Home Blog Page 344

Artmarket.com: The Artprice Manifesto: 22 Rules for a Regulated and Transparent Art Market in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence is redistributing the value of information at an unprecedented pace

PARIS, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — We are living through one of those defining periods. Artificial intelligence is redistributing the value of information at an unprecedented pace. Synthetic data now makes up the majority of the Internet, having surpassed Peak Data in 2024 (a phenomenon reflecting a saturation of the high-quality data available to train AI LLMs), reaching a point where AI slop (AI-generated video or photo content) now blurs the line between documented fact and algorithmic reconstruction. In an information-saturated world under extreme strain—facing the greatest energy shock the global economy has ever encountered, a risk of an extreme food crisis according to the UN, structural geopolitical uncertainties, and market tensions redefining asset allocation behaviors—the quality of the source has never mattered more.

The Art Market in 2025
The Art Market in 2025

For 27 years, Artprice has patiently built what can be likened to the Library of Alexandria of the Art Market: a physical and documentary memory tracing back to the manuscripts mapping the birth of the market in Europe and the United States from 1700, all the way to the millions of artworks exchanged every year in auction houses worldwide. This represents over 210 million paper or parchment pages meticulously preserved as physical manuscripts and catalogs. It is a living, irreplaceable archive that exists nowhere else in the world in both physical and digital formats with such exhaustiveness:

907,100 artists, 30 million indices and auction prices since 1987, and 1.39 million lots referenced over the past 12 months across 180 databases.

It is within this logic of the Art Market’s exponential acceleration—driven by public online auctions and expansion across all seven continents—that Artprice News was born in September 2025. As Artprice by Artmarket’s real-time news agency, it has partially absorbed the columnists, editors, and the prestigious 25-year documentary archive of leading contributors from ArtMarket Insight, a specialized global news agency founded in 2001 in a weekly format. Artprice News boasts 24/7 global coverage across 122 countries and in 11 languages.

This strategic rollout represents a major paradigm shift: Artprice is transitioning from a weekly schedule with its ArtMarket Insight® news agency—which will continue to operate—to a continuous, daily global news feed with Artprice News in 122 countries and 11 languages, alongside its longstanding partners Cision PR Newswire and X.

Today, Artprice by Artmarket is speaking out to clarify its moral duty and the core values of its parent company, Server Group—a pioneer in the Internet, databases, and Artificial Intelligence since 1987—which also define the alignment of Artprice’s proprietary and vertical AIs.

Continuously listed on the Euronext regulated market, Artprice by Artmarket fully embraces the obligations that come with access to regulated financial markets: transparency, rigor, and consistency between commitments and actions. Following the delisting via public buyout offers (OPR) of two Art Market-related companies—most notably Sotheby’s—Artprice by Artmarket is now the only continuously listed company on a regulated market worldwide dedicated to global Art Market information. This effectively establishes it as the foundational benchmark for this entire ecosystem.

As the global leader in Art Market information and the publisher of authoritative benchmark reports on the global Art Market for nearly 30 years, connected to 7,200 partner Auction Houses via its dedicated and secure Intranet, Artprice does not merely provide data: it produces a framework of understanding and trust that influences market players, valuations, and international capital flows, driven notably by its two proprietary, vertical AIs, Intuitive Artmarket® and Blind Spot®.

In our current environment of accelerated globalization, digitized transactions, and the rise of AI applied to cultural data, failing to take a stand would leave the field wide open to opacity, rumors, and biased practices. This would be a dereliction of duty toward the market, institutions, collectors, and shareholders.

This 22-rule manifesto is Artprice by Artmarket’s answer to this responsibility, to its moral duty, and to the intangible values of its AI alignment.

Through it, we are publicly formalizing a clear and resolute stance: to champion documentary memory, the traceability of artworks, the transparency of Art Market data, and the rigorous integration of art history, art economics, and the sociology of the Art Market, as the prerequisites for a more legible, fair, and responsible market.

This manifesto is the benchmark document that details its mission, the stakes of data sovereignty, and its responsibility toward the world’s artistic heritage.

