Latest news with #CynthiaChen
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Kikoff Launches AI Credit Disputes to Help 1M Users Fix Credit Report Errors for Free
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kikoff, the credit-building platform used by over a million consumers, today announces the launch of AI Credit Disputes, a proprietary feature that helps users identify and correct errors on their credit reports today. Now available in the Kikoff app, AI Credit Disputes is the latest addition to the company's growing suite of tools designed to help people access financial services, from which they were historically excluded. This launch is part of Kikoff's broader mission to replace predatory products with radically affordable, effective solutions. Now available in the Kikoff app, AI Credit Disputes is the latest addition to the company's growing suite of tools designed to help people access financial services, from which they were historically excluded. Share 'Mistakes on a credit report can have a real impact on someone's life, but many people don't know where to start or feel overwhelmed by the process,' said Cynthia Chen, Founder and CEO of Kikoff. 'We built AI Credit Disputes to make it easier for people to take that first step. By using AI to simplify the process and giving users a clear path forward, we're helping them take back control and make real progress.' AI-Powered Credit Disputes Now Available to Help More People Take Control Errors are more common than many realize. According to Consumer Reports, 44 percent of people who reviewed their credit reports found at least one error. For Kikoff users—many of whom are working to build credit and carry an average of 18 derogatory marks—these errors can be a major barrier towards reaching their financial goals. Disputing credit report errors has long been so complex that many turn to credit repair services for help. Some of the credit repair services charge upwards of $300 a month. Kikoff's AI Credit Disputes is free for Kikoff users and offers a smarter alternative, making the process simple and personalized. During the two‑month pilot with a segment of users, AI Credit Disputes has already helped these pilot users dispute over 70,000 credit report errors. The number of disputes will continue to climb as the feature rolls out to all 1M+ active Kikoff users. The tool simplifies a traditionally confusing and costly process by using AI to generate personalized, FCRA-compliant dispute letters tailored to each user's specific situation. Instead of relying on generic templates, users can now use personalized language that reflects their reason for the dispute, to increase chances of approval and making the process more effective and approachable. Ashley Weeks, a Kikoff user from Florida, experienced that firsthand: 'Before Kikoff, I had tried submitting disputes on my own, but the process was confusing. I've used Kikoff's credit disputes multiple times now, and it honestly makes things so much easier. Being able to see the letter that Kikoff prepared gave me more confidence, and I really believe it helped lead to a better outcome.' AI Credit Disputes is the latest step in Kikoff's mission to use AI to dismantle financial barriers. With more innovations on the way, Kikoff remains focused on expanding access to tools that create real, lasting financial progress. To try AI Credit Disputes, go to: To learn more about Kikoff and its credit-building tools, visit: About Kikoff Kikoff was built on the belief that predatory financial services shouldn't exist. As a consumer-focused personal finance platform, Kikoff is making financial progress accessible, especially for those overlooked by traditional systems. We offer simple, radically affordable tools powered by technology and AI to help people build credit, lower debt, and move toward long-term financial stability. To date, Kikoff has helped over 1 million people increase their credit scores by more than 80 million points. Our growing suite of products also helps users reduce debt, access liquidity, and unlock greater financial opportunity. Learn more at or by downloading the Kikoff app.
