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Dreame Mart Opens First U.S. Store, Bringing a New Era of Art Toys to Los Angeles

BREA, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new wave of art toy culture has arrived in the U.S. with the opening of a next-generation designer toy concept store at 1065 Brea Mall, Store #2022A, Brea, California. Just weeks after the first concept store debuted near Beijing’s Birds Nest National Stadium, this marks the brand’s first location in North America, signaling the start of a global movement.

Dreame Mart opens its first U.S. store in Brea, California, featuring art toys in an immersive setting.
Dreame Mart opens its first U.S. store in Brea, California, featuring art toys in an immersive setting.

The store reimagines the traditional retail experience by fusing artistic expression and advanced technology assistance. From interactive installations to AI-assisted design, visitors are invited into a world where creativity and innovation meet. “This isn’t just about collecting,” said Qevin Leung, Head of Global Business Development. “It’s about introducing new ideas to how people engage with art toys—through collaborative experiences, storytelling, and community.”

Spearheaded by a team of industry pioneers, many of whom come from leading collectible companies, the brand draws on deep expertise and a forward-thinking approach to create emotionally resonant, tech-enhanced products. With a foundation rooted in artistic collaboration and boundary-breaking design, the California location offers a glimpse into the future of collectibles culture.

This U.S. store opening marks a key step in the brand’s international expansion strategy and reinforces its mission to reshape the global designer toy landscape.

Media Contact:
dreamemart.PR@dreame.tech

Recruitment Contact:
recruiting.DM@dreame.tech

Partnership Inquiries:
global.sales@dreame.tech 

KN Group Leads International Data Industry Ecosystem

Global Summit of International Data Industry Alliance Convenes Successfully

HONG KONG, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The International Data Industry Alliance Global Summit, co-organized by KN Group and the International Data Industry Alliance (IDIA), was successfully held today. The Summit attracted over one hundred distinguished guests, including representatives from Hong Kong data industries, technology enterprises, financial and academic sectors, as well as and government officials overseeing digital economy initiatives from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions on cross-border data collaboration, security, compliance, and scalable technology adoption.

Caption (From Left to Right): Mr. Andy Jiang - Vice President, KN Group; Prof. Herbert Chia - Co-Chairman of IDIA; Senior Advisor, Alibaba Cloud(N.APAC&SEA); Mr. Visarn Techateerawat - Assistant Minister, Ministry of Transport of Thailand; Mr. Leo Chen - President, KN Group; Mr. Trairat Viriyasirikul - Deputy Secretary General, Acting Secretary General, The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC); Mr. Paul Chan - Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Mr. Rama Notowidigdo - Special Staff to the Minister for Digital Transformation, Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia; Dr. Rocky Cheng - CEO, Cyberport; Ir Allen Yeung - The Honorary Chairman, IDIA; Mr. Vincent Chan - Co-Chairman of IDIA; Partner of EY; Mr. Eason Wang - Senior Vice President, KN Group
Caption (From Left to Right): Mr. Andy Jiang – Vice President, KN Group; Prof. Herbert Chia – Co-Chairman of IDIA; Senior Advisor, Alibaba Cloud(N.APAC&SEA); Mr. Visarn Techateerawat – Assistant Minister, Ministry of Transport of Thailand; Mr. Leo Chen – President, KN Group; Mr. Trairat Viriyasirikul – Deputy Secretary General, Acting Secretary General, The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC); Mr. Paul Chan – Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Mr. Rama Notowidigdo – Special Staff to the Minister for Digital Transformation, Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia; Dr. Rocky Cheng – CEO, Cyberport; Ir Allen Yeung – The Honorary Chairman, IDIA; Mr. Vincent Chan – Co-Chairman of IDIA; Partner of EY; Mr. Eason Wang – Senior Vice President, KN Group

Distinguished officiating guests included Mr. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Mr. Allen Yeung, Honorary Chairman of IDIA; Professor Herbert Chia, Co-Chairman of IDIA; and Mr. Leo Chen, President of KN Group. As a leader in the international data ecosystem industry, this summit is organized with the strong support of KN Group, aiming to bring together businesses in the fields of science, technology and innovation, and to provide a platform for participants to collaborate, thereby building deeper partnerships and laying a foundation for the future development of global digitization.

