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Infosys : Highest ever large and mega deal wins with TCV of $7.7 billion lay solid foundation for future

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Q2 growth at 2.3% sequentially with resilient margins of 21.2%. Revenue guidance revised to 1.0%- 2.5%

BENGALURU, India, Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, delivered $4,718 million in Q2 revenues with year-on-year growth of 2.5% and sequential growth of 2.3% in constant currency. Large deal TCV for the quarter was $7.7 billion, with net new of 48%. Operating margin for the quarter increased by 40 bps sequentially to 21.2%. Attrition declined further to 14.6%. FY24 revenue guidance revised to 1.0%-2.5% and operating margin guidance retained at 20%-22%.

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“We had our highest large deals value at $7.7 billion in Q2 spread across all verticals and geographies.  This, in an uncertain macro-environment, is a testament to our ability to pivot and stay relevant to the evolving client needs, by delivering the benefits of transformation as well as productivity and cost savings at scale”, said Salil Parekh, CEO and MD. “Strong H1 performance with significant large deal wins, builds a solid foundation for the future. The growing adoption of our Generative AI offering, Topaz, is helping us deliver consistent value and expand market share”, he added.

2.5% YoY

2.3% QoQ

CC Revenue growth


21.2%

Operating margin


$7.7 bn 

Large deal TCV


4.6% YoY 

Increase in EPS 

(₹ terms)

 

Guidance for FY24:

  • Revenue growth of 1.0%-2.5% in constant currency
  • Operating margin of 20.0%-22.0%

1. Key highlights: 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023

  • Revenues in CC terms grew by 2.5% YoY and 2.3% QoQ
  • Reported revenues at $4,718 million, growth of 3.6% YoY
  • Operating margin at 21.2%, decline of 0.3% YoY and increase

    of 0.4% QoQ
  • Basic EPS at $0.18, growth of 1.7% YoY
  • FCF at $670 million, growth of 13.8% YoY;

    FCF conversion at 89.2% of net profit

For six months ended September 30, 2023

  •  Revenues in CC terms grew by 3.3% YoY
  • Reported revenues at $9,334 million, growth of 3.7% YoY
  • Operating margin at 21.0%, growth of 0.3% YoY
  • Basic EPS at $0.36, growth of 4.0% YoY
  • FCF at $1,369 million, growth of 10.0% YoY;

    FCF conversion at 92.8% of net profit

“Our Q2 operating margin of 21.2% demonstrates the early benefits of recently unveiled margin improvement plan and is a clear reflection of our ability to continuously identify opportunities for improving operational efficiencies”, said Nilanjan Roy, CFO. “In line with our capital allocation policy, the Board has announced an interim dividend of ` 18 per share, an increase of 9.1% over last year”, he added.

