“Vaidya 2.0 is the first AI model to achieve a 50+ score on OpenAI’s HealthBench (hard), outperforming GPT-5 and Google’s Gemini Pro 3“

NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fractal (www.fractal.ai), a global provider of artificial intelligence (AI) to Fortune 500® companies, today announced the launch of Vaidya 2.0, the next generation of its healthcare reasoning models available at Vaidya.ai. Debuting at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Vaidya 2.0 scores 50.1 on HealthBench (hard), outperforming OpenAI’s GPT-5 and Google’s Gemini Pro 3 on this challenging benchmark.

OpenAI HealthBench Hard

Designed to power “Health Care Operating System” based workflows, Vaidya 2.0 bridges the gap between raw data and healthcare action. It is the first AI model in the world to achieve 50+ score on OpenAI’s HealthBench (hard) The model has been post-trained to deliver superior performance on a wide range of health care workflows. Read more about OpenAI’s HealthBench benchmark here.

Redefining the Healthcare Journey

Vaidya 2.0 significantly enhances model capabilities for enabling real-world healthcare use cases, including citizen facing use-cases such as:

• Emergency Assist: Rapid triage and decision support in critical windows.
• Symptom Checker: High-fidelity reasoning for citizen-facing wellness.
• Patient Journey Assist: End-to-end support from first symptom to treatment adherence.

Vaidya 2.0 models also demonstrate a significant performance on MedExpert benchmark and introduce new capabilities to support Doctor Assist. These capabilities combined with the Administrator Assist capabilities from OpenAI HealthBench (hard) Health Data Tasks enhances ability to cater to medical professionals.

Scaling for the India AI Mission

As a partner selected under the ₹10,300+ crore India AI Mission, Fractal is at the forefront of building India’s sovereign AI capabilities. Vaidya 2.0 represents the first of many verticalized foundation models designed to solve the unique challenges of the Global South – frugal, scalable, and impact-driven.

“India has built strong digital health foundations over the past decade – from ABHA health IDs to Ayushman Bharat and e-Sanjeevani. The next step is adding reliable reasoning intelligence to those systems,” said Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder, Group Chief Executive & Vice Chairman, Fractal. “When you combine India’s digital health infrastructure with reliable reasoning AI, you unlock a new operating model for public health. At India’s population scale, intelligence must be accurate, transparent, and accountable. That is the problem Vaidya 2.0 is built to solve.”

“With Vaidya 2.0, we’ve moved from the knowledge-based foundation models to more advanced post-trained reasoning and agentic based healthcare models” added Suraj Amonkar, Chief AI Research & Platforms Officer, Fractal. “By ranking top globally, on the OpenAI HealthBench (hard) that focuses on realistic healthcare conversations and also showing leading performance on the MedExpert Benchmark that evaluates expert-level medical reasoning, Vaidya 2.0 models demonstrate a health-operating system approach that is not only more comprehensive, but also more reliable and accurate across a wide variety of healthcare workflows.”

Visit Us at the India AI Impact Summit

Fractal is showcasing Vaidya 2.0 and its suite of healthcare innovations at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Pavilion inside the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

• Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Hall No. 14 Pod No:P30
• Dates: February 16 to February 20, 2026

For more information, visit www.vaidya.ai.

About Fractal

Fractal (NSE: FRACTAL) is a publicly listed global enterprise AI company with a vision to power every human decision in the enterprise.

Fractal’s suite of businesses includes Asper.ai (enabling interconnected decisions for revenue growth) and Analytics Vidhya (among the world’s largest data science communities). Fractal spun out Qure.ai, a global healthcare AI leader enhancing the rapid identification and management of tuberculosis, lung cancer, and stroke. Fractal’s dedicated AI Research team is focused on foundational AI advancements, including knowledge-based foundational models, reasoning-based systems, and agentic systems. The team has launched successful products, including MarshallGoldsmith.ai, Vaidya.ai, Kalaido.ai, and the open-source reasoning model Fathom-R1-14B and tool-based reasoning model Fathom-DeepResearch.

Fractal employs over 5,000 professionals across global locations, including the United States, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Ukraine, India, Singapore, South Africa, the UAE, and Australia. It has consistently earned recognition as one of India’s Best Companies to Work For (Top 100, 2025), a ‘Great Workplace’ for eight consecutive years, and as one of ‘India’s Best Workplaces for Women’ for five years running by the Great Place to Work® Institute. Fractal was also named a Leader in the 2025 Forrester Wave™ for Customer Analytics Service Providers and earned leadership positions in the Everest Group Peak Matrix Assessment 2025 for AI and Analytics Services, and Information Services Group’s 2024 assessments for Data Engineering and Data Science Services.

