Source: Reserve Bank of India
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In the underwriting auction conducted on April 11, 2025, for Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) of the undernoted Government securities, the Reserve Bank of India has set the cut-off rates for underwriting commission payable to Primary Dealers as given below:
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2025-2026/80 |
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Source: Reserve Bank of India
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Source: Samsung
For Galaxy users, true phone customization is made complete with Good Lock. Since the latest One UI 7 update, the app has drawn widespread attention for its broader and more flexible range of customization features — cementing its status as the go-to platform for creating a truly tailored Galaxy experience.
But which Good Lock features are users loving the most?
The first part of this series explored the Home Up module. In this second installment, Samsung Newsroom unveils the top three most popular features.1
Good Lock’s No. 1 Feature: Sound Assistant
Ever wished the volume could be tweaked just a little more precisely when listening to music?
Good Lock’s Sound Assistant was designed to address exactly these everyday audio frustrations. The feature has surpassed 21 million cumulative downloads since its release, making it the most widely used module in the Good Lock suite.
Sound Assistant allows users to fine-tune volume levels in increments from one to 10, enabling precise control for an optimal listening experience. The volume panel’s appearance can be customized, delivering satisfaction not only to the ears but also to the eyes.
▲ Sound Assistant
Users can manage volume settings for individual apps, assign the volume buttons to control media volume instead of ringtone volume and prevent media volume from decreasing during navigation use — eliminating minor inconveniences tied to personal preferences.
These subtle yet impactful elements make Sound Assistant a standout feature that delivers meaningful improvements to the everyday audio experience.
Good Lock’s No. 2 Feature: Theme Park
Theme Park, a feature that lets users personalize various user interface (UI) elements of their smartphones with custom themes, has surpassed 17 million cumulative downloads.
Curating a stylish theme but unsure how to choose the right color combination? Theme Park makes it easy to craft a visually cohesive and balanced look.
Users can customize the color scheme of individual UI components — including the keyboard, quick panel and messaging interface — or let the feature automatically generate a harmonious palette based on a selected background image. This intuitive tool allows even those without design experience to personalize their device with ease and style.
▲ Theme Park
With the One UI 7 update, advanced customization options have taken creativity to the next level. Users can now personalize not only app icons but also the shape and color of home screen folders. For those looking to design custom icons and folder styles, the Create Icon Theme feature within Theme Park offers a simple yet powerful way to bring a unique aesthetic to the home screen.
▲ Customize the look of home screen folders with One UI 7.
Good Lock’s No. 3 Feature: One Hand Operation+
Ranking third among the most-used Good Lock features, One Hand Operation+ has proven its practicality with more than 16 million cumulative downloads.
This feature enables users to perform frequently used smartphone functions with a single thumb gesture, making it particularly helpful for multitasking throughout the day. Whether holding a drink in one hand or navigating through a crowded bus on the way to work, One Hand Operation+ guarantees users smooth, effortless control of their device.
The tool supports both left and right-handed users and allows specific functions to be assigned to horizontal, vertical or diagonal gestures. For instance, a left horizontal swipe could be set to “Back,” a right downward diagonal swipe to “Home” and an upward diagonal swipe to open “Recent Apps” or launch AI Select.
▲ One Hand Operation+
Users can further customize and refine gesture control settings to match their preferences and usage patterns. Options include adjusting the touch recognition range and gesture vibration intensity, excluding specific apps from gesture activation and even configuring gestures for the S Pen.
This feature is especially useful in busy daily routines — an underrated yet powerful capability that delivers exceptional convenience with a single, simple gesture.
This overview of the top three most popular Good Lock features highlights the customization functions Galaxy users rely on most in their daily lives. With many capabilities still left to explore, however, Good Lock has much more to offer.
In the third and final installment of this series, Samsung Newsroom will share expert tips and recommendations from the Good Lock development team.
1 Top three most downloaded Good Lock features since its launch, based on cumulative downloads as of early March 2025.
Source: Microsoft
Headline: Care within sight: How technology is making healthcare more accessible
(left) Illustration of an optics diagram published in 1894. (center) Dr. Sunil Gupta holds a mobile retinal scan device powered by IRIS software, standing next to a projection showing the results of a recent exam. (right) Ophthalmic vision test showing letters and numbers at varying sizes to determine a patient’s strength of vision.
In 2020, IRIS was selected as a recipient of the Microsoft AI for Health Initiative grant. This collaboration provides IRIS with access to advanced AI tools and Azure computing resources, further enhancing their diagnostic solutions. Deep learning has presented significant opportunities for the automated detection of retinal diseases, including DR. This approach allows for rapid and accurate detection of potential diseases, often within seconds, and facilitating immediate follow-up and treatment decisions. Research suggests that retinal screening using digital photography and telemedicine can lead to early detection, potentially preventing over 90% of DR cases.
The IRIS software allows healthcare providers at various levels of training to conduct retinal scans and return a diagnosis quickly. After capturing the images, they are securely uploaded to the IRIS platform, enhanced for clarity, and reviewed remotely by a licensed eyecare professional at the IRIS Reading Center. Diagnosis results, including images and reports, are then added to the patient’s health record, enabling referrals to specialists if needed.
Advancements in telemedicine now enable remote consultations, offering care without the need to visit an eye doctor in person. This is notable given that there are approximately 200,000 ophthalmologists worldwide, and roughly 20,000 currently practicing in the United States, with some states lacking any. IRIS software is part of that solution by creating a new model where skilled health workers can travel to a person’s home to capture the retinal scans and submit them for a timely diagnosis, reducing the strain on patients to make special trips to the closest doctor. Consequently, nearly 30 million individuals in the United States with diabetes may receive more timely diagnosis and treatment.
