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Focus Graphite Completes Air Quality Assessment for the Lac Knife Project; Advancing Towards ESIA Completion

WSP Air Quality Assessment Confirms Regulatory Compliance and Further Advances Lac Knife Toward Permitting and Construction Readiness


Ottawa, Ontario – Newsfile Corp. – June 8, 2026 – Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) (“Focus” or the “Company“) a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence, and industrial applications, is pleased to announce the completion of the. Air Quality Assessment (“AQA” or the “Study“) for its 100%-owned Lac Knife Graphite Project (the “Project“) located in northeastern Quebec.

The Study was completed by WSP Canada Inc. (“WSP“), one of the world’s leading engineering and environmental consulting firms, under the supervision and management of IOS Geosciences Inc. (“IOS“), as part of the environmental studies supporting the advancement of Lac Knife toward future permitting and development.

The AQA evaluated emissions associated with the proposed open pit mine, processing facility, tailings storage facility, stockpiles, haul roads, crushing operations, and supporting infrastructure under conservative maximum operating scenarios. Atmospheric dispersion modelling using Aeromod software, was completed in accordance with the requirements of Quebec’s Reglement sur l’assainissement de l’atmosphere (“RAA“) and applicable guidance from the Ministere de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (“MELCCFP“).

According to WSP’s conclusions, the modelling results demonstrate that predicted contaminant concentrations remain in compliance with applicable Quebec ambient air quality standards and criteria under the assessed operating conditions. WSP further concluded that all evaluated contaminants met applicable regulatory thresholds. The Study also noted that prevailing winds are predominantly directed toward the south-southeast, away from nearby public infrastructure, residences, and seasonal fishing cabins.

“Environmental permitting is one of the most important value-creation stages in the development of any critical mineral project,” said Dean Hanisch, CEO of Focus Graphite. “The completion of the Air Quality Assessment represents another key component of the broader environmental review process and brings us closer to completing the environmental studies required to support future permitting activities. As these workstreams are completed, Lac Knife continues to become increasingly de-risked from both a technical and environmental perspective while strengthening its position as a strategic North American graphite asset.”

The Study evaluated a broad range of potential emissions, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, crystalline silica, and various metals, using a detailed atmospheric dispersion model of the Project area and surrounding receptors based on five years of regional meteorological data.

Advancing Toward Environmental Assessment Completion

The AQA forms part of the broader environmental and permitting work program being advanced at Lac Knife and represents another important milestone toward completion of the environmental and social impact assessment (“ESIA“) process. With this Study now complete, the Company is advancing the remaining key environmental workstreams, including the hydrogeological assessment and dam breach analysis, which are expected to further support permitting activities and future project development.

The completion of the AQA builds on a series of technical, environmental and infrastructure achievements that continue to de-risk the Project and strengthen Lac Knife’s position as a strategically important North American graphite asset. As demand for secure and reliable graphite supply continues to grow, Focus remains focused on advancing the Project through the key milestones required for future development.

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Rejean Girard, P.Geo. (QC), President of IOS Geosciences Inc., a consultant to the Company, and a qualified person as defined under National Instrument NI-43-101.

About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.

Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced materials industries.

Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining – we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency.

Our commitment to innovation ensures a chemical-free, eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals — reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.

For more information on Focus Graphite Inc., please visit http://www.focusgraphite.com.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/
X: https://x.com/focusgraphite

Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
dhanisch@focusgraphite.com
+1 (613) 612-6060

Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
jlatkowcer@focusgraphite.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “projected,” “estimated,” and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things: the advancement of the Lac Knife Graphite Project toward permitting readiness and future development; the completion and timing of the remaining environmental studies required to support the environmental and social impact assessment (“ESIA”) process, including the hydrogeological assessment and dam breach analysis; the anticipated completion of environmental baseline, technical and permitting workstreams; the Company’s ability to obtain required permits, approvals and authorizations; the anticipated benefits of completed environmental and technical studies, including the Air Quality Assessment; the timing and completion of future project milestones; the future development, construction and operation of the Lac Knife Project; the role of the Project in supporting North American and allied critical mineral supply chains; and the Company’s long-term development strategy.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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

About Focus Graphite Inc.

At Least 19 Dead After 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines

A picture of Jollibee restaurant collapses in southern Philippines city after earthquake on 8 June. (Photo by Philippines Red Cross)

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday, 8 June, killing at least 19 people.