Mr. Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, said “Data is transforming industries, business models, and the way we live. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the  potential for data to unlock new use cases and opportunities is immense. In Hong Kong, we are  committed to a digital strategy that embraces openness, global connectivity and value creation. This includes sharing more data to broaden application scenarios, facilitating cross-boundary data flows, supporting the development of AI as a core industry, and more. To drive an AI-powered digital economy, we must focus on expanding our talent pool and enhancing the community’s digital literacy. At the same time, we need to review legislation and regulations to foster innovation and create new application scenarios, while building a robust data governance framework that ensures data security. As a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder,’ Hong Kong can play a unique role in fostering international cooperation within the data industry to co-create a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.”

Mr. Leo Chen, President of KN Group, stated, “Data is the core asset of digital development, yet its true value lies in secure and efficient global circulation and application. As a host of this Summit, we leverage our extensive expertise in artificial intelligence, data compliance management, and cross-border resource integration to advance the Alliance’s initiatives. KN Group will harness our industry network across Southeast Asia to collaborate with the Alliance in establishing a regional data-sharing platform. This will foster technological cooperation and standards alignment among multinational enterprises, driving balanced development of the regional digital ecosystem.”

As one of the core founding members of IDIA, KN Group has 10 years of experience in the financial technology sector. With hundreds of millions of credit assessments, over 60 million users and over 200 partner organizations, KN Group is able to provide real-world experience for the development of the digital economy in Hong Kong and around the world.

Mr. Andy Jiang, Vice President of KN Group, stated, “The globalization of data elements requires the dual-wheel drive of technological innovation and institutional innovation. As an enterprise deeply engaged in the international market, we deeply understand that the differences in data standards and asymmetric infrastructure between regions are the main bottlenecks in cross-border collaboration.”

Following the opening ceremony, the Summit featured keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics such as national data industry development, cross-regional collaboration, AI-driven data applications, and compliance. Participants concurred that the integration of data and emerging technologies will redefine global supply chain competitiveness.

KN Group maintains that only through the establishment of an integrated ecosystem combining”technology, regulation, and humanistic values” can the cross-domain potential of data as a key element be fully unlocked. Looking ahead, KN Group remains committed to deepening global partnerships to pioneer best practices in data security, compliance, and commercialization, fostering an open and interconnected digital economy.

– End –

About KN Group

Established in 2014, KN Group is a financial technology company with a core focus on artificial intelligence and big data. Its vision is to make financial services more accessible, convenient, and fair. Leveraging AI technology, KN Group has developed comprehensive assessment models to effectively evaluate customer credit risks, gain deeper insights into customer needs better through extensive infrastructure, provide more personalized services, and identify and manage risks more efficiently.

KN Group is one of the strategic enterprises introduced under the Hong Kong Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES). Adhering to the strategy of “rooted in Hong Kong, covering ASEAN, and reaching out globally,” the Group has progressively expanded its international presence. Its business now spans multiple regions, including Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Mexico. The Group’s international headquarters is based in Hong Kong, where its treasury center and technology research and development teams are also located, and it is actively recruiting additional talent. Over the next three years, KN Group aims to enhance smart finance services across diverse markets and drive the development of inclusive finance.

 

Mr. Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, gave a welcome speech at the inaugural International Data Industry Alliance (IDIA) Global Summit
Mr. Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, gave a welcome speech at the inaugural International Data Industry Alliance (IDIA) Global Summit

Mr. Andy Jiang, Vice President at KN Group, spoke at the Summit as the hosting institution of the event
Mr. Andy Jiang, Vice President at KN Group, spoke at the Summit as the hosting institution of the event

The IDIA Global Summit attracted near 200 elite guests from the data industries, technology enterprises, financial and academic sectors, as well as government officials overseeing digital economy initiatives from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan
The IDIA Global Summit attracted near 200 elite guests from the data industries, technology enterprises, financial and academic sectors, as well as government officials overseeing digital economy initiatives from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan

RayNeo Launches X3 Pro: Redefining AR with Cutting-Edge Tech

SHENZHEN, China, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — RayNeo, a trailblazer in consumer AR technology, today unveiled its revolutionary product lineup at the “See the Extraordinary” launch event, marking China’s ascendancy in the global XR arena. The groundbreaking Spatial Computing Glasses X3 Pro, next-gen portable cinema Air 3s series, and AI-enhanced shooting glasses V3 Slim demonstrate RayNeo’s full-stack ecosystem capabilities, setting new benchmarks for AI+AR integration in consumer electronics.