In West Virginia, a small community hospital achieved notable success by integrating IRIS technology. Within 13 months, they conducted over 1,500 exams, detecting diabetic retinopathy in 16.17% of patients and other eye conditions in 24.4%. This program improved patient outcomes and satisfaction by making screenings more accessible and convenient, significantly impacting patients.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: Open Calls for Conference Abstracts – April 2025
Collaboration and sharing knowledge are key components of advancing the drilling industry. The future of this industry can be shaped through discussing ideas, sharing knowledge, and exchanging best practices. IADC provides a platform for Members to share their experience and knowledge at our international conferences. There’s currently one IADC conference that currently have open calls for abstracts/papers. Please see details below.
Source: Verizon
Headline: Empowering small businesses with a new industry-first My Biz Plan and a 3-year price lock guarantee
NEW YORK — Starting today, Verizon Business offers a market-leading solution for small and midsized business (SMB) customers to create and customize their wireless business plans – paying for what they need, when they need it.
Carriers today offer small businesses a “good, better, best” choice. But why be forced to make a trade-off? Small businesses want control and flexibility in their mobile plans.
Enter My Biz Plan. It’s easy: one simple plan with unlimited calling, data and texting that each small business can customize with business add-ons. Ranging from international connectivity to business productivity and more, customers can easily add and remove their add-ons as needed. Plus, add-on spending can unlock discounts on their smartphone.
From April 10 until June 10, Verizon Business is offering customers value with 15% off the core monthly plan price for any new line added to the My Biz Plan, applied each month over 36 months.
That means small business owners can get 5 lines for $25/line per month with auto pay and paper-free billing, one of our best deals ever.
“We understand the unique challenges that small businesses face because we are with them every single day,” said Iris Meijer, Chief Product & Marketing Officer, Verizon Business. “We are so excited to launch My Biz Plan. It is the only plan in the industry that directly addresses their needs for control and flexibility, empowering them to stay a step ahead.”
My Biz Plan offers small business owners the certainty and control that they need: according to the 2024 State of Small Business Survey, many small businesses struggle to manage costs while investing in the tools and internet access required for growth. My Biz Plan aims to help small businesses thrive by putting the control in their hands.
Learn more about My Biz Plan and available offerings for SMBs at verizon.com/mybizplan.
Source: World Trade Organization
Guatemala expressed appreciation for the Dialogue’s progress on the workplan and signalled its readiness to contribute its domestic perspectives.
Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Omar Zniber, from Morocco. Stressing trade’s role as a force for good in combating pollution, he emphasized the significant progress made since last summer and reiterated the goal of achieving “concrete, pragmatic, and effective outcomes” as mandated by ministers at MC13. He said that the stocktaking meeting provided an opportunity to consolidate members’ views and chart the course ahead in the remaining time before MC14.
Morocco highlighted the success of the regional workshop for Africa held on 8 April, which brought together representatives from African member governments, businesses and international organizations. The workshop aimed to facilitate DPP discussions ahead of MC14 in Cameroon by addressing Africa-specific challenges and solutions.
The workshop revealed that, despite accounting for just 4 per cent of global plastics production, Africa suffers disproportionately from the environmental, social and economic impacts of plastic pollution. Key challenges identified included high costs for plastics alternatives, limited access to technologies, and competition from low-cost plastics. Opportunities included reducing tariffs on eco-friendly products, promoting local innovation, and improving technology transfer for waste management and alternatives.
Participants at the workshop also underscored the importance of regional and multilateral cooperation, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) highlighted as a platform for regulatory alignment. Calls were made for harmonized standards, capacity building and tailored technical assistance — especially for least developed countries (LDCs).
Morocco and Australia provided a recap of discussions on the eight focus areas, on behalf of the coordinators, which also include Barbados, China, Ecuador and Fiji. With regard to engagement in the UN-led negotiation process (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, or INC ) to develop a global plastics treaty, members acknowledged its expected impact on the DPP’s future work and highlighted the Dialogue’s potential role in supporting implementation.
On transparency of plastics trade flows, strong support was expressed for leveraging existing tools such as those provided by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In the area of technical assistance and capacity building, members welcomed continued experience-sharing, with some proposing a more structured matchmaking mechanism. On the transparency of trade-related plastics measures (TrPMs), delegates expressed support for enhancing existing data tools, such as the WTO’s Environmental Database (wto.org/EDB).
On best practices for TrPMs, members demonstrated some support for compiling guidance aligned with WTO rules and adaptable to local contexts. Regarding harmonization and interoperability, many backed regional cooperation on single-use plastics, while emphasizing the need to tailor approaches to domestic waste management capacities.
Discussions on access to technologies and services underscored the role of trade in enabling technology diffusion for sound waste management. On non-plastic substitutes, members suggested identifying gaps in international standards and conducting practical mapping exercises to facilitate sustainable alternatives.
Participants then engaged in an open discussion guided by questions related to the three overarching workstreams — cross-cutting issues, plastics reduction, and sustainable plastics trade — which encompass the eight focus areas. These discussions aimed to generate suggestions on the future direction of work and next steps.
Many co-sponsors emphasized the importance of aligning DPP activities with the anticipated outcomes of the ongoing INC negotiations. While data tools provided by the UNITAR and UNEP were appreciated, some participants proposed referencing additional data sources. Various proposals were made on the way forward, including continued thematic discussions and the organization of a dedicated matchmaking event to support enhanced technology transfer.
Delegates also explored work on standards at both regional and global levels. There was strong interest in addressing both upstream and downstream aspects of plastics production, as well as services within the environmental trade sector. The importance of technology transfer and capacity building — particularly for developing members — was widely reaffirmed.
Co-sponsors welcomed the Africa-themed workshop as a valuable platform for focused dialogue on regional perspectives. They expressed support for organizing more regional workshops to further deepen cooperation and shared understanding. Participants also highlighted the need to maintain balance across the three DPP workstreams. Some called for sufficient time to assess progress before determining possible outcomes for MC14. Stakeholders from other organizations also contributed suggestions during the session.
