Connect with us

Technology

TECNO’s #ToneProud Campaign Aspires to End Skin Tone Bias in Imaging Technology to Represent Full Human Diversity

Published

1 year ago

on

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a world where technology and AI shape perceptions, are smartphones truly capturing the full spectrum and beauty of human diversity, especially in often-overlooked emerging markets?

Today, TECNO, an innovative brand at the forefront of multi-skin tone imaging, gave its response to this question with the launch of its #ToneProud campaign.

A study in 2018 from MIT and Stanford University made a worrying find: The existence of skin-type bias in some commercial-artificial intelligence systems. This bias is particularly concerning in the era of AI-driven imaging technology. Understanding and addressing these skin tone algorithmic biases through scientific data collection and innovative measurement is crucial for fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

With the firm belief that imaging technologies should be free from bias, with every skin tone deserving fair representation as a vital aspect of human diversity, TECNO is launching the #ToneProud campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness about skin tone diversity while introducing TECNO’s unique 268 skin tone database to consumers. By assigning specific color codes to different skin tones with scientific classification, TECNO is not only addressing biases in skin tone color restoration and fine tuning the accuracy of its Universal Tone technology for fair representation, but also helping consumers to understand and feel proud of the diversity of skin tones worldwide, encouraging them to take a stand against the lack of true representation with TECNO.

The #ToneProud Campaign – Standing Up for Equal Representation

The #ToneProud campaign is supported and joined by global celebrities of diverse skin tones, including Indonesian-born singer-songwriter Anggun, Saudi Arabian filmmaker and actress Fatima Al-Banawi, Nigerian singer-songwriter Johnny Drille and Polish actress Ewa Kępys. In a film exploring the subject of being #ToneProud released to mark the start of the campaign, the celebrities share their experiences of having their skin tones misrepresented, and their belief that technology should support diverse skin tones and true color.  

Reflecting on her experiences of having her skin tone misrepresented, Anggun says: “I think, sometimes, you just need to be reminded that we’re all individual and we’re all beautiful in our own way.” TECNO’s #ToneProud campaign is not just a campaign, but a call for more accurate representation of people’s true skin tone, and a reminder that we should all celebrate the beauty of human diversity.

Anggun added, “If the technology helps us, which is the approach of TECNO phones, it makes it easier to break barriers and change people’s perception, change mentality.”

Join TECNO’s Campaign to Embrace Your #ToneProud Attitude

To mark the launch of the #ToneProud campaign, TECNO is calling on consumers worldwide to celebrate skin tone diversity and show that they are proud of their own skin tones. Users across the globe are invited to discover their own skin tone code at www.tecno-mobile.com/universaltone. This website utilizes TECNO’s inclusive 268 skin tone patches to help raise awareness of the diversity of humanity and skin tones, encouraging everyone to be proud of their own skin tone.

“Over many years, TECNO has attached great importance to consumer research, and so we understand that skin tone misrepresentation (and underrepresentation) is an issue of real significance for our consumers especially in the emerging markets,” said Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO. “Through the #ToneProud campaign, we are standing with consumers, especially the misrepresented or underrepresented consumers, to make the case for greater inclusivity, while at the same time continuing to heavily invest in imaging R&D to innovate technologies to make a real impact on this problem.”

The 268 Skin Tone Patches – The Game Changer in Eliminating Bias in AI for Inclusive Skin Tone Imaging 

Through this campaign, TECNO is highlighting its Universal Tone technology’s 268 skin tone patches to showcase human skin tone diversity. The 268 skin tone patches, as a milestone of progress in its global research project, are the vital foundation of the inclusive mobile imaging color card that sets a new benchmark for multi-skin tone imaging as the industry’s largest and most accurate skin tone database – a database that is continually expanding.

Developed with color science experts from leading global universities, this expansive skin tone database allows TECNO Universal Tone’s algorithms to accurately detect, analyze and render skin tones in a way that allows everyone to be truly seen.

“Knowing that there are 268 skin tones patches alone is a testament to individuality. In a world that tries to box us into narrow categories, it’s a small but profound way of saying you’re unique. So be proud and tell your story,” says Johnny Drille.

