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ChainUp Recognized Among Singapore’s Top Fintech Companies 2026 by Statista and Tech in Asia

SINGAPORE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ChainUp, a global leader in digital asset technology, has earned a spot on the inaugural Singapore’s Top Fintech Companies 2026 list. This prestigious ranking is a first-time collaboration between Tech in Asia, the region’s top tech media outlet, and Statista, a world-renowned data provider.

Together, they analyzed over 500 firms to identify the innovators truly changing how finance works in Singapore. ChainUp was recognized in the Digital Assets category, underscoring the company’s sustained growth and the technical reliability of its infrastructure in an increasingly complex market.

As Singapore’s fintech market prioritizes quality over hype, this award marks a major shift: digital assets are moving past speculation to become a vital part of institutional finance.

“Being recognized by Tech in Asia and Statista reflects the deepening maturity of the industry as it moves beyond hype toward high-performance, compliant utility,” said Sailor Zhong, Founder and CEO of ChainUp. “This award validates our role as a key architect in the region’s Fintech economy, providing the secure and scalable rails that allow traditional and digital finance to converge with confidence.”

The ranking was determined through a rigorous evaluation of key performance indicators such as growth, market presence and innovation. As a definitive benchmark for operational excellence, the 2026 list recognizes ChainUp alongside prominent industry leaders including Crypto.com, Aspire, and Airwallex.

About ChainUp

ChainUp, a leading global provider of digital asset solutions, empowers businesses to navigate the complexities of this evolving ecosystem. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Singapore, ChainUp serves a diverse clientele, from Web3 companies to established financial institutions.

ChainUp’s comprehensive suite of solutions includes crypto exchange solutions, liquidity technology, white label MPC wallet, KYT crypto tracing analytics tool, asset tokenization, crypto asset management, and Web3 infrastructure such as mining, staking, and blockchain APIs. For more information, visit: https://www.chainup.com/.

YI TING Non-Woven Doubles Capacity for Sustainable Solutions, Strengthening Presence in Europe and North America

(Strategic Expansion Positions YI TING as Resilient Supply Partner, Cutting Lead Times By 
Up to 30% for Sustainable Filtration)

TAOYUAN, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trusted by world-renowned specialty coffee equipment innovators and Tier-1 roasters, YI TING Non-Woven, a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of engineered nonwoven materials, today announced a major capacity doubling to scale support for its rapidly growing client base across Europe and North America. This expansion leverages YI TING’s expertise in biodegradable PLA-blend materials and high-precision engineering to provide advanced solutions for the coffee, tea, and various industrial sectors. As a premier OEM/ODM partner, YI TING is now positioned to reduce development-to-mass-production lead times by up to 30% for Tier-1 global brands focused on supply chain resilience and ESG mandates.

YI TING Non-Woven Doubles Capacity for Sustainable Solutions, Strengthening Presence in Europe and North America
YI TING Non-Woven Doubles Capacity for Sustainable Solutions, Strengthening Presence in Europe and North America

Global Demand Is Accelerating — YI TING Responds with Scalable, High-Reliability Production

Across the beverage and food industries, global brands are shifting toward sustainable materials and diversified manufacturing sources. YI TING’s expansion strengthens its role as a stable, high-trust production partner in a global landscape increasingly shaped by ESG mandates and supply-chain resilience strategies.

The capacity upgrade includes:

  • Increased monthly output across coffee and tea filtration materials.
  • Higher automation levels for consistent pore distribution and bonding strength.
  • Expanded clean-processing lines for food-contact applications.
  • Dedicated production slots for large international OEM programs.
  • Reduced development-to-mass-production lead times by up to 30%.

“The shift to high-performance, verifiable sustainable materials is no longer a trend—it’s an industry requirement,” said Kasley Lee, CEO of YI TING. “Global OEM clients are demanding transparency and functionality without compromise. Our focus is precisely on closing that gap, providing precision materials whether it’s the 40-micron filtration required for coffee or the certified biodegradability needed for advanced tea packaging.”

Engineering Stability-at-Scale: A Key Advantage for OEM Partners

The capacity expansion is anchored by YI TING’s proprietary Pure.F multi-layer nonwoven fabric platform. This engineering design ensures superior performance consistency, enabling the material to maintain a precisely consistent 40-micron cutoff point.

