Latest news with #Bensoussan
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
USF doctor enters final year of research to see if AI can detect vocal diseases
The Brief A USF doctor is in the final year of a four-year program to determine if AI can be used to detect vocal diseases. Dr. Yael Bensoussan, a laryngologist, helped establish the Bridge2AI project in 2022. She drew on a past career as a singer, which she gave up after being diagnosed with nodules. TAMPA, Fla. - Three years into a project using artificial intelligence and voice to detect diseases and disorders, a University of South Florida laryngologist is ready for the next step in helping patients. Voice is personal for Dr. Yael Bensoussan, who was a singer before joining the medical field and USF Health. What they're saying "I had a disease of the vocal cord that's called nodules, which I had to stop for a while and get treatment for. So, I've always been very passionate about the voice in general and what it can tell about our emotions, [and] our health," said Bensoussan, an assistant professor of otolaryngology at USF Health and co-principal investigator of the Bridge2AI Voice project. PREVIOUS: USF becomes one of four universities with new AI voice course aimed at detecting certain health conditions Since 2022, Bensoussan has been studying how artificial intelligence can detect health conditions through voice. "We work in the emergency department. It's always very interesting to interview people in the emergency department. We work in outpatient clinics to build all those datasets," said Bensoussan. Dig deeper The Bridge2AI Voice project is the focus of a three-day symposium, bringing together AI industry leaders and medical professionals in Tampa. "A few months ago, we had our first data release. We learned a lot from what people were doing with that data. Now, we have our second data release," said Bensoussan. "Hopefully, in the next month, we'll learn a lot about the feedback that people are giving us." Big picture view Doctors, clinicians and researchers are using her data to create models to diagnose patients for things like Alzheimer's disease, heart disease or even mental health disorders. "Can they use it? Is it hard to make discoveries? Is it hard to use? Can somebody with not a lot of knowledge about AI use it? Or do you have to have a lot of knowledge about AI to use it?" asked Bensoussan. The National Institutes of Health has funded the four-year project. For her final year, Bensoussan said she will transition from a hospital setting to visiting patients in their own homes across the U.S. and Canada. READ: Plane crashes after veering off runway, sparking brush fire in Myakka City "A lot of people with chronic diseases, unfortunately, have to go to the hospital multiple times a month, and they never know when it's time for them to go to the doctor, right?" said Bensoussan. What's next Once doctors confirm it works, she said the next step is to get FDA approval, which will create real-life solutions for people's health. "That's really the goal, right? We're all developing tech. If we can't implement it, then it doesn't benefit the patient," said Bensoussan. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Bensoussan said some examples of those in-home solutions are smartwatches that can detect when you're about to fall or when to go to the emergency room, all based on your voice. USF Health and Weill Cornell Medicine worked to release the first clinically validated voice dataset from the NIH-funded "Voice as a Biomarker of Health" project. It featured over 12,500 recordings from 306 participants for use in health research. The Source FOX 13's Briona Arradondo collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS LIVE: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deutsche Digital Assets expands into France
Deutsche Digital Assets (DDA), a European provider of digital asset investment solutions, has opened an office in Paris as part of its expansion strategy. The move reinforces the company's commitment to the French market, where demand for regulated crypto investment products continues to rise. DDA's crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) are already listed on Euronext Paris, offering local investors streamlined access to digital assets. With the office, the firm plans to introduce a broader range of investment solutions, including white-label products and tailored strategies. Moreover, the location will serve as a hub for DDA's expansion in France, allowing the firm to strengthen relationships with local investors and partners while enhancing its service offerings, and will be led by Romain Bensoussan, DDA's head of sales. In an exclusive interview with PBI, Bensoussan further emphasises the company's ambition to play a key role in the European crypto investment landscape. PBI: How does this Paris expansion align with DDA's broader European growth strategy? RB: The expansion into Paris is a key step in Deutsche Digital Assets European growth strategy, as France is one of the most significant financial hubs in Europe with more than 600 Asset Managers (500 located in Paris) and a growing market for ETP investments. This expansion is also a natural choice, as DDA will benefit from a well-established network of financial professionals in Paris, as the team there has worked in France for the biggest local traditional asset managers and crypto asset managers. Additionally, this move aligns with the company's goal to become a leader in crypto investment products in Europe, strengthening its presence in major European financial centres. PBI: What specific goals does DDA hope to achieve with its Paris office in the short and long term? RB: In the short term, DDA aims to strengthen its relationships with institutional investors, asset managers, private banks, and family offices in France and French speaking countries. In the medium and long term, the goal will be to provide differentiating and innovative investment products, compared to what is currently available in the market. The French ecosystem remains, as of today, very conservative when it comes to crypto investments. On the investors side, there is still a lack of knowledge on crypto assets leading to a small (or even non-existent) allocation to this new asset class. On the asset managers side, most of the products currently offered in the European market are passive single underlying products, exposing investors to the, sometimes, high volatility of the crypto market. This is the reason we launched the DDA Bitcoin Macro strategy, dynamically allocating between Bitcoin & USDC based on macroeconomic factors, aiming to reduce volatility and drawdowns over time. We believe that an allocation to crypto is becoming slowly but surely mandatory in every investor's portfolio, but it needs to be done in a smarter, active fashion, considering the volatility of the underlying. PBI: How does the regulatory environment in France support or challenge DDA's crypto investment offerings? RB: France has one of the most structured regulatory frameworks for digital assets in Europe, with the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers) acting actively in the development of crypto-related financial services – the PSAN/CASP registrations have been active and structured for years, and we're starting to see some agreements being delivered. Additionally, the upcoming MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) framework will further harmonise regulations across Europe, creating new opportunities for