2.  Client wins & testimonials

  • Infosys extended collaboration with Liberty Global to help evolve and scale Liberty Global’s digital entertainment and connectivity platforms leveraging Infosys Topaz. Mike Fries, CEO, Liberty Global, said, “Strengthening and expanding our collaboration with Infosys gives our best-in-class solutions new scale with the ability to reach many more markets and bring positive experiences to more customers. And while it produces substantial central cost savings over time, it also provides excellent opportunities for our talent to grow their specialist skills and nurture impactful careers with Infosys. We look forward to working together to accelerate innovation and make our entertainment solutions even more powerful and engaging as new generations of digital-first customers continue to demand more from us all.”
  • Infosys collaborated with Microsoft to accelerate and democratize industry-wide adoption of generative AI. Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer, Microsoft Corp, said, “We’re pleased to expand our collaboration with Infosys to deliver innovative solutions, utilizing Azure OpenAI Service and Azure Cognitive Services, that will help customers develop new business models, and realize new revenue streams. By harnessing the power of generative AI, Infosys will help customers accelerate growth and innovation.”
  • Infosys and NVIDIA collaborated to help enterprises boost productivity with generative AI. “Generative AI will drive the next wave of enterprise productivity gains,” said, Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO, NVIDIA. “The NVIDIA AI Enterprise ecosystem is ramping quickly to provide the platform for generative AI. Together, NVIDIA and Infosys will create an expert workforce to help businesses use this platform to build custom applications and solutions.”
  • Infosys announced a strategic multi-year collaboration with STARK Group to drive technological advancements and provide seamless services to STARK Group’s offices across Europe, leveraging Infosys Topaz. Pernille Geneser, Group CIO, STARK Group, commented, “We at STARK Group are excited to announce our collaboration with Infosys as we embark on a transformation journey to deliver state-of-the-art and future-fit IT services to our colleagues in the Nordics, Austria, Germany and UK. With Infosys’ expertise, we look forward to enhancing the quality of our offerings and kickstarting many new innovations.”
  • Infosys together with Microsoft recently executed a strategic Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) transformation program to help accelerate Talking Rain Beverage Company’s journey towards enhancing their core business capabilities and achieving business transformation. “By partnering with Microsoft and Infosys, we are aligning ourselves with leading technology and expertise in the industry,” said, Luke Fisher, Chief Financial Officer, Talking Rain Beverage Company. “This collaboration ensures we can continually enhance our capabilities and drive our business forward. The new ERP system takes our organization to a whole new level, enabling us to access real-time data, make smarter decisions and scale effectively for years to come.”
  • Rich Products Corporation (RPC) selected Infosys for a key strategic transformation program to deploy SAP’s S/4HANA solution to simplify and harmonize their business processes, digitally upskill associates, and improve experience for associates and customers. Yexi Liu, Global CIO, RPC, said, “We are looking at this S/4 HANA based transformation to reimagine the way Rich’s operates its business and create unique and distinctive customer value. Our strong collaboration with Infosys will aim to help accelerate our business transformation, reduce technical debt and help shape industry standard business processes to drive operational excellence.”
  • Infosys recently launched the Infosys Cobalt Airline Cloud (ICAC), a first-of-its-kind industry cloud offering designed for commercial airlines to help them accelerate their digital transformation journey. Fernando Rocha, CIO, Aeroméxico Airline, said, “We are excited to collaborate with Infosys to leverage the solutions, reference architectures and blueprints of the Infosys Cobalt Airline Cloud. We believe that this platform will enable us to quickly adapt to changing market dynamics, enhance customer experiences, and drive profitable growth.
  • Guaranty Trust Bank selected Infosys Finacle’s Digital Banking Suite for its multi-country digital banking transformation program. Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, said, “We are delighted to be working with Infosys Finacle to create a superior, agile, and scalable core banking system that supports our vision of delivering seamless and connected experiences across every customer touchpoint. As an organization, we have always held that the future of banking is digital, largely driven by technology and customers’ preference for secure, convenient, and reliable channels. This is the thinking behind our innovation drive and history of firsts, offering best-in-class financial services across Africa. Infosys Finacle’s digital solutions will significantly transform our operations and facilitate our push towards more innovative, responsive banking.”
  • Infosys Public Services announced the opening of its new subsidiary in Canada to help accelerate digital transformation for public sector organizations across the country and provide them access to top tier IT talent and innovative solutions for better delivery of government services to Canadian citizens and businesses. Franco Chirichella, President and CEO, Innovapost, said, “As one of Innovapost’s key strategic partners, Infosys Public Services Canada has helped us successfully deliver IT initiatives to meet the demands of the evolving mail, courier and logistics industry. IPS Canada does a great job of bringing the breadth and depth of their global and Canadian capabilities to Innovapost to support us in meeting our business and technical needs.”
  • Infosys transformed Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s customer and employee experience by helping the bank democratize data, improve data governance, and deliver better banking experience. Nathalie Moss, Practice Lead, Lending Technology at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, said, “Our employees are now able to service customers faster and more easily due to the centralized document storage and common searchable access approach. The key to the program led by Infosys is findability. The faster we can find all relevant customer documents, the more deeply we understand the customer and the more personalized the service we offer becomes, every time we interact. Better operational flow equals more effective and empowered staff and builds on the award-winning customer experience our Bank consistently offers.”

