Author: Sai Krishna

Africa Makes its Case for a Bigger Role on the Global Stage

GABI’s Unstoppable Africa 2026 brings global leaders together on Africa’s push to capture more value from its resources, accelerate investment and strengthen its influence in global trade and decision-making.

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Africa is pushing for a bigger role in shaping the global economy, as business leaders, heads of state, investors, policymakers, and global partners converged in New York yesterday to articulate the continent’s ambition in global trade, investment, and value creation. Held alongside the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Unstoppable Africa 2026 put Africa’s business agenda at the center of the global conversation.

The fifth edition of the Global Africa Business Initiative’s (GABI) flagship convening drew senior leaders from across business, government, and global institutions to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, including UN Secretary-General H.E. António Guterres; H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; and Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States on Arab and African Affairs.

The UN Secretary-General called for action to give Africa a greater role on the global stage, including a permanent presence on the United Nations Security Council: “Africa needs a permanent presence on the United Nations Security Council, where it can contribute to dialogue and action for the whole globe.” He stressed that Africa’s growing influence in global markets must translate into a stronger voice in international affairs. Guterres also urged reforms to better reflect the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa, and for the continent’s natural resources, including critical minerals, to generate more local value and decent jobs rather than simply being exported.

With critical minerals, trade, energy, and investment dominating the first day, Unstoppable Africa reflected a wider shift in Africa’s economic story: from supplying the global economy to building more of the businesses, industries, and value chains that can capture the opportunity.

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said Africa’s 1.5 billion people and growing market create a significant opportunity, but the continent must accelerate the development of African value chains and remove barriers to trade to drive industrial transformation. He identified affordable energy, better infrastructure, access to finance, skills, technology, and clear standards as critical requirements for Africa to turn its market potential into faster economic growth.

The private sector took center stage, as African and global business leaders articulated what it will take to turn Africa’s resources, markets, and talent into productive economic capacity. The Leaders Panel brought together Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation; Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chairman of the Dangote Group; Mandy DeFilippo, CEO of Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Standard Chartered; Nonkululeko Nyembezi, Chairperson of Standard Bank Group; Nolitha Fakude, Chairperson of Anglo American South Africa; and Tidjane Thiam, General Partner at Allied Critical Minerals Fund.

Leaders stressed the need to move beyond exporting raw materials, including critical minerals and crude oil, by developing local processing, manufacturing, and value chains that create jobs and retain more economic value on the continent.

One of the highlights announced today was that the US$300 million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Fund has reached its first close, securing its initial capital commitments and moving into operation. Co-managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Africa50, the fund will provide equity financing to local clean-energy developers, supporting decentralized solutions including solar mini-grids, solar home systems, commercial and industrial power solutions, and energy storage. Aligned with Mission 300, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, the fund is designed to mobilize private investment and expand reliable energy access for Nigerian homes and businesses.

Energy was another major focus. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Group, and Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, joined discussions on how innovative finance could unlock investment in Africa’s power infrastructure and accelerate access to reliable energy.

Healthcare also featured within the wider economic conversation. Roche reaffirmed its commitment to advancing breast cancer care through its Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA), which aims to help 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Africa survive for at least five years by 2030.

Unstoppable Africa 2026 continues today, September 21st, with further sessions focused on digital transformation, investment, creative industries, sport, and Africa’s role in the global economy.

Everyone is invited to watch the event live on Unstoppable Africa YouTube channel at https://apo-opa.co/4xoGXlz 

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Reap Launches First Ever Managed Fraud and Risk Service for Card Programs

Reap Sentry configures and manages fraud controls for clients’ card programs, eliminating the need for additional monitoring tools or in-house fraud specialists.

HONG KONG, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reap, a global financial technology company that enables financial connectivity and access for businesses worldwide through stablecoin-enabled infrastructure, today announced the launch of Reap Sentry, a managed card fraud and risk service. Through Sentry, Reap manages a client’s end-to-end transaction risk management – from configuring fraud rules and screening authorisations in real time to investigating alerts, processing chargebacks, and reporting confirmed fraud to Visa. Clients do not need to build or license additional fraud-monitoring tools, or hire a dedicated fraud team.