The Artprice Manifesto: 22 Rules for a Regulated and Transparent Art Market

  1. The Art Market needs memory. Without exhaustive archives, traceability, and a public historical record, there can be no lasting trust, fair pricing, or collective intelligence.
  2. Qualified Art data is not a luxury. It is the minimal infrastructure for a global market that has grown too vast, too fast, and too opaque to continue operating on intuition alone. The Art Market is no longer the exclusive preserve of the West; it is experiencing rapid growth in the Global South.
  3. An image is not enough. An artwork also lives through its provenance, exhibition history, bibliography, public auction results, circulation, and critical reception.
  4. Cultural capital deserves the same analytical rigor as other asset classes. Measuring the market does not desecrate Art; it gives it a common language.
  5. Opacity is not a mark of elegance. Too often, it is merely a class privilege, an insider’s advantage, or a way to maintain information asymmetry.
  6. The primary duty of an Art Market infrastructure is to reduce this asymmetry. To make visible what was scattered, connect what was fragmented, and contextualize what was raw.
  7. Transparency does not destroy desire. On the contrary, it allows trust, comparison, and conviction to be built upon much more solid foundations.
  8. Art history and Art economics must no longer be separated. The former provides meaning; the latter provides measurement; together, they make the market intelligible.
  9. Digital technology is not meant to replace the human eye. It must extend expertise, document rarity, inform decision-making, and preserve memory.
  10. Every economic market eventually comes to resemble its information system. A poorly documented market breeds rumors; a well-documented market fosters accountability and transparency.
  11. The Art world can no longer claim universality while remaining illegible to the vast majority. Access to information is a prerequisite for its true openness, notably to the countries of the Global South.
  12. Artists need documented visibility, not just media visibility. A career is also built within databases, biographies, indices, archives, and comparables.
  13. Collectors do not merely buy Artworks; they arbitrate between history, rarity, quality, liquidity, prestige, and long-term value. They have a legitimate right to structured information.
  14. Auction Houses, Galleries, Collectors, Experts, Institutions, Insurers, Museums, Customs Officials, Banks, and Financial Institutions all belong to the same informational ecosystem. When data flows better, the entire market gains in maturity.
  15. The globalization of the Art Market demands continuous mapping. Capitals shift, scenes emerge, hierarchies change, and narratives are rewritten.
  16. France, Europe, and their cultural institutions must not surrender control over their artistic data. Cultural sovereignty is also achieved through databases, indices, and platforms.
  17. Artificial intelligence is only as valuable as the quality of the datasets it queries. In Art, as elsewhere, an AI algorithm without robust archives produces nothing but an illusion of knowledge.
  18. True technological progress in the Art Market is not about noise. It is the ability to transform millions of scattered signals into understandable and actionable benchmarks.
  19. Prices do not tell the whole story, but they do tell a story. To ignore them on principle is to allow commentary to replace analysis and posturing to replace observation.
  20. Trust in the 21st-century Art Market rests on proof, documentary depth, and high-speed access to relevant information at a low cost.
  21. An artwork is not a mere commodity, but refusing to acknowledge that it circulates within a global market does not elevate the debate; it only makes it less honest.
  22. Artprice champions a simple conviction: in a world saturated with images, value will belong to those who know how to connect the artwork, history, data, the human element, proprietary AI—retaining full copyright ownership and bearing full responsibility for its data—and the Art Market.

Copyright 1987-2026 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com – www.artmarket.com

Artprice’s econometrics department can answer all your questions relating to personalized statistics and analyses: econometrics@artprice.com

Find out more about our services with the artist in a free demonstration: https://artprice.com/demo

Our services: https://artprice.com/subscription

About Artmarket.com:

Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris. The latest TPI analysis includes more than 18,000 individual shareholders excluding foreign shareholders, companies, banks, FCPs, UCITS: Euroclear: 7478 – Bloomberg: PRC – Reuters: ARTF.

Watch a video about Artmarket.com and its Artprice department: https://artprice.com/video

Artmarket and its Artprice department were founded in 1997 by thierry Ehrmann, the company’s CEO. They are controlled by Groupe Serveur (created in 1987). cf. the certified biography from Who’s Who In France©:

https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2025/11/2026_Biographie_de_Thierry_Ehrmann_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf

Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information (the original documentary archives, codex manuscripts, annotated books and auction catalogs acquired over the years) in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 901,000 artists.

Artprice Images® allows unlimited access to the largest art market image bank in the world with no less than 181 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.

Artmarket, with its Artprice department, constantly enriches its databases from 7,200 auction houses and continuously publishes art market trends for the main agencies and press titles in the world in 121 countries and 11 languages.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artmarketcom-artprice-and-cision-extend-their-alliance-to-119-countries-to-become-the-worlds-leading-press-agency-dedicated-to-the-art-market-nfts-and-the-metaverse-301431845.html

Artmarket.com makes available to its 9.3 million members (members log in) the advertisements posted by its Members, who now constitute the first global Standardized Marketplace® for buying and selling artworks at fixed prices.

There is now a future for the Art Market with Artprice’s Intuitive Artmarket® AI.

Artmarket, with its Artprice department, has twice been awarded the State label “Innovative Company” by the French Public Investment Bank (BPI), which has supported the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the art market.

Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department – Thierry Ehrmann, ir@artmarket.com 

South Korea Suspends Seasonal Worker Recruitment from Four Thai Provinces

This photo is used for representational purpose only.

South Korea has suspended recruitment of seasonal agricultural and fisheries workers from four northeastern Thai provinces for the entirety of 2026, after workers holding the visa abandoned their designated employers in agriculture and fisheries. 

The ban, effective 1 January to 31 December, covers Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, and Maha Sarakham, all in Thailand’s Isaan region, one of the country’s primary sources of overseas labour.

South Korean authorities responded with two measures: individually blacklisting workers who absconded, and suspending all new E-8 recruitment from those provinces. The E-8 is a government-facilitated seasonal visa under bilateral agreements, covering up to five months in agriculture and fisheries.

Thailand’s Ministry of Labor confirmed on 12 May that the overall quota for Thai workers remains unchanged and that residents of the four provinces may still enter South Korea through other visa channels. Thai authorities acknowledged, however, that employer desertions continue despite ongoing legal training and monitoring.

Monthly wages in South Korea range from approximately USD 1,600 to USD 2,000, figures that make the informal labor market attractive to workers willing to risk their status. Any worker who leaves a designated employer is immediately classified as undocumented, regardless of how few make that choice.

The restriction carries a warning beyond Thailand. 

From 2021 to August 2025, more than 350,000 Lao nationals sought work overseas, primarily in Thailand, South Korea, and Japan, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. Over 17,000 are currently employed in South Korea alone, most in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction under the Employment Permit System and seasonal programmes. Lao workers remitted more than USD 29 million in the first half of 2025.

As South Korean authorities tighten compliance monitoring across the region, Lao workers and recruiters might face a comparable risk of program-level suspensions should similar case of workers leaving their employers without permission emerge.

Singapore’s First Immersive Installation on the Cycles of Intergenerational Harm Opens at One Punggol This May

Why Hurt Children Hurt Children invites Singaporeans to step inside The Black Box — a confrontational, compassionate experience addressing the emotional harm that passes silently from one generation to the next

SINGAPORE, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EveryChild.SG, Singapore’s movement for child wellbeing, announces the launch of Why Hurt Children Hurt Children — a social impact campaign and physical installation designed to open a national conversation about the language and behaviour adults use with children, and the long-term consequences of emotional harm on Singapore families across generations.

The centrepiece of the campaign is The Black Box — an immersive, built installation opening at One Punggol from 23 May 2026. Visitors will enter an enclosed space where wall prompts, bold typography, and an original film guide them through the reality of what children carry when the adults around them have never healed from their own childhoods.

About the Activation

The Black Box is not an exhibition. Upon entering, visitors encounter a series of prompts drawn from real experiences — phrases heard in Singapore homes, schools, and childhoods — paired with the silent film The Silent Spaces, which plays on a screen inside the installation. Shot across empty HDB corridors, quiet classrooms, and children’s bedrooms, the film asks audiences to listen to what is usually unheard: the sounds of emotional harm, the silences that follow, and the weight that children carry long after the adults in their lives have moved on.

The experience is designed to be immersive and emotionally honest. It is not meant to comfort, but to confront.

Upon exiting, visitors move into a Decompression Space — a deliberately designed area offering cards and resources that encourage conversation and reflection, and a trained support person for those who need a moment to process what they have experienced.

The Campaign

Why Hurt Children Hurt Children is built on a clear and confronting insight: adults who experienced emotional harm as children — through harsh words, comparison, shaming, physical punishment, or emotional neglect — often repeat those patterns without awareness, not out of cruelty, but because it is all they were taught.

The campaign does not assign blame. It names the cycle, and offers a way out of it.

Research from the Institute of Mental Health found that 46.5% of Singaporeans experienced emotional neglect during childhood. A 2025 study found that 61% of Singaporean university students reported childhood emotional abuse. The social and economic cost of such adverse childhood experiences is estimated at nearly SGD 1.2 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

Why Hurt Children Hurt Children addresses this not through statistics alone, but through experience — giving Singaporeans a physical space in which to encounter these truths, reflect on their own childhoods and parenting, and leave with something they can do differently.

The Silent Spaces Film

The Silent Spaces is an original short original film produced for EveryChild.SG. Shot across real Singapore locations — in schools, empty void decks, a child’s bedroom — the film uses visual stillness and real stories to recreate the experience of emotional harm as children live it: present, invisible to everyone else, and long-lasting in its effect.

