Connect with us

Technology

AT&T joins Connected Nation as Lead Collaborator for attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title to expand digital skills worldwide

Published

on

LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Connected Nation (CN) is marking its 25th anniversary with a bold global initiative — an attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the “longest internet literacy live stream,” aimed at expanding digital skills access worldwide. AT&T has joined the effort as Lead Collaborator, bringing its commitment to connectivity and digital empowerment to communities across the United States and beyond.

Millions of people globally still lack the digital skills needed to fully participate in today’s economy, making initiatives like this critical. This event, “25 Hours. One Connected World,” will run September 24-25, featuring 25 consecutive hours of live, expert-led digital skills training accessible globally via live stream at bit.ly/CNWorldRecord.

As Lead Collaborator, AT&T is helping power a movement to narrow the Digital Divide and ensure more people have both the access and the skills to fully participate in today’s digital economy.

“AT&T is committed to not only connecting people to high-speed internet but to ensuring they have the skills to use it meaningfully,” said Mylayna Albright, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, AT&T. “As Lead Collaborator for ’25 Hours. One Connected World,’ AT&T is proud to help build a future where every person has both the resources and the ability to thrive in a digital world.”

The event will feature hands-on training, expert-led sessions, and real-time engagement from live locations around the world. Participants can watch from home, work, or a host site. Sessions will include topics such as online safety, job search tools, and practical applications of AI.

“Attempting this GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title marks an important milestone to show what is possible when people come together with a shared purpose,” said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO, CN. “Bridging the Digital Divide is about more than just expanding access to high-speed internet. We must also help people understand how to use the technology, find the resources and opportunities that can benefit them, and learn to navigate the internet safely and securely. We’re grateful for the support of AT&T and our partners who are helping us make a lasting impact in the lives of others around the world.”

The Guinness World Records’ organization provided specific parameters that must be met to achieve the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “longest internet literacy live stream.” To qualify for setting this record, the live stream must run continuously for 25 hours with no interruptions longer than one minute and maintain a minimum of 50 live viewers at all times.

“This effort represents a movement,” said Heather Gate, Executive Vice President, Digital Transformation, CN. “We are calling on communities everywhere to be part of something historic. We want to inspire action, empower individuals, and demonstrate that digital skills can change lives in every community. Together, we can highlight both the urgency of digital empowerment and the incredible progress that is possible when we work side by side to lift up all people.” 

To learn more or get involved, visit:

connectednation.org/25-hours-one-connected-worldbit.ly/CNWorldRecord 

To support the initiative through donations, visit:

https://givebutter.com/cn-25-hr-marathon-fundraising-boukf1

About Connected Nation: Marking its 25th anniversary in 2026, the national nonprofit’s mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. Learn more at connectednation.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-joins-connected-nation-as-lead-collaborator-for-attempt-to-set-a-guinness-world-records-title-to-expand-digital-skills-worldwide-302819460.html

SOURCE Connected Nation

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

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

Technology

Rocket Money’s Rowan Rewrites What AI Can Do in Personal Finance

Published

on

By

Rocket Money’s new AI financial assistant, developed with Anthropic, takes money management out of apps and dashboards and puts it into conversational texts

DETROIT, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rocket Money, part of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), today launched Rowan, an AI agent that goes beyond analysis, monitoring consumer’s finances and even acting on their behalf, all through simple text messaging.

Rocket Money’s AI financial assistant puts management into conversational texts.

Powered by Anthropic, Rowan watches spending around the clock. When it spots a way to save, it sends a text. The consumer replies in plain language and Rowan handles the rest. It can renegotiate recurring bills, cancel subscriptions and even create automated savings transfers.  

Most personal finance apps are passive, showing a dashboard that leaves the real work up to the consumer. Rowan does the work for them.

“What we’ve built with Rowan wasn’t possible even 12 months ago,” said Aaron Dignan, VP of Agentic Products at Rocket Money. “It finds the money slipping through the cracks, the forgotten subscriptions, the bills that creep up, and it actually does something about them. That’s the difference between knowing and acting.”

Rowan is built on a sophisticated stack of AI agents trained with Rocket Money data. The result is something unprecedented: a system that monitors your finances, applies advanced reasoning, and proactively engages to give you knowledge and control over your personal finances. Rowan identifies opportunities and executes complex tasks in the real world based on your instructions.

