Wilmington, Delaware, October 29, 2026 / PRNewswire / -- Brand Engagement Network, Inc. (“BEN”) (Nasdaq ticker: BNAI) Today, it is announced that the company's co-founder and Chief Scientist, Dr. Patrick Nunally, will be one of the keynote speakers at a panel discussion on “Artificial Intelligence and the Human Spirit” to be held in Vatican City on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. This dialogue will explore faith, technology, and Pope Leo XIV's reflections on artificial intelligence in his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.
Nunally Dr. will be on stage alongside Eastern Orthodox thinker, artist, and critic Jonathan Pageau, as well as surgeon, inventor, investor, and World Economic Forum technology pioneer Hank Wuh Dr. This invitation was extended by Robert Moynihan, the founder and editor-in-chief of Inside the Vatican magazine. The discussion, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time, will mark the conclusion of a three-day event taking place in Rome from November 18th to 20th, which will bring together AI pioneers, entrepreneurs, and thinkers from around the world. International media is expected to be present.
“When I began to advance research on neural networks 45 years ago, machines that could learn were still considered science fiction by many people,” said Dr. Nunally. “Today, the work of a small group of pioneers is reshaping civilization. The most important question of our era is no longer what machines can learn, but what humans must never forget. Artificial intelligence may change what we can do, but it must not weaken who we are.”
BEN's technical background
In 2018, Dr. Nunally co-founded BEN. The company currently possesses a extensive portfolio of fundamental patents that cover its areas of expertise in AI such as how to listen, understand, and take action, including voice and audio processing, computer vision, intent and emotion analysis, AI virtual avatars, security and privacy, as well as the orchestration technologies that integrate these capabilities.
The company stated that these efforts address a core issue discussed in Rome: how to ensure that a qualified human is responsible when AI is involved. Based on its team's pioneering research in machine intelligence, the patents of BEN have advanced AI from merely understanding words to recognizing intentions, emotions, behaviors, and contexts. This includes incorporating certified professionals (such as clinicians or consultants) into the AI dialogue technology when human intervention is required.
BEN, Co-Founder and CEO, Tyler Luck said: "Investors often ask what makes BEN different from those companies that are built on the models of others. Part of the answer lies in visionaries like Dr. Nunally. Our technology is built upon over forty years of research and a portfolio of patents. Although being invited to the Vatican is an honor well-deserved by Dr. Nunally, it also reflects the depth of thought behind everything we have built."
Nunally The doctor is available for interviews from November 18th to 20th in Rome, and video interviews are also possible. Interview requests can be sent to Amy Rouyer, with the email address being [ email protected ], or to [ email protected ].
About Dr. Patrick Nunally
Dr. Nunally has dedicated over 45 years to teaching machines how to listen, recognize, and learn, with his research spanning artificial intelligence, neural networks, and signal processing. In the early 1990s, the technology he pioneered became the foundation for the Arbitron and Nielsen radio ratings systems, transforming the way the United States measures and understands listening behavior. This achievement also solidified his long-held belief that the greatest technological breakthroughs come not only from making machines smarter but also from enabling them to better understand human behavior. More than thirty years later, this vision continues to drive his work in the field of artificial intelligence: to create machines that can understand and serve humanity.
He has received awards from IEEE - Eta Kappa Nu ( IEEE-HKN ) and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the United States.
In addition to BEN, Dr. Nunally has also founded or co-founded several companies, including Raise, Hood, Nethercomm Inc, ChargeCast Corp, BTT Corp, Wave Systems, PlayNet Inc, Gruppe Telekom, Intellisys Automation, and e-Metrics. He is also a co-founder of nTelesys and serves on the board of directors of multiple companies. He provides strategic advice to enterprises AI and is also a professor of electrical engineering as well as an international speaker on artificial intelligence and next-generation technologies.
About Brand Engagement Network
Brand Engagement Network, Inc. (“BEN”) is a “participatory AI” company. BEN builds secure, enterprise-level artificial intelligence for the participatory layer of AI; at this level, human intentions are transformed into intelligent interactions, automated workflows, and real-world outcomes. BEN’s technology, driven by its proprietary Engagement Language Model (™), enables conversational AI to connect human intentions with organizational data, workflows, and real-world outcomes. BEN’s AI operates in a secure, closed-loop environment, using approved organizational data and incorporating built-in governance and compliance controls. In June 2026, BEN acquired Cataneo GmbH, whose enterprise advertising software supports over 1,000 media brands and more than 200 channels worldwide. Welcome to visit www.brandengagementnetwork.com to initiate a conversation.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended), including statements regarding BEN technology, intellectual property, business strategy, and the participation of Nunally博士 in the aforementioned activities. These statements are based on management's current expectations and carry risks and uncertainties that could result in material differences from actual results. These include the ability of BEN to develop and commercialize its technology, protect its intellectual property, compete effectively, and maintain sufficient capital; changes in the timing, form, or conduct of activities; as well as other risks described in the documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent 10-K annual report and subsequent 10-Q quarterly reports. Readers are cautioned not to rely too heavily on these statements, which represent only the views as of the date they were made. Except as required by law, BEN assumes no obligation to update these statements.
Contact Information: Media: Amy Rouyer, [ email protected ] or [ email protected ]; Investor Relations: [ email protected ]
Source: Brand Engagement Network, Inc. ( BEN )
