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Grand Opening of the Second CREATE Symposium, Exploring New Directions in Smart Healthcare

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HONG KONG, Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In an era driven by artificial intelligence (AI), the deep integration of advanced technologies into healthcare has become an unstoppable trend. These innovations are reshaping the industry, accelerating transformation, and driving unprecedented breakthroughs. From November 22 to 23, 2024, the 2nd Hong Kong Clinical-driven Robotics and Embodied AI TEchnology Symposium (CREATE Symposium), organized by the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) of Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation (HKISI), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), opened grandly at the Charles K. Kao Auditorium, Hong Kong Science Park (HKSTP). The event received support from the Beijing-Hong Kong Exchange of Personnel Centre, the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association (HKTTSA), the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council, and HKSTP Corporation. 

The symposium brought together leading global scholars and experts to explore the innovative application of medical technologies in clinical practice while showcasing breakthrough achievements like the “CARES Copilot 2.0,” a testament to the transformative impact of embodied intelligence on healthcare. Their presence elevated the event, reflecting its significance for the healthcare and technology sectors.

Opening Keynotes: Collaboration as the Key to Meaningful Innovation

The forum’s opening day featured a distinguished lineup of guests, including Mr. Albert Wong, CEO of the HKSTP Corporation; Dr. Kin-lai Chung, Cluster Chief Executive of New Territories East and Hospital Chief Executive of Prince of Wales Hospital; Dr. Yinxing Hao, Executive President of HKISI, CAS; Professor Kam-fai Wong, Member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Dr. Hailong Shang, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Founder of the HKTTSA ; and Mr. Chang-lin Gao, General Manager of the Beijing-Hong Kong Exchange of Personnel Centre.

On the first day, more than 10 global experts and industry leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on the intersection of AI and healthcare. In his welcome speech, Professor Hongbin Liu, Director of CAIR, emphasized the importance of collaboration: ” The application of AI technology has permeated various aspects of healthcare, but meaningful breakthroughs require close collaboration among clinical practitioners, academic researchers, and industry professionals. Only through such a tripartite partnership can truly impactful innovation be achieved .”

Mr. Albert Wong highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic role in advancing healthcare innovation: “Artificial intelligence and robotics are profoundly reshaping healthcare. Leveraging its position as the core of the Greater Bay Area and the research strengths of its five globally top-ranked universities, Hong Kong has become a critical hub connecting Mainland China and the global market. Hong Kong Science Park will continue to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to propel life and health technologies onto the global stage.”

Dr. Kin-lai Chung discussed AI’s transformative impact on healthcare: “From disease diagnosis and precision treatment to surgical assistance and rehabilitation support, AI and robotics are revolutionizing healthcare. Technological innovation is key to addressing rising healthcare demands, improving diagnostic accuracy, enhancing patient experiences, and alleviating the workload of healthcare professionals.”

Dr. Yinxing Hao underscored Hong Kong’s unique advantages: “With its blend of Eastern and Western cultures and global networks, Hong Kong is an ideal hub for attracting top-tier talent and driving technological breakthroughs. Strong government support for innovation and collaboration among universities, enterprises, and international institutions has laid a clear path for future development.”

Launch of “CARES Copilot 2.0”, A New Era in Smart Healthcare

During the forum, CAIR unveiled CARES Copilot 2.0, an intelligent healthcare solution developed to address clinical needs through cutting-edge technologies. This milestone marks a new era of smart healthcare, introducing four core upgrades that enhance the quality and efficiency of medical services:

MedSearch: Integrating natural language processing (NLP) and recommendation systems, this tool provides efficient medical search and content generation capabilities. It allows healthcare professionals to quickly retrieve and generate structured medical reports, improving clinical decision-making and ensuring access to the latest medical knowledge.MedKnow: Using knowledge graphs, this feature delivers intelligent medication recommendations, enabling multi-level queries about drug interactions, indications, and contraindications. With photo upload capabilities, it parses medication packaging or inserts via AI, generating accurate recommendations to enhance drug safety.Automated Surgical Report Generation System: Focused on respiratory system diagnostics, this system generates professional surgical reports quickly, integrating seamlessly into hospital information systems. It optimizes workflows and reduces the workload of healthcare professionals.Embodied Applications: Leveraging large language model technology, this feature combines digital human localization, robotic motion control, and 3D reconstruction to enable fully automated ultrasound examinations. It enhances accuracy and consistency, setting a new benchmark for intelligent healthcare.