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
Healthy lifestyle changes could save Singapore $650m in healthcare costs by 2050: Study, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — If Singaporeans made sustained and long-term changes to their lifestyles, the Republic could save up to $650 million in direct healthcare costs by 2050. This according to a recently published modelling study that looked into how changing the way they live over 30 years could affect the health and healthcare spending of Singapore's Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. It simulated the effects of ageing over 30 years, and showed that the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease is projected to increase sharply among older adults by 2050. This increase, coupled with the development of more advanced treatments, will propel the demand for healthcare and healthcare infrastructure, potentially driving medical inflation and overall expenditure. The study also showed that cost savings would arise due to people not experiencing significant changes in their chronic health issues — such as high blood pressure — as they age, and not so much because the lifestyle interventions led to widespread improvements in health outcomes or extended lifespans. Only a small group — approximately three per cent to seven per cent of older adults — would see improvements in their chronic disease status, live longer, and enjoy more disability-free years. The study, led by researchers from NUS' Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, is one of the first to quantify the long-term health and economic impact of behavioural change across different ethnic groups in Singapore's ageing population. Titled Disease Burden, Lifetime Healthcare Cost And Long-term Intervention Impact Projections Among Older Adults In Singapore, it was published in the journal Nature Ageing in July. The modelling study used data from the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort (MEC) health study, which was designed to study ethnic differences in chronic disease risk, and consisted of 47 per cent Chinese, 26 per cent Malay and 27 per cent Indian participants. The 14,465 participants, aged between 21 and 94, were recruited between January 2004 and November 2010, and followed up between January 2011 and December 2016. The MEC was then reweighted to reflect older adults in Singapore in 2020, allowing the researchers to model long-term health trajectories and ethnic disparities in Singapore. The researchers modelled intervention scenarios aligned with Singapore's national preventative care initiative Healthier SG, focusing on improved blood pressure management, increased physical activity, sodium reduction and a combined intervention using all three strategies. Implementing all four interventions could lead to the projected savings by 2050. Assistant Professor Cynthia Chen, the study's principal investigator, said it provided a clearer picture of how lifestyle interventions can influence long-term health and healthcare spending in Singapore, without markedly extending life. The projected lifetime healthcare expenditure is the highest among Indians ($120,000), followed by the Chinese ($97,000) and Malays ($90,000). The lifetime healthcare costs are the highest in Indians due to prevalent chronic diseases and the lowest in Malays due to a shorter life expectancy. The researchers showed that while Malay and Indian older adults are projected to have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities than Chinese older adults in Singapore, they stand to benefit most from sustained preventative strategies and targeted lifestyle programmes. The lifestyle interventions are projected to moderate the rise of chronic disease burdens and healthcare costs, while only marginally extending life and disability-free life years for a small group. "We realised it was because there's this very strong effect of ageing. Generally, as people age, they are already at a higher risk of getting all these conditions," Prof Chen said. "If you look at the National Population Health Survey, you don't actually see a reduction in chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, despite the fact that the Health Promotion Board, in the last 10 years, has done a lot of work, such as (introducing) the National Steps Challenge." However, the Government is now looking at getting older adults to do more muscle strengthening exercises, instead of counting their steps, she said. Where sodium consumption is concerned, about 90 per cent of Singaporeans still exceed the recommended daily sodium intake, she added. Actions are needed to address poor management of chronic diseases such as hypertension, lack of strengthening activities or high-sodium diets and to reduce disparities, the paper said. Lifestyle interventions may produce more benefits for society if they are initiated at younger ages, providing a greater opportunity to delay or prevent hypertension and diabetes, according to the study. [[nid:720450]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
New Paper
4 days ago
- Health
- New Paper
Singapore could save $650m in healthcare costs with healthy lifestyle changes: Study