Health Bench Hard | Emergency Referrals

Health Bench Hard | Context Seeking

Health Bench Hard | Hedging

Health Bench | Health Data Tasks

MedExpert

• The two newly added countries to the survey, Qatar and Argentina, show different awareness: Qatar is among the leaders (67%), while Argentina has still margins to improve public perception on the role of energy transition 
• The study has now reached over 2,300 interviews from 14 countries on 4 continents compared by awareness on energy transition and skills demand for climate goals: Qatar, KSA, UAE, India, China, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, USA, Chile, Argentina, Italy, UK, Algeria

MILAN, Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The need for both soft and hard skills, to develop well-rounded professionals, is essential for advancing the energy transition. Technical expertise in renewable energies and sustainable technologies is crucial for fostering innovation and implementation, while soft skills such as problem-solving, adaptability and critical thinking are vital for navigating the dynamic challenges of energy transitions. This is what emerges from the 2025 edition of the study by Fondazione MAIRE – ETS, the foundation of Italian technology and engineering group MAIRE, carried out in cooperation with IPSOS, renown international market research company.

The study, “Climate goals: winning the challenge of climate goals through the creation of skills and competences worldwide. Addendum 2: focus Qatar – Argentina“, sponsored by MAIRE, adds two more countries, Qatar and Argentina, bringing the panel to over 2,300 interviews selected since 2023 across 14 countries on 4 continents, in addition to opinion leaders. Climate Goals covers a diverse group of nations: Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE for the Middle East; India, China, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey for Asia; USA, Chile and Argentina for the Americas; Italy and UK for Europe; and Algeria in Africa.

India stands out as the leader in energy transition awareness, with 63% of the respondents reporting high familiarity. Kazakhstan ranks lowest, with only 29% very familiar with the concept, closely followed by Argentina, with 36%. The energy transition is a priority for 70% of individuals in India and Turkey, followed by 67% of Qatar, while Argentina shows the least prioritization with just 34%.

Country commitment is also rated highest in India (71%), followed by Saudi Arabia (62%), and lowest in Kazakhstan (15%) and Argentina (23%). Key challenges include raising awareness (Algeria, China), engaging private companies (Chile), and stakeholder involvement (China and India). Infrastructure development is a priority in UAE, Kazakhstan and USA, while Azerbaijan focuses on professional training and Qatar is most concerned about job losses in traditional sectors.

Kazakhstan fears transition costs will outweigh benefits, while Saudi Arabia expects short-term benefits. Education and training needs are widespread, with urgency highest in China and Chile. Technical and soft skills like problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity are globally in demand. Specific technical skills include environmental impact analysis (Azerbaijan), renewable energy knowledge (Algeria), and alternative materials expertise (Algeria, Qatar, China, USA). Skilled workforce availability is considered inadequate in Kazakhstan but appropriate in China and India.

Fabrizio Di Amato, Chairman of MAIRE and Fondazione MAIRE, commented: “The energy transition is an irreversible journey: its benefits, both environmental and economic, are globally recognized, and will outweigh or balance the costs for 13 out of 14 countries over the short term and for 100% of the panel countries over the long term. Success depends on the strategic alignment of vision, policy, innovation, and – above all – human capital. Investing in new technical and soft skills for climate goals and circularity is essential for shaping the future competitiveness of nations. Emerging countries recognize the need for increasing the availability of energy transition professionals: here is where we see the greater dynamism that is reshaping geo-economy worldwide”.

Appendix: Climate Goals’ focus on Qatar and Argentina

In Qatar, public and government awareness is high, with 95% of people familiar with the energy transition and 67% considering it a priority. The country is investing in renewable energy and climate technology, creating new jobs and emphasizing technical expertise, particularly in renewables and environmental issues. Education and training are central to Qatar’s strategy, with universities and government actively involved in preparing the workforce for rapid changes. However, there is concern about job losses in traditional sectors, making workforce adaptation a key challenge.

Focus on Argentina: Argentina shows high general awareness (97%), but only 36% are deeply familiar with energy transition concepts, and just 34% see it as a national priority. The gap between public awareness and government action is notable, with most initiatives driven by private or foreign companies. Education is valued, but 41% of Argentinians feels unprepared and recognizes the need for more training. The country faces economic constraints and limited investment in workforce development, which slows progress.

Both countries recognize the need for training and a mix of technical and soft skills, problem-solving and creativity are especially important. Ultimately, while both see education as vital, Qatar is better positioned to lead, whereas Argentina must overcome structural and economic barriers to fully benefit from the energy transition.

Climate Goals’ overall highlights:

Awareness. India stands out as the leader in energy transition awareness, with 63% of the respondents reporting high familiarity. Kazakhstan ranks lowest, with only 29%, preceded by Argentina, with 36%.

Priorities. The energy transition is a priority for 70% of individuals in India and Turkey, followed by 67% of Qatar; Argentina is last with 34%.