The quake triggered tsunami warnings across the region and damaged buildings and infrastructure.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council continues to consolidate casualty figures, while local reports indicate that at least 134 people suffered injuries across South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City. Emergency responders continued rescue operations, searching damaged structures and assessing affected communities.

The earthquake struck at 7:37 AM local time, with its epicenter off the coast of Sarangani province near General Santos City. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded more than 130 aftershocks after the initial tremor, ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.7, and warned residents to expect continued seismic activity.

Footage and images from affected areas showed several buildings reduced to rubble, including commercial establishments in General Santos City. In Davao Occidental province, videos from a primary school showed students sheltering on the ground as a corrugated-roof structure collapsed nearby, although the school reported no injuries.

Authorities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia issued tsunami warnings in the hours after the quake. Monitoring agencies detected waves of up to 1.4 meters along parts of the Philippine and Indonesian coastlines, while sensors recorded smaller waves as far away as Okinawa and the Ogasawara Islands in Japan. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later said the tsunami threat had largely subsided but advised coastal residents to remain vigilant.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said government agencies were coordinating disaster response efforts and ordered schools in affected areas to suspend classes, coinciding with the first day of the school year.

Authorities advised residents to avoid damaged structures and follow guidance from local disaster management officials while inspections and relief operations continued.

AS Watson Group and L’Oréal Paris Unveil a Global First-Ever Exclusive Co Creation: The Infallible Setting Mist Cherry Edition


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 June 2026 – AS Watson Group, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer, and L’Oréal Paris, the No. 1 beauty brand in the world, today announced the first-ever exclusive co-created beauty product, setting a new benchmark for retailer–brand partnership innovation.

ASW x L'Oreal global exclusive - The Infallible Setting Mist Cherry Edition

Developed, produced, and launched exclusively for AS Watson Group, the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Setting Mist Cherry Edition is a limited-edition innovation of L’Oréal Paris’ best-selling, viral product, designed to capture the fast-growing setting spray segment. The product combines L’Oréal Paris’ proven hero formula with a bold cherry-inspired twist and distinctive pink packaging, purpose-built to resonate with Gen Z beauty consumers. As a brand committed to making beauty accessible to all, this partnership and innovation are exciting opportunities for L’Oréal Paris to connect with an even wider audience.

The product is currently live in the UK, with further rollout planned across 14 additional global markets, including nine in Europe, five in Asia and the GCC.

Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group, said, “This co-creation with L’Oréal Paris reflects how we are redefining the role of the retailer—from distributor to true innovation partner. By combining our deep consumer insights, omnichannel execution strength and L’Oréal Paris’ world-class R&D and brand power, we are creating products that are culturally relevant, commercially powerful and truly differentiated.”

The Infallible Setting Mist Cherry Edition is supported by a full end to end O+O (Offline plus Online) strategy, spanning:

  1. Social first teaser campaigns and creator-led content to fuel desirability
  2. High impact in store theatre and online dominance to drive conversion
  3. O+O activation models that ensure seamless consumer journeys from discovery to purchase

With 75% of consumers more likely to buy limited edition packaging, the launch positions the product as a collectible must have, transforming a daily beauty essential into a social and cultural statement.

“Co-creation at this level, with a trusted retail partner, represents a new frontier for L’Oréal Paris and the Consumer Products Division,” said Fabrice Megarbane, president of L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division. “The Infallible Setting Mist Cherry Edition is proof that when category leadership meets retail excellence, the result is innovation that is culturally resonant and commercially compelling. We are truly honoured to make history with AS Watson. This is only just the beginning.”

Scaling Beyond Europe

Following strong early momentum in Europe, the Infallible Setting Mist Cherry Edition will expand into GCC and Asia, with launches planned in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore later in the year. The rollout will be supported by localised social activation, in store maximisation and immersive brand experiences under the theme “Cherry Fix Summer Soirée.”

This exclusive co creation underscores both L’Oréal Paris and AS Watson’s commitment to building next generation beauty ecosystems—where data, creativity and operational excellence come together to deliver stronger value for consumers, brand partners and stakeholders.

