• Cognizant’s Frontier workforce model to create the human infrastructure that turns AI investment into enterprise outcomes
• Backed by decades of running technology and operations at enterprise scale, Cognizant’s human capital operating model embeds outcome-owning Frontier talent inside client operations
• Cognizant Frontier talent operates across any cloud, any model to help close the gap between AI capability and enterprise results

TEANECK, N.J., July 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH), a leading AI Builder and technology services provider, today announced it was committing to scaling its Frontier-certified workforce, the human and operational infrastructure enterprises need to convert AI capability into measurable business results, to 5,000 Frontier Certified Engineers and 10,000 Frontier Business Operators.

Cognizant’s people investment will yield its first cohort, which will be both Frontier-assessed and deployment-ready, by fourth quarter, 2026. Cognizant also plans to augment its own Frontier talent pipeline through annual direct hires of Frontier-native talent from American and global universities.

This human capital investment is focused on solving an urgent problem facing enterprises today: most organizations have spent more on AI than on any technology in a generation, and most have little to show for it. Cognizant measures the gap between what AI can deliver and what enterprises actually realize at $4.5 trillion. That gap is not a compute problem. It is a people and process problem, and it will not be closed by provisioning more infrastructure. The required investment is skilling and deploying more Frontier-ready talent into client-oriented delivery to help clients realize a return on their technology investment.

“Closing the AI outcome gap demands talent who not only understands a client’s industry deeply but can also reimagine the way work is structured and take end-to-end responsibility for delivering results in collaboration with clients, on any model or cloud the client selects,” said Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S. “That is what a Frontier workforce does. By taking accountability for outcomes rather than stopping at technology deployment, we can help clients accelerate measurable results while managing risk. Cognizant’s industry context and experience position us uniquely to unlock the value that has remained out of reach during this shift toward outcome-based delivery and a new chapter in human capital.”

Cognizant’s Frontier workforce is model- and cloud-agnostic by design. Its teams build an organization’s unique context into whatever stack the client has already chosen, across a partnership footprint that spans Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, AWS, NVIDIA, Salesforce, and ServiceNow. The result is durable capability designed for enterprise ownership and portability across environments, otherwise known as solutions that are geared towards the problems being experienced by our client, not the closest thing a proprietary platform can accomplish.

“AI has exposed 93% of jobs to change, and the associated labor value remains untapped because the workforce architecture built for a pre-AI world cannot capture it. So we rebuilt the architecture for the world we are in now,” said Cognizant Chief People Officer, Kathy Diaz. “Industry domain depth is a core strength of Cognizant, and we bring enterprise-scale experience across technology, processes and operations. We know how to take these powerful frontier tools and turn them into real business value, and we are training our workforce to do it at scale.”

Cognizant Chief Learning Officer, Thiru Arohi said: “We are developing a new professional identity for the AI era. We are investing in the infrastructure behind this identity: the Academy, the assessment architecture, the certification pathway, and the talent pipeline from campus to senior practitioner. What we are scaling is not headcount, but a workforce capable of closing the outcome gap that no model, platform, or deployment engineer can close alone.”

This Frontier model is anchored in six principles: interdisciplinary capability; a direct linkage to customer value; building, deploying, or working alongside agents as routine; end-to-end accountability; delivery through a small operational pod; and a single, unified Cognizant experience for the client. The workforce will be organized as a single premium job family of seven roles across two complementary tracks, Frontier Certified Engineers and Frontier Business Operators:

• Frontier Certified Engineers: Frontier Certified Engineers architect and build agentic systems, engineer the retrieval and context layers that keep those systems grounded in domain reality, and orchestrate multi-agent pipelines into live production, remaining accountable for every system they deploy, including ongoing monitoring, tuning and improvement cycles that follow go-live. They are where industry domain expertise, full-stack AI engineering and production accountability converge in a single practitioner. They enter a client environment already fluent in its regulatory constraints, operational failure modes and business logic, and use that fluency to determine not just what AI can do, but what it should do, and how it must be governed to be trusted in alignment with client requirements.

