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Minister Solomon highlights Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

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MONTRÉAL, June 5, 2026 /CNW/ – Countries around the world are adapting to a new era of innovation as emerging technologies reshape economies, industries and labour markets. Artificial intelligence is a key driver of this transformation, opening new opportunities to boost productivity, strengthen competitiveness and improve how people work and access services.

Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, highlighted the launch of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on June 4.

At its core, AI for All reflects our commitment to making artificial intelligence an engine of opportunity for Canadians in every region. This strategy focuses on what AI can do for Canadians in their daily lives–better health care, stronger businesses, safer communities and improved public services–as well as on the scale-up of Canadian companies and greater Canadian control over our economic future.

Canada is already recognized globally for its excellence in AI research and innovation. Our three national AI institutes–Mila, Amii and the Vector Institute–have built a world-class reputation for research excellence and real-world impact, helping to position Canada at the forefront of the AI revolution.

By expanding access and fostering inclusive innovation, the government can help AI uplift workers, empower businesses and strengthen communities so the benefits of this transformation are shared widely, not concentrated among a few. The central idea of the strategy is clear: AI should be designed to serve Canadians by addressing their needs and priorities.

Canadians should be able to feel confident that AI is advancing safely and transparently and in ways that reflect Canada’s values. Guided by extensive consultations with workers, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, industry voices and community leaders, Canada’s AI for All strategy is anchored in three fundamental priorities: building public trust, opening new opportunities and affirming Canadian sovereignty. Trust makes adoption possible; opportunity and sovereignty ensure that adoption creates benefits for Canadians now and into the future.

To bring this vision to life, the Government of Canada’s AI for All strategy is structured around six key pillars, each representing a core focus that will guide Canada’s approach to artificial intelligence:

Pillar 1 – Protecting Canadians and safeguarding our democracy
AI will only deliver on its promise if Canadians trust it. The Government of Canada will modernize privacy and online safety laws, strengthen national AI safety capabilities, and enhance the security of government systems.Pillar 2 – Empowering Canadians
AI for All means providing Canadians with the opportunity to understand, use and benefit from artificial intelligence. The Government of Canada will expand access to AI education and training, promote Canadian voices and cultures, and prepare workers for high-quality jobs.Pillar 3 – Powering shared prosperity
The gains of artificial intelligence will be realized by applying it across the Canadian economy and developing industrial AI technologies that support workers. Through the AI for All strategy, the Government of Canada will drive AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises and transform public services to deliver improved outcomes for Canadians.Pillar 4 – Building a foundation for Canadian sovereign AI
Canada’s competitive advantage depends on our ability to build and maintain leading-edge AI infrastructure and talent domestically. Through AI for All, the Government of Canada will support sovereign AI compute infrastructure and research and expand Canada’s pool of world-class talent.Pillar 5 – Scaling Canadian champions
The AI for All strategy aims to scale leading Canadian AI companies by unlocking growth capital and positioning the Government of Canada as a strategic anchor customer.Pillar 6 – Building trusted partnerships and global alliances
The Government of Canada will collaborate with trusted partners to align standards, co-invest in innovation and help Canadian companies access global markets, while shaping an AI ecosystem anchored in democratic values.

AI for All aims to ensure that artificial intelligence serves the interests of all Canadians, today and for generations to come. The success of AI for All depends on ongoing collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, industry and the public so that every voice helps shape Canada’s AI future.

AI for All means every Canadian, in every region and at every stage of life, benefits from better services, stronger businesses and new opportunities. By focusing on trust, opportunity and sovereignty, we can help ensure that AI can strengthen Canada’s values, institutions and quality of life for all.

Quote

“Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives for the better, including how we all work and learn and how governments deliver services and grow the economy. With AI for All, we are making sure that the benefits of this technology are accessible to everyone, in every region of Canada. By building trust, supporting Canadian talent and upholding our values, we are positioning Canada as a global leader in responsible and inclusive AI. This is about seizing new opportunities and ensuring no one is left behind as we shape a stronger, more innovative future for all Canadians.”
– The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Quick facts

On June 4, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All.The AI for All strategy makes security and safety paramount in AI development and use, including by modernizing privacy and online safety laws, strengthening national AI safety capabilities, and enhancing government system security.The strategy is built on six pillars that create bold opportunities for Canadians and protect our national interests, anchored firmly in the principles of trust, opportunity and sovereignty.Canada’s three national AI institutes–Mila, Amii and the Vector Institute–have built a global reputation for research excellence and real-world relevance.AI for All will expand access to AI education and training, promote Canadian voices and cultures, and prepare Canadian workers for high-quality employment opportunities.The strategy aims to drive adoption of artificial intelligence among small and medium–sized enterprises, support sovereign AI infrastructure and research, and grow Canada’s pool of world–class talent.The Government of Canada will collaborate with trusted partners to align standards, co-invest in innovation and help Canadian companies access global markets, shaping an AI ecosystem anchored in democratic values.

