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HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hard Rock Cafe and Coca‑Cola today launched Hard Rock Rising. The music competition spans 34 countries and 64 Hard Rock Cafes, giving emerging artists a career‑launching stage.

For more than five decades, breakthrough artists and legends have taken the stage at Hard Rock Cafes. Coca‑Cola has built a global platform for musicians through Coke Studio L.A. Live. Now, the two brands are joining forces to help singer‑songwriters, bands and DJs launch their careers.

Hard Rock Rising unfolds as a series of performances at participating Cafes. Local fan votes advance artists round by round. The Coke Studio team then selects one grand prize winner who earns a recording session, $10,000, a performance at Hard Rock Orlando and more.

Artist submissions are open now through August 18, with live competition rounds running September 2, 9, 16 and 23. The global winner will be announced October 5.

“Hard Rock Cafes have always connected people through the power of music with local artist residencies, open mic events, Battle of the Bands competitions, and pop culture memorabilia,” said Eric Martino, President of Hard Rock Cafe and Retail at Hard Rock International. “Now, Hard Rock Rising is a natural extension of that mission to empower emerging artists to perform their original music. Together with Coca-Cola, we’re proud to provide a platform where musicians can be seen, heard and celebrated in their communities, and for the winner, around the world.”

Multi‑platinum, GRAMMY‑ and Juno‑nominated executive producer Rob Rettberg leads the Coke Studio team.

“This partnership taps into Hard Rock’s unparalleled reach and iconic stages while leveraging Coke Studio’s production expertise to transform talented musicians into the next generation of recording artists,” said Rettberg.

The competition is amplified by a full Hard Rock Rising lineup, from a limited-time menu with cocktails made with Coca-Cola products to merchandise available at Rock Shops® and shop.hardrock.com.

Extending the competition’s celebration of music and self-expression beyond the stage, Hard Rock is partnering with Cult of Individuality, the streetwear brand renowned for its roots in music culture. Together, the brands will launch a Hard Rock Rising tee and a co-branded apparel collection.

Artists ready to take the stage can apply through August 18. Each application must include two original songs. For submissions, rules, competition details and participating Cafe locations, visit cafe.hardrock.com/hard‑rock‑rising.

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Agthia Group PJSC (AGTHIA: UH), one of the region’s leading food and beverage companies, today reported its first-half and second-quarter of 2026 results, reflecting the growing impact of its multi-year transformation, with stronger cash generation, a materially healthier balance sheet, and a 14.4% increase in the interim dividend.

The Group’s transformation gathered pace in H1 2026, as Agthia advanced its portfolio reset while navigating external challenges and cost pressures. For the first half, Group Revenue increased 7.4% year-on-year to AED 2.6 billion, underpinned by one-off sales under the UAE food security program. EBITDA climbed 35.8% to AED 310.5 million, with EBITDA Margin expanding 250 basis points to 11.9%, while Net Profit reached AED 121.4 million, up 147.4% year-over-year. For the second quarter, Group revenue increased 11.9% year-on-year to AED 1.3 billion. EBITDA increased 172.5% to AED 117.2 million, with margin expanding 542 basis points to 9.2%, while Net Profit reached AED 24.5 million.

Free cash flow turned strongly positive at AED 521.4 million, from an outflow a year earlier, and the Group cut its net debt-to-EBITDA to 1.8x from 2.9x in December 2025. Agthia closed the first half of 2026 with AED 869.6 million in cash. Group Total Assets continue to grow, reaching AED 6.5 billion as of 30 June 2026.

Across the Group, strong growth in core businesses was complemented by continued progress in selected transformation initiatives. Water and Food led the way, with revenue up 38.9% in the second quarter, as Al Ain, Agthia’s first billion-dirham brand, extended its lead in bottled water and gained 2.0 percentage points of value market share versus the same period last year. Protein and Frozen advanced 22.0% in the second quarter, led by Nabil at 32.5% and supported by gradual improvement in Atyab, up 8.1% year-on-year, and the ramp-up of the Group’s Saudi protein facility. Agri-Business rose 11.0% on strong feed demand, with Agrivita feed sales up 23.3%. During the quarter, Snacking remained focused on transforming the Al Foah and BMB businesses, laying the foundation for long-term value, while Abu Auf maintained its strong growth trajectory, with revenue rising 23.7% year-over-year in Q2 2026.

