The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) hosted transportation partners Wednesday for the spring meeting of the Wisconsin Automated Vehicle External (WAVE) Advisory Committee. The group meets twice a year in Madison to provide input on the impact of Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies on Wisconsin’s transportation system.

The spring meeting focused on continued discussions as WisDOT works to create a new CAV resource guide for Wisconsin communities. The guide is expected to help communities consider what’s needed to implement CAV technology, including potential infrastructure upgrades, the impact on freight movement, engaging with partners, anticipated costs and research.

“Once complete, this resource guide will help our stakeholders and partners better understand how CAV technologies can improve safety and efficiency in our transportation system,” Lea Collins-Worachek, administrator of WisDOT’s Division of Budget and Strategic Initiatives, said. “The guide will outline the benefits and challenges of CAVs, so communities can begin to develop integration strategies customized to their individual needs.”

The WAVE Advisory Committee formed in 2020 to provide WisDOT with insight into how innovations in CAV technology can benefit and impact Wisconsin stakeholders. Its members include nonprofit groups, industry professionals, academics, lawmakers, and state, local and federal agency representatives.

“Connected Vehicles and Automated Vehicles are here. They ‘see’ differently than traditional vehicles. Whether its wider paint lines, travel lane metrics, or other urban and rural needs, it is important to know how they inter-relate,” said Chris Hardy, WAVE committee member and highway commissioner in Brown County. “CAV use affects people, roads, resources, and budgets so the WAVE committee helps local communities understand what is out there, how is it being used, what may be coming in the future and how that may impact local funding needs in the future.”

Spring WAVE meeting attendees also had a chance to see a demonstration of UW-Madison’s new automated shuttle. Researchers are piloting the technology to study its feasibility and inform its potential impact on safety.

CAV technology is designed to improve safety and reduce the risks of human errors that lead to crashes. Connected Vehicles (CVs) communicate with other CVs, infrastructure and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. An example of a CV technology is adaptive traffic light controls for emergency vehicles.

Automated Vehicles (AVs) use cameras and sensors to perform some driving functions, such as steering and braking, to avoid crashes. Many of these driver assist technologies are currently installed in newer vehicles, but Wisconsin state law currently requires an operator to be behind the wheel and in physical control of a vehicle at all times while driving on Wisconsin roadways.

Learn more about WisDOT’s CAV program on the WisDOT website.

Emerging sports companies are reshaping the industry through innovation in team ownership, media, data analytics, and the expanding legal sports betting market

NEW YORK, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PRISM MarketView, a leading provider of unbiased market insight and company news, today announces the launch of its PRISM Emerging Sports Index in response to significant global growth and transformation in the sports industry. The new PRISM index tracks emerging companies elevating the industry through professional sports teams, sports media platforms, athletics data or analytics solutions, and legal sports betting or fantasy sports services. Analysts project that by 2028 the global sports market could reach over $680 billion and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.13% between 2022 and 2028.

The global sports industry is undergoing a transformation driven by digital engagement, data analytics, and the rapid growth of legal sports betting. From traditional team ownership and franchise operations to cutting-edge betting platforms and fan engagement technologies, the business of sports is becoming more dynamic.

PRISM MarketView reviewed a selection of the companies set to transform the sports landscape for the next several years.

Motorsport Games Inc.

Motorsport Games (Nasdaq: MSGM) blends cutting-edge racing video games with dynamic esports competitions and content, delivering immersive experiences for racing enthusiasts and gamers worldwide. Most recently the company reported its first quarter financials posting net income of $1.0 million for Q1 2025, a significant improvement from a $1.7 million loss in Q1 2024, driven by reduced operating expenses and gains from settlements. The company raised $2.5 million in a private placement led by VR company Pimax and saw momentum from its Le Mans Ultimate title, with a major update planned for June. Despite improved financials and increased cash reserves, Motorsport Games continues to explore strategic options and cost-cutting initiatives to address ongoing liquidity challenges.

SharpLink Gaming Inc.

SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBET) is an online performance marketing company specializing in the sports betting and iGaming industries. The company connects sports fans with licensed sportsbook and casino operators through targeted affiliate marketing strategies, utilizing state-specific web domains and advanced analytics to drive user engagement and conversions. Most recently, SharpLink priced a public offering of up to 1,530,612 shares of common stock at $2.94 per share, expecting to raise approximately $4.5 million in gross proceeds. The proceeds are intended for working capital, general corporate purposes, and other uses outlined in the filed prospectus.

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• Google Health Connect will soon support Garmin
• Mi Fitness and Runna will also be supported from June
• A few other updates are coming to Google Health Connect for developers

Google I/O always kicks off with an opening keynote, but the developer conference features big software announcements across its various talks and events – and one such reveal at Google I/O 2025 is that Google’s Health Connect will soon be compatible with Runna, Mi Fitness, and Garmin.