At the event, RayNeo’s founder and CEO, Howie Li, announced that in the first quarter of 2025, RayNeo achieved a 45% market share in China’s online AR/AI glasses market, leading the industry by a significant margin. Additionally, RayNeo V3 captured a 95% market share in China’s AI camera glasses market, while RayNeo Air 3 remained the top-selling product for 20 consecutive weeks. According to the “China XR Device Retail Market Tracking Report” by market research firm RUNTO, RayNeo held a 50% market share in the domestic online market for similar products in the first quarter.

With such remarkable achievements, RayNeo is driving the industry forward with its cutting-edge products. The X3 Pro, as a milestone product in the industry, successfully overcomes five major core technological challenges: chips, interaction, spatial computing, weight, and optical display. It also introduces the world’s first visual Live AI and AI Agent App Store, seamlessly integrating AI into users’ daily lives.

The X3 Pro’s optical breakthrough stems from a collaboration with Applied Materials, integrating nano-lithography waveguides with RayNeo’s self-developed world’s smallest Micro-LED light engine to deliver a cinematic 43-inch 16.7M-color 3D display. Remarkably, this visual powerhouse is encased in an aerospace-grade magnesium-titanium alloy body weighing merely 76g – outperforming conventional prescription glasses in both capability and portability.

In terms of spatial perception, RayNeo X3 Pro is equipped with the RayNeo Imaging Plus system, which can control spatial positioning errors within 5‰, enabling the glasses to have a widely applicable spatial recognition capability. Regarding interaction, RayNeo X3 Pro has for the first time achieved Apple Watch control and supports a combination of various interaction methods such as temple five-dimensional navigation, voice, and mobile phone linkage, greatly improving interaction efficiency.

RayNeo X3 Pro is powered by the first-generation Qualcomm® AR1 platform and uses an aerospace-grade magnesium alloy frame and titanium alloy hinge, combining high strength with strong support characteristics. Thanks to this, RayNeo X3 Pro, while maintaining leading performance, still keeps the weight at 76g, making it one of the world’s lightest full-color AR glasses, providing users with a light and burden-free wearing experience.

In addition to significant hardware performance improvements, RayNeo X3 Pro has also seen a comprehensive evolution in its application ecosystem. The newly equipped RayNeoOS 2.0 system integrates a variety of practical functions such as AI translation, spatial navigation, AI recording, call transcription, and first-person photography and video recording, offering users a smarter and more convenient experience.

In terms of AI capabilities, RayNeo X3 Pro has also taken a crucial step forward. The product is equipped with a first-person multimodal large model exclusively customized by Tongyi, becoming one of the first AR glasses in the world to support visual Live AI interaction. Whether walking, dining, or conversing, users can ask questions at any time and receive instant intelligent feedback. At the same time, RayNeo has also launched the AI Agent App Store, featuring a wide range of AI agents such as DeepSeek, liquor recognition, luxury goods recognition, English tutoring, and mock interviews, truly integrating AI into daily life like air. To further expand application boundaries, RayNeo X3 Pro has also launched the “RayNeo AR App Virtual Machine” for the first time, achieving deep integration of the Android and AR glasses ecosystems. The first batch supports more than 30 mainstream APPs such as Douyin, Bilibili, and Honor of Kings, providing users with a more natural and efficient cross-platform interaction experience.

Furthermore, RayNeo announced partnerships with Alibaba Cloud, AutoNavi, Ant Group, and other companies. Both parties will conduct in-depth cooperation in multiple fields such as AI and AR glasses map navigation, visual and information services, and AI Agent, jointly exploring new application scenarios of spatial computing technology in intelligent travel and urban life, and promoting AI + AR technology to a broader consumer market.

