Connect with us

Technology

Vedder Selects AIQA Global for Independent AI Governance Assessment

Published

on

Announcement reveals first law firm to adopt the AIQ™ score as benchmark for enterprise AI governance, strengthening client assurance.

CHICAGO, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AIQA Global, LLC (AIQA), an independent AI governance rating firm, today announced that Vedder, an internationally recognized business‑focused law firm, has selected AIQA to conduct an independent assessment of its enterprise AI governance program using the AIQ™ score methodology. Vedder is the first law firm to adopt AIQA’s standardized, evidence‑based rating framework for evaluating AI governance quality.

AIQA Global’s AIQ score is an independent, standardized rating of enterprise AI governance quality.  The rating assesses how well organizations manage, govern, and protect their use of artificial intelligence. Importantly, AIQA’s assessment architecture allows organizations to participate in governance evaluation without exposing proprietary model details, architectures, or training data to external evaluators. 

Built on a 250-factor methodology, the AIQ score assesses enterprise AI governance across five dimensions – Strategic Alignment, Technical Robustness, Responsible AI & Compliance, and Adaptability & Education – using 250 data points, with scores reported on a 0–200 scale modeled on proven psychometric and capital markets ratings precedents. The score is designed to give stakeholders including boards, clients and counterparties, insurers, regulators and investors a comparable measure of AI readiness and risk across organizations. The methodology is grounded in recognized governmental and non-governmental standards, including the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, the EU AI Act, and ISO/IEC 42001.

AIQA’s work with Vedder will benchmark the firm’s existing AI governance program, identify priority improvements, and establish the cadence for ongoing assurance as the firm expands its client-authorized AI-enabled service delivery. 

Vedder is an international, business‑focused law firm known for pairing the scale and sophistication of a global practice with clarity, responsiveness, and commercial sensibility clients need to move forward with confidence. Empowering more than 400 lawyers across major U.S., UK, and Asian markets, Vedder’s commitment to technology‑forward digital experience is designed to make insights and expertise more accessible. Consistently recognized for excellence in high‑stakes matters, Vedder serves as a trusted advisor that combines market sophistication with hands‑on service, competitive value, and long‑term relationship building to help sophisticated clients navigate complexity and achieve measurable business outcomes.

“Our clients trust Vedder to help them navigate complexity with clarity, and responsible AI governance is central to that mandate. By engaging AIQA, we reinforce our commitment to transparency, rigor, and forward‑looking risk management in every aspect of our work,” said Michael A. Nemeroff, Vedder President and Chief Executive Officer.  “This partnership strengthens our ability to deploy AI‑enabled services with the same discipline, sophistication, and client‑first mindset that define Vedder globally.”

“Vedder’s decision to adopt the AIQ score reflects the kind of measurable assurance that only true industry leaders are willing to pursue. Their commitment to independent, evidence‑based evaluation shows a deep understanding that responsible AI adoption requires verifiable governance, not just good intentions,” said Chase Malackowski, AIQA Global Co-founder. “By partnering with Vedder, we’re helping set a new benchmark for how professional services firms can deploy AI with transparency, rigor, and trust at scale.”

The Vedder engagement underscores a structural turning point in enterprise AI: organizations can no longer rely on narrative assurances or internal policy statements to demonstrate responsible AI use. Stakeholders now expect measurable, independently validated evidence of governance quality. The AIQ score delivers that assurance, applying a ratings‑based discipline to AI governance just as credit ratings transformed fixed‑income markets and patent quality ratings reshaped the valuation of intellectual property. Built on a legacy of bringing transparency to previously unmeasured intangible assets, AIQA extends that tradition to AI governance—providing boards, investors, insurers, and enterprise buyers with a clear, comparable signal of AI readiness and risk.

