Fintech PR
Tony Markel to retire as Vice Chairman of Markel Group in May 2025 and Jon Michael joins Board of Directors
RICHMOND, Va., March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL) announced today that Anthony F. (Tony) Markel, Vice Chairman of the Board, informed the company that he will not stand for re-election at the company’s annual meeting of shareholders in May. Mr. Markel will retire as a director of the company at the end of the meeting, at which time he will assume the honorary position of Chairman Emeritus of the Board.
Markel Group also announced the appointment of Jon Michael to its Board of Directors, effective March 15, 2025. Mr. Michael is a proven specialty insurance leader with more than 40 years of experience in the industry.
Tony Markel to retire from the Board of Directors
Mr. Markel joined the company in 1964 after graduating from the University of Virginia, eventually becoming President and Chief Operating Officer in 1992. He joined the Board in 1978 and became Vice Chairman of the Board in 2009. Mr. Markel, together with Alan Kirshner and Steve Markel, led the effort to take the company public in 1986. Under their leadership, Markel grew from approximately $60 million in total assets in 1986 to roughly $25 billion in 2016 when they turned over the reins to the next generation of Markel leaders.
“Tony is larger than life and it would be hard to overstate his impact on this company,” said Steve Markel, Chairman of the Board. “He was not just a highly effective operator and leader, he was the heartbeat of Markel with an unmatched ability to motivate and connect with people. I’m grateful to have had the chance to work alongside Tony for so many years.”
“In spite of the fact that my meteoric rise to the top of Markel was a blatant example of nepotism, I am extremely proud to have been a part of the growth and success of this organization over the last 61 years,” said Tony Markel. “I am equally proud of the Markel Style, a unique and distinct culture that has, and continues, to attract and guide some of the finest people in the insurance industry and the various industries served by our other Markel Group companies. It truly has been an honor and privilege to have worked with you and number you as friends.”
Jon Michael appointed to Board
Mr. Michael is a seasoned industry executive with a strong track record in the specialty insurance industry. He was the Chairman of RLI Corp., a publicly traded specialty insurance company, from 2011 to 2024 and he was President and CEO of RLI from 2001 to 2021—during which time RLI’s market capitalization increased by a factor of ten. Mr. Michael held various positions at RLI after joining in 1982, including President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining RLI, he worked at the accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand.
Mr. Michael was appointed interim President of Bradley University in June 2024 and has served on its Board of Trustees since 2016, most recently as Board Chair. He currently serves as the lead independent director of SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.
“As I end my official tenure at Markel, I am extremely enthused about the addition of Jon Michael to the Board,” said Tony Markel. “Jon brings experienced leadership in the specialty insurance sector that I think will prove to be invaluable in the next chapter of the Markel story.”
“Jon is a well-respected and proven specialty insurance industry leader who shares the values in the Markel Style,” said Steve Markel. “His deep financial and operational expertise will be very useful through the remainder of our Board-led business review, and his insights and long-term orientation will serve us well as we continue to grow Markel Group in the years ahead.”
“Markel Group is a company that feels like home,” said Mr. Michael. “Great people, strong values, and so much opportunity for continued growth. I look forward to working with the Board and management team to define the next chapter of Markel Group’s success.”
About Markel Group
Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL) is a diverse family of companies that includes everything from insurance to bakery equipment, building supplies, houseplants, and more. The leadership teams of these businesses operate with a high degree of independence, while at the same time living the values that we call the Markel Style. Our specialty insurance business sits at the core of our company. Through decades of sound underwriting, the insurance team has provided the capital base from which we built a system of businesses and investments that collectively increase Markel Group’s durability and adaptability. It’s a system that provides diverse income streams, access to a wide range of investment opportunities, and the ability to efficiently move capital to the best ideas across the company. Most importantly though, this system enables each of our businesses to advance our shared goal of helping our customers, associates, and shareholders win over the long term. Visit mklgroup.com to learn more.
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SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has expanded its global footprint with the launch of its Institute of Foundation Models (IFM). The IFM is a multi-site initiative consisting of a newly established Silicon Valley Lab in Sunnyvale, CA, combined with previously announced lab facilities in Paris and Abu Dhabi.