Consider a client that signs up for a free month of streaming that then goes unused.  Rowan doesn’t forget, three weeks later it will send a text asking the consumer if they are enjoying the service or if they would like to cancel before incurring a charge.  If the member replies “cancel” Rowan contacts the service, cancels the trial and confirms when it is done. One word, no logging in, no lengthy conversations and no hold music.

Maybe someone wants to save money while still enjoying their morning coffee. They simply text Rowan: “Every time I buy a coffee, round up to the nearest dollar and put the extra change in my high-yield savings account.” Rowan sets up the process. From that moment forward, every coffee purchase triggers an automatic rounding and transfer.

That is a monumental leap from passive to proactive financial management, going from “here’s what you spent” to “here’s how I can help.”

The system is also constantly improving. When Rowan encounters something unexpected, such as a subscription service with an unusual cancellation flow, it learns. It diagnoses the issue, finds a solution and deploys it across the entire system. Each edge case solved becomes a permanent improvement for every consumer.

“This architecture moves us from ‘this is cool’ to ‘this is incredibly powerful and can help me maximize my money,” said Chase Adams, VP of AI Engineering at Rocket Money. “We built it with adaptable agents where you need flexibility and strict code where you need certainty, and our team is engaged throughout to provide human verification.”

Rowan is available to select Rocket Money subscribers now as part of a new Premium Plus tier, with broader availability coming later this year.

ABOUT ROCKET MONEY

Rocket Money is a personal finance app designed to help people manage their money, track spending, monitor subscriptions, build savings, and improve their overall financial health. Originally founded as Truebill and acquired by Rocket Companies in 2021, Rocket Money helps users understand where their money is going, identify opportunities to save, manage recurring expenses, track net worth and credit, and take action through features such as subscription management, budgeting, bill negotiation, automated savings, and Rowan, its AI-powered financial agent. Rocket Money is part of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), a Detroit-based fintech platform company.

For more information, please visit www.rocketmoney.com.

ABOUT ROCKET COMPANIES

Founded in 1985, Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT) is a Detroit-based fintech platform including mortgage, real estate and personal finance businesses: Rocket Mortgage, Redfin, Rocket Close, Rocket Money and Rocket Loans. With insights from more than 160 million calls with clients each year, 30 petabytes of data and a mission to Help Everyone Home, Rocket Companies is well positioned to be the destination for AI-fueled homeownership. Known for providing exceptional client experiences, J.D. Power has ranked Rocket Mortgage #1 in client satisfaction for primary mortgage origination and mortgage servicing a total of 23 times, the most of any mortgage lender.

For more information, please visit www.rocket.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rocket-moneys-rowan-rewrites-what-ai-can-do-in-personal-finance-302859522.html

SOURCE Rocket Money

Continue Reading

Technology

Veridian Credit Union launches Money Moves to help members build financial confidence, achieve goals

Published

on

By

WATERLOO, Iowa, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Veridian Credit Union has launched Money Moves, a new financial empowerment program designed to help members build confidence, strengthen financial habits and take meaningful steps toward their financial goals.

The program combines financial education, personalized coaching and financial incentives to help participants increase savings, improve credit and reduce debt. Through one-on-one guidance and practical tools, Monday Moves helps participants create a personalized plan that works for their unique circumstances and long-term goals.

“Financial success should be within reach for everyone,” said Ana Hernandez Eveland, Veridian’s Financial Empowerment Strategist. “Money Moves is about meeting people where they are and giving them the guidance, resources and encouragement they need to move forward with confidence. Whether someone is focused on building savings, improving credit or paying down debt, we’re here to help them take the next step.”

Participants who successfully complete the program may qualify for a $250 matching incentive that can be used toward a secured credit card, starter certificate of deposit or debt repayment, helping reinforce the financial progress they make during the program.

Money Moves is free to attend, though advance registration is required. Individual sessions begin mid-September in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Omaha, and Oct. 1 in Des Moines. Details are available at veridiancu.org/moneymoves.

Founded in 1934, Veridian Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative dedicated to improving the financial well-being of its members. With 32 branches across Iowa, eastern Nebraska and the Twin Cities metro area, Veridian provides a full range of personal and business financial services desigened to help members build confidence and reach their goals. As a not-for-profit credit union, Veridian returns value to its members through competitive products, trusted guidance and a commitment to helping people ahcieve lasting financial success.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/veridian-credit-union-launches-money-moves-to-help-members-build-financial-confidence-achieve-goals-302859521.html

SOURCE Veridian Credit Union

Continue Reading

Technology

Cresset Expands to Boca Raton, Welcomes $4 Billion Advisory Team

Published

on

By

Led by Michael Bober and Ed Ventrice, the team previously managed approximately $4 billion in client assets at UBS and has deep connections to the Boca Raton community

BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cresset announced today that it is expanding to Boca Raton, Fla., with the addition of a 16-person advisory team led Michael Bober, and Ed Ventrice. The team previously managed approximately $4 billion in client assets for UBS. The team also includes Michael MacDonald, William “Billy” Marino, Sarah Ponczek, and Alex Santos.