• Frontier Business Operators: Frontier Business Operators are responsible for delivering operational outcomes in collaboration with client stakeholders in environments where the workforce is simultaneously human and digital, managing agent fleets and human teams against a committed outcome, in real time, with no separation between the two. Their edge is not technical configuration; it is the judgment that comes from having run the operations floors, claims pipelines, and service workflows that AI agents are now being asked to take on. They know how to feed every exception and override back into agent calibration, so the system is continuously refined to improve reliability over time.

What sets these roles apart from being forward deployed engineers is permanence, accountability and something that cannot be trained overnight: Cognizant’s deep industry domain expertise and the hard-won experience of an AI builder running enterprise operations at scale. The model is already live — a two-person Engineer-and-Operator pod recently reimagined a large food service company’s account-management workflow into seventeen production AI agents, reclaiming roughly eleven hours per account manager each week while cutting handoff cycles by about 60 percent and nearly tripling their revenue per engagement.

Underpinning the commitment is a model built to scale and to reach the client. Cognizant stands up local capacity inside client clusters so certified pods deploy close to the work they own, while its global capability centers supply the talent base behind them. The elevation funnel narrows at each stage: from a broad base of AI-fluency skilling across hundreds of thousands of associates, through structured AI-Bridge programs to 40,000 in Frontier certification, credentialed directly by the frontier-model companies, including GitHub Copilot, Google Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and OpenAI’s Codex. Today’s announced investment will expand Cognizant’s SkillSpring™ capacity, deliver AI-fluency and responsible-AI training across the workforce, and fund embedded client engagements worldwide.

For enterprises, the payoff is measured where it matters most: AI investment converted into business results, delivering value from the technology stack they already run, with accountability through an AI builder firm that lasts well beyond go-live. In committing to the people who deliver those outcomes, Cognizant is making a strategic bet that the defining edge of the AI era will be human and operational, and positioning its clients to pursue the financial return from their technology investment which has eluded them. That is the future of AI: not just capability, but outcomes that endure.

About Cognizant

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

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HONG KONG, BEIJING and SHANGHAI, July 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Grace Investment Machine (“GIM”), an AI-native investment technology company building agentic systems for capital markets, today announced the close of its US$20 million Series A financing. The round was co-led by a leading US venture capital firm and Hony Capital, with participation from IDG Capital and existing investor Monolith Capital. The financing marks GIM’s third funding round within its first year of operations.

GIM is building agentic AI systems designed to go beyond assisting investment research. The company describes this approach as a “Visionary Machine”: AI systems that generate, test, and refine investment hypotheses through market data, feedback loops, and coordinated agents.

Capital markets offer a uniquely rich learning environment. Every investment hypothesis can be translated into action, and every action produces measurable feedback. Over time, this closed learning loop allows intelligent systems to sharpen judgment not by memorizing the past, but by continuously learning from the market itself.

“We believe investment AI is moving from information assistance to autonomous hypothesis generation and testing,” said Jiahao Xu, founder and CEO of GIM. “GIM is building systems that can reason across market data, evaluate signals through feedback, and improve over time in real-world capital markets.”

The company is advancing on two fronts: foundation models tailored to capital-market environments, and multi-agent systems that generate, validate, and evolve investment signals across coordinated reasoning layers. Its flagship paper, CogAlpha, was accepted to the ACL 2026 main conference with an Oral recommendation. The paper presents a seven-layer agent architecture that moves from raw data to actionable investment signals.

GIM’s broader ambition is captured in a second phrase: Shared Prosperity. As intelligence systems compound at different rates, the company believes the defining question of the next decades will be who gets to own and harness that growth. Its long-term bet is to build products — from institutional strategies to individual-accessible vehicles — that turn self-evolving intelligence into a widely held asset, rather than a concentrated advantage.

This vision has drawn support from investors with long-term conviction in both AI and capital markets. The round brings together long-term investors with experience across artificial intelligence, financial technology, and global markets. Alongside its research efforts, GIM is also bringing AI-driven strategies and investment products into live validation across multiple asset classes and markets.

• Regional recognition of “Growing for Good” and “Giving Back to Society” — values brought to life in Malaysia through school and community programmes

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Suntory Beverage and Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a leader in health enrichment products under the BRAND’S trademark in Thailand and Indochina and part of Suntory Beverage and Food Health Enrichment (SBFHE), the regional business unit driving growth in the health enrichment and beverage categories across Asia, was honoured with two major sustainability awards at the recent Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2026.