From spatial computing breakthroughs to accessible entertainment tech, RayNeo’s “hardware-ecosystem dual engine” strategy positions China at the forefront of the global XR revolution. As featherweight AR glasses transcend performance limits, RayNeo isn’t just selling devices – it’s scripting the next chapter of human-machine coexistence.

STEVEN SIM: MALAYSIA OPENS NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK TO ALL ASEAN CITIZENS FOR THE FIRST TIME

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark move under its ASEAN Chairmanship, Malaysia will open its flagship National Training Week (NTW) to all ASEAN citizens for the first time, offering over 65,000 free training opportunities across the country and online from 14–21 June 2025.

The Honourable Mr Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources Malaysia (KESUMA) delivering his officiating speech.
The Honourable Mr Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources Malaysia (KESUMA) delivering his officiating speech.

The announcement was made by Minister of Human Resources, YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, during the ASEAN Human Capital Development Investment Symposium (AHCDIS) in Kuala Lumpur. NTW 2025 is the anchor initiative under Malaysia’s leadership of the ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS), a year-long commitment to regional workforce development.

This year’s NTW is set to be the largest and most inclusive skills programme in ASEAN, featuring free access to courses in AI, digital transformation, green technologies, leadership, and soft skills. It is supported by global and regional players such as Microsoft, Udemy, Awantec, Alibaba Cloud, and leading Malaysian providers, coordinated by the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp).

“For the first time, we are extending these high-quality training opportunities beyond our borders. This is Malaysia’s investment in ASEAN – and in human capital,” said YB Steven Sim. “Our goal is to make ASEAN the most skilled region in the world through deeper, more meaningful cooperation.”

NTW 2025 aims to reach at least 5 million participants from across the region, with an estimated value of over USD600 million (RM2.5 billion). It also marks Malaysia’s growing influence as a regional learning and development leader, ahead of other AYOS events such as the ASEAN Training Market Conference (July), ASEAN TVET Conference (August), and the Global Skills Forum (October), which will culminate in the ASEAN Forum of Manpower Ministers for Human Capital Development.

YB Steven Sim stressed that ASEAN must shift from being the world’s shop floor to becoming its innovation engine, powered by talent, partnerships, and purpose. “Our long-term success depends on embracing the digital, green, and high-value industries of the future,” he said.

Malaysia’s regional leadership has drawn praise from key ASEAN stakeholders. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn applauded Malaysia’s role: “This is a visionary initiative that reaffirms our shared commitment to investing in people — the true foundation of ASEAN’s growth and resilience.”

Adding to this, ILO’s Director for East and South-East Asia, Ms. Xiaoyan Qian, emphasised the need for skills development to be integrated with broader employment and economic policies. “Such policy coherence is fundamental to preparing ASEAN’s workforce for the rapidly evolving world of work,” she said.

The two-day AHCDIS symposium, hosted by HRD Corp under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), brought together over 300 participants from across ASEAN under the theme “Investment in Human Capital, Sustainable Financing, Public-Private Partnerships and Social Inclusion.”

Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid, Chairman of HRD Corp, said the symposium serves as a regional action platform to share best practices and drive long-term investment in human capital. “It is about finding actionable solutions that will shape the policies of tomorrow,” he said.

Key attendees included senior representatives from KESUMA, HRD Corp, ASEAN Secretariat, and AYOS 2025 leaders. The symposium’s outcomes are expected to significantly shape regional approaches to workforce development, enabling sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.

For more information on AYOS 2025, AHCDIS, and NTW, visit:

https://aseanyearofskills.org 

https://www.nationaltrainingweek.gov.my

Industry Leaders to Accelerate Tech Adoption including GenAI for more than 6,000 Enterprises

  • Three new partners in Digital Enterprise Blueprint to build SMEs’ capabilities in GenAI, Cloud and Cyber Resilience
  • AWS and Microsoft to work with IMDA to accelerate GenAI adoption and benefit 1,000 Digitally Mature SMEs
  • 800 more local AI practitioner job and training opportunities to be created to support upcoming demand

SINGAPORE, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New partnerships with industry giants Alibaba Cloud, Prudential and ST Engineering will give more local SMEs access to cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and cyber security. Announced today at the opening of ATxEnterprise by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, these new collaborations, in support of the nation’s Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB), will equip businesses to accelerate the adoption of frontier technologies. Mr Tan also launched two new talent programmes that will provide upskilling opportunities and create AI career pathways for locals. These programmes will train AI Practitioners ahead of demand as Singapore accelerates Generative AI (GenAI) adoption across the enterprise ecosystem, strengthening the nation’s position as a global AI hub. 

