WinZO Collaborates With Professors Of Top IITs, Stanford University, And California State University To Build A Statistical Games Model

* This marks a significant leap in the gaming industry, as the collaborative effort aims to establish transparent and unbiased models for distinguishing game of skill from betting and gambling 

WinZO, a vernacular skill-gaming platform, has taken a significant leap towards addressing a longstanding challenge in the gaming industry— a transparent, unbiased methodology in distinguishing between games of skill from games of chance. By collaborating with esteemed professors from technology institutions and statistics departments of institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Madras, as well as the Stanford University, the California State University, among others, WinZO has established a scientific methodology that can accurately differentiate between gaming activities requiring predominance of skill and those dependent on chance. This innovative initiative has the potential to resolve the crucial issue of skill versus chance, thereby enhancing overall transparency and fairness within the gaming industry. The collaboration with experts from renowned institutions underscores WinZO's commitment to fostering a gaming environment that is not only entertaining but also characterized by safety, accountability, and transparency in the classification of games based on skill and chance. 

Recently there have been concerns on the independence of the proposed Self-Regulatory Bodies (SRBs) in India’s online gaming sector in ensuring fair and unbiased assessments. SRBs access to confidential proprietary information of the new-age technology firms is also a potential threat to early stage innovations. This prompted WinZO to work with leading academicians across the world  to develop a highly scientific model that can be democratized and applied to any game without requiring access to proprietary data or violating the intellectual property rights of gaming companies to assess any  game’s skill level. 

The collaborative effort has resulted in the creation of statistical tests utilizing real game data, user behavior of over 100 million users, across billions of game plays, and other relevant factors to determine the prevalence of skill over chance in various games. This pioneering methodology is set to bring clarity to the distinction between skill and chance. The initiative also has the potential to reduce compliance burden for the online gaming sector and resolve regulatory challenges in the era of innovative and evolving business models.  

“As a gaming platform that publishes games of over 100 game developers, it was important for us to have a predictable, transparent, and accountable methodology to determine through a scientific methodology if the game is a game of skill. We worked with top statisticians and engineering departments globally to build and validate a method that can be used by any entrepreneur in partnership with these institutions now. By democratizing assessment of games on skill, we aim to empower startups and lower their financial challenges - something we faced during our early years. This marks a significant step forward in our journey to foster a gaming environment characterized by scientific rigor, collaboration, and objectivity," said Paavan Nanda, co-founder of WinZO.  

“WinZO's approach to answering industry’s pertinent questions around the validity of their games as skill-based in a scientific and scalable manner has a wider implication for the digital economy in India. This shows initiative from a private entity leveraging data to solve emerging regulatory challenges. The research is based on billions of game plays across millions of users and the methodology can be easily used by even early-stage companies. The collaborative effort with the best minds of the country has enabled us to construct statistical models that bring transparency and fairness to the forefront. By distinguishing skill from chance, we are setting new standards for the industry. The scientific rigor applied and validated through comprehensive statistical tests marks a revolutionary step in gaming,” Dr. Neelesh S Upadhye,  Dept of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM).  

"WinZO has drafted a scientific study to address industry questions around distinguishing games of skill from games of chance. This comprehensive research represents a pioneering initiative by a private entity, leveraging data and statistics to solve emerging regulatory and sectoral challenges. The research is based on billions of game plays across millions of users. Nevertheless, the methodology is transferable and can be used even by early-stage companies. A collaborative process, involving input from experts in the field, has empowered WinZO to develop a mathematical model that prioritizes transparency and fairness. Through the application of scientific rigor, validated by numerous statistical tests, WinZO is setting industry benchmarks in a groundbreaking advancement in the gaming domain by quantifying preponderance of skill over chance." Dr. Mike Orkin, Professor Emeritus, California State University 

WinZO also partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D), the Delhi Technological University (DTU), the Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT), and the IIITD to launch its new cyber security programme, Code Health and Security Evaluation (CHASE). The programme aimed to invest in and develop open-source technology and best practices that can be used by businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to protect against cyber actors who exploit product vulnerabilities to steal information, and money, and are developing capabilities to disrupt, destroy, or threaten the delivery of essential services. The online safety initiatives are a response to the growing internet penetration and digital transactions in t2-t5 Bharat.  