The film plays on a loop inside The Black Box, forming the emotional core of the installation. It is not a traditional documentary. There are no talking heads, and no resolution. The film ends the same way emotional harm so often does — quietly, without acknowledgment, leaving the audience to carry what they have witnessed.

The Silent Spaces will be released publicly following the activation period and submitted to relevant film festivals and social impact media platforms.

A Message on Why This Matters

“‘Why Hurt Children Hurt Children’ aims to break the silence on emotional harm passed unknowingly through generations. With nearly half of Singaporeans having experienced childhood emotional neglect – costing our society over a billion dollars annually – we must acknowledge how ‘hurt children’ grow up to hurt others. At EveryChild.SG, we believe healing begins when we choose awareness over habit, and compassion over silence, so our children can truly grow up safe, supported and loved.”

— Pooja Bhandari, Founder, EveryChild.SG

The Science Behind the Experience

The campaign’s wall panels and film content are grounded in peer-reviewed research, reviewed by trauma-informed practitioners. Neuroscience has established that social pain — rejection, shame, harsh criticism — activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain. The developing brain responds to physical punishment as a threat experience, activating the same stress pathways involved in fear and violence responses.

“In clinical practice, we often see adult struggles – from chronic anxiety to relationship difficulties – rooted in childhood emotional experiences that were never addressed. Hurt passed down through generations is not always about obvious abuse; it is often found in the ‘silent’ harms of emotional neglect and persistent shaming.

Public awareness campaigns like ‘Why Hurt Children Hurt Children’ can help individuals understand and name their experiences for the first time. This is a critical first step toward seeking help and healing, to prevent these harmful patterns from being passed down to the next generation.”

— Dr Adrian Loh, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Promises Healthcare.

Collaborators

Why Hurt Children Hurt Children was developed by EveryChild.SG, with contributions from a network of Singapore-based practitioners, researchers, and community organisations who share the campaign’s commitment to child wellbeing.

EveryChild.SG is Singapore’s movement to prioritise child wellbeing — conducting research, building public awareness, and partnering with government agencies and civil society organisations, to build a Singapore where every child grows up safe, supported, and loved.

A happy childhood can heal a lifetime, while an unhappy one can take a lifetime to heal. This campaign helps us reflect on how we treat children, so we can begin to break the cycle of hurt together.

— Lin Shiyun, Founder of 3Pumpkins and Tat Takut Kids Club

“As the nation embarks on an endeavor led by the government to address the dismal fertility rate of Singapore, EveryChild.SG’s campaign brings a much needed lens to the work. To shed light on the invisible wounds and burdens that weigh on a generation of people, unseen, untended, impacting their responses to parenthood and in parenting.

Understanding emotional harms is a critical step towards our collective wellbeing, towards healthier parenting, children and families.”

— Carrie Tan, former Member of Parliament and Healing Coach

Visitor Information

What: Why Hurt Children Hurt Children — The Black Box Installation
Where: One Punggol, 1 Punggol Dr., Singapore 828629
When: 23 – 31 May 2026
Hours: 10am – 8pm
Admission: Free and open to the public
Content Advisory: This installation contains audio and written content depicting emotional harm and difficult childhood experiences. Visitor discretion is advised. A trained support person will be present throughout the activation period. Resources are available at the Decompression Space on exit.
Age recommendation: 18 and above

About Every Child.SG

EveryChild.SG is a non-profit movement to prioritise the well-being and holistic development of children in Singapore. We believe every child deserves to grow up in a loving, safe and nurturing environment – at school, at home, and in the community – so that they can flourish as adults.

We work towards these goals through research, public engagement, and collaboration with government and civil society. Learn more at www.everychild.sg

Notes to editors: High-resolution images of the installation and film stills are available upon request. All photography and filming within The Black Box installation is subject to consent protocols. Further details available from the media contact above

 

Kenanga Futures Launches “Shining in Global Futures” Campaign, Expanding Retail Access to Global Derivatives Markets


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Kenanga Futures Sdn Bhd (“Kenanga Futures“) is proud to launch its inaugural 2026 campaign, “Shining in Global Futures,” running until 31 July 2026. More than just a campaign, this initiative calls on the new-gens of investors to broaden their access to global derivatives markets through selected Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME“) futures products with lower entry barriers and enhanced learning support.

Azila Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Director and Head of Listed Derivatives, Kenanga Futures Sdn Bhd
Azila Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Director and Head of Listed Derivatives, Kenanga Futures Sdn Bhd

Powered by interactive tools, strategic insights and guided learning, “Shining in Global Futures” equips participants with practical tools, market insights and guided learning to better understand and navigate global futures trading. Aligned with Kenanga Futures’ motto of “Building a Smart Derivatives Trading Community”, the campaign combines education, risk awareness and seamless market access to promote confident and responsible engagement in CME-listed derivatives.