Professor Hongbin Liu remarked: “CARES Copilot 2.0 is not just a technological innovation but a significant evolution for the healthcare industry. It empowers clinicians to achieve more efficient and accurate diagnoses while providing an enhanced medical experience for patients.”

Expert Insights: AI’s Transformative Role in Healthcare

The symposium brought together several world-renowned experts to discuss the deep integration of artificial intelligence with healthcare, sharing the latest research findings and practical experiences. Topics spanned technological innovation, clinical applications, and future development directions.

Professor Sebastien Ourselin, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a professor at King’s College London, emphasized in his keynote speech that the success of innovative technologies depends not only on their advancement but also on their ability to integrate seamlessly into patient care pathways and achieve commercialization. He stressed that technology should serve healthcare needs rather than simply pursue breakthroughs for their own sake, and that solving clinical challenges is key to maximizing value.

Dr. Tat-Ming Danny Chan, Head of Division of Neurosurgery at the Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), illustrated the deep integration of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and robotics in advancing embodied intelligence in surgical applications. Using neurosurgery as an example, he highlighted that the future of medicine lies not only in treating diseases but also in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to decode the mechanisms of the brain and body, breaking down barriers between humans and technology.

Professor Nassir Navab, a member of Academia Europaea and a Professor at Technical University of Munich, analyzed the challenges of surgical automation. He noted that, compared to autonomous driving, surgical automation requires a deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology and the ability to emulate the decision-making and thought processes of surgeons. He believes that future surgical robots will need to integrate multimodal data to enable truly intelligent surgical support.

Professor Jiebo Luo, Fellow of Academia Europaea and the US National Academy of Inventors and a professor at the University of Rochester, focused on the application of AI in medical imaging. He highlighted that deep learning has overcome the limitations of traditional manual feature design through automated feature extraction, driving medical imaging computation toward multimodal data integration and providing more precise decision-making support for clinical diagnosis.

Professor Feng Liu from the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Queensland discussed the design of MRI systems, introducing mathematical and physical model-based design methods. He explored how theoretical platforms and engineering optimizations, combined with patient modeling and validation, are advancing MRI technology.

Other experts included Prof. Renzhi Wang, Consultant and Full Professor, School of Medicine Neuroimaging Center, Chinese University of Hongkong (Shenzhen) & Chief Physician and Professor of the Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital; Prof. Xiaorong Ronald Xu, Professor and Doctoral Advisor at the Department of Precision Instrumentation and College of Biomedical Engineering at Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China; Prof. Hongliang Ren, Professor at the Department of Electronic Engineering at CUHK; Prof. Ka-Wai Kwok from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering,  CUHK; Prof. Hao Chen, Assistant Professor of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering and Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Prof. Qingpeng Zhang, Associate Professor at the Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science and the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at The University of Hong Kong. They presented breakthroughs spanning basic research to clinical applications, covering areas such as medical imaging, surgical assistance, and drug development. Together, these insights demonstrated how AI is enabling comprehensive upgrades across the healthcare industry.

The CREATE Symposium seeks to promote interdisciplinary collaboration by harnessing the potential of intelligent technology to drive innovative breakthroughs in healthcare and enhance smart healthcare solutions. As we look ahead, artificial intelligence and robotics will play a crucial role in transforming medical models, providing fresh perspectives and solutions for the global healthcare landscape.

About CAIR

Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences is the first national-level R&D institution in Hong Kong approved by the central government. It is also directly affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) is one of the two innovation centers under its umbrella. CAIR focuses on research in areas such as multimodal AI surgical models, embodied AI medical robots, and the fundamental theories of AI. The goal is to build Hong Kong into an artificial intelligence hub with national support, attract international high-end talents, and establish an international innovation hub for the applications of artificial intelligence and robotics in medical technology and life sciences.

For more information, please visit CAIR’s WeChat public account or the Center’s official website: https://www.cair-cas.org.hk

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SOURCE Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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In HelloNation, Real Estate Expert Lee Malcom Explains Why Local Knowledge Matters When Buying Older Homes

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The article outlines key inspection priorities and explains how local expertise helps buyers evaluate older properties.

MONROE, Ga., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should buyers look for when purchasing an older home?

HelloNation published an article that answers this question, drawing on insights from Lee Malcom, real estate expert at Malcom & Malcom Realty Professionals LLC in Monroe, Georgia.

The article examines the unique opportunities and responsibilities of buying older homes. While many buyers are drawn to historic details, mature landscaping, and established neighborhoods, the article explains that age can also bring maintenance concerns that deserve careful evaluation before a purchase.