As a leading provider of nonwoven coffee filter solutions, YI TING’s expanded capabilities include:

This level of technical reliability is why YI TING remains the trusted production partner for premier specialty brands and global industry leaders across Japan and North America who demand uncompromising quality at scale.

Meeting Global ESG and Compliance Requirements

International beverage and food brands increasingly require suppliers with certified biodegradable material options, traceable raw materials, and food-safe, migration-tested substrates.

YI TING’s expansion incorporates equipment upgrades that reduce energy consumption and improve materials traceability, helping OEM partners meet tightening regulatory requirements in Europe, North America, and Japan. This commitment to sustainability is a key factor in strengthening long-term supply chain partnerships.

Beyond Coffee: Multi-Sector OEM Capabilities

YI TING’s expanded production lines support a wide range of fast-growing applications:

  • Tea & Food Packaging: Improved bonding strength and lower breakage rates help premium tea producers achieve stronger consumer retention and cleaner product presentation. YI TING offers options that support advanced packaging methods, including ultrasonic bonding, and certified biodegradable substrates. Our solutions include materials for heat sealable tea bags and are increasingly used in reusable spice bags for cooking applications.

    In a recent case study, an organic tea brand adopted YI TING’s PN33 nonwoven tea bag material and reported a significant reduction in breakage rates, leading to a 30% increase in customer repurchase rates.

  • Agriculture: Lightweight, breathable nonwoven fabrics used for frost protection, pest control, and moisture management support more sustainable farming with reduced pesticide reliance.
  • Eco-Industrial & Medical: Marine oil-absorption bags, reusable mesh, and medical-grade substrates demonstrate YI TING’s ability to meet high safety and hygiene standards. Our multi-sector materials, including PP Spunbond nonwoven fabric, provide essential solutions for Medical & Hygiene sectors, ranging from protective surgical components to high-purity hygiene substrates.

Kasley Lee, CEO, added, “Our capacity doubling and strategic expansion into North America and Europe is more than just growth—it is our definitive commitment to becoming the most trusted, Asia-based supply chain alternative in sustainable filtration. We are ensuring that our global OEM partners can meet tightening regulatory and ESG demands without compromising on material precision, translating our environmental responsibility directly into a core competitive advantage.”

About YI TING

YI TING NON-WOVEN CO., LTD. is a leading Taiwanese manufacturer specializing in the research, development, and scalable OEM/ODM production of engineered nonwoven materials. Since its founding in 2015, YI TING leverages its proprietary Pure.F multi-layer nonwoven platform—a core strength—to provide high-precision filtration, protection, and packaging solutions across diverse sectors including food & beverage (coffee and tea filter media), agriculture, industrial, and medical applications. Driven by a commitment to sustainability and technical excellence, YI TING delivers materials that meet stringent global compliance standards (e.g., food-contact safety and biodegradability), and is established as the trusted partner for international brands seeking supply-chain resilience and innovation.

# # #

Media Contact

Kasley Lee, CEO, YI TING NON-WOVEN CO., LTD.
Email: Yi-ting@yi-ting.com.tw
Website: https://www.yitingnw.com/en/
Phone: +886-3-328-6585

AS Watson Celebrates 185 Years of Growth, Resilience and Purpose

From a single store in Hong Kong to a global leader with 17,000 stores across 31 markets, AS Watson looks ahead by staying true to what matters most


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 January 2026 – AS Watson, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, announces the kick-off of its 185th anniversary today, celebrating nearly two centuries of growth, resilience and reinvention.

AS Watson Group CEO Dr Malina Ngai stands in front of a 6-meter-tall mural depicting the company's evolution from a single store in Hong Kong to a global health and beauty retailer, as the Group marks its 185th anniversary.
AS Watson Group CEO Dr Malina Ngai stands in front of a 6-meter-tall mural depicting the company’s evolution from a single store in Hong Kong to a global health and beauty retailer, as the Group marks its 185th anniversary.

Founded in Hong Kong in 1841 as a single store, AS Watson has grown into a global retail powerhouse operating over 17,000 stores across 31 markets in Asia and Europe, serving millions of customers every day through trusted brands in health, beauty, personal care and wellness.

Sustained Momentum in a Fast-Changing World

AS Watson continues to demonstrate strong growth momentum driven by customer relevance, operational excellence and a clear long-term strategy regardless of an increasingly complex global environment.