Associated links

Prime Minister Carney launches AI for All: Canada’s national artificial intelligence strategyEngagements on Canada’s next AI strategyG7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers’ Meeting 2025

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AIA Australia, Long Service Corporation, New Zealand Police and RMBL Investments Named 2026 Appian APJ Innovation Award Winners

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Four organisations recognised for transforming mission-critical operations through process and AI

SYDNEY, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Appian [Nasdaq: APPN] today announced AIA Australia, Long Service Corporation New South Wales (NSW), New Zealand Police and RMBL Investments as the winners of its 2026 Asia Pacific and Japan Innovation Awards. The Innovation Awards celebrate customers driving AI automation and process transformation with measurable results on the Appian Platform.

The entrants span financial services, government, public safety, land administration and worker entitlements. The four Australian and New Zealand organisations were recognised for leveraging the Appian Platform to accelerate insurance claims, administer portable long service leave at scale, transform non-emergency police case management, and support the growth of investment and lending operations. They demonstrate how organisations can redesign complex processes, connect fragmented data and apply AI to deliver measurable improvements for employees, customers and communities.

“Real innovation earns its place in an organisation by making critical work faster, simpler and more accountable,” said Charlie Hutchinson, SVP Asia Pacific and Japan at Appian. “This year’s winners have moved beyond incremental improvements to redesign the processes at the heart of their operations. They demonstrate the measurable impact that process and AI can deliver when applied to work that really matters.”

The 2026 Appian APJ Innovation Award winners are:

AIA Australia

AIA Australia, a leading life and health insurer that protects the lives of more than 3 million Australians, is transforming claims management through a digital-first approach that makes the claims experience simpler, more transparent and easier to navigate.

Leveraging the Appian platform, AIA has created a connected ecosystem that streamlines interactions between customers, fund partners and claims teams, enabling greater efficiency and more personalised support for its customers when they need it most.

By innovating across the end-to-end claims journey, AIA is strengthening its ability to deliver timely assistance at critical moments while establishing a foundation for ongoing innovation and future growth.

Long Service Corporation (LSC) NSW

Long Service Corporation, working with Deloitte, built a digital application on Appian to administer the NSW Community Services Industry portable long service leave scheme.

The application connects workers, employers and Long Service Corporation through dedicated digital portals supporting registration, identity verification, worker nominations, service returns, payments and notifications. By bringing these functions together in one platform, the application enables Long Service Corporation to administer the scheme more efficiently and at scale. Since its launch in April 2026, more than 2,200 employers have submitted over 8,800 service returns and more than 220,000 workers have been nominated into the scheme. The platform has also processed more than $110 million in levy payments to fund workers’ portable long service leave entitlements.

New Zealand Police

New Zealand Police built a nationwide case management system on Appian for its 105 non-emergency service, replacing separate regional processes previously managed through Microsoft Outlook and shared folders.

The Appian Platform centralises incoming emails and case information, applies 35,000 assignment rules and intelligently directs cases according to factors including offence type and location. The solution has reduced case processing time from up to two weeks to four hours, cut backlogs from approximately 4,000 cases to fewer than 50 during most shifts and saved 18,000 hours annually in email management. It has also enabled the equivalent of at least 10 full-time employees to move from administrative triage into higher-value frontline support.

RMBL Investments

RMBL Investments, working with Persistent, has used the Appian Platform to connect its investor, borrower, introducer and employee operations.

The Appian environment spans customer self-service, investment and loan applications, portfolio management, servicing, communications, IT service management, document generation and AI-enabled processes. It now supports more than 5,000 clients and approximately A$3 billion in funds under management. The multi-year transformation has helped streamline operations, with efficiency improvements of up to 72% in some areas, giving RMBL greater capacity to grow without manual effort increasing at the same pace.

About Appian

Appian provides AI automation for the most important business processes at the world’s largest organisations.