About AIQA Global, LLC

AIQA Global, LLC is the first independent AI governance rating firm, providing enterprises, investors, insurers, and boards with a standardized, quantitative measure of AI governance quality. The company’s AIQ™ score quantifies enterprise AI governance quality across 250 data points and five dimensions. AIQAglobal.com

AIQ™ scores are based on disclosed and verified data and represent AIQA Global’s independent assessment of AI governance quality. Scores do not constitute regulatory compliance, legal advice, or investment advice. No assurance is provided regarding future performance, risk outcomes, or insurance eligibility. AIQ™ and AIQ™ score are trademarks of AIQA Global, LLC. Copyright 2026 AIQA Global, LLC. All rights reserved.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vedder-selects-aiqa-global-for-independent-ai-governance-assessment-302758646.html

SOURCE AIQA Global, LLC

Continue Reading

Technology

Cognizant and Google Cloud Expand Alliance to Accelerate Agentic Enterprise Transformation

Published

on

By

Initiative establishes new Gemini Frontier Capability Group, dedicating more than 18,000 engineers to help drive AI adoption for global enterprises.More than 55,000 associates completed Build with Gemini, the largest Gemini partner workshop held to date, part of a shared commitment to scale client execution through Cognizant’s Frontier Certified Engineers.

TEANECK, N.J. and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) and Google Cloud today announced a significant expansion of their partnership to accelerate the adoption of agentic AI, including a new Gemini Frontier Capability Group. The group brings together a dedicated global workforce that pairs Google’s full-stack, enterprise-ready AI platform with Cognizant’s domain, industry and engineering expertise as an AI Builder.

Backed by more than 18,000 dedicated Cognizant associates, the new group represents a substantial joint investment and builds on the momentum created by Cognizant’s dedicated Gemini practice launched in April 2026. The new group is designed to bridge the path from pilot to production, equipping enterprises with the ability to safely deploy resilient, enterprise-grade agents that can help drive measurable business value.

“Establishing our dedicated Gemini Frontier Capability Group lets our best frontier engineering talent focus entirely on getting frontier AI into production for clients,” said Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant. “Our Build with Gemini workshop gave over 55,000 associates that experience directly, earning them tangible skills on one of the world’s most advanced AI platforms, and this new group is where that experience goes to work every day.”

“Deploying AI agents at scale requires trusted partners with deep architectural and integration expertise,” said Thomas Kurian, chief executive officer, Google Cloud. “Cognizant’s dedicated Frontier Capability Group and their skilling initiative for tens of thousands of engineers on Gemini will help our joint customers accelerate the adoption of autonomous agents throughout the enterprise.”

Introducing the Gemini Frontier Capability Group

Designed to meet surging enterprise demand for scaled AI execution, the group aims to deliver production-grade, AI solutions designed to drive business outcomes for global enterprises by leveraging Gemini, Google Cloud’s AI platform for building, governing, and deploying agents. The group will initially concentrate its engineering capabilities across legacy modernization, developer experience, autonomous business process agentification and frontier cyber defense.

To operationalize these capabilities, the group plans to deploy standardized, security-first agentic architecture built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and fortified by Google Cloud’s Model Armor. These trusted frameworks are expected to power a new suite of collaborative, production-ready enterprise solutions, including Cognizant’s Catalog Support Agent (CSA) for retail, the Neuro® San-orchestrated Healthcare Agentic Marketplace, and multi-agent Order-to-Cash (O2C) workflows for manufacturing.

Scaling outcomes with Frontier Certified Engineers

Underpinning the group is a shared commitment by Google Cloud and Cognizant to scale client execution through Frontier Certified Engineers. One early proof point shows what this looks like in practice: by integrating Gemini AI models across its software development lifecycle, Cognizant helped a leading retailer achieve a 40% increase in developer productivity, reduce time-to-market by 30%, and realize a 35% cost savings, underscoring the transformative potential of AI-driven software engineering.

As part of Cognizant’s frontier certification skills drive, the company recently concluded the Build with Gemini workshop with Google Cloud, where Cognizant associates built AI agents and applications while earning Gemini skills credentials. Completed by more than 55,000 Cognizant associates, it is the largest single Gemini partner workshop held to date, representing a meaningful step in building Cognizant’s frontier-certified workforce.