The launch event yesterday at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, establishes the third node in its global research network. This strategic expansion connects the university with California’s vibrant ecosystem of AI researchers, startups, and tech companies.
For the UAE and MBZUAI, this move represents another strategic step in the country’s long-term economic diversification plan. By investing in cutting-edge technologies like advanced AI foundation models, the UAE continues to build knowledge-based sectors to support its long-term economic and social transformation efforts.
“Today’s launch of the IFM represents a major step forward for the collaboration and global development of frontier-class AI foundation models,” said Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor, MBZUAI. “Our expansion into Silicon Valley provides a critical footprint to grow our presence in one of the most vibrant AI ecosystems in the world. We’re creating pathways for knowledge exchange with leading institutions and accessing a talent pool that understands how to scale research into real-world applications.”
The launch event drew representatives from the world’s leading AI companies and academic institutions, highlighting the growing interest in MBZUAI’s global approach to foundation model research.
At the heart of MBZUAI’s demonstrations was PAN, a world model capable of infinite simulations of diverse realities ranging from basic physical interactions to complex agent scenarios.
Unlike previous systems focused primarily on generating text, audio, or images, PAN predicts comprehensive world states by integrating multimodal inputs like language, video, spatial data, and physical actions. This enables advanced reasoning, strategic planning, and nuanced decision-making for applications from autonomous driving to robotics.
PAN’s innovative hierarchical architecture supports multi-level reasoning and real-time interaction within simulations, maintaining high accuracy over extended scenarios. Its companion, PAN-Agent, showcases its utility in multimodal reasoning tasks, such as mathematics and coding, within dynamic simulated environments.
K2 and JAIS: Advanced Foundation Models with Global Impact
The IFM lab is also advancing two flagship AI systems demonstrating the commitment to further advance frontier-class foundation models: K2 and JAIS.
A soon to be released update to K2-65B will focus on delivering breakthrough reasoning capabilities with sustainable performance.
JAIS stands as the world’s most advanced Arabic large language model. At the IFM JAIS will continue to expand in capability with increased language support and add more context to preserve and promote the cultures it supports.
Building AI in the Open: Transparency as a Core Value
MBZUAI has established one of the industry’s most transparent approaches to AI development, open-sourcing not just models but entire development processes—positioning IFM as a leader in building openly. The LLM360 initiative provides researchers with complete materials including training code, datasets, and model checkpoints. This openness is balanced with safeguards including international advisory boards and peer review processes that maintain research integrity.
The IFM’s structure includes dedicated teams focused on model architecture, training methods, evaluation frameworks, and safety systems—combining the agility of a startup with the resources of an established research institution.
About Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
MBZUAI is a research-focused university in Abu Dhabi, and the first university dedicated entirely to the advancement of science through AI. For more information, visit www.mbzuai.ac.ae.
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Fintech PR
AI Could Add $461 Billion to Global Healthcare–And These New Platforms Are Leading the Charge
Equity Insider News Commentary
Issued on behalf of Avant Technologies Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Equity Insider News Commentary – A new report from Philips reveals a growing divide between doctors and patients when it comes to AI in healthcare. While 63% of surveyed healthcare professionals believe AI can help improve outcomes, only 48% of patients share that optimism. As researchers explore what’s needed for successful AI adoption in healthcare, major players in tech and biotech are already moving ahead—recent updates have come from Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), Renovaro Inc. (NASDAQ: RENB), Certara, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERT), CareCloud, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCLD), and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT).
Analysts at MarketsandMarkets expect the AI healthcare sector to grow at a 38.6% CAGR, topping $110 billion by 2030. Accenture goes even further, estimating AI could inject another $461 billion in added value by 2035—amplifying impact across a global healthcare system already on track to surpass $2.26 trillion.
Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), in partnership with Ainnova Tech, is positioning its Vision AI platform at the forefront of predictive healthcare. The company is in advanced discussions to acquire or exclusively license a patented early disease detection technology that could significantly enhance its diagnostic capabilities. If finalized, the deal would allow Vision AI to generate clinical insights even in the absence of a complete patient dataset—unlocking earlier intervention opportunities and supporting a more proactive model of care.
