Category: Technology

Seoul, Korea, Apr 28 – SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM, hereinafter referred to as “SKT”) announced today that its new AI recommendation model, which more accurately identifies customers’ true preferences, was presented at a leading AI conference, the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR) 2026.

ICLR, along with the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) and the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), is regarded as one of the world’s top three AI conferences. Technologies presented at these events see industrial application within a few years or become benchmarks for academic research and product development, making them key indicators of the future direction of AI.

The research paper, titled “More Than What Was Chosen: LLM-Based Explainable Recommendation Beyond Noisy User Preferences,” centers on SKT’s proprietary Conflict-Aware Direct Preference Optimization (C-APO) technology. The technology filters out conflicting preference signals, enabling more accurate recommendations of products that customers genuinely desire.

To achieve this, SKT introduced the concept of “coherent preference” — reflecting recurring patterns and contextual coherence across a customer’s overall behavior. Through this approach, the model distinguishes coherent preferences from revealed preferences derived from single actions, such as accidental clicks or one-time, unintentional choices.

This approach increases the learning weight when the two preference signals align, reinforcing the recommendation. When the signals conflict, the model treats the discrepancy as noise and lowers the learning weight, enabling it to identify the most appropriate recommendations.

Conventional AI recommendation systems have struggled to interpret conflicting preference signals — for example, a customer who typically watches romance films may receive only action recommendations after watching even a single action movie based on a friend’s suggestion. SKT’s new recommendation model, however, filters out such inconsistencies to identify the customer’s true preferences.

SKT plans to apply this research to future agent-based customer recommendation systems that integrate AI for interpreting usage context, generating recommendation candidates, and refining results through an orchestration layer. The company aims to deliver more advanced and personalized recommendations tailored to each customer’s needs and behavior.

“The technology lays the foundation for delivering personalized recommendations by better understanding customers’ true preferences,” said Seok Ji-hwan, Head of AI/DT Data Office at SK Telecom. “The presentation at ICLR 2026 marks a milestone in SKT’s AI transformation to enhance customer experience, and we will continue to advance AI technologies that customers can benefit from.”

Riding a massive surge in Steam wishlists, the hyper-vibrant retro cute-em-up brings its “awesomely bonkers” arcade chaos to PC and Mac today.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS & LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, April 27, 2026: Indie publisher Pixel Doors and London-based developer Beyond The Pixels® have officially launched Astro Burn into Early Access on Steam today. The fast-paced sidescroller invites players back to the golden era of arcade cute-em-ups, fueled by a delightfully bizarre, internet-era aesthetic.

The launch follows an incredibly successful week for Beyond The Pixels® at the London Games Festival 2026. Selected as an Official Selection for the New Game Plus showcase, Astro Burn drew massive in-person crowds and glowing feedback. The event triggered a glorious surge in Steam wishlists, driven heavily by players who don’t traditionally play the bullet-hell genre, proving the game’s unique blend of chaotic action and approachability.

In Astro Burn, players control Astro, a sassy space cat armed to the teeth. Aided by her robot companion, Astro blasts through waves of cute enemies across 10 diverse levels, from deep space and mechanical worlds to underwater realms and sprawling cities. By unleashing over-the-top, stackable anime-style power-ups, players must annihilate screen-filling waves of adorable enemies in a chaotic bid to find her way home.

Developed by film, tv and games industry veteran HaZ Dulull, the retro-inspired title features both solo and local couch co-op modes, designed to be deeply satisfying for hardcore shmup fans while remaining highly accessible for newcomers.

HaZ Dulull, Founder and Game Director at Beyond The Pixels®, said: “We are coming off an absolutely unreal high from the London Games Festival. Hearing players call the game ‘awesomely bonkers’ and ‘insanely original’ was amazing, but my absolute favorite moments were the hesitant players who said they were terrible at shmups, only to give it a try and realize how accessible and fun it actually is. Launching into Early Access today means taking that incredible in-person energy and expanding it globally. We want the community right here in the heart of the game with us, helping shape, tune, and push Astro Burn to its final, most meowtastic form.”