Agthia’s Board of Directors has recommended an interim cash dividend of 11.792 fils per share for the six months ended 30 June 2026, a 14.4% increase year-on-year and a second consecutive period of higher returns following the 10.0% rise recommended for the second half of 2025.

Khalifa Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Agthia’s Board, commented: “Raising the interim dividend for a second consecutive period speaks to the discipline with which Agthia is being run and to the Board’s belief in its long-term value. Even in a demanding environment, the Group is generating the cash to reward shareholders and fund its own growth.”

Salmeen Alameri, Managing Director and CEO of Agthia Group, added: “The transformation we set in motion a year ago is delivering tangible results, with stronger earnings, expanding margins, and improved cash generation strengthening our balance sheet. We maintained uninterrupted supply, supported our customers, and advanced the UAE’s food security agenda when it mattered most. We also accelerated our sustainability agenda, reducing our emissions ratio by 26.7% year-on-year.”

Jeroen Nijs, Chief Financial Officer of Agthia Group, commented: “Agthia’s financial profile strengthened considerably during the first half of 2026. Alongside higher earnings, we generated AED 521 million of free cash flow, while reducing Net Debt-to-EBITDA from 2.9x to 1.8x. With AED 870 million of cash & cash equivalents, Agthia is well positioned to navigate the current regional disruption, execute our strategic transformation programs and enhance shareholder returns.”

 

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi today announced the appointment of Dr. Valerie Hillings as the inaugural Director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is a cornerstone of Saadiyat Cultural District, one of the world’s greatest concentrations of cultural institutions. Alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, it affirms Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision.

As Director, Dr. Hillings will bring this vision to life leading the museum’s strategic direction, overseeing its inaugural exhibitions and programmes, and establishing an institution that is rooted in Abu Dhabi and connected to the world, one that connects cultures, inspires people and celebrates art from the 1960s to the present.

Dr. Hillings brings deep familiarity with Guggenheim Abu Dhabi to the role. From 2009 to 2018, she served as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation’s Curator and Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project, working closely with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi on the collection strategy and acquisitions, pre-opening programming and the Frank Gehry-designed building. Earlier, she spent five years on the Guggenheim’s curatorial staff in New York.

Since 2018, Dr. Hillings has served as Director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, where she led the reimagination of its permanent collection galleries, added some 400 works to the collection and oversaw a doubling of annual attendance to 1.2 million visitors. She holds a PhD and MA in Art History and Archaeology from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and an AB in Art History from Duke University, with a specialisation in modern and contemporary art.

Dr. Valerie Hillings said: “I am honoured to return to Abu Dhabi to complete the once-in-a-lifetime journey of founding and opening Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a museum developed in the United Arab Emirates by colleagues from both the region and around the world. I look forward to welcoming local and global audiences to the magnificent Frank Gehry-designed building and inviting them to explore points of interconnection and unique stories through the lens of art from the 1960s to our time.”

Through Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s collection, exhibitions, commissions, research and public programmes, the museum will foster dialogue across cultures and generations while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global centre for artistic innovation, creative production and cultural exchange. Housing 30 galleries across 11,600 square metres of interior exhibition space, alongside 23,000 square metres of outdoor exhibition areas, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will provide one of the world’s most significant platforms for modern and contemporary art upon its opening.

NOTE TO EDITORS

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www.guggenheimabudhabi.ae

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dctabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae and abudhabiculture.ae

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The deployment embeds real-time transcription, live-agent automation, and unified analytics directly within ServiceNow, helping a major healthcare provider resolve IT issues faster and lower the cost of support.

