New conversational AI features include voice locking, vision-based intelligence, and interactive avatars SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Agora, Inc. (NASDAQ: API) ("Agora"), a global leader in real-time engagement and conversational AI technology, showcased its cutting-edge conversational AI solutions at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference ("WAIC") hosted in Shanghai during July 26-29, 2025. Agora also presented smart devices powered by its ConvoAI Device Kit, featuring: Look ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the advancements in Agora's conversational AI engine, showcasing its new features that enhance real-time interaction and user experience in various applications [4][5][31]. Group 1: Upgrades of the Conversational AI Engine - The upgraded conversational AI engine includes a selective attention locking feature that allows it to accurately capture user commands in noisy environments, filtering out 95% of background noise [12][16]. - The engine now has visual understanding capabilities, enabling it to recognize and interpret images in real-time, enhancing its contextual awareness during interactions [18][23]. - Integration with mainstream digital human solutions allows for more human-like interactions, where digital avatars can express emotions and gestures, making conversations feel more natural [25][30]. Group 2: Applications and Market Position - The conversational AI engine has been successfully implemented across various sectors, including education and smart hardware, demonstrating its versatility and reliability [38][44]. - Agora's long-standing expertise in Real-Time Engagement (RTE) technology positions it favorably in the growing market for multimodal AI interactions, which combine audio and visual inputs [49][50]. - The focus on user experience rather than just technical specifications is expected to enhance the competitive edge of Agora's products in the evolving AI landscape [51][52].

Core Insights - Denodo has launched its platform in the new AI Agents and Tools category of AWS Marketplace, allowing AWS customers to easily discover, purchase, and deploy AI agent solutions [1][4] - The Denodo Platform enables organizations to unify data across various systems, providing real-time data delivery and reducing infrastructure costs, thereby accelerating AI adoption and improving decision-making [2][3] Company Overview - Denodo is recognized as a leader in data management, with its platform delivering trusted AI-ready data significantly faster and more efficiently than traditional data platforms [7] - The Denodo Platform supports various industries, including financial services, manufacturing, and public sector, by ensuring AI models utilize accurate and meaningful data [3][7] Product Features - The Denodo Platform offers capabilities such as semantic unification of data, federated data governance, and real-time access to trusted data, which are essential for powering AI applications [3][5] - The platform is available as an Amazon Machine Image (AMI) or as a fully managed SaaS offering, both providing robust features including support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) [5] Market Impact - The introduction of AI Agents and Tools in AWS Marketplace streamlines the procurement process for customers, reducing the time required for vendor evaluations and negotiations [4] - Centralized purchasing through AWS accounts allows customers to maintain visibility and control over licensing and payments, facilitating AI innovation [4]

Market Outlook - The market is expected to enter the next phase of an upward trend, with potential to break through the peak in the second half of 2024 due to existing discrepancies in market expectations [1][14]. Financial Performance - Zijin Mining anticipates a net profit of approximately RMB 23.2 billion for the first half of the year, representing a year-on-year increase of about 54% [9]. - Limin Co. forecasts a net profit of between RMB 260 million and RMB 280 million for the first half of 2025, reflecting a significant year-on-year growth of 719.25% to 782.27% [11]. - China Shenhua projects a net profit of between RMB 23.6 billion and RMB 25.6 billion for the first half of 2025, indicating a year-on-year decline of 13.2% to 20% due to decreased coal sales volume and average selling prices [13]. Corporate Actions - Fuda Alloy is planning to acquire at least 51% of the shares in Guangda Electronics, a company specializing in electronic paste products, which will enhance its product offerings in the solar energy sector [12]. Regulatory Developments - The Shanghai Stock Exchange has released new self-regulatory guidelines for companies listed on the Sci-Tech Innovation Board, allowing 32 unprofitable companies to enter the growth tier [5]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has outlined key points for the integration of information technology and industrialization, emphasizing support for AI applications in manufacturing [5]. Market Trends - Major U.S. stock indices closed lower, with the Dow Jones down 0.63%, S&P 500 down 0.33%, and Nasdaq down 0.22%, while large tech stocks showed mixed performance [4]. - International oil prices increased, with WTI crude oil rising by $1.88 to $68.45 per barrel, a 2.82% increase, and Brent crude oil up by $1.72 to $70.36 per barrel, a 2.51% increase [4]. - COMEX gold futures rose by $38.30 to $3,364.00 per ounce, a 1.15% increase, while silver futures surged by $4.22 to $39.075, marking a new high since 2011 [4].

