8 Lakh Devotees Benefit with Ayush at the Maha Kumbh Wellness on the Go: Ayush Mobile Units, OPDs, and Yoga Sessions Keep Maha Kumbh Pilgrims Healthy
Posted On: 27 FEB 2025 5:53PM by PIB Delhi
Ensuring the health and safety of millions of devotees, the Ministry of Ayush has extended comprehensive healthcare services to over eight lakh pilgrims, making their sacred journey safer and healthier during the Maha Kumbh Mela.
From setting up 20 Ayush OPDs to deploying mobile health units, over 90 doctors and 150 healthcare workers have been working tirelessly to provide continuous medical care throughout the grand spiritual event. These dedicated efforts ensured that devotees, kalpvasis, and saints could participate in the holy festivities without health concerns, particularly during the sacred Mahashivratri bath.
Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Nodal Officer for Ayush at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, informed that the Ministry has successfully catered to the healthcare needs of over eight lakh devotees, reflecting the growing trust in traditional Indian medicine. Devotees also benefited from therapeutic yoga sessions conducted by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), promoting physical and mental well-being.
To ensure seamless healthcare access, three Ayush Convention Halls were setup in Sector-2, Sector-21, and Sector 24, where daily yoga and wellness sessions educated pilgrims on preventive healthcare, disease management, and holistic living. Special attention was also given to the revered sadhus and saints, with dedicated health screenings in prominent Akharas such as Juna, Anand, Niranjani, and Vaishnav Akharas.
In addition, mobile Ayush health units distributed medicines throughout the Mela area, while various teams operated from canopies at various Ayush facilities, providing essential health check-ups to kalpvasis.
To further safeguard devotees from common ailments, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) launched a special initiative, distributing 10,000 Ayush Raksha kits packed with essential Ayurvedic medicines and wellness products. This initiative was complemented by a week-long health camp, benefiting 15,000 pilgrims, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to preventive and holistic healthcare.
Adding a green touch to the event, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) distributed over 25,000 medicinal plants—including Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Neem, Amla, and Curry Leaf—to devotees, promoting natural healing and reinforcing the importance of medicinal plants in daily life.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is not just about spiritual awakening; it’s also about ensuring the well-being of millions who undertake this sacred journey. The Ministry of Ayush remained committed to its efforts in integrating traditional healthcare into this grand event, making holistic wellness an integral part of the spiritual experience.
Headline: Thales partners with Cubic to launch next-generation eSIM solutions for connected vehicles
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Cubic, a leading global provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions integrates Thales’s eSIM technology to address the rising need for smart and efficient connectivity that matches the latest GSMA standards.
Thales, a worldwide eSIM management platform leader, has driven reliable successful deployments in high-volume device markets, making it ideally suited to support Cubic.
MEUDON, France, Feb 27th, 2025 –Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies, andCubic, a leading global provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions, have announced a collaboration to drive innovation and simplify connectivity management. LeveragingThales’s eSIM management platform, Cubic will enhance its eSIM solution capabilities to align with the latest GSMA standards, ensuring seamless global connectivity across industries such as automotive, transportation, and agriculture.
With the adoption of the GSMA SGP.32* standard for IoT, the stakes for the sector are significant. This standard outlines several important technical and business requirements for eSIM management in the IoT, including enhanced security, interoperability across devices and network operators, and scalability for high-volume deployments. This new framework is critical for enabling the large-scale deployment of eSIM technology across a variety of devices, addressing the need for smart and seamless connectivity management.
This partnership introduces Thales’s eSIM management platform – compliant with the GSMA SGP.32 standard – to Cubic’s existing multi-network and global connectivity management ecosystem. This innovation enables the continued mass deployment of eSIMs across Cubic’s vast footprint of over 200 countries, while simplifying connectivity management across multiple devices by automating subscription activation and updates remotely. This dramatically reduces the need for manual intervention, physical SIM swaps or device recalls.
Cubic’s customers, including Volkswagen AG, Cariad, General Motors, SEAT, IVECO and CNH could benefit from enhanced solutions such as this, to help ensure managing vehicle connectivity becomes effortless. Vehicles equipped with Cubic’s solution which now integrates Thales’s platform can automatically connect to local networks when crossing borders, eliminating the need for complex development or additional costs. This ensures a seamless global experience for automotive manufacturers and their customers as cars can be pre-configured with connectivity profiles at the factory level and activated dynamically as they are deployed in the field.