Three new partnerships to uplift digital capabilities of SMEs  

2.        IMDA will be working on three new partnerships designed to strengthen AI adoption and boost cyber resilience across the SME landscape.

  • Partnership with Alibaba Cloud to raise cloud and AI capabilities – up to 3,000 SMEs and digital solution providers will receive support to raise cloud and AI capabilities through the Alibaba Cloud Digital Accelerator Programme. This comprehensive initiative equips businesses with practical cloud experience and technical resources, including support through cloud credits, technical training workshops, expert consultations, and trial access to Alibaba’s Cloud AI Model Studio.
  • Partnership with Prudential Singapore to enhance GenAI adoption – under the GenAI Xponential Programme, Prudential in partnership with its Talent Engagement Ecosystem partner, Republic Polytechnic, will produce a series of up to 10 GenAI tech explainer videos tailored for SMEs, and conduct up to four workshops to help SMEs learn more about IMDA’s pre-approved GenAI solutions and promote adoption.
  • Partnership with ST Engineering to launch the SME CyberResilience Programme – this initiative will provide up to 2,000 SMEs with a one-time complimentary cyber threat scanning service through IMDA’s CTO-as-a-Service platform, while equipping them with crucial insights into emerging cyber threats and defence strategies through dedicated awareness events.

3.         The new partnerships are part of the efforts under the DEB to power the next bound of digitalisation for enterprises. Since its launch in May 2024, the DEB has benefitted over 10,000 enterprises.

Expanding GenAI support for Digitally Mature SMEs

4.        IMDA’s GenAI x Digital Leaders initiative was launched in 2024 to help DMEs build digital capabilities and overcome key challenges. Together with AWS and Microsoft, over 200 enterprises have been equipped with deeper technical understanding of GenAI and gained greater access to tech expertise and advice on deploying GenAI solutions.

5.        IMDA is currently supporting 50 DMEs with project implementations that deliver concrete business impact – generating an estimated productivity increase of as high as 50% and annual cost savings of up to S$300,000.

6.        IMDA is now strengthening its partnerships with AWS and Microsoft to accelerate frontier technology adoption. The enhanced initiative aims to reach more than 1,000 enterprises and support up to 500 projects in the coming year. The expanded collaboration will deliver twice the number of Tech Discovery Workshops and personalised Tech Deep-Dive sessions, while significantly reducing solution development costs and time by half by tapping on the latest technology development tools with pre-built GenAI modules.

7.        DMEs will gain enhanced access to technical expertise, including subject matter experts and model developers, backed by essential resources such as compute power and cloud credits.

Collaborations with AI Singapore and leading companies to provide 800 AI Practitioner job and training opportunities for locals  

8.        The demand for AI talent continues to increase as leading companies set up AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and build up their AI teams and activities in Singapore. To meet this demand, IMDA is boosting efforts to build Singapore’s AI talent pipeline. Through the TechSkills Accelerator’s (TeSA) Company-Led Training programme, IMDA has secured 400 local AI Practitioner roles through collaborations with leading companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Oracle, and SingTel. 

9.        IMDA is also partnering with AI Singapore (AISG) and the industry to launch two new training programmes, which will provide another 400 AI Practitioner job and training opportunities for locals.  

  • AI Apprenticeship Programme (Industry) (AIAP(I)) – To train more locals to take up job opportunities in AI Practitioner roles. 
  • Pinnacle AI Industry Programme (PAIP) – Uplifting local AI Practitioners in frontier companies into expert model builders. 

10.       Set to launch in June 2025, the AIAP(I), developed in collaboration with AISG, will equip locals with AI, Data, and Machine Learning skills, and the opportunity to hone their skills in real-world projects through a six-month programme. The AIAP(I) aims to train 300 AI Practitioners in batches over two years. Upon completion, trainees will be ready for hiring by AI COEs and leading companies. 