In conclusion, Australia and Ecuador noted that they would reflect on members’ input when developing the agenda for the next three meetings, scheduled for 19 May, 22 July and 30 September. These meetings will be critical to laying the groundwork for the November meeting, where members could shape a clearer vision for outcomes at MC14. Additional regional workshops will also be organized alongside these upcoming meetings.
Launched in November 2020 by a group of WTO members, the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution currently consists of 83 co-sponsors, representing almost 90 per cent of global trade in plastics.
Source: World Trade Organization
The Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization was signed by 123 countries on 15 April 1994, leading to the birth of the WTO on 1 January 1995. Over the past 30 years, the WTO has helped to bring about a major expansion in global trade, with the objective of raising living standards, increasing employment and promoting sustainable development.
General Council Chair, Ambassador Saqer Al Moqbel of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, opened the event highlighting the WTO’s role over the last three decades in raising living standards through trade, fostering cooperation, and maintaining a rules-based trading system. He underlined the importance of the multilateral trading system as a platform for co-operation and the place where members can build a better world through trade. “Let us not lose sight of that, particularly in the light of recent developments in global trade and the overall economic situation,” he said.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala stressed the importance of marking this anniversary, particularly in the light of recent tariff-related developments and the speed at which events are unfolding, adding uncertainty and instability to world trade and the world economy.
“The uncertainty around global trade has reminded many members why they value the WTO as a bedrock of predictability in the global economy — and as a platform for dialogue and cooperation on trade,” DG Okonjo-Iweala said. She also noted that the understandable and legitimate concerns about the WTO and the multilateral trading system expressed by several members in recent times should be seen as an opportunity to “change the system for the better.”
She noted that “a far-reaching reform agenda” for the organization should be seen as an important opportunity to improve what does not work and position the WTO for the future. She also pointed out the suggestions brought forward by many members for forward-looking corrective action and reforms to monitoring and transparency, negotiations, and dispute settlement.
“We need to formulate the right questions to be answered to reform us, and put in place a member-owned process to drive it.” That work should start in Geneva and culminate with a ministerial debate and endorsement of a way forward at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) to be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on 26-29 March 2026.
Highlighting the “incalculable value for money” of an organization with an annual budget of CHF 205 million that ensures that trillions of dollars’ worth of global trade are based on rules and trust, DG Okonjo-Iweala recalled that the WTO is much more than tariffs and emphasized that the organization is functioning and providing many of the benefits it was set up to provide.
“I remain convinced — I am the ever optimistic — that a bright future awaits global trade and the WTO if we do the right thing. Let us do the right thing and bring this organization to where it should be,” she added. Her full statement is here.
The keynote address of the event was delivered by the former Prime Minister of Portugal and President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso, who highlighted the WTO’s role in lifting 1.5 billion people out of extreme poverty since 1995. Mr Barroso emphasized the need for the WTO in a complex global economy, noting its historic successes like lowering tariffs and increasing global trade to over U$ 30 trillion in 2023.
Advocating for cooperation, dialogue and pragmatism, Mr Barroso stressed the importance of open trade for global prosperity and peace, as exemplified by multilateral organizations and regional integration processes like the European Union in the post-World War II era.
The former EC President noted that the WTO “is going through what my kids would call a quarter life crisis — it has had big successes, but faces big existential challenges, and also needs to change to meet the demands of a changing world.” At the same time, he stressed the WTO is probably even more necessary today than it was when it was established in 1995.
He recalled that 30 years ago, the United States, Europe and Japan dominated the global economy and that today global economic power is much more widely distributed. “The world is much more complex today than it was at that time. Sidelining the WTO or allowing it to slide into irrelevance through inaction or deadlock would be a costly error, one that history will not look upon kindly,” he added.
The keynote address was followed by a plenary session on “Looking back” that brought together former Directors-General and former General Council Chairs to reflect on the work of the last 30 years and how the WTO has contributed to lifting over a billion people out of extreme poverty. The panel featured former Directors-General Supachai Panitchpakdi (2002-2005) and Roberto Azevêdo (2103-2020) as well as former General Council Chairs Ambassador Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme of Botswana and Ambassador David Walker of New Zealand.
A second session on “Looking forward” provided the opportunity for trade ministers, business and civil society leaders from around the world to reflect on the key emerging areas that will shape the WTO’s work over the next 30 years. Speakers included the Minister of Trade of Cameroon Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, the former Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development of Canada Mary Ng, the former Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider, the Secretary-General of the International Organization for Standardization Mario Mujica, and the Executive Director of the South Centre Carlos Correa.
To close the event, the group of “Friends of the System” issued a statement in support of the rules-based multilateral trading system on the occasion of the 30th anniversary. The communication, supported by 39 members, recognizes the value and achievements of the WTO since 1995. It also reaffirms the central and indispensable role of the organization at the core of the rules-based multilateral trading system, which provides a predictable, transparent, non-discriminatory and open global trading system.
As the WTO charts a path forward, the group called for a recommitment to pursuing reforms so that the organization will continue to respond to the needs of its diverse membership, reinforce its relevance by responding to the challenges it faces and facilitate free and fair trade. It also emphasized the need to uphold the principles of inclusivity and cooperation, including by enhancing trade capacities.
The event was closed with a statement from State Councillor Anne Hiltpold on behalf of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.
This portal highlights some of the WTO’s achievements over the last three decades and the events planned to mark its 30th anniversary.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: University of Boumerdes Student Chapter Organizes a Successful “IADC Energy Forum”
From 19-24 March, the IADC University of Boumerdes Student Chapter and IADC co-hosted the first “IADC Energy Forum.” This virtual event brought together industry experts, professionals, and students to discuss the latest trends in the oil and gas sector.