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 3CLogic, the leading AI-powered voice platform purpose-built for ServiceNow, today announced that a northeastern health network has selected its Voice AI and contact center solution to modernize its IT service desk and unify voice with its existing ServiceNow® platform. The selection comes as the healthcare provider moves to consolidate vendors, retire aging telephony, and bring AI-driven automation to the team that keeps its clinical and administrative workforce running.

Modernizing Support for a Large, Time-Sensitive Workforce

The organization’s IT Service Desk is the front line for tens of thousands of clinicians, staff, and suppliers across its network of hospitals and regional clinics. A comparatively small, specialized team is responsible for sourcing, triaging, and resolving consistently high call volumes from password resets and access issues to requests that can directly affect patient care.

Because the legacy telephony operated separately from ServiceNow, agents had to verify callers manually, move between disconnected systems, and log details by hand, while leaders assembled performance data from multiple tools. For the lean IT team serving a much larger and time-sensitive audience, that inefficiency carried a measurable operational and financial cost that compounded with every added minute of handle time, every request that could have been automated, and every manually created report. Modernizing those workflows, the health system recognized, was as much a cost-reduction initiative as a service-quality one.

AI and Automation, Native to ServiceNow

After evaluating competing platforms, the health system selected 3CLogic for its native ServiceNow integration and its ability to bring AI directly into the flow of every interaction. The deployment will deliver:

• ServiceNow-Integrated Contact Center with Intelligent Voice Workflows: Modern, self-service voice flows for high-frequency requests such as password resets, plus automated outage deflection that detects an active major incident, links callers to the master ticket, creates a child incident, and returns an incident ID without live-agent involvement.

• Real-Time Transcription with Live-Agent Automation: Every call is transcribed and summarized as it happens, surfacing in-the-moment context and next-best-action guidance for agents and auto-generating notes and resolution details, so time is spent resolving issues rather than documenting them.

• AI-Powered Sentiment Analysis: Providing supervisors visibility into caller experiences and coaching opportunities at scale.

• Unified Analytics Integrated with ServiceNow Platform Analytics: Contact center data flows directly into Platform Analytics to create a single, real-time source of truth across voice and digital channels, replacing labor-intensive manual reporting.

• Priority Routing for Critical Care: Requests tied to time-sensitive patient care are identified and escalated quickly using data already in ServiceNow.

Proven Results in Healthcare

The health system joins a growing roster of healthcare organizations modernizing service operations with 3CLogic. At Cleveland Clinic, which deployed 3CLogic’s platform natively within ServiceNow, first-call resolution rose from under 60% to more than 86%, more than 20% of incoming calls were resolved through voice self-service, and monthly reporting that once required a full week was reduced to 45 minutes, the kind of efficiency and cost gains the health system aims to achieve.

“Healthcare providers are under enormous pressure to do more with lean, specialized teams, and the IT service desk is no exception,” explains Bob Doherty, Vice President of Global Sales at 3CLogic. “By embedding real-time transcription, live-agent automation, and unified analytics directly into ServiceNow, we’re helping this health system turn every call into actionable intelligence, resolving issues faster, reducing manual work, and lowering the operational cost of delivering support at scale.”

3CLogic is a ServiceNow certified Elite Build Partner with offerings available for ServiceNow IT Service Management, CRM and Industry Workflows, and HR Service Delivery . The organization will attend ServiceNow’s upcoming World Forums in New York City, Chicago, London, and Amsterdam where it will showcase its latest voice platform an AI innovations.

For more information, visit 3CLogic.com.

About 3CLogic

3CLogic transforms customer and employee experiences with its patented and award-winning AI-powered cloud contact center solutions purpose-built to enhance today’s leading CRM and Customer Service Management platforms. Globally available and leveraged by the world’s leading brands, its offerings empower enterprise organizations with innovative capabilities, such as intelligent self-service, Voice AI, agent automation & coaching, real-time transcription, and AI-powered sentiment analytics—all designed to lower operational costs, maximize ROI, and deliver better, faster, and more personalized interactions for IT, employee, and customer service. For more information, please visit www.3clogic.com.

ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

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DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, announced a transformation of its ByX platform from a content community into a full-featured social trading hub. The upgrade introduces new capabilities including livestream, group chat, verification badges, and other tools. The new features mark ByX’s pivot from a content sharing platform into a central space for community building, interactive gameplay, and creative energy.

Starting now, contributors of the community can make more of their ByX experience through gameplay, lucky draws, and other engagement, all while getting rewarded for their interactions and insights. With more community-first features in the pipeline, ByX is positioned to become a powerful base camp for fledging creators, and an organic ecosystem for builders, readers, and traders alike.

With the upgrades, ByX has moved beyond feeds and the latest headlines. The new format puts the community’s experience first. For creators, getting started on ByX early pays: the platform allows them to get their verified badge, start their own livestream, build a group of like-minded people to grow their influence organically.

From Content Community to Social Trading Platform

Since its launch, ByX has emerged as a content-sharing community where over 5,000 active  contributors publish market commentary and analysis, with an impact scoring system rewarding creators whose content drove trading activity among readers. Building on this foundation, the upgrade expands ByX into a broader social layer, combining content, real-time interaction, and community-driven engagement in one place.

Unique Features on ByX

• Livestream: Creators, once approved, can amplify their profiles by getting behind the steering wheel with ByX Livestream, gaining recognition and fandom through quality content. The format takes after X Space and allows authorized creators to enjoy full creative freedom.
• Group Chat: On ByX, users can share their passion and connect with traders around the world. In their own group chats, members can discuss markets, engage in real-time events and play prediction games, building their own community one conversation at a time.  

The upgrade reflects ByX’s growing role within Bybit’s broader ecosystem, helping both the creators and the audience to fulfil their potential and join the global community of traders and builders.

Terms and conditions apply. Participation may be subject to regional and other restrictions.

#Bybit  / #NewFinancialPlatform

About Bybit

Bybit is The New Financial Platform.

We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.

Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.

Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.

Learn more at Bybit.com

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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NYSE issues a pre-market daily advisory direct from the trading floor.

NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today’s NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. 

Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on August 4th

• Investors are weaving through the latest batch of earnings and new developments in the Middle East.
  • Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT), McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD), and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) headlined this morning’s slate of earnings reports.
  • As of 8 a.m. ET, ICE Brent Crude is trading at $81 a barrel after President Trump said this is the ‘last chance’ for Iran to sign a ceasefire deal.
• Faire CFO Jason Lee will join NYSE Live to discuss key findings in his company’s Q2 2026 Independent Retail Report.
• ADI Global Distribution (NYSE: ADIG) CEO Rob Aarnes will join NYSE Live to discuss new opportunities for the independent public company.
  • ADI completed its spin-off from Resideo (NYSE: REZI).
  • Company will begin trading under the ticker symbol ADIG.

Opening Bell

ADI Global Distribution (NYSE: ADIG) celebrates becoming a public company

Closing Bell

Commercial Metals (NYSE: CMC) rings the NYSE Closing Bell

For market insights, IPO activity, and today’s opening bell, download the NYSE TV App: TV.NYSE.com

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SABESP, the water and sanitation company of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, announces the deployment of the world’s largest Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity project for smart water management. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Telefonica/Vivo, a key player in Brazil’s technological transformation and one of the largest mobile operators in the continent, and IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST), a global leader in payment and connectivity solutions, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital and environmental transformation.

SÃO PAULO, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A pioneering project in Brazil’s digital transformation

Through this 14-year strategic partnership, 4.4 million smart water meters will be securely connected in São Paulo City and São José dos Campos. According to Sabesp’s technical architecture and requirements, Vivo’s connectivity expertise combined with IDEMIA Secure Transactions’ secure and scalable eSIM IoT technology will help protect natural resources and enhance an essential public service by enabling SABESP to optimize its water distribution network and detect leaks. The initiative represents a historic milestone in Brazil’s IoT sector.

By uniting Vivo’s extensive connectivity expertise with IDEMIA Secure Transactions’ secure and scalable eSIM IoT technology, the project ensures robust, energy-efficient, and resilient connectivity, even in remote areas. The connectivity relies on IST’s eSIMs and eSIM IoT platform, fully compliant with the latest GSMA SGP.32 standard^[1], embarking advanced cryptographic agility to ensure postquantum future-proof readiness.