The company received the Health Promotion Award for “BRAND’S Young Blood” — its second win in the category — and the Green Leadership Award for “BRAND’S Bring Back,” recognising the Group’s success in driving business growth while creating lasting, positive social and environmental impact.

Award-winning impact across the region

The “BRAND’S Young Blood” project, implemented in collaboration with the National Blood Centre, Thai Red Cross Society, since 1997, promotes blood donation among young people aged 17 to 22. For more than 26 years, the project has contributed over 2 million units of blood to Thailand’s blood supply, including more than 260,000 units from youth donors in 2025 alone.

The “BRAND’S Bring Back” project, developed with the Pollution Control Department under Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Environment Office, promotes waste segregation and circular economy practices in schools. In 2025, the project reached more than 256,000 students, directly engaging nearly 5,700 students across 10 pilot schools and providing interactive learning kits to 437 schools under the BMA.

Mrs. Mathuvalee Stithyudhakarn, Vice President — Corporate Affairs, Thailand and Indochina, Suntory Beverage and Food (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “We are truly honoured to receive two awards at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2026. These recognitions reflect our commitment to ‘Growing for Good’ and ‘Giving Back to Society,’ which continue to guide our efforts to drive business growth while creating positive social and environmental impact. We strongly believe that investing in young people, promoting health and well-being, and caring for the environment are fundamental to sustainable social development.”

Giving back to society in Malaysia

As a regional business unit dedicated to health enrichment, SBFHE believes that improving people’s well-being extends beyond products to include healthier communities, a healthier environment and stronger opportunities for future generations. This commitment is reflected across the region, including Suntory Beverage and Food Malaysia (SBFM), where the founding values of “Growing for Good” and “Giving Back to Society” come to life through Ribena school and youth programmes that nurture healthier habits and stronger communities among young Malaysians. These initiatives reinforce SBFHE’s purpose of creating lasting value for society through high-quality products and meaningful sustainability initiatives.

Evangeline Lim, Marketing Director of Suntory Beverage and Food Malaysia, shared, “This regional recognition belongs to every Suntorian across Asia. In Malaysia, we bring ‘Giving Back to Society’ to life in classrooms and communities — helping children build healthy habits early, because nurturing healthier generations today builds stronger communities tomorrow. We believe good health goes beyond access to high-quality products; it also requires nutrition literacy that empowers young people to make informed choices and adopt lifelong healthy behaviours. Through partnerships across sectors, we strive to improve health and well-being and create lasting positive impact for society.”

As part of its Ramadan corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, Ribena partnered with OH Kasih by OHBULAN! to bring together more than 2,500 students and 90 Suntorians for a meaningful community initiative. The programme featured nutrition education, interactive activities and the distribution of Ramadan iftar bags, reflecting SBFM’s commitment to supporting local communities and celebrating the spirit of Ramadan through kindness, giving and shared experiences.

Ribena, which is the official partner of Nutrition Month Malaysia, supports healthier lifestyles among primary school students through a 10-school educational roadshow. The initiative combines nutrition education, interactive activities including the Misi Pahlawan Cilik Sihat Activity Book – designed to inspire children to adopt healthier eating and drinking habits, reflecting SBFM’s commitment to nurturing healthier communities beyond its products.

Across the region, Suntory Beverage and Food Health Enrichment advances sustainability initiatives spanning water stewardship, sustainable packaging, health and well-being promotion, quality-of-life enhancement, and education development — foundations for long-term growth and for creating value for society beyond quality products.

About the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA)

The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA), organised by Enterprise Asia, recognise organisations across Asia that demonstrate excellence in conducting business responsibly while creating sustainable value for stakeholders. Award-winning projects undergo a rigorous evaluation by an independent panel of experts, who assess outcomes, sustainability, innovation and long-term positive impact on society and the environment.

SINGAPORE, July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Planner Concept, a Singapore based interior design and renovation firm founded by Ben Lee, marks a significant milestone as it celebrates a decade of delivering quality renovation solutions across residential, retail, and commercial sectors.

Founded with a commitment to serving the community, The Planner Concept has built its reputation on creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces while ensuring a seamless renovation experience from concept to completion. Over the past ten years, the company has successfully helped homeowners and businesses bring their visions to life through professional project management, quality workmanship, and transparent communication.