About WinZO 

WinZO is the largest interactive entertainment platform in India. Launched in early 2018, the Company partners with third-party developers to host games on their Android app, where users can enjoy personalized multiplayer gameplay experiences. The platform is available in 12 languages such as English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and Bhojpuri, with over 175 million registered users. The WinZO platform facilitates over 4 billion micro-transactions per month across a portfolio of 100+ games. WinZO is focused on building an enthusiastic community of gamers and gaming influencers in Tier 2 – 5 cities in India. The Company envisions a future where the WinZO platform can deliver a culturally relevant and enjoyable experience in the Indian gaming ecosystem, monetized through a unique micro-transaction model.?? 

WinZO, a series-C funded venture, has raised $100 million from Marquee gaming and entertainment investors such as Griffin Gaming partners, Courtside ventures, Maker’s fund, all of whom made their first investment in the Indian start-up ecosystem through WinZO. 

McAfee Unveils Advanced Deepfake Audio Detection Tech At CES 2024 To Defend Against Rise In AI-Generated Scams And Disinformation

Highlights

* Known as ‘Project Mockingbird,’ McAfee reveals advanced AI-detection capabilities that can empower consumers to discern what’s real and what’s fake in a time of malicious and misleading AI-generated content

* New AI-powered innovation from McAfee is over 90% accurate at detecting and exposing maliciously altered audio in videos.

* McAfee’s Project Mockingbird will give people a powerful tool to navigate their ever-evolving digital world.

* AI-powered combination of contextual, behavioral, and categorical detection models lays the foundation for safeguarding online integrity as deepfake-driven cyberbullying, reputation manipulation, and investment scams gain prominence.

Today, McAfee Corp., a global leader in online protection, announced its AI-powered Deepfake Audio Detection technology, known as Project Mockingbird, at the Consumer Electronics Show. This new, proprietary technology was developed to help defend consumers against the surging threat of cybercriminals utilizing fabricated, AI-generated audio to carry out scams that rob people of money and personal information, enable cyberbullying, and manipulate the public image of prominent figures.

Increasingly sophisticated and accessible Generative AI tools have made it easier for cybercriminals to create highly convincing scams, such as using voice cloning to impersonate a family member in distress, asking for money. Others, often called “cheapfakes,” may involve manipulating authentic videos, like newscasts or celebrity interviews, by splicing in fake audio to change the words coming out of someone’s mouth; this makes it appear that a trusted or known figure has said something different than what was originally said.

Anticipating the ever-growing challenge consumers face in distinguishing real from digitally manipulated content, McAfee Labs, the innovation and threat intelligence arm at McAfee, has developed an industry-leading advanced AI model trained to detect AI-generated audio. McAfee’s Project Mockingbird technology uses a combination of AI-powered contextual, behavioral, and categorical detection models to identify whether the audio in a video is likely AI-generated. With a 90% accuracy rate currently, McAfee can detect and protect against AI content that has been created for malicious “cheapfakes” or deepfakes, providing unmatched protection capabilities to consumers.

“With McAfee’s latest AI detection capabilities, we will provide customers a tool that operates at more than 90% accuracy to help people understand their digital world and assess the likelihood of content being different than it seems,” said Steve Grobman, Chief Technology Officer, McAfee. “So, much like a weather forecast indicating a 70% chance of rain helps you plan your day, our technology equips you with insights to make educated decisions about whether content is what it appears to be.”

