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iQIYI International Releases First Half of 2026 Global Trending Content: Chinese Dramas and Micro Dramas Power Dual-Engine Global Growth

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BEIJING, July 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On July 9, iQIYI, China’s leading online entertainment platform, released its Global Trending Content for the first half of 2026, recording a 130% year-on-year surge in total viewership across its international platform.

This robust growth is driven by the “long + short” strategy, with premium long-form Chinese dramas and micro dramas serving as the dual engines of overseas expansion. Localization has been equally critical: subtitles across 13 languages, high-quality dubbing, and on-the-ground fan engagement events have deepened audience engagement across key markets. A rich mix of Asian productions from Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond has broadened the platform’s appeal further, cementing iQIYI International’s position as the destination for global audiences seeking diverse Asian popular culture.

Launched in January, iQIYI International’s Global Trending Content gives users and partners a clear view of what is gaining traction worldwide. The H1 2026 viewership data reveals distinct content preferences across key markets. Southeast Asia continues to show strong demand for premium Chinese dramas and localized content, while audiences in East Asia are increasingly drawn to fast-paced micro dramas. In the Middle East and Latin America, premium long-form dramas remain highly appealing, with localization continuing to play an important role in expanding audience reach.

What Topped the Charts in H1 2026

In H1 2026, all 10 titles in iQIYI International’s top Chinese drama chart were iQIYI self-produced, spanning historical epics, contemporary romance, and coming-of-age narratives. Leading the pack, “Pursuit of Jade” ranked first across all content categories on the platform and has been the most-searched Chinese historical drama on Google globally since 2025, driven by its female-growth narrative and eastern aesthetic. Three titles from iQIYI International’s 2025 annual top 10 Chinese dramas — “Fated Hearts,” “The Best Thing,” and “Speed and Love” — returned to the chart, reflecting the sustained long-tail appeal of premium content.

Micro dramas are fast becoming a primary entry point for international audiences discovering Chinese content. Their high emotional intensity, high-stakes conflict, and rapid pacing fit naturally into mobile-first, fragmented viewing habits. Contemporary romance, female empowerment, and class-reversal storylines dominate the top 10 micro dramas, with “Midnight Temptation” ranking as the top micro drama globally for its narrative of female growth and the pursuit of equal respect.

Beyond dramas, a broad slate of Asian animation, films, and variety shows continues to serve the full range of audience interests worldwide.

Meeting Audiences Where They Are

Through 13-language subtitling, localized dubbing, and the “iQIYI Starship Project” fan engagement initiative, iQIYI International is deepening its localization and presence, tailoring its approach to the distinct viewing preferences of each market. 

In Southeast Asia, dubbing quality and offline fan engagement events are key drivers of viewership. In Thailand, seven Chinese dramas with Thai-language dubbing entered the local top 10. The “iQIYI Starship Project” has amplified this further, bringing cast members from popular titles to Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond for fan events that have directly boosted local viewership. 

In East Asia, micro dramas now account for half of the top 10 trending titles in Japan and South Korea, where audiences show a strong appetite for fast-paced, high-density storytelling. In Latin America, expanded Spanish and Portuguese dubbing has opened Asian content to a significantly wider audience. In the Middle East, viewer preferences remain consistent, with realism and military-themed premium dramas continuing to lead, reflecting a taste for high-stakes, emotionally grounded narratives.

Looking ahead, iQIYI International is committed to becoming a home for beloved Asian content, delivering richer, more immersive content experiences that carry genuine emotional and cultural resonance for global audiences.

Contact: iQIYI Press, press@qiyi.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iqiyi-international-releases-first-half-of-2026-global-trending-content-chinese-dramas-and-micro-dramas-power-dual-engine-global-growth-302822516.html

SOURCE iQIYI Inc.

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Conversation with CHAI AI: $100M ARR, App Store Review, and what motivates AI research

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CHAI is currently in the Apple App Store Review Process – founder and CEO William Beauchamp has stated he believes their latest version of the app to be the safest version they have ever released yet, with significant and meaningful improvements to safety.

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CHAI is currently in the Apple App Store Review Process – founder and CEO William Beauchamp has stated he believes their latest version of the app to be the safest version they have ever released yet, with significant and meaningful improvements to safety.