Opportunities. Algerians are the most convinced about cleaner environment and health benefits. India and Saudi Arabia emphasize the potential to boost women’s inclusion. China is the most enthusiastic about job creation.

Governments. Governmental priority commitment is most positively rated in India (71%), Saudi Arabia (62%), compared to Kazakhstan (15%) and Argentina (23%).

Leadership. Chinese participants feel their country is leading compared to the others and almost half of respondents place high importance on sustainable innovation of production processes, products and services, with 68% seeing technology as important for the energy transition.

Challenges. Algeria and China struggle to raise public awareness; Chile faces hurdles in private sector renewable adaptation. Ensuring the active involvement of all stakeholders is a challenge for China. Infrastructure development is a focus in the UAE, USA and Kazakhstan. Training of professionals is a key goal in Azerbaijan. Qatar shows concern about job losses in traditional sectors. Turkey, Algeria, the USA, and the UK emphasize the importance of development of energy and environmental policies.

Pros&Cons. Kazakhstan shows the highest level of concern over whether the energy transition costs will exceed benefits. Conversely, half of respondents in Saudi Arabia believe that benefits of the energy transition will outweigh the costs initially, balancing out over time.

Education. China and Chile recognize the urgency for improved training programs on energy transition, whereas Kazakhstan and Italy show less urgency, albeit still high (70% and 75% in the next 2-3 years, respectively). India reports the highest level of confidence in terms of preparation. Overall, the global consensus underscores the need for both soft and hard skills to develop well-rounded professionals, which is essential for advancing the energy transition. Kazakhstan reports a severe shortage of skilled professionals for the energy transition, with mostly positive assessments from China and India.

Skills. Many countries recognize the importance of problem solving, critical thinking and creativity and innovation as essential soft skills in this sector. Technical skill in environmental impact assessment is highly required in Azerbaijan, while knowledge of renewable energy sources is required in Algeria, and expertise in alternative renewable and recycled feedstocks is highly required in Algeria, Qatar, China and the USA.

Singapore delegation marks presence at GEC 2026; Hon’ble EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurates the forum as CM Devendra Fadnavis underscores India’s role as a trusted convenor of inclusive global economic partnerships

MUMBAI, India, Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble Union Minister for External Affairs, today inaugurated the Global Economic Cooperation (GEC) 2026, a three-day, high-level, international forum convened by the Future Economic Cooperation Council (FECC). The forum is being organised in cooperation with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, and the Government of Maharashtra, with the support of Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Chief Patron of FECC.

Shri Vijay Chauthaiwale, Executive Director, FECC, and In-Charge Foreign Affairs, BJP, reads PM’s message.

Distinguished delegation from Singapore marked their presence at GEC 2026, underscoring the growing depth of India–Singapore economic engagement and a shared commitment to resilient and future-ready global partnerships. Convened at a pivotal moment for the global economy, the forum aims to shape practical frameworks for inclusive and future-ready economic cooperation amid shifting trade architectures and an increasingly multipolar world. Delegations from other major global economies, including France, United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (US), Australia, Seychelles and Sri Lanka, were also in attendance.

During his introductory remarks, Shri Vijay Chauthaiwale, Executive Director, FECC, and In-Charge Foreign Affairs, BJP, read a message from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Addressing the august gathering, the Prime Minister wrote, “As the world looks for steady leadership in uncertain times, India stands out as a beacon of hope, delivering practical, scalable solutions to shared global challenges, even as it sustains the rare balance of high growth and low inflation. The nation has also evolved into a confident and credible voice of the Global South, shaping global conversations and contributing to a more balanced and inclusive world order. One of the defining challenges of our era is taking welfare to the maximum number of people, leaving none behind and achieving this efficiently. India has transformed this ambition into reality through world-class Digital Public Infrastructure, ensuring that welfare benefits reach citizens with a single click, transparency and accountability.”

In his inaugural address, Dr. S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, said, “The world has entered an uncertain era, where long-standing assumptions are being questioned and key dimensions are transforming simultaneously, be they strategic, political, economic or technological. In such a landscape, the argument for de-risking and diversifying across the entire spectrum from sourcing to production, and to markets, becomes more compelling by the day. It is in this context that GEC 2026 assumes relevance, providing a platform to deliberate on resilient supply chains, trusted partnerships and balanced frameworks of global economic cooperation. India’s response has been to further build national capabilities, address growth challenges comprehensively, and engage international partners more intensively from a position of strength. As we move towards our goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, we seek not only to contribute to global growth, but also to global stability, predictability and trust.” 