In 2025, the Group delivered 8% growth in health category, with double-digit growth in Europe; and 6% growth in beauty category, with double-digit growth in Asia. With continuous investment strengthening its O+O (Offline plus Online) ecosystem, O+O sales achieved double-digit growth, reflecting strong customer engagement across channels. Its loyalty member base grew by ten million in the year, from 170 million to over 180 million.

Building for the Future

Looking ahead, AS Watson plans to open about 1,000 new stores this year, underpinned by a total investment of HK$3.8 billion (approximately US$490 million) across new store openings, store upgrades, technology and supply chain, as it continues to strengthen its global presence and O+O capabilities.

In an environment where consumer expectations, technologies and markets evolve rapidly, AS Watson views change not as a barrier, but as an opportunity — to innovate faster, operate smarter and serve customers better.

Purpose–Driven Growth

Alongside commercial success, AS Watson remains deeply committed to doing good for people, community, and the planet. Sustainability continues to be embedded across its operations — from reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible sourcing, to supporting community wellbeing and health education in the markets it serves.

As part of its commitment to its communities, AS Watson reached a major milestone in its global youth employment pledge – recruiting over 134,000 young people to date and delivering 3.8 million hours of training. This achievement marks more than halfway toward its goal of creating 200,000 opportunities by 2030. In addition, the year also marks a major achievement in its “Give a Smile” campaign with Operation Smile, surpassing its goal of 10,000 free surgeries for children with cleft conditions ahead of schedule, reaffirming its commitment to brighter futures for our next generation.

Throughout its 185th anniversary year, AS Watson will host celebrations and initiatives across all 31 markets, recognising colleagues, partners and customers who have shaped the company’s journey and continue to drive its success.

Dr Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson, reflects on the company’s incredible journey while looking ahead to the future: “When we think about the next century, the truth is this: we have never been able to see 100 years ahead — not then, and not now.”

“Today, change moves faster than ever. Markets shift overnight. Technologies redefine industries. Expectations evolve constantly. So, when we talk about building the next century, it’s not about predicting the future. It’s about preparing for it.”

“And we prepare the same way we always have — by staying grounded in what does not change: our commitment to customers, our people, our partners, and to doing business responsibly.”

A Legacy of Resilience, A Future of Opportunity

After 185 years, AS Watson’s story remains one of adaptability, ambition and purpose. From one store to a global network of 17,000 locations, the company enters its next chapter focused on sustainable growth, innovation and continued leadership in health and beauty retail.

Hashtag: #ASWatson



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Open and Inclusive, Haikou Accelerates Its Rise as an International Performing Arts Capital

HAIKOU, China, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from Haikou Municipal Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports: 

Recently, the “Haikou on Stage, Dancing with the World” International Performing Arts Capital Promotion Conference was successfully held in Haikou. Centered on the theme “Culture Empowering Cities, Art Illuminating the Future,” the event combined immersive audiovisual experiences with in-depth industry dialogue, bringing together leading professionals from China’s performing arts sector and representatives from 34 major performance organizations nationwide.

Haikou’s vision to build an international performing arts capital is clear and steadily advancing, strengthening confidence across the industry. The conference not only showcased the city’s achievements in the performing arts sector, but also outlined strategic plans for future development. Haikou is actively promoting industrial upgrading—from a performance hub to a source of creative content—by building an original content incubation system rooted in Hainan’s cultural identity and creating a platform that connects Chinese cultural expression with global audiences.

To stimulate market vitality and encourage performances, competitions, and major events, Haikou has introduced strong policy incentives to support high-quality development of the cultural and sports industries. For example, organizers of internationally renowned concerts held at Wuyuanhe Stadium may receive rewards of up to RMB 11 million if the event achieves a China debut, attracts over 40,000 attendees, sells more than 130,000 tickets, generates box office revenue exceeding RMB 200 million, and records more than 10 percent overseas audiences.

Leveraging the policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Haikou continues to strengthen its open and inclusive urban environment. Haikou Meilan International Airport has established a comprehensive service center for overseas visitors, offering one-stop assistance for tourism, transportation, communications, and payment services. Taxis now support foreign bank card payments, and cross-border settlement can be conveniently completed at duty-free shops. With China’s visa-free policy further expanded, Hainan currently offers visa-free entry to visitors from 86 countries.

Driven by Free Trade Port development, Haikou is accelerating its journey toward becoming an international performing arts capital while expanding international air routes and flight frequencies. In 2025, Haikou Meilan International Airport operated 47 international and regional passenger routes, covering Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, and Hong Kong and Macao.