Hashtag: #ASWatson




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

About AS Watson Group

Established in 1841, AS Watson Group is one of the world’s longest-standing and most recognised retail companies with roots in Asia. Today, the company operates over 17,000 stores across 12 retail brands in 31 markets, employing 130,000 people globally. This makes AS Watson Group the largest international health and beauty retailer in the world.

In the fiscal year 2025, AS Watson Group reported revenue of over US$26 billion. The company’s technology-enabled O+O (Offline plus Online) platforms serve over 6 billion shoppers annually, seamlessly integrating physical and digital retail experiences.

AS Watson Group supported over 180 charitable and non-profit organisations every year, dedicating over 40,000 hours of volunteer work to serve over 370,000 people in need in our operating markets.

AS Watson Group is also a member of the world-renowned multinational conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, which has four core businesses ‐ ports and related services, retail, infrastructure and telecommunications in over 50 countries.

Please visit for more information.

Hello Ello launches with AI care camera built for the region’s growing caregiving crisis

Built for caregivers, Vision One combines intelligent detection, plain-language alerts, and daily summaries to help families know when Mum or Dad needs attention, without constant checking


SINGAPORE / KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 June 2026 – Hello Ello, a Singapore-based AI caregiving technology company has launched ELLO’s Vision One care camera for families in Singapore and Malaysia to help families care for ageing parents at home without relying on constant calls, manual check-ins, or noisy security camera alerts.

Designed for adult children balancing work, family, and caregiving responsibilities, ELLO combines the Vision One 3K WiFi Camera with the ELLO App to detect critical events such as falls, fainting, wandering, smoke, and signs of distress, sending caregivers a clear, plain-language alert within 60 seconds when something needs attention. Its Daily Summary feature also gives families a simple overview of their loved one’s day, helping them stay connected while preserving a calmer, less intrusive approach to home care.

The launch comes as Singapore and Malaysia face a growing ageing and caregiving challenge. In Singapore, citizens aged 65 and above made up 20.7 per cent of the citizen population in 2025 and are expected to reach around one in four citizens by 2030. In Malaysia, the population aged 65 and above rose to 8.0 per cent in 2025, up from 7.6 per cent in 2024, with 12 states already classified as ageing.

“Most families do not need another camera that creates more work for them. They need something that understands when something is wrong and tells them clearly, so they can act,” said Ivan Mun, Founder of Hello Ello. “With ELLO, we wanted to build care technology that works quietly in the background, respects the dignity of ageing parents, and gives families the reassurance that someone is always paying attention to what matters.”

Vision One is built around the realities of care at home. The camera offers 3K clarity, a 135-degree wide view, night vision, two-way talk, and context-aware alerts that distinguish between motion and meaning. Through the ELLO App, families can receive alerts for falls, fainting, wandering, smoke, and distress detection, as well as a short daily summary every evening to understand how their loved one’s day went.

For many families, this demographic shift is already being felt at home. Adult children are increasingly balancing work, parenting, and the responsibility of checking in on ageing parents, especially those who live alone, live with a helper, or require support due to memory loss, frailty, or changing routines. Hello Ello’s core users are not necessarily the elderly themselves, but the “sandwich generation” of caregivers, particularly those in their 40s to 60s who are caring for parents in their 80s and 90s while also managing their own families.

Unlike regular security cameras that record footage and require users to review what happened after the fact, ELLO is designed to watch for caregivers. It learns daily routines, identifies unusual activity, and alerts families only when something appears wrong. Through the app, caregivers can receive critical event notifications, check live streams, review key moments, and ask plain-language questions such as “Where’s Dad?” or “Has Mum been up today?” without having to scroll through hours of video footage.

The need for this is especially clear in homes where traditional monitoring tools fall short. Wearables require seniors to remember to charge or wear them, while emergency buttons only work if the person is able to press them. ELLO removes that burden by working quietly in the background, with no bracelet, button, or watch required.

Privacy and dignity are also central to the product. According to Hello Ello, only invited family members or caregivers can access alerts and daily summaries, and users can choose between cloud storage or local microSD storage. The company also states that it does not sell user data, share it with advertisers, or use what happens inside a parent’s home to train other AI models.

“Ageing at home should not mean families are left to worry in silence, and care should not feel like surveillance,” added Ivan. “The goal is not to watch parents all day. The goal is to help families know when to step in, while allowing Mum or Dad to continue living with independence and dignity.”