Millions of people enjoy CHAI every day and have used the platform to create and share AI for over 5 years. In that time CHAI has grown from a small team based in Cambridge, UK to a company in Palo Alto, California with over $100M a year in revenue.

CHAI AI still operates a small team of around 15 members. We have been given the first exclusive look into the safest version they have released yet.

This small team has been hard at work, especially so in recent weeks and months, employing the latest industry standard AI safety techniques. “We have been working towards a holistic safety system which achieves two things: to delight our customers, and to protect the long-term wellbeing of both our customers and the community.”

I asked Mr. Beauchamp about some of the major challenges presented by the second goal, “One is ensuring UGC moderation, we cannot allow any single user to produce content which spoils the experience for others. Another is model and algorithmic safety. Every safety iteration cycle starts with red teaming, where team members actively probe the safety system as it exists in production, to see whether they can bypass it. This sort of testing is used by AI researchers around the world. Only by putting yourself in the shoes of someone trying to push the limits of the system can you find where those limits are, and effectively reinforce them.”

So, what were the outcomes of the team’s latest safety iteration cycle? “This cycle the team held nothing back. All of us were in the office from 9am-9pm on a Saturday to get this shipped as fast as possible. Through dedication and hard work the team were able to achieve a lot. We introduced an entirely new AI governance system, shipped in record time. Not only is this system a complete upgrade of our existing protocols and safeguards, but it also provides new tools for team members to increase the amount of human oversight in the system. We believe we have substantially raised the bar for our social AI, preventing misuse, and ensuring it will continue to adhere strongly to moral and ethical social values.”

At CHAI AI the guiding principle in both product development, platform and AI governance, can be summarized by this vision written by Stanford Professor and CEO Dr. Fei-Fei Li:

“It matters what motivates the development of AI, in both science and industry, and I believe that motivation must explicitly center on human benefit.” From The Worlds I See by Dr. Fei-Fei Li

With great power comes great responsibility, as CHAI AI knows well. As their user base grew from the hundreds, to hundreds of thousands, to millions, their responsibility has grown too. Therefore, their principle has long been to put human benefit at the center of their AI research and product development approaches.

Is CHAI AI safe? CHAI has implemented a range of safety features that allow users to engage in dynamic chats while encouraging them to stay within established guidelines. By building better AI, CHAI aims to enhance user value and experience.

What makes CHAI special? CHAI is designed to be the most engaging social AI, delivering highly entertaining conversations. Users on CHAI are able to craft interactive stories and immersive experiences.

Why do people love CHAI? CHAI employs and develops advanced AI techniques to increase the entertainment value of its bots. Users chat with AI to write interactive novels and have engaging conversations, supported by a variety of genres that appeal to avid novel readers.

Who is the founder? William Beauchamp first started building CHAI with his sister in Cambridge UK in 2020. After building the first AI chat platform they relocated to Palo Alto.

Are they hiring? CHAI is a rapidly growing company that is known for paying very high salaries with an intense culture focused on delivering results and iterating quickly. Apply on CHAI’s website.

Press Contact:

CHAI AI Press, 
+1 (626) 594-8966,
https://chai-research.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/conversation-with-chai-ai-100m-arr-app-store-review-and-what-motivates-ai-research-302823379.html

SOURCE Chai AI

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EV All Day Launches Instant Battery-Health Check for Used Electric Cars

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A used electric car’s most valuable part, its battery, is also the one thing no advert, V5C or history check will show you. EV All Day’s new £9.99 check changes that, giving buyers an instant, independent estimate of battery health, real-world range and remaining warranty before they ever view the car.

BRISTOL, England, July 12, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — EV All Day, a UK-based vehicle verification service, has launched to give used electric vehicle (EV) buyers and sellers the check that matters most for a battery-powered car: an independent read on the condition of its battery, before they buy.

The battery can be up to 40% of an EV’s value and thousands of pounds to replace, but nothing makes a seller prove its condition. For £9.99, we give buyers that proof before they travel to view.

While UK consumers can readily check any vehicle for outstanding finance, theft and write-off status, the single biggest factor in an electric car’s value and reliability, the health of its battery, has remained effectively invisible to buyers. Standard history checks were built for petrol and diesel cars and say nothing about battery condition, and a seller is under no obligation to evidence it.