“As global markets become increasingly dynamic, navigating volatility requires more than just access, it demands insights, discipline, and confidence. Against this backdrop, ‘Shining in Global Futures’, aims to make global futures markets more accessible while equipping traders with the K-Economy they need to manage risk and participate more effectively in,” said Azila Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Director and Head of Listed Derivatives of Kenanga Futures.

To encourage broader participation, account opening fees during the campaign period are reduced to a nominal RM10, significantly lowering the barrier of entry for newcomers to capitalise on the current market landscape. Participants will also stand a chance to win prizes with a total value of up to RM20,000 across all winners.

The first 20 participants with successful account openings who trade a minimum of 30 CME products will be entitled to RM500 Poh Kong Gold cash vouchers, while the top three traders with the highest trading volumes exceeding 100 CME contracts will be rewarded with a cumulative total of RM9,000 worth of Poh Kong Gold cash vouchers.

In addition, the campaign introduces a virtual trading challenge conducted on the enhanced Kenanga Futures Virtual Trading platform (“KFVT“), which allows participants to experience real‑time market conditions and compete for rewards without incurring actual trading risk. Designed with accessibility in mind, KFVT also provides a practical and engaging entry point for new traders to gain hands‑on exposure, test strategies, and build confidence in navigating global markets. As part of this challenge, the top 10 participants who achieve the highest simulated profits will receive RM100 e‑shopping vouchers.

Looking ahead, Kenanga Futures plans to expand this initiative over the next year with the inclusion of advanced modules, collaborative learning opportunities and partnerships with industry leaders, as it continues its commitment to creating a thriving community of informed, confident and future-ready traders. Visit https://www.kenangafutures.com.my/shining-in-global-futures/ to start your trading journey today.

-Terms and conditions apply.

Hashtag: #KenangaFutures

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

KENANGA FUTURES SDN BHD

Kenanga Futures Sdn Bhd is an award-winning Malaysian listed derivatives broker regulated under the Securities Commission Malaysia and Bursa Malaysia Berhad. The company offers clients electronic market access to trade listed products on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives and CME Group. Apart from being a direct member of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad and the clearinghouse, the company is also a registered broker with the U.S. CFTC and was granted exemption relief pursuant to Commission Regulation 30.10 which enables the company to paper directly with entities in the U.S. On the domestic front, the company has an extensive network with 16 branches nationwide licensed to trade listed derivatives.

Clients can access both U.S. and Malaysian listed derivatives on a single trading platform via the company’s trademarked real-time customised online trading solution, KDF TradeActive™. KDF TradeActive™ is available on both desktop and mobile devices, giving clients easy access to real-time market data and flexibility to trade on-the-go.

This Press Release was issued by Kenanga Group’s Marketing, Communications & Sustainability Department.

Leading Digital Infrastructure to Empower Rail Intelligence

BANGKOK, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei, a global leader in ICT solutions, participated in Asia Pacific Rail 2026 (APR26) and showcased its latest intelligent railway technologies with industry-specific scenarios at the largest rail event in the Asia-Pacific region. Under the theme “Accelerating Rail Digital Intelligence,” Huawei’s booth attracted over 500 international and regional rail industry stakeholders. As part of the event, Huawei also hosted the Huawei Roundtable Discussion 2026, bringing together global experts and partners to shape the future of the railway industry.

Huawei is showcasing its latest suite of digital rail solutions designed to deliver secure, efficient, and sustainable experiences for both passenger and cargo transport. Central to this is the FRMCS-powered Rail Broadband movement, providing high-reliability, low-latency connectivity for mission-critical operations. Combined with AI Inspection solutions for Railway Huawei helps operators build valuable data assets and fault samples. Through iterative active learning, our solutions empower railways to proactively adapt to operational and market changes, securing the future of global mobility.

Raymond Zuo, President of Huawei Smart Railway Unit
Raymond Zuo, President of Huawei Smart Railway Unit

Raymond Zuo delivered a Keynote Presentation titled “Leading Digital Infrastructure to Empower Rail Intelligence.” During his address, he emphasized that “Based on the deep dive of 2035, we launch a new innovation strategy for rail industry, we call it iRAIL, using intelligent solution to help railways more reliable and automated, providing integrated services to passengers and freight customers, and achieving long-term development with new businesses. Meanwhile, we expand our fields in rail industry from fixed infra to mobile equipment, freight and passengers transport, diversified businesses and construction based our new ICT solution.”