On the Appian platform, customers build AI-powered processes that accelerate work, reduce cost, and manage risk. Our platform is known for its unique power, reliability, and scale. We’ve been automating processes for more than 25 years and understand enterprise operations like no one else. For more information, visit appian.com. [Nasdaq: APPN]

Follow Appian: LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/aia-australia-long-service-corporation-new-zealand-police-and-rmbl-investments-named-2026-appian-apj-innovation-award-winners-302870988.html

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WEPSEA 2026 Concludes, Highlighting Southeast Asia’s Transition Towards Smarter and More Sustainable Packaging

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WEPSEA 2026 concluded successfully after three days of exhibitions, conferences, business forums, and industry exchanges, reaffirming the growing importance of Southeast Asia as one of the world’s most dynamic markets for the packaging and printing industry.

As a regional platform rooted in Indonesia and serving the broader Southeast Asian market, WEPSEA 2026 brought together packaging manufacturers, technology providers, converters, brand owners, suppliers, industry associations, and professional buyers to explore how innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development are reshaping the future of the industry.

More than an exhibition, WEPSEA has become a meeting point where technology meets market demand, and where regional businesses connect with global expertise to accelerate industrial transformation.

Reflecting the Next Stage of Industry Development

One of the clearest messages emerging from WEPSEA 2026 was the changing direction of investment across Southeast Asia’s packaging industry.

As consumer markets continue to expand—driven by the growth of food and beverage, e-commerce, healthcare, personal care, and modern retail—the expectations placed on packaging manufacturers are evolving rapidly. Businesses are no longer focused solely on increasing production capacity; they are placing greater emphasis on manufacturing efficiency, product quality, operational flexibility, and sustainable development.

Throughout the exhibition, discussions between exhibitors and visitors increasingly centered on practical production challenges and long-term competitiveness.

How can manufacturers reduce reliance on manual labour through automation? How can production become more flexible to respond to shorter product life cycles and increasingly customized orders? How can companies meet higher standards for food safety, Halal compliance, environmental responsibility, and international supply chains?

These questions were echoed across conference sessions, business meetings, and technical discussions, reflecting a broader transformation taking place throughout the region’s packaging sector.

Innovation Supporting Industrial Transformation

Against this backdrop, WEPSEA 2026 showcased technologies and solutions spanning the entire packaging value chain, from corrugated packaging, folding cartons, and flexible packaging to digital printing, intelligent manufacturing, converting equipment, and packaging materials.

Rather than simply displaying products, exhibitors engaged visitors in discussions on how new technologies can improve productivity, reduce waste, optimize resource utilization, and enhance manufacturing quality. Live equipment demonstrations and face-to-face technical exchanges enabled companies to better understand how innovation can be translated into practical business value.

The exhibition reinforced the growing role of technology as a key driver of industrial upgrading across Southeast Asia.

Knowledge Exchange Driving Industry Progress

Alongside the exhibition, WEPSEA’s conference programme created an open platform for dialogue among industry experts, business leaders, and technology providers.

Topics including smart packaging, artificial intelligence in manufacturing, material innovation, e-commerce packaging, Halal packaging, supply chain resilience, and sustainable production highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges facing the industry.

Practical workshops further encouraged the exchange of operational expertise by focusing on printing quality management, defect prevention, colour consistency, and production optimization. Meanwhile, the Business Forum Pack ID explored digital procurement, consumer brand development, and policy trends influencing the regional printing and packaging market.

Together, these activities demonstrated that future industry competitiveness depends not only on advanced equipment, but also on knowledge sharing, technical collaboration, and continuous innovation.

Building a More Connected Regional Packaging Ecosystem

Another defining feature of WEPSEA 2026 was the strong support and participation of leading packaging and printing associations from across Asia, highlighting the exhibition’s growing role as a regional platform for industry collaboration.

Official delegations and representatives attended from the countries and regions including the Malaysian Corrugated Carton Manufacturers’ Association (MACCMA), Corrugated Box Manufacturers Association, Singapore (CBMA), Asosiasi Kotak Karton Gelombang Indonesia (AKKGI), Thai Corrugated Packaging Association (TCPA), Association Corrugated Converting Indonesia (ACCI), Bangladesh Institute of Packaging (BIP), Indonesian Packaging Federation (IPF), Malaysia Printing Association (MPA), Hong Kong Corrugated Paper Manufacturers’ Association Ltd (HKCPMA), Packaging Development Federation (PDF) and PRINTPACK Indonesia.

Their active participation enriched the exhibition through technical exchanges, delegation visits, conference support, and business networking activities, fostering closer dialogue between industry organisations, manufacturers, suppliers, brand owners, and buyers across the region.