Looking ahead, Haikou will further deepen the integration of “performing arts + tourism + consumption,” advancing toward a full industry ecosystem and contributing a distinctive “Haikou model” to global cultural development.

Open and Inclusive, Haikou Accelerates Its Rise as an International Performing Arts Capital

HAIKOU, China, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Haikou Municipal Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports:

Recently, the “Haikou on Stage, Dancing with the World” International Performing Arts Capital Promotion Conference was successfully held in Haikou. Centered on the theme “Culture Empowering Cities, Art Illuminating the Future,” the event combined immersive audiovisual experiences with in-depth industry dialogue, bringing together leading professionals from China’s performing arts sector and representatives from 34 major performance organizations nationwide.

Haikou’s vision to build an international performing arts capital is clear and steadily advancing, strengthening confidence across the industry. The conference not only showcased the city’s achievements in the performing arts sector, but also outlined strategic plans for future development. Haikou is actively promoting industrial upgrading — from a performance hub to a source of creative content — by building an original content incubation system rooted in Hainan’s cultural identity and creating a platform that connects Chinese cultural expression with global audiences.

To stimulate market vitality and encourage performances, competitions, and major events, Haikou has introduced strong policy incentives to support high-quality development of the cultural and sports industries. For example, organizers of internationally renowned concerts held at Wuyuanhe Stadium may receive rewards of up to RMB 11 million if the event achieves a China debut, attracts over 40,000 attendees, sells more than 130,000 tickets, generates box office revenue exceeding RMB 200 million, and records more than 10 percent overseas audiences.

Leveraging the policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Haikou continues to strengthen its open and inclusive urban environment. Haikou Meilan International Airport has established a comprehensive service center for overseas visitors, offering one-stop assistance for tourism, transportation, communications, and payment services. Taxis now support foreign bank card payments, and cross-border settlement can be conveniently completed at duty-free shops. With China’s visa-free policy further expanded, Hainan currently offers visa-free entry to visitors from 86 countries.

Driven by Free Trade Port development, Haikou is accelerating its journey toward becoming an international performing arts capital while expanding international air routes and flight frequencies. In 2025, Haikou Meilan International Airport operated 47 international and regional passenger routes, covering Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

Looking ahead, Haikou will further deepen the integration of “performing arts + tourism + consumption,” advancing toward a full industry ecosystem and contributing a distinctive “Haikou model” to global cultural development.

Banyan Group Highlights New Chapter of Growth in 2026 Following its Landmark 100-Resort Milestone

Following a defining year of growth and impact, the Group enters the Year focused on purposeful expansion and regenerative travel

SINGAPORE, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Banyan Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group” – SGX: B58), an independent global hospitality company, enters 2026 following a year that marked a significant step in its global expansion. With 100 hotels and resorts, over 140 spas and galleries, and more than 20 branded residences now in operation across over 20 countries, the Group is advancing into its next phase of growth with new market entries, strengthening of its multi-brand portfolio, and deepening of guest experiences.

Banyan Group’s First Safari Resort: Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape
Banyan Group’s First Safari Resort: Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape

“Crossing the 100-resort milestone marks a new chapter for Banyan Group as we build on our legacy by expanding into new and meaningful markets, strengthening our brands, and deepening our focus on wellbeing-led and regenerative travel,” said Eddy See, President and CEO of Banyan Group. “Guided by purpose-driven growth, design-led experiences, and responsible stewardship, we remain committed to creating long-term value for destinations, partners, and communities as we expand into new parts of Africa and the Caribbean.”

Expansion Highlights Across Key Regions

In Africa, the Group will enter safari hospitality with the grand opening of Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape in Tanzania, marking its debut in East Africa. In West Africa, Dhawa Ouidah will open in Benin, extending the Group’s footprint into the region.

In the Caribbean, Banyan Group will establish its presence in the Dominican Republic with the openings of Angsana Cap Cana and Cassia Punta Cana, introducing both resort and extended-stay offerings to the market.

In Europe, the Group will officially unveil Mamula Island by Banyan Tree in Montenegro when it reopens for the 2026 season later this year, introducing the full Banyan Tree experience through design enhancements, refreshed dining concepts, signature rituals, and integrated spa and wellbeing programming.

