisted music creation based on creative prompts. Generated music can be used as a starting point for videos, promotional campaigns, and other multimedia projects, subject to appropriate review and usage requirements.

The platform’s Photo-to-3D tool offers another way to adapt still images into more dynamic visual content. This capability can help transform existing photography into animated presentations for product showcases, social media, and digital promotions.

By supporting audio creation and image animation alongside video and image tools, CapCut provides additional options for developing varied marketing materials.

A Connected Workflow for Marketing Content

CapCut’s collection of AI-powered features supports several stages of campaign production within one creative environment. A project could begin with concept images generated through Seedream, followed by visual development with GPT Image 2. Background removal and image expansion can then help prepare assets for different placements.

Selected visuals can be incorporated into video projects using Seedance 2.0, while SeedMusic offers an option for developing accompanying audio. Photo-to-3D can provide another format for repurposing existing images.

Not every campaign requires all these capabilities. Their practical value depends on the content format, production requirements, and intended audience. Reviewing generated assets for accuracy, visual consistency, and suitability remains essential before publication.

Better Business Advice’s recognition of CapCut reflects the growing role of AI-assisted production in digital marketing. As businesses continue to develop content for multiple channels, tools that support video creation, image generation, editing, and multimedia production can help simplify creative workflows while leaving room for human direction and quality control.

The full article can be read at the Better Business Advice website.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Better Business Advice: Better Business Advice covers the news and strategies driving modern business success. The information provided by Better Business Advice does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only. As an affiliate, Better Business Advice may earn commissions from services mentioned in the links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-tools-for-marketing-content-2026-capcut-recognized-for-faster-ai-powered-video-and-image-creation-by-better-business-advice-302918030.html

SOURCE BetterBusinessAdvice.com

Continue Reading

Technology

Bio-Thera Announces Promising Clinical Data for BAT8008 in Combination with BAT1308 in First-Line Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at ESMO 2026

Published

on

By

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bio-Thera Solutions, Ltd. (688177.SH), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies and biosimilars, today announced the presentation of clinical data for BAT8008, a TROP2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in combination with BAT1308, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, at the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress. Professor Shaodong Hong of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center delivered a rapid oral presentation highlighting results from the combination regimen in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Further details are available on Bio-Thera’s official website.

In the first-line, mutation-negative NSCLC population (N=104), treatment with BAT8008 in combination with BAT1308 achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 61.2% and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 12.42 months. In the non-squamous NSCLC subgroup, the ORR was 65.2%, while median PFS had not yet been reached at the time of analysis. The combination demonstrated a manageable safety profile consistent with the known safety characteristics of the individual agents, with no new safety signals identified.

“We are very encouraged by these Phase 2 results evaluating BAT8008 in combination with BAT1308 as a first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer”, said Shengfeng Li, CEO of Bio-Thera Solutions.  “The findings support the potential of this combination approach in First Line NSCLC and reinforce our commitment to advancing innovative oncology therapies for patients with significant unmet medical needs.”

Lung cancer remains a major global health challenge, and NSCLC accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases. Patients with advanced NSCLC who lack actionable genomic alterations continue to face significant treatment challenges, despite advances in immunotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy. New treatment strategies that can improve clinical outcomes while maintaining a manageable safety profile remain an important area of oncology research.

TROP2-targeted ADCs combine tumor-directed delivery of cytotoxic payloads with the potential to modulate the tumor microenvironment. When combined with PD-1 blockade, this approach may offer complementary mechanisms of action, providing a rationale for clinical investigation in NSCLC. The clinical findings presented at ESMO 2026 support further evaluation of BAT8008 in combination with BAT1308 as a potential treatment option for patients with NSCLC.

About Bio-Thera Solutions:

Bio-Thera Solutions, Ltd., a leading innovative, global biopharmaceutical company in Guangzhou, China, is dedicated to researching and developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune, cardiovascular, eye diseases, and other severe unmet medical needs, as well as biosimilars for existing, branded biologics to treat a range of cancer and autoimmune diseases. As a leader in next generation antibody discovery and engineering, the company has advanced multiple candidates into late-stage development, including six approved products: QLETLI® (adalimumab) and BETAGRIN® (bevifibatide citrate) Injection in China, STARJEMZA® (ustekinumab) in the US and USYMRO® (ustekinumab) in the EU, TOFIDENCE®/BAT1806 (tocilizumab) and AVZIVI® (bevacizumab-tnjn) in the US and in the EU, a/k/a POBEVCY® in China, and GOTENFIA® (golimumab) in the EU and IMMGOLIS™ (golimumab-sldi) in the US. In addition, the company has more than 20 promising candidates in clinical trials, focusing on immuno-oncology in the post-PD-1 era and targeted therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). For more information, please visit www.bio-thera.com/en/ or follow us on X (@bio_thera_sol) and WeChat (Bio-Thera).

Bio-Thera Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to BAT8008, BAT1308 or the product pipelines in general of Bio-Thera Solutions. Readers are strongly cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements include, among others, those containing “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “promising,” “potentially,” or similar expressions. They reflect the company’s current views with respect to future events that are based on what the company believes are reasonable assumptions in view of information currently available to Bio-Thera Solutions, and are not a guarantee of future performance or developments. Actual results and events may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties inherent in pharmaceutical research and development, such as the uncertainties of pre-clinical and clinical studies. Other risks and uncertainties include challenges in obtaining regulatory approvals, manufacturing, marketing, competition, intellectual property, product efficacy or safety, changes in global healthcare situation, changes in the company’s financial conditions, and changes to applicable laws and regulations, etc. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of their initial publication. Unless required by laws or regulations, Bio-Thera Solutions undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in the company’s views or otherwise.