Through interactive discussions and expert sessions, attendees explored:
Thank you to everyone who attended this event and to the presenters who shared their insights with us! Well done to the IADC University of Boumerdes Student Chapter for organizing this impactful event.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: Registration Open for IADC Houston Chapter April Luncheon
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: DrillersPAC 2-Gun Match Open for Registration
IADC is hosting the inaugural DrillersPAC 2-Gun Match to generate awareness and raise funds for DrillersPAC, IADC’s political action committee. DrillersPAC helps maximize the impact of IADC’s advocacy efforts by raising money to support political candidates aligned with IADC and its Members’ policy goals.
This event will take place on Friday 2 May 2025 at Renaissance Shooting Club in Todd Mission, Texas.
This will be an individual based shooting competition requiring advanced physical capabilities and firearm management. Participants should be comfortable with pistols and rifles, shooting from various physical positions, drawing and holstering a loaded pistol, and carrying a rifle with a sling.
In addition to supporting DrillersPAC, a portion of funds raised will be donated to the Magnolia I.S.D. Navy JROTC program. The Navy JROTC program is dedicated to developing student character and helping mature them into responsible citizens committed to achievement. Donations will assist in funding their annual events and competitions including drill team, marksmanship, and orienteering.
Thank you to the event sponsors:
Please contact Thad Dunham at thad.dunham@iadc.org if you have any questions.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: IADC Lexicon Featured Term for April 2025
The IADC Lexicon is an oil and gas dictionary of upstream-related terms, which, unlike conventional glossaries, are official definitions drawn from legislation, regulation and regulatory guidance, standards (global, national and regional), IADC guidelines, and Well Control Institute. Terms often have multiple definitions from different sources.
This month’s featured term is:
A conductive cable that provides a direct electrical connection between the tank shell and the tank floating roof.
Source: API RP 545 Recommended Practice for Lightning Protection of Aboveground Storage Tanks for Flammable or Combustible Liquids, First Edition, October 2009. Global Standards
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: UT Permian Basin Student Chapter Organizes Lunch & Learn Sessions and Facility Tours
The IADC University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) Student Chapter has recently organized a series of Lunch & Learn sessions and attended various facility tours.
Over the last month or so, the students have participated in the following Lunch & Learn sessions:
In addition to the Lunch & Learn sessions, students also visited facilities. They took a shop tour at Stage 3 Separation, providing them with a firsthand look into technology for solid control equipment. They also visited Jacam Catalyst and received an insightful lab tour, where they got an inside look at the equipment and testing processes used for different types of lab testing.
Excellent work to the IADC UTPB Student Chapter for arranging these events, and many thanks to the companies and individuals providing these invaluable opportunities!
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: IADC MIT Student Chapter Wins “Inter Student Chapter Sports Championship”
The IADC MIT Student Chapter recently formed a team to compete in the first ever “Inter Student Chapter Sports Championship” organized by the MIT Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry Student Chapter. Team IADC lost the first match, then made a comeback to win the tournament.
On LinkedIn, the Chapter stated: “It’s events and moments like these that create a sense of brotherhood and companionship among the members that help them strive for more victories.”
Source: Microsoft
Headline: Unlocking AI’s global potential: New report shows progress and challenges
Stanford HAI Index highlights transformative developments in artificial intelligence that carry profound implications for societies worldwide—especially in regions across the Global South [1]. As we explore these insights, we recognize that AI is transforming industries, creating new opportunities, and driving economic growth. There are extraordinary opportunities that AI presents and a shared responsibility to ensure its benefits are accessible.
One of the most remarkable shifts has been the dramatic reduction in the cost of AI model usage. The cost of querying an AI model that scores the equivalent of GPT-3.5 fell from $20 per million tokens in late 2022 to just $0.07 by late 2024. This more than 99% decrease is not merely a technical milestone—it’s a gateway to access. Innovators and entrepreneurs in low-resource regions can now harness powerful tools once restricted to the world’s largest companies, applying them to local challenges in healthcare, agriculture, education, and public service.
The gap between open-weight and proprietary closed-weight models has also narrowed significantly. By 2024, open-weight models rival their commercial counterparts, fueling competition and innovation across the ecosystem. In parallel, the performance gap between the top frontier models has also compressed. Smaller models are achieving results once thought exclusive to massive-scale systems—Microsoft’s Phi-3-mini, for instance, delivers performance comparable to models 142 times larger, bringing powerful AI within reach of environments with constrained resources.
Yet challenges remain. Despite advances, AI systems still struggle with higher-order reasoning, such as arithmetic and strategic planning—capabilities that are essential in domains where reliability is critical. Continued research and responsible application are essential to overcome these limitations.
Another emerging concern is the rapid reduction of publicly available data used to train AI models. As websites increasingly restrict data scraping, model performance and generalizability may suffer—especially in contexts where labeled datasets are already limited. This trend may necessitate new learning approaches tailored to data-constrained environments.
Perhaps the most exciting development is AI’s tangible impact on human productivity. Last year’s AI Index was among the first to highlight research showing that AI meaningfully improves productivity. This year, follow-up studies confirmed and expanded those findings—especially in real-world workplace environments.
One such study tracked over 5,000 customer support agents using a generative AI assistant [2]. The tool increased productivity by 15%, with the most significant improvements seen among less experienced workers and skilled trade workers, who also boosted the quality of their work. Additionally, AI assistance helped employees learn on the job, improving English fluency among international agents, and even enhanced the work environment—customers were more polite and less likely to escalate issues when AI was involved.