“The use cases for this AI detection technology are far-ranging and will prove invaluable to consumers amidst a rise in AI-generated scams and disinformation. With McAfee’s deepfake audio detection capabilities, we’ll be putting the power of knowing what is real or fake directly into the hands of consumers. We’ll help consumers avoid ‘cheapfake’ scams where a cloned celebrity is claiming a new limited-time giveaway, and also make sure consumers know instantaneously when watching a video about a presidential candidate, whether it’s real or AI-generated for malicious purposes. This takes protection in the age of AI to a whole new level. We aim to give users the clarity and confidence to navigate the nuances in our new AI-driven world, to protect their online privacy and identity, and well-being,” continued Grobman.

McAfee is building on its rich history of AI innovation, the first public demos of Project Mockingbird, McAfee’s Deepfake Audio Detection technology, will be available onsite at the Consumer Electronics Show 2024. The unveiling of this new AI technology is also further evidence of McAfee’s focus on developing a comprehensive portfolio of AI models that are cross platform and serve multiple uses cases to safeguard consumers’ digital lives.

Why Project Mockingbird

Mockingbirds are a group of birds primarily known for mimicking or “mocking” the songs of other birds. While there’s no proven reason as to why Mockingbirds mock, one theory behind the behavior is that female birds may prefer males who sing more songs, so the males mock to trick them. Similarly, cybercriminals leverage Generative AI to “mock” or clone the voices of celebrities, influencers and even loved ones in order to defraud consumers.

Deep Concerns about Deepfake Technology

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the sophisticated nature of these scams, as they no longer trust that their senses and experiences are enough to determine whether what they’re seeing or hearing is real or fake.

For over a decade, McAfee has used AI to safeguard millions of global customers from online privacy and identity threats. By running multiple models in parallel, McAfee can perform a comprehensive analysis of problems from multiple angles. For example, structural models are used to understand the threat types, behavior models to understand what that threat does, and contextual models to trace the origin of the data underpinning a particular threat. Utilizing multiple models concurrently allows McAfee to provide customers with the most effective information and recommendations and reinforces the company’s commitment to protecting people’s privacy, identity, and personal information.

This document contains information on products, services and/or processes in development. All information provided here is subject to change without notice at McAfee’s sole discretion. Nothing in this document shall be considered an offer by McAfee, create obligations for McAfee, or create expectations of future releases which impact current purchase or partnership decisions.

About McAfee

McAfee Corp. is a global leader in online protection for consumers. Focused on protecting people, not just devices, McAfee’s consumer solutions adapt to users’ needs in an always online world, empowering them to live securely through integrated, intuitive solutions that protect their families and communities with the right security at the right moment. For more information, visit https://www.mcafee.com.

Ceat Indian Supercross Racing League Successfully Concludes Mega Rider Auction For Season One

-       Sri Lanka's Jacques Gunawardena clinched the highest bid of the auction, setting a record for Season One.

-       Ikshan Shanbhag, Shlok Ghorpade and Rugved Barguje emerged as the Indian riders with the highest bids during the auction.

-       Thomas Ramette secured the highest bid in the power-packed 450 cc international category.

-       Young talent Bhairav C Gowda grabbed attention with the highest bid in the 85 cc junior class.

-       ISRL also witnessed participation from Women riders Aleena Mansur Shaikh and Nithila Das as both get picked up by teams.

World's first-ever franchise-based Supercross league, the CEAT ISRL, successfully conducted its Mega Rider Auction for Season One at the prestigious JW Marriott in Pune yesterday, marking a significant milestone in ISRL’s journey. The CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League witnessed a total of 104 riders, including 73 international racers and 31 Indian riders. Each team was allowed up to 2 riders per category, with a maximum of 48 slots available. The cumulative auction kitty for Season One reached a monumental INR 6 Cr, underscoring the league's commitment to excellence.

