Latest news with #Futura
The Verge
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
What happens when AI comes for our fonts?
Monotype is keen for you to know what AI might do in typography. As one of the largest type design companies in the world, Monotype owns Helvetica, Futura, and Gill Sans — among 250,000 other fonts. In the typography giant's 2025 Re:Vision trends report, published in February, Monotype devotes an entire chapter to how AI will result in a reactive typography that will 'leverage emotional and psychological data' to tailor itself to the reader. It might bring text into focus when you look at it and soften when your gaze drifts. It could shift typefaces depending on the time of day and light level. It could even adapt to reading speeds and emphasize the important portions of online text for greater engagement. AI, the report suggests, will make type accessible through 'intelligent agents and chatbots' and let anyone generate typography regardless of training or design proficiency. How that will be deployed isn't certain, possibly as part of proprietarily trained apps. Indeed, how any of this will work remains nebulous. Monotype isn't alone in this kind of speculation. Typographers are keeping a close eye on AI as designers start to adopt tools like Midjourney for ideation and Replit for coding, and explore the potential of GPTs in their workflow. All over the art and design space, creatives are joining the ongoing gold rush to find the use case of AI in type design. This search continues both speculatively and, in some places, adversarially as creatives push back against the idea that creativity itself is the bottleneck that we need to optimize out of the process. That idea of optimization echoes where we were a hundred years ago. In the early 20th century, creatives came together to debate the implications of rapid industrialization in Europe on art and typography at the Deutscher Werkbund (German alliance of craftspeople). Some of those artists rejected the idea of mass production and what it offered artists, while others went all in, leading to the founding of the Bauhaus. 'It's almost as if we are being gaslighted into believing our lives, or our professions, or our creative skills are ephemeral.' The latter posed multiple vague questions on what the industrialization of typography might mean, with few real ideas of how those questions might be answered. Will typography remain on the page or will it take advantage of advances in radio to be both text and sound? Could we develop a universal typeface that is applicable to any and all contexts? In the end, those experiments amounted to little and the questions were closed, and the real advances were in the efficiency of both manufacturing and the design process. Monotype might be reopening those old questions, but it is still realistic about AI in the near future. 'Our chief focus is connecting people to the type that they need — everywhere,' says Charles Nix, senior executive creative director at Monotype, and one of Re:Vision's authors. This is nothing new for Monotype, which has been training its similarity engine to recognize typefaces since 2015. But the broader possibilities, Nix says, are endless, and that's what makes being a typographer now so exciting. 'I think that at either end of the parentheses of AI are human beings who are looking for novel solutions to problems to use their skills as designers,' he says. 'You don't get these opportunities many times in the course of one's life, to see a radical shift in the way technology plays within not only your industry, but a lot of industries.' Not everyone is sold. For Zeynep Akay, creative director at typeface design studio Dalton Maag, the results simply aren't there to justify getting too excited. That's not to say Dalton Maag rejects AI; the assistive potential of AI is significant. Dalton Maag is exploring using AI to mitigate the repetitive tasks of type design that slow down creativity, like building kern tables, writing OpenType features, and diagnosing font issues. But many designers remain tempered about the prospect of relinquishing creative control to generative AI. 'It's almost as if we are being gaslighted into believing our lives, or our professions, or our creative skills are ephemeral,' Akay says. She is yet to see how its generative applications promise a better creative future. 'It's a future in which, arguably, all human intellectual undertaking is shed over time, and handed over to AI — and what we gain in return isn't altogether clear,' she adds. For his part, Nix agrees: the more realistic and realizable use of AI is the streamlining of what he calls the 'really pedantic' work of typography. AI might flatten the barrier to entry in design and typography, he says, but 'creative thinking, that state of being a creative being, that's still there regardless of what we do with the mechanism.' 'Thirty-five years ago there was a similar sort of thought that introducing computing to design would end up replacing designers,' he continues. 'But for all of us who have spent the last 35 years creating design using computers, it has not diminished our creativity at all.' 'For all of us who have spent the last 35 years creating design using computers, it has not diminished our creativity at all.' That shift to digital type was the result of a clear and discernible need to improve typographic workflow from setting type by hand to something more immediate, Akay says. In the current space, however, we've arrived at the paintbrush before knowing how the canvas appears. As powerful as AI could be, where in our workflow it should be deployed is yet to be understood — if it should be deployed at all, given the less-than-stellar results we're seeing in the broader spectrum of generative AI. That lack of direction makes her wonder whether a better analog isn't the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s. In many ways, it mirrors our current situation with AI. As public access to the internet increased, a wave of dot-com startups emerged and with them increased venture capital, even though the internet at the time 'never connected to a practical consumer need,' Akay says. Overvalued and without a problem to solve or a meaningful connection to consumers, many of those startups crashed in 2000. 