Vision One is priced at SGD$89 for the camera, with the ELLO Family plan at S$29.90 per month. The plan includes fall and faint detection, wandering alerts, smoke detection, distress detection, Daily Summary, family sharing, Ask ELLO conversational AI, 30-day cloud storage, one detection zone, and support for up to three cameras. The first month is free, with no contract or lock-in.

Hashtag: #HelloEllo

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

About Hello Ello

Hello Ello is a Singapore-based AI caregiving technology company founded by Ivan Mun. Its flagship care solution, ELLO, combines the Vision One 3K WiFi Camera with the ELLO App to help families look after ageing parents at home. Designed for caregivers, ELLO detects critical events such as falls, fainting, wandering, smoke, and signs of distress, while providing plain-language alerts, daily summaries, family sharing, and conversational AI support through the app. Hello Ello is built around a simple belief: care technology should provide clarity and reassurance without adding noise, anxiety, or unnecessary complexity to family life. For more information please visit:

Clear Robotics Lands $1.75M to Build the World’s Largest Fleet of Zero-Emission Autonomous Ships

HONG KONG, June 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Clear Robotics, a Hong Kong founded maritime technology company, announced that it closed a $1.75 million USD Pre-Series A funding round to scale its commercially proven fleet of AI-enabled autonomous vessels globally.

Led by maritime-focused Shipsfocus Ventures, the round signals strong industry validation and includes significant follow-on investments from Katapult Ocean, SGInnovate, M7 Holdings MGS Ventures, and other strategic partners.

The company operates a fleet of 26 all-electric, AI-optimized unmanned surface vessels (USVs) that solve critical maritime infrastructure challenges. By utilizing AI for autonomous navigation and data analytics, Clear Robotics ensures high operational efficiency without manual intervention.

The capital injection will accelerate Clear Robotics’ strategic expansion into Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East. Funds will drive the development of larger unmanned vessels, advance R&D for automated port surveying, and scale proprietary commercial retrofit technology, preparing for open-ocean operations.

Clear Robotics has a strong track record and reputation in this sector- winning the Pier71 Smart Port Challenge in 2024 and the Captain’s Table in 2022. Over the past year they have expanded to keystone markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines – where President Marcos recently launched their pilot vessels for a major waterfront inauguration.

“This funding is a critical catalyst, accelerating our path toward becoming a comprehensive solution for operations and creating the world’s largest fleet of unmanned ships,” said Sidhant Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Clear Robotics.

“This new capital allows us to expand our engineering team, accelerate our R&D into automated port surveying, and build the next generation of larger vessel classes,” said Utkarsh Goel, Co-Founder and CTO of Clear Robotics.

“Clear Robotics is building a reliable, scalable operating system for the essential middle of the maritime sector. Sidhant and his team prioritize practical deployment over lab demos, iterating in real-world conditions. Execution is their true moat, and we led this round because they are building the infrastructure for the next era of maritime work,” said Chye Poh Chua, Managing Partner at Shipsfocus Ventures.

About CLEAR ROBOTICS 

Founded in 2020 by Sidhant Gupta and Utkarsh Goel, Clear Robotics is a Hong Kong founded maritime technology company pioneering integrated, all-electric unmanned vessel technology and autonomous retrofit solutions. They provide autonomous, zero-emission solutions for critical infrastructure needs—such as pollution recovery and marine surveillance, with advanced AI-driven surveying in development—to make autonomous shipping safe, sustainable, and commercially viable.

CONTACT:
Samyuktha Sriram
contact@clearbot.org
+852 5703 3106

VinDynamics and Skild AI form strategic partnership to advance humanoid ROBOTICS


SAN MATEO/HANOI – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 June 2026 – VinDynamics, a robotics technology company within Vingroup, and Skild AI, a company developing foundation models for robotics, today announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on humanoid robotics and embodied AI. The move marks another step in VinDynamics’ strategy to accelerate humanoid robotics development through global collaboration and advanced technology partnerships.

Representatives of VinDynamics and Skild AI at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in San Mateo, California, USA.
Representatives of VinDynamics and Skild AI at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in San Mateo, California, USA.

