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Renowned AI researcher Paul Christiano announced as 2026 lecturer for The Hinton Lectures

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The Hinton Lectures return for a third year as artificial intelligence research and advancements accelerate globally.

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hinton Lectures™, co-founded by Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, return to Toronto on November 9-11, 2026. The Hinton Lectures are a transformative lecture series charting the future of Artificial Intelligence, by demystifying AI for the public and providing a platform for open, accessible discussion on its future.

This year’s distinguished lecturer, Paul Christiano, was an early researcher at OpenAI, where he developed reinforcement learning from human feedback.

Christiano is the founder and executive director of the Alignment Research Center, a non-profit developing methods to better understand how decisions are happening inside machine learning systems. Christiano is also Senior Technical Advisor at NIST’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation, Board Member of the OpenAI Foundation and Member of the OpenAI Safety and Security Committee.

The distinguished Nominating Committee for the lecture series is comprised of Prof. Hinton; Beth Barnes, Founder & CEO of METR; Roger Grosse, Schwartz Reisman Chair in Technology and Society; and, Shane Legg, co-founder and Chief AGI Scientist at Google DeepMind. 

Hinton, Christiano, Barnes and Legg have all been recognized at least once on TIME100’s most influential in AI.

The three-night lecture series hosted at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, John W. H. Bassett Theatre and broadcast online, kicks off the inaugural AI Safety Week.

The Hinton Lectures is proudly supported by Presenting Partner Manulife and by Founding Partner Global Risk Institute (GRI), whose combined support underscores the growing importance of industry leadership in the safe and ethical development of AI. TELUS rounds out this year’s roster, as an evening sponsor.

“Canada helped build the foundations of modern AI,” says Ankesh Chandaria, CEO of AISF.  “The pressing question now isn’t what these systems can do, but what they should do and who gets to decide. Canada is a natural place to convene this vital global conversation, and we’re honoured to host Paul Christiano and leading AI safety researchers to explore how increasingly capable AI can be developed and governed safely.”

“Our support for The Hinton Lectures reflects Manulife’s commitment to advancing the responsible use of AI,” says Jodie Wallis, Global Chief AI Officer at Manulife. “As AI continues to evolve, fostering informed dialogue around its opportunities, risks and societal impact is more important than ever. The Hinton Lectures bring together leading voices from academia, industry and public policy to explore these issues thoughtfully, and we’re proud to support those conversations as this year’s presenting partner.”

“AI is advancing rapidly, with significant implications for financial services and the safeguards needed to manage its risks. GRI recognized early the need for broader discussion of these issues,” says Sonia Baxendale, President and CEO, GRI. “Through our founding partnership in the Hinton Lectures, we are helping bring leading perspectives, including Paul Christiano’s, to that conversation.”

“Open discussion about AI’s rewards and risks is essential to building technology that is trustworthy and benefits everyone,” says Pam Snively, Chief Data & Trust Officer at TELUS. “TELUS is proud to support The Hinton Lectures – a world-leading forum bringing researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and the public together to ensure AI is developed and deployed responsibly, and with accountability, grounded in a human-first approach.”

The 2024 lecturer was Jacob Steinhardt, Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley & Founder of Transluce and the 2025 lecturer was Owain Evans, Director of Truthful AI (TIME100 in AI 2026).  

The 2026 lectures will be moderated by Canadian futurist, writer and podcaster Sínead Bovell.  Bovell is also the founder of WAYE, a tech education initiative that prepares the next generation of leaders for a future shaped by advanced technologies.

The lectures are open to the public, with access available both in-person and via livestream. Tickets are available now at hintonlectures.com.

For media inquiries or media accreditation contact Diane Begin at diane.begin@aisfoundation.ai.