EV All Day closes that gap. For £9.99, the service delivers an instant digital report estimating a used EV’s battery health, real-world range now versus when new, and how much battery warranty remains, from nothing more than a registration and the current mileage.

The Missing Check in Used EV Buying

On a petrol car, buyers judge condition on mileage and service history. On an electric car, the number that really decides value is one they can’t see. The battery can account for up to 40% of an EV’s value and costs anywhere from £5,000 to £15,000-plus to replace, yet its condition never appears on the advert, the V5C or the MOT.

Because batteries degrade gradually with age, mileage and charging habits, mileage alone is a poor guide: a well-treated 80,000-mile car can hold a healthier battery than a hard-charged 30,000-mile one. Until now, buyers have had no independent way to tell the difference before travelling to view a car.

“On a petrol car you check the mileage and the service history. On an electric car, the number that decides value is one you simply can’t see: the health of the battery. And no seller is obliged to show it to you,” said Simon Brown, founder of EV All Day.

“For £9.99 and about thirty seconds, we give buyers an honest estimate of that battery’s health, its real-world range and how much warranty is left, straight from the listing, before they ever travel to a viewing. It’s the check that’s been missing from used EV buying.”

What an EV All Day Check Shows

Every £9.99 report is built around an EV-specialist battery and range core, powered by ClearWatt, and cross-checked against official DVSA MOT and mileage records.

The report may include:

An estimated battery-health reading and range retention versus when newA battery-health grade (such as A+) where a manufacturer test record existsExpected real-world range now, shown side by side with the official WLTP figureRemaining battery warranty in miles and months, with an Active or Expired badgeUsable and total battery capacity (kWh)Charging, running cost, efficiency and full specification, where that data is held (powered by EV Database)Full MOT and mileage history from the DVSA, which also feeds the range estimate

The service is offered through two entry points to suit how buyers search: an EV Battery Health Check that leads with the battery reading, and a fuller Used EV Check that adds charging, running-cost and specification detail. Both are the same £9.99 report.

Crucially, EV All Day is honest about what the reading is: an estimate built from aggregated real-world data plus the specific car’s age and mileage, with a manufacturer grade shown where a test record exists, not an OBD-measured State of Health. It is the read buyers can get from a listing, before they ever contact the seller.

Coming Soon: A Full EV History Check

A comprehensive EV history check, bringing battery condition, charging and running costs, and full vehicle provenance together in a single report, is scheduled to follow, giving used EV buyers everything they need in one place.

Reducing Risk in a Fast-Growing Market

As more electric cars reach their second and third owners, so does the risk of undisclosed battery degradation. A tired battery can look identical to a healthy one on a forecourt, and dashboard range figures alone can mislead. Heavy, frequent rapid charging can roughly double the rate of battery wear, meaning two seemingly identical cars can hold very different batteries.

By providing an independent estimate of battery health and range, EV All Day helps buyers verify a used EV’s real condition rather than relying on seller claims, and helps sellers with a healthy battery evidence it to support their asking price. UK market research suggests buyers pay several hundred pounds more for a used EV with evidenced battery health, and that such cars sell noticeably faster.

Designed for Buyers, Sellers and the Trade

EV All Day is designed for use by:

Used EV buyers, screening listings and verifying battery health before travelling to viewPrivate sellers, evidencing a healthy battery and remaining warranty to support asking pricesDealers and traders, appraising electric vehicles quickly and consistentlyEV owners, understanding their car’s battery condition over time

The service is intended to complement existing vehicle history checks rather than replace them.

How the Service Works

Using EV All Day involves three steps:

Enter a UK registration number and current mileage, with no VIN required. The car is confirmed as an eligible EV before any payment is taken, and mileage is pre-filled from the latest MOT.Complete a single secure card payment of £9.99 through Stripe, with no subscription and no account.Receive the report in seconds, delivered three ways: instantly on screen, as a downloadable PDF, and as a copy by email.

If a report cannot be generated because data is unavailable for the vehicle, the customer is refunded in full, automatically. Coverage spans the mainstream UK electric market, including Tesla, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai, Volkswagen, BMW, MG and Jaguar, among many others.