Google Health Connect, which launched back in 2022, is Android’s Apple Health equivalent. It allows you to easily share health metrics and fitness data across devices and between apps, while privacy controls allow you to choose what data is and isn’t shared.

Starting in June, Mi Fitness (Xiaomi’s fitness wearable app), Runna (the excellent running coach app that Strava recently acquired) and Garmin will be able to share data with Health Connect, as revealed on its Android Stage, and spotted by Android Central.

That’s not the only change coming to Health Connect. As is the case with most I/O announcements, these are app developer-focused, but there are some features we wanted to highlight.

With more than two decades of executive leadership in the gaming, finance, hospitality, and nonprofit sectors, Helderman brings extensive experience in financial strategy, operational oversight, and enterprise transformation. In his role, Helderman will help drive continued growth and strategic execution for the BIG Group.

BIG Chief Executive Officer Martin Storm said: “John’s deep financial expertise and operational leadership make him an outstanding addition to the BIG executive team. He has a strong track record of aligning financial strategy with organizational growth and creating value across complex, multi-entity businesses. His leadership will be important as we continue to expand our services and technology footprint.”

Before joining BIG, Helderman served as Chief Financial Officer of Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a US$1 billion luxury resort, where he led accounting, IT, and procurement and was licensed as a Key Executive by the Nevada Gaming Commission. He also held CFO roles at Bluberi Gaming and The Brennan Entities, modernizing financial systems, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting liquidity management during critical growth periods.

Earlier in his career, Helderman served as President & Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada, where he led a financial turnaround that improved operating income tenfold. He also held senior finance roles at Caesars Entertainment, including Vice President of Finance and Capital Planning, managing large-scale budgeting and investment strategies across multiple Las Vegas Strip properties.

Helderman earned a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law and bachelor’s degrees in business management and economics from North Carolina State University. He is a licensed attorney in both Georgia and North Carolina and serves on the board of Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada.

Helderman commented: “Joining BMM Innovation Group is an incredible opportunity. BIG is a powerhouse in gaming and technology, and I’m thrilled to be part of a team that’s transforming gambling industry performance.”

“I’m excited to help refine BIG’s strategies, systems, and processes and build on the momentum that’s already driving BIG’s growth worldwide.”

The BMM Innovation Group “BIG” is a technology conglomerate that provides world-class testing, inspection, compliance, and certification services and cutting-edge solutions across the cyber and media sectors for the global gaming industry.

BIG is focused on strengthening the global gaming industry’s product compliance, enterprise performance, and staff knowledge and capabilities to protect those who gamble.

The company has its origins in BMM, the world’s original and leading gaming product certification lab, since 1981, and has business operations and gaming labs in the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Macau, South Africa, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Romania, and Poland.

For more information on BMM Testlabs, visit bmm.com

For more information on BIG Cyber, visit bigcyberdefense.com

For more information on RG24seven Virtual Training, visit rg24seven.com

Source: GMB

Washington, D.C. (May 22, 2025) – Monumental Sports Network (MNMT), in collaboration with Devlin Design Group, announced today its cutting-edge broadcast studio set has been named a Silver Winner for Best Craft-Set Design in the 46th Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens and are judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, and production companies.  

“We’re incredibly proud that our Monumental Sports Network studio was honored with a Telly Award—it’s a testament to the vision, creativity, and countless hours of work from our internal teams and partners at Devlin Design Group,” said Zach Leonsis, President of Media & New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). “The studio space was designed to set a new standard in regional sports broadcasting, and the way it comes to life on screen—visually stunning, technologically advanced, and built to elevate storytelling—has exceeded our expectations.” 

As part of a groundbreaking technology transformation led by Diversified, in March 2024, MNMT – the exclusive local media rights holder for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards, and WNBA’s Washington Mystics – opened a brand-new multi-million-dollar home, including a best-in-class production facility and broadcast studio, located adjacent to Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C.  

The award-winning studio set – which features two top quality studios that can combine on non-conflict nights to create one single national telecast worthy experience – features RGBW color-changing set pieces, as well as 24 cameras, 1,200 square feet of 4K LED monitors, and innovative robotics, aimed to deliver an exceptional viewing experience for all of MNMT’s pre- and post-game shows, halftime and intermission reports, and original programming. 

“Devlin Design Group’s collaboration with the team at Monumental Sports Network resulted in a set design that creates unforgettable experiences and impactful storytelling that connects and energizes fans, inspires the on-air talent, and showcases their impressive collection of pro sports teams,” added Kartik Dakshinamoorthy, President and Co-Owner, Devlin Design Group. “Leveraging the latest in technology, studio set design innovation and versatility, plus tapping into an incredible sports culture at MNMT, are the reasons why this project is a winner.” 