The Hinton Lectures | Media Assets

About AI Safety Foundation

The AI Safety Foundation (AISF) increases awareness and scientific understanding of the catastrophic risks of AI, by advancing education and research, to ensure a safer future for humanity.  AISF is proud to present an annual lecture series, the Hinton Lectures™, delivered by world-leading AI safety experts. aisfoundation.ai

About Global Risk Institute

The Global Risk Institute in Financial Services (GRI) is Canada’s premier organization for risk management thought leadership and actionable insights. Bringing together leaders from industry, government and academia, GRI transforms global risk intelligence into practical strategies that strengthens the resilience of Canada’s financial sector. globalriskinstitute.org

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. manulife.com

Manulife’s official newswire announcement, as Presenting Partner, will be live later today.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a leading Canadian communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 17 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. telus.com

SOURCE AI Safety Foundation

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Achieve named one of Arizona’s ‘Most Admired Companies’ for sixth consecutive year

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Recognition highlights Achieve’s investment in its people and commitment to helping consumers build stronger financial futures

SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Achieve, the leader in digital personal finance, has been named one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies for the sixth consecutive year. The recognition from Az Business magazine, presented in partnership with BestCompaniesAZ, celebrates Achieve’s commitment to building stronger financial futures for consumers and a workplace where teammates can grow, contribute and make a difference.

In its 2026 profile, Az Business highlighted Achieve’s investment in employee growth, education and community service, recognizing a culture that supports career development, leadership, encourages innovation and makes giving back part of how the company operates.

“Multiple years of recognition reflect something at the core of Achieve: a mission-driven company that cares about our clients, our people and our communities,” said Achieve Co-Founder and Co-CEO Brad Stroh. “Helping consumers take control over their financial future takes people who care deeply about their outcomes. Investing in our teammates strengthens that foundation and brings our mission to life in every conversation, every decision and every community we serve.”

Arizona’s Most Admired Companies are selected by a panel of independent judges assembled by BestCompaniesAZ. The program evaluates organizations across leadership, workplace culture, community impact, customer service and innovation. According to Az Business, the 2026 honorees emerged from the most competitive field in the program’s history.

Achieve’s profile emphasized three strengths behind its recognition:

Growth from within: Investment in teammate development and education helps people build their careers while contributing to the company’s mission.Innovation with purpose: A culture that encourages new ideas supports Achieve’s work helping consumers improve their financial futures.Community commitment: Giving back is woven into the workplace culture, extending Achieve’s impact beyond the consumers it serves.

“At Achieve, we want teammates to see a future for themselves and know their work makes a difference,” said Achieve Senior Vice President of Human Resources Heather Marcom. “That means making room for them to learn, contribute ideas and take the next step in their careers. When people feel supported and see the impact of their contributions, they bring that commitment to their teammates, our consumers and the broader community.”

The 2026 honorees will be celebrated Oct. 8 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix.

Achieve has served over 2 million consumers, helping to resolve over $22 billion in debt and facilitated over $15 billion in personal loans and home equity lines of credit since 2002. Achieve was also named to Az Business Magazine’s AZ Big 100 List for 2026, which highlights the organizations and leaders shaping Arizona’s economic future.

As a trusted leader in debt consolidation, Achieve remains committed to helping everyday people move toward a better financial future. This commitment is rooted in providing a transparent experience, a personalized approach to every member’s unique situation and the predictable, fast cash flow necessary to attain long-term financial stability. By focusing on these core principles, the company continues to redefine how consumers manage debt and build lasting financial health.

About Achieve

Achieve, THE digital personal finance company, helps everyday people get on, and stay on, the path to a better financial future. Achieve pairs proprietary data and analytics with personalized support to offer personal loans, home equity loans, debt relief and debt consolidation, along with financial tips and education and free mobile apps: Achieve MoLO® (Money Left Over) and Achieve GOOD™ (Get Out Of Debt). Achieve is frequently recognized for providing top-rated customer experience and satisfaction by both consumers and leading personal finance review platforms and has 2,200 dedicated teammates across the country, with hubs in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.

Achieve refers to the global organization and may denote one or more affiliates of Achieve Company, including Achieve.com, Equal Housing Opportunity (NMLS ID #138464); Achieve Home Loans, Equal Housing Opportunity (NMLS ID #1810501); Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977); Freedom Debt Relief (NMLS ID # 1248929); and Freedom Financial Asset Management (CRD #170229).