The Switch to Electric Is Accelerating

The launch comes as electric vehicles take an ever-larger share of the UK market, with registrations climbing year on year and new petrol and diesel car sales due to end in 2030. As more of these vehicles reach the used market, buying with confidence increasingly means knowing each battery’s real condition, not just its mileage.

Availability

EV All Day is available now at evallday.com. Reports are delivered instantly where data is available, with an automatic full refund where a report cannot be generated.

About EV All Day

EV All Day is a UK-based vehicle verification service focused exclusively on electric vehicles. Operated by EV All Day Ltd and based in Chepstow, the platform combines EV-specialist battery and range data from ClearWatt with vehicle specification data from EV Database and official MOT and mileage records from the DVSA, helping buyers, sellers and the trade judge a used EV’s true condition. Reports cost £9.99, with an automatic full refund where a report cannot be generated.

Media Contact

Simon Brown, EV All Day, 44 01632 961111, hello@evallday.com, https://evallday.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/ev-all-day-launches-instant-battery-health-check-for-used-electric-cars-302823331.html

SOURCE EV All Day

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AlgoLaser Launches DIY KIT MK3: Start, Just That Simple–A Smarter Way to Laser Engrave

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SHENZHEN, China, July 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AlgoLaser, a global leader in smart laser engraving technology, today officially launched its latest desktop laser engraver: the DIY KIT MK3. For years, complex assembly, cumbersome operation, and steep learning curves have kept many creators from exploring laser engraving. The DIY KIT MK3 eliminates these barriers. Built around the core promise to ‘Start, Just That Simple,’ it features optimized structural engineering, an intuitive AlgoOS-powered HD touchscreen, and significantly boosted laser performance. From unboxing to final creation, the DIY KIT MK3 seamlessly streamlines the entire process while delivering exceptional value.

Streamlined Assembly for Immediate Use

The DIY KIT MK3 introduces an innovative Structrix Frame, featuring precision alignment slots and cable management. Arriving 95% pre-assembled, the machine can be fully set up in just five simple steps in under 10 minutes. This completely eliminates traditional frustrations like belt tensioning, repeated alignments, and messy wiring.

Intelligent, Computer-Free Operation

Powered by the proprietary AlgoOS, the built-in HD touchscreen enables fully offline, standalone operation. It boasts smart parameter recommendations, drag-and-drop positioning, and direct image processing. Combined with over 400 ready-to-use projects and creative tools like AlgoType and AlgoSketch, the system allows beginners to start creating instantly—no computer or technical expertise required.

Enhanced Power and Speed for Higher Productivity

Equipped with new 8W, 15W, and 20W laser modules, the DIY KIT MK3 delivers up to a 60% power increase over its predecessor. Robust structural and material upgrades fully harness this power, ensuring stable, high-precision engraving at speeds up to 15,000 mm/min. Additionally, the spacious 400×400mm workspace and an efficient repetitive processing mode make intricate designs and small-batch production highly practical, empowering users to easily monetize their craft.

Modular Design for Long-Term Flexibility

The DIY KIT MK3’s modular architecture supports seamless laser module upgrades and effortless integration with accessories like rotary attachments. This flexibility adapts to diverse needs—from scaling an Etsy business to exploring family DIY projects. Furthermore, with an optional Class 1 safety enclosure and multiple built-in monitoring systems, the DIY KIT MK3 provides peace of mind, making it safe for both commercial studios and home environments.

Availability

The DIY KIT MK3 is now available for pre-order exclusively on the official website, algolaser.com. From July 11–31, customers can order during the Super Early Bird window and enjoy exclusive perks, including free gifts and bonus points. It will then launch globally on Amazon and other major platforms starting August 1.

Order now to secure early access before the worldwide launch.

About AlgoLaser

AlgoLaser is a global provider of smart laser engraving solutions, dedicated to empowering makers, educators, and everyday creators around the world. By pairing high-performance hardware with the intuitive AlgoOS operating system, AlgoLaser breaks down technical barriers to make professional-quality creation as simple as everyday printing. The company is committed to helping users of all skill levels effortlessly transform creative ideas into reality, making laser technology easier, safer, and accessible enough for every household. For more information, visit www.algolaser.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/algolaser-launches-diy-kit-mk3-start-just-that-simplea-smarter-way-to-laser-engrave-302822637.html

SOURCE AlgoLaser

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