 11.      To build deeper technical expertise such as advanced AI model building and fine-tuning demanded by frontier companies, IMDA has partnered AISG’s SEA-LION team to develop the PAIP. This initiative expected to be launched in the second half of 2025, is an intensive six-month full-time programme that will upskill 100 local AI Practitioners into expert model builders over three years.  

CONTACT: atxsg.imda@archetype.co

Industry Leaders to Accelerate Tech Adoption including GenAI for more than 6,000 Enterprises

  • Three new partners in Digital Enterprise Blueprint to build SMEs’ capabilities in GenAI, Cloud and Cyber Resilience
  • AWS and Microsoft to work with IMDA to accelerate GenAI adoption and benefit 1,000 Digitally Mature SMEs
  • 800 more local AI practitioner job and training opportunities to be created to support upcoming demand

SINGAPORE, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New partnerships with industry giants Alibaba Cloud, Prudential and ST Engineering will give more local SMEs access to cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and cyber security. Announced today at the opening of ATxEnterprise by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, these new collaborations, in support of the nation’s Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB), will equip businesses to accelerate the adoption of frontier technologies. Mr Tan also launched two new talent programmes that will provide upskilling opportunities and create AI career pathways for locals. These programmes will train AI Practitioners ahead of demand as Singapore accelerates Generative AI (GenAI) adoption across the enterprise ecosystem, strengthening the nation’s position as a global AI hub. 

Three new partnerships to uplift digital capabilities of SMEs  

2.        IMDA will be working on three new partnerships designed to strengthen AI adoption and boost cyber resilience across the SME landscape.

  • Partnership with Alibaba Cloud to raise cloud and AI capabilities – up to 3,000 SMEs and digital solution providers will receive support to raise cloud and AI capabilities through the Alibaba Cloud Digital Accelerator Programme. This comprehensive initiative equips businesses with practical cloud experience and technical resources, including support through cloud credits, technical training workshops, expert consultations, and trial access to Alibaba’s Cloud AI Model Studio.
  • Partnership with Prudential Singapore to enhance GenAI adoption – under the GenAI Xponential Programme, Prudential in partnership with its Talent Engagement Ecosystem partner, Republic Polytechnic, will produce a series of up to 10 GenAI tech explainer videos tailored for SMEs, and conduct up to four workshops to help SMEs learn more about IMDA’s pre-approved GenAI solutions and promote adoption.
  • Partnership with ST Engineering to launch the SME CyberResilience Programme – this initiative will provide up to 2,000 SMEs with a one-time complimentary cyber threat scanning service through IMDA’s CTO-as-a-Service platform, while equipping them with crucial insights into emerging cyber threats and defence strategies through dedicated awareness events.

3.         The new partnerships are part of the efforts under the DEB to power the next bound of digitalisation for enterprises. Since its launch in May 2024, the DEB has benefitted over 10,000 enterprises.

Expanding GenAI support for Digitally Mature SMEs

4.        IMDA’s GenAI x Digital Leaders initiative was launched in 2024 to help DMEs build digital capabilities and overcome key challenges. Together with AWS and Microsoft, over 200 enterprises have been equipped with deeper technical understanding of GenAI and gained greater access to tech expertise and advice on deploying GenAI solutions.

5.        IMDA is currently supporting 50 DMEs with project implementations that deliver concrete business impact – generating an estimated productivity increase of as high as 50% and annual cost savings of up to S$300,000.

6.        IMDA is now strengthening its partnerships with AWS and Microsoft to accelerate frontier technology adoption. The enhanced initiative aims to reach more than 1,000 enterprises and support up to 500 projects in the coming year. The expanded collaboration will deliver twice the number of Tech Discovery Workshops and personalised Tech Deep-Dive sessions, while significantly reducing solution development costs and time by half by tapping on the latest technology development tools with pre-built GenAI modules.

7.        DMEs will gain enhanced access to technical expertise, including subject matter experts and model developers, backed by essential resources such as compute power and cloud credits.