“Thales has been a trusted partner of Cubic since 2017″, said Nick Power, CTO at Cubic. “For OEMs, adopting GSMA M2M eSIM has been anything but simple. Technical complexity, vendor lock-in, and managing multi-MNO connectivity at a global scale have all slowed adoption. Transitioning to a leaner, more efficient GSMA eSIM IoT architecture will be essential. This collaboration highlights our commitment to standardisation, interoperability and innovation ensuring Cubic customers can enjoy a more flexible, cost efficient and a future-proof approach to global connectivity.”
“With this upgrade, Cubic aims to remain at the forefront of IoT connectivity by addressing evolving market demands. The integration of Thales’s “On-Demand Subscription Manager” platform will enable Cubic to maximize end-to-end connectivity management for OEMs, ensuring devices are seamlessly connected from factory to field,” said Eva Rudin, VP Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales. “This collaboration highlights our commitment to standardization, interoperability, and innovation for IoT.”
* GSMA SGP. 32 contains the technical specifications for the remote eSIM management of Internet of things (IoT) devices and other types of mobile device deployments.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital.
It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.
The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.
Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.
About Cubic Telecom
Cubic Telecom delivers advanced software-defined vehicle solutions in over 200 countries and regions around the world. Working with the world’s leading automotive, transportation and agriculture OEMs, we connect 23 million cars and vehicles globally and enable 1 billion mobile internet data transmissions daily. To compete globally, OEMs must manage the complexities of connecting with different technologies while complying with regulatory mandates in different countries. Cubic Telecom cuts through this complexity through providing a single, global solution that enables any vehicle shipped anywhere in the world to have fully compliant built-in connectivity regardless of local market requirements.
Headline: New administration can create a stronger AI tech export rule
A high-stakes race is underway that will determine which country will supply the technology that powers the world’s emerging AI economy. Vice President Vance got it right at the recent AI Summit in Paris, emphasizing the need to focus on AI opportunities, pursue lighter regulations, and prioritize bringing American AI to the world. However, a last-minute Biden administration regulation, if left unchanged, risks undermining America’s ability to succeed.
The Biden administration’s interim final AI Diffusion Rule caps the export of essential American AI components to many fast-growing and strategically vital markets. As drafted, the rule undermines two Trump administration priorities: strengthening U.S. AI leadership and reducing the nation’s near trillion-dollar trade deficit. Left unchanged, the Biden rule will give China a strategic advantage in spreading over time its own AI technology, echoing its rapid ascent in 5G telecommunications a decade ago.
As a company, we support the need to protect national security by preventing adversaries from acquiring advanced AI technology. And there are important elements in the rule that should be retained. For example, the rule’s qualitative provisions would ensure that AI technology components are deployed in certified, secure, and trusted datacenters. This avoids shipments of advanced chips to entities that do not meet these standards and thereby helps reduce the risk of chip diversion to China. Similarly, the rule rightly imposes strict requirements on these trusted datacenter operators to protect against chip diversion and to ensure that advanced AI services cannot be used by adversaries.
There is an important opportunity to further strengthen these provisions, including by ensuring the Commerce Department has the resources it will need to put the Rule into effect. This can help both expedite approval processes for companies and strengthen enforcement, including against unlawful chip diversion.
But a significant problem remains. Namely, the Biden rule goes beyond what’s needed. It puts many important U.S. allies and partners in a Tier Two category and imposes quantitative limits on the ability of American tech companies to build and expand AI datacenters in their countries. This includes many American friends, such as Switzerland, Poland, Greece, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Israel, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. These are countries where we and many other American companies have significant datacenter operations.
This Tier Two status is undermining one of the essential requirements needed for a business to succeed—namely, confidence by our customers that they will be able to buy from us the AI computing capacity that they will need in the future. Customers in Tier Two countries now worry that an insufficient supply of critical American AI technology will restrict their opportunities for economic growth.
The unintended consequence of this approach is to encourage Tier Two countries to look elsewhere for AI infrastructure and services. And it’s obvious where they will be forced to turn. If left unchanged, the Diffusion Rule will become a gift to China’s rapidly expanding AI sector.
All this comes at precisely the time when the American tech sector wants to invest in AI computing capacity at an unprecedented level. Our own company’s plans are illustrative. This year alone, Microsoft will spend $80 billion to build AI infrastructure around the world, with more than half of this total on U.S. soil. As this reflects, the solid majority of our computing power will remain in the United States.
But our ability to continue growing and investing at this level, including in the United States, depends in important part on exporting our technology services. This requires building AI infrastructure in other countries, so AI services can be accessed and used with low latency by local enterprises and consumers. Ironically, the Diffusion Rule discourages what should be regarded as an American economic opportunity—the export of world-leading chips and technology services.