Under the MOU, the collaboration will focus on embodied AI research, robot manipulation, sim-to-real transfer, edge AI deployment, and validation of humanoid systems in real-world environments. Both companies will also explore opportunities to integrate The Skild Brain, Skild AI’s omnibodied AI software, into VinDynamics’ humanoid robots. The Skild Brain runs directly on robotic hardware and enhances the adaptability, efficiency, and reliability of humanoid systems in practical applications.

Additional areas under discussion may include knowledge exchange related to robot intelligence and real-world deployment, as well as potential cooperation in software, model, and hardware development, alongside the potential manufacturing of humanoid robots at scale.

The partnership brings together VinDynamics’ robotics engineering, manufacturing capabilities, and real-world deployment ecosystem with Skild AI’s foundation model technology. Together, the companies aim to accelerate the development and deployment of humanoid robots capable of operating in complex and dynamic environments, while supporting growing demand for intelligent robotic systems across industries including manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, and commercial services.

Prof. La Manh Hung, President, VinDynamics, said: “This partnership represents an important step for VinDynamics as we continue building scalable humanoid robotics platforms for real-world deployment. Skild AI brings the most exciting advances in embodied AI today. Combined with our robotics platform and manufacturing capabilities, we believe this partnership can accelerate the deployment of humanoid robots in complex environments.”

Mr. Deepak Pathak, Co-Founder and CEO of Skild AI, said: “The future of robotics depends on combining scalable physical systems with adaptable, general-purpose intelligence. VinDynamics brings strong engineering capabilities, manufacturing scale, and access to real-world deployment environments through the Vingroup ecosystem. We are excited to work together to advance embodied AI for practical applications.”

Established in September 2025, VinDynamics is a pioneering company in the field of humanoid robotics within Vingroup. The company is dedicated to developing versatile, human-centric robots capable of seamless integration into everyday life, with the scalability to support global deployment.

Hashtag: #VinDynamics

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

About VinDynamics

VinDynamics is a technology company under Vingroup, dedicated to the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced robotics and automation solutions, particularly in the field of humanoid robots. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, mechatronics, and motion control, VinDynamics aims to deliver intelligent, safe, and cost-effective robotic products that enhance productivity and improve quality of life.

Learn more at:

About Skild AI

Founded in 2023, Skild AI builds a general-purpose foundation model for robotics. Backed by SoftBank Group, NVIDIA Ventures, Jeff Bezos, Lightspeed, Coatue, Sequoia Capital, Felicis, and others, the company is valued at over $14 billion. Offices in Pittsburgh, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Bengaluru.

Learn more at:

New IBM Study Finds CIOs and CTOs Face Growing AI Control Gap as Enterprise Deployment Scales

  • Most surveyed technology leaders are accountable for systems they don’t fully control
  • Only 11% of respondents say they’re completely prepared for the scale of AI agent deployment
  • Organizations that design control into their AI systems achieve significantly stronger performance outcomes.

ARMONK, N.Y., June 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value study reveals that as AI moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment, two-thirds of surveyed CIOs and CTOs report being held accountable for AI systems they do not fully control, while governance struggles to keep pace at scale.

C-level technology executives study.
C-level technology executives study.

The global study* of 2,000 C-level technology executives (tech CxOs) finds that the lack of visibility is widespread. The majority of surveyed executives (70%) say teams across the business are deploying technology faster than IT can track.  

At the same time, technology leaders face growing pressure to scale AI faster, even as many lack the structures to support it. By 2027, surveyed tech CxOs anticipate a 38% increase in the number of AI agents deployed. While 80% of respondents report CEO-driven AI transformation mandates, only 11% believe they are fully ready for the scale of AI agent deployment expected in the next year. Governance is also falling behind, with 77% of organizations surveyed reporting AI adoption is already outpacing current governance capabilities.

“For CIOs and CTOs, the challenge now is scaling AI systems that operate continuously and autonomously, often within governance models and architectures designed for a far slower, more predictable environment,” said Matt Lyteson, CIO, IBM. “It is no longer just about deploying AI faster. It’s redesigning how organizations control, govern and invest in it and embedding control and visibility from the start, so they can scale with confidence.”