The large-scale rollout demonstrates how IoT can be effectively deployed to modernize essential services, with security, reliability, and performance at its core.

“Smart metering allows SABESP and its customers greater visibility into hourly water consumption and the rapid identification of anomalies and leaks. And with more frequent and accurate water balances, there will be greater efficiency in the management of distribution networks, essential factors in a scenario where Brazil still registers very high rates of water loss. This transformation reinforces Sabesp’s commitment to the conscious use of water and the modernization of basic sanitation services“, says Denis MAIA, Executive Director of Customers and Technology at Sabesp.

Driving sustainability and customer relationship through technology

Beyond operational efficiency, the initiative underscores how digital innovation can address environmental challenges and customer relationships. Smarter water management and monitoring will help reduce waste, preserve resources, and strengthen São Paulo’s sustainability agenda by directly contributing to better quality of life for millions of residents.

“This project reflects how Vivo’s role goes far beyond connectivity. By combining network scale and reach with end-to-end integration capabilities. From data ingestion and IoT infrastructure to solution design and operational execution. We enable smarter, more sustainable essential services. Our contribution to more efficient utilities management is a direct expression of this: technology that generates real environmental impact and touches people’s lives, delivered by a partner with the depth to make it work,” explains Adriano PEREIRA, director of IoT and B2B Innovation at Vivo.

At its core, this project represents a concrete example of technology serving sustainability and customer empowerment. By enabling precise consumption monitoring and early detection of leaks, the connected infrastructure helps promoting conscious consumption of water. The digitalization of water metering services also improves transparency for consumers to take part in more responsible resource management, demonstrating how IoT innovation can create both environmental and social value.

“Our goal is to transform our customers into effective managers of their water consumption. It’s a transformation in our relationship with customers that IoT technology brings, and one that will save billions of liters of water from post-meter leaks repaired more quickly,” says Luiz RENATO FRAGA RIOS, Revenue Protection Director at Sabesp.

A partnership setting new standards for connected infrastructure

This collaboration illustrates the power of long-term partnerships between industry leaders. Building on years of joint work, IDEMIA Secure Transactions and Vivo are demonstrating how shared innovation and trust can accelerate progress toward more secure, sustainable, and connected ecosystems, not only in Brazil, but as a model for global utilities and cities aiming to modernize their infrastructure.

“We are proud to partner with SABESP and Vivo in Brazil on one of the most significant IoT initiatives ever launched in the world. This collaboration shows how innovation and sustainability can work hand in hand to create real impact and protect natural resources, while strengthening critical infrastructure for the future,” said Diego CECCHINATO, SVP Connectivity Services LATAM at IDEMIA Secure Transactions.

^[1] SGP.32 is the latest GSMA specification for remote SIM provisioning in IoT devices, designed to simplify large-scale deployments and enhance security.

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Access to Lightwell will help strengthen the open source software supporting research, education and mission-critical work

Key Facts

• IBM and Red Hat will offer Lightwell at no charge to over 185 leading research universities and 100 major nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and think tanks in the United States.
• Lightwell combines AI-driven automation with human engineering expertise to identify, validate and remediate open source software vulnerabilities.
• Participating institutions can access validated fixes for the software versions they currently run, helping reduce the need for disruptive upgrades.
• Lightwell operates within an institution’s existing environment and does not require access to its proprietary source code, data or research.

ARMONK, N.Y. and RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Red Hat today announced a new program providing Lightwell at no charge to over 185 leading research universities and 100 major nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and think tanks. Eligible institutions can access Lightwell’s library of validated fixes for open source software vulnerabilities, helping them secure the software and focus resources supporting research, education, humanitarian programs and other public-interest work.

Open source software underpins university research environments, teaching platforms and campus operations, as well as the systems NGOs and think tanks use to conduct policy research and serve communities around the world. Yet many of these institutions lack the resources and specialized engineering capacity required to keep pace as AI accelerates the discovery and potential for exploitation of software vulnerabilities.