The Devlin Design Group’s sports-centric design for the studio is anchored by two main bespoke desks that can be positioned around the studio for customized programming. The desk fronts include video display panels for highlighting show branding and sponsors. The mega studio is flanked by two extra-large LED displays with an upper balcony design accent for showcasing graphics and video, while providing a stunning backdrop for desk shots, impressive walk-and-talks, and interviews. Four additional large LED displays and two rolling vertical LEDs are available for a wide variety of storytelling opportunities ranging from exciting playoff nights to more intimate narratives. The studio is surrounded by visuals representing Washington, D.C. monuments, all wrapped in RGBW color-changing graphics including a distinct Monumental ‘M’ logo and a branded rolling tower to enhance customization for every broadcast.  

MNMT’s studio and production facility has set a new standard among regional sports programmers and previously received an “Award of Excellence” from the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks’ (NAIOP) and is nominated in the “Best Media Spaces & Facilities” category at the 2025 Cynopsis Sports Media Awards being held in June. In April, MSE also won the coveted 2025 NAB Show Project of the Year Award in the Production category. 

This year’s Telly Awards received more than 13,000 entries from across the globe from top video and television content producers from all 50 states and five continents. The full list of the 46th Annual Telly Awards winners can be found at http://www.tellyawards.com/winners/. 

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About Monumental Sports Network
Monumental Sports Network is wholly owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). The network holds exclusive local television media rights for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards and WNBA’s Washington Mystics games. MNMT is also the TV and digital home to the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go and the NBA 2K League’s Wizards District Gaming as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes content and original sports and entertainment programming. The network also boasts the most comprehensive regional high school and collegiate sports programming in the greater Washington D.C. metro area. For more, visit: monumentalsportsnetwork.com. 

About Devlin Design Group 

Devlin Design Group is one of the most influential set design and lighting design firms in the world. They are renowned for their iconic sets, expert scenic lighting and their energy and commitment to design excellence, with a fresh perspective… Creativity, Knowledge and Innovation. www.ddgtv.com 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday rejected arguments made by an artificial intelligence company that its chatbots are protected by the First Amendment — at least for now. The developers behind Character.AI are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the company’s chatbots pushed a teenage boy to kill himself.

The judge’s order will allow the wrongful death lawsuit to proceed, in what legal experts say is among the latest constitutional tests of artificial intelligence.

The suit was filed by a mother from Florida, Megan Garcia, who alleges that her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III fell victim to a Character.AI chatbot that pulled him into what she described as an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship that led to his suicide.

Meetali Jain of the Tech Justice Law Project, one of the attorneys for Garcia, said the judge’s order sends a message that Silicon Valley “needs to stop and think and impose guardrails before it launches products to market.”

The suit against Character Technologies, the company behind Character.AI, also names individual developers and Google as defendants. It has drawn the attention of legal experts and AI watchers in the U.S. and beyond, as the technology rapidly reshapes workplaces, marketplaces and relationships despite what experts warn are potentially existential risks.

“The order certainly sets it up as a potential test case for some broader issues involving AI,” said Lyrissa Barnett Lidsky, a law professor at the University of Florida with a focus on the First Amendment and artificial intelligence.

The lawsuit alleges that in the final months of his life, Setzer became increasingly isolated from reality as he engaged in sexualized conversations with the bot, which was patterned after a fictional character from the television show “Game of Thrones.” In his final moments, the bot told Setzer it loved him and urged the teen to “come home to me as soon as possible,” according to screenshots of the exchanges. Moments after receiving the message, Setzer shot himself, according to legal filings.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Character.AI pointed to a number of safety features the company has implemented, including guardrails for children and suicide prevention resources that were announced the day the lawsuit was filed.

“We care deeply about the safety of our users and our goal is to provide a space that is engaging and safe,” the statement said.

Attorneys for the developers want the case dismissed because they say chatbots deserve First Amendment protections, and ruling otherwise could have a “chilling effect” on the AI industry.

In her order Wednesday, U.S. Senior District Judge Anne Conway rejected some of the defendants’ free speech claims, saying she’s “not prepared” to hold that the chatbots’ output constitutes speech “at this stage.”

Conway did find that Character Technologies can assert the First Amendment rights of its users, who she found have a right to receive the “speech” of the chatbots. She also determined Garcia can move forward with claims that Google can be held liable for its alleged role in helping develop Character.AI. Some of the founders of the platform had previously worked on building AI at Google, and the suit says the tech giant was “aware of the risks” of the technology.

“We strongly disagree with this decision,” said Google spokesperson José Castañeda. “Google and Character AI are entirely separate, and Google did not create, design, or manage Character AI’s app or any component part of it.”

No matter how the lawsuit plays out, Lidsky says the case is a warning of “the dangers of entrusting our emotional and mental health to AI companies.”

“It’s a warning to parents that social media and generative AI devices are not always harmless,” she said.

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