Collaborations with AI Singapore and leading companies to provide 800 AI Practitioner job and training opportunities for locals  

8.        The demand for AI talent continues to increase as leading companies set up AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and build up their AI teams and activities in Singapore. To meet this demand, IMDA is boosting efforts to build Singapore’s AI talent pipeline. Through the TechSkills Accelerator’s (TeSA) Company-Led Training programme, IMDA has secured 400 local AI Practitioner roles through collaborations with leading companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Oracle, and SingTel. 

9.        IMDA is also partnering with AI Singapore (AISG) and the industry to launch two new training programmes, which will provide another 400 AI Practitioner job and training opportunities for locals.  

  • AI Apprenticeship Programme (Industry) (AIAP(I)) – To train more locals to take up job opportunities in AI Practitioner roles. 
  • Pinnacle AI Industry Programme (PAIP) – Uplifting local AI Practitioners in frontier companies into expert model builders. 

10.       Set to launch in June 2025, the AIAP(I), developed in collaboration with AISG, will equip locals with AI, Data, and Machine Learning skills, and the opportunity to hone their skills in real-world projects through a six-month programme. The AIAP(I) aims to train 300 AI Practitioners in batches over two years. Upon completion, trainees will be ready for hiring by AI COEs and leading companies. 

 11.      To build deeper technical expertise such as advanced AI model building and fine-tuning demanded by frontier companies, IMDA has partnered AISG’s SEA-LION team to develop the PAIP. This initiative expected to be launched in the second half of 2025, is an intensive six-month full-time programme that will upskill 100 local AI Practitioners into expert model builders over three years.  

CONTACT: atxsg.imda@archetype.co

Explore Launches to Transform International Undergraduate Student Recruitment

  • New independent brand, Explore, powered by Cialfo and BridgeU, offers universities access to an unparalleled community of K12 students seeking international education.
  • Manifest Global’s portfolio now includes Explore, Cialfo, BridgeU, and Kaaiser.

SAN DIEGO, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new force in international student recruitment, Explore, has launched today, empowering universities to connect with and recruit high-potential international undergraduate students. Leveraging the combined strength of leading and trusted platforms Cialfo and BridgeU, Explore provides access to the largest community of international K12 students globally.

Explore offers a comprehensive suite of events, in-platform promotion and marketing solutions designed to ensure institutions attract and diverse range of students, actively researching international study options. These solutions include targeted digital campaigns, engaging content creation, impactful events, and more, all aimed at connecting universities with prospective undergraduates and their high school counsellors.

“In today’s competitive global education landscape, finding and engaging the right international undergraduate talent is paramount for universities,” says Rohan Pasari, Explore Board Member and CEO of Manifest Global. “Explore is uniquely positioned to address this challenge. By harnessing the power of our market-leading platforms, expert team, and deep data insights, we equip institutions and the broader education sector with the knowledge needed to make informed, evidence-based decisions and achieve their recruitment goals.”

Explore debuted at NAFSA in San Diego with follow-up events to be held in the UK in June.

About Explore

Explore is part of Manifest Global, a global education investment firm headquartered in Singapore. Manifest’s portfolio of education companies and platforms includes BridgeU, Cialfo, and Kaaiser. These three student-facing brands connect tens of thousands of students with international education opportunities every year through advanced university and careers guidance platforms, used by K12 schools in over 150 countries. The integration of online and offline channels creates both a seamless experience for our students and high schools as well as scalable, targeted and attributable returns for institutions through Explore. For more information, visit explore.study.

About Manifest Global

Manifest Global is a global education investment firm headquartered in Singapore, specializing in building companies that connect the world towards growth, prosperity, and innovation. With a portfolio of brands including Cialfo, Explore, BridgeU, and Kaaiser, Manifest Global is dedicated to enhancing global student mobility and fostering an interconnected education ecosystem. It’s backed by prominent global funds including Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, Square Peg, Tiger Global, SEEK Growth, DLF Ventures, Cercano Management, Analog Capital, January Capital, and more. For more information, visit manifest.inc.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonah Duffin: jonah.duffin@explore.study 

SHEIN’s Science-Based Net-Zero Target is Approved by SBTi

SINGAPORE, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, we have reached a milestone in our climate journey with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validating our net-zero science-based target by 2050 and approving our near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets. Our climate targets have been validated to conform with the SBTi Net-Zero Standard, aligning with the latest climate science consensus and the Paris Agreement ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.[1] These targets are as follows:


Overall Net-Zero Target:

  • Reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the value chain by 2050.