“Our purpose is to create the future of early disease detection in an accessible way, so that patients can get a preventive check-up anywhere, at a low cost, and easily,” said Vinicio Vargas, CEO at Ainnova and member of the Board of Directors of the joint venture company, Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC), said of AAC’s aim to continue to add to its portfolio. “We want to prevent patients with risk factors from developing other diseases that could have been avoided before they became a real problem. To this end, we are seeking to integrate new technologies into our portfolio within a single platform, both through our R&D efforts and through potential exclusive licenses or acquisitions.”
The potential acquisition aligns with Avant and Ainnova’s shared mission to deliver scalable, preventive health tools that merge retinal imaging, vital sign monitoring, and machine learning into one streamlined platform. Vision AI is already positioned as a next-generation diagnostic engine for chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney dysfunction. Now, the joint venture is pushing further—evaluating breakthrough technologies that could detect emerging health issues at a pre-symptomatic stage.
Recent platform updates saw four proprietary algorithms—trained on over 2.3 million real-world clinical cases—fully integrated into Vision AI. The addition of new IP from this proposed deal would mark a significant leap forward, enabling predictive models to extract meaningful signals from even limited patient data.
Avant and Ainnova view this initiative as part of a broader strategy to consolidate breakthrough tools that make early disease detection more scalable, mobile, and applicable across diverse healthcare settings. While a final agreement has yet to be announced, the companies have stated they will keep shareholders informed as developments progress.
In parallel, Avant has entered formal discussions to acquire Ainnova outright—building on their existing alignment under the Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC) structure. The timing is deliberate, coming just ahead of a planned FDA pre-submission meeting this July. A completed merger would unify operations, reduce internal complexity, and bolster the joint venture’s regulatory readiness as it prepares for potential U.S. market entry.
“We believe bringing the two companies together will offer tremendous value for shareholders,” said Vargas. “It will simplify the process of advancing our technology to market, and it will deliver value to our customers and partners as we promote our technology portfolio globally.”
At the center of this initiative is Vision AI—a non-invasive screening platform that integrates retinal imaging, vital sign monitoring, and machine-learning models to flag early indicators of chronic disease. The system targets conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular issues, kidney and liver disorders, and type 2 diabetes. Operated under the AAC structure, the joint venture holds global rights to Vision AI, which has demonstrated over 90% sensitivity in early detection based on research cited by the NIH.
“This milestone reflects our two-tiered strategy, rapid deployment in low-regulation markets where Vision AI operates as a screening tool, and simultaneous progress toward FDA clearance for the U.S. market,” said Vargas. “Entering the U.S. will unlock significant commercial potential, and early engagement with regulators ensures we do so with speed, credibility, and a validated product.”
While many AI healthcare platforms remain stuck in pilot stages, Avant’s Vision AI is already live across multiple Latin American markets—including Chile, Mexico, and Brazil—where it’s actively being used in clinical settings. These real-world deployments are generating essential data on safety and efficacy, while also providing user feedback that guides ongoing system improvements.
To broaden its diagnostic reach, the Ai-nova joint venture recently integrated four additional algorithms into the platform. Each was trained on a dataset of more than 2.3 million clinical records, enhancing Vision AI’s precision across a wider spectrum of chronic diseases. With active momentum abroad and U.S. regulatory discussions now underway, Avant’s trajectory appears to be moving from early validation toward broader market penetration.
CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Avant Technologies at:
Renovaro Inc. (NASDAQ: RENB) has officially launched Augusta, a next-generation AI-powered platform targeting precision neurology. Designed for patient stratification, biomarker discovery, and accelerated drug development, Augusta integrates multiomics, contingent AI, phenoclustering, and in silico screening into one modular system.
“The Augusta platform is about validation,” said David Weinstein, CEO of Renovaro Inc. “We’re setting a new bar for how AI can be responsibly and effectively deployed in clinical and experimental settings.”
The platform has already demonstrated early success in Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, with expansion plans underway for additional neurological conditions.
Certara, Inc. (NASDAQ: CERT) has launched its Non-Animal Navigator™ solution to help drug developers reduce reliance on animal testing, aligning with the FDA’s Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing in Preclinical Safety Studies.
“The FDA announcement and roadmap pave the way for more model-informed drug development approaches that are predictive, efficient, and ethical,” said William F. Feehery, CEO of Certara Inc. “It is part of a growing industry adoption trend to use scientifically robust new approach methodologies (NAMs) like AI-enabled biosimulation to improve strategic decision-making and success rates at every phase of drug development.”