Cognizant is also applying Gemini internally at scale. As announced in July, the company is deploying Gemini to 100,000 associates this year, with plans to scale up to 200,000, and continues to increase its certification commitment for professionals on the platform.

About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.ai or @cognizant. 

About Google Cloud
Google Cloud offers a powerful, optimized AI stack — including AI infrastructure, leading models like Gemini, data management capabilities, multicloud security solutions, developer tools and platform, as well as agents and applications — that enables organizations to transform their business for the Agentic Era. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

Cognizant media contacts:

U.S.

Name Ben Gorelick

Email benjamin.gorelick@cognizant.com 

Europe / APAC

Name Sarah Douglas

Email sarah.douglas@cognizant.com 

India

Name Vipin Nair

Email Vipin.nair@cognizant.com 

Google Cloud media contact:

   Josh Gunter

   jmgunter@google.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cognizant-and-google-cloud-expand-alliance-to-accelerate-agentic-enterprise-transformation-302912036.html

SOURCE Cognizant Technology Solutions

Continue Reading

Technology

Eczema Awareness Month 2026: What Is the State of Eczema Today?

Published

on

By

NEA pairs findings from its State of AD report with video stories from the community to highlight the data and daily realities of living with eczema

For Eczema Awareness Month 2026, NEA asks what living with eczema looks like today, drawing on the State of AD to bring national data and personal stories together.

The State of Atopic Dermatitis Indicator Report and 51 state-level briefs, published Oct. 1, are available at StateofAD.org.

Video stories from people with eczema and their caregivers share what daily life with the condition is like. Join the conversation with #UnhideEczema.

NOVATO, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Eczema Awareness Month 2026 is underway, and this year’s theme is the State of Eczema. Since Oct. 1, the National Eczema Association (NEA) has been inviting the community to see, share and talk about what living with eczema is like. Throughout October, NEA is asking a question for the more than 31 million Americans living with eczema, and those who care for them: what is it like to live with eczema, and what does it take to get good care?

The theme builds on the State of AD, NEA’s four-year initiative on atopic dermatitis (AD), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It brings together two kinds of evidence, national data and the experiences of people with eczema, to offer a more complete view of the condition.

The State of AD: data that backs up the experience

On Oct. 1, NEA published its State of Atopic Dermatitis Indicator Report, along with 51 state-level briefs covering all 50 states and Washington, D.C. AD is the most common form of eczema. The report is the first comprehensive national and state-level baseline on AD diagnosis and care, and it points to gaps across the country. The complete report and all state briefs are available at StateofAD.org.

“Eczema Awareness Month is about making sure people feel seen. The State of AD gives us the evidence to show that eczema deserves attention in every state, and the stories our community is sharing show why it matters. Together, they tell the whole story,” said Kristin Belleson, president and CEO of NEA.

Video stories: eczema in their own words

Alongside the data, NEA is sharing video testimonials from people living with eczema and the caregivers who support them. The data shows the scale of the need, and the stories show the people behind it. Watch the stories at EczemaMonth.org.

Ways to take part this October

NEA invites people with eczema, caregivers, health care professionals and partners to join the conversation:

Watch and share the video stories from the eczema community.

Explore the State of AD report and your state’s brief at StateofAD.org.

Use #UnhideEczema on social media to share your own experience.

Visit EczemaMonth.org for resources, events and more ways to get involved.

NEA thanks all the sponsors and partners who make Eczema Awareness Month possible, including our Platinum Sponsors: AbbVie, all® free clear, LEO Pharma, and Sanofi and Regeneron.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Eczema Awareness Month?
A: Eczema Awareness Month takes place every October. In 2026, it is centered on the State of Eczema, bringing together national data and personal stories from the eczema community.

Q: What is the State of AD?
A: The State of AD is a four-year initiative funded by the CDC. Its foundation is the State of Atopic Dermatitis Indicator Report and 51 state-level briefs, published Oct. 1, which set a national and state reference baseline on AD care and diagnosed prevalence.