Across Asia and the Middle East, Banyan Group will continue to advance its multi-brand strategy with openings across its luxury, lifestyle, and urban brands. The Banyan Tree brand will expand its presence in China with Banyan Tree Guangzhou Jiulong Lake, a modern ecological resort featuring Lingnan-inspired design drawn from traditional Southern Chinese culture, and Banyan Tree Mount Emei, nestled within a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sichuan Province.

The Angsana brand will grow across resort destinations with Angsana Ashar Valley Tents in Saudi Arabia and Angsana Bogor in Indonesia. The Group will also strengthen its portfolio with Garrya Danang in Vietnam, alongside continued expansion of the Homm brand with Homm Mandaue Cebu in the Philippines, Homm Yibin Lizhuang in China, as well as Homm Pondok Indah Jakarta and Homm Palembang in Indonesia. It will also open its second Folio hotel globally with Folio Bogor in Indonesia later this year.

Deepening Wellbeing-led Experiences

In 2026, Banyan Group will deepen its wellbeing-led guest experiences across the flagship Banyan Tree brand portfolio, anchored by Banyan Tree Connections, a private holistic wellbeing journey for two designed to foster deeper connections between partners, friends, and family members through movement, mindfulness, and shared rituals in nature.

Following its initial rollout at Banyan Tree Anji in China, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives, Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Mexico, and Banyan Tree Phuket in Thailand, the programme will be also be available  at eight additional resorts from April 2026, including Banyan Tree Nanjing Garden Expo and Banyan Tree Guangzhou Jiulong Lake in China, Banyan Tree Bintan and Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Indonesia, Banyan Tree AlUla in Saudi Arabia, Banyan Tree Samui in Thailand, Banyan Tree Dubai in the United Arab Emirates), and Banyan Tree Lang Co in Vietnam.

2025 in Review: A Year of Milestones & Impact 

A key milestone in 2025 was the grand opening of the Group’s 100th resort,  Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree in Singapore, marking its symbolic homecoming. The opening was commemorated with the inaugural Rainforest Festival, which attracted more than 4,000 visitors and raised more than SGD 600,000 (approximately USD 468,000) for the President’s Challenge in support of 52 charities and social service organisations through festival proceeds, corporate partner contributions, Banyan Group donations, and a Singapore government matching grant.

During the year, the Group also celebrated several milestone anniversaries, including 10 years of the Cassia brand since the debut of Cassia Phuket in Thailand, 20 years in China following the opening of Banyan Tree Ringha, and 30 years in both the Maldives and Indonesia, commemorating the openings of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Banyan Tree Bintan respectively.

Advancing Stewardship and Community Impact

Banyan Group continued to advance its stewardship agenda in 2025 through long-term partnerships and associate-led initiatives. Its collaboration with the China Environmental Protection Foundation supported coral reef restoration efforts in Sanya and the Campus Water Safety Programme in Lijiang.

Internally, the Group delivered more than 30 Greater Good Grants across Biodiversity Conservation and Wildlife Protection, Community Health and Well-being, Education and Youth Empowerment, Preserving Local Culture and Heritage, Sustainable Agriculture, and Waste Reduction and Circular Economy, alongside continued integration of sustainability considerations into business and investment decisions.

Growth of Branded Residences Portfolio  

In 2025, Banyan Group expanded its branded residences portfolio with eight new sales launches, including Banyan Tree Padilla Madrid Residences – its first residential development in Europe located in Madrid’s prestigious Salamanca district and housed within in a 1948 architectural landmark. The Group also unveiled its new Bellaguna residential brand, alongside its inaugural development Bellaguna Lake Residences – Lotus. Designed for year-round living, Bellaguna residences are professionally managed by Banyan Group and operate independently from hotel inventory.

Banyan Group is currently ranked No. 1 in Asia by volume and fifth globally in branded residential development. In Phuket, the Group anticipates launching up to USD 1 billion in new luxury residential projects over the next two to three years.

Gallery, Spa & Wellbeing Highlights

Banyan Gallery, the Group’s artisan-led retail concept, continues to grow its international footprint.  For over three decades, it has partnered with 339 artisan communities and commissioned more than 400,000 products, supporting the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and sustainable design. With more than 70 outlets globally, its curated range of crafts and wellbeing products is also offered through inflight retail partnerships with leading airlines such as Singapore Airlines, China Airlines, EVA Air, Emirates, and Starlux Airlines. In 2025, Banyan Gallery also expanded its corporate gifting portfolio with new international clients, including Royal Thai Airways, and Christian Dior.

