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BNP Paribas and Google Cloud Announce New Partnership on Agentic AI and Cloud Innovation

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Five-year agreement expands BNP Paribas’s access to Google Cloud’s AI-optimized  infrastructure, Gemini models and Gemini Enterprise.Initial use cases include plans to integrate Gemini models into LLM@CIB, CIB’s internal  generative AI assistant, and deploy agentic AI use cases within Corporate & Institutional  Banking (CIB).Strengthens BNP Paribas’ multi-cloud approach, aligned within its existing security and data  governance framework. 

PARIS and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BNP Paribas and Google Cloud today announced a  new five-year partnership, to expand BNP Paribas’ access to Google Cloud’s infrastructure and advanced AI capabilities including Gemini Enterprise and Gemini models. 

Through this partnership, Google Cloud technologies will support the expansion of BNP Paribas’ infrastructure and AI capabilities as the Bank moves towards broader deployment of agentic AI. It will also strengthen its existing multi-cloud and multi-model approach within its established security and data governance framework.

“Our role is to empower our businesses with the technology capabilities they need while maintaining a consistent framework for security and control. A multi-cloud and multi-model approach gives us  the flexibility to select, for each case, the right model, infrastructure and level of control to meet our  requirements for quality and security while delivering the best balance between cost and value. This partnership strengthens that approach and expands the options available to our businesses,” said Marc Camus, Group Chief Information Officer, BNP Paribas.

“Agentic AI marks a critical shift in how global financial institutions streamline operations, assess risk, and serve their clients. Through this five-year partnership, BNP Paribas is combining  its banking leadership with Google Cloud’s secure infrastructure and Gemini Enterprise to deploy  intelligent agents within platforms across the bank,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO at Google Cloud. 

From cloud and AI capabilities to business use case 
Through this partnership, BNP Paribas will have access to Gemini Enterprise to build, evaluate and  deploy purpose-built agents tailored to specific business needs. 

Starting with BNP Paribas Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB):

The new capabilities will support the planned deployment of AI agents for targeted workflows,  including the preparation of corporate credit memos to assist teams, with further applications  across sales, trading, research, and structuring activities. Gemini models will be integrated into LLM@CIB, its generative AI assistant currently  available to more than 65,000 employees.

“Our approach to AI starts with the business need. We assess which technology is best suited to  each use case and deploy it within the bank’s security and governance framework. Agentic AI can  help our teams handle more complex workflows while maintaining the appropriate level of control,” said Charles Holive, Chief AI Officer, BNP Paribas CIB.

Google Cloud and Gemini technologies have already been deployed at Nickel, BNP Paribas’  payment account business within the Commercial, Personal Banking & Services (CPBS) division.  Gemini serves as the foundational model for Nickel Assist, helping 200 customer advisers find  answers to customer requests based on Nickel’s procedures and operating guidelines. 

A controlled, enterprise-grade governance framework
The use of Google Cloud will follow BNP Paribas’ existing security and data governance  requirements, which determines the type of data and workloads that can be processed in a public  cloud environment. Certain categories of data will not be stored in a public cloud environment.

Security is a key pillar of BNP Paribas’ agentic AI strategy, with each agent being authenticated and  granted access only to the resources required to perform its assigned task. The connection of AI  agents to the Group’s information systems and their respective interactions will be consequently  monitored and controlled. 

The partnership will also contribute to BNP Paribas’ existing Group-wide AI adoption program,  completing ongoing initiatives with learning opportunities ranging from foundational AI literacy to  specialized AI agent development.

About BNP Paribas 
Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has over  180,000 employees, including more than 146,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity:  Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised  businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment  and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on  its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations,  entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing,  investment, savings and protection insurance. The Group has a historic footprint in four eurozone markets: Belgium,  France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several  Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading  platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in  Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to  contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

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. 