Payment card fraud losses worldwide totalled USD 33.41 billion in 2024 (The Nilson Report, January 2026), tied to global card volume of USD 51.920 trillion (The Nilson Report, January 2026). Every card in circulation is a live payment instrument, with authorisation decisions made in milliseconds. Fraud must be stopped at the point of authorisation, not afterwards, as the knock-on costs of fraud can often exceed the value of the fraud itself. Meanwhile, evolving attack patterns make fraud management an ongoing operational function.

Built on the technology within Reap’s issuing portfolio, Sentry combines the fraud policy, tooling, and day-to-day operations required to manage transaction risk effectively. Having issued millions of cards over eight years of card issuance, Reap brings to Sentry controls informed by fraud patterns observed across its entire issuing portfolio. These controls are tailored to each client’s business profile, including its cardholder segments, geographic footprint, and stated risk appetite.

Sentry conducts ongoing screening and declines suspected fraud in real time at authorisation; triages and investigates alerts; and continuously updates controls as new threats emerge, including BIN attacks and merchant breaches. The service also processes and represents chargebacks submitted by clients, reports confirmed fraud, and provides program performance reporting on an agreed cadence. Controls are reviewed and refined as each program evolves, without requiring client intervention. Clients can integrate with Sentry through a single Reap API.

Reap protects the authorisation layer it operates and observes, while clients retain responsibility for the cardholder relationship and key first-party fraud entry points, including onboarding, identity verification and account access.

“Most companies launching a card programme have to build a fraud function from day one. Doing so requires specialist tooling, dedicated expertise and several months of preparation before they can safely issue a single card, by which point the threat landscape may already have shifted. That is rarely how a team wants its first months to go.” said Harris Leow, Head of Product, Reap. “Sentry takes on that entire card fraud function: our controls, data and specialists, tailored to each card programme.”

Sentry is available to new Reap card issuing clients and to existing clients at contract renewal, on Reap’s own API.

To find out more about Sentry, visit our website: https://reap.global/products/sentry-fraud-risk-management

About Reap

Reap is a global financial technology company that enables financial connectivity and access for businesses worldwide through stablecoin-enabled infrastructure. We transform the financial landscape through more efficient money movement by merging traditional finance with digital assets, bridging disparate economies and connecting key financial markets.

Reap was an early leader in Asia to incorporate stablecoins into our solutions. In 2025, Reap processed billions in stablecoin-funded transaction flows. From stablecoin-enabled corporate cards to cross-border payments, we streamline financial operations and empower companies to scale with our integrated business accounts and embedded finance solutions.

Founded and headquartered in Hong Kong, Reap employs 300 people worldwide. More information about Reap can be found at reap.global.

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Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay Brings Business Events and Island Experiences Together in Northern Phu Quoc

PHU QUOC, Vietnam, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As organisations place greater value on meaningful connections, event planners are increasingly seeking destinations that combine convenience, flexibility and memorable experiences. In northern Phu Quoc, Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay offers a coastal setting where business gatherings are supported by thoughtful design, seamless logistics and the natural beauty of the island.

Set along the pristine shores of Bai Dai Beach, the resort balances contemporary meeting facilities with the natural rhythm of island life. With accommodation, event spaces and dining all within easy reach, allowing organisers to focus on people and outcomes rather than logistics.

The resort offers 308 rooms, suites and villas, alongside a collection of versatile spaces suited to executive retreats, incentive programmes, regional conferences and company celebrations. The Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 400 guests, while outdoor beachfront venues provide distinctive settings for receptions, networking events and team activities framed by coastal views.

“Today’s planners are looking for more than a venue. They want destinations that help people connect, exchange ideas and create shared experiences that have a lasting impact,” said Damian De Costa, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay. “Our team is focused on making every gathering feel seamless and purposeful, while showcasing the energy, warmth and natural beauty that make Phu Quoc such a rewarding destination.”