Jacek Pudlik, Co-Founder of Pixel Doors, said: “What HaZ and the team experienced at the London Games Festival is exactly why we do this. They proved that Astro Burn has that rare, universal appeal! It captures the addictive chaos of classic arcade shooters but welcomes everyone to the party. We are thrilled to see that momentum translate into a massive surge of wishlists, and even more excited to officially open the doors to Early Access today so players everywhere can finally get their hands on it.”

Astro Burn is available NOW in Early Access for PC and Mac via Steam.

 BOSTON: April 27, 2026 – Vodia Networks, Inc., a provider of unified cloud communications solutions to enterprises, contact centers, and service providers, is pleased to announce V70, the newest version of the industry-standard Vodia PBX, now integrates with Jitsi Meet.

Jitsi comprises open-source projects for users who want to build and deploy secure video conferencing solutions, including Jitsi Videobridge and Jitsi Meet. These components enable conferences over the internet, while additional community projects provide features such as audio, dial-in, recording, and simulcasting. Because Jitsi is open-source and based on WebRTC, it gives organizations more flexibility and control over their conferencing environment compared to fully hosted solutions.

 Jitsi Videobridge passes participants’ video and audio streams directly to each participant instead of mixing them first, resulting in better quality and lower latency. For organizations running their own service, this also provides a more scalable and cost-efficient solution. Additional capabilities include:

●      Compatible with WebRTC, the open standard for Web communication

●      Advanced video routing support for simulcast, bandwidth estimations, and scalable video coding

●      Simple installation with Ubuntu and Debian packages

The Vodia PBX integration with Jitsi Meet connects the Vodia phone system with a self-hosted Jitsi Meet server, enabling one-click video conferencing directly from the web portal. It allows businesses and service providers to manage both voice and video communication within a single system, without relying on external conferencing platforms:

●      Conferences are secured with JWT authentication

●      Moderators receive a signed token while guests join with a shared link

●      Room names are generated automatically using the extension number

●      A random hash prevents unauthorized access

Documentation

A detailed configuration guide for the Vodia PBX Jitsi Meet integration is available on the Vodia documentation website.

Bengaluru, Apr 27:  VST Tillers Tractors Ltd., a pioneer in compact agricultural machinery in India, showcased its latest portfolio of advanced farm mechanisation solutions at the FKCCI Global AgriTech Summit 2026. The company’s new product range reflects a significant step forward in fuel efficiency, performance, and versatility, tailored to meet the evolving needs of modern small and mid-sized farming operations. Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, visited the VST stall at the exhibition and reviewed the innovative products on display, after the inaugural session of the Summit. Agriculture Minister, Shri N Chaluvaraya Swamy also accompanied the Chief Minister to the VST stall.

At the summit, VST unveiled a series of innovations, including the FENTM Series Tractors, Electric Power Tiller, and Electric Power Weeder, each underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable, technology-driven agriculture.

The FENTM Series features five high-performance, fuel-efficient models, 180 FENTM, 224 FENTM, 225 FENTM, 929 FENTM EX , and 929 FENTM VX , spanning a horsepower range of 19 HP to 30 HP. Available in both 2WD and 4WD configurations, these tractors are engineered to deliver enhanced productivity, superior operator comfort, and long-term reliability. Designed as compact yet powerful solutions, the FENTM Series offers exceptional versatility across diverse terrains and agricultural applications, striking an optimal balance between power, manoeuvrability, and fuel efficiency.

Further strengthening its sustainability focus, VST showcased its Electric Power Tiller and Electric Power Weeder. These electric solutions are designed to deliver high performance with minimal environmental impact, aligning with India’s clean energy and decarbonisation goals. The electric range enables farmers to benefit from eco-friendly operations, reduced running costs, and ease of use—marking a significant shift towards green farming practices.