Ethan Lee, VP of Huawei Smart Railway Unit
Ethan Lee, VP of Huawei Smart Railway Unit

At operations panel, Ethan Lee noted that “Shifting from reactive incident response to predictive and preventive safety management, AI and advanced data analytics are fundamentally transforming the safety, reliability and operational resilience of global rail networks.”

Sanford Sheng, Solution Director of Huawei Enterprise Wireless MKT & Solution Sales
Sanford Sheng, Solution Director of Huawei Enterprise Wireless MKT & Solution Sales

Sanford Sheng shared insights during the signaling panel. He stated that “Safety and efficiency are the core demands of railway construction and planning. Meanwhile, railway communication system is also evolving from traditional VHF radio and GSM-R toward the next-generation FRMCS. It is essential to build a dedicated private network to carry ETCS train control services. Adopting the unified UIC FRMCS standard can effectively resolve challenges of cross-system interoperability and cross-border railway roaming.”

Huawei currently supports over 300 urban rail lines worldwide, with its Smart Railway solutions spanning more than 180,000 kilometers. Moving forward, Huawei remains committed to its solutions and technology by matching innovative technologies with industry-specific scenarios. By fostering deep collaboration with global partners, Huawei continues to deliver intelligent solutions that accelerate the digital transformation of rail transit, driving the industry toward a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future of mobility as it drives mobility and logistics into the intelligent world.

For more information: https://e.huawei.com/en/industries/railway

Ant Digital Technologies and Ryt Bank Win Best AI-Powered Customer Experience Award in Malaysia

Partnership Recognition Underscores Rapid Growth of AI-Driven Digital Banking in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ant Digital Technologies and Ryt Bank today announced that their partnership has been honoured with the Best AI-Powered Customer Experience and Engagement Initiative in Malaysia for 2026 at The Asian Banker Malaysia Awards. The award recognises the joint achievement of both organisations in deploying enterprise-grade AI technology to deliver personalised, scalable financial services and bring best-in-class customer experiences in Malaysia.

The Asian Banker Malaysia Awards is one of the most established benchmarking programmes in retail, transaction finance, risk management and financial technology, recognising exceptional innovation, leadership, management and performance.

According to The Asian Banker Awards, “The Ryt Bank and Ant Digital Technologies’ application of AI-driven engagement capabilities to deliver personalised, conversational and real-time customer interactions across digital channels positions both organisations as a leading example of how AI can be embedded within banking platforms to enhance customer engagement, improve service responsiveness and support scalable digital experience delivery.”

Ryt Bank, an entity established by YTL Digital Capital Sdn Bhd and Sea Limited, is licensed by Bank Negara Malaysia and positioned as The World’s First AI-powered bank. Since launching in August 2025, Ryt Bank has reached 1.2 million users in just over seven months and processed more than 25 million transactions, with monthly transaction volume growing more than 35 times since launch.The growth reflects strong adoption of Ryt Bank’s core digital banking features, including bill payments, card usage, Ryt PayLater and Ryt AI — its AI-powered banking assistant that enables users to complete transfers and bill payments through simple prompts in the app. Nearly half of Ryt Bank users have engaged with Ryt AI, with adoption seen across all age groups, including users aged 50 and above.

“This award validates our belief in the power of AI to reshape the future of financial services. More importantly, it reflects how Malaysians are embracing a new way of banking — one that is simpler, more intuitive, and built around everyday needs. We are delighted to work alongside Ant Digital Technologies, whose deep expertise in AI and commitment to local market needs have been instrumental in our journey,” said Wilson Soon, interim CEO at Ryt Bank.

“We are honored to receive this recognition together with RYT Bank. Together, we are proving that AI and finance can integrate seamlessly to deliver real value for customers – faster, safer, and more personalised banking experiences,” said Leo Li, President of International Business at Ant Digital Technologies.

Ant Digital Technologies, is the technology subsidiary of Ant Group. In 2025, Ant Digital Technologies established its International Headquarters in Hong Kong. In 2026, the company established an operation center in Malaysia and launched a recruitment drive across Southeast Asia, underscoring its long-term commitment to building local AI ecosystems. The company’s global network has grown to over 300 partners, serving more than 10,000 enterprise customers worldwide.

Malaysia Airlines Maintains Focus on Operational Consistency and Greater Flexibility for Travellers

Sustains >90% on-time performance throughout April, records encouraging passenger demand, and provides flexibility and value for travellers

SYDNEY, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Malaysia Airlines continues to focus on operational consistency and customer flexibility amid today’s evolving operating environment.