As AI scales, operational and security risks are growing

  • Analysis shows that in organizations relying on manual governance, incident risk increases as AI adoption scales, whereas those that embed control directly into their AI systems experience 25% fewer incidents.
  • Most (59%) of tech CxOs surveyed cite security and compliance concerns as top barriers to scaling AI agents.
  • Surveyed organizations experienced an average of 54 AI agent incidents last year, in which an unintended and/or harmful occurrence required human correction.
  • According to respondents, 17% of those AI agent incidents reported were high severity, requiring more than four hours to contain:
    • 37% resulted in data exposure or security breaches
    • 33% caused cascading system failures
    • 17% triggered compliance issues

Organizations that redesign AI control and investment see stronger outcomes

  • AI spend is projected to grow from just under 15% of IT budgets in 2025 to nearly 25% by 2027 – a 71% increase in two years, raising the stakes for CIOs and CTOs.
  • Yet, 84% of tech CxOs have not fully operationalized AI financial management, and 85% still lack full visibility into real-time AI spend.
  • Analysis finds that organizations that build control into their AI systems:
    • deploy 16x more AI agents than those relying on manual governance
    • deliver 18% higher operating margins
    • spend 4x less of their AI budget
  • Analysis shows organizations with strong financial discipline:
    • deploy 2.4x more AI agents with no higher AI/IT budget
    • are 3x more likely to say they are fully prepared for AI scale
  • Surveyed organizations that designed for adaptability early – keeping workloads portable and models replaceable rather than locked into hard dependencies – reported a 10% higher return on AI investment in 2025.

The full study, including recommendations for technology leaders on redesigning structures that govern speed, control and investment, can be found at: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/cxo

The study also features executive perspectives on how technology leaders are adapting to the complexities of scaling AI across the enterprise. See quote addendum below.

*Study Methodology
The IBM Institute for Business Value, in cooperation with Oxford Economics, surveyed 2,000 senior executives responsible for their organization’s IT, technology, or AI-related decision-making across 33 geographies and 19 industries from January to April 2026. The survey was designed to gather insights on how organizations are managing the financial, operational, and governance challenges associated with scaling AI. Additional analysis was conducted to identify organizations that have built the structural capabilities to scale AI effectively by segmenting organizations based on preparedness and efficiency and assessing governance maturity.

The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM’s thought leadership think tank, combines
global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv. To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: https://ibm.co/ibv-ideawatch

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.

Media Contact
Marisa Conway
IBM Corporate Communications
conwaym@us.ibm.com

Executive Perspectives:

“AI has both a light side and a dark side. While most focus on the opportunities, it also introduces new vulnerabilities, and many organizations are more exposed than they realize.” – Victoria Medina, Chief Technology and Data Officer, Allianz Spain, Spain

“We design modular architectures so components can evolve as technology advances, without breaking the overall system. That approach allows us to absorb rapid innovation while supporting products with decades-long lifecycles.” – Boris Alexandre, Head of ARP Programme, Airbus, Canada

“It’s like flying a plane at 10,000 feet, being told to climb to 12,000, replace both engines mid-flight and ensure zero turbulence. No one would choose to pilot that plane – but that’s exactly what companies are doing today.” – Afonso Eça, Executive Board Member, Banco BPI, Spain

“My role isn’t to generate every transformative idea. It’s to build the foundation that allows smarter people across the organization to bring those ideas to life.” – Chad Jones, CIO, Baylor Scott & White Health, United States

“The goal isn’t to eliminate shadow IT—it’s to create visibility and a partnership, so teams can get help when they need it without slowing down.” – Chris Pesola, CIO, Roush, United States

“We don’t know who’s going to win or lose over the next five years. So we’re keeping AI models plug-and-play, ready to adapt if the landscape shifts.” – Dalton Gouws, Group IT Director and Board Member, VWG UK Ltd, United Kingdom

IBM Corporation logo.
IBM Corporation logo.

 

Cyberport Chairman Joined CE’s Business Delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Partnership with the Countries’ Largest Tech Parks to Propel “Hub-to-Hub” Collaborations Supporting HK and Chinese Mainland Enterprises to Tap Central Asian Markets


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 June 2026 – Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, joined the business delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee, on a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 1 to 5 June 2026 to strengthen innovation technology (IT), economic and trade cooperation between Hong Kong and the Central Asia. During the visit, Cyberport signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading technology organisations in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, establishing strategic partnerships with the two countries’ key innovation and technology platforms and promoting “hub-to-hub” collaboration to jointly capture opportunities in emerging markets.