3.  Recognition

  • Featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies 2023 list – Infosys was among the top 3 global professional services firms and the only brand from India in the Top 100 global rankings
  • Ranked as one of the Top 3 brands in Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Indian Brand Rankings 2023
  • Recognized as one of India’s Best WorkplacesTM for Women 2023 (Top 50 Large Organizations) by the Great Place to WorkTM Institute
  • Ranked among the Top 10 Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) in 2023 for the fourth year in a row, and as the ‘Champion of Inclusion’ in the Most Inclusive Companies Index (MICI) for the second year in a row, by Avtar and Seramount
  • Honored with the Mahatma Award under the ‘ESG Excellence’ category
  • Infosys Crescent campus in Bengaluru, India, has been recognized as one of the ‘100 Iconic Sustainable Buildings’ by The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India
  • Positioned as a leader in the 2023 Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud IT Transformation Services by Gartner
  • Recognized as a leader in Net Zero Consulting Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2023 by Everest
  • Recognized as a leader in Cloud Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2023 – North America by Everest
  • Recognized as a leader in Network Transformation and Managed Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment – System Integrators (SIs) 2023 by Everest
  • Recognized as a leader in Data and Analytics (D&A) Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2023 by Everest
  • Recognized as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Finance and Accounting Business Process Services in the Cloud Vendor Assessment 2023
  • Positioned as a leader in HFS Horizons: Cards & Payments Services Providers 2023 report
  • Positioned as a leader in HFS Horizons: Travel, Hospitality, and Logistics Service Providers, 2023 report
  • Positioned as a leader in HFS Horizons: Enterprise Blockchain Services, 2023 report
  • Positioned as a leader in Automation in Banking NEAT 2023 by NelsonHall
  • Featured in the Constellation ShortList 2023: Customer Experience (CX) Operations Services: Global
  • Featured in the Constellation ShortList 2023: Digital Transformation Services (DTX): Global
  • Featured in the Constellation ShortList 2023: Public Cloud Transformation Services: Global
  • Featured in the Constellation ShortList 2023: AI Services: Global
  • Recognized as 2023 Google Cloud Industry Solution Services Partner of the Year – Supply Chain & Logistics and Google Cloud Specialization Partner of the Year for Application Development
  • Received the Salesforce 2023 Partner Innovation Award in the industry solution awards category
  • Infosys Finacle recognized as the Best Real Time Payments Provider at the MEA Finance Leaders in Payments Conference & Awards 2023
  • Infosys Finacle recognized as the Best SaaS Provider of the Year (Software) and as Outstanding Wealth Management Solution by a Vendor at the Global BankTech Awards 2023
  • Infosys recognized as a leader in Cyber Security – Solutions and Services 2023 ISG Provider LensTM study in US, US Public Sector, Australia, and Nordics regions
  • Infosys recognized as a leader in Private Hybrid Cloud – Solutions and Services 2023 ISG Provider LensTM study in US and Australia
  • Infosys recognized as a leader in IoT – Services and Solution 2023 ISG Provider LensTM study in US
  • Infosys recognized as a Leader in ISG Provider Lens™ Retail & CPG Services reports – Managed Services in the US and Europe 2023
  • Rated as a leader in Avasant’s Digital Masters 2023 RadarView™
  • Rated as a leader in Avasant’s Canada Digital Services 2023-2024 RadarView™

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by the cloud. We enable them with an AI-powered core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the ‘safe harbor’ under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, our ability to attract and retain personnel, our transition to hybrid work model, economic uncertainties, technological innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, and our corporate actions including acquisitions. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.  These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

 

Infosys Limited and subsidiaries

Extracted from the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet under IFRS as at:                        (Dollars in millions)


September 30, 2023

March 31, 2023

ASSETS



Current assets



Cash and cash equivalents

1,892

1,481

Current investments

913

841

Trade receivables

3,403

3,094

Unbilled revenue

1,692

1,861

Other Current assets

1,379

1,349

Total current assets

9,279

8,626

Non-current assets



Property, plant and equipment and Right-of-use assets

2,424

2,516

Goodwill and other Intangible assets

1,058

1,095

Non-current investments

1,414

1,530

Unbilled revenue

171

176

Other non-current assets

1,343

1,369

Total non-current assets

6,410

6,686

Total assets

15,689

15,312

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY



Current liabilities



Trade payables

386

470

Unearned revenue

844

872

Employee benefit obligations

315

292

Other current liabilities and provisions

3,134

3,135

Total current liabilities

4,679

4,769

Non-current liabilities



Lease liabilities

798

859

Other non-current liabilities

441

460

Total non-current liabilities

1,239

1,319

Total liabilities

5,918

6,088

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the company

9,720

9,172

Non-controlling interests

51

52

Total equity

9,771

9,224

Total liabilities and equity

15,689

15,312




 

