Latest news with #RICE
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RWA Platform TokenFi Is Tokenizing the Floki Minibot
TokenFi, a sister project to Floki that focuses on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, is set to tokenize the Floki Minibot M1 — an AI-powered robot built by Rice Robotics — marking what the team says is the first tokenization of a consumer AI robot. The move coincides with the launch of TokenFi's RWA tokenization module on May 23. A presale for the Minibot M1's token will go live the same day, initially for users on a whitelist compiled by Rice AI and select Floki ecosystem participants. The presale ties into broader plans to launch Rice AI's RICE token and conduct an airdrop for Floki (FLOKI) and TokenFi (TOKEN) holders, according to the announcement. Further details are expected post-sale, the team told CoinDesk. The Floki Minibot is a branded version of Rice Robotics' compact delivery and companion robot, which operates autonomously and is built on the RICE AI system. Rice Robotics counts Nvidia, Softbank, Mitsui Fudosan and 7-Eleven Japan among its partners and clients. "This is the first time in history that an AI robot will be tokenized,' TokenFi said in a statement to CoinDesk. 'It's a phenomenal moment for TokenFi, the RWA industry, and the AI robotics space.' TokenFi aims to be a leading RWA infrastructure provider, allowing companies to tokenize real-world items — from assets to equity and now robotics — using blockchain rails. Floki developers said earlier this year that they believe Rice Robotics is 'well-positioned for growth' in the AI robotics sector, citing industry projections that peg the market at over $100 billion by 2030. TOKEN has gained 19% in the past 24 hours, data from CoinGecko show, alongside a jump in major tokens. The CoinDesk 20 Index, a measure of the broader crypto market, has added 3%.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Heart-wrenching': Community devastated by Santa Rosa school closures
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - A series of consequences from COVID-19 and the continuing decline in birth rates is causing schools nationwide to downsize. For centuries, local schools have been a basic underpinning of the American experience. What we know After eight months of open meetings, Santa Rosa school officials decided Wednesday to close three elementary schools to help offset a multimillion-dollar deficit. "It's heart-wrenching. No one, no educator, superintendent, no position, no board member, signs up to serve to close schools," said Santa Rosa Superintendent Dr. Daisy Morales. Brook Hill and Albert Biella elementary schools will close by June of this year, and Steele Lane Elementary will close by June of next year. What they're saying Parents of Brook Hill students were devastated. "I love those teachers. They've cared for my kids. It's not just my kids, it's a group of community that is a small school," said one parent. "I don't want my child to go to another school and be the loser kid that lost their school." "They also offer a RICE program. My son is autistic. It's gonna be hard because we have a lot of families with special kids," added parent Ophelia. What's next The school board has not decided which middle and high schools will close. It's not just about closures but also the cultural impact. The dismantling of a school can have a huge impact on the community, from teachers to students, staff to parents, families to friends. "They know that each behind each school name is a community," said Morales. There was a decline in enrollment post-COVID as many families moved away, along with a drop in student attendance. "So as hard as it was to have it done in public, I wholeheartedly believe it was the most transparent," said Morales. The Source Santa Rosa school board meeting and KTVU interviews
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta center works to build Black businesses, inspire entrepreneurs
During Black History Month, WSB is shining a spotlight on Black entrepreneurs. Channel 2′s Karyn Greer introduces us to a man committed to educating, inspiring, and supporting aspiring business owners. In the five years since its creation, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) is already making history. 'There are very few times in life where you get to be a part of something, you know that will outlast you,' Jay Bailey said. 'We transitioned to become the largest city in the world dedicated to growing, scaling, and developing Black businesses. In honor of one of the greatest entrepreneurs the city of Atlanta ever created, the great Herman J. Russell, Sr.' RICE's mission is clear, to build Black businesses. 'Black businesses stabilize black communities. Black communities that are more stabilized. You have better schools. You have better neighborhoods,' Bailey said. The institute in southwest Atlanta provides support throughout the entire process - from the seed of an idea to getting a business off the ground and running. You can think of it as a Shark Tank on steroids. 'We're in the readiness business or one of the axis business. Our job as an institution is to create the platform that makes sure that you're ready for the opportunity, and then giving you the access to fly,' Bailey said. RICE exposes entrepreneurs to movers and shakers from the business and political worlds and provides valuable training for business owners, including information sessions and workshops. 'They not only help us with finance, they not only help us with operations and provide us with resources, but they put us in the room with executives, they put us in the room with people that are gonna hear us and that make decisions,' Mirah Young said. The institute has already touched thousands of lives. They support more than 350 entrepreneurs a year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: GBI identifies 23-year-old suspect accused of shooting, killing Roswell officer SUPER MUSEUM SUNDAY: Check out these GA museums for free this weekend END OF WATCH: Roswell officer killed in the line of duty identified [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