Through this initiative, eligible institutions will receive access to Lightwell including a growing library of remediated, digitally signed and validated open source dependencies that can be integrated into existing software pipelines. Lightwell is designed to deliver validated fixes for the specific software versions organizations already run, helping them address vulnerabilities without forcing disruptive upgrades or requiring access to their proprietary code, data or research.

“Lightwell combines automated remediation with deep open source engineering expertise and contributes fixes back upstream,” said Matt Hicks, President and Chief Executive Officer, Red Hat. “Expanding access will help strengthen both participating institutions and the open source communities on which they depend.”

How Lightwell Helps Secure Open Source Software

IBM and Red Hat launched Lightwell in May 2026 with a $5 billion commitment and a global force of more than 20,000 engineers to help secure the open source software supply chain. In July, the companies introduced Lightwell and Lightwell Clearinghouse Premier, extending automated vulnerability remediation to the open source packages organizations use in active production. Since its introduction, Lightwell has expanded the scale of validated open source remediation available to participating organizations, from 6,500 to more than 8,000 validated and remediated package versions, including fixes for 64 previously undisclosed vulnerabilities.

Lightwell combines a generative AI-powered remediation engine with human engineering expertise to identify, validate and remediate vulnerabilities across critical software dependencies. For participating universities, NGOs and think tanks, the initiative is intended to help:

• Reduce the time and specialized engineering effort required to address open source vulnerabilities;
• Apply validated fixes to current and long-lived software versions, reducing the need for disruptive upgrades;
• Receive digitally signed binaries, source code and compliance artifacts, including Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs); and
• Strengthen the broader open source ecosystem through Red Hat’s upstream-always model, under which fixes are submitted to originating communities for review and acceptance.

Lightwell works within an institution’s existing environment and does not require IBM or Red Hat to access its proprietary source code, data or research. Participating institutions will receive information and support to help them assess their open source environments and integrate applicable remediated packages into existing workflows.

Building on a Growing Global Network

The expanded access program builds on Lightwell’s work with leading financial institutions, including Bank of America, BNY, Citi, Goldman Sachs, JPMorganChase, Mastercard, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Canada, State Street, Visa and Wells Fargo.

A growing technology ecosystem—including Amazon Web Services (AWS), AMD, F5, GitLab, Intel, JFrog, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Palo Alto Networks and ServiceNow—is also collaborating with IBM and Red Hat on Lightwell. Together, these organizations are working to help security fixes move across development tools, cloud environments, deployment pipelines and network controls.

IBM and Red Hat will begin onboarding for eligible institutions in August 2026. To learn more about Lightwell, visit ibm.com/products/lightwell and redhat.com/en/lightwell.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lightwell?

Lightwell is an IBM and Red Hat initiative that combines AI-driven automation with human engineering expertise to identify, validate and remediate vulnerabilities in open source software.

Who is eligible for no-charge Lightwell access?

The program is being made available to over 185 leading research universities and 100 major NGOs and think tanks in the U.S.

What will participating institutions receive?

Eligible institutions will receive access to Lightwell and its growing library of remediated, digitally signed and certified open source dependencies, along with source code and compliance documentation.

Does Lightwell require access to an institution’s proprietary code or data?

No. Lightwell works within an institution’s existing environment and does not require IBM or Red Hat to access its proprietary source code, data or research.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the open hybrid cloud technology leader, delivering a trusted, consistent and comprehensive foundation for transformative IT innovation and AI applications. Its portfolio of cloud, developer, AI, Linux, automation and application platform technologies enables any application, anywhere—from the datacenter to the edge. As the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, Red Hat invests in open ecosystems and communities to solve tomorrow’s IT challenges. Collaborating with partners and customers, Red Hat helps them build, connect, automate, secure and manage their IT environments, supported by consulting services and award-winning training and certification offerings.