Dining experiences are tailored to complement each programme, helping create connections beyond the meeting room. Menus can be customised to suit diverse tastes and cultural preferences, including authentic Indian cuisine prepared by a dedicated Indian chef, alongside Asian, Western and vegetarian options.

Beyond the agenda, northern Phu Quoc offers opportunities to strengthen relationships through shared experiences. Championship golf, entertainment attractions and nature-based activities provide rewarding ways to balance business objectives with relaxation and exploration.

Growing international accessibility continues to strengthen Phu Quoc’s appeal for regional and international gatherings. Visa-free stays of up to 30 days for eligible travellers, expanding direct flight connections and ongoing infrastructure investment ahead of APEC 2027 are further enhancing the island’s position as an attractive destination for MICE business.

For planners seeking a destination that combines productivity with genuine connection, Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay offers a thoughtfully designed environment where business conversations, new ideas and stronger relationships can flourish.

For more information, visit: https://phuquoc.crowneplaza.com/meeting-events/

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Huawei Unveils Upgraded Stellar AI Campus Network to Usher in the New Era of AI Campuses

SHANGHAI, Sept. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During HUAWEI CONNECT 2026, Huawei unveiled its upgraded Stellar AI Campus Network Solution that stands out with innovations in superfast wireless, full-scope security, and network autonomy, helping enterprises build a superfast, secure AI campus.

“Driven by AI, today’s campuses are evolving into a super agent that can perceive, think, self-heal, and dynamically adapt,” said Leon Wang. “Leveraging our ICT prowess, we, together with global customers and partners, are building ubiquitous AI campuses to bring ‘technology for people’ to life and accelerate digital and intelligent transformation across all industries.”

“The AI era has placed higher demands for campus networks, especially bandwidth capacity, security defense, and O&M efficiency,” said Shawn Zhao. “To address this, Huawei’s upgraded Stellar AI Campus Network Solution offers innovations across superfast wireless, full-scope security, and network autonomy, helping maximize productivity.”

Huawei’s solution delivers enhanced capabilities across three pillars.

• Superfast wireless: As multi-agent collaboration gains momentum at enterprise workspaces, Huawei Wi-Fi 7 Advanced introduced intelligent Coordinated Scheduling and Spatial Reuse (iCSSR) technology that delivers twice the networking performance of industry peers. To grow the Wi-Fi+X ecosystem, Huawei also debuted the eCampusLink platform and HiSpaceX appliance, supporting full-element digital campus operations with unified access, spatial modeling, and rapid orchestration.
• Full-scope security: Huawei’s solution offers asset, connectivity, spatial, and privacy security to enable full-scope security across the digital and physical worlds. Particularly, Huawei’s upgraded Asset Security Solution achieves second-level blocking of terminal behavior anomalies and precise network-security collaborative tracing, ensuring that all assets are fully visible, trustworthy, and controllable.
• Network autonomy: With the rise of AI, enterprises urgently need to boost their network O&M efficiency. Huawei meets this with its iFlow and distributed real-time simulation technologies to enable pre-event proactive detection, in-event rapid localization, and post-event service verification, thereby delivering real-time visibility into agent experience. Furthermore, Huawei has made upgrades across data, models, and tools to deliver 24/7 AI-powered operations, achieving a 95% troubleshooting accuracy rate and a 90% reduction in MTTR.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to innovate and work closely with customers and partners worldwide to build a superfast, secure AI campus for the agentic world.

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Olight Unveils ArkTac Series and New ArkPro Ultra Colorway at O-Fan Day 2026

HOUSTON, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Olight, a global innovator in portable lighting, unveiled the ArkTac Series at O-Fan Day 2026, bringing ArkPro’s signature flat-body, multi-source design to tactical lighting for the first time. The company also introduced Amber Orange for ArkPro Ultra, alongside several new portable-lighting products. Launching during National Preparedness Month, the new releases reflect Olight’s focus on helping users stay prepared, from fast response to everyday readiness.

“The best products start with understanding how people really live, and our O-Fans have always been an important part of that journey,” said Mavis Xiao, general manager at Olight. “As we come together for our fifth in-person O-Fan Day, we’re grateful for a community that continues to share its ideas and feedback with us. That connection keeps us focused on real-world needs, from the new ArkTac Series to Amber Orange ArkPro Ultra.”