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SOURCE Google Cloud

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Stand8 Expands Nearshore Operations for 24×7 Enterprise IT Support

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Mexico-based delivery teams give large enterprises U.S.-aligned coverage, multilingual support, and scalable service operations

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stand8, a global technology consulting and services leader, today announced the expansion of its nearshore operations in Mexico to support large enterprise clients with 24×7 Service Desk, Network Operations Center, and technology operations services. The model combines specialized bilingual professionals with Stand8’s people-first, white-glove approach and integrates into clients’ existing platforms, service levels, and governance models.

Enterprises need dependable coverage across time zones, consistent service experiences, and the flexibility to scale when business demand changes. Stand8’s nearshore model extends internal teams with professionals aligned to U.S. operating hours and able to support global schedules as needed. The result is greater responsiveness, less pressure on onshore teams, and more predictable service delivery without sacrificing visibility or control.

“Enterprise support should feel seamless to end users and dependable to the leaders accountable for it,” said Bryce Prunty, Executive Vice President at Stand8. “Our Mexico operation gives clients access to specialized people and continuous coverage aligned to their business, with the governance, transparency, and high-touch service needed to operate at scale.”

Enterprise Nearshore Support Built to Scale

24×7 Service Desk and NOC coverage aligned to U.S. and global operating hoursDirect integration with enterprise platforms and client-specific tools, workflows, and reportingEscalation coordination and service delivery aligned to client SLAs and governanceScalable teams that can expand with volume, geography, or new operational needs

Stand8 is already applying the expanded Mexico operation in complex enterprise environments. Current engagements include 24×7 multilingual Service Desk support for leading global media and entertainment organizations and 24×7 NOC managed services for a global communications infrastructure provider. In each case, Stand8 teams work within established client workflows, tools, escalation paths, and operating requirements.

Clients can add adjacent capabilities as their needs evolve while maintaining a consistent delivery relationship.

About Stand8

Stand8 is a global technology consulting and services leader that helps businesses transform and scale through tailored IT solutions. With a 99% client retention rate and more than 15 years of results, Stand8 integrates seamlessly into client operations while delivering secure, compliant, and personalized technology services.

For more information, visit stand8.io.

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SOURCE Stand 8

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LUG Sports Group Named One of Canada’s Top Growing Companies for Second Consecutive Year

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TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2026 /CNW/ — LUG Sports Group Inc. (“LUG”), one of North America’s largest recreational sports leagues, announced today that it has ranked No. 146 out of 375 companies on the 2026 Report on Business magazine’s list of Canada’s Top Growing Companies. This marks LUG’s second straight year on the list. LUG also was ranked No. 5 on the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation list.

Canada’s Top Growing Companies ranks Canadian businesses on three-year revenue growth. LUG earned its spot with a 174% growth rate over the past three years and a 239% growth rate over five years.

LUG reimagines recreational sports for college students and young adults, running leagues in hockey, women’s hockey, flag football, softball, soccer, lacrosse and pickleball. Every league is built around pro-level energy, standout content, and a community that extends well beyond game day. With more than 150,000 players all time across 85+ cities, LUG is North America’s go-to destination for adult and college social sports leagues.

“Making this list once was a milestone. Making it two years in a row is validation in the consistency of what we are trying to create,” said Ethan Wright and Ray Abramson, Presidents and Co-Founders of LUG Sports. “For more than a decade, we’ve grown LUG across college campuses and cities with one goal: give every player a premium, social sports experience that makes the average joe feel like a pro. This recognition belongs to our players, our community, and our HQ team that keeps raising the bar.”

With an expanded head office team and scalable infrastructure in place, LUG is well positioned to continue driving their brand in the fragmented adult sports market. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, the value of real-world experiences, genuine connection, and community will only grow. LUG creates that “third space” for Millennials and Gen Z today, with Gen Alpha not far behind, positioning the brand to lead the next generation of social sports.

About LUG Sports Group

LUG Sports Group Inc. is one of North America’s largest recreational sports leagues, with more than 25,000 active players across 85+ cities. LUG builds sports programs for college students, with active leagues at 100+ campuses, before transitioning players into adult programming.

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SOURCE LUG sports Group Inc

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AI Apps and Agents Are Taking Off. Gen Can Help People Understand What Happens to Their Data.