Extracted from the Condensed Consolidated statement of Comprehensive Income under IFRS for: 

(Dollars in millions except per equity share data)


3 months ended

September 30,

2023

3 months ended

September 30,

2022

6 months ended

September 30,

2023

6 months ended

September 30,

2022

Revenues

4,718

4,555

9,334

8,999

Cost of sales

3,271

3,170

6,481

6,315

Gross profit

1,447

1,385

2,853

2,684

Operating expenses:





   Selling and marketing expenses

213

185

429

378

   Administrative expenses

234

221

463

439

Total operating expenses

447

406

892

817

Operating profit

1,000

979

1,961

1,867

Other income, net (3)

60

65

117

145

Profit before income taxes

1,060

1,044

2,078

2,012

Income tax expense 

309

295

603

574

Net profit (before minority interest)

751

749

1,475

1,438

Net profit (after minority interest)

751

748

1,475

1,437

Basic EPS ($)

0.18

0.18

0.36

0.34

Diluted EPS ($)

0.18

0.18

0.36

0.34

NOTES:

  1. The above information is extracted from the audited condensed consolidated Balance sheet and Statement of Comprehensive Income for the quarter and six months ended September 30, 2023, which have been taken on record at the Board meeting held on October 12, 2023.
  2. A Fact Sheet providing the operating metrics of the Company can be downloaded from www.infosys.com.
  3. Other income is net of Finance Cost.
  4. As the quarter and six months ended figures are taken from the source and rounded to the nearest digits, the quarter figures in this statement added up to the figures reported for the previous quarter might not always add up to the six months ended figures reported in this statement.

IFRS-INR Press Release : https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2023-2024/q2/documents/ifrs-inr-press-release.pdf

Fact sheet: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2023-2024/q2/documents/fact-sheet.pdf

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg

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Press Release

New Study Reveals Majority of Indians Prioritize Nutrition Over Taste, Surpassing Global Average

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Based on a recent survey of urban Indian consumers: 


  • Nine out of 10 consumers are searching for protein-rich food compared to seven out of 10 global shoppers.


  • The top four qualities consumers look for when buying snacks are (1) natural, (2) heart-healthy, (3) protein-rich and (4) energy-source, all of which come before satisfying cravings.


  • Nuts have emerged as one of the most popular snacking choices, with 86% of Indian shoppers report having purchased them in a span of 6 months.


  • Urban Indians read nutrition labels more than the global average, reflecting a growing trend towards informed purchasing.


  • 69% of urban dwellers surveyed have the opinion that plant-based protein is just as good as meat-based protein, exceeding the global average of 55%.


 


Wonderful Pistachios, the world’s largest grower and processor of pistachios and distributor of California Pistachios in India, released today, World Nutrition Day, the findings of a new global study that sheds light on the snacking habits of urban Indians. The study, commissioned with Material, a leading global research consultancy, included 10 countries and over 12,400 respondents, revealed a new behavioural trend that urban Indian consumers prioritize nutrition over taste when it comes to snacking. This growing preference for healthy snacking emphasizes the importance of good nutrition for overall well-being.


 


For the India market specifically, the study delved into the snacking habits of 2,415 shoppers across six Indian cities, which represented a population of approximately 35.9 million consumers. Remarkably, a majority of urban Indians (58%) reported basing their food purchasing decisions on nutritional benefits more than taste, exceeding the global average of 52%. Delhi and Ahmedabad lead with over 60% of urban shoppers preferring nutrition in their food. Bengaluru and Chennai follow closely, indicating a nationwide shift towards smarter snacking preferences. In India, Millennials and Gen Z are leading the charge in health-conscious purchasing decisions, with more than 83% of consumers in these age groups reading nutritional labels before buying.


 


Indian consumers prioritize four key factors when shopping for nutritional snacks: natural (free of artificial colours and preservatives), heart-healthy, protein-rich, and provides energy. Nine out of 10 urban shoppers consciously seek protein-rich food options, compared to the global average of seven out of 10. The focus on nutrition has fueled the rise of nuts as a preferred snack choice, becoming essential to daily eating habits. The study found a staggering consumption of nuts, with 86% of Indian shoppers report purchasing them in a span of 6 months, compared to just 75% globally. With 6g of protein in per 28g serving, California Pistachios are a smart snack choice that provides benefits without sacrificing taste.