ArkTac Series: All-In-One Tactical Versatility

Inspired by ArkPro’s flat-body, multi-function design, the new ArkTac Series brings that approach to handheld tactical lighting. Available in two models, ArkTac and ArkTac Ultra, the series combines an easy-to-carry flat profile with immediate tactical controls and multiple light sources.

Designed for fast, intuitive control, a two-stage tail switch provides immediate access to Turbo Spotlight and Pure Flood without cycling through modes. The new CommandPoint shortcut activates Strobe with one touch by default and can be customized for other frequently used functions. Both models also feature UV and Red Light, while ArkTac Ultra adds a Green Laser. The series delivers up to 1,800 lumens and reaches up to 215 meters.

ArkTac Ultra also debuts OAL², the next generation of Olight’s proprietary aluminum alloy. It delivers 7.3% greater hardness and 11.5% higher yield strength than first-generation OAL.

ArkPro Ultra Amber Orange: Crafted to Stand Out

As the premium model in the ArkPro Series, ArkPro Ultra debuts in Amber Orange, its most vibrant color yet. Warm and energetic, the new colorway is designed to stand out, bringing the high visibility associated with outdoor and emergency equipment to everyday carry.

Rich metallic orange contrasts with sleek black accents, while polished edges catch the light to reveal shifting highlights and a refined sense of depth. This layered finish is achieved through a dual-anodizing process — a first for Olight — that also offers up to twice the scratch resistance of Olight’s standard anodized finishes.

Beyond its new look, ArkPro Ultra combines premium design with everyday-carry versatility, keeping preparedness close at hand. Its signature flat design brings together four light sources — Pure Flood, Spotlight, UV and Green Laser — with seven lighting configurations. Featuring Olight’s self-developed EIP 1 LED, ArkPro Ultra delivers up to 1,700 lumens in a compact EDC flashlight.

Also unveiled at O-Fan Day were the PL X GL, Oclip 2 Series and Marauder 3.

Pricing and Availability

ArkPro Ultra Amber Orange, PL X GL and Marauder 3 will be available September 21 for $129.99, $149.99 and $369.99, respectively. The Oclip 2 Series will also be available September 21, starting at $49.99. The ArkTac Series, starting at $119.99, is expected later this year. Pricing and availability may vary by market.

About Olight

Founded in 2007, Olight is a global innovator in portable lighting, offering high-tech solutions for everyday carry, outdoor, tactical and professional use. With over 1,200 patents and international recognitions, including the iF Design Award and Red Dot Design Award, Olight products are available in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Media Contact: pr@olight.com

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TPB wraps up PHITEX 2026 with over PHP 500 million in sales leads, up more than 20% from 2025

PASAY CITY, Philippines, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2026, the country’s premier government-organized travel trade event, concluded on September 9 at Conrad Manila, with PHP 594,712,138.50 in sales leads. The figure, while still partial, is 20.12 percent higher than the PHP 495.09 million recorded in 2025.

Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, PHITEX 2026 gathered 102 Philippine sellers, including destination management companies, tour operators, and travel agencies, and 76 foreign buyers from 24 countries.

Eleven (11) countries represented the emerging markets, including Denmark, France, Indonesia, Italy, Macao SAR, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

The remaining buyers represented TPB’s 13 key markets: Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Germany, United Kingdom, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States of America.

TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles expressed optimism over the sales leads generated and the business connections forged during the event.

“We are delighted with the PHP 506.15 million in sales leads generated through PHITEX 2026,” said Nograles. “While the tourism industry continues to navigate a challenging environment, shaped by global uncertainties and evolving market demands, PHITEX underscores the importance of strengthening industry partnerships and responding to the needs of travelers. We hope these connections will continue to grow into collaborations that bring more visitors to our communities and create sustainable opportunities for our local tourism stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, foreign buyers experienced the country’s rich heritage, scenic coastlines, and diverse culinary offerings through the post-event familiarization tours of PHITEX 2026. The tours included visits to the heritage sites of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, the natural attractions of Palawan, the culinary and cultural offerings of Cebu and Bohol, and the lush landscapes and nature-based experiences of Davao.

