As much as Sonos is known for high-quality connected speakers, it's also built up a reputation for lackluster software and a closed ecosystem. And that's getting harder to live with as alternative platforms like Google's Cast (formerly Chromecast) are flourishing alongside smart partnerships (see Vizio's recent TVs) and inexpensive devices like the Chromecast Audio. So to course correct, Sonos announced today that it's opening up its platform to Spotify Connect, and it has also kicked off a "long-term strategic collaboration" with Amazon to integrate Echo voice control with its speakers. The Spotify Connect support, which is coming in a few weeks, will be particularly useful for anyone who's grown tired of Sonos's software. You'll be able to control the company's speakers from within any Spotify app.

Startupbootcamp InsurTech has announced that the FastTrack tour will be coming to Cape Town on 11 October and Johannesburg on 13 October 2016. Exponential Ventures, the innovation unit of JSE listed financial services group, MMI Holdings, partners with Europe's leading accelerator programme to showcase South Africa's entrepreneurial talent in the global market FastTracks are open to innovative early stage startups specialising in insurance related areas: virtual and augmented reality; Blockchain; artificial intelligence and machine learning; Internet of Things and wearables; drones and robots; cyber security; data analysis and big data; life science and genome; MedTech and digital health; and customer experience. Exponential Ventures, the disruptive innovation unit of JSE listed company, MMI Holdings, has continued with its relentless pursuit of innovation by becoming an investor partner in the insurance incubator programme, Startupbootcamp InsurTech managed by Startupbootcamp a leading international startup accelerator. Startupbootcamp InsurTech has announced that the FastTrack tour will be coming to Cape Town on 11 October and Johannesburg on 13 October 2016. FastTrack days (or pitch days) are sessions where startups are given an opportunity to present their insurance related business idea to the Startupbootcamp InsurTech team and industry experts.

An umbrella term that refers to information systems inspired by biological systems, AI encompasses multiple technologies including machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), machine reasoning, and strong AI. These technologies have use cases and applications in almost every industry and promise to significantly change existing business models while simultaneously creating new ones. In sizing and forecasting the total global AI market, Tractica has created a taxonomy of 191 real-world use cases for AI, organized into 27 different industry sectors and corresponding with six major technology categories, plus multiple combinations of technologies. Some use cases – such as image recognition, algorithmic securities trading, and healthcare patient data management – have huge scale potential, while others are niche applications. Likewise, a few key industry sectors including consumer products, business services, advertising, and defense applications will drive significant revenue for AI software implementations in addition to AI-driven hardware and service sales, but during the coming decade the technologies will have an effect on almost every conceivable industry sector.

The market for artificial intelligence in the US is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 75% during 2016-2021. United States is the largest market for artificial intelligence solutions, globally. Continuous research and development in healthcare, autonomous vehicles, security and access control, cyber security, etc., are expected to fuel growth in the United States artificial intelligence market. Rising penetration of smart wearables, burgeoning head-up display screen market in luxury car segment and growing venture capital investments are also propelling adoption of artificial intelligence solutions in the country. United States government is also playing a proactive role in the country's artificial intelligence market by organizing workshops in association with leading solution providers.

As the world's foremost event covering the practical implications of AI for enterprise organizations and solutions, more than 600 business CxOs are attending alongside AI start-up innovators, media and acclaimed researchers. The AI Summit's elite content program offers exclusive insights into the future world of AI-empowered businesses. Inbenta Chief Operating Officer and previous CTO, Ferran Saurina, will join a leading panel session highlighting customer engagement solutions that serve as entry points for any business. "AI is happening in most, if not all industries; and the number one consumer applications is through chatbots. Savvy companies aren't asking if their business needs a bot, but how they should be integrated. September 28th at 5:25 pm - 6:10 pm Panel Debate: What does a business leader need to know when choosing a partner for AI? A number of leading organizations spanning finance, law, healthcare, manufacturing, transport, energy, education and many more are looking to implement the technologies or have already started. The conference programs include exclusive announcements on AI Projects from American Airlines, Capital One, UBER, General Electric, Wells Fargo, Navistar, BMS, Johnson & Johnson and many more. "AI is being implemented by leading organizations in a broad range of industries and we are very excited to host Inbenta, alongside key industry names that include Amazon, Facebook, Google, IBM Watson, Microsoft, Tata and Accenture,'' underlines Daniel Pitchford, Commercial Director, The AI Summit.