Near-Term Targets:

  • Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030.
  • Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions[2] by 25% by 2030.
  • Increase active annual sourcing of renewable electricity to 100% by 2030.

Long-Term Targets:

  • Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90% by 2050.
  • Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions by 90% by 2050.

Full details of our net-zero targets can be found at SBTi.

Mustan Lalani, Global Head of Sustainability at SHEIN, said, “SBTi’s validation of our net-zero targets marks an important step in SHEIN’s decarbonisation journey. We are committed to reducing emissions across our value chain and recognise that addressing Scope 3 emissions is a complex but critical part of that effort. As we continue this work, we will build on our momentum and adapt our approach in line with evolving technologies, policies and industry best practices.”

Our decarbonisation roadmap in action

In 2024, with the support of sustainability consultancy Anthesis Group, we developed a decarbonisation roadmap to guide our progress toward meeting our near- and long-term emissions reduction targets. This roadmap outlines priority decarbonisation actions based on their emissions reduction potential, technical and operational feasibility, and alignment with SHEIN’s business strategy and growth plans.

Scope 1 & 2: Reducing Direct Operational Emissions

We are addressing direct emissions from our operations and purchased electricity by prioritising the following actions:

  1. Transition to Renewable Energy: Powering all directly-managed operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2030, through increased on-site electricity production from solar photovoltaic installations across SHEIN-operated facilities, and the purchase of high-integrity Energy Attribute Certificates.
  2. Improve Energy Efficiency: Enhancing energy consumption monitoring and upgrading systems across our directly-managed facilities to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.
  3. Phase Out Fossil Fuels and Reduce Fugitive Emissions: Phasing out fossil fuels in our operations by transitioning to electric vehicles, and reducing fugitive emissions, e.g. through the use of fire suppression systems with lower global warming potential.


Scope 3: Addressing Emissions Across the Value Chain

We are focused on reducing emissions in our two highest impact categories, Purchased Goods and Services, and Upstream Transportation and Distribution, which account for approximately 96% of our emissions in 2024.

Making Products More Sustainably:

The following priority actions outline how we are addressing emissions from the production phase of our products:

  1. Minimising the Use of Virgin Materials and Transitioning to Lower Carbon-Impact Alternatives: Reducing the amount of virgin materials used in garment and packaging production, as well as switching to and promoting greater usage of alternatives with lower carbon footprints, for instance, using recycled instead of virgin polyester – scaling textile-to-textile recycling will be an important part of the transition to recycled polyester, and to support this, we have a multi-year research partnership with Donghua University to study how to drive commercially scalable production of recycled polyester fibre made from textiles.
  2. Promoting Lower CarbonImpact Manufacturing Processes: Supporting our suppliers in transitioning to renewable energy and encouraging improvements to their manufacturing processes to reduce their carbon footprint; examples include installing energy-saving equipment and adopting energy-saving practices.

Reducing Transport Emissions:
The following actions are aimed at helping us to reduce emissions from the transportation and distribution of our products:

  1. Reducing Transportation Distances: Optimising our global logistics network and route planning, and to promote the greater use of land, sea, or multimodal routes.
  2. Improving Transport Efficiency: Ensuring smaller carbon footprints through improving load and packaging efficiency, as well as the use of lower-emission transport modes.


Other Decarbonisation Opportunities

We are also strengthening waste management at our directly-managed facilities through updated guidelines that require the classification, recycling and documentation of all industrial waste, and promoting practices to encourage our customers to extend the use of their products, including initiatives such as our peer-to-peer resale platform, SHEIN Exchange, to reduce product-related emissions. By working towards solutions that aim to cut down on waste, we are aiming to cut down on the energy and resources needed across our own operations, with the goal of minimising our Scope 3 emissions.

[1] SHEIN’s 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets are with reference to a baseline year of 2023.

[2] From purchased goods and services, fuel- and energy-related activities, upstream transportation and distribution, waste generated in operations and end-of-life treatment of sold products.