According to a HelloNation article, one of the most important areas to assess during an older-home inspection is the roof. Roofing systems naturally deteriorate over time, and replacement costs can be substantial. The article notes that understanding the roof’s age, condition, and maintenance history can help buyers anticipate future expenses and avoid unexpected repairs. Professional evaluations can also reveal leaks, damaged materials, and ventilation issues that may not show up during a casual walkthrough.

The article also highlights the importance of reviewing plumbing systems. Many older homes contain materials and components installed decades ago that may no longer meet modern standards. Corrosion, leaks, and reduced water pressure can create challenges for homeowners. The article explains that evaluating plumbing systems before purchase allows buyers to better understand potential upgrade or repair needs.

Electrical systems represent another key area of focus. The article explains that older wiring, electrical panels, and outlets may have been designed for households with much lower power demands than today. Modern families often rely on many electronic devices and appliances, so it’s important to determine whether existing electrical systems can safely support current usage.

The article also discusses foundation concerns as part of a comprehensive evaluation process. The article explains that while minor cracks may be common in some homes, larger issues can signal structural problems. Uneven floors, sticking doors, and visible foundation movement may warrant additional professional assessment before buyers decide to purchase.

The HelloNation article emphasizes that a detailed inspection of an older home can uncover concerns early and provide valuable information about future maintenance responsibilities. Understanding the condition of major systems allows buyers to make more informed decisions and prepare for potential ownership costs.

Beyond physical inspections, the article explains why local real estate knowledge matters when buying an older property. Experienced professionals often understand neighborhood histories, regional building practices, and long-term housing trends that may not appear in standard property disclosures. This knowledge helps buyers better evaluate the risks and opportunities associated with older homes.

For those exploring Walton County real estate, local expertise can provide important context regarding construction methods, neighborhood development patterns, and common maintenance issues found throughout the area. The article notes that this understanding helps buyers approach purchasing decisions with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of long-term ownership expectations.

The article also discusses the value of working with professionals who maintain strong local networks. Access to trusted inspectors, roofing specialists, contractors, and foundation experts can help buyers obtain reliable assessments and accurate information before finalizing a transaction.

Why Local Knowledge Matters When Buying Older Homes features insights from Lee Malcom, real estate expert in Monroe, Georgia, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

www.hellonation.com

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SOURCE HelloNation

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EZRA, the coaching arm of the Adecco Group, launches Loop – the first connected human and AI coaching experience

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The first connected coaching experience pairs a dedicated ICF-accredited coach and Cai, an AI development partner that remembers conversations, priorities and organizational context to enable manager performance enhancement

ZURICH, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EZRA, the enterprise coaching arm of the Adecco Group (SIX: ADEN), today launched EZRA Loop, a first-of-its-kind fully connected coaching experience that combines human expertise with AI to help managers build the skills needed to lead in the age of AI.

As AI becomes part of everyday work, hybrid workforce orchestration is about redesigning work so people and AI agents each contribute where they create the most value and impact.

In this new environment, managers are under increasing pressure to lead change, navigate complexity and develop their teams. Yet coaching remains out of reach for most employees. EZRA Loop democratizes coaching: businesses can now provide managers with an always-on AI development partner that knows exactly when to loop in a dedicated, accredited human coach.

Denis Machuel, CEO of the Adecco Group: “As AI changes how work gets done, organizations need to bring their people along with them. Loop shows how human expertise and AI support can work together to make coaching more accessible, in the flow of work. This is an excellent example of how to leverage technology, while retaining a human touch, judgement and trust that only people can provide. In the hybrid – human-AI – workplace, it is essential to intentionally design how people and technology interact.”

Research shows that teams led by coached managers resolved customer problems 18% faster. Drawing on insights from more than a million coaching sessions with 200,000 people across its customers including companies like Microsoft, Spotify, Mastercard, HSBC, Eli Lilly and KPMG, EZRA found that AI and human coaching each excel in different areas. It noticed that AI support outperformed human coaches on task skills such as prioritization and goal setting, while human coaching outperformed on interpersonal skills like emotional intelligence and executive presence. Together, humans and AI, outperform either alone, driving a 37% increased chance of behavioral changes. 

This combination reflects a broader shift across organizations where the greatest value is increasingly created not by humans or AI working independently, but by orchestrating the interaction between people and technology.