'But [the internet] came back at a time when there were actual problems to solve,' she adds. Similarly, few consumers exploring AI are professional designers trying to optimize workflow; rather, AI is increasingly the playground — and product — of executives overvaluing AI as they attempt to automate jobs and try to push creativity out of creative professions. Both Nix and Akay agree a similar crash around AI might actually be beneficial in pushing some of those venture capitalist interests out of AI. For Nix, however, just because its practical need isn't immediately obvious doesn't mean it's not there or, at least, won't become apparent soon. Nix suggests that it may well be beyond the bounds of our current field of vision. Nix adds that in our Western-focused view of AI, we might not see the difference in our expansive selection of typefaces and how limited those choices might be for non-Latin scripts, for instance. That, and similar areas outside the Western mainstream of design, may be where the need for change is more apparent. 'The periphery may end up driving the need-state [for AI].' For all that, it remains unlikely that current models of selling typography will change, however. We'd still be licensing fonts from companies like Monotype and Dalton Maag. But in this AI-driven process, these generative apps may well be folded into existing typography subscriptions and licensing costs passed on to us through payment of those subscription fees. Though, that remains more speculation. We are simply so early on this that the only AI tools we can actually demonstrate are font identification tools like WhatTheFont and related ideas like It's not possible to accurately comprehend what such nascent technology will do based solely on what it does now — it's like trying to understand a four-dimensional shape. 'What was defined as type in 1965 is radically different from what we define as type in 2025,' Nix adds. 'We're primed to know that those things are possible to change, and that they will change. But it's hard at this stage to sort of see how much of our current workflows we preserve, how much of our current understanding and definition of typography we preserve.'But as we explore, it's important not to get caught up with the spectacle of what it looks like AI can do. It may seem romantic to those who have already committed to AI at all costs, but Akay suggests this isn't just about mechanics, that creativity is valuable 'because it isn't easy or fast, but rather because it is traditionally the result of work, consideration, and risk.' We cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube, but, she adds, in an uncertain future and workflow, 'that doesn't mean that it's built on firm, impartial foundations, nor does it mean we have to be reckless in the present.'
Business Standard
06-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Hawkins Cookers' fourth factory in Uttar Pradesh commences commercial production
Hawkins Cookers said that it has commenced commercial operations at its fourth factory in India at A-3, Sathariya Industrial Development Area, Jaunpur District, Uttar Pradesh. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday. Hawkins Cookers is one of the leading manufacturers of pressure cookers in India, with the domestic market driving around 94% of its overall sales and the overseas markets accounting for the rest. The companys pressure cookers and cookware are marketed under its flagship brand, Hawkins, as well as Futura and Miss Mary. The companys cookware are sold under the Futura and Hawkins brands. The company's net profit rose 0.67% to Rs 34.36 crore on a 10.80% increase in net sales to Rs 306.66 crore in Q4 FY25 as compared with Q4 FY24. The scrip rose 0.10% to currently trade at Rs 7840 on the BSE today. The scrip has declined 1.45% in past five sessions, from its recent closing high of Rs 7,947.85 recorded on 29 May 2025 to end at Rs 7,832.35 yesterday (05 June 2025). On a year-to-date basis, the scrip is down 13.29% while the S&P BSE SmallCap index has lost 4.20%. In that same period, however, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex has gained 4.74%. On the technical front, the stocks RSI (14) was currently at 46.939. An RSI reading of 70 or above indicates an overbought condition. A reading of 30 or below indicates an oversold condition. On the daily chart, the scrip is trading below its 10-day, 20-day and 100-day simple moving averages placed at 7894.52, 7902.33 and 8313.05, respectively.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Futura Mobility, LLC Launches FuturaCare+, A Value-Based Care Strategy to Help Hospitals Control Costs, Reduce Downtime, and Improve Patient Outcomes
MONTGOMERYVILLE, Pa., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to price increases, out of manufacturer warranty devices, and increasing pressure to meet value-based care goals, Futura has announced the launch of FuturaCare+, a purpose-built extended warranty program designed to help healthcare organizations reduce unplanned capital expenses, stabilize operational performance, and protect critical bedside technology. FuturaCare+ offers flat-rate, two-year coverage on out-of-warranty mobile carts—including batteries, inverters, WOWs, and key components often excluded from OEM agreements. The program includes unlimited advanced replacements, all-inclusive shipping, and a shared risk model that directly impacts clinical outcomes and financial planning. "As hospitals face constrained capital budgets and increasing demand for operational performance, we developed FuturaCare+ as an alternative to new asset purchases—extending asset life while supporting measurable improvements in care," said Moira Rubino, Vice President of Services & Delivery at Futura. "A single Workstation on Wheels (WoW) failure impacts far more than just IT—it creates delays in patient care, documentation, and staff efficiency. What many don't realize is a single WoW may support the care and documentation of five to six—or more—patients per shift. When one fails, the disruption extends across the care team—for