Technology

MGI Tech and Shanghai AI Laboratory Unveil ProtoPilot and BioLab Bench, Pioneering Physical AI for Life Sciences

Published

2 months ago

July 6, 2026

SHENZHEN, China, July 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MGI’s subsidiary, Genoria AI, in collaboration with the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, today announced the launch of two breakthrough innovations that close the gap between digital intelligence and physical execution in biology: ProtoPilot, a self-evolving multi-agent system driven by real-world laboratory scenarios; and BioLab Bench, the industry’s first comprehensive evaluation framework that assesses AI agents from user requirements to executable device operations.

Together, these innovations establish a new paradigm—Physical AI for life sciences—where intelligent agents do not merely generate textual answers but translate experimental intent into physically executable, verifiable, and reproducible actions on automated lab platforms. The research behind it was published as a preprint on arXiv (arXiv:2606.31763) in June 2026.

ProtoPilot: A Full-Chain Agent System That Learns from Failure

ProtoPilot is a self-evolving multi-agent system that covers the entire experimental lifecycle:
Design2Protocol → Protocol2Code → Device Execution → Wet-Lab Feedback

It learns from failure. When a PCA assembly step failed, ProtoPilot diagnosed the issue (antibiotic resistance screening failure) and autonomously regenerated a corrected protocol—proving true Physical AI is here.

On ProtocolQA, one of the most representative public benchmarks for evaluating AI experimental reasoning capabilities (built by AI4S leader Future House):

GPT-5.6-sol scored 43.5%Human expert level stands at 54%ProtoPilot achieved 52.38% —approaching expert-level performance!

BioLab Bench: The First Real-Task Evaluation System for Life Science Agents

BioLab Bench sets a new industry standard. It’s the first evaluation system that measures not just “correct answers,” but whether an agent can actually execute tasks on real automation equipment.

Key features include:

Real-World Task Coverage: BioLab Bench spans from fundamental operations to complex multi-step workflows, stratified across three difficulty levels (L1–L3).Full-Chain Assessment: Rather than merely checking whether an agent generates a plausible protocol, BioLab Bench evaluates each step—intent interpretation, protocol design, device-agnostic SOP generation, device-specific SOP translation, machine code production, and successful execution gate verification.Cross-Device Transferability: The benchmark can be deployed on different automated laboratory platforms to test whether an AI agent can comprehend experimental tasks and generate executable actions adapted to varying hardware configurations, thus assessing cross-device generalization capability.

Toward 7×24 Unattended Smart Laboratories

Moving forward, BioAgents will no longer improve solely through text-based training. Instead, through the PhysicalAI experimental loop, they will continuously accumulate real research tasks, automation operations, expert validations, failure cases, and wet-lab feedback. This massive corpus of physical experimental data will enable BioAgents to develop integrated reasoning, execution, and validation capabilities—ultimately powering 7×24 unattended intelligent laboratories.

Built on a Decade of Synergy Between AI and Biology

MGI’s exploration of AI dates back to 2019. In 2025, the team led by Dr. Yang Meng, Chief AI Officer of MGI, in collaboration with Professor Nattiya Hirankarn from Chulalongkorn University, published a paper in Nature Biomedical Engineering introducing “PrimeGen”—a dry–wet collaborative multi-agent system that integrated primer design, experimental validation, and automated workstation execution into a closed-loop workflow.

In April 2026, MGI established Genoria AI as a dedicated subsidiary focused on AI for Science (AI4S), with a mission to build dry–wet closed-loop infrastructure for the life sciences.

The new Physical AI initiative builds on MGI’s unique strengths in hardware-native advantages with deep integration across its automation platforms, and real-world deployment expertise gained from over 3,800 users globally.

“It reflects a different path from the pure compute race. While leading AI companies rely on scale compute to push the capabilities of general-purpose models, we take a different approach. Through agent scaling and closed-loop data engineering, we organize real-world tasks, device constraints, expert feedback, and wet-lab results into a training ground where AI continuously evolves.” Noted Dr. Yang Meng, now serving as CEO in Genoria AI.

About Genoria AI

Genoria AI, a subsidiary of MGI Tech, is an AI4S company building self-evolving labs to scale agentic discovery. Learn more: https://www.genoria.ai/en

About Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

The Shanghai AI Laboratory was officially unveiled at the World AI Conference (WAIC) in July 2020 and positioned as a national-level new-type research institute. Our vision is to build a world-class AI laboratory, with pioneering contributions on original theories and key technologies. By gathering top talents from around the world and creating a stimulating and collaborative research environment, the Laboratory aims to conduct original and influential research, make fundamental contributions to basic theories, significantly advance the state of the art, and create remarkable impact on industry, healthcare, and education. Learn more: https://www.shlab.org.cn/

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SOURCE MGI Tech

Technology

AT&T to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

Published

17 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

Company leadership to speak at September conferences held by Goldman Sachs, Citi, and Bank of America. Webcasts available live and for replay.

Key Takeaways:

AT&T to webcast fireside chat with John Stankey at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on Sept. 9.AT&T to webcast fireside chats with Pascal Desroches at Citi‘s 2026 Global TMT Conference and at the 2026 Bank of America Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference on Sept. 10.

DALLAS, Aug. 24, 2026 /CNW/ — AT&T (NYSE:T) leadership will participate in three upcoming investor relations conferences in September.