“We just don’t promote the product or the destination, but the experience,” said one of the buyers, Jenny Rose Ryall, director of Global Guides Australia. “We tell them stories, our personal stories, our personal experiences, and with that, it’s a lot more convincing because they can see the emotion, and the excitement. It’s always–what they [our clients] say to us–it’s always the people that they love about the Philippines.”

PHITEX 2026 was made possible through its silver sponsors: Cebu Pacific, Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., Philippine Airlines; bronze sponsors: Duty Free Philippines, Kaulayaw, The Travel Club, and 2GO Travel; and community partners: Mactan Cebu International Airport, and Palaweño Brewery.

To know more about PHITEX, visit www.phitex.ph.

ABOUT TPB

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, mandated to market and promote the country both domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination. This is carried out through strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders, anchored on travel trade shows and business meetings. For more information, please visit www.tpb.gov.ph.

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GAC Cambodia KD Plant Starts Production, Setting a New Benchmark for Localized Manufacturing

Cambodia, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On September 17, the inauguration ceremony of GAC Cambodia KD Plant was grandly held in Kampong Chhnang Province. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin attended the ceremony, while Jiang Xiuyun, Deputy General Manager of GAC Group, and Wang Shunsheng, Deputy General Manager of GAC International and President of the Southeast Asia Regional Center, together with the leadership of TH Group, GAC’s strategic partner in Cambodia, witnessed the official launch of the THAM assembly plant for GAC vehicles. This marks a new stage in GAC’s development in Cambodia, transitioning from complete vehicle exports to local manufacturing, and stands as yet another achievement of China-Cambodia economic and trade cooperation.

Prime Minister Hun Manet was present in person to witness this important moment. He noted that the official commencement of the GAC KD Plant is a significant achievement of the Royal Government of Cambodia’s industrial transformation, helping Cambodia upgrade from labor-intensive industries to capital-, advanced-technology- and high-skill-driven sectors, spurring local industrial development, raising the added value of the national economy, and cultivating new sources of economic growth.

From complete vehicle imports to local assembly, GAC has steadily built its presence in Cambodia. The project was fully launched in 2024, and through close collaboration among all parties, the plant completed all preparatory and construction work and officially entered production. Under this local assembly project, TH Group is responsible for plant investment, construction and vehicle assembly, while GAC supplies complete knocked-down (CKD) kits, technical standards and full-chain technical support. With a designed annual capacity of around 10,000 units.

Strong market performance further validates the results of GAC’s deep cultivation. TRUMPCHI has enjoyed explosive growth in Cambodia since 2024, with an average annual compound growth rate of over 300% over the past three years, and ranked first among Chinese automotive brands in Cambodia in 2025, with continuously expanding brand influence.

The production launch of GAC Cambodia KD Plant marks a brand-new starting point for GAC’s deep cultivation in Cambodia. Over the past seven years, from channel development to product rollout, from brand establishment to manufacturing upgrading, GAC has been sharing development opportunities with the Cambodian people through tangible capacity, employment and technology.

For further information about GAC, please visit: https://www.gacgroup.com/en or follow us on social media.

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Qatar Foundation – Wilton Park Dialogue Calls for Global Action to Drive Social Development Through Sport

Three-day UK dialogue emphasizes female empowerment, inclusion, and systemic reform across the Global South.

WEST SUSSEX, England, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — International leaders spanning government, policy, development, and sport convened at Wilton Park for a three-day dialogue hosted with Qatar Foundation (QF), calling for a global coalition to turn sport’s potential to support social development into practical action.

Held under the theme ‘Sport for Development in the Global South: Advancing Female Empowerment, Inclusion, and Accessibility’, the event focused on removing structural barriers to sporting opportunity for women and girls, building on UN Resolution 59/17, initiated by Qatar with Indonesia and Morocco and co-sponsored by 71 nations. Wilton Park and QF will now jointly develop an actionable roadmap for action in policy, coaching, and infrastructure.