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, joined the business delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee on a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 1 to 5 June 2026. During the trip, he visited local enterprises and infrastructure projects to explore collaboration opportunities and lay a strong foundation for long-term cooperation.
Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, joined the business delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee on a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 1 to 5 June 2026. During the trip, he visited local enterprises and infrastructure projects to explore collaboration opportunities and lay a strong foundation for long-term cooperation.

As part of the programme, Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, met with key innovation and technology stakeholders in both countries. He visited the Astana Hub, a local technology and innovation park in Kazakhstan, including its Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre, to gain deeper insights into the latest developments in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure in the region. He also visited IT Park Uzbekistan to learn more about the country’s rapidly growing digital economy ecosystem, and to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration in innovation and technology development, talent cultivation and market expansion. These engagements further strengthened Hong Kong’s exchanges with Central Asia and supported the development of closer cross-regional collaboration in innovation and technology.

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, “Central Asia is a strategically important market under the Belt and Road Initiative. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are actively advancing digital transformation, digital upgrading and technological innovation. From national artificial intelligence development blueprints to large-scale digital infrastructure projects, both countries have demonstrated strong growth momentum, a pressing demand for cutting-edge innovation and technology solutions, and immense market potential.

As Hong Kong’s digital technology hub and AI accelerator, Cyberport is home to over 2,300 companies, including 18 listed companies with a combined market capitalisation of over HK$500 billion, as well as 9 unicorns with a total valuation exceeding HK$150 billion. Its innovation ecosystem spans areas such as AI, data science, fintech, digital assets and blockchain, cybersecurity, smart living, and digital entertainment. This aligns closely with Central Asia’s demand for technological innovation, creating extensive opportunities for collaboration through complementary strengths. Cyberport has also established partnerships with Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan to actively promote bilateral business expansion, deepen ties between Hong Kong and Central Asia in innovation and technology, finance and trade, and support enterprises from Hong Kong and the Mainland in jointly expanding into high-potential emerging markets.

Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique role as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’, Cyberport will continue to support Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises in expanding into Belt and Road and international markets. At the same time, we will actively attract Central Asian companies to establish a presence in Hong Kong, injecting fresh momentum into the development of the digital economy and smart cities across the three regions, and further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology centre and a leading AI hub.”

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said,

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, "Central Asia is a strategically important market under the Belt and Road Initiative. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are actively advancing digital transformation, digital upgrading and technological innovation. Cyberport has established partnerships with Kazakhstan Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan to actively promote bilateral business expansion, deepen ties between Hong Kong and Central Asia in innovation and technology, finance and trade, and support enterprises from Hong Kong and the Mainland in jointly expanding into high-potential emerging markets."
Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, “Central Asia is a strategically important market under the Belt and Road Initiative. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are actively advancing digital transformation, digital upgrading and technological innovation. Cyberport has established partnerships with Kazakhstan Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan to actively promote bilateral business expansion, deepen ties between Hong Kong and Central Asia in innovation and technology, finance and trade, and support enterprises from Hong Kong and the Mainland in jointly expanding into high-potential emerging markets.”

Signs MoUs with the Countries’ Largest Tech Parks Leveraging “Hub-to-Hub” Collaboration Advantages

Among them was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 1 June 2026 between Cyberport and Autonomous Cluster Fund “Astana Hub” (Astana Hub) of Kazakhstan, the largest international innovation cluster in Central Eurasia. Astana Hub is currently home to more than 1,800 IT companies, including over 450 international members, generating a collective income of US$3.9 billion. It has established a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that provides acceleration programmes, supports technological business incubation, offers educational initiatives, and hosts a wide range of industry events. This strategic partnership aims to promote technology transfer, support tech companies in areas such as AI, fintech, smart city solutions and Web 3, and facilitate overseas expansion and global market access for innovation and technology companies from both regions.

On 1 June, Cyberport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Autonomous Cluster Fund "Astana Hub" of Kazakhstan, with key objectives to promote technology transfer and the development of innovation and technology ecosystems, support technology enterprises in expanding into overseas markets, and establish a collaborative partnership between the two innovation ecosystems.
On 1 June, Cyberport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Autonomous Cluster Fund “Astana Hub” of Kazakhstan, with key objectives to promote technology transfer and the development of innovation and technology ecosystems, support technology enterprises in expanding into overseas markets, and establish a collaborative partnership between the two innovation ecosystems.