To access the full text of the press release, click here: https://www.adeccogroup.com/our-group/media/press-releases/ezra-launch-loop-human-ai-coahing

About The Adecco Group

The Adecco Group is the world’s leading talent and technology expertise company. Our purpose is making the future work for everyone. Through our three global business units – Adecco, Akkodis and LHH – across 60 countries, we enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, deliver digital engineering consulting to innovate and accelerate business transformation and empower organizations to optimize their workforces. The Adecco Group leads by example and is committed to fostering sustainable employability and supporting resilient economies and communities. The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN). https://www.adeccogroup.com/

About EZRA

EZRA is the connected coaching company that gives every manager a coach. Founded in 2019 as part of The Adecco Group, EZRA has delivered more than a million coaching sessions to over 200,000 people in 120 countries and 75 languages. EZRA combines behavioral science with 4,500 ICF-accredited human coaches and Cai, its AI development partner, to deliver coaching that drives behavior changes, leadership development and better performance. Companies like Microsoft, Spotify, Mastercard, HSBC, Eli Lilly, KPMG and ServiceNow rely on EZRA coaching. 

For further information please contact:

The Adecco Group Corporate Press Office
media@adeccogroup.com
Rodrigo Sánchez Flórez – Tel: +34 658 06 54 02 / Jürg Schneider – Tel: +41 79 876 09 21
r.sanchezflores@adecco.com / Juerg.Schneider@adeccogroup.com

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EaseUS Software Releases Disk Health Insights Report 2026 H1 from 440K Disk Samples, Finding HDDs Show a 20x Higher Share of Caution/Bad Ratings Than SSDs

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NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EaseUS Software released the Disk Health Insights Report 2026 H1 from 444,282 disk samples, highlighting differences in HDD and SSD health ratings, key warning indicators, and storage characteristics that may warrant closer monitoring.

According to this report, HDD samples were substantially more likely than SSD samples to receive a Caution or Bad health rating: 24.83% of sampled HDDs received one of these ratings, compared with 1.22% of sampled SSDs – a difference of approximately 20 times in the share of health warnings.

The findings highlight the importance of regular disk health checks and proactive data protection, particularly for users who continue to rely on hard disk drives.

How Did EaseUS Lab Conduct This Disk Health Report?

EaseUS Lab, in collaboration with the EaseUS Partition Master R&D and technical support teams, conducted this study and analyzed 444,828 HDD and SSD samples collected from February 1 through July 31, 2026.

The EaseUS Lab examined disk health ratings and S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic indicators, as well as drive capacity, power-on hours (POH), partition styles, and Windows system drive configurations. Rather than measuring actual failure rates or predicting the remaining lifespan of individual drives, the report identifies patterns in observed health ratings and characteristics associated with a higher share of warnings in the dataset.

Alongside the differences between HDDs and SSDs, the findings revealed several noteworthy patterns, including:

HDDs with capacities below 500 GB showed a 35.89% share of Caution/Bad ratings, while those with more than 5,000 power-on hours recorded a 28.10% share.MBR HDDs also showed a higher share of Caution/Bad ratings than GPT HDDs, at 34.14% versus 19.29%.The share of HDDs receiving Caution/Bad ratings was nearly identical when C: drive utilization reached 90% or higher.

These findings help Windows users identify key disk health warning signs, protect important data, and prepare for migration or replacement when needed.

The following key findings offer a more thorough look at the report’s most notable disk health patterns and the factors that may warrant closer attention.

Core Findings: Five Key Insights Into Windows Disk Health

According to the report, EaseUS Lab identified five key findings to help users better understand disk health and prioritize maintenance.

1. HDDs Show a Higher Share of Caution and Bad Health Ratings

Among sampled HDDs, 74.73% were rated Good, 23.04% Caution, and 1.78% Bad. By comparison, 98.26% of sampled SSDs were rated Good, while 0.21% were rated Caution and 1.01% Bad.

Overall, 24.83% of HDDs were rated Caution or Bad, compared with 1.22% of SSDs.

Although SSDs show a much lower risk of getting Caution/Bad ratings, it still matters to run regular SSD health checks and take timely action when significant warnings remain.

2. Reallocated Sectors and Read Errors Stand Out Among HDD Warning Indicators

The report identifies S.M.A.R.T. attribute 05, Reallocated Sectors Count, and attribute 01, Read Error Rate, as notable HDD warning indicators.

Reallocated Sectors Count was reported in 5.06% of HDD samples, while Read Error Rate was reported in 1.62%. Among the warning indicators recorded in HDDs rated Bad, these attributes accounted for 70.00% and 22.47%, respectively.