In a riveting auction that unfolded among the six teams, the fiercely competitive 85 cc junior class ignited excitement as Bhairav C Gowda's standout performance earned him the highest bid, underlining his potential as a rising star. The power-packed 450 cc international category witnessed Thomas Ramette securing the highest bid. Meanwhile, breaking barriers in the sport, Aleena Mansur Shaikh and Nithila Das from the 85cc junior class emerged as two female riders called up by teams, emphasizing the growing influence of women in this high-octane world of Supercross. Remarkable stories continued to unfold with Ikshan Shanbhag and Shlok Ghorpade securing the highest bids for Indian riders during the auction. Adding to the intrigue, Sri Lanka's Nathan Alexander Gunawardena secured the highest bid of the auction which comes from the 250cc India-Asia Mix category, setting a record for Season One. The auction was marked by enthusiasm among bidders eager to secure Indian talent, adding a dynamic element to the competition.

Mr. Veer Patel, Director & Co-Founder of the CEAT ISRL, expressed his excitement about the auction's success: "The rider auction symbolizes more than just the acquisition of talent; it's a poignant moment in the evolution of motorsport. It's a testament to the spirit of competition, commitment to transparency and fairness, the pursuit of excellence, and the unity of a community driven by the love for off-road racing. This electrifying start sets the stage for an inaugural season that will not only redefine Supercross but also leave an indelible mark on the global motorsport landscape."

Among the roster of esteemed riders, the league proudly presents some of the most decorated names in Supercross. Notably, Matt Moss, a 9-time Australian MX and SX Champion; 4X Italian Supercross Champion Lorenzo Camporese ; 4X South Africa Champion Anthony Raynard; 2X European/French vice champion Thomas Ramette; Germany’s MXGP Racer Nico Koch; 3X India National champion Rugved Barguje, 2X Indonesia champion Ananda Rigi Aditya.

As the countdown to Season One begins, the CEAT ISRL is set to host an impressive line-up of international champions and rising Indian stars across four exhilarating categories, featuring the 450cc international riders, 250cc international riders, 250cc India-Asia mix, and the super competitive 85cc junior class

CEAT ISRL races are set to captivate audiences across three vibrant cities, promising a blend of fanfare, glamour, and high-octane racing excitement. These events will transcend the traditional racing experience, transforming into star-studded nights filled with top-notch entertainment and electrifying music. The league's commitment to creating an immersive and unforgettable atmosphere ensures that each race becomes a celebration of both motorsport excellence and a lively entertainment spectacle.

For more information on the CEAT ISRL Season One Rider Auction and updates on team selections, visit the official website at

https://indiansupercrossleague.com/.

Pramerica Life Insurance Launches New Brand Campaign, "This Is My Climb" Celebrating Purpose And Resilience At Every Life Stage"

* This is My Climb is an expression by Pramerica Life Insurance to celebrate the diverse journeys of resilience and purpose that define everyday life of it’s customers, partners and employees.

* The brand campaign launched on social and digital media aims to connect with it’s customers, partners, and employees at an emotional level, showcasing the brand standing by them in their unique climb towards their goals and aspirations.

Pramerica Life Insurance, one of the fastest growing life insurers in India, today announced the launch of its inspiring brand campaign, "This is My Climb." This powerful campaign, featuring two short films, aims to celebrate the diverse stories of purpose, aspirations, and resilience that define our individual journeys. The campaign while going beyond the traditional marketing approach, delves into the emotional core of human experience, resonating with individuals at every life stage.

"Just as every climb presents unique challenges and requires unwavering determination, so does the journey of life," said Pankaj Gupta, MD & CEO of Pramerica Life Insurance. "Through 'This is My Climb' campaign, we celebrate the different facets of purpose, commitment, and responsibility that each individual embodies. We want to be a rock-solid partner in our customers’ lives, the bedrock that they can rely on. Every climb, big or small, deserves a sturdy companion and we are committed to being that for all our stakeholders."

The campaign unfolds through two compelling short films. The first film paints a relatable picture of a father’s journey and aspirations. We see his commitment, how he sets aside his own dreams and desires to nurture his child's ambitions. Every hurdle, big or small, becomes a step towards his child’s future, a climb he ascends with determination and silent sacrifice. He embodies the spirit of every parent who chooses their child's dreams over their own, finding joy in their success and strength in their struggles.

