Latest news with #Orchard
CNA
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
A look at the SG60 Heart&Soul Experience, a showcase that uses AI to personalise visitors' experience
SINGAPORE: Tickets for a flagship SG60 exhibition that uses generative artificial intelligence to create personalised experiences for visitors will be available from Tuesday (Jul 29). Titled SG60 Heart&Soul Experience, the event invites visitors to imagine their future in Singapore through immersive storytelling, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the National Library Board (NLB) said in a news release. The free showcase is jointly organised by both organisations and created by the same team behind the Singapore Bicentennial in 2019 and the SG50 Future of Us exhibition. A ticketed experience lasting 60 to 90 minutes will be held at the Orchard library, accompanied by non-ticketed installations at the level one atria of Orchard Central and Orchard Gateway. At a media preview, executive creative director Gene Tan described the exhibition as a journey through Singapore's past, present and future. "What we hope to see is a very personal national exhibition," he said, adding that visitors can view personal narratives of Singaporeans who lived through key moments of history. "But also, you'll have a personalised version of the future that's presented to you based on your aspirations," he said. "The twist, though, is that what you see in your future may not be what you expect." As part of their personalised journey, visitors can have a conversation with a digital librarian in a futuristic phone booth. There will also be a floor-to-ceiling multi-sensory space, where they can view a video created based on their responses to various interactive elements through the experience. "You'll be able to see a big surprise at the end, a video trailer of yourself, where you are the star of your own future," Mr Tan said. The experience is powered by generative AI, trained on data sets from more than 100 partners across the public, private and people sectors. When booking tickets, visitors may upload a photo to generate a personalised avatar, which will be used when they visit the showcase, or select one from a curated library. Mr Tan said the team takes data privacy seriously and will not retain any personal information collected during the experience. NLB chief executive Ng Cher Pong said the exhibition offers a 'glimpse into what the future in Singapore could hold'. 'Our hope is that this experience inspires optimism and confidence in Singaporeans as we look ahead to the next 60 years and beyond,' he said. The showcase is recommended for visitors aged seven and above and will run from Aug 26 to Dec 31. The non-ticketed installations will be open daily from 9am to 10pm.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore Grab driver suspended for charging RM16 ‘VIP' fee after passenger requests air-con
SINGAPORE, July 26 — A Grab driver has been suspended in Singapore after charging a passenger an additional S$5 (RM16) for 'VIP treatment' — simply because the passenger asked to turn on the air-conditioning during a ride. The incident, reported by Stomp yesterday, took place on May 18 when a commuter, only known as Dominic, booked a Grab ride from Orchard to Bencoolen. 'During the journey, I asked the driver to turn on the air-conditioning,' Dominic told Stomp. 'He did so without comment, only to message me after the trip via the Grab app, stating that he had added a S$5 charge for 'VIP treatment'.' According to Dominic, the surcharge was never discussed or agreed upon. 'It was imposed entirely at the driver's discretion, with no transparency or consent on my part,' he said. 'It sets a worrying precedent if passengers can be subject to arbitrary fees after a trip has ended.' He also shared a screenshot of his reply to the driver, which read: 'You overcharged me S$5. I am reporting you to Grab.' The driver then responded with a curt message: 'Aircon number 3 u think u what VIP?' In response to queries from Stomp, Grab said it had taken swift action. 'We are sorry about the unpleasant experience this passenger encountered,' said a Grab spokesman. 'It is against our driver-partner code of conduct to impose additional charges unless there is a valid reason — such as extra stops beyond the initial booking or for additional child seats.' 'A request to adjust the air-conditioning should not have incurred a fee,' the spokesman added. 'The driver-partner's actions are not reflective of the standards we hold, nor of the vast majority of our driver-partners.' Grab confirmed that the driver's account has been temporarily suspended and a full refund has been issued to the passenger.