Group 1 - The article discusses the allure of underdog stories in investing, highlighting the excitement and romanticism associated with them [1] - It raises skepticism about the viability of investing in underdog companies, questioning whether they can truly deliver on their potential [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific financial data or performance metrics related to any companies or industries [2]

Core Insights - Agora partners with WIZ.AI to deliver enterprise-grade AI agent solutions that provide multilingual support and contextual understanding for call centers [1][2] - The collaboration combines WIZ.AI's expertise in enterprise AI agents with Agora's real-time infrastructure and multimodal conversational AI capabilities [2][4] Company Overview - Agora is a leader in real-time engagement and conversational AI technology, providing APIs for voice, video, and interactive live streaming [5] - WIZ.AI specializes in Voice AI, focusing on automating and personalizing customer engagement across various sectors [6] Partnership Details - The partnership aims to create intelligent, scalable, and multilingual AI agent solutions that enhance customer service experiences [4] - Agora's ultra-low latency infrastructure complements WIZ.AI's advanced AI agents, enabling natural conversations and enterprise-level service [4] Product Features - The AI agents will support inbound customer service, outbound campaigns, real-time QA and analytics, and AI training and e-learning [8] - Agora's Conversational AI Engine allows developers to create lifelike voice agents that can operate effectively even in challenging network conditions [4][3]

Core Viewpoint - Agora Inc. is experiencing a potential recovery driven by new demand for real-time engagement technology, particularly in the education sector with AI-powered tools [2][5][7]. Financial Performance - The company reported a net profit of $400,000 for the quarter, marking only the second profitable quarter since 2021 [3][17]. - Revenue grew modestly by 0.8% year-on-year to $33.3 million, indicating a turnaround after four years of decline [3][11]. - Gross margin improved to 68.0%, up from 61.2% a year earlier, following the exit from lower-margin businesses [4][16]. Market Dynamics - The education sector, previously a source of decline due to regulatory crackdowns, is now contributing to Agora's recovery through AI-driven virtual tutoring solutions [5][7]. - The company's service for the rest of the world, known as Agora, saw an 18% year-on-year revenue increase to $18.6 million, while Shengwang, its China-based service, contracted by 14% to $14.7 million [13][14]. Customer Metrics - Shengwang reported a 5.2% increase in active customers, reversing previous declines, with a customer retention rate of 85% [15]. - The Agora service maintains a higher customer loyalty with retention rates above 90% [15]. Future Outlook - The company forecasts second-quarter revenue between $33 million and $35 million, potentially extending its growth streak [12]. - Agora's stock has nearly doubled since last September, reflecting a broader rally in U.S. and Hong Kong-listed Chinese stocks [10].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 reached $33.3 million, up 12% year over year, excluding revenues from certain low-margin products, indicating a recovery in business momentum [3][11] - GAAP net profit for the quarter was $400,000, representing a 1.2% net income margin, a significant turnaround from a net loss margin of 28.7% in Q1 last year [16][17] - Operating cash flow was $17.6 million in Q1 compared to negative $6.5 million last year, reflecting improved financial health [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core revenues reached $18.6 million in Q1, growing 17.7% year over year, driven by market expansion in high-potential verticals like live shopping and entertainment [12] - Shunlong revenues were RMB 105.5 million in Q1, with a year-over-year growth of 6.7%, although it declined 13.7% sequentially due to seasonal factors [12][13] - The net retention rate improved to 96% for Agora and 85% for Shunlong, indicating better customer retention [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The growth rate in the U.S. and global markets is around 18% to 20%, with increasing adoption of live video-based shopping and entertainment apps, particularly in North America and Europe [28][30] - Demand recovery is noted in Asian markets, including India, for both education and entertainment use cases [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on conversational AI, particularly in education, IoT, and customer service sectors, which are seen as key growth drivers [25][26] - The strategy includes maximizing penetration in live commerce and improving video quality for better customer experiences [35] - The company aims to maintain profitability while investing in future growth opportunities, including share repurchase programs [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining GAAP profitability for the remainder of the year, supported by current business momentum [4][17] - The competitive landscape in China is consolidating, with fewer players remaining, which may enhance the company's market position [46][48] Other Important Information - The company launched a Conversational AI Device Kit, enabling manufacturers to integrate conversational AI into IoT devices, which could reduce R&D costs and time to market [7] - The open-source project for building real-time conversational AI agents is gaining traction, with significant support from leading cloud providers [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key areas for AI application? - Management highlighted education, IoT, and customer service as the most active use cases for AI applications [25][26] Question: What is the demand trend for China and overseas business? - Management noted a solid demand recovery in the U.S. and global markets, with stable pricing trends in developed markets [28][30] Question: What is the strategy for overseas e-commerce platforms? - The company is focusing on maximizing penetration in live commerce and improving video quality for better user experiences [35] Question: What is the timing for massive adoption of conversational AI? - Management indicated that the tipping point for adoption will depend on the maturity of product-market fit across various verticals [40][42] Question: How is the competitive landscape in China affecting pricing trends? - The competitive landscape is consolidating, with fewer players, and the company is focusing on higher value use cases to maintain margins [46][49]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue in Q1 2025 reached $33.3 million, up 12% year over year, excluding revenues from certain low-margin products [3][11] - GAAP net profit for the quarter more than doubled from the previous quarter, marking the second consecutive quarter of GAAP profitability [4][15] - Operating cash flow was $17.6 million in Q1, compared to negative $6.5 million last year [16] - Gross margin for Q1 was 68%, with an increase of 0.6% year over year and 1.4% quarter over quarter [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core revenues reached $18.6 million in Q1, growing 17.7% year over year [12] - Shunlong revenues were RMB 105.5 million in Q1, with a year-over-year growth of 6.7% [12] - The base net retention rate improved to 96% for Agora and 85% for Shunlong [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Growth rate in the US and global markets is around 18% to 20%, with increasing adoption of live video-based shopping and entertainment apps, particularly in North America and Europe [26][28] - Demand recovery is observed in Asian markets, including India, for both education and entertainment use cases [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on conversational AI, particularly in education, IoT, and customer service sectors [24][25] - The launch of the Conversational AI Device Kit aims to enable device manufacturers to integrate conversational AI into various IoT devices [7] - The company is committed to maintaining profitability while investing in future growth opportunities through share repurchase programs [17][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining GAAP profitability throughout 2025, supported by current business momentum [4][16] - The company anticipates a revenue range of $33 million to $35 million for Q2 2025, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 6.8% to 13.3% [18] Other Important Information - The conversational AI engine launched in March is expected to unlock innovation across multiple verticals, particularly in education [6] - The company has seen record-high product registrations and inquiries following recent product launches [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: AI demand and future growth drivers - Management highlighted key use cases for AI applications, including education, IoT, and customer service [24][25] Question: Breakdown of China and overseas business demand trends - Management noted a growth rate of about 18% in the US and global markets, with demand recovery in Asian markets [26][28] Question: Overseas e-commerce business strategy - Management discussed ongoing efforts to penetrate the live commerce space and improve video quality for better customer experience [33] Question: Shifts in downstream demand for AI-powered interaction capabilities - Management emphasized the importance of product market fit for various verticals to achieve growth [40][41] Question: Timing for massive adoption of conversational AI - Management indicated that the tipping point for adoption will depend on the maturity of product market fit across different use cases [40][41] Question: Competitive landscape in China and pricing trends - Management acknowledged the competitive nature of the Chinese market but noted a trend towards consolidation among major players [44][46]