Building on its strong legacy of engineering excellence and indigenous innovation, VST is leveraging global EV advancements to strengthen India’s small-farm mechanisation ecosystem. With a focus on future-ready, locally developed solutions, the company continues to drive productivity, sustainability, and affordability for the next generation of farmers.

New Delhi, Apr 24 (BNP): OpenAI has introduced its latest artificial intelligence model, GPT-5.5, positioning it as a significant upgrade designed to handle complex tasks more efficiently and with greater independence.

The company says the new model delivers improved performance in areas such as coding, research, analysis, and productivity tasks, while also generating faster and more structured responses. The focus, according to OpenAI, is on making AI systems more capable of completing multi-step work without continuous user guidance.

Unlike earlier versions that often required detailed prompting at each stage, GPT-5.5 is built to better manage full workflows. It can plan tasks, use tools, refine outputs, and continue working toward a final result, reflecting a shift toward more autonomous “agent-like” AI behaviour.

Early evaluations suggest stronger performance in technical and reasoning tasks, particularly in software development and problem-solving scenarios. The model is also said to be more efficient, aiming to reduce computing requirements for certain workloads while maintaining higher output quality.

The launch comes at a time of rising global competition in artificial intelligence, with major technology companies racing to develop systems that go beyond conversational abilities and move toward practical task execution.

Industry experts believe this latest release signals a broader transition in AI development—from simple assistants that respond to prompts, to systems capable of independently managing and completing real-world digital work.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 24 (BNP): Union Minister of State for Telecommunications, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, has urged stakeholders in India’s telecom industry to move beyond cost-driven models and embrace design-led innovation as a core growth strategy.

Addressing industry representatives at a recent forum, the minister emphasized that India must strengthen its capabilities in research and development (R&D) to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global telecom landscape. He noted that while the country has made significant progress in expanding connectivity, the next phase of growth will depend on indigenous innovation and technological leadership.

Pemmasani highlighted the need for telecom companies to invest more in developing homegrown solutions, particularly in areas such as 5G, network infrastructure, and emerging digital technologies. He stressed that a shift toward design-centric approaches would not only improve product quality but also enable Indian firms to capture greater value in global markets.

The minister also pointed out that collaboration between industry, academia, and government institutions will be essential to build a strong innovation ecosystem. Encouraging startups and supporting local manufacturing were identified as key pillars in driving this transformation.

Industry experts at the event echoed the minister’s views, noting that increased R&D spending and a focus on original design could help India transition from being primarily a consumer of telecom technology to a global innovator.

The call aligns with the government’s broader vision of strengthening domestic capabilities and reducing dependence on imports in critical technology sectors.

35% slimmer than its predecessor and offering both VGA and HDMI display outputs, the BOXER-6407-TWL is positioned as a reliable, cost-efficient platform for retrofitting and upgrading existing setups.

(Taipei, Taiwan – April 23, 2026) Leading provider of industrial PC solutions AAEON (Stock Code: 6579) today announced the BOXER-6407-TWL, an ultra-slim compact embedded PC available with either the Intel Processor N250 or N150 CPU SKU from the Intel Processor N-series (formerly Twin Lake). 

Central to the product’s value proposition is its compact 153mm x 101mm x 30mm size, with its height being particularly notable, given it is 35% slimmer than previous models from AAEON’s Ultra-slim Box PC portfolio. AAEON has said this design decision was made to satisfy market demand for more advanced, fanless platforms that can be integrated into existing systems with minimal space, such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment and digital signage installations.

Highlighting its suitability for retrofitting and modernizing industrial setups, the BOXER-6407-TWL offers both VGA and HDMI display outputs to ensure compatibility with existing display panels. Meanwhile, the PC features a robust industrial I/O comprised of three USB ports (USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 1, USB 2.0 x 3), dual Gigabit Ethernet LAN, and two DB-9 ports for RS-232/422/485. This positioning of the product as one for industrial environments is consistent with the its mechanical specifications, which boast a fanless, ventless chassis with a single-mold top cover, allowing it to operate in temperatures as high as 60°C while preventing dust ingress.