Media contact: 

Michele Brancati

IBM

mbrancati@ibm.com 

John Terrill

Red Hat

terrill@redhat.com 

 

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India, Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. V D Satheesan and the relentless, tireless administrative drive of Chief Secretary Shri Biswanath Sinha, IAS – the Government of Kerala has embarked on a historic mission to completely modernize the state’s administrative machinery.

In a remarkable display of governance at high speed, the last 30 days have seen the issuance of multiple transformative orders that dismantle outdated bureaucratic silos and usher in an era of ‘Digital-First’ governance.

A thirty-day sprint towards excellence reflecting the Chief Secretary’s commitment to rapid implementation, the governance engine has accelerated significantly during July 2026.

This period of intense activity has seen the constitution of critical divisions and the approval of state-level process reforms that will redefine the citizen-state interface.

The Strategic Engine: CPMD (Co-ordination & Programme Management Division) and BPPR (Business Policy and Process Re-engineering) Cell

At the heart of this transformation is the newly constituted Co-ordination & Programme Management Division (CPMD) within the Office of the Chief Secretary. Established to provide direct support to both the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and the Chief Secretary’s Office (CSO), the CPMD ensures the time-bound implementation of priority projects and budget announcements.

Complementing this is the Business Policy and Process Re-engineering Cell (BPPR Cell).

Under the direction of Chief Minister Shri. V D Satheesan, this specialized cell, reporting through Chief Secretary Shri Biswanath Sinha, is tasked with a complete overhaul of the Secretariat Office Manual and the Rules of Business by incorporating AI-assisted tools and global best practices.

Dismantling the past: Deregulation and Ease of Living

Chief Minister Shri. V D Satheesan has prioritized the removal of unnecessary legal complexities to improve the ‘Ease of Living’ for all citizens.

Through a major order on outdated acts and rules, the government has initiated a systematic review to identify and repeal laws that have lost relevance or create administrative contradictions. This initiative aligns Kerala with the National Compliance Reduction and Deregulation initiative.

To further simplify citizen interactions, the government has adopted the ‘once-only’ data-sharing principle by integrating DigiLocker-based document management; the administration aims to eliminate the need for repeated submissions of the same documents, making services faster and more transparent.

Spatial Governance: SAMPATH, PLANSPACE 20, and VEGAM 

Under the guidance of Chief Secretary Shri Biswanath Sinha, Kerala is pioneering data-driven spatial governance through several revolutionary platforms:

The SAMPATH Portal: A unified, GIS-based digital register for all state-owned assets—including land, buildings, and machinery—using AI-based analytics to predict maintenance needs.

PLANSPACE 20: A project register module that maps every development project in the state to avoid duplication and ensure efficient resource allocation. A key feature of PLANSPACE 2.0 is the automatic transfer of completed projects into the State’s Public Asset Register, enabling Government to monitor the complete lifecycle of public assets – from project approval and execution to long-term maintenance – through a single integrated platform. The system has been designed in line with the spatial planning principles envisaged under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

The VEGAM Framework: A high-speed system designed to fast-track land acquisition by reducing pre-notification stages from 18–24 months to just 3–4 months through technology-enabled workflows.

Institutional integrity and litigation reform to ensure complete oversight, Chief Minister Shri. V D Satheesan has approved the development of a comprehensive registry of government organisations.

This unified database will encompass all PSUs, statutory bodies, and autonomous institutions, providing reliable data for policy formulation and human-resource planning.

Additionally, the government is implementing litigation reduction reforms, using a technology-enabled framework to identify and fix legal provisions that lead to avoidable and repetitive government litigation.

A commitment to progress, the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. V D Satheesan and Chief Secretary Shri Biswanath Sinha continue to work tirelessly to ensure that these reforms are felt realities for every citizen. These orders represent a bold commitment to an efficient, transparent, and investment-friendly Kerala.

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Purpose-built to bring the full power of Lockton’s proprietary data, advanced analytics, AI-enabled capabilities, and specialized expertise to client decisions, at scale 

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lockton, the world’s largest privately held insurance brokerage and risk management firm, today announced the expanded availability of Lockton SAGE, its enterprise intelligence platform purpose-built to bring the full power of Lockton’s proprietary data, advanced analytics, AI-enabled capabilities, and specialized expertise to client decisions. 