Bober and Ventrice each bring more than three decades of experience advising corporate executives, business owners, high-net-worth individuals, multigenerational families, foundations and endowments, and professional athletes. Together with their team, they specialize in comprehensive wealth management, institutional consulting, business succession planning, and addressing the complex needs of families with significant wealth.

Prior to joining Cresset, Bober and Ventrice both served as Managing Directors with UBS Financial Services. Before transitioning to wealth management, each worked as a Certified Public Accountant with a national accounting firm. Their accounting backgrounds have helped shape the team’s integrated approach to wealth management and its focus on delivering coordinated advice across every aspect of a client’s financial life.

“We are excited to join Cresset and gain access to the breadth of resources and capabilities available through its independent, client- and employee-owned model. Cresset’s family office approach closely aligns with how we have always believed wealth should be managed—with a comprehensive, long-term perspective that extends well beyond investment management,” Ventrice said.

Cresset offers a comprehensive suite of family office services designed to address the interconnected needs of individuals and families with significant wealth. Its capabilities span investment management, private markets, tax preparation and planning, estate and trust services, business succession planning, property and casualty insurance advisory, and philanthropic planning for families, foundations, and endowments. Cresset also provides access to medical and travel concierge services through its expansive network, helping clients coordinate support across their financial and personal lives.

“Joining Cresset represents an exciting next chapter for our team and our clients. Cresset has built an exceptional platform around an integrated approach to wealth management, and we look forward to offering our clients those capabilities while continuing to provide the highly personal advice and service they expect,” Bober said.

“We are also proud to continue serving the Boca Raton community we know so well and to build upon the relationships we have developed here over many years,” Ventrice added.

Cresset’s open-architecture, multi-custodial model provides clients with access to leading custodians. This flexibility, combined with Cresset’s extensive wealth management and family office capabilities, allows advisory teams to deliver highly customized solutions based on each client’s specific needs.

“We are thrilled to expand our presence in South Florida to Boca Raton. Michael, Ed, and team have deep and longstanding relationships throughout the Boca Raton community, and we are honored to welcome them to Cresset and look forward to introducing more successful families to Cresset’s comprehensive family office offerings,” said Cresset CEO Susie Cranston

About Cresset
Cresset is a firm built by clients, for clients. As an independent, award-winning* multi-family office and private investment firm, we are reimagining the way wealth is experienced. Our purpose is to help ensure that both wealth and life are fully optimized**—integrated, intentional, and aligned with each client’s vision of success.

We provide access to the caliber of talent, ideas, and investment opportunities typically available to the largest single-family offices and institutions. Our approach is personalized, entrepreneurial, and client-first.

Proudly owned by our clients and employees, Cresset was built to endure. We are creating a 100+ year firm—one focused on delivering an exceptional experience, not only for the families we serve but for the team that serves them. Recognized by Barron’s and Forbes among the nation’s top multi-family offices,* Cresset is guided by long-term relationships, shared success, and a belief that wealth should serve a life well lived.

*Disclosures related to awards, recognitions, and rankings available here. Forbes Top RIA Firms (issued 10.2025). Based on data from April of the prior year through March of the award year. Rankings are determined by SHOOK Research using a proprietary methodology that considers qualitative and quantitative factors. Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms (issued 09.2025). Based on data from July of the prior year through June of the award year. Rankings are determined using a proprietary methodology that considers qualitative and quantitative factors. Cresset paid a licensing fee to use the Forbes and Barron’s award logos.

**Wealth Optimized, Life Elevated refers to the firm’s philosophy and process in providing advisory and planning services and is not intended to convey a guarantee of results. 

Cresset refers to Cresset Capital Management, LLC and its respective direct and indirect subsidiaries and controlled affiliates. For a full list of Cresset subsidiaries and controlled affiliates, please see cressetcapital.com/disclosures/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cresset-expands-to-boca-raton-welcomes-4-billion-advisory-team-302859530.html

SOURCE Cresset

Continue Reading

Trending