For storage, the system sacrifices the SATA support seen in earlier models for an M.2 2280 M-Key slot, with additional expansion coming in the form of an M.2 2230 E-Key, an M.2 3052 B-Key, and a SIM card slot.

The system’s operating system support includes Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT, and Linux Ubuntu 24.04 and later.

GOLD COAST, Apr 23 – Epson Australia has announced its participation as a Gold Sponsor at the upcoming Independent Schools NSW (ISNSW) ICT Management and Leadership Conference 2026, taking place from Wednesday 29 April to Friday 1 May 2026 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC).

EB-PU2220B in action

Under the 2026 theme “engagED – Where Innovation Meets Education,” this flagship event brings together ICT leaders, educators and technology professionals from across the independent school sector to explore how digital transformation is driving educational excellence.

Epson will be exhibiting on stand 113, showcasing a suite of cutting-edge projection and print technologies designed to support smarter, more sustainable learning environments. In short, delivering technology that inspires and enhances learning.

EB-PU2220B

At this year’s conference, Epson will feature an impressive line-up of solutions tailored to the evolving needs of schools and ICT leaders, including:

• EB-PU2220B – The 20,000-lumen projector, offering outstanding image quality and reliability for large venues such as halls and auditoriums

• EB‑ELPLX02S – A premium ultra-short-throw lens enabling flexible installation options even in space‑constrained classrooms or lecture spaces

• EB‑L890E – High‑performance laser projector delivering crisp, vibrant visuals ideal for interactive teaching and collaborative learning

• 120” Fast Fold Screen – Delivering large‑format visual impact for classrooms, assemblies or conference presentations

• WorkForce Enterprise AM‑C4000 and WorkForce Pro EM‑C800 – Epson’s next‑generation office inkjet printers that combine high productivity with outstanding sustainability, enabling schools to manage print environments more efficiently and cost‑effectively

Epson’s innovative projector and printing solutions are designed to help educators and ICT professionals elevate learning experiences, streamline workflows and adopt environmentally responsible technologies that align with institutional sustainability goals.

Epson supports the ISNSW community through innovation and its involvement at the ISNSW Conference also reflects its ongoing commitment to the education sector and to supporting schools in their digital transformation journey.

As part of the three‑day program, which features keynote speakers such as Dr Sandra Peter, Dr Kai Riemer and Rachel Robertson, Epson will connect with school leaders and ICT professionals to share insights and demonstrate how its technology can empower learning through creativity, collaboration and efficiency.

“Education is one of the most powerful ways technology can make a meaningful difference,” said Kaden McCaffery, national business manager for Epson Australia. “We’re proud to partner with Independent Schools NSW and contribute to the conversation about how innovation can shape smarter, more sustainable classrooms of the future.”

Event Details

Event

ISNSW ICT Management and Leadership Conference 2026 – engagED: Where Innovation Meets Education

Dates

Wednesday 29 April – Friday 1 May 2026

Venue

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC), Gold Coast, QLD

Epson personnel and products

Stand: 113

Conference Schedule

Day 1

Conference – 9:00am – 4:30pm

Welcome Event – 5:30pm – 9:30pm RACV Royal Pines Resort

 Day 2

Conference – 8:00am – 6:00pm

Dinner – 6:30pm – 9:30pm (Exhibition Hall 1)

 Day 3

Conference – 08:00am – 2:30pm

Independent Schools NSW (ISNSW) unites a diverse community of schools through professionalism, innovation and care empowering educators, enriching learning and shaping brighter futures for students. Through curiosity and collaboration, ISNSW supports schools to lead educational excellence and positive transformation across the independent sector.