The Banyan Spa & Wellbeing Academy, which has trained more than 2,800 therapists since its establishment in 2001, received multiple distinctions from Thailand’s Ministry of Education, including the Outstanding Educational Institution Award 2025, alongside awards recognising educational leadership and teaching excellence.

Global Recognition Recognition Across Design, Sustainability, and Travel Awards Design excellence and sustainability continued to anchor Banyan Group’s global recognition in 2025. The Group was admitted into the Design Power Index under the Social Impact of Design category, acknowledged as a leading example of how design can deliver meaningful social, economic, and environmental impact. Architectural Digest honoured Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe in its Great Design Hotel Awards, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree won three awards in the Sustainability, Resort, and Lodges, Cabins and Tented Camps categories in the AHEAD Asia Awards.

Across other industry and consumer platforms, Banyan Tree was ranked No. 2 Best Hotel Brand in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific, and Banyan Group was named among the Top 10 Most Favourite Hotel Brands in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. The Group was also recognised as Outstanding Hotel Group, Pioneer in Sustainable Tourism by Travel + Leisure China, with additional recognitions for many of its resorts and hotels across the portfolio at the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, Michelin Keys, and Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards, among others.

For high-resolution images, please download here.

ABOUT BANYAN GROUP

Banyan Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group” – SGX: B58) is an independent, global hospitality company with purpose. The Group prides itself on its pioneering spirit, design-led experiences and commitment to responsible stewardship. Its extensive portfolio spans 100 hotels and resorts, more than 140 spas and galleries, and 20 plus branded residences in over 20 countries. Comprising 12 global brands, including the flagship brand Banyan Tree, each distinct yet united under the experiential membership programme withBanyan. The founding ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People” is embodied through the Banyan Global Foundation and Banyan Academy. Banyan Group is committed to remaining the leading advocate of sustainable travel, with a focus on regenerative tourism and innovative programmes that elevate the guest experience.

 

IBM Introduces New Software to Address Growing Digital Sovereignty Imperative

Purpose-built to enable organizations to deploy their own secured, compliant and automated environments for AI-ready sovereign workloads

ARMONK, N.Y., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced IBM Sovereign Core, the industry’s first AI-ready sovereign-enabled software for enterprises, governments and service providers to build, deploy and manage AI-ready sovereign environments. Organizations around the world are facing a growing imperative to exercise control over their technology infrastructure. Driven by evolving regulatory requirements, and the need for auditable governance, enterprises and governments are seeking self-managed environments where they maintain complete operational authority, particularly as they deploy AI workloads that amplify sovereignty concerns.

IBM Corporation logo.
IBM Corporation logo.

Digital sovereignty goes beyond data residency. It encompasses who operates and controls the technology environment, how data is accessed and governed, where workloads execute, and under whose jurisdiction AI models run. Yet most organizations lack a destination to land, modernize, and re-host applications under sovereign control, including applications that will incorporate AI capabilities, and have continuous compliance reporting capabilities. “Gartner® predicts that more than 75% of all enterprises will have a digital sovereignty strategy by 2030, often sovereign cloud strategies1.”

“Businesses are facing growing pressure to innovate while meeting tightening regulatory requirements and recognizing the importance of controlling how sensitive data and AI workloads are accessed and operated,” said Priya Srinivasan, General Manager, IBM Software Products. “This shift is creating an urgent need for sovereign solutions that deliver AI-ready environments. With IBM Sovereign Core, we are helping clients move faster and with confidence— combining openness, compliance, and operational autonomy to meet the demands of the AI era, without the need to sacrifice sovereignty requirements.”

Sovereignty as a Software Foundation

IBM Sovereign Core will help customers achieve verifiable sovereignty and full operational control. Sovereign Core is purpose-built software to build, deploy, and manage cloud-native and AI workloads under an organization’s own authority, within chosen jurisdictions, built on Red Hat’s open source foundation. Unlike approaches that layer sovereignty controls onto existing architectures, Sovereign Core makes sovereignty an inherent property of the software itself. Organizations can gain:

  • Customer-operated control plane: organizations maintain direct operational authority over software operations, deployment decisions, and system configurations without intermediation from a vendor not in region.
  • In-boundary identity and keys: all authentication, authorization, encryption keys, and access management remain within jurisdiction boundaries under customer control.
  • Ongoing compliance enablement and generated evidence of continuous compliance: comprehensive operational data, system telemetry, and audit trails are generated, stored, and managed within the sovereign boundary, including automated identity.
  • Governed AI inference: AI model deployment and hosting, local GPU clusters, local inference execution and agent operations occur under local governance with traceability and oversight, without exporting data to external providers.
  • Ease of deployment: delivering sovereignty at scale with consistency and flexibility allowing organizations to stand up isolated environments with built-in multitenancy capabilities within a matter of days of deployment; choice of hardware and infrastructure.