Another key highlight of the delegation was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4 June 2026 between Cyberport and The Administration of Technology Park of Software and IT (IT Park) of Uzbekistan, a national IT ecosystem operator dedicated to advancing the country’s digital industry development. IT Park Uzbekistan is a government-supported technology hub and one of the largest tech parks in Central Asia, with more than 2,800 member companies spanning IT services, software development, game development, creative industries and education. The MoU focuses on providing mutual soft-landing support, infrastructure access and regulatory incentives to facilitate technology companies’ expansion between Hong Kong and Central Asian markets, while fostering deeper collaboration in innovation and technology development between the two regions.

On 4 June, Cyberport and the Administration of Technology Park of Software and IT (IT Park) of Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU focuses on providing mutual soft-landing support, infrastructure access and regulatory incentives to facilitate technology companies' expansion between Hong Kong and Central Asian markets, while fostering deeper collaboration in innovation and technology development between the two regions.
On 4 June, Cyberport and the Administration of Technology Park of Software and IT (IT Park) of Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU focuses on providing mutual soft-landing support, infrastructure access and regulatory incentives to facilitate technology companies’ expansion between Hong Kong and Central Asian markets, while fostering deeper collaboration in innovation and technology development between the two regions.

As an ideal gateway for Central Asian technology companies seeking to expand into East and Southeast Asia, Cyberport leverages Hong Kong’s international business environment and robust regulatory framework, together with its extensive network of enterprises, investors, technology companies, professional service providers and industry partners. This enables Cyberport to serve as a strategic base for Central Asian enterprises looking to access the Mainland, ASEAN, Asia-Pacific and global markets, accelerating their commercialisation journey and transforming innovative solutions into tangible business collaborations and investment opportunities.

At the same time, Cyberport companies can leverage the two leading technology parks in Central Asia as launchpads into emerging markets, bringing technology solutions from Hong Kong such as artificial intelligence, fintech and smart city technologies to support the region’s digital economy and smart city development. These collaborations will further enrich the innovation and technology ecosystems of both regions. Cyberport has been actively supporting local enterprises in establishing and expanding their presence in Central Asian market. Cyberport’s community is also highly international, with founders of one-third of its onsite companies coming from 27 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded into more than 35 global markets.

Cyberport received delegations from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Cyberport for exchanges in tech innovation and entrepreneurship over the past year, laying foundations for cross-regional partnerships and collaborations. Cyberport will continue to align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan and support the HKSAR Government’s development strategies by strengthening ties with emerging markets and innovation and technology hubs along the Belt and Road. As a vital bridge between Hong Kong and Central Asia, Cyberport facilitates cross-regional exchanges and collaboration, helping local enterprises capture global business opportunities while simultaneously attracting outstanding overseas technology talent and leading enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong. These efforts will inject diversified momentum into Hong Kong’s economy and further reinforce the city’s position as an international innovation and technology hub.

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About Hong Kong Cyberport

Wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, with a vision to empower industry digitalisation and intelligent transformation, to promote digital economy and AI development, and to foster Hong Kong to be an international AI, innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Cyberport gathers over 2,300 companies, including 18 listed companies and 9 unicorns. One-third of onsite companies’ founders come from 27 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded to over 35 global markets.

Cyberport, with Hong Kong’s largest AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab as the engine, has been building the AI ecosystem with industry-leading AI companies and over 500 AI and data science start-ups. Through development of tech clusters, namely AI, data science, blockchain and cybersecurity, Cyberport empowers industries across smart city and government, banking and finance, digital entertainment, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and training, property management, construction, transportation and logistics, green environment and more, while hosting Hong Kong’s largest FinTech community. Commissioned by the HKSAR Government, Cyberport has implemented proof-of-concept and sandbox schemes, subsidisation for digital tech adoption, industry tech training and start-up incubation, to drive technology R&D, translation and commercialisation, thus propelling digital transformation and intelligent upgrade across industry and society.

Also as “State-level Scientific and Technological Enterprise Incubator” and Hong Kong’s key incubator, Cyberport supports entrepreneurs with funding and office space, extensive networks of enterprises, investors, technology corporations and professional services for business growth and expansion to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, all-round facilitation for landing in Hong Kong, talent attraction and cultivation, ready as a launchpad to take start-ups in any stages of development to the next level.

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