If Singaporeans made sustained and long-term changes to their lifestyles, the Republic could save up to $650 million in direct healthcare costs by 2050. This according to a recently published modelling study that looked into how changing the way they live over 30 years could affect the health and healthcare spending of Singapore's Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. It simulated the effects of ageing over 30 years, and showed that the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease is projected to increase sharply among older adults by 2050. This increase, coupled with the development of more advanced treatments, will propel the demand for healthcare and healthcare infrastructure, potentially driving medical inflation and overall expenditure. The study also showed that cost savings would arise due to people not experiencing significant changes in their chronic health issues - such as high blood pressure - as they age, and not so much because the lifestyle interventions led to widespread improvements in health outcomes or extended lifespans. Only a small group - approximately 3 per cent to 7 per cent of older adults - would see improvements in their chronic disease status, live longer, and enjoy more disability-free years. The study, led by researchers from NUS' Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, is one of the first to quantify the long-term health and economic impact of behavioural change across different ethnic groups in Singapore's ageing population. Titled Disease Burden, Lifetime Healthcare Cost And Long-term Intervention Impact Projections Among Older Adults In Singapore, it was published in the journal Nature Ageing in July. The modelling study used data from the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort (MEC) health study, which was designed to study ethnic differences in chronic disease risk, and consisted of 47 per cent Chinese, 26 per cent Malay and 27 per cent Indian participants. The 14,465 participants, aged between 21 and 94, were recruited between January 2004 and November 2010, and followed up between January 2011 and December 2016. The MEC was then reweighted to reflect older adults in Singapore in 2020, allowing the researchers to model long-term health trajectories and ethnic disparities in Singapore. The researchers modelled intervention scenarios aligned with Singapore's national preventative care initiative Healthier SG, focusing on improved blood pressure management, increased physical activity, sodium reduction and a combined intervention using all three strategies. Implementing all four interventions could lead to the projected savings by 2050. Assistant Professor Cynthia Chen, the study's principal investigator, said it provided a clearer picture of how lifestyle interventions can influence long-term health and healthcare spending in Singapore, without markedly extending life. The projected lifetime healthcare expenditure is the highest among Indians ($120,000), followed by the Chinese ($97,000) and Malays ($90,000). The lifetime healthcare costs are the highest in Indians due to prevalent chronic diseases and the lowest in Malays due to a shorter life expectancy. The researchers showed that while Malay and Indian older adults are projected to have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities than Chinese older adults in Singapore, they stand to benefit most from sustained preventative strategies and targeted lifestyle programmes. The lifestyle interventions are projected to moderate the rise of chronic disease burdens and healthcare costs, while only marginally extending life and disability-free life years for a small group. "We realised it was because there's this very strong effect of ageing. Generally, as people age, they are already at a higher risk of getting all these conditions," Prof Chen said. "If you look at the National Population Health Survey, you don't actually see a reduction in chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, despite the fact that the Health Promotion Board, in the last 10 years, has done a lot of work, such as (introducing) the National Steps Challenge." However, the Government is now looking at getting older adults to do more muscle strengthening exercises, instead of counting their steps, she said. Where sodium consumption is concerned, about 90 per cent of Singaporeans still exceed the recommended daily sodium intake, she added. Actions are needed to address poor management of chronic diseases such as hypertension, lack of strengthening activities or high-sodium diets and to reduce disparities, the paper said. Lifestyle interventions may produce more benefits for society if they are initiated at younger ages, providing a greater opportunity to delay or prevent hypertension and diabetes, according to the study.
Business Insider
27-05-2025
- Business Insider
A Block product designer spent 2 months vibe coding a dog ID app. Her top tip: Sometimes AI needs to be 'babied.'
When Block product designer Cynthia Chen first dreamed up the idea of an app that could catalogue dogs spotted in the wild, she shelved it. "The hurdle was so big, so I never did anything," she said. For five years, the dream sat untouched. Today, it's live on the App Store. Dog-e-dex — a playful name inspired by Pokédex (not DOGE) — lets users snap a picture of a dog, identify the breed using image recognition, and add it to a personal collection. Chen has two cats and hopes to own a dog someday. She built the app in about two months in her spare time with no formal engineering training — just pure vibe-coding. "I have a lot of experience building products with other functions, like with engineers," she said. "But this is my first time actually building something myself." Vibe coding, a term coined in February by OpenAI cofounder Andrej Karpathy, refers to the process of feeding prompts to AI to write code. As Karpathy puts it, developers can "fully give in to the vibes" and "forget the code even exists." From dogs to code Chen started with the app design in October and looked for a developer on Fiverr — an online marketplace for freelancers — but the cost was "intimidating." Then she realized she could use AI. She turned to platforms like Replit, ChatGPT, and Cursor. It wasn't until she discovered Anthropic's Claude in