By eliminating bias and promoting authentic, inclusive representation, TECNO enables consumers to capture every shade of humanity and properly represent everyone in one picture. “What TECNO is doing with its Universal Tone feature is significantly crucial at this stage because this technology will set the foundations for an inclusive society,” emphasizes Fatima Al-Banawi in the campaign film.

Together with #ToneProud, TECNO and its global community are championing the essence of diversity, reinforcing the message that every skin tone is a source of pride and a vital part of our shared human tapestry.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJZcgmoqU9o

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2546809/1.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2546810/2.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2437666/TECNO_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/tecnos-toneproud-campaign-aspires-to-end-skin-tone-bias-in-imaging-technology-to-represent-full-human-diversity-302294834.html

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Dreame Unveils PowerSight 40V Series at DREAME NEXT Launch Event 2026: Smart Display, Stable Power, Eco-Friendly Garden Care

Published

39 minutes ago

on

April 28, 2026

By

SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dreame Technology, a global leader in high-end consumer electronics and intelligent manufacturing, has kicked off its highly anticipated DREAME NEXT launch event at the iconic Palace of Fine Arts, running from April 27 to 30, 2026. The centerpiece of the showcase includes the PowerSight™ 40V cordless yard tool series, which is currently available for live demonstrations, with the official global unveiling scheduled for the afternoon of April 28.

As a highly anticipated cross-industry feast attracting global attention from the tech community, the event has gathered numerous renowned scientists and leaders in the technology field. Thousands of guests from more than 50 countries and regions around the world have converged at this iconic venue, including senior industry experts, global core distributors, international mainstream media, and key opinion leaders (KOLs). Beyond these distinguished guests, the event has also drawn significant attention from technology enthusiasts, industry professionals, and eco-conscious homeowners alike, who have flocked to the Palace of Fine Arts to experience Dreame’s latest innovation firsthand. Throughout the first day, Dreame’s team has engaged in extensive one-on-one conversations with visitors, demonstrating the full capabilities of the PowerSight™ 40V lineup, including the chainsaw, 21-inch lawn mower, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, string trimmer, and solar charger.

The official presentation on April 28 will focus on three core technological innovations that set the PowerSight™ 40V series apart:

SyncCore™ Brushless Motor Technology: Delivering competitive power-to-weight ratio with minimal energy loss, ensuring longer runtime and quieter operation compared to traditional motors.Dual-Channel Communication BMS: Enabling instant, lossless communication between battery and tool for stable power delivery, real-time monitoring of voltage, current and temperature, and enhanced safety protection.PowerSight™ Intelligent Display: Providing users with intuitive access to battery level, runtime estimates, and performance metrics, revolutionizing how homeowners interact with their yard tools.

Dreame’s commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the series, with optimized design and enhanced transmission that boost energy efficiency measurably, delivering longer runtime per charge. The system also supports solar charging, allowing users to work with one battery while charging the other with clean, renewable energy—an innovative feature that has resonated strongly with environmentally conscious attendees.

This efficient, cost-saving system represents a great advancement in the field of cordless outdoor equipment, offering a practical, eco-friendly solution for modern garden care needs.

Following the official unveiling, the PowerSight™ 40V series will be available for pre-order, with global availability across major markets expected in the coming months. Detailed pricing and regional availability will be announced later.

About Dreame Technology

Established in 2017, Dreame Technology is a global leader in high-end consumer electronics and intelligent manufacturing with the vision to empower lives through technology. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. For more information, visit https://global.dreametech.com/.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreame-unveils-powersight-40v-series-at-dreame-next-launch-event-2026-smart-display-stable-power-eco-friendly-garden-care-302753597.html

SOURCE Dreame Technology

Continue Reading

Technology

Wilbur Labs 2026 Startup Failure Report Reveals AI Is the Top Threat for Half of Startup Founders

Published

39 minutes ago

on

April 28, 2026

By

MIAMI, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Wilbur Labs released their 2026 Report on Startup Failure, showing half of founders (50%) identified technological disruption, including AI, as the top threat to their company. Additionally, 59% of founders said they are concerned about their business surviving the next 12 months.

Click here for more information: https://www.wilburlabs.com/blueprints/why-startups-fail

Startup success stories often dominate headlines, but the reality of entrepreneurship is far less predictable. 81% of founders said their company pivoted from its original idea at least once, while 42% said they wish they had pivoted sooner.