The potentially negative impact on American economic growth doesn’t stop there. As the tech sector invests billions of dollars to build datacenters around the world, we are developing global supply chains that combine international and American suppliers of more traditional manufactured goods. I saw this first-hand when I was in Warsaw last week to announce with Prime Minister Donald Tusk a $700 million expansion of Microsoft’s datacenter infrastructure in Poland. Among the beneficiaries are American workers manufacturing advanced electrical generators in Lafayette, Indiana, so they can be shipped to Poland.
The irony could not be clearer. At the very moment when the Trump administration is pressing Europe to buy more American goods, the Biden Diffusion Rule leaves the leaders of partners like Poland asking why they have been relegated to Tier Two status and an uncertain ability to buy more American AI chips in the future.
This puts the opportunity for the Trump administration in bold relief. It can take an overly complex rule that requires 41 pages in the Federal Register and right-size it. Make it simpler. Stop relegating American friends and allies into a second tier that undermines their confidence in ongoing access to American products. Eliminate the quantitative caps that would interfere with a well-functioning economic market. And keep what matters most, such as the qualitative security standards and AI use restrictions that protect national security.
We need to recognize the obvious. America’s AI race with China begins at home. It’s founded on the ability of innovative American firms to bring manufactured goods and technology services to like-minded countries around the world. We’re prepared to invest. What we need now is an AI diffusion rule that gives us the ability to do so.
Tags: AI diffusion rule, AI economy, supply chains
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Investor Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting at the SEC Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on March 6, at 10 a.m. ET. The meeting will also be webcast on the SEC website.
The committee will host two panels:
Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Operations; and
Retail Investor Fraud in America
The Committee will also discuss a potential recommendation regarding preserving investors’ ability to bring claims under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933. The full meeting agenda is available on the committee’s webpage.
The Investor Advisory Committee, which focuses on investor-related interests, advises the Commission on regulatory priorities and various initiatives to help protect investors and promote the integrity of the U.S. securities markets. Established by statute, the committee is authorized by Congress to submit findings and recommendations to the Commission.
To learn more about the Investor Advisory Committee visit the committee’s webpage.
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) and Tulalip Resort Casino have announced a strategic enterprise partnership that will revolutionize the gaming and hospitality industry in the Washington market, setting the stage for a dynamic synergy between technology and hospitality.
With the software deployment underway, the cutting-edge QCI platform is poised to enhance operations, optimize service, and ensure guests enjoy an unparalleled entertainment experience at Tulalip Resort Casino.
James Ham Jr., Executive VP of Casino Operation for Tulalip Resort Casino, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating,
“We at Tulalip Resort Casino are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with QCI. The QCI platform is a game-changer, and we believe it will not only streamline our operations but also elevate the level of service and entertainment we provide to our valued guests. With QCI’s innovative solutions, we are confident in our ability to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience in the Washington market. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence and innovation.”
Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, echoed this sentiment, expressing his satisfaction with the newly formed partnership,
“At QCI, we value partnerships that are built on mutual respect, shared vision, and commitment. Our collaboration with Tulalip Resort Casino is the epitome of such a relationship. We’ve been deeply impressed by the Tulalip Resort Casino team, their passion for excellence, and their unwavering dedication to enhancing guest experiences. I’m proud and excited about the journey ahead and confident that together, we’ll set new standards in the Washington market.”
This landmark partnership illustrates both companies’ dedication to innovation, operational efficiency, and delivering premier guest experiences. As training commences in the coming weeks, QCI and Tulalip Resort Casino look forward to a future of mutual growth and industry-leading performance.
ABOUTTulalip Resort Casino Award-winning Tulalip Resort Casino is the most distinctive gaming, dining, meeting, entertainment and shopping destination in Washington state. The AAA Four-Diamond resort’s world-class amenities have ensured its place on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold and Traveler Top 100 Resorts lists. The property includes 192,000 square feet of gaming excitement, sportsbook betting through DraftKings, a luxury hotel featuring 370 guest rooms and suites; 30,000 square feet of premier meeting, convention and wedding space; the full-service T Spa; and multiple dining venues. It also showcases the intimate Canoes Cabaret, Orca Ballroom and a 3,000-seat outdoor Tulalip Amphitheatre. Nearby, find the Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, Cabela’s and 130 designer names at the Seattle Premium Outlets. The Resort Casino is conveniently located between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. just off Interstate-5 at exit 200. It is an enterprise of the Tulalip Tribes. For reservations, please call 866.716.7162 or visit us at Tulalip Resort Casino. Connect with us on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.
ABOUT QCI Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and The Bahamas. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $35 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI’s data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com.
ABOUT Andrew Cardno Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master’s level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew’s innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today’s mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications.
Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew’s impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew’s work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
February 27, 2025
DOGE employees may be sharing classified government information using insecure communications channels.
“These incidents – whether due to maliciousness or incompetence – are inexcusable and raise additional questions about DOGE employees’ access to highly sensitive personal and national security information, and what they are doing with it.”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, along with every Democratic member of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, including Ranking Member Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Eleanor Homes Norton (D-D.C.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), and Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), wrote to Elon Musk, opening an investigation into DOGE.gov following two recent incidents of alarming security failures and reports that DOGE employees shared sensitive government information using insecure communications channels.
“These incidents – whether due to maliciousness or incompetence – are inexcusable and raise additional questions about DOGE employees’ access to highly sensitive personal and national security information, and what they are doing with it,” wrote the lawmakers.
DOGE has seized access to highly confidential government and personal information, including tax, Medicare, Social Security, and national security data, which has already led to multiple lawsuits. In just a matter of three weeks, DOGE employees have fed sensitive data into artificial intelligence software, ordered an unauthorized email server to be connected to the government network, and have accidentally been given “write” access to the U.S. Treasury payment system.
“DOGE employees do not appear to fully understand much of the information to which they have been given unfettered access, and given the cavalier and incompetent ways that they have handled this data, these individuals represent a clear threat to national security and the nation’s economy,” continued the lawmakers.
In fact, after the DOGE.gov website launched, two security researchers confirmed that the website was not hosted on secure government servers, making it especially vulnerable to third-party hackers. In particular, details on the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which designs and builds U.S. intelligence satellites, were searchable within the database, as well as controlled information about the NRO’s budget and head count. This incident left federal intelligence employees “scrambling” to see if their sensitive information had been accessed.
“These examples of DOGE’s recklessness and inability to accomplish simple tasks – such as establishing a secure database and website housing such critical and confidential government data – combined with its broad access to government data and systems, poses a grave threat to the United States’ economy and national security,” wrote the lawmakers.
The lawmakers are requesting answers from Mr. Musk by March 6, 2025.
For years, scholars and practitioners have sought ways to prevent workplace aggression and mitigate its negative consequences. One proposed solution is bystander intervention, where employees who witness or hear about aggression step in to stop or address it.
However, results from our recent meta-analysis cast doubt on the effectiveness of bystander intervention as a reliable solution. We integrated research findings from 149 articles, which included data from 111,466 participants. Alarmingly, we found that bystanders intervened only in the artificial safety of experiments, but not in real work settings.
Not all employees feel equipped to address workplace aggression, and organizations should not over-rely on employees to take action. Instead, we highlighted the crucial role leaders can play. Leaders can effectively interrupt incidents of workplace aggression, act as influential role models for others and ultimately foster inclusive climates.
Leaders must step up
Leaders can become aware of workplace aggression in various ways, including overhearing rude comments in a meeting, receiving written complaints or being approached for advice on handling inappropriate jokes. When this happens, leaders must decide whether to act and how.
Several barriers may prevent leaders from responding constructively. Like anyone else, leaders are prone to cognitive distortions. They may downplay an incident as a joke, hesitate to confront a high-performing employee who is the instigator, or even blame the target for provoking the behaviour.
Some leaders may also feel it’s not their responsibility to intervene. If they have demanding jobs, they might not have time or energy to get involved in interpersonal issues that are not central to their jobs.
Too often, employees remain silent when it comes to dealing with aggressive behaviours due to their perceived lack of power or ability to make a difference. (Shutterstock)
However, the cost of leader inaction is high. In 2022, Nike faced a harassment and discrimination lawsuit with female employees raising concerns that “Nike’s management were unlikely to address their concerns” about unwanted sexual advances, sexist attitudes, and discrimination.
When leaders ignore workplace aggression, organizations can suffer reputational and financial damage. But most importantly, employees can experience serious distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression.
Responding to aggressive incidents
One survey found that only 44 per cent of employees at U.S. companies strongly agree that their companies have a culture where employees are encouraged to speak up. Too often, employees remain silent when it comes to dealing with aggressive behaviours due to their perceived lack of power or ability to make a difference.
Leaders, however, have the power to resist pushback, hold instigators accountable and create a supportive workplace environment. Leaders must take an active role in both preventing and responding to aggressive workplace incidents.
First, leaders should acknowledge that addressing aggression is a part of their job. Aside from legal obligations to address aggression, leaders’ actions set the tone for what is considered acceptable. Demonstrating a commitment to civility can signal their ethical leadership, a highly valued leadership style.
Second, leaders need to also address what might seem like minor incidents. A common misconception among bystanders is that minor incidents of aggression aren’t serious or harmful enough to act on.