First introduced within Lockton Re, Lockton SAGE is now being extended across the firm’s US broader business with capabilities spanning Risk Solutions, People Solutions, and Reinsurance.  

As organizations navigate increasingly complex workforce, financial, and risk decisions, many are challenged by disconnected data, siloed insights, and a growing wave of standalone AI tools that fail to deliver the full picture. 

“No firm is better positioned to lead clients into the age of AI than Lockton, but technology alone is never the advantage; real impact comes from combining powerful intelligence with exceptional people,” said Ron Lockton, Chairman and CEO of Lockton. “Our data, technology, and expertise were built together over time, not bolted on through acquisition, so they work as one, and we built Lockton SAGE to make our advisors better; giving them the insight to deliver a smarter, more personal way for clients to navigate risk and reach stronger outcomes. The firms that lead the next decade will be the ones that pair great technology with great people, and that is exactly where we are focused.” 

Lockton SAGE was built to bring it all together. 

Lockton SAGE uses AI-enabled capabilities to surface the patterns, priorities, and recommendations that matter most to each client’s business.

From Data to Decision — at Speed 

Lockton SAGE connects policies, quotes, claims, and exposures, applying AI-enabled analytics with human experience to provide clients with faster, smarter guidance when decisions matter most. By uncovering patterns, anticipating emerging risks, and delivering actionable recommendations earlier, the platform helps organizations mitigate issues before they grow, reducing costs today while creating greater financial and operational resilience for the future.  

What Clients Receive 

For clients, that means moving beyond a fixed insurance platform to a personalized operating environment – one that combines best-in-class services with an experience designed around their business, their priorities, and the metrics that matter most. 

Across every stage of the insurance lifecycle, Lockton SAGE translates connected intelligence into a deep understanding of the client business and risk profile, paired with insights specific to their goals and objectives — from the data that starts the process to the advisory that follows the placement:  

• Richer data, lighter lift — Real-time collaboration and automated data capture replace manual information gathering, reducing the administrative burden of buying and managing coverage while building a more complete, higher-quality view of each client’s risk.
  
  
  
  
• Deeper analytics — Insights extend across all of a client’s exposures and move beyond generic benchmarking to customized, forward-looking views of that client’s specific risk profile.
  
  
  
  
• Smarter structuring — Clients gain more options for risk transfer and management, with real-time visibility into the financial tradeoffs of any program structure before decisions are finalized.
  
  
  
  
• Optimized placement — All products, segments, and carriers are analyzed continuously, giving clients the strongest available understanding of the marketplace and the most effective coverage selections.
  
  
  
  
• More advisory — Platform-driven efficiency frees Lockton Associates to spend more time on strategic advisory work — backed by the marketplace relationships that matter most in advocating for clients.

Built for the Long Game 

 Lockton’s private ownership allows the firm to take the long-term view, investing deliberately in a flexible platform architecture that can continuously adopt leading AI models as they reshape how organizations evaluate risk. The result is a platform designed to keep innovating, adapting, and scaling alongside client needs — staying ahead of market demands, not reacting to them. 

“The market is full of tools, but clients need the right intelligence — connected, contextual, and built around how they actually make decisions. Lockton SAGE is our commitment to delivering exactly that. It’s not a single product. It’s the collective expertise of Lockton, working together to give every client greater confidence at every decision point.” 

— Claude Yoder, Chief Data, Analytics, and Digital Officer, Lockton 

Lockton SAGE creates a scalable foundation for continued innovation, expanding the value Lockton delivers across every client relationship. And because Lockton SAGE continues to develop new intelligence over time, it compounds in value as Lockton and its clients continue to grow, equipping Lockton Associates with the tools and insights needed to provide more informed and impactful guidance. For more information, visit LocktonSAGE.com.

About Lockton  

What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes it better: independence. Lockton’s private ownership empowers nearly 15,000 Associates doing business in 180+ countries to focus solely on clients’ risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results.

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