The second film takes viewers on a poignant journey through the eyes of a defence personnel's family, showcasing their unwavering support and pride as he scales the heights of commitment and dedication. This film resonates deeply with Pramerica Life Insurance, the market leader in serving the defence community, its flagship business channel. The campaign is more than just messaging; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the heroes who stand guard and a promise to be with them and their loved ones through various facets of life. The subtle brand integration at the end of each film reinforces Pramerica Life Insurance's commitment to being a partner in every individual's climb.

The campaign has been launched on brand’s social media handles - Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and will be amplified across various media platforms for a period of 6-8 weeks. The company plans to engage with its key stakeholders – customers, partners, and employees - through interactive initiatives and social media conversations, building a vibrant community around the campaign's message of purpose and resilience.

“The beauty of 'This is My Climb' lies in its breadth of perspectives”, said Karthik Chakrapani, Chief Business Officer of Pramerica Life Insurance. "From the ethos of a defence personnel and his family for the nation’s sovereignty to the determination of a father for his child’s future, each story resonates in its own unique way. We invite viewers to engage with these inspiring journeys, find common threads in their own climbs, and join us in celebrating the human spirit".

This campaign has been creatively developed by Publicis Worldwide India, under the leadership of Paritosh Srivastava - Chief Executive Officer, Oindrila Roy - Managing Director, Srijan Shukla and Pratheeb Ravi, Heads of Creative known for crafting compelling narratives. Their collective expertise and dedication have been fundamental in capturing the essence of human determination and purpose in these stories.

This is My Climb campaign promises to be a powerful and emotionally charged experience, reminding us that every life is a unique climb and that we all have the strength to reach our own personal summits.

About Pramerica Life Insurance Limited

Pramerica Life Insurance Limited is a joint venture between DIL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited and Prudential International Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (PIIH), a fully owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI). Pramerica Life Insurance Limited represents the coming together of two renowned financial services organizations with a legacy of business excellence spread over decades. Pramerica Life Insurance Limited, started operations in India on September 01, 2008 and has a pan India presence through multiple distribution channels which have been customized to address the specific insurance needs of diverse customer segments. The Company is committed to providing protection and quality financial advice to its customers. Pramerica is the brand name used in India and select countries by PFI. For more details, visit www.pramericalife.in

About Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Limited

Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Limited (referred as Piramal Finance), a wholly owned subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Limited (flagship company of the Piramal Group), is a housing finance company engaged in retail and wholesale lending. In retail lending, Piramal Finance is one of the leading players that addresses the diverse financing needs of the under-served and unserved people of ‘Bharat’ market. It has over 1 million customers and a network of branches across 318 cities/towns in 27 states. It offers multiple products, including home loans, loan against property, used car loans, small business loans to Indian budget conscious customers at the periphery of metros and in Tier I, II and III cities. In wholesale lending, it caters to both real estate as well as non-real estate sector and offers multiple products including construction finance, structured debt and senior secured debt. For more information visit: piramalfinance.com

About Prudential Financial, Inc.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2022, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better by creating financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for nearly 150 years. For more information, visit news.prudential.com

Galaxy Unpacked 2024: Opening A New Era Of Mobile AI

A revolutionary mobile experience is coming. Get ready to discover a new era full of possibilities with the latest Galaxy innovations, designed to transform how you live, connect and create. The new Galaxy S series will set a higher standard for the most intelligent mobile experience yet.

Experience the epic in everyday life like never before.

On January 17, Samsung Electronics will host Unpacked in San Jose. Join us as we unveil the latest premium Galaxy innovations, providing an all-new mobile experience powered by AI. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom India, and Samsung’s YouTube channel beginning at 11.30 p.m. IST.

Stay tuned at News.samsung.com/India for all the upcoming teasers, trailers and news about Galaxy Unpacked 2024.