Speaking at the dialogue, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, urged action that goes beyond basic parity, saying: “The barriers girls face are fundamentally different. “Our approach is to close that gap in practice, not just in principle: involving women in the design of facilities, providing coaching tailored to women’s needs, and building the scientific research base that, too often, doesn’t exist for women’s and girls’ sport.”

His Excellency Dr. Khalilur Rahman, President-Elect of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, told the dialogue that sport “changes how a girl is seen by her family and community, and how she sees herself”, saying: “A girl who plays on a team learns to lead, to fail and try again in public — and that confidence follows her into the classroom, workplace, and civic life.”

Participants in the dialogue included Olympism365, Special Olympics, Laureus Sport for Good, NBA Africa, FIVB, and Olympic athletes Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Ibtihaj Muhammad.

QF continues to advance inclusive sport, with over 70,000 female participants participating in tailored sporting activities at the Education City Stadium in the past two years, and its Circle In initiative supporting sport-for-development projects in 10 countries.

About Qatar Foundation

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization driving education, research, and community development. Founded in 1995, QF operates an interconnected ecosystem at Education City in Doha, Qatar, empowering individuals and driving positive social change. Visit www.qf.org.qa.

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ARTPRICE NEWS: A WORLD-BOOK BECOMES A MIRROR FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

OpenAI/Astra, Perplexity, DeepSeek, Google Gemini and xAI/Grok are confronted with the same work: a meta-reading experiment turns literary criticism into a comparative laboratory for artificial intelligence.

PARIS, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What if, in order to understand artificial intelligences, we gave them exactly the same book to read?

That is the experiment now accompanying “Dialogue Between a Thinker and AI”.

After hundreds of hours of dialogue, human thought, archives, questions, and contradictions gave rise to a book whose pen was entrusted to artificial intelligence.

https://www.dialoguebetweenathinkerandai.com/en/

Today, the book also exists materially: its French and English editions are in print. But the experiment does not end with the book. It now turns back toward the artificial intelligences themselves.

We didn’t ask AI to judge the book. We asked AIs to read it — and then to read each other.

The complete corpus is submitted to several major systems:

OpenAI / Astra, Perplexity, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, and xAI / Grok.

They all receive the same object. But do they produce the same reading?

https://www.dialoguebetweenathinkerandai.com/en/meta-reading/

The objective is not to organize a competition between models.

It is precisely the opposite.

The purpose is to observe their convergences, divergences, and blind spots.

Which concepts do they spontaneously identify? Which theses do they consider central? Which passages do they connect? Where do their interpretations diverge?

And above all: what happens when each is subsequently given access to the analyses produced by the others? At that moment, a meta-reading emerges.

AI no longer merely reads the book.

It reads another AI reading the book.

A third system can then analyze that confrontation. Commentary becomes corpus. The corpus becomes new material for analysis.

For centuries, we have used critics to better understand books.

This experiment also proposes the reverse movement:

using a book to better understand those who read it.

The same work thus becomes a kind of cognitive mirror placed before several artificial-intelligence architectures. This mirror does not ask: “Which AI is right?”

What Gemini thought of the analysis produced by Grok.

DeepSeek’s response to the critique by OpenAI Astra.

It asks: “Why don’t they see exactly the same thing?”

The distinction is essential. Because their divergences themselves become information.

This experiment does not delegate human judgment.

It demands more of it. The human remains the one who compares, doubts, contextualizes, and decides.

The machine produces readings. The human also observes the gaps between those readings.

Dialogue Between a Thinker and AI thus becomes simultaneously a book, a corpus, and an open experiment into the plurality of artificial intelligences.

The book was meant to be read by humans.

It now also becomes an object through which humans can watch AIs read.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The meta-reading experiment makes it possible to examine, among other things:

• what Google Gemini observes in the analysis produced by xAI/Grok;
• DeepSeek’s response to the critique produced by OpenAI/Astra;
• the convergences, divergences and blind spots revealed by confronting the different readings.