Complementing these findings, Microsoft’s internal research initiative on AI and productivity compiled results from over a dozen workplace studies, including the largest known randomized controlled trial of generative AI integration[3]. Tools like Microsoft Copilot are already enabling workers to complete tasks more efficiently across roles and industries. The research underscores that the impact of AI is greatest when tools are adopted and integrated strategically—and that the potential will only grow as organizations recalibrate workflows to take full advantage of these new capabilities.
As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, computer science education is more essential than ever. Encouragingly, two-thirds of countries now offer or plan to offer K–12 CS education, a figure that has doubled since 2019. African and Latin American countries have made some of the most significant strides in expanding access. However, the benefits of this progress are not yet universal—many students across Africa still lack access to computer science education due to basic infrastructure gaps, including lack of electricity in schools. Closing this digital divide is essential to preparing the next generation to not only use AI, but to shape it.
At Microsoft, we view this moment as a significant inflection point—one that calls for thoughtful action as much as innovation. The rapid progress in AI brings enormous potential to improve productivity, solve real-world challenges, and drive economic growth. But realizing that potential requires continued investment in robust infrastructure, high-quality education, and responsible deployment of AI technologies.
To make the most of this moment, we need to support workers with learning new skills and tools to apply AI effectively in their jobs. Nations and businesses that invest in AI skilling will foster innovation and open doors to more people to build meaningful careers that contribute to a stronger economy. The goal is clear: to turn technical breakthroughs into practical impact at scale.
[1] “AI Index | Stanford HAI.” Accessed: Apr. 05, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index
[2] E. Brynjolfsson, D. Li, and L. Raymond, “Generative AI at Work*,” The Quarterly Journal of Economics, p. qjae044, Feb. 2025, doi: 10.1093/qje/qjae044.
[3] S. Jaffe et al, “Generative AI in Real-World Workplaces,” Jul. 2024, Accessed: Apr. 05, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/generative-ai-in-real-world-workplaces/
Source: Microsoft
Headline: Creating better healthcare outcomes with Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Foundry
Read how healthcare providers are streamlining tasks, accelerating research, and improving patient care with Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Foundry.
The healthcare industry has consistently been at the forefront of technological advancements, continuously seeking ways to improve patient care and outcomes. In recent years, the integration of AI into healthcare has opened new avenues for innovation and efficiency. Azure OpenAI Service is a leading contributor to this transformation, empowering healthcare providers to create better outcomes through advanced AI capabilities, such as Azure AI Content Safety, which helps to keep content safe by monitoring content with advanced language and vision models.
Here, we look at a few healthcare providers who have successfully adopted Azure OpenAI Service to save time, streamline workflows, and increase focus on patients.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital transformation, healthcare companies like Kry are at the forefront of adopting advanced technologies to streamline administrative tasks and enable medical professionals to focus more on patient care. With more than 200 million patient interactions to date, Kry has become Europe’s largest digital-first healthcare provider, boasting a high patient satisfaction rating of 4.8 out of 5.0.
Partnering with Azure OpenAI Service, Kry is leveraging generative AI to revolutionize patient access to healthcare. The result has reduced administrative burdens on clinicians, optimized healthcare resources, and enhanced the overall quality of patient care. By analyzing patient data and enabling patients to choose the type of healthcare they need (such as a video consultation, self-care advice, physiotherapy, and other services), Kry efficiently navigates patients among primary, urgent, and secondary care to match them with the most appropriate medical providers. Notably, 60% of Kry’s patients are female. Using Kry, they are benefiting from improved female health services and quality medical content.
The partnership between Kry and Azure OpenAI Service is solving inefficiencies in healthcare delivery and changing the future of healthcare for the better. As technology advances and AI continues to evolve, Kry’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge solutions will help ensure a more accessible, sustainable, and efficient healthcare experience for patients and healthcare professionals alike.
Healthcare systems globally face a pressing data-related challenge—how to unlock the contents of volumes of unstructured, inaccessible healthcare data including clinical notes, lab reports, medical images, and operational data. Knowing that each data point can make a life-changing difference for cancer patients, Ontada, a McKesson business dedicated to oncology data and evidence, needed to analyze 150 million unstructured oncology documents to generate key insights for cancer patients. When done manually, this process is time-consuming, cost-prohibitive, and error-prone.
Ontada chose Azure AI Document Intelligence and Azure OpenAI Service to implement language models that target nearly 100 critical oncology data elements across 39 cancer types. The result significantly increased its ability to rapidly extract important data and clinical details. They also developed a novel data platform solution called ON.Genuity that combines structured and unstructured data to provide a comprehensive view of patient information, enhancing drug development and treatment adoption. They use Azure Databricks for their data pipeline to process both types of data, as well as Azure AI Document Intelligence to extract text from PDFs and other documents. The platform can provision and analyze data in less than 45 minutes. As a result, they were able to process 150 million documents in three weeks and reduced processing time by 75%. Using Microsoft Azure AI, Ontada has already accelerated its life science product development, speeding up time to market from months to just one week.
Information used by healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat patients is often stored on outdated systems that may not be very secure or easy to operate. But for clinicians to treat patients promptly, they need efficient solutions that minimize errors. Previously, Shriners Children’s had to rely on their analytics team to provide insights from patient clinical notes and history, which were often outdated or even handwritten, making them difficult to use. This process was time-consuming, inefficient, and error-prone.
To fix this process, Shriners Children’s implemented an AI platform using Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Search to securely house and organize patient data. Now, clinicians can easily and securely navigate patient data in a singular location. The solution, called ShrinersGPT, leverages Azure OpenAI Service in addition to Azure Blob Storage, Azure AI Search, and Azure Monitor Log Analytics, to create a seamless, easy-to-use experience for clinicians to access patient information.
This solution is more efficient and secure; clinicians can now quickly find patient symptoms and conditions without relying on the analytics team, and data is more securely stored and accessible only by authorized personnel. Perhaps most importantly, patient care is enhanced through improved access to data, which helps create well-informed treatment plans.