January that things started to click. She manually copied the code from Claude into Xcode — a tool for building apps on Apple devices — even when she didn't fully understand how it worked. "It was like magic." "Every time I pressed the preview button, it was an exciting little gift opening," she added. Building Dog-e-dex wasn't smooth sailing. Her initial prompts correctly outlined the core functionality, but the app was "generating random dog breeds." With a lot of trial and error, she figured out how to integrate an image recognition tool to detect actual breeds. Along the way, she discovered that she didn't know what a backend was — the data and infrastructure that make an application work. "Engineers would be like, 'What's your data schema? Where are your images stored?' And I was like, 'I have no idea, it just works,'" she said. Chen said when she was stuck, she leaned on her engineering friends. But she credits much of the work to Claude. If there's one thing she'd do differently, she would have started with a thorough feature list. Without one, she had to redo a lot of the foundational setup along the way, she said. Prompting AI is like 'gentle parenting' Chen has advice for people who want to vibe code: Treat prompting AI like "gentle parenting." "You have to be very intentional, very specific, and I think you have to be very nice," she said. One word matters: Changing a prompt from "Can you please build a navigation tab bar" to "Please build a custom navigation tab bar" can lead to very different results. The first generates a standard, built-in tab bar like the ones in iOS apps. The second creates a version with original style and behavior. Sometimes, AI needs to be "babied," she added. When Claude got stuck, Chen would break down instructions step-by-step until it understood. Design, she said, was "really hard to prompt," which gave her confidence that design jobs like hers are safe from AI disruption. AI can't replace creativity — that's 'uniquely human' Chen said the creativity needed to solve problems with AI feels "uniquely human." While vibe-coding another app, she ran into a hiccup: The AI struggled to render a drawing at a small scale. She then exported the drawing as an image then resized it into a thumbnail. "The AI didn't think of that, I thought of that," she said. And while AI is trying to mimic personality — with varying results — it's humans who still think big picture. "A computer can't just be random and funny, or think of a dog app," she said. Chen thinks that what's holding people back isn't technical know-how. "The limit is our imagination or our own sense of curiosity, our own sense of agency. It's no longer technical limitations," she said. "Just try things. Don't worry about if you'll fail or not," she added. Dog-e-dex is still in its early days, with about 75 downloads from the App Store. Chen said she plans to begin marketing it soon. In the meantime, she finds joy in seeing users share the dogs they've collected and hearing how the app has added a bit of fun to their walks. One user messaged her to say they collected their late dog in the app as a way to remember their furry friend. "That was really touching," she said. "When it impacts someone's day and makes it better or fun or more delightful in any sort of capacity, that I think is the most heartwarming."
Mint
26-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Xiaomi surpasses Apple in the global wearables market in Q1 2025: Canalys report
Xiaomi regained the crown for top wearable band vendor in Q1 of 2025, leaving some of the top brands, including Apple, Garmin, and others, behind in the race. This was possible due to the latest innovations in the Mi Band and the Redmi Watch series, gaining much popularity in the market according to the Canalys study. The report highlighted that Xiaomi gained 44% annual growth in shipments to 8.7 million units. The major growth was driven by Redmi Band 5 sales, bringing the company to the top spot. With Xiaomi dominating the market, Apple took the second place with only 5% growth in shipments. Know more about the Canalys study and how the wearable band market has evolved over the years. You may be interested in In the latest Canalys report, it was highlighted that the global wearable band market saw a 13% jump in Q1 2025, with over 46.6 million units. This data was calculated based on three categories: basic bands, basic watches and smartwatches. Globally, Xiaomi has the highest number of shipments with 8.7 million units, followed by Apple with 7.6 million units. While the Q1 was for Xiaomi, Apple is expected to regain its position by the second half of 2024. Jack Leathem, Analyst at Canalys, said, 'Xiaomi has upgraded its Mi Band and Redmi Watch series with refreshed designs and advanced data capabilities, bringing comprehensive features down the price segments, boosting its value proposition.' Therefore, the launch of Xiaomi Smart Band 9 and Redmi Band 5 played a huge role, and the price segment also played a major role this quarter for smartwatch buyers. On the other hand, Huawei, Samsung, and Gramin are not so far in the competition as they also retained the top 5 position. Huawei is almost closer to Apple with 7.1 million units in shipment, most of which are GT and Fit series watches. Additionally, Samsung experienced a 74% growth in shipments with 4.9 million units due to its premium positioning in the market. The report revealed the most important factors for buying a smartwatch, and the top priority for consumers is price point and battery life. While the health tracking features are the third important factor. Cynthia Chen, Research Manager at Canalys, also highlighted how buyers are shifting towards ecosystem experiences, than hardware features.
