Latest news with #Annie
Cambrian News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Cambrian News
Meet the incredible creatives behind Aberystwyth's Wizard of Oz
His extensive career as a musical director, composer and TV pianist has taken him all over the world. He has worked with Sue Pollard (Annie), Dame Edna Everage (pantomime), Ruthie Henshall, Aled Jones and Willard White (the BBC's The Sound of The Musicals), Tony Hadley and Gene Pitney (ITV's Sing it Your Way) and been 'lured in front of the camera' to join 4 Poofs and a Piano, the brilliant house band on the BBC's Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
UK health service AI tool generated a set of false diagnoses for one patient that led to him being wrongly invited to a diabetes screening appointment
A patient in London was mistakenly invited to a diabetic screening after an AI-generated medical record falsely claimed he had diabetes and suspected heart disease. The summaries, created by Anima Health's AI tool Annie, also included fabricated details like a fake hospital address. NHS officials have described the incident as a one-off human error, but the organization is already facing scrutiny over how AI tools are used and regulated. AI use in healthcare has the potential to save time, money, and lives. But when technology that is known to occasionally lie is introduced into patient care, it also raises serious risks. One London-based patient recently experienced just how serious those risks can be after receiving a letter inviting him to a diabetic eye screening—a standard annual check-up for people with diabetes in the UK. The problem: He had never been diagnosed with diabetes or shown any signs of the condition. After opening the appointment letter late one evening, the patient, a healthy man in his mid-20's, told Fortune he had briefly worried that he had been unknowingly diagnosed with the condition, before concluding the letter must just be an admin error. The next day, at a pre-scheduled routine blood test, a nurse questioned the diagnosis and, when the patient confirmed he wasn't diabetic, the pair reviewed his medical history. 'He showed me the notes on the system, and they were AI-generated summaries. It was at that point I realized something weird was going on,' the patient, who asked for anonymity to discuss private health information, told Fortune. After requesting and reviewing his medical records in full, the patient noticed the entry that had introduced the diabetes diagnosis was listed as a summary that had been 'generated by Annie AI.' The record appeared around the same time he had attended the hospital for a severe case of tonsillitis. However, the record in question made no mention of tonsillitis. Instead, it said he had presented with chest pain and shortness of breath, attributed to a 'likely angina due to coronary artery disease.' In reality, he had none of those symptoms. The records, which were reviewed by Fortune, also noted the patient had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes late last year and was currently on a series of medications. It also included dosage and administration details for the drugs. However, none of these details were accurate, according to the patient and several other medical records reviewed by Fortune. 'Health Hospital' in 'Health City' Even stranger, the record attributed the address of the medical document it appeared to be processing to a fictitious 'Health Hospital' located on '456 Care Road' in 'Health City.' The address also included an invented postcode. A representative for the NHS, Dr. Matthew Noble, told Fortune the GP practice responsible for the oversight employs a 'limited use of supervised AI' and the error was a 'one-off case of human error.' He said that a medical summariser had initially spotted the mistake in the patient's record but had been distracted and 'inadvertently saved the original version rather than the updated version [they] had been working on.' However, the fictitious AI-generated record appears to have had downstream consequences, with the patient's invitation to attend a diabetic eye screening appointment presumedly based on the erroneous summary. While most AI tools used in healthcare are monitored by strict human oversight, another NHS worker told Fortune that the leap from the original symptoms—tonsillitis—to what was returned—likely angina due to coronary artery disease—raised alarm bells. 'These human error mistakes are fairly inevitable if you have an AI system producing completely inaccurate summaries,' the NHS employee said. 'Many elderly or less literate patients may not even know there was an issue.' The company behind the technology, Anima Health, did not respond to Fortune's questions about the issue. However, Dr. Noble said, 'Anima is an NHS-approved document management system that assists practice staff in processing incoming documents and actioning any necessary tasks.' 'No documents are ever processed by AI, Anima only suggests codes and a summary to a human reviewer in order to improve safety and efficiency. Each and every document requires review by a human before being actioned and filed,' he added. AI's uneasy rollout in the health sector The incident is somewhat emblematic of the growing pains around AI's rollout in healthcare. As hospitals and GP practices race to adopt automation tools that promise to ease workloads and reduce costs, they're also grappling with the challenge of integrating still-maturing technology into high-stakes environments. The pressure to innovate and potentially save lives with the technology is high, but so is the need for rigorous oversight, especially as tools once seen as 'assistive' begin influencing real patient care. The company behind the tech, Anima Health, promises healthcare professionals can 'save hours per day through automation.' The company offers services including automatically generating 'the patient communications, clinical notes, admin requests, and paperwork that doctors deal with daily.' Anima's AI tool, Annie, is registered with the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a Class I medical device. This means it is regarded as low-risk and designed to assist clinicians, such as examination lights or bandages, rather than automate medical decisions. AI