“We didn’t ask AI to judge the book. We asked AIs to read it — and then to read one another.“

https://www.dialoguebetweenathinkerandai.com/en/meta-reading/

https://www.dialoguebetweenathinkerandai.com/en/

Media Contact : Thierry Ehrmann, ir@artmarket.com 

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Latham Expands Market-Leading Antitrust & Competition Practice with Paris Partner Victor Levy

Arrival further strengthens the firm’s premier Antitrust & Competition Practice in Europe and enhances its unrivalled global platform.

PARIS, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Latham & Watkins is pleased to announce that Victor Levy has joined the firm’s Paris office as partner in its Antitrust & Competition Practice. Levy advises on competition law matters, with particular experience in merger control filings before the European Commission, the French Competition Authority, and other competition authorities globally, as well as complex antitrust investigations and follow-on damages claims before competition authorities and Courts.

Levy has extensive experience across sectors including aerospace and defense, consumer goods, and industrials.

“We are thrilled to welcome Victor to the firm,” said Thomas Margenet-Baudry, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins in Paris. “Our Paris office is a powerhouse in the French market, with exceptional strength across our transactional and regulatory practices. Antitrust and competition is central to that success, an essential component of our market-leading transactional and litigation platforms and a formidable go-to practice. Victor brings deep experience in complex domestic and cross-border antitrust matters for French and international clients that complements our existing strengths and further enhances the sophisticated, integrated advice we provide to clients in France, across Europe, and globally. His arrival reflects our ambition to continue investing in the very best talents and to remain at the forefront of the market for years to come.”

Latham’s Antitrust & Competition Practice is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier antitrust platforms, delivering sophisticated, coordinated advice across the United States, Europe, and Asia. The firm advises and represents clients on many of their most significant and complex global transactions, cartel investigations, and disputes, combining deep antitrust experience with market-leading litigation and trial capabilities. The Paris competition practice, like that of the Brussels office, is ranked Band 1 / Tier 1 in the legal directories. The addition of Levy further strengthens the firm’s European and Paris bench and enhances its ability to guide clients through an increasingly complex and interconnected global competition and regulatory landscape.

“The addition of Victor underscores the continued strength and momentum of our global practice,” said Lawrence Buterman, Global Chair of Latham’s Antitrust & Competition Practice. “Our platform brings together leading antitrust lawyers across the United States, Europe, and Asia who are increasingly called upon by our clients to lead and coordinate representations on complex transactions and litigation matters spanning multiple jurisdictions. Victor brings outstanding credentials and deep experience that will further strengthen our ability to deliver integrated and global solutions at the highest level.”

“We have known Victor for many years and have long held him in the highest regard,” said Jacques-Philippe Gunther, Antitrust & Competition partner in Paris. “He is definitely one of the best of his generation, and his unique combination of economic and legal expertise makes him a real additional strength to our talented team.”

Paris Antitrust & Competition partner, Adrien Giraud also commented: “Victor brings extensive experience across merger control, foreign investment screening, antitrust investigations, litigation, and State aid. At a time when antitrust and regulatory considerations are playing a critical role in shaping strategic business decisions, his arrival further enhances the breadth and depth of our offering in Paris.”

“I am delighted to join Latham & Watkins in Paris, especially at this critical time when competition authorities are becoming increasingly active and coordinated across jurisdictions. The firm’s global platform and market-leading capabilities provide an exceptional opportunity to help clients navigate their most complex matters,” said Levy. “I look forward to working closely with the teams across practices and geographies to further develop Latham’s antitrust and competition offering.”

Levy joins Latham & Watkins from Hogan Lovells Cadwalader. He holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, a Master’s degree in European Business Law from Paris Panthéon-Assas University, and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Paris and New York.

About Latham & Watkins (lw.com)

Latham & Watkins is a leading global law firm that brings together exceptional legal talent in financial centers around the world to advise on complex transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters. The firm’s deep market and product knowledge, industry experience, vast scale, and commitment to innovation and excellence help clients navigate their most critical challenges and achieve their goals.

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