New Zealand fixed-line telecommunications provider Chorus has announced its full-year financial results for 2015-16, reporting earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of NZ 594 million, down by NZ 8 million due to the regulator's copper pricing decision in December. In December, the New Zealand Commerce Commission released its final pricing determination for broadband services being delivered over Chorus' legacy copper network. A breakdown of revenue saw basic copper services contribute NZ 489 million, NZ 2 million less than last year; enhanced copper contribute NZ 242 million, down from NZ 268 million; and fibre contribute NZ 133 million, up by 35.7 percent year on year from NZ 98 million. Value Added Network Services, Field Services, and Infrastructure were all down by NZ 1 million to contribute NZ 35 million, NZ 83 million, and NZ 20 million, respectively.

NEW YORK CITY, NY – 26 Aug, 2016 – The Financial Policy Council, riding high on a series of successful events that began with a Global Financial Summit in the Bahamas in March, and culminated in a powerhouse symposium on Global Health presented by bigbang Health, announced it will host a special 6-person panel on Applied Artificial Intelligence in New York City on September 8th. The event will address the way that Applied AI is poised to radically reengineer the future of the service economy and its business models. From driverless cars, to healthcare, to finance, to supply chain, to outsourcing, to selection of human resources, artificial intelligence is restructuring the business models and solutions of tomorrow. FPC Chairman, Ziad Abdelnour, said, "We are excited that the FPC is jumping right into the heart of the Artificial Intelligence conversation, and are looking forward to a highly-engaged and positively explosive event." Evangelized by Mark Minevich, AI Expert, CTO, High-Level Fellow and Tech Advisor at US Think tanks and Institutes, and Venture Partner at GVA Capital Group, the panel includes Guruduth Banavar, one of the leading executives from IBM's Watson Research Division, Lucy Wang of Greycroft Partners, Dr. Long Phan, CEO of Top Flight Technologies, Heiko Schmidt, CEO of PhiFactor Technologies, Bruce Gallager, Partner at True Global Ventures and member of the New York Angels.

Sydney legal startup LegalVision announced today that it has secured 4.2 million in a Series B round to continue its growth in the Australian online legal market. The funding round was led by commercial law firm Gilbert Tobin, who previously made a strategic investment into LegalVision last November. LegalVision delivers legal services through a tech-driven business model, helping businesses around Australia access quality resources by providing startups and SMBs with access to more than 3,000 legal articles and 40 free legal documents. In just over three years the startup reports that it has assisted more than 15,000 business around the country. CEO of LegalVision, Lachlan McKnight said the backing of Gilbert Tobin and the latest round of funding is validation of the startup's goal and progress to date.

Newswire) ColoArtificial intelligence (AI) is poised to have a transformative effect on consumer, enterprise, and government markets around the world. An umbrella term that refers to information systems inspired by biological systems, AI encompasses multiple technologies including machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), machine reasoning, and strong AI. According to a new report from Tractica, these technologies have use cases and applications in almost every industry and promise to significantly change existing business models while simultaneously creating new ones. The market intelligence firm forecasts that annual worldwide AI revenue will grow from 643.7 million in 2016 to 36.8 billion by 2025. In sizing and forecasting the total global AI market, Tractica has identified 191 real-world use cases for AI, organized into 27 different industry sectors and corresponding with six major technology categories, plus multiple combinations of technologies.

Fairfax, VA, August 25 2016 – Invincea, the leader in machine learning for endpoint protection, announced today that its deep learning model for analyzing unknown malware is now fully integrated in the VirusTotal site. VirusTotal is a "service that analyzes suspicious files and URLs and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, Trojans, and all kinds of malware"[1]. By integrating with VirusTotal, Invincea is pushing machine learning into mainstream cyber security solutions. By participating in the VirusTotal community, Invincea is continuing to fulfill their three key principles to security market transparency and accountability: participate in independent 3rd party testing, work towards commonly accepted standards, and avoid being a black box. As part of these principles, Invincea became one of the first next gen endpoint security companies to join the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO) in June.