tools in this category require outputs to be reviewed by a clinician before action is taken or items are entered into the patient record. However, in this case of the misdiagnosed patient, the practice appeared to fail to appropriately address the factual errors before they were added to the patient's records. The incident comes amid increased scrutiny within the UK's health service of the use and categorization of AI technology. Last month, bosses for the health service warned GPs and hospitals that some current uses of AI software could breach data protection rules and put patients at risk. In an email first reported by Sky News and confirmed by Fortune, NHS England warned that unapproved AI software that breached minimum standards could risk putting patients at harm. The letter specifically addressed the use of Ambient Voice Technology, or 'AVT' by some doctors. The main issue with AI transcribing or summarizing information is the manipulation of the original text, Brendan Delaney, professor of Medical Informatics and Decision Making at Imperial College London and a PT General Practitioner, told Fortune. 'Rather than just simply passively recording, it gives it a medical device purpose,' Delaney said. The recent guidance issued by the NHS, however, has meant that some companies and practices are playing regulatory catch-up. 'Most of the devices now that were in common use now have a Class One [categorization],' Delaney said. 'I know at least one, but probably many others are now scrambling to try and start their Class 2a, because they ought to have that.' Whether a device should be defined as a Class 2a medical device essentially depends on its intended purpose and the level of clinical risk. Under U.K. medical device rules, if the tool's output is relied upon to inform care decisions, it could require reclassification as a Class 2a medical device, a category subject to stricter regulatory controls. Anima Health, along with other UK-based health tech companies, is currently pursuing Class 2a registration. The U.K.'s AI for health push The U.K. government is embracing the possibilities of AI in healthcare, hoping it can boost the country's strained national health system. In a recent '10-Year Health Plan,' the British government said it aims to make the NHS the most AI-enabled care system in the world, using the tech to reduce admin burden, support preventive care, and empower patients through technology. But rolling out this technology in a way that meets current rules within the organization is complex. Even the U.K.'s health minister appeared to suggest earlier this year that some doctors may be pushing the limits when it comes to integrating AI technology in patient care. 'I've heard anecdotally down the pub, genuinely down the pub, that some clinicians are getting ahead of the game and are already using ambient AI to kind of record notes and things, even where their practice or their trust haven't yet caught up with them,' Wes Streeting said, in comments reported by Sky News. 'Now, lots of issues there—not encouraging it—but it does tell me that contrary to this, 'Oh, people don't want to change, staff are very happy and they are really resistant to change', it's the opposite. People are crying out for this stuff,' he added. AI tech certainly has huge possibilities to dramatically improve speed, accuracy, and access to care, especially in areas like diagnostics, medical recordkeeping, and reaching patients in under-resourced or remote settings. However, walking the line between the tech's potential and risks is difficult in sectors like healthcare that deal with sensitive data and could cause significant harm. Reflecting on his experience, the patient told Fortune: 'In general, I think we should be using AI tools to support the NHS. It has massive potential to save money and time. However, LLMs are still really experimental, so they should be used with stringent oversight. I would hate this to be used as an excuse to not pursue innovation but instead should be used to highlight where caution and oversight are needed.' This story was originally featured on Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Stratford Festival extends to December for the first time ever
A sign for the Stratford Festival seen in July 2023. (File) With strong ticket sales and continuing demand, the Stratford Festival is expanding their extended show catalogue. This season the festival takes the unprecedented step of extending four shows, 'Annie', 'Macbeth', 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' and 'Anne of Green Gables'. They are also extending their production of Annie longer than ever before, with an extra six weeks of added shows, taking the festival into December for the first time ever. It is a move that makes a lot of sense for the star of' Annie'. 'It starts about like two weeks before Christmas, and then our big finale scene is in Mr. Warbucks mansion, and it's decorated for Christmas' said Harper Rae Asch, who plays Annie. The young actor is excited to be part of a Stratford Festival first. 'I'm very excited because now Annie is going to be the longest running show in festival history,' she said. Stratford Festival leadership now is the right time to try something new. 'It's a reflection of how well the productions are being received so far this year, and it also meets an aspiration, that we've had over the last few years to experiment with some holiday programing,' said Anita Gaffney, executive director of the Stratford Festival. Harper Rae Asch Harper Rae Asch seen on July 18, 2025. She plays Annie in Stratford Festival's production of 'Annie' (CTV News/Jeff Pickel) After a sluggish 2024 season Gaffney said a longer season will help them get back on more solid footing. 'We're seeing this year's sales are a nice bump ahead of the previous year, so we wanted to take this chance to add some more opportunity to exceeds our goals so that we're in a balanced financial place,' said Gaffney. Staff acknowledge the move is not without risk. 'We don't know if this is going to work, we don't know what the weather's going to be like., so there is some risk there, but there is great benefit opportunities,' said Gaffney. More information about the Stratford Festival and tickets can be found online.