The Irish Sun
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former Armagh ace Aaron Kernan tips Kieran Donaghy to take coaching role with Kerry
AARON KERNAN knows Kieran Donaghy is a Kerry coach in waiting. 'Star' occupied the role in Advertisement 2 Aaron Kernan reckons Kieran Donaghy is a Kerry coach in waiting after leaving his role with Armagh 2 Stefan Campbell of Armagh and Kieran Donaghy celebrate after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Armagh and Galway in 2024 And former Orchard defender Kernan believes home is where the heart is for the Kingdom legend who helped his adopted county to All-Ireland glory last year. Kernan said: 'Whether that is as a manager or certainly a head coach or someone who is heavily involved within Kerry . . . 'As much as we're grateful for everything he gave to Armagh football, you would have to imagine that was all really a learning experience for him in terms of trying to take something back to Kerry. 'Ultimately it would be with the view to getting involved in Kerry football and management at some level. Advertisement read more on gaa "I think it started out maybe as a learning experience for him and then something he just went full out and became completely ingrained in. 'You would have to imagine that somewhere down the line. "The experiences and the learnings that he would have had over the past few years will go a long way to shaping him as a head coach or a manager somewhere in Kerry in the near future.' Kernan also hailed Donaghy's commitment to Armagh, which saw him make regular round trips of over 800km from his home in Tralee. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football The 2005 Young Footballer of the Year added: 'He has a young family, busy with work, but to stick at something like that for five years — given the travel that was involved — was incredible.' RTE GAA pundit embrace Tipperary captain Ronan Maher after his epic display toppled Cork in All-Ireland final
Irish Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Aaron Kernan plots out Kieran Donaghy's coaching path after leaving Armagh
Aaron Kernan believes that Kieran Donaghy is a Kerry manager in waiting. Donaghy recently stepped down from his role as Armagh coach after five years working under Kieran McGeeney, the high point being last year's All-Ireland success as they beat his native county en route in the semi-final. Kerry turned the tables in this year's quarter-final as they ended Armagh's reign, after which Donaghy announced his departure, but former Orchard star Kernan believes that he will take a senior position in the Kingdom's management team in the future. READ MORE: Hilarious video shows Sharlene Mawdsley race Tipperary fan amid All-Ireland celebrations READ MORE: Liverpool hero Joey Jones dies aged 70 as John Aldridge leads tributes 'Yeah, absolutely,' he said. 'Whether that is as a manager or certainly a head coach or someone who is heavily involved within Kerry. 'As much as we're grateful for everything he gave to Armagh football, you would have to imagine that that was all really a learning experience for him in terms of trying to take something back to Kerry, whether that's maybe doing a stint with Stacks and then obviously you would have to imagine ultimately it would be with the view to getting involved in Kerry football and management at some level. 'So I think it started out maybe as a learning experience for him and then something that he just went full out and became completely ingrained in. But yeah, you would have to imagine that somewhere down the line, the experiences and the learnings that he would have had over the past few years will go a long way to shaping him as a head coach or a manager somewhere in Kerry in the near future.' Kernan paid tribute to Donaghy for the commitment he gave to Armagh, which involved a hellish commute from his base in Tralee. 'The big one is obviously just simply time and effort that he would have had to put in to commit for five years. I think that speaks volumes, even if there was no success and no All-Ireland. As an Armagh person you couldn't but say fair play to him for being so committed. (He) has a young family, busy with work, but to stick at something like that for five years given the travel that was involved was incredible.' Aaron Kernan was speaking as a BOYLE Sports Gaelic Games ambassador.
Business News Wales
21-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Creative Agency Opens Wales Office as Part of Major Expansion
A full-service creative and digital marketing agency is launching a Welsh office to support its national and international growth. Jim Carpenter, the former co-ceo of Orchard, and corporate comms specialist Kate Jones will drive Welsh expansion, opening offices on Cathedral Road in Cardiff. The duo will bring 50 years' combined experience to which has four existing offices and a 50-strong team of creatives, digital experts, strategists and video production. The vision for the Welsh operation is to contribute to the group's annual £50 million billings whilst building on a client portfolio that includes MG Motor Group, Geely and Visit Jersey. 'There is a massive opportunity for a firm – with a Welsh footprint and understanding firmly based in Wales – to bring 'big agency' experience and skills to companies and organisations across the country. Businesses don't need to go outside now for the 'wow' factor and the 'track-record',' explained Jim, co-founder of Wales. 'We will deliver new momentum, drive action and accelerate positive outcomes for clients when it comes to raising awareness, penetrating new markets and increasing return on investment. 'The plan is to take a pan-Wales approach, creating jobs and promoting growth and opportunities right across the Welsh creative and digital sector.' Formed in 2000, offers brand development, creative, digital marketing, media planning and web development services. It serves more than 100 clients from existing offices in Birmingham, London, Telford and Bristol and has set its sights on creating one of the largest independent networks of agencies that span key locations across the UK and beyond. The Cardiff office is the latest location in an ambitious six-month plan that will also see the opening of hubs in the North and its first international base. Co-founder Kate Jones said: 'Jim and I are both excited at the prospect of bringing our momentum, creative direction and focus to our clients through a truly local agency that has all the backing, experience and expertise that comes with a national full-service business.' CEO Nick Lovett said: 'Working with exciting businesses based in Wales has always been an ambition of ours and, like all areas, we respect the need to work on the inside to truly 'get' the unique local landscape. 'It is very rare to set-up a new agency with two of the region's most respected operators at the helm, so we're ready to really accelerate our expansion plans. 'In Jim and Kate, we have two experts that are passionate about the area they call home and have a significant bank of business and individual connections. We've invested in dedicated office space and are about to push the button on a recruitment drive, which will complement our existing 50-strong team of specialists who are eager to support the Welsh team in delivering the 'M3 difference'.' is awaiting its B Corp Certification, which verifies that a business is meeting high standards of performance, accountability and transparency on factors, including employee benefits, charitable actions and supply chain management.