example, slowing access to lab and imaging results, prolonging clinical decision-making, and forcing clinicians to revert to manual or delayed documentation. This can increase the time required to care for each patient by an additional 20 to 30 minutes, and the cumulative effect often contributes to an increased Length of Stay (LOS) and added strain on staffing. FuturaCare+ transforms this unplanned downtime into a controlled, Value-Based Care process that safeguards both patient care continuity and capital efficiency." Key Features of FuturaCare+ Include: Full warranty coverage for high-failure components Unlimited advanced replacements—shipped before return Improved uptime and quicker onsite repairs—all shipping and support included Flat, predictable pricing to eliminate budget volatility Alignment with Value-Based Care metrics, including uptime, efficiency, and documentation quality Ideal for organizations: Managing out-of-warranty mobile or bedside carts Struggling with support delays or inconsistent repair workflows Facing capital spending freezes or unpredictable break/fix costs Transitioning toward value-based or outcome-driven care delivery "We're helping health systems rethink support as a strategic function," added Rubino. "This isn't just warranty coverage—it's an operational safety net that protects patient experience." FuturaCare+ is now available to healthcare organizations nationwide. Learn more at: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Futura Healthcare Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time Out
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This famous Italian sweets company is opening a one-product bakery in Union Square next month
Union Square is set to get a whole lot sweeter—and a whole lot more Italian. Opening on May 21, Minuto Bauli is the first U.S. outpost of the beloved Verona-based baking dynasty, Bauli. But this isn't your average bakery. It's a one-product wonderland dedicated entirely to a single, freshly baked, filled-to-order Italian treat: the Minuto. What is a Minuto, exactly? Think of it as the pastry equivalent of a mic drop. The dough, made with Bauli's century-old Futura mother yeast, is crafted in Italy using high-quality ingredients like flour, eggs, butter and milk, then shipped to New York City, where it rises for 12 hours before being baked and dressed up right before your eyes. Guests can customize their treat with a selection of lush Italian creams, preserves, spreads and gourmet toppings. Salivating yet? Minuto Bauli also includes a café component, making it as much a hangout as it is a sugar stop. And if you know Bauli, the brand behind Italy's iconic holiday panettone and pandoro, you know they don't mess around with half-baked ideas (see what we did there?). This debut marks the brand's official leap into the North American market, so we can't wait to see what's next on the roster. Whether you're a pastry purist or someone who firmly believes desserts should come with customizable toppings, Minuto Bauli will be a must-try for anyone craving a taste of Italian indulgence with a modern twist. One product, infinite possibilities—and, yes, you will want to come back tomorrow.
Associated Press
14-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Reply at NVIDIA GTC 2025: How AI Agents and Digital Humans are Redefining Customer Experience
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 14, 2025-- Reply, a global systems integrator and consulting firm, specialised in AI-driven solutions and intelligent systems, is taking part in NVIDIA GTC 2025, a premier conference hosted by NVIDIA that is focused on the future of accelerated computing and AI, held from March 17–21 in San Jose, California. As part of the event, Roberto Del Ponte, Associate Partner at Infinity Reply, will take the stage for an insightful panel discussion titled 'Customer Service 2.0: Transforming Experiences with AI Agents and Digital Humans' on March 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT. The panel will explore the evolving role of AI-driven customer interactions, focusing on AI agents and digital humans. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Reply's participation in NVIDIA GTC 2025 underscores its commitment to advancing the field of digital humans and emotionally intelligent AI solutions. (Graphic: Business Wire) The discussion will explore how digital humans and AI agents are transforming the customer service landscape by delivering life-like, emotionally perceptive interactions that enhance engagement and provide personalized assistance. During the speech, Roberto will focus on Reply's work on digital humans, highlighting the role of AI agents, affective computing and proactivity in enhancing customer experiences. He will present Rose, Reply's 3D digital human ambassador, powered by NVIDIA's ACE technology, demonstrating how these digital beings can engage with users dynamically and with emotional intelligence. The speech will also cover real-world applications and success stories, including Reply's collaboration with Costa Crociere on the Futura digital assistant, demonstrating how organizations can leverage digital humans and AI agents to create impactful customer service strategies. Reply's participation in NVIDIA GTC 2025 underscores its commitment to advancing the field of digital humans and emotionally intelligent AI solutions. For more information on Reply's presence at the event, visit the dedicated webpage. Reply Reply [EXM, STAR: REY, ISIN: IT0005282865] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. As a network of highly specialised companies, Reply supports major European industrial groups in the telecom and media; industry and services; banking and insurance and public sectors in defining and developing business models enabled by the new paradigms of AI, cloud computing, digital media and the internet of things. Reply's services include: consulting, system integration and digital services. Fabio Zappelli [email protected] Tel. +18558649929 KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA ILLINOIS SOURCE: Reply S.p.A. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/14/2025 05:00 AM/DISC: 03/14/2025 05:00 AM