In addition, Shriners Children’s is now set up to scale with ease as they look to incorporate Microsoft Fabric data analytics platform within their ShrinersGPT solution. Microsoft Fabric features a comprehensive set of analytics experiences designed to work together seamlessly for better data insights, so Shriners doctors and researchers can tailor insights as needed. They also look to expand to other healthcare clinics in their ecosystem and plan to enhance the chatbot to answer a wider variety of health questions.
From enhancing patient care and streamlining administrative tasks to accelerating medical research and improving diagnostic accuracy, Azure AI is helping to drive innovation and efficiency in healthcare, creating better outcomes for both patients and caregivers.
Organizations across industries are leveraging Azure AI and Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities to drive growth, increase productivity, and create value-added experiences.
We’re committed to helping organizations use and build AI that is trustworthy, meaning it is secure, private, and safe. We bring best practices and learnings from decades of researching and building AI products at scale to provide industry-leading commitments and capabilities that span our three pillars of security, privacy, and safety. Trustworthy AI is only possible when you combine our commitments, such as our Secure Future Initiative and our Responsible AI principles, with our product capabilities to unlock AI transformation with confidence.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Electronics America, the global leader in TV innovation for 19 consecutive years, today announced that it has maintained its position as the world’s top soundbar brand for the 11th year in a row.1
According to market research firm FutureSource Consulting, Samsung captured a global market share of 20.1% in revenue and 18.4% in sales volume in 2024, further strengthening its leadership in the premium audio industry, having held the #1 position since 2014.
This continued success is driven by the immersive sound experiences buyers have come to expect from Samsung soundbars, as well as their seamless integration with Samsung TVs.
The flagship HW-Q990D, launched in 2024, has been particularly well received, offering Q-Symphony technology that synchronizes the audio experience between Samsung soundbars and Samsung TVs, along with AI-powered audio optimization features that deliver a one-of-a-kind home entertainment experience.
This commitment to innovation has earned Samsung widespread recognition from industry experts and global tech media. Newsweek recognized the HW-Q990D with its prestigious Editors Choice award, praising it as “the best Dolby Atmos soundbar you can buy in 2024.” Additionally, the HW-S800D, our sleek lifestyle soundbar, was named Editor’s Choice by Techlicious, which described it as “the perfect choice for anyone looking to upgrade their TV’s sound without sacrificing style or space.”
Building on this momentum, Samsung will continue to push the boundaries of audio innovation in 2025. This year’s lineup introduces several new and enhanced AI features, improved connectivity and refined audio processing to take home theater audio to new heights.
“We’re proud to be recognized as the global leader in soundbars for 11 consecutive years and believe this honor is a testament to our commitment to delivering premium audio experiences,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to push innovation forward, enhancing both sound quality and usability to create an even more seamless and immersive home entertainment experience.”
For more information on Samsung soundbars, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/home-theater/sound-bars/.
1Source: © 2025 Futuresource Consulting, Worldwide Soundbar Market Share by manufacturer. Annual units and value basis.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: Luncheon Featuring Representative Zinke Held at IADC Office
On 28 March, a roundtable discussion and luncheon featuring Representative Ryan Zinke took place at the IADC office in Houston. Rep. Zinke is a former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and is also a Republican Congressman from Montana’s 1st District. He is a friend of the industry, and Members enjoyed the opportunity to hear from him in a small group setting.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: DEC Q1 Tech Forum Explores “Advancing Drilling Technology”
On 18 March, the IADC Drilling Engineers Committee (DEC) Q1 Tech Forum brought drilling professionals together to discuss “Advancing Drilling Technology: The Role of Collaborative Industry Projects in Innovation and Development.” This hybrid event featured the following presentations and discussions :
Collaboration, open-mindedness needed for industry to maximize potential for innovation
The energy industry is evolving rapidly, and this evolution is only set to accelerate in the coming decade, said Allen Sinor, Geothermal Sector Council Manager at The Competency Alliance. Speaking at the IADC Drilling Engineers Committee’s (DEC) Q1 2025 Tech Forum in Houston on 18 March, Mr Sinor discussed how innovations like AI are revolutionizing the industry’s ability to access and interpret data, while also enhancing both performance and safety. In this interview with DC taken from the forum, Mr Sinor spoke further about the nature of innovation within the industry, as well as the barriers that often prevent companies from fully exploiting the potential for innovation.
Thank you to everyone who participated, and special thanks to Premium Oilfield Technologies for hosting!
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: Upcoming IADC Conferences in May 2025
The Asia Pacific region continues to position itself as a dynamic and vibrant market where rapid economic and demographic growth will sustain demand for oil, and gas drilling and exploration in Asia in the foreseeable future.
However, the industry needs future-ready leaders to drive the transformation to ensure the industry is equipped with relevant competencies and capabilities in order to overcome current and future industry challenges.
Collaborative efforts and partnerships; continuous innovation and investment with regard to attracting and retaining a competent and skilled workforce; and also the implementation of new technologies and practices that work will all be crucial in addressing those evolving challenges with achieving cost and operational efficiencies, sustainability and meeting stakeholder expectations.
The IADC HSE & Sustainability Asia Pacific 2025 Conference & Exhibition, which will be held on 14-15 May 2025, will explore the critical challenges that drilling professionals face in this environment. In the face of prolonged low oil prices, how can companies high-grade their assets, right-size their organizations and equip their employees with the right competencies, all while staying on the cutting edge of the digital oilfield evolution?
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: 85 years strong: IADC’s legacy of leadership and innovation
In a new editorial from the March/April issue of Drilling Contractor, IADC President Jason McFarland reflects on the Association’s 85th anniversary, with special focus on the dedicated Members who make up our Association and our industry.