“The sovereign AI conversation has focused on data residency, but that’s only part of the equation,” said Sanjeev Mohan, Principal, SanjMo. “IBM Sovereign Core addresses the harder question: who controls the system and can you prove it to regulators? IBM takes a holistic approach spanning data, operations, technology, and assurance, with continuous monitoring. As AI moves into production, that kind of ongoing accountability becomes non-negotiable.”

“AI is accelerating the pace at which sovereignty questions move from theory to daily operations,” said Erik Fish, Director of Geotechnology at Eurasia Group. “As geopolitics, regulation, and data governance increasingly converge, governments and enterprises must move while demonstrating clear control over critical data and infrastructure. The challenge is no longer a trade-off between openness and sovereignty, but governing data, access, and infrastructure amid growing regulatory and geopolitical constraints.” 

Operational Independence Through Environment Choice

Customers can deploy IBM Sovereign Core in the environment of their choice – whether in on-premises data centers, supported in-region cloud infrastructure or through IT Service Providers. IBM is collaborating with IT Service Providers globally, starting with an initial rollout in Europe with Cegeka in Belgium and the Netherlands and Computacenter in Germany. These partnerships allow local operational independence and compliance management, while enabling IT Service Providers to offer differentiated sovereign services to enterprises preparing for and running AI-scale workloads.

“As organizations navigate increasingly complex compliance and regulatory requirements, we’re seeing strong demand for digital platforms and software that allows sensitive data to remain within controlled, compliant boundaries,” said Gaetan Willems, VP Cloud & Digital Platforms, Cegeka. “Partnering with IBM to offer a pre-architected solution through our in-country environment enables us to deliver enterprise-ready software to our clients, while allowing them to address local compliance standards.”

“With IBM Sovereign Core, we can focus on configuring the software to each client’s specific use cases rather than spending months piecing together disparate components and validating sovereignty controls,” said Christian Schreiner, Unit Director Cloud, Computacenter. “It can significantly accelerate our time-to-value and let us help clients who previously couldn’t consider AI solutions at all.”

IBM Sovereign Core Availability

Starting in February, IBM Sovereign Core will be available in tech preview, with full general availability planned for mid-year 2026. At GA, additional capabilities will be introduced.

To learn more about IBM Sovereign Core, read our blog here, and join us virtually for the IBM Tech Summit, January 27, register here.  To join the waitlist for IBM Sovereign Core Tech Preview, visit here.

IBM’s statements regarding its plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice at IBM’s sole discretion. Information regarding potential future products is intended to outline our general product direction and it should not be relied on in making a purchasing decision.

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 government 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.

1 Gartner, The Future of Cloud in 2030: AI-Enabling Cloud Services. 6 August 2025, Dennis Smith. Al. GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Contact:
Michele Brancati
mbrancati@ibm.com

AI Can Unlock $4.5 Trillion in U.S. Labor Productivity Today, Reveals Cognizant’s Latest “New Work, New World 2026” Report

Cognizant’s study shows AI is accelerating faster than projected, with 93% of jobs potentially affected today

Findings also point to the limits of AI’s impact, with skilling and human judgment playing a critical role in how organizations capture AI’s full value

TEANECK, N.J., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cognizant today announced the release of “New Work, New World 2026,” providing fresh analysis on how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact work and jobs. Building on the original report’s release in 2024, the new research reveals AI is changing the workforce faster than previously reported: it’s now capable of handling $4.5 trillion in U.S. work tasks and impacting potentially 93% of jobs today. However, the report also underscores that AI is not a blanket solution for advancing labor productivity: human involvement and adaptable operations continue to be vital to capturing the full value potential of AI.

Cognizant's new research reveals AI is changing the workforce faster than previously reported, but humans are still essential.
Cognizant’s new research reveals AI is changing the workforce faster than previously reported, but humans are still essential.