Malaysia Airlines Maintains Focus on Operational Consistency and Greater Flexibility for Travellers
Malaysia Airlines Maintains Focus on Operational Consistency and Greater Flexibility for Travellers

The airline maintained on-time performance (OTP) above 90% throughout April, marking the second consecutive month of average OTP above the 90% level, while consistently exceeding its 85% target since January 2026. This sustained performance reflects ongoing operational improvements across the network, including enhancements to boarding processes and on-ground support, contributing to a smoother and more dependable travel experience for customers.

Customer demand has also remained encouraging. In March, year-on-year (YoY) passenger traffic increased by 30%, with positive momentum continuing into April as traffic grew by 8% YoY. The sustained growth reflects stable underlying demand for travel across key markets, even as the broader air travel environment continues to evolve.

Bryan Foong, Chief Executive Officer of Airline Business from Malaysia Aviation Group, said, “We recognise that travellers today are navigating a more uncertain environment, and that reliability and flexibility remain important when planning their journeys. Our focus continues to be on delivering safe and dependable operations, while providing our customers the flexibility and support they need as travel patterns continue to evolve. The operational consistency we have seen in recent months, together with continued customer demand across key markets, is an encouraging reflection of the steady progress being made across the airline. Above all, our priority is to ensure customers feel supported and confident throughout their journey with us.”

Recognising that travellers are increasingly seeking both assurance and value, Malaysia Airlines has introduced its “Now Boarding” campaign across key markets. The campaign brings together customer-focused offerings designed to support more flexible and confident travel decisions.

Central to this is the airline’s Flex fare family, which allows unlimited flight changes with no extra fees, providing greater peace of mind should plans evolve.  For families planning their holidays, Malaysia Airlines also offers child fares alongside dedicated onboard activity packs for young travellers, helping create a more enjoyable and seamless travel experience for families. Customers who book directly via the Malaysia Airlines website or official mobile app can also enjoy exclusive benefits*, including 5% savings on flights for Enrich members, up to AUD 75 off with Amex and PayPal Pay in 4 services, ensuring they get more value out of their journey.

The airline’s progress is further reflected in the continued growth of its brand value. In the latest Airlines 50 2026 report by Brand Finance, Malaysia Airlines recorded the highest brand value growth among Malaysian carriers. Brand value increased by 27% to USD771 million, with the airline climbing four places to rank 41st globally, supported by sustained recovery and a continued focus on delivering a premium, customer-centric experience.

Malaysia Airlines will continue building on these efforts as it strengthens the overall travel experience for customers across its network.

*Terms and conditions apply. For more information and to book your flights, visit www.malaysiaairlines.com

About Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines is the national carrier of Malaysia, offering premium and full-service travel options to, from, and within the country. As the gateway to Asia and beyond, the airline carries up to 40,000 guests daily on memorable journeys inspired by Malaysia’s diverse heritage. Malaysia Airlines embodies the nation’s rich traditions, cultures, and cuisines, delivering an unparalleled experience through its signature Malaysian Hospitality across every customer touchpoint.

Since September 2015, the airline has been owned and operated by Malaysia Airlines Berhad. It is part of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) – a global aviation organisation comprising a range of aviation and lifestyle travel solution portfolios aimed at serving global air travel needs.

As a member of the oneworld® alliance, Malaysia Airlines offers enhanced connectivity to more than 900 destinations in 170 territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.malaysiaairlines.com or download the Malaysia Airlines app for the latest promotions at your fingertips.

Banyan Group Residences Brings Latest Phuket Property Launches to Singapore

Three new Laguna Phuket developments – spanning lakeside living, golf-front design and Angsana-branded luxury – to be showcased at Fairmont Singapore on 23–24 May


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Banyan Group Residences is bringing three of its most anticipated new residential launches to Singapore this month, with a two-day sales exhibition taking place at Fairmont Singapore, Orchard Room (4F) on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The event offers Singapore buyers a rare opportunity to explore and invest in some of Phuket’s most compelling new addresses, with dedicated sales teams on hand for private consultations.

Angsana Golf Residences Topaz
Angsana Golf Residences Topaz

The exhibitions follow a year of record residential sales for Banyan Group Residences, as growing numbers of global investors look to Phuket as a safe haven for capital – drawn by the island’s political stability, strong rental yields, year-round lifestyle appeal, and the relative value it continues to offer against comparable markets. Demand has been particularly robust from buyers across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, with Singapore consistently ranking among the Group’s top source markets worldwide.

The three projects on show represent some of the most exciting new additions to Laguna Phuket – Asia’s premier integrated resort destination – and span a range of living concepts, price points, and design inspirations, united by the hallmark quality and hospitality expertise of Banyan Group Residences, Asia’s leading branded residential developer by volume.