Leading E-Commerce SaaS-Platform Unicommerce eSolutions Limited Files DRHP With SEBI

Unicommerce eSolutions Limited (“The Company”), which is India’s largest e-commerce enablement Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) platform in the transaction processing layer, in terms of revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2022 (Source: Redseer Report), has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (“DRHP”) with market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) for IPO.

Unicommerce is the only profitable company among the top five players in this segment in India during Fiscal 2022 (Source: Redseer Report). Established in 2012, Unicommerce has been PAT-positive since FY 21. As per the DRHP the company has a consistent track record of profitability and growth, with revenue growth of 52.56% and 47.55% over the previous fiscal years in FY 23 & FY 22, respectively.  For the period ended September 2023, Unicommerce achieved an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of INR 103.74 Crores.

The offer comprises of an offer for sale aggregating up to 2,98,40,486 equity shares bythe  “Selling Shareholder” (The “Offer for Sale”) with face value of Rs. 1 each equity share. The offer for sale comprises of up to 1,14,59,840 equity shares by AceVector Limited (formerly known as Snapdeal Limited) (“Promoter Selling Shareholder”); up to 22,10,406 equity shares by B2 Capital Partners and up to 1,61,70,240 equity shares by SB Investment Holdings (UK) Limited (“Investor Selling Shareholder”)

A clutch of renowned investors, including Anchorage Capital Fund, Madhuri Madhusudan Kela, Rizwan Koita & Jagdish Moorjani, Dilip Vellodi and others recently acquired shares in the company.

IIFL Securities Limited and CLSA India Private Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers to the Issue.

The company’s suite of SaaS solutions enables end-to-end management of e-commerce operations for brands, retailers, marketplaces and logistics service providers.

Unicommerce serves a large and growing base of marquee clients in India. These include, among others, Lenskart, Fabindia, Zivame, TCNS, Mamaearth, Emami, Sugar, BoAt, Portronics, Pharmeasy, GNC, Cello, Urban Company, Mensa, G.O.A.T, Shiprocket, Xpressbees and others.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, the company had an annual run-rate of processing 763.82 million order items for 743 enterprise clients and 2,830 SMB clients. The company processed approximately 20-25% of India’s e-commerce dropship volume during Fiscal 2022 as per the Redseer Report.

Besides India, where Unicommerce has a majority of its clients, the company also has clients in six other countries, primarily in South East Asia and the Middle East.

The total addressable market (“TAM”) for players in the eCommerce enablement SaaS in the transaction processing layer is expected to be worth approximately US$ 4.1 billion in 2027. The growth is fueled by India’s fast-growing e-commerce market (estimated to grow at a CAGR of 25% to reach approx US$ 170 Bn by 2027), rising shipment volumes, the emergence of D2C brands, the transition of traditional brands to omnichannel, and the expansion of the warehousing industry in India.

Unicommerce is led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kapil Makhija. Unicommerce recently expanded its Board of Directors by inducting Manoj Kohli, Ullas Kamath, and Sairee Chahal as independent directors and Kunal Bahl & Rohit Bansal as non-executive directors.

DRHP Link: https://www.india.clsa.com/

Samsung Opens Pre-Reserve For The Next Galaxy Smartphone In India

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, announced the pre-reserve of its next flagship Galaxy smartphone, which will be unveiled later this month. Pre-reserved customers will be eligible for early access and special offers on purchasing the new Galaxy devices.

Customers can pre-reserve the flagship Galaxy devices by paying a token amount of INR 2000 on Samsung.com, Samsung Exclusive stores, Amazon.in and leading retail outlets across India. Consumers who pre-reserve will get benefit worth INR 5000. 

Since the introduction of the first Galaxy flagship, Samsung has been continuously enhancing and innovating the flagship experience for the consumers. With the next generation of the flagship, offering enhanced devices based on years of rigorous R&D and investment, Samsung aims to further drive the latest era of Galaxy innovation and consolidate its position as the industry leader.

Samsung will unveil its next generation of flagship devices at Galaxy Unpacked on January 17 in San Jose, California.