Q: Where can I find the State of AD report?
A: The full report and all state briefs are available at StateofAD.org.

Q: How can I take part in Eczema Awareness Month?
A: Watch and share the stories, explore the report and use #UnhideEczema on social media.

The State of AD project was supported by the Grant or Cooperative Agreement Number 1 NU58DP007726-01-00, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

About the National Eczema Association

Founded in 1988, the National Eczema Association (NEA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the largest patient advocacy organization serving the more than 31 million Americans living with eczema and those who care for them. NEA provides programs and resources to elevate the diverse lived experience of eczema, helping patients and caregivers understand their condition, actively engage in their care, find strength in one another and improve their lives. NEA also advances critical eczema research and partners with key stakeholders to ensure the patient voice is represented and valued in education, care and treatment decision-making. Learn more: NationalEczema.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eczema-awareness-month-2026-what-is-the-state-of-eczema-today-302912799.html

SOURCE National Eczema Association

Continue Reading

Technology

In HelloNation, Electrical Expert Brennan Coffey Explains Why a Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

Published

on

By

The Article Explains Common Reasons a Circuit Breaker Trips and When the Pattern Signals a Bigger Problem.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Why does a circuit breaker keep tripping? A HelloNation article answers that question and breaks down the most common reasons behind the problem.

The article explains that every circuit is built to carry a set amount of power safely. A circuit breaker cuts power once that limit is crossed, protecting the wiring from overheating before real damage occurs.

Each breaker in the panel protects one specific circuit, the article notes. An overloaded circuit will usually trip only its own breaker, not the entire panel. Homeowners often notice the pattern happens at predictable moments, like running a microwave and a toaster together.

According to the article, an overloaded circuit is one of the most common reasons a breaker trips. This often happens when several appliances draw power from the same outlets at once.

The article notes that kitchens are frequent trouble spots, since they run several high draw appliances from a limited number of outlets. Spreading large appliances across different circuits often solves the problem on its own.

A short circuit or a ground fault can also cause a circuit breaker to trip, the article explains, and both tend to act faster than a simple overload. A short circuit happens when a hot wire unexpectedly touches another wire.

A ground fault usually involves contact with a grounded surface, often because of moisture nearby. The article points out that GFCI outlets add protection in bathrooms and kitchens, though a standard breaker can still trip when a fault occurs elsewhere on the same circuit.

Newer homes may also have arc fault breakers, which sense the electrical pattern of an arc rather than a simple overload. These devices catch a hazard tied closely to house fires.

The article adds that an aging breaker can be the source of trouble in its own right, especially in a panel older than twenty years. Electrical Expert Brennan Coffey leads Coffey Electric & Generator, serving homeowners throughout the Schenectady area.

Homeowners should never open a panel cover or inspect breakers beyond resetting a switch, the article warns, since the panel carries live current even when a breaker has tripped. Forcing a stubborn breaker back on can let dangerous heat build inside the wall.

A breaker box that feels warm or shows scorch marks needs more urgency than routine tripping. That kind of heat points to trouble well beyond a simple overload, the article cautions.

The article suggests tracking when and where trips happen to spot a pattern before calling for help. Noting which appliances were running, and how often the issue repeats, gives a professional a useful starting point.

Waiting too long to address repeated trips can let a small issue grow into a larger and costlier one, the article explains. Addressing the pattern early tends to save both time and money down the road.

Electrical Expert Brennan Coffey is featured in the article, which advises against repeatedly resetting a breaker that keeps tripping without a clear cause. A licensed electrician can identify the underlying issue and determine what the repair actually requires.

Why Does a Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping? features insights from Brennan Coffey, Electrical Expert of Schenectady, New York, 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 digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-electrical-expert-brennan-coffey-explains-why-a-circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping-302912791.html

SOURCE HelloNation

Continue Reading

Trending