Upcoming investor conference schedule

John Stankey, Chairman and CEO, AT&T, will speak at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. The conversation is scheduled to begin at 4:05 p.m. ET.Pascal Desroches, chief financial officer, AT&T, will speak at Citi‘s 2026 Global TMT Conference on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, and will be joined by Melissa Arnoldi, executive vice president & GM, AT&T Business. The conversation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET.Pascal Desroches will also speak at the 2026 Bank of America Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, and will be joined by Jenifer Robertson, executive vice president & GM, AT&T Consumer. The conversation is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Full conference details will be posted on the AT&T Investor Relations website once available. You will be able to tune into the webcasts live or via replay at investors.att.com. If joining live, it is recommended that you start the webcast a few minutes early in case of conference schedule changes.

To automatically receive AT&T financial news by email, please subscribe to email alerts.

About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 150 years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

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SOURCE AT&T

Technology

Plumbing Expert Joe Prestia Explains Why a Heating System May Stop Working During Cold Weather in HelloNation

Published

17 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

The article outlines how boiler, furnace, and thermostat issues can disrupt hot water and heat circulation in the home.

YORKTOWN, N.Y., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Why is the heating system not working when the house feels freezing? HelloNation has published the answer in an article featuring insights from Joe Prestia of Pipe Wizard in Yorktown, New York.

The HelloNation article explains that when a heating system fails, the cause is not always obvious. While many homeowners assume the thermostat is the problem, issues with a boiler, furnace, or circulating pipes may be preventing heat from reaching the home. Identifying the source early helps restore comfort and prevent more costly repairs.

The first step highlighted in the article is checking the thermostat. Ensuring it is set to heat, adjusted to the correct temperature, and receiving power can sometimes resolve the issue quickly. Homeowners are also encouraged to confirm that the heating system has not lost power at the breaker or emergency switch.

For homes with a boiler, low water pressure or trapped air can interrupt circulation. A boiler depends on proper pressure to move hot water through radiators or baseboard piping. Air pockets in pipes may block flow, causing uneven heating or cold rooms. Monitoring pressure levels and bleeding radiators are practical maintenance steps that support reliable performance.

Furnace-related issues are also discussed in the article. Dirty filters, faulty ignition components, or malfunctioning burners can prevent warm air from circulating effectively. Clogged filters restrict airflow, strain the furnace, and reduce efficiency. Routine maintenance and filter replacement help maintain steady heat and extend system life.

The article also notes that frozen pipes and blocked vents can reduce heating efficiency. In colder climates, water inside pipes may freeze, preventing proper circulation. Furniture or debris blocking vents can restrict airflow, making rooms feel colder than they should. Checking vents and ensuring clear airflow supports overall heating system performance.

Unusual noises such as banging, clanking, or whistling may signal deeper problems. These sounds can indicate mechanical failure, trapped air, or circulation pump issues within the boiler or furnace system. Ignoring these warning signs may lead to more serious breakdowns.

Professional inspection is presented as the most reliable way to diagnose heating system concerns. Technicians evaluate boilers, furnaces, thermostats, and pipes while measuring pressure and airflow. Early diagnosis prevents minor problems from escalating into emergency situations during extreme cold.

Preventive maintenance is emphasized throughout the HelloNation article. Replacing filters regularly, monitoring boiler pressure, checking the thermostat, and scheduling annual inspections all help maintain a dependable supply of hot water and warm air. Consistent maintenance improves efficiency and reduces the risk of unexpected failure.

The article concludes that heating issues can stem from multiple causes, including thermostat settings, low boiler pressure, clogged furnace components, frozen pipes, or circulation problems. By recognizing early warning signs and scheduling timely maintenance, homeowners can keep their heating system operating safely and efficiently throughout the coldest months.

Why Is My Heat Not Working? Help, My House is Freezing! Features insights from Joe Prestia, Plumbing Expert of Yorktown, 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 publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

Technology

Richard Preece Appointed to Jack Henry Board of Directors

Published

17 minutes ago

August 24, 2026

MONETT, Mo., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Jack Henry & Associates Inc.® (Nasdaq: JKHY) announced the appointment of Richard N. Preece to its Board of Directors, effective August 20, 2026. Preece joins the Board’s Human Capital & Compensation and Risk & Compliance committees.

Preece, 51, currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Liminex, Inc., doing business as GoGuardian, the leader in education technology supporting more than 25 million students and 10,000 schools nationwide. Prior to joining GoGuardian in 2024, Preece was Chief Operating Officer at LegalZoom.com, Inc. from 2019 to 2024. He also held various management and leadership positions at Intuit Inc. from 2002 to 2019, including serving as U.S. General Manager for QuickBooks.

“We are very excited to welcome Rich to our Board of Directors,” said Board Chair Matt Flanigan. “Rich is an outstanding leader who brings extensive, practical experience driving business innovation and product development in financial services, along with a deep understanding of operations, risk management, and strategic priorities for technology companies.”

Jack Henry also announced that director Wes Brown will not stand for reelection at the Company’s November annual meeting in keeping with the Company’s retirement age policy. Brown, President of Bent St. Vrain & Company, LLC, a Denver-based bank consulting firm, has served on the Board since 2015 in addition to a prior term from 2005 to 2014.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Wes for his tremendous service over these past many years,” Flanigan said. “Jack Henry has benefited immensely from Wes’ extensive expertise in many areas including finance, compliance, and banking, as well as his specialized insights into mergers and acquisitions. His legacy of Board service for Jack Henry will be a long and lasting one.”

About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.®
Jack Henry® (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For 50 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower more than 7,200 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.

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SOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.