McFarland provides some of IADC’s history, including its establishment in 1940 as the American Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors. In the 1970s, the name changed to the International Association of Drilling Contractors, reflecting our expanding global presence and international scope.
At the heart of all of IADC’s accomplishments lies our Members. McFarland explains, “Their innovative ideas, coupled with their dedication to implementation, fuel industry progress; it’s their energy, time and commitment that propel this association. IADC has stood as both witness and catalyst to some of the most transformative changes in our industry’s history, powered by our membership.”
He then discusses current initiatives happening within the Association, including:
In closing, McFarland states, “Together, we’ll ensure that the next chapter of our association’s history is as remarkable as the first 85 years.”
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: IADC’s First Geothermal Drilling Conference Draws a Crowd
The inaugural IADC Geothermal Drilling Conference & Exhibition took place 25-26 March in Vienna, Austria. Over 250 attendees showed up to take part in conversations about the future of geothermal drilling.
Opening and keynote presentations were given by:
During the event, IADC and the International Geothermal Association signed a new MOU, ensuring future collaboration and further partnership in the advancement of geothermal.
According to IGA CEO Marit Brommer:
“To fully unlock geothermal’s potential, we must remove the bottlenecks—and permitting is at the top of the list. With IGA and IADC working side by side, we’re building the trust, alignment, and momentum needed to turn endorsement into action.”
IADC completes inaugural Geothermal Conference in Vienna
As an emerging source of renewable energy for the world, geothermal holds vast potential for drilling contractors not only in terms of new applications for existing drilling rigs but also in terms of potential contributions to the world’s carbon emissions reduction efforts.
At IADC’s first-ever Geothermal Conference, held 25-26 March in Vienna, Austria, DC spoke with Lars Nydahl Jorgensen, IADC Regional Director for Europe and staff liaison for the IADC Geothermal Committee, about geothermal’s value proposition for the global drilling industry, as well as key takeaways from the conference.
European Geothermal Energy Council: Few “tweaks” needed for geothermal to go mainstream
While geothermal energy makes up a miniscule slice of the global energy mix today, it holds great potential that’s waiting to be tapped, and Sanjeev Kumar, Head of Policy at the European Geothermal Energy Council, said he believes only a few tweaks are needed to make geothermal go mainstream.
Speaking with DC, Mr Kumar discussed the regulatory framework that currently exists for geothermal energy, as well as how European policymakers view geothermal versus other renewable energy sources. He also speaks to why “levelized cost of energy” may not be the best metric with which to analyze the potential for geothermal.
OMV hosts IADC Geothermal Conference attendees at Hydros drilling site in Vienna
On 27 March, OMV hosted nearly 100 attendees of the IADC Geothermal Conference on a tour of the Hydros geothermal project as it was drilling ahead within the city limits of Vienna, Austria.
During the tour, DC spoke with Alexander Heger, Head of Well Delivery for OMV, about the status and goals of the pioneering project, as well as OMV’s views on the future of geothermal.
IADC Geothermal Committee presents Well Classification system, previews Risk Index
The IADC Geothermal Committee presented its recently launched Geothermal Well Classification at the inaugural Geothermal Conference. Scott Farmer, Committee Chairman and Well Engineering Manager for H&P, spoke with DC during the conference about the three levels of the classification system – project, site and well levels – as well as key feedback that has been received from the industry so far. He also provides a preview of the IADC Geothermal Well Risk Index, a beta version of which is expected to be launched later this year.
Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, exhibited, sponsored, and organized this conference!
Source: US Energy Information Administration – EIA
Headline: EIA expects less oil demand and lower oil and gasoline prices in an uncertain market
U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON DC 20585
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2025
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects recent developments in global trade policy and oil production to contribute to lower global demand growth for petroleum products through 2026, which contributes to significantly lower oil prices than previously forecast.
In its April Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), EIA points out significant uncertainties in energy supply, demand, and prices.
The STEO is based on current market conditions, and in the first week of April, numerous developments affected the global market—especially oil markets. On April 2, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order announcing a minimum 10% tariff on imports from all countries, which also included higher tariffs on some countries. On April 4, China responded by imposing 34% tariffs on imports from the United States. Amid the tariff announcements, OPEC+ members announced on April 3 that some countries will start oil production increases in May that were originally set for July.
These announcements caused the Brent crude oil spot price to fall by 12% on April 2 to $68 per barrel on April 4. EIA completed its forecasts on April 7, so the April STEO includes some of the recent changes in the energy market, but the agency expects continued volatility as market participants respond to further developments.
| U.S. energy market indicators | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent crude oil spot price (dollars per barrel) | $81 | $68 | $61 |
| Retail gasoline price (dollars per gallon) | $3.30 | $3.10 | $3.10 |
| U.S. crude oil production (million barrels per day) | 13.2 | 13.5 | 13.6 |
| Natural gas price at Henry Hub (dollars per million British thermal units) | $2.20 | $4.30 | $4.60 |
| U.S. liquefied natural gas gross exports (billion cubic feet per day) | 12 | 15 | 16 |
| Shares of U.S. electricity generation | |||
| Natural gas | 42% | 40% | 40% |
| Coal | 16% | 16% | 15% |
| Renewables | 23% | 25% | 27% |
| Nuclear | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| U.S. GDP (percentage change) | 2.8% | 2.0% | 2.0% |
| U.S. CO2 emissions (billion metric tons) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, April 2025 Note: Values in this table are rounded and may not match values in other tables in the STEO. |
|||
Some key highlights from the April STEO include:
The full April 2025 Short-Term Energy Outlook is available on the EIA website.
The product described in this press release was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analysis, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the U.S. government. The views in the product and this press release therefore should not be construed as representing those of the U.S. Department of Energy or other federal agencies.