Business Wire
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
H2Ok Innovations Raises $12M Series A for AI-Powered Sensors That Disrupt and Transform CPG Manufacturing
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- H2Ok Innovations, the only provider of patented inline sensors powered by science and AI to run faster factories, today announced a $12.42M Series A round of funding led by Greycroft. Additional participation in H2Ok's Series A comes from 2048 Ventures and Construct Capital. This funding comes as H2Ok Innovations' technology is already being used by major global CPG and hyperscale data center companies to accelerate production and prevent downtime. This capital will support efforts to rapidly scale AI in manufacturing by productizing disruptive technology into an instantly deployable solution, enabling faster Clean-in-Place (CIP) and product changeovers. Founded in 2021 by sister and brother team, Annie and David Lu, H2Ok Innovations helps customers run faster factories by removing slack and detecting errors early through continuous monitoring, AI optimization, and closed-loop control system integration. H2Ok Innovations' technology easily installs into existing piping and instrumentation standards, delivering measurable returns instantly. The company's technology ingests 1 million data points per second, giving customers like Unilever, AB InBev, The Coca-Cola Company, and Danone real-time monitoring that recaptures previously wasted production time, water, energy, and chemicals. Motivated by the fast realization of ROI, AB InBev, the world's largest beer company, is currently scaling H2Ok to all six geographical zones and all global breweries in the coming years. "Post-COVID food and beverage manufacturers are besieged by supply chain constraints, rising costs, evolving safety standards, and shifting consumer demands,' said Annie Lu, CEO of H2Ok Innovations. 'Our turnkey solution gives manufacturers production time back to address these macro challenges and still drive innovation. We're excited to bring science-backed proprietary sensors and industry-focused AI that delivers both the sustainability and speed that manufacturers need to thrive in today's environment.' 'Instead of reacting to waste, manufacturers use our technology to proactively perfect their processes, which in turn generates less waste,' said David Lu, CTO of H2Ok Innovations. 'Our customers leverage our technology to routinely cut CIP and production changeover time by 15 percent and reduce water, energy, and chemical usage between 10 to 20 percent. With H2Ok's game-changing technology, manufacturers build the next generation of sustainable factories that simultaneously save them time and money.' 'H2Ok Innovations is a great example of how the 100+ Accelerator helps scale transformative technologies in large global supply chains,' said Maisie Devine, Executive Director, 100+ Accelerator. 'Their ability to demonstrate measurable impact quickly and across critical industrial processes has positioned them for success. We're proud to have supported their journey and excited to see their continued growth.' Greycroft's Jim Moffat, former Global CEO of Deloitte Consulting, will also be joining the board of H2Ok and brings his expertise in enterprise strategy and business scaling to support H2Ok's growth. "H2Ok Innovations is focused on transforming industrial operations by applying AI in ways that can drive immediate, measurable results," said Dana Settle, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Greycroft. "We're proud to support Annie and David as they scale their vision globally and aim to advance both efficiency and environmental sustainability." Headquartered at Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA — North America's leading cleantech innovation community, H2Ok is a woman-founded startup backed by top-tier investors such as Greycroft, Construct Capital, 2048 Ventures, and Flybridge Capital. Recognized for its innovation and impact, H2Ok was named Unilever's 2023 Startup of the Year supplier and received AB InBev's 2024 Cheers Award for outstanding startup partnership. About H2Ok Innovations H2Ok Innovations is transforming how food and beverage factories run by using its in-line sensors and turnkey AI solution to unlock lost production time. H2Ok's patented spectral sensors continuously monitor fluid signatures to optimize Clean-In-Place (CIP), product changeovers, and prevent costly errors before they cause downtime. Our AI solution absorbs expert intuition into machine learning models and helps manufacturers instantly run faster, cleaner, and more profitably. Deployed in factories across six continents and trusted by global leaders like AB InBev, The Coca-Cola Company, and Unilever, H2Ok is redefining what it means to unlock your faster factory.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Village WI ladies take it all off in Calendar Girls