Contacts

Austin Kilgore
akilgore@achieve.com
214-908-5097

Elina Tarkazikis
etarkazikis@achieve.com

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SOURCE Achieve

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Keyfactor Appoints Former CyberArk CEO Matt Cohen to Board of Directors and Strategic Advisor

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Appointment comes as Keyfactor closes $1B+ growth investment led by Summit Partners and accelerates its next phase of scale beyond $200 million in ARR

ATLANTA and STOCKHOLM, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Keyfactor, the leader in trust infrastructure for AI and machines, today announced the appointment of former CyberArk CEO Matt Cohen to its Board of Directors. Cohen will also serve as a strategic advisor to Keyfactor CEO Jordan Rackie, providing an additional source of perspective and operating experience as the company enters its next phase of growth and scale.

The appointment coincides with the closing of Keyfactor’s previously announced $1 billion-plus growth investment led by Summit Partners and follows the company’s recent milestone of surpassing $200 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). Together, the developments reflect Keyfactor’s continued growth and accelerate investment behind its Trust Control Plane and expand its leadership across machine identity, cryptography, AI security and post-quantum readiness.

Cohen most recently served as CEO of CyberArk, where he helped lead one of cybersecurity’s defining growth stories and ultimately the company’s approximately $25 billion acquisition by Palo Alto Networks. Over more than two decades in technology, Cohen has built and scaled global businesses, led major strategic and operational transformations, and created significant enterprise value. Before becoming CyberArk’s CEO in 2023, he served as its Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at PTC, including Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations, helping scale the company beyond $1 billion in ARR.

“As we began thinking about Keyfactor’s next chapter with Summit and the rest of our Board, we were very intentional about the experience and perspective we wanted around the table,” said Jordan Rackie, CEO of Keyfactor. “As our market opportunity continues to expand, we’re entering a phase where scaling with ambition, discipline and operational rigor will be critical.”

“Matt was someone we pursued very deliberately. He has operated at the scale we aspire to reach, helped build a category leader in cybersecurity and navigated many of the opportunities and inflection points that lie ahead for Keyfactor. We share similar values around leadership, transparency and how to approach both opportunities and challenges. He brings tremendous experience and judgment to our Board, and I’m equally excited to have him as a strategic and trusted advisor as we navigate Keyfactor’s next phase of growth.”

Keyfactor has emerged as a global leader at the intersection of machine identity and cryptography as enterprises confront an unprecedented expansion in the number of machines, workloads, applications and AI agents that must be authenticated and trusted. The company’s Trust Control Plane represents the next evolution of how enterprises manage trust across these environments. It creates a unified control layer that brings together visibility, intelligence, policy and action across machine identity and cryptography.

“The most exciting companies are often positioned at the intersection of major technology shifts, and that’s exactly where I believe Keyfactor sits today,” said Cohen. “AI, machine identity, cryptographic modernization and the transition to post-quantum security are converging to create one of the most significant security challenges enterprises will face over the next decade.”

“Keyfactor has meaningful scale, a strong culture and a clear vision for where the market is headed. From my early conversations with Jordan, we found a lot of common ground, and I saw a leader who’s clear-eyed about what the next level of growth truly demands. I’m excited to join the Board, serve as a strategic advisor to Jordan and help the team capitalize on the tremendous opportunity ahead.”

Summit Partners’ investment provides additional resources to help accelerate Keyfactor’s growth strategy, which focuses on continued product innovation, international expansion, strategic acquisitions and investment across the company’s global organization. Cohen’s appointment reflects a broader philosophy around preparing Keyfactor for its next phase: continuing to strengthen the leadership team while surrounding the company with Board members, advisors and partners who bring relevant experience from the scale Keyfactor intends to reach.

For more information, visit https://www.keyfactor.com/.

About Keyfactor

Keyfactor is the leader in trust infrastructure for AI and machines. The platform equips enterprises to take control of the machine identities and cryptography that safeguard every digital interaction. By bringing fragmented tools and assets into a single control plane, security teams can see their cryptographic landscape, find and remediate risk exposure, roll out compliant and quantum-safe cryptography, and issue a cryptographic identity to every machine, workload and AI. Trusted by the largest enterprises and government agencies, Keyfactor delivers the resilient foundation organizations need to keep running uninterrupted in the AI and quantum era. Learn more at www.keyfactor.com or follow Keyfactor on LinkedIn.