EIA Program Contact: Tim Hess, STEO@eia.gov
EIA Press Contact: Chris Higginbotham, EIAMedia@eia.gov
Source: Samsung
Samsung Electronics America is enhancing the fan experience at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion (AMP) with an ecosystem of Outdoor LED video walls, TVs and Galaxy tablets. From the front row to the farthest corners of the outdoor venue, Samsung Displays help ensure fans enjoy every moment of their favorite artists.
The collaboration’s centerpiece is an upgraded installation of two custom Samsung XRB Series Outdoor LED displays located on both sides of the stage. Since Walmart AMP’s opening in 2014, these video walls have been a signature feature of the venue. The upgraded displays deliver stunning picture quality, giving every fan — whether in the pit or on Choctaw Plaza — a clear view of each show. Engineered specifically for outdoor environments, these high-resolution screens ensure crisp, clear images even in direct sunlight.
“Walmart AMP is Northwest Arkansas’ premier outdoor concert venue, combining cutting-edge technology with top-tier performances in a uniquely intimate setting,” said Nick Zazal, General Manager, Walmart AMP. “Even with a capacity of 11,000, the video walls bring fans up close and personal with their favorite artists. They help you see the artists more clearly and feel the energy, emotion and magic of every performance.”
Additionally, 75 models of the Samsung Pro TV Terrace Edition placed throughout the venue serve as digital touchpoints that connect fans to the venue’s broader cultural mission to foster access to the arts and build community through live music. These displays promote upcoming concerts, highlight sponsors, showcase live concert feeds and provide information about concessions and amenities.
Walmart AMP also leverages 22 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ tablets to streamline inventory management in its food & beverage operations. The tablets improve operational efficiency, allowing the venue staff to work in perfect harmony, contributing to a smoother, more enjoyable experience for fans.
“Every seat at Walmart AMP feels like the best seat in the house thanks to the Outdoor LED’s spectacular viewing angles,” said Sara Grofcsik, Head of Sales, Display Division, Samsung Electronics America. “By outfitting the venue with Samsung’s live event displays, Walmart AMP can deliver a visually stunning, immersive concert experience from lights up to the final applause.”
The first performance of Walmart AMP’s 2025 season is Friday, April 11, 2025, when Treaty Oak Revival takes the stage. For the full schedule of performances, please visit https://amptickets.com/calendar.
For more information on how Samsung Displays elevate the fan experience, visit https://www.samsung.com/us/business/solutions/industries/live-events-sports/displays/.
Source: International Chamber of Commerce
Headline: World Expo: Getting ready as an exhibitor
In recent years, World Expo organisers and pavilion hosts have designed immersive exhibition experiences and transported pioneering technology, like flying cars, across borders.
As the opening in Osaka approaches, preparations for a range of events, trade shows or global fairs in other corners of the world are underway.
If you are planning to temporarily import professional equipment, samples or exhibition materials for similar happenings, here’s everything you need to know to secure your ATA Carnet, your international customs documents for duty- and tax-free temporary import of goods.
Start by making a detailed list of all the items needed for your presence at the World Expo or another global event—display stands, promotional materials, demo equipment and branded merchandise.
Check these guidelines to know whether your items are eligible for an ATA Carnet. ATA Carnets cover almost everything (except consumables and giveaways) including:
Tip: If you plan to attend multiple trade fairs before and after the World Expo, confirm if the same Carnet could be used for multiple destinations.
In 2024, 204 224 ATA Carnets were issued worldwide, allowing goods worth $32 billion to pass through customs checkpoints – duty free and tax free for up to one year. Its efficiency was highlighted during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, when hundreds of thousands of pieces of equipment were imported for the Games using ATA Carnets.
As the one and only globally unified customs document, the ATA Carnet is the backbone of global events, trade shows, sports competitions and more, allowing smooth customs clearance of professional equipment without the need for a guarantee, bond, or cash deposit at borders.
Learn more about the ATA Carnet and find your local contact point in +80 countries and territories
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Students Visit Moncla Well Service
Members of the IADC University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) Student Chapter recently had the opportunity to take a facility tour at Moncla Well Service. Students toured an offshore platform workover rig and a well servicing training rig on a 4000’ test well. During the tour, students saw cementing pressure pump equipment, a tubing testing pressure unit, slickline unit operations, and much more.
Many thanks to Andrew Moncla and his team for this outstanding opportunity for UL Lafayette Petroleum Engineering students!
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: University of Wyoming Organizes Petroleum Simulator Day
The IADC University of Wyoming Student Chapter and AADE Chapter recently organized a Petroleum Simulator Day. Students had the opportunity to network, collaborate, and get hands-on with cutting-edge simulators including an offshore drillship, two onshore rigs, a wireline unit, and a coiled tubing unit. It was an exciting day of learning, connection, and exploration for everyone involved.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS Hosts Adjunct Lecture on “Wellbore Instability”
The IADC Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) Student Chapter recently hosted an exclusive adjunct lecture on “Wellbore Instability” by Avinash Kishore Kumar, Senior Manager of Well Fluids & Cementing at PETRONAS.
Held on 12th March 2025, this insightful session provided valuable perspectives on the challenges of wellbore instability, effective mitigation strategies, and best practices in the field. The Chapter expressed gratitude for Mr. Avinash’s expert knowledge and for all the participants who made this event a success.
Great job to the UTP Student Chapter for organizing this fantastic learning opportunity!
Source: Isle of Man
Dozens of local children are set to enjoy an Easter treat thanks to the latest fundraising efforts by members of staff from the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority.
A total of 79 chocolate Easter eggs are being donated to the children and families cared for by Island charity Wish Upon A Dream, which is the Authority’s Charity of the Year for 2025.
As so many eggs were collected, there will be enough to bring some Easter cheer to any youngsters who are on the Children’s Ward at Noble’s Hospital over the holiday period.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC
Headline: Permian Basin Chapter Hosts Happy Hour
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