BARE boobs and strategic sticky buns brought the house down at BAMADS' bravest performance yet: 'Calendar Girls'. Over a three-night run, the company tackled the funny but poignant tale of WI member Annie, who has lost her husband John to leukaemia. At the suggestion of Annie's irreverent best friend Chris, the WI ladies agree to pose for a nude calendar to fund a new settee for the local hospital's waiting room. Ruth (Mary Anne Gleeson) with Elaine (Chloe Hughes) (Image: Supplied) But when news gets out about the 'alternative' calendar, and the world's media descends upon the sleepy Yorkshire Dales, even the most solid of friendships get tested to their limits… Based on a true story, this heartwarming production is a remarkable testament to courage, compassion and creativity – values the ladies of BAMADS showcased in abundance! In the lead role of Chris, BAMADS veteran Leigh Nash has the experience needed to carry such a nuanced performance. Marie (Julie Lord) with Chris (Leigh Nash) (Image: Supplied) With her mantra of "nude not naked", it is totally believable that Nash convinces everyone to disrobe – including the most reluctant of models, Ruth, played by the effervescent Mary Anne Gleeson. Hannah Smith breaks hearts as devastated widow Annie. Smith's grief feels palpable, but she also communicates Annie's steely determination to act in her late husband's best interests. Cora (Amy Gladwin) with Jessie (Pauline Carr) and Ruth (Mary Anne Gleeson) (Image: Supplied) Due to unforeseen circumstances, BAMADS Chairperson Bianca Tranter stepped in to play free-spirited musician Cora on the opening night – nailing the role with just a few weeks' preparation. (For all remaining performances, Amy Gladwin played Cora.) Julie Ratcliffe is a suitably sexy Celia, who needs little encouragement to get her kit off! But full marks go to BAMADS newcomer Pauline Carr who, at 67, jumped into amateur dramatics at the deep end – going topless in her first ever show! Annie (Hannah Smith) with Celia (Julie Ratcliffe) and Jessie (Pauline Carr) (Image: Supplied) In such a female-centric play, it is even more remarkable that Bryan Lynch is so impactful whenever he is on stage – giving us a lovable and relatable John that you cry real tears for. Lynch may only appear briefly, but his memorable performance is anything but amateur – conveying real depths of emotion with the slightest look or gesture. Having now made his BAMADS debut, Lynch is definitely 'one to watch'. Plaudits also go to Julie Lord, who is magnificent as bossy and belligerent WI leader Marie. Her pronunciation of "Ches-higher" is something to behold, while her one-sided badminton match with Ruth is one of many highlights. Janette Pye as both Lady Cravenshire and Brenda Hulse, Herb Moore as Rod, Simon Burgess as Lawrence and Arran Abbey as Liam are a talented supporting cast. But Chloe Hughes as Elaine retains a special spot in this reviewer's heart – being one of the most gifted character actors the company has at its disposal. Mayor of Warrington Cllr Mo Hussain attended the opening night performance of Calendar Girls (Image: Supplied) Assisted by Jayne Harnick, Rebekah Denton is to be congratulated on her directorial debut – enhancing many scenes with clever visual choices (most notably John's passing/funeral and the arrival of the Calendar Girls' fan mail, fluttering from the ceiling). A talented actress in her own right, Denton supports each cast member to shine – especially during the nude scenes, which are so tastefully managed, with each 'reveal' feeling like a truly empowering moment. Izzy Nash's sound and video choices elevate the production further – including the hyper-realistic paparazzi photo flashes and 'breaking news' segments. Delivering a show like this in 30-plus-degree heat is not for the faint-hearted – especially when wrapped in blankets, dressing gowns and even Santa costumes! But the cast powered through with their usual mix of professionalism and good humour – taking the laughs right to the curtain with some surprise nude portraits at the very end by Izzy Nash. Next up for BAMADS is 'The Sound of Music', running from 26 to 29 November.