Commenting on the significance of the forum, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Chief Patron of FECC, said, “We meet at a time when the global order is recalibrating. Global trade growth is undergoing a major upheaval. Supply chains are reorganising. Strategic sectors, semiconductors, energy, food, rare earth, AI are now embedded in national security doctrines. Capital flows are increasingly guided by geopolitical alignment, not just returns. In this era of economic statecraft India’s rise is not accidental – it is structural and GEC 2026 is a platform to architect the next framework of cooperation. From Mumbai, a city built on maritime trade, entrepreneurial spirit and global engagement, let us shape an economic order that is resilient, inclusive and strategically stable.”

The forum is led by Shri Vijay Chauthaiwale, and Ms. Priyam Gandhi-Mody, Director, FECC. It is guided by an Advisory Council comprising leading industry figures of India, including:

• Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group
• Mr. Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited
• Mr. Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
• Mr. Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, Network18 Group

In his capacity as an advisor, Mr. Baba Kalyani, said, “Through the FECC we are on a mission to advance global economic cooperation by promoting free trade, investment flows and resilient economic partnerships, enabling an inclusive and sustainable global order. As you heard in the Prime Minister’s message, India is the fastest growing large economy with a large pool of young workforce – our biggest strength today. We in India believe in the philosophy of Vasudeva Kutumbakam, which emphasises shared prosperity and openness. If harnessed effectively through GEC 2026, India can also partner with other countries and collaborate with world societies to bring much needed stability, peace, economic and inclusive growth across the world.”

Over the next three days, leaders from governments, multilateral institutions and global corporations will deliberate on financial resilience, long-term infrastructure capital, trade corridors, competitiveness, and supply chain diversification. Sessions will also examine artificial intelligence, technology transitions, sustainability, ESG priorities, and women’s leadership in driving inclusive growth.

The GEC 2026 aims to reinforce India’s expanding influence in shaping the direction of global economic dialogue at a time when economic power is increasingly diffused across a multipolar world. India will leverage this forum to advance its position as a trusted economic partner, investment destination, and bridge between developed and emerging economies.

NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MOMOTOY, a creative platform integrating artificial intelligence, original intellectual property (IP) and youth culture, today announced its official entry into the U.S. market with its debut at Toy Fair New York, held at the Javits Center.

Fresh off its high-profile appearance at China’s Spring Festival Gala, MOMOTOY brought its AI-powered storytelling to the global stage. The golden DUNDUN Hidden Figure, which previously sparked viral buzz, also made its U.S. debut.

At the show, MOMOTOY presented its growing portfolio of original IPs—including DUNDUN FAMILY, Pear-Us, The Seedverse and The Soft Forest Tales—drawing strong interest from global buyers, media and pop culture tastemakers. The debut marks a significant milestone in MOMOTOY’s global expansion and reinforces its positioning as an AI-driven, next-generation art toy company.

MOMOTOY’s differentiation lies in its deep integration of artificial intelligence into physical collectibles. Powered by emotion recognition, voice interaction and affective computing, MOMOTOY’s smart toys can sense user emotions, respond to voice commands and engage in multi-language conversations. Features such as voice cloning and character customization transform each product into a personalized “exclusive companion,” enabling long-term emotional connection and recurring engagement. MOMOTOY differentiates itself through deep integration of artificial intelligence into physical collectibles.

At Booth #6760, DUNDUN FAMILY emerged as the undisputed crowd favorite. As one of MOMOTOY’s flagship IPs, these huggable characters originate from Fluffy Valley, a whimsical realm where dreams meet reality. The booth also showcased Pear-Us, The Seedverse and The Soft Forest Tales, highlighting MOMOTOY’s diverse creative universe. Also generating strong buzz was the DUNDUN Gold Hidden Figure, cast in 99.9% pure gold and slated to roll out as an ongoing collector series across multiple IP lines.

MOMOTOY’s original IP lineup and AI-enabled products drew sustained attention from North American and European buyers, with multiple products generating interest for bulk purchases. Collectively, these engagements translated into multi-million-dollar qualified sales leads, providing early commercial validation for MOMOTOY’s U.S. market entry.

During Toy Fair New York, MOMOTOY officially launched its Global Young Artists Incubation Program, a three-tier initiative offering limited-edition reproductions, revenue-sharing co-creation projects, and scholarships with long-term support for visionary creators. The program received strong interest from emerging artists worldwide, with a notable number of submissions coming from professional art institutions, signaling MOMOTOY’s evolution from IP operator into a creator platform.

MOMOTOY views the U.S. as a critical pillar of its globalization strategy. Following a Super Bowl weekend pop-up, the company will host its first U.S. brand event in March 2026 and open its inaugural North American flagship store. As a first-time exhibitor, MOMOTOY showcased alongside global industry leaders including Mattel, LEGO and Funko.

About MOMOTOY
MOMOTOY is a pioneer in global trend culture, headquartered in China with a global outlook. Founded by young designers and technologists, the company integrates full-chain IP operations with advanced AI interaction and affective computing to build a scalable platform for next-generation creative expression.