As supply chains become increasingly interconnected, platforms like WEPSEA play an increasingly important role in strengthening regional cooperation, facilitating knowledge exchange, and supporting the sustainable development of Southeast Asia’s packaging and printing industry.

Creating Long-Term Value Beyond the Exhibition

While WEPSEA 2026 has come to a close, the conversations initiated, partnerships established, and ideas exchanged during the event will continue to generate value for the industry long after the exhibition ends.

Looking ahead, WEPSEA will continue to serve as an open platform that connects innovation with industry needs, strengthens regional cooperation, and supports the sustainable development of Southeast Asia’s packaging and printing industry.

As the region continues to embrace smarter manufacturing, greener production, and deeper international collaboration, WEPSEA remains committed to bringing together the people, technologies, and ideas that will help shape the next chapter of the industry’s development.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wepsea-2026-concludes-highlighting-southeast-asias-transition-towards-smarter-and-more-sustainable-packaging-302871000.html

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XCOTTON Helps Global Brands Protect Every Customer After Purchase

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LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK and LAS VEGAS, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As IFA 2026 enters its final days in Berlin, global brands are showcasing the next generation of products designed to improve everyday life—from smart home solutions and robotics to personal mobility and connected living. Behind every innovative product, however, is another important challenge: ensuring customers continue to have a positive experience after purchase.

At IFA 2026, Xcotton is connecting with brands, retailers, and technology companies to discuss how businesses can better protect customer purchases, reduce delivery-related risks, and create smoother resolution experiences. From shipping and delivery issues to unexpected damage, loss, and customer support challenges, every post-purchase interaction can influence how customers perceive a brand.

As a U.S.-based post-purchase protection platform, Xcotton helps modern e-commerce brands protect every order after checkout through shipping protection, product protection, extended warranty, and insurance-backed coverage solutions. With over 1,000 five-star ratings on Trustpilot and strong reviews from Shopify merchants, Xcotton has earned recognition for helping brands deliver a more reliable post-purchase experience.

For growing consumer brands, delivering a great product is only the beginning. International expansion, increasingly complex logistics networks, and rising customer expectations require reliable solutions that help protect every order, resolve unexpected issues, and maintain customer trust. Xcotton’s protection capabilities extend beyond the U.S. Through its licensed insurance intermediary in France, Xcotton is authorized to provide compliant insurance solutions to merchants and consumers across the European Union, giving internationally focused brands access to protection solutions designed for their customers and markets.

Protecting the Customer Experience Beyond the Product

Today’s consumer brands compete on more than product innovation. Customers expect a complete experience—from discovering a product and completing a purchase to receiving their order and getting support when something unexpected happens.

For brands selling internationally, challenges can arise at every stage of fulfillment. Packages may be delayed, lost, or damaged during transit. High-value products may require additional protection, while customers may expect fast, straightforward resolutions when delivery issues occur. Without a clear process, these moments can create friction for both customers and merchants.

A delivery problem can leave customers uncertain while increasing support costs, replacement expenses, refunds, and operational complexity for brands. Customers rarely know which carrier handled the package, where the issue occurred, or which operational step failed. They know only one thing: they purchased from the brand. That makes the brand responsible for helping find a solution.

This is where post-purchase protection becomes an important part of the customer experience. Xcotton helps brands address these challenges with a structured post-purchase protection platform designed to simplify resolution, reduce delivery risk, and give customers greater confidence after checkout.

XCOTTON: A Smarter Approach to Post-Purchase Protection

Xcotton helps merchants give customers greater confidence after checkout. Through shipping protection, product protection, extended warranty, and insurance-backed coverage solutions.Here are some of the ways Xcotton helps brands manage the post-purchase experience:

Shipping protection

Packages can face unexpected issues throughout the delivery journey, including loss, damage, theft, and other transportation-related problems. Xcotton provides shipping protection solutions that give customers a clear path to support when delivery problems occur, reducing uncertainty and improving confidence after purchase.

Product protection & Extended Warranty

For higher-value products and complex consumer goods, protection can extend well beyond delivery. Xcotton helps brands offer product protection and extended warranty coverage that supports customers throughout the ownership journey, providing added peace of mind beyond the standard warranty period. These flexible protection options help merchants safeguard products that represent a significant investment while strengthening customer confidence and creating additional value for both shoppers and brands.