 


Shail Pancholi, Country Director, India, Wonderful Pistachios, commented on the study, saying, “Nuts were traditionally used as garnishes and consumed during festivals, but have now become a popular snack in India, indicating a notable shift in dietary habits. Pistachio consumption in India has doubled in the last six years, as consumer awareness of the nutritional benefits that pistachios offer has grown. Consumers are discovering that pistachios are naturally cholesterol-free, rich in plant-based protein and dietary fiber, and provide over 30 different vitamins and minerals.” 


 


Interestingly, the study found that nuts are the second most preferred snack among urban Indian consumers, with 64% of Baby Boomers and 59% of Gen Z prioritizing nutrition over taste when selecting food. This indicates a growing focus on health across generations, with Baby Boomers focusing on senior wellness and Gen Z reflecting the rise of mindful purchasing. Though on opposite ends of the age spectrum, these two generations take the lead in seeking protein-rich options, as well as preferring natural snacks. 


 


Mumbai tops most of the consideration sets when choosing a snack. Residents opt for natural ingredients (35% vs. the national average of 30%), heart-healthy options (33% vs. 30%), and protein (33% vs. 29%). Chennai residents look for energy-boosting snacks (31% vs. the national average of 29%). 


 


The fact that 69% of urban Indians surveyed have the opinion that that plant-based protein is just as good as meat-based protein reflects a positive shift towards varied dietary preferences. Pistachios are a good source of high-quality complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. A 28g serving of pistachios provides 6g of protein, which is 11% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) according to FSSAI.


 


The Wonderful Pistachios study unveils a compelling shift in Indian snacking habits. Nuts are evolving from festive treats to a daily snacking staple, fueled by a nationwide preference for more nutritious options. The trend transcends generations, resonating with Gen Z and Baby Boomers alike, underscoring the growing importance of mindful eating in urban India. As consumers increasingly seek natural, heart-healthy, protein-rich, and energy-boosting snacks, the future of Indian snacking appears to be firmly rooted in nutrition and well-being.

 


Wonderful Pistachios

Wonderful® Pistachios is the world’s largest grower and processor of pistachios, with a global presence in over 70 countries. As a vertically integrated operation, they are experts in every step of the process from tree to shelf, ensuring the highest-quality product every time. In tandem with its Grower Partners, Wonderful Pistachios harvests 125,000 sunny acres (50,000 hectares) of land in California that receive warm days and cool nights, which work in harmony with the rich, natural soils to create the perfect growing climate for high-quality pistachios. They ship 600 million pounds (204 million kg) of nuts worldwide from their advanced processing facilities to ensure the highest standards are met. When it comes to pistachios, Wonderful® Pistachios expertise is unmatched in scale and capacity, paired with warehouses and sales teams worldwide that are well-equipped to provide support at every step of the way. 


 


California Pistachios

California Pistachios are grown and distributed by The Wonderful Company, the world’s largest vertically integrated pistachio processor and marketer located in California’s Central Valley. California Pistachios are Non-GMO, providing a smart, healthy choice for consumers around the world. Sun-ripened in the moderate Mediterranean climate of California, these distinctively green nuts pack taste and contain antioxidants and over 30 different nutrients. California Pistachios in India are available under leading brands and private labels at retail outlets, grocery stores, and online platforms.


 


For more information about California Pistachios India, please visit www.b2b.wonderfulpistachios.com 


 



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Press Release

Singapore Prepares Ahead to Leverage Artificial Intelligence for a Better Future

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SINGAPORE, May 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Tan Kiat How launched the Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB) at Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 2024 today. The Blueprint will enable SMEs to harness technology, optimise the way they work, and strengthen digital resilience and cybersecurity across the ecosystem. 50,000 SMEs are expected to benefit over the next five years through four key focus areas:

  1. Empower enterprises to be smarter by adopting AI-enabled solutions
  2. Enable enterprises to scale faster through cloud-based and integrated solutions
  3. Equip enterprises to be safer through improved cyber resilience
  4. Support enterprises to upskill workers to make full use of digital capabilities

Seven partners have come onboard to pledge their commitment, including Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Computer Society, SGTech, Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft and Salesforce.