The new offering combines strategic regulatory guidance with AI-enabled biosimulation, providing an ethical and efficient pathway through early-stage drug development. With adoption already underway, Certara’s platform offers a future-ready model for companies advancing biologics, including monoclonal antibodies and ADCs.
CareCloud, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCLD) has been named Maxim Group’s “Top Healthcare IT Pick for 2025,” with analysts citing the company’s AI-first strategy, strong financial performance, and discounted valuation as key drivers.
“AI is now deeply integrated into our operations—from documentation and revenue cycle management to patient engagement and analytics,” said Hadi Chaudhry, Co-CEO of CareCloud Inc. “This is not an add-on, it is a foundational capability that is changing how healthcare is delivered and experienced.”
The firm recently launched its AI Center of Excellence and introduced purpose-built tools like cirrusAI Notes and cirrusAI Voice to streamline clinical workflows and improve patient engagement. CareCloud plans to scale its AI team from 50 to 500 by year-end, deepening its role as a leader in applied healthcare AI.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) has introduced its healthcare agent orchestrator—a multi-agent AI framework designed to support complex clinical workflows, such as tumor boards, by analyzing multimodal data across imaging, genomics, and electronic health records.
“The vision of the healthcare agent orchestrator is to rapidly surface, summarize, and take action on relevant multimodal medical information for each complex cancer case, so hours of review can become minutes,” said Dr. Joshua Warner, Radiologist at UW Health and Assistant Professor of Radiology, UW School of Medicine and Public Health. “Collaborating with Microsoft allows us to explore the value of these models for tumor boards and beyond.”
Now available through Azure AI Foundry, the system enables clinicians and developers to coordinate specialized AI agents directly within Microsoft Teams and Office tools, streamlining hours of expert analysis into minutes. Leading institutions like Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and Providence are already piloting the technology to accelerate cancer diagnosis, clinical trial matching, and treatment planning.
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DUBAI, UAE, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has renewed its offers for trading beginners in a bundle of first-trade coverage and rewards this summer. The five-track Fearless Futures initiative has something to offer in every stage of crypto trading—from research to futures trading.
Modeled after fitness coaching, Fearless Futures is a supportive package for fresh traders and learners starting their crypto trading journey. The comprehensive loss protection and rewards program offers derisking opportunities for first-time traders in sync with the market-wide rally, with BTC pushing above 100K and ETH regaining investor favor. Sophisticated product suites and knowledge sharing are becoming increasingly accessible to everyday traders, and Bybit continues to support the crypto community with professional-grade tools and flawless execution with millisecond precision.
From now until June 30 or until prize pools are fully unlocked, eligible Bybit users will enjoy exclusive protection and rewards as they advance their trading levels:
- A Zero-Risk Introduction to Futures Trading: Eligible user’s first Futures trade will be covered up to 50 USDT at Bybit should a loss occur. Vouchers are available for first-time Futures traders on Bybit until June 30, 2025.
- Carefree Copy Trading: New followers of Master Traders may claim up to 100 USDT in loss protection for Copy Trading. This welcome offer not only takes away the pressure of strategizing, but also reduces volatility risks. Copy Trading Vouchers can be used as margin and are up for grabs until December 30, 2025.
- Gold & FX Copy Trading: Another Copy Trading product tailored for Gold and FX matched the limited-time offer for first-time traders until June 30, 2025.
- It Pays to Learn: Before diving into trading, beginners may explore Bybit’s Read-to-Earn initiative and get the basics down while dividing up a 18,000 USDT prize pool.
- Bonus Community Challenge: Signing up for the Bybit Learn Community will qualify eligible users for the Community Futures Challenge. The gamified experience incentivizes knowledge sharing and community engagement with a 2,500 USDT weekly prize pool, to be shared by top contributors in the leaderboard.
The campaign benefits Bybit users at a strategic juncture when the crypto market continues its upward trajectory. Supporting the broader crypto community since 2018, Bybit aspires to help its users navigate volatility responsibly, become better traders, and be part of their progress.
Registration and task fulfilments are required, and terms and conditions apply. For details, users may visit: Fearless Futures | Trade with Confidence, Not Consequence.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
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