Streamlined claims resolution

When something goes wrong, speed and clarity matter. A complicated claims process can frustrate customers while creating additional workload for support teams. Xcotton simplifies post-purchase claims and resolution, giving brands a centralized platform to manage their post-purchase protection and claims activity through one platform.

Flexible protection solutions

Every brand has different products, customers, and business requirements. Xcotton provides flexible protection solutions that can be adapted to different business models and product categories.

For example, eligible claims can remain open beyond 30 days, giving customers more time to report certain post-purchase issues. For eligible product claims, shoppers can also have the option of receiving a replacement or refund, depending on the applicable coverage and claim circumstances. This flexibility allows brands to build a protection experience that better matches their products and customers.

For customers, Xcotton provides greater confidence when placing an order and a clearer path forward when something unexpected happens. For merchants, Xcotton provides a more reliable way to manage delivery and product-related risks, streamline claims resolution, and protect the customer relationships they work hard to build.

The goal is simple: Help brands turn post-purchase protection into a better customer experience and a smarter business advantage.

Supporting Brands Across Consumer Categories

IFA 2026 brings together companies from many different industries, reflecting the diversity of modern consumer commerce. Several brands demonstrate how companies are reimagining everyday products through innovation and customer-focused design.

Belffin is a pioneer in flexible home solutions, specializing in versatile modular sofa designs that transform modern living. Belffin is designed specifically for urban American households and consumers who value efficient space utilization, perfectly blending ergonomic comfort with functional innovation. Our core signature—the modular sectional sofa—features integrated hidden storage, tool-free assembly, and customizable layouts that seamlessly adapt to evolving spatial needs. Combining pet-friendly, easy-to-clean performance fabrics with robust eco-conscious frames, every sectional sofa offers an ideal balance of durability, style, and practical luxury. At IFA 2026, Belffin continues to redefine adaptable furniture, empowering customers to shape living spaces that truly grow with them.

Eskute was founded in 2019 and has grown into a leading global personal mobility brand. Committed to making technology more accessible, Eskute provides high-quality mobility solutions at more affordable prices. Eskute offers an extensive product portfolio covering multiple riding scenarios, including the T Series electric trikes, V Series retro moped-style e-bikes, NOVA Series high-performance electric dirt bikes, C Series urban commuter e-bikes, and F Series urban all-terrain e-bikes. In addition, Eskute has earned an impressive 4.8 rating on Trustpilot. With global phone support and dedicated after-sales service centers, the brand has built strong customer loyalty and consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.

Yarbo is a pioneering global brand in yard robotics, dedicated to making outdoor maintenance smarter and more autonomous. Starting with the Robot Snow Blower, Yarbo expanded its vision to address the limitations of conventional single-purpose yard robots, developing an innovative “1+N” modular system that transforms one universal Core into an All-Season Yard Robot. With interchangeable modules for lawn mowing, leaf collection, snow removal, and more, Yarbo provides a versatile solution for year-round yard care, bringing its vision of smart outdoor living to life.

Turning Post-Purchase Challenges Into Opportunities

For brands, unexpected issues are unavoidable. The difference is how those moments are handled. With the right protection and resolution strategy, brands can transform challenging moments into opportunities to demonstrate reliability and customer commitment.

This is especially important as DTC (direct-to-consumer) businesses expand globally.

More markets mean more customers—but also more complex logistics, more delivery scenarios, and more expectations around service quality. Brands that invest in post-purchase experiences can create stronger relationships and improve customer confidence long after the original purchase.

Xcotton helps brands create better outcomes during these critical moments with protection solutions designed to support both merchants and customers. By turning protection into part of the customer experience, Xcotton helps shoppers feel confident that the brands they choose will stand behind their purchases.

XCOTTON Connects With Global Brands at IFA 2026

IFA 2026 provides an opportunity for companies from around the world to connect, exchange ideas, and shape the future of consumer products. As commerce continues to evolve, protection and customer experience are becoming increasingly important to sustainable growth.

Xcotton connects with global brands across consumer technology, e-commerce, smart home, lifestyle, retail, and logistics to build partnerships and deliver better post-purchase protection. By helping brands reduce operational challenges and streamline resolutions, Xcotton aims to create stronger customer experiences after every purchase.

Xcotton helps businesses make the post-purchase journey more secure, efficient, and customer-focused through protection solutions designed for your business. Every order represents more than a transaction. It represents a customer relationship worth protecting.

Media Contact: merchantsupport@xcotton.ai 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xcotton-helps-global-brands-protect-every-customer-after-purchase-302870944.html

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