Bio-Thera Contact:
Bert E. Thomas IV
Phone: +1.410.627.1734
Email: bethomas@bio-thera.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bio-thera-announces-promising-clinical-data-for-bat8008-in-combination-with-bat1308-in-first-line-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-at-esmo-2026-302918492.html

SOURCE Bio-Thera Solutions, Ltd

Continue Reading

Technology

ASTRI Showcases Pioneering Technologies at InnoCarnival 2026

Published

on

By

Driving Technology Adoption, Shaping a Vision for the Future

HONG KONG, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is proud to present a range of cutting-edge technologies and practical solutions at this year’s InnoCarnival, spanning communications technology, smart cities, IoT sensing, and renewable energy and energy storage. ASTRI’s innovations address urban development needs and everyday applications, driving diversity in the innovation and technology (I&T) sector.

Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the InnoCarnival 2026 runs from today through 1 November at Hong Kong Science Park (HKSP) with the theme of “Lead with I&T, Dream to Fly High “, offering the public an opportunity to experience the transformative power and I&T vibrancy.

Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, stated: “Innovation is not just about breakthroughs in the lab – it’s about putting technology into practice, empowering industries, and benefiting society as a whole. At ASTRI, we align closely with the government’s priorities in advancing AI development and accelerating new industrialisation. Through our participation in the InnoCarnival, we showcase various state-of-the-art technologies, some of which have been co-developed with industry partners and are already in commercial rollout. These innovations demonstrate the tangible benefits of technology in daily life and inspire the public to explore their curiosity about science and innovation.”

He highlighted the InnoCarnival as a key platform to bridge the I&T community with the public. “This annual landmark event motivates young people to explore their potential and encourages them to pursue careers in Hong Kong’s growing I&T sector,” he added.

ASTRI’s booth (A08), located at the HKSP’s Atrium Link, features interactive games powered by its groundbreaking technologies “5G-SAT Link” and “Omniguard-All-Weather Multispectral Surveillance System” technologies. Visitors can also explore other advanced solutions on display, including the dual-purpose “SafeStop Dual-purpose Impact Dissipation Bollard”, the “Hybrid-Powered Asset Tracker”, and the award-winning “NIR Secure Anti-Counterfeit Solutions”, which received gold award at the prestigious Edison Awards.

1. 5G-SAT Link
ASTRI’s “5G-SAT Link” technology delivers seamless, comprehensive communications coverage—even in remote areas, emergency scenarios where infrastructure is compromised, or at sea and in the air.

2. Omniguard: All-Weather Multispectral Surveillance System
The “Omniguard” is equipped with exceptional fog penetration capabilities, superior contrast, and crystal-clear signal quality. Leveraging its advanced shortwave and longwave infrared sensors, the system can even detect non-metallic vessels that are difficult for radar systems to identify in harsh coastal environments.

3. SafeStop Dual-purpose Impact Dissipation Bollard
Developed by ASTRI, the “SafeStop Bollard” features a unique material design inspired by the retractable claw structure of cats. Its 3D tension-expansion composition allows it to effectively dissipate kinetic energy from moving vehicles, providing dual protection by blocking vehicles while minimising potential harm to occupants. Certified to meet international crash-test standards, the bollard’s shallow foundation design makes it ideal for fast and efficient installation in high-traffic urban locations.

4. Hybrid-Powered Asset Tracker
The “Hybrid-Powered Asset Tracker” enables efficient, real-time management of airport equipment such as baggage carts over extended periods. Supported by the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the tracker is compatible with airport wireless networks and utilises automatic Bluetooth-GPS switching for seamless indoor and outdoor location updates. With a long-lasting battery combined with an efficient, low-light solar panel, the tracker extends its lifespan from under two years to five years.

5. NIR Secure Anti-Counterfeit Solutions
The “NIR Secure Anti-Counterfeit Solutions” offer an innovative authentication system by embedding covert near-infrared (NIR) absorbing materials into product packaging. Users can verify product authenticity instantly using a smartphone, paired with an NIR reader and mobile app. Highly scalable and robust, this solution combats counterfeit goods while preserving the original product design and production workflow. Co-developed with Zhuhai Print-Rite New Materials Corporation Ltd., this technology sets a new benchmark in secure authentication.

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/4iguifh

About ASTRI

Founded in 2000 by the HKSAR Government, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is the city’s largest government-funded R&D centre. Committed to transforming high-impact research into practical innovations, ASTRI drives market-driven, interdisciplinary advancements across sectors, including Smart City, FinTech, Digital Health and Life Sciences, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Advanced Electronics, New Energy and Energy Storage, and Green and ESG Technologies. Following its merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, ASTRI has further strengthened its capabilities, with over 1,500 patents and 2,200 successful cases of technology transfer. Recognised with numerous international awards, ASTRI continues to nurture top I&T talent and foster collaborations among the I&T ecosystem, contributing to Hong Kong’s high-value economic development. For more information, please visit: https://www.astri.org 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/astri-showcases-pioneering-technologies-at-innocarnival-2026-302918617.html

SOURCE Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)

Continue Reading

Trending