cross-border expansion. PBI: Can you elaborate on the demand for crypto investment solutions in France and how DDA plans to address it? RB: We are witnessing a growing allocation to crypto investment solutions by both individuals and professional investors in France. As of today, the demand remains very binary: On the one hand, we are meeting investors deeply convinced that crypto assets are here to stay – and for some of them, convinced that it is on the path to replace the traditional monetary system. These investors are looking to allocate a larger portion of their portfolios to this asset class. On the other hand, we are also meeting very conservative investors – sometime curious, sometime hesitant – willing to get a small exposure, afraid of the historical volatility and drawdowns of this market. Our objective is to offer innovative and smarter investment products, designed to serve the needs of different investor profiles. PBI: What competitive advantage does DDA offer compared to other digital asset investment firms in the European market? RB: DDA differentiates itself through its expertise in innovative investment products, and a strong track record of managing digital assets strategies in a risk-conscious manner, similar to what traditional asset managers are usually doing. Our investment products have been awarded several times (Hedgeweek European Digital Assets 2023, Hedgeweek Global Digital Assets 2024 ….), and are considered among the best digital assets products available in the European market. In addition, DDA won the second place in the German Fintech Award for 2024 against 135 contenders. PBI: Are there any upcoming crypto ETPs or new investment products that DDA plans to introduce in France? RB: Of course! We are actively working on expanding our range of crypto investment products and are working closely with institutional allocators to design dedicated solutions fitting their needs. We have, for example, worked hand in hand with the first ever German pension fund to invest in crypto, to design a product adapted to their needs and compliance requirements. Although the ETF/ETP market is still small in France, we are observing some interesting developments in terms of products offering for both private and professional investors. An example could be the new wave of 'Brokerage' P.E.R (French saving plan) launched a couple of months ago, allowing investors to include Crypto ETPs in their allocation, a revolutionary move for a format formerly only dedicated to insurance companies. We are also monitoring carefully the evolution of the UCITS regulation in Europe – currently blocking any form of crypto investment within ETFs, hence making it impossible to include it in life insurances. But this situation could evolve quickly with a potential review of the UCITS eligibility rules. PBI: How does the Paris team plan to engage with local investors and partners? RB: The Paris team will focus on building strong relationships with local investors and partners by hosting educational workshops, investor roundtables, and networking events. By engaging directly with asset managers, private banks, and wealth management firms, DDA aims to integrate digital assets into the broader financial landscape in France. PBI: How does DDA tailor its crypto investment strategies to meet the unique needs of different investor groups? RB: At DDA, we understand that different investor groups have varying levels of risk tolerance, regulatory constraints, and strategic investments objectives. Our range of Exchange-Traded-Products has been designed to address most of the different investors' needs, from individual investors to professional allocators and distributors. DDA currently offers a range of passive investment products (with products offering exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a Top 10 basket) fitting the needs of investors looking for a simple, delta one exposure to the asset class. We also offer the first European Smart Beta Bitcoin ETP, replicating the DDA Bitcoin Macro Index, designed for investors looking for Bitcoin exposure while delivering superior risk adjusted returns, with a better Sharpe ratio. DDA also benefits from a strong expertise in designing customised products for professional investors, fitting their objectives in terms of investment universe, rebalancing frequency, and volatility target. Additionally, we also offer ETP White Label services, for companies willing to launch their own investment product using our structure and prospectus, ideal for a short time to market. PBI: What role does DDA's advisory service play in helping Family Offices, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), and institutional investors navigate the crypto market? RB: Because of its comprehensive set of licences granted by the German regulator BaFin, DDA Advisory is allowed to provide the following services to institutional clients and retail clients: Investment Brokerage; Investment Advice; Contract Brokerage, and Financial Portfolio Management We offer investment services to both private and professional investors, looking for guidance in the, sometimes, complex world of crypto assets. The company provides market research, regulatory framework and risk assessment, to best help our clients make smart and informed decisions. DDA Advisory offers portfolio allocation advice, including digital assets should it be part of the investors' profile, into a broader investment strategy, with a strong focus on risk-control, ultimately delivering superior risk-adjusted returns. PBI: Are there plans for further expansion beyond France, and if so, which markets are being considered next? RB: We are indeed exploring further expansion beyond France as part of our broader European growth strategy. Our development strategy will be to focus on countries with a growing interest in ETFs and ETPs, as we believe that this format will soon take over traditional investment funds. Switzerland could be an option for further expansion, considering the country's appetite for digital assets investments, and innovative solutions. The Nordics have historically been pioneers in crypto adoption, with the very first Crypto ETP provider being based there. The UK market is also recognised as a hub for innovative investment strategies, although some strong barriers still exist. The FCA currently does not allow the distribution of crypto ETPs to retail investors, meaning all ETPs listed on LSE are only available to professional investors. PBI: How does DDA plan to educate and build trust with investors who may still be hesitant about crypto investments? RB: Trust and Education are the two pillars on which crypto asset managers need to build, to further increase the adoption of crypto assets. Through regular conversations and meetings with investors, we will make sure to maintain a full transparency on our investment strategies, providing performance explanations, clear risk disclosures, and ensuring full regulatory compliance. We understand that investing in crypto assets can be a huge step for most investors, and that's the reason why we want to guide them along the way, by publishing market analyses, research reports, and organise regular events, presentations, and workshops. By partnering with traditional asset managers, private banks, and wealth advisors, DDA aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and crypto assets, ultimately leading to a greater adoption of this asset class. "Deutsche Digital Assets expands into France" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