Media Contact for Keyfactor:

Danielle Ostrovsky
Hi-Touch PR
Ostrovsky@Hi-TouchPR.com

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SOURCE Keyfactor

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ECARX Completes Acquisition of Flyme Software Business, Securing End-to-End Operating System Capabilities

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Completion brings Flyme Auto and Flyme OS fully in-house, aligning ECARX’s hardware and software roadmaps across the technology stackFlyme to operate as an independent software division, preserving R&D continuity and ensuring a seamless transition for existing customers

LONDON, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ECARX Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ECX) (“ECARX” or the “Company”), a leading global automotive intelligence business, today announced the completion of its acquisition of the entire Flyme software business portfolio, first announced on June 22, 2026. Through the transaction, ECARX acquired 100% of the equity interest in Hubei Qiguang Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Acquired Entity”), a new entity carved out from DreamSmart Group to hold the Flyme business, comprising Flyme Auto, an in-vehicle cockpit operating system, and Flyme OS, a cross-device operating system.

Flyme Auto is already deployed by ECARX in 3.5 million production vehicles across multiple OEM partners, and Flyme OS is built on more than 15 years of continuous R&D and mass-market deployment across vehicles, smartphones and smart wearables. ECARX will operate Flyme as an independent software division. Existing operators of Flyme OS will continue to receive updates, and user data will remain in each operator’s ownership.

Ziyu Shen, Founder and CEO of ECARX Holdings Inc commented:

“The completion of the Flyme acquisition marks an important milestone in our strategy to build a fully integrated hardware and software platform. By bringing Flyme’s operating system, user experience, AI capabilities, and ecosystem expertise in-house, we strengthen our ability to deliver tightly optimized solutions that connect our silicon, computing platforms, and intelligent software into a unified offering. Owning the entire technology stack will enhance product differentiation, accelerate innovation, improve development efficiency, and create new revenue opportunities through software licensing, integration services, and connected car ecosystem monetization. Ultimately, Flyme positions ECARX to deliver a more compelling end-to-end experience for automakers while strengthening our long-term competitive advantage.”

Flyme complements ECARX’s Cloudpeak® cross-domain software stack, with Flyme Auto providing the in-cabin application layer for vehicles in China and Flyme OS enabling seamless connectivity between vehicles, smartphones and smart devices. The expanded portfolio will provide global automakers with greater flexibility to engage with ECARX across multiple layers of the technology stack, from standalone hardware and software solutions to full-stack products.

Transaction Details

The total consideration paid for 100% of the equity of the Acquired Entity was RMB1.8 billion (approximately US$266 million), as compared with an independent valuation of RMB1.824 billion as of May 31, 2026.

The acquisition was executed as an all-cash transaction, consisting of approximately 70% syndicated bank loans from Chinese commercial banks on market terms with a 10-year maturity, and approximately 30% from internal sources. Following closing, ECARX will provide the Acquired Entity with a RMB200 million capital injection to support its operations.

The Acquired Entity houses all mission-critical Flyme intellectual property, R&D teams, engineering resources, OEM customer contracts and supporting operational infrastructure.

About ECARX

ECARX (Nasdaq: ECX), headquartered in London, is a leading global automotive intelligence company. ECARX provides the intelligent brain that powers the next generation of software-defined and AI defined vehicles. The company delivers end-to-end, full-stack solutions spanning advanced system-on-chip hardware, high-performance central computing platforms, intelligent cockpit technology, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, cloud connectivity and physical AI, alongside bespoke vehicle software and intelligent operating systems.

As automakers transition to software-first and AI-first vehicle architectures, ECARX empowers automakers to streamline integration, reduce systemic complexity and optimize long-term cost efficiency. ECARX’s proven technology is deployed across over 12 million vehicles worldwide, and is currently partnered with 18 global automakers and 28 vehicle brands to shape the future of automotive intelligence.

Founded in 2017 and listed on Nasdaq in 2022, ECARX operates from 15 major international locations across Europe, the Americas and Asia, with a global team of over 1,400 employees.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s beliefs and expectations as well as on assumptions made by and data currently available to management, appear in a number of places throughout this document and include statements regarding, amongst other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate. The use of words “expects”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “believes”, “should”, “potential”, “may”, “preliminary”, “forecast”, “objective”, “plan”, or “target”, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, future market conditions or economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets and expected future financial performance, and the markets in which we operate.

For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, see ECARX’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. ECARX undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.

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SOURCE ECARX Holdings Inc.

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