In collaboration with IMDA and the TechSkills Accelerator for ITE and Polytechnics Alliance, SGTech is launching the Tech Apprenticeship Programme to expand the career pathways of graduates by providing access to industry apprenticeships that offer on-the-job training and development opportunities. Over the next two and a half years, SGTech aims to facilitate the placement of at least 300 apprentices who are fresh or mid-career professionals from polytechnic or ITE backgrounds, and drive the adoption of similar practices that promote more inclusive hiring and career agility.

IMDA and the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) signed an MoU aimed at uplifting the legal sector’s productivity through the use of GenAI. As part of this partnership, GPT-Legal, a new large language model which is contextualised for Singapore’s legal sector, will be co-developed. The model will be integrated into SAL’s research platform LawNet, which is accessible by 75% of Singapore’s lawyers. SAL will also be penning an MoU with the National University of Singapore and AI Singapore to develop its AI capabilities and create a certification to recognise AI specialists in the legal profession.

Additionally, Tribe and Digital Industry Singapore announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to launch the Ignition AI Accelerator for AI startups to create and bring to market the next wave of advancement in AI solutions. This programme will nurture 15 high-potential startups, equipping them with well-rounded support covering business and technical needs. NVIDIA and Tribe will also collaborate with EnterpriseSG to offer qualified AI startups funding support through the Startup SG Tech scheme, and assist them through the IMDA Accreditation process. 

Singapore hosted the final meeting of the UN Secretary-General’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Body (AIAB) from 28-29 May. As part of the agenda, Singapore facilitated an engagement session between AIAB and the Digital Forum of Small States (Digital FOSS). Digital FOSS Fellows exchanged views with AIAB members on the topic of AI governance, particularly on the implications and challenges faced by small states. Through such efforts, Singapore aims to promote a more inclusive approach towards shaping global AI and digital governance.

Contact:

[email protected]

 

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Press Release

One in Six Globally Concerned About Colorectal Cancer Screening Costs

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SHENZHEN, China, May 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — By 2040, the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) is projected to increase to 3.2 million new cases and 1.6 million deaths per year representing a 66% and 71% rise in new cases and deaths respectively relative to 2020.

To better address the global burden of CRC and reduce its impact, BGI Genomics has launched the second edition of its global CRC awareness report, covering 1,938 respondents from Brazil (306), China (367), Poland (300), Saudi Arabia (300), Thailand (362), and Uruguay (303):  

CRC Screening Gaps Vary Globally: Nearly half (49.3%) of global respondents have never undergone CRC screening, with the highest proportions in Saudi Arabia (62.0%) and Poland (61.0%).

Preference for Fecal Testing Over Colonoscopy: Although colonoscopies are more recognized (33.4%), fecal tests at healthcare facilities are preferred (31.8%), reflecting a trend towards non-invasive methods.

Cost and Fear are Determinants of Screening Choice: Fear of colonoscopy (18.2%) and screening costs (17.7%) are major barriers to CRC screening. Poland (24.7%) and Uruguay (21.0%) show the highest fear of colonoscopy, while Thailand (24.5%) and Brazil (20%) indicate the most concern about costs.

Medical Advice and Family History Drive CRC Screening: Doctor’s recommendations are a major driver for CRC screening (30.5% globally), with Uruguay showing the highest adherence (44.1%). Additionally, those with a family history of CRC are more proactive in screening (64.5%), compared to the general population (35.0%).

Prof. Varut Lohsiriwat from Mahidol University offers his insights to this report. He suggested: “The essence of effective cancer screening lies in the acceptance and adherence of the patient to the screening method. The best screening method is the one that the patient accepts and adheres to because that’s the method that will actually benefit them.”

Dr. Zhu Shida, BGI Genomics Deputy GM, notes: “At BGI Genomics, we focused our efforts on developing advanced molecular biology testing techniques to close the gap [between acceptance and accessibility]. The ultimate goal is to transform colorectal cancer from a life-threatening disease into a manageable condition through widespread, early screening and intervention.”

For more region-level comparisons, access the full BGI Genomics 2024 State of CRC Awareness Report.

All data involved in this report come from the results of an online survey project conducted by BGI Genomics. It only surveys awareness related to colorectal cancer and does not involve personally identifiable data.

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