These findings highlight the importance of combining overall health rating with significant diagnostic indicators. When significant warnings appear, users should prioritize protecting important data and determine whether disk cloning, migration, or replacement is appropriate.

3. Smaller-Capacity, Longer-Running, and MBR HDDs Show Higher Shares of Health Warnings

The report found higher Caution/Bad shares in several HDD groups:

35.89% of HDDs with capacities below 500 GB were rated Caution or Bad.28.10% of HDDs with more than 5,000 power-on hours (POH) were rated Caution or Bad.34.14% of MBR HDDs were rated Caution or Bad, compared with 19.29% of GPT HDDs.

These patterns identify scenarios that may warrant closer monitoring. However, the findings do not indicate that smaller capacity, longer operating hours, or MBR partitioning style may directly cause disk health to decline. Users should consider these characteristics alongside diagnostic results, device configuration, and usage history when planning maintenance or migration.

4. Low C: Drive Space Does Not Necessarily Indicate Poor HDD Health

This study also examined the relationship between C: drive utilization and disk health, using 90% utilization as the threshold for high storage pressure.

Among HDDs, 29.04% of samples with C: drive utilization at or above 90% were rated Caution or Bad, compared with 29.32% of those below 90%. The similar result doesn’t show a direct relationship between C: drive utilization and poorer HDD health in this dataset.Among SSDs, the Caution/Bad share was 1.83% in the high-utilization group and 0.89% in the lower-utilization group. Although the high-utilization group showed a higher share of Caution/Bad ratings, the data do not show a causal relationship.

For Windows users, low disk space and disk health issues are distinct concerns and should be evaluated separately, even when both issues affect the same device.

5. HDDs Continue to Power a Meaningful Share of Windows Systems

Despite the growing adoption of SSDs, HDDs accounted for 17.79% of sampled Windows system drives. GPT accounted for 75.46% of system drives, while MBR remained in use on 24.54%.

These findings show effective disk health management requires more than mere disk diagnostics. Windows users with HDDs should also consider storage capacity, data protection, partition compatibility, and SSD migration operations.

Industry Implications: Disk Health Detection Is Shifting to Proactive Management

According to this report, disk health diagnostics are taking a broader role in Windows storage management.

A single health rating can indicate whether a further investigation is needed, but it can’t provide a complete picture of storage readiness or determine the remaining lifespan of a disk drive.

This report highlights three practical priorities for disk management providers, PC support teams, and individual users:

Don’t ignore and check for early warning signs. Review overall health status along with S.M.A.R.T. indicators, power-on hours, and other drive details rather than relying on a single indicator.Back up data in advance. When a drive receives a Caution or Bad rating, confirm the reported issue and back up important files before making further decisions.Prepare for disk drive upgrade. If a drive is aging or running out of space, check the new drive’s capacity, partition style, and BIOS/UEFI compatibility before migrating or replacing a system drive.

This approach helps users understand disk health warnings and take appropriate action without assuming every warning signals an immediate drive failure.

Actionable Suggestions to Protect HDD and SSD Health in Windows

Based on the report’s findings, EaseUS Lab recommends a practical approach to disk health management tailored to the condition of each drive.

Drives in Good Status: Continue normal use, back up data regularly, and check disk health periodically.Drives in Caution Status: Review warning indicators, back up important files, and monitor disk health.Drives in Bad Status: Back up data first and consider drive replacement or data recovery if needed.Using small or aging HDDs: Monitor disk health and consider upgrading to an SSD if appropriate.Disk with low C: drive space issue: Free up space or expand the partition; low space alone does not indicate disk failure.HDD-to-SSD migration: Check disk health, target capacity, and boot compatibility before migrating.

The report emphasizes a complete process to take as long as a user is using a disk drive on their devices: Check Disk Health → Protect Data → Prepare New Disk → Migrate or Replace Disk. The goal is not simply to label a drive as healthy or unhealthy, but to help users respond appropriately to the available evidence.

The full report, including detailed findings and practical recommendations, is available at: https://www.easeus.com/whitepapers/disk-health-insights-report-2026-h1.html

About EaseUS Software

Founded in 2004, EaseUS is a software provider specializing in data recovery, disk management, data backup, and multimedia solutions. Trusted by users in more than 160 countries and regions, EaseUS develops accessible software to help individuals and businesses manage, protect, and make the most of their digital data. For more information, visit https://www.easeus.com.

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SOURCE EaseUS Software

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