Cognizant’s analysis for New Work, New World 2026 is based on a reassessment of 18,000 tasks and 1,000 jobs in the O*NET labor database, with a focus on how jobs and tasks could be assisted or automated by AI. Specifically, the new study points to an accelerated pace of change in “exposure scores”—the degree to which a job can be assisted or automated by AI—and highlights how those evolving changes can influence labor and enterprise success.

“We’re seeing significant capital flow into AI, and the rapid adoption of these technologies is reshaping the workplace,” says Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant. “Our research shows that enterprises could unleash $4.5 trillion in labor productivity today. However, turning that investment into meaningful results takes more than raw technology power. Businesses must also integrate contextual intelligence, build flexible systems that can absorb new AI capabilities, and prioritize human learning and development alongside technological advancements. Companies that focus on these essentials will unlock the true value of AI.”

Kumar continues: “Human skilling becomes the bridge through which today’s AI spending translates into tomorrow’s tangible results. AI’s promise is realized when we empower our workforce with digital fluency, adaptability and continuous learning, while ensuring AI solutions are deeply contextualized to unique business challenges. As a result, new job roles will emerge to harness this opportunity.”

Cognizant’s “New Work, New World 2026” report reaffirms that human knowledge and judgment remain essential to harnessing AI’s full potential. It emphasizes that much of AI’s value potential remains untapped without the power of human intelligence and involvement. There is still much work left to be done by human hands across job tasks that AI may never assist with, let alone automate. The potential of AI resides in skilling workers and freeing them up for higher order thinking—creative agility, fresh thinking and novel ideas that can transform business operations. 

Other key highlights from the report’s findings include:

  • AI is changing theworkforce far more quickly than projected: The report finds the average exposure score across jobs is 39% today, which is 30% higher than what the original forecast was for 2032. This means more tasks can be assisted or automated by AI, sooner than originally predicted. These exposure scores are also now increasing by 9% annually, compared with 2% in the original research. Some notable changes in exposure scores across jobs include legal (from 9% to 63%), education (from 11% to 49%), healthcare practitioners (from 10% to 39%) and C-suite roles, including CEO (from 25% to 60%).
  • Knowledge work is not disappearing, nor is manual work completely insulated: The impact of AI is evolving across sectors. Roles in computer and mathematics, once seen as highly exposed to AI, no longer top the report’s exposure scores – indicating rapid advancements in AI may have reached their limits in some knowledge work areas. Meanwhile, the research reveals AI could significantly impact manual labor jobs at a faster rate than previously understood. For example, the exposure score for transportation rose from 6% to 25%, and in construction it rose from 4% to 12%.
  • All told, AI can perform $4.5T in labor productivity today across a wide variety of roles: Through increased automation, AI has the potential to deliver significant value to businesses and the economy today. According to the new report, fewer tasks are left untouched by automation. The percentage of tasks that are non-automatable by AI has plummeted, from 57% on average across tasks in 2023 to 32% today.
  • Simultaneously, realizing full AI value from labor is not a one-size-fits-all strategy: The report revealed AI is unable to automate upwards of 40% of management, business/ financial operations and administrative tasks, signaling a critical reality: AI alone can’t fully replace humans, and human expertise and collaboration remain indispensable. To tap into the $4.5T in labor productivity, businesses must create flexible operating models that can adapt to new and evolving AI capabilities. They must also treat workforce learning as a rapid response mechanism so employees can continuously keep pace with change and effectively leverage AI to deliver meaningful growth.

To read the full report, visit the website here.

About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we’re improving everyday life. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

Cognizant remains committed to empowering the next generation of talent through its Synapse program, which aims to reach two million individuals globally by 2030, creating new pathways to opportunity and preparing the workforce for the jobs of the future. To learn more about Cognizant’s Synapse skilling initiative, visit the website here.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied forward-looking statements relating to the adoption of AI and the labor value of such adoption, the effects and speed of impact of AI on the workforce and the economy and the effectiveness of businesses’ efforts to capture the full potential of AI through skilling and human involvement. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are the findings of the studies discussed above and remain subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Factors that could cause outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions, the impact of technological development and competition, the competitive and rapidly changing nature of the markets we compete in, the competitive marketplace for talent and its impact on employee recruitment and retention, and the other factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cognizant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.

For more information, contact:

US

Gabby Gugliocciello

Email gabrielle.gugliocciello@cognizant.com

Europe / APAC

Sarah Douglas

Email sarah.douglas@cognizant.com

India

Vipin Nair

Email Vipin.nair@cognizant.com

 

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