Core Viewpoint - Agora, Inc. is actively expanding into high-potential areas such as conversational AI, demonstrating significant revenue growth and profitability in its recent financial results [2][3]. Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Agora, Inc. reported total revenue of $33.27 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 12.1%, with a notable acceleration from the previous quarter's growth of 3.6% [2]. - The company achieved a net profit of $410,000 under GAAP, marking its second consecutive quarter of profitability after returning to profit in Q4 2024 [2]. Cash Reserves - As of March 31, 2025, Agora, Inc. had cash and cash equivalents totaling $388 million, which supports its strategic investments in high-potential fields, particularly conversational AI [2]. Customer Base - As of March 31, 2025, Agora had 1,994 active customers, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 5.2% [4]. Product Innovation - Agora launched its conversational AI engine and development kit, enabling developers to create real-time voice interaction experiences with minimal coding requirements [6]. - The conversational AI engine can upgrade any text-based large model into a conversational multimodal model with just two lines of code and within 15 minutes, significantly lowering the development barrier [6]. User Experience - The conversational AI engine boasts a median voice interaction latency of just 650 ms, with an intelligent interruption feature that allows for natural conversation flow [8]. - It includes a "selective attention lock" feature that can filter out 95% of background noise, ensuring clear voice recognition [9]. Application Scenarios - The conversational AI capabilities are being applied across various sectors, including smart assistants, virtual companionship, language practice, and customer service [13]. - Specific use cases include educational tools that enhance real-time interaction for students and AI companions that provide emotional support [15][17]. Development Support - Agora has made its conversational AI development kit fully open-source, providing developers with comprehensive resources to integrate AI capabilities into their hardware [11]. - The development process is streamlined, allowing developers to create prototypes quickly and efficiently [11].