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Gen data shows nearly 1/3 of people use AI apps and agents, as the company expands its Agent Trust Hub with the new AI Data Checker

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AI is moving beyond answering questions. Increasingly, people are asking AI to act on their behalf, from researching purchases and planning trips to managing everyday tasks and handling their finances. New telemetry from Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) shows just how quickly that shift is happening, with nearly one in three desktop users now interacting with agentic AI services.

Today, Gen is responding to that shift with the beta launch of AI Data Checker, developed by the Gen AI Foundry, the company’s hub for emerging AI innovation. The latest tool from its Agent Trust Hub, AI Data Checker is designed to make it easier for people to understand how popular AI apps and agents handle their data. 

As AI becomes more capable, people are also being asked to place more trust in it. Agents are increasingly accessing personal information, preferences, browsing activity, or other data to complete tasks. Yet it is not always easy for people to understand what information an AI service collects, how that information may be used, or what choices they have.

Gen created the Agent Trust Hub (ATH) to close that gap, giving people greater visibility, understanding and control as they use AI assistants and agents. Since launching in February, the ATH has expanded to include VPN for Agents, the industry’s first AI-native VPN purpose-built for autonomous agents, and Sage, the first consumer agentic security layer available through Norton AI Agent Protection in Norton 360.

With AI Data Checker, Gen is expanding that work from protecting how agents operate to helping people better understand the data relationship behind the AI tools they use.

Making AI privacy easier to understand
The AI Data Checker brings information about AI data practices into one place, helping people explore what different AI services may collect and how their information may be used.

People can simply enter their email or username, and the AI Data Checker will provide a list of connected AI apps and services the person uses. The tool also scans for non-AI accounts where you may have connected and potentially shared personal information. From there, people can see what information or data the service collects, whether information may be used to improve or train AI models, how long information may be retained, and what privacy controls are available.

Rather than expecting people to read lengthy privacy policies or become experts in AI data practices, the AI Data Checker is intended to give them a clearer starting point.

“AI is becoming much more personal because we’re asking it to do more for us,” said Howie Xu, Chief AI & Innovation Officer at Gen. “That can be incredibly useful, but people should understand what they’re giving an AI access to in return. The AI Data Checker is about making that easier to see, so people can make choices about the AI tools they use with more confidence.”

From understanding AI to protecting people using it
Visibility is just one part of building trust in AI, but it needs to go hand-in-hand with protection. Gen’s family of brands already offer a number of products that protect against AI scams and the dangers of agentic AI, including Norton Genie Scam Detector, Norton AI Agent Protection, Deepfake Detection in the Norton and Avast brands, and other products and features. That protection is expanding as people look for AI assistants they can trust with more of their digital lives. The new Norton Family Assistant, for example, is a private AI assistant, supported by Norton technology, that can handle tasks with your permission and manage your digital life.

Gen also offers those who are interested to sign up for early access to upcoming products and services designed to address some of the emerging concerns as people increasingly rely on AI assistants and agents.

The AI Data Checker is available now at https://ai.gendigital.com/ where you can also sign up for early access to Gen’s tools designed to help people live fearlessly in the AI world. 

About Gen
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) is a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom through its trusted consumer brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, MoneyLion and more. The Gen family of consumer brands is rooted in providing financial empowerment and cyber safety for the first digital generations. Today, Gen empowers people to live their digital lives safely, privately and confidently for generations to come. Gen brings award-winning products and services in cybersecurity, online privacy, identity protection and financial wellness to millions of people in more than 150 countries. Learn more at GenDigital.com.

About Gen AI Foundry
Rooted in Gen’s commitment to safety and transparency, the Gen AI Foundry is the engine behind its most recent AI innovations, from AI-powered security experiences to autonomous financial helpers and identity agents. It also serves as the place where core trust infrastructure is developed and operationalized, including the Agent Trust Hub, extending protection across the agent lifecycle from verification to execution. Here, Gen’s AI strategy becomes real through visible ventures, prototypes, working products, partnerships and an open ecosystem designed to shape and secure the AI era with and for both people and agents. 

Media Contact
Brittany Posey
Gen
Press@GenDigital.com

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SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.

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