“Startups rarely fail because founders lack ambition or intelligence,” said Phil Santoro, Co-Founder of Wilbur Labs. “More often, early assumptions about the market or product turn out to be wrong. The founders who succeed recognize those signals early and adapt.”

Product-market fit remains the biggest challenge
More than half of founders (54%) said their most important lesson from failure was the need to better understand product-market fit. Additionally, 44% cited product or technology issues as the primary cause of failure, and 25% cited running out of money (down from 38% in 2023).

“Even with AI making it easier to iterate than ever, product-market fit is still the foundation of every successful company,” said David Kolodny, Co-Founder of Wilbur Labs. “When founders get that right, a lot of other problems become manageable. When they don’t, challenges like competition, product issues, and capital constraints inevitably follow.”

The human cost of entrepreneurship
Beyond strategy, founders report significant personal strain. Nearly 9 in 10 (90%) said they experienced stress or burnout severe enough to make them consider quitting, while 87% said building a company was lonelier than expected.

Despite these challenges, resilience remains strong. More than 4 in 5 (81%) founders who experienced failure said they would start another company, with 31% motivated to do so immediately.

“Failure is rarely the end of the story. For most entrepreneurs, it’s actually the beginning of the next chapter,” Kolodny said.

Methodology
This study was designed and conducted by Wilbur Labs as part of ongoing research into startup failure and founder experiences. Wilbur Labs engaged Wakefield Research to assist with survey administration. The survey was made up of 200 U.S. tech founders between February 3-12, 2026, via email and online questionnaire. The margin of error is ±6.9 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

About Wilbur Labs
Wilbur Labs is a startup studio that turns bold ideas into market-leading companies. The studio identifies unsolved customer problems, researches solutions, and builds or invests in companies to solve them. Visit www.wilburlabs.com for more information.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wilbur-labs-2026-startup-failure-report-reveals-ai-is-the-top-threat-for-half-of-startup-founders-302755951.html

SOURCE Wilbur Labs

Continue Reading

Technology

Aligned Fitness Expands Beyond Southeast With Acquisition of Six Club Pilates Studios in Ohio

Published

39 minutes ago

on

April 28, 2026

By

ATLANTA, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aligned Fitness Holdings, a leading franchisee of Club Pilates, has acquired CAM Pilates, a Columbus, Ohio-based franchisee operating six top-performing studios. The transaction expands its total footprint to 55 studios.

The acquisition broadens Aligned Fitness’ geographic reach beyond its established base in the Southeastern United States, where it has locations in North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, positioning the company for continued growth across the region and the Mid-Atlantic. By entering the Columbus market, the firm gains access to a high-demand, high-growth metro area while creating additional opportunities for new studio development.

CAM Pilates was founded and operated by Caitlin McTigue and Jason Tomany, widely respected franchisees known for building high-performing studios and a strong culture. Aligned Fitness plans to work closely with the existing team to maintain operational excellence while expanding access to Pilates across the region.

“This acquisition represents a natural extension of our strategy to partner with best-in-class operators in markets where we can build density and scale,” said Jon Smith, chief executive officer of Aligned Fitness Holdings. “Caitlin and Jason have built exceptional studios with a strong community focus, and we are excited to work alongside their team to continue delivering the benefits of Pilates to more people. Entering Columbus also demonstrates that our platform can successfully expand beyond our Southeastern roots into new, high-quality markets.”

Aligned Fitness has grown through a combination of new studio development and targeted acquisitions, focusing on premier franchisees in attractive markets. The addition of CAM Pilates reinforces the company’s position as an emerging multi-state platform in boutique fitness.

The broader boutique fitness industry continues to experience strong momentum, driven by consumer demand for personalized, community-oriented experiences. According to Allied Market Research, the global Pilates and yoga studios market is projected to reach $521 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 14.3 percent.

Aligned Fitness will continue to pursue strategic acquisitions and organic growth opportunities to expand its footprint and bring Pilates to more communities across its target regions.

Media contact
Thornton Kennedy
E | thornton@prsouth.net
C | 404 210 0363

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aligned-fitness-expands-beyond-southeast-with-acquisition-of-six-club-pilates-studios-in-ohio-302755988.html

SOURCE Eagle Merchant Partners

Continue Reading

Trending