“Singapore has long been one of our most important buyer markets, and we’re delighted to be returning with what we believe is our strongest line-up yet,” said Stuart Reading, Managing Director of Banyan Group Residences. “Whether you’re looking for a holiday retreat, a permanent base in a world-class resort community, or a smart long-term investment, this exhibition offers something genuinely compelling. High-quality property in a prime location at Laguna Phuket still represents outstanding value compared to equivalent homes in Singapore or other major cities.”

Bellaguna Lake Residences

Brand new blocks of Bellaguna Lake Residences will be revealed for the first time at the exhibition. Set beside a shimmering lake within Laguna Phuket – steps from Bang Tao Beach – the development takes its design cues from the sleek lines of a contemporary luxury yacht. Five elegantly elongated buildings feature dark wave-like façades and warm, light-filled interiors, with generous private terraces overlooking the lagoon. Residences include one- to three-bedroom condominiums and two- to three-bedroom penthouses with private rooftop pools, as well as a brand new category of two-bedroom residences with private pool.

Bellaguna is Banyan Group Residences’ newest residential brand, conceived specifically for premium year-round living outside of hotel inventory – yet fully supported by the Group’s renowned hospitality management standards.

Bellaguna Golf Residences

Set on land that once formed part of Phuket’s historic tin-mining landscape, Bellaguna Golf Residences draws its design identity from that heritage – soft horizontal lines and sculpted contours reinterpreted through a contemporary tropical lens. Low-rise buildings unfold amid lush gardens and a signature free-form pool, overlooking the fairways of the championship Laguna Golf Phuket course. A brand new block has also just been released for this project, which features a compact one-bedroom configuration, alongside one- to three-bedroom condominiums and two- to three-bedroom penthouses with private pools and sunset golf views.

Angsana Golf Residences Topaz

Inspired by the clarity and elegance of the topaz gemstone, Angsana Golf Residences Topaz comprises three gracefully curved low-rise buildings set within Laguna Phuket, with Sino-Portuguese design accents that subtly reference Phuket’s cultural heritage. The development offers two- and three-bedroom residences and exclusive penthouses with private rooftop pools, all enjoying panoramic views of the golf course, mountains, and the Andaman Sea. A signature rooftop ring-shaped pool completes the picture.

Show units are now available for all three projects at the Laguna Property Sales Gallery.

Banyan Living

Banyan Group has recently launched Banyan Living, a residential rental and marketing platform created to support owners of branded residences across the Group’s portfolio, while offering guests a professionally managed alternative to traditional home‑sharing platforms.

Developed as a structured, hospitality-led rental ecosystem, Banyan Living enables private owners to generate income from their residences, while providing guests who rent the properties assurance of the design integrity and professional service standards associated with Banyan Group.

Why Phuket, Why Now

Phuket continues to attract growing international interest as both a lifestyle destination and an investment market. Within Laguna Phuket, nationals of some 70 countries have chosen to make the resort community their home, drawn by year-round tropical living, world-class amenities, international schools, medical facilities, and a level of quality and security that is difficult to match elsewhere in the region.

Banyan Group Residences anticipates launching up to USD 1 billion in new luxury residential projects in Phuket over the next two to three years, reflecting the Group’s confidence in the market and the enduring strength of demand from international buyers.

Prospective buyers are welcome to visit the exhibition at Fairmont Singapore, Orchard Room (4F), on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026, between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. Private appointments can be arranged in advance by contacting the team directly.
Hashtag: #BanyanGroup #BanyanGroupResidences #LagunaPhuket

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

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 more than 100 properties, over 140 spas and galleries, and 20-plus branded residences in over 20 countries. Comprising 12 global brands, including the flagship Banyan Tree, each distinct yet united under the experiential membership programme with Banyan. The founding ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People” is embodied through the Banyan Global Foundation and Banyan Management 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.

About Laguna Phuket

Laguna Phuket is Asia’s premier integrated resort destination, set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea. Spanning over 1,000 acres, the resort features six luxury hotels, an award-winning 18-hole golf course, fine dining, luxury spas, and branded residences. Guests benefit from complimentary shuttle services, a cashless payment system, and access to world-class recreational and wellness facilities.

About Banyan Group Residences

Banyan Group Residences is the property development arm of leading hospitality pioneer Banyan Group, listed on the stock exchange of Singapore. With over 35 years of development experience and an impressive portfolio of residential brands to suit different lifestyles and budgets, it is Thailand’s leading lifestyle property developer with a strong and increasingly international pipeline of projects. The Group’s main residential brands include the flagship luxury Banyan Tree Residences, Angsana Residences, Dhawa Residences, Garrya Residences, Laguna Residences, Cassia Residences, Skypark, Laguna Lakelands, and Bellaguna.