Joining the company after graduating, Evelyn Lee, Ben Lee’s daughter, has played an important role in supporting the company’s growth and development. Working alongside her father, she has contributed to strengthening client relationships and advancing the company’s commitment to quality service and innovation.

“Our mission has always been simple to provide quality workmanship and efficient project execution while creating a smooth renovation journey for every client,” said Evelyn Lee of The Planner Concept. “We believe every space should reflect the client’s vision, needs, and lifestyle while staying within budget and project timelines.”

Ben Lee, Founder of The Planner Concept, established the company with the vision of creating a renovation firm built on trust, transparency, and customer satisfaction. His leadership and commitment to delivering reliable renovation solutions have played a key role in shaping the company’s growth and reputation over the past decade.

Built on Trust, Grown Through Referrals: 10 Years of The Planner Concept

What began as a one-man business has grown into a trusted family-run renovation company built on quality, integrity, and craftsmanship.

The Planner Concept has evolved into a father-and-daughter team, blending industry experience with fresh perspectives to create functional spaces for homeowners and businesses.

Guided by a quality-over-quantity philosophy, the company’s growth has been driven largely by referrals and repeat clients, reflecting the trust it has earned over the years.

As it enters its next chapter, The Planner Concept is expanding its digital presence and strengthening its expertise in residential and commercial renovations, while remaining committed to helping clients create spaces they love with honesty, quality, and care.

Addressing Industry Challenges Through Transparency and Reliability

The renovation industry often faces challenges such as project delays, poor coordination, inconsistent workmanship, and communication gaps. The Planner Concept addresses these issues through a client-centric approach focused on transparent pricing, efficient project management, and continuous communication throughout the renovation process.

By working closely with clients from the initial design phase through project completion, the company ensures expectations are clearly managed and timelines are effectively coordinated. This commitment has earned The Planner Concept a growing base of repeat customers and referrals, contributing significantly to its continued growth.

A Decade of Steady Growth and Expanding Capabilities

The Planner Concept has steadily expanded its capabilities beyond residential projects to include commercial and retail renovations. This diversification has enabled the company to serve a broader range of clients while gaining valuable expertise in understanding the unique requirements of different industries.

From homeowners seeking practical and stylish living environments to business owners requiring spaces that align with their brand identity, The Planner Concept has consistently delivered tailored solutions that balance functionality and design excellence.

The company’s growth has been driven by its unwavering focus on trust, reliable communication, and delivering projects within agreed timelines.

Commitment to Quality and Innovation

As renovation trends continue to evolve, The Planner Concept remains committed to exploring innovative materials and design solutions while maintaining strict quality standards. The company actively evaluates emerging products before recommending them to clients, ensuring that long-term performance and durability are never compromised.

“Providing honest and reliable guidance is at the core of what we do,” Evelyn explained. “When new products enter the market, we thoroughly assess their quality and suitability before recommending them to our clients. Transparency is essential in maintaining trust.”

Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, The Planner Concept aims to strengthen its position as one of Singapore’s trusted interior design and renovation firms.

The company plans to expand its team by recruiting experienced interior designers with expertise in both residential and commercial projects. This strategic growth will allow the company to serve more clients while maintaining its commitment to quality workmanship, transparent pricing, and efficient project execution.

In addition, The Planner Concept is investing in strengthening its brand presence and business profile through enhanced marketing initiatives and digital engagement, enabling more homeowners and businesses to discover its services.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Reflecting on her own journey in the industry, Evelyn encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace challenges and remain committed to continuous learning.

“Success comes from perseverance and experience. Every industry has its challenges, but growth happens when you’re willing to learn, adapt, and stay committed. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and take on new opportunities,” she shared.

As The Planner Concept enters its next decade of growth, the company remains dedicated to helping clients create inspiring spaces while delivering a renovation experience built on trust, quality, and professionalism.

About The Planner Concept

The Planner Concept is a Singapore-based interior design and renovation company specializing in residential, retail, and commercial projects. Established in 2015 by founder Ben Lee, the company provides end-to-end renovation solutions, including design consultation, project management, and renovation execution. Known for its transparent pricing, quality workmanship, and efficient project delivery, The Planner Concept continues to help clients transform their spaces into environments that reflect their vision and lifestyle.