Minor incidents of aggression include low-intensity behaviors, such as sarcastic remarks, offensive jokes, eye-rolling, or dismissive gestures. More severe aggression includes such behaviors as yelling, intimidation, throwing objects in anger, or even inflicting physical harm.
Aggression often starts with relatively minor acts that may escalate to more severe ones when left unchecked, so these smaller acts need to be addressed. Once aggression escalates in intensity or frequency, it becomes part of the organizational culture, making it much harder to change.
It might seem surprising, but minor and severe aggression can be equally harmful to victims. Minor incidents are often subtle, which can lead to excessive rumination (e.g., was it intentional?), self-doubt (e.g., am I misinterpreting it?) and lowered self-esteem. This is particularly problematic because minor incidents are significantly more prevalent at work.
How leaders can intervene effectively
Leaders also need to learn how to appropriately intervene in incidents of aggression. For minor incidents, leaders can take immediate actions by redirecting attention from the target and stopping the incident by shifting the conversation or suggesting a quick break.
Leaders should also privately address the aggressive behaviour with the instigator. Aggressive behaviours, especially in minor forms, are sometimes unintentional, so it’s best to approach the conversation in a non-confrontational manner that prompts the instigator to reflect on their behaviour and recognize the harmful nature of their actions.
Leaders should privately address any aggressive behaviour with instigators. (Shutterstock)
Since employees commonly become defensive or deny wrongdoing during such conversations, leaders should focus on discussing behaviours rather than personality, and provide actionable suggestions for positive behavioural change.
It is also important to provide support to the target. Sometimes, employees react negatively toward victims of workplace aggression, such as blaming them for provoking the aggression rather than supporting them, which can damage their social standing within the team. When leaders support victims, it signals to others how they should respond, which can help victims retain their social status.
Leaders can also create opportunities for the target to showcase their skills, reaffirming the importance of their role within the team and the organization, or engaging in acts of leader allyship toward victims.
Innovating bystander training
While our findings cast doubt on the effectiveness of bystander intervention among regular employees, they underscore the critical role of those in positions of authority and power to take action to address workplace aggression.
Leaders should adopt innovative training programs, including bystander intervention training. While many organizations already provide such training, it often only involves educational videos or lectures. Research shows the best way to learn is by practicing, not passively listening. Training should take this into account.
But how can employees practice interventions in a safe environment? One way organizations can do this is by taking advantage of recent technological developments, such as generative artificial intelligence, to create realistic training simulations.
Trainees can engage in simulated conversations with a virtual instigator or victim and practice their intervention skills. Such conversations can be done in real-time with an avatar through video or voice, allowing employees build confidence and refine their approach in a controlled setting.
Leaders have both the power and responsibility to create safer workplaces. By taking action to interrupt aggression and support victims, leaders can be role models for employees and ultimately foster a more productive work environment. Needless to say, leaders should address the problem, not contribute to it.
Zhanna Lyubykh receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Sandra L. Robinson receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Sandy Hershcovis receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Rui Zhong and The Ton Vuong do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, February 27, 2025/APO Group/ —
The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) have signed a €708,000 Grant Agreement to support the development of a Green, Resilience, and Sustainability Facility (GRSF). The agreement was formalized during the plenary session of the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, recently held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle.
The GRSF’s commitment to providing blended financing, concessional financing, and other commercial funding options directly supports CARICOM’s development by enhancing regional resilience, sustainability, and economic adaptability. By offering flexible financial solutions, the fund empowers CARICOM member states to invest in critical infrastructure, climate adaptation projects, and sustainable development initiatives. This strategic approach aligns with CARICOM’s vision for a more resilient and self-sufficient region, ensuring long-term growth while mitigating environmental and economic vulnerabilities.
Mr. Rodinald Soomer, CEO at the CARICOM Development Fund emphasized the importance of the partnership in advancing the Caribbean’s sustainability agenda. “This grant from Afreximbank will enable the CDF to strengthen its support for CARICOM Member States as they navigate the pressing environmental and economic challenges of our time. The Green, Resilience, and Sustainability Facility is a critical step towards ensuring long-term resilience and economic sustainability.”
On his part, Prof Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, remarked that: “GRSF will provide a means of catalyzing and mobilizing investments to support Caribbean countries that are facing economic and fiscal challenges arising from the impact of frequent and intense adverse weather phenomena associated with climate change. It will also act as a mechanism to finance climate-related loss and damage and build resilience that will mitigate impacts and empower Caribbean Community member states to withstand these challenges, working towards closing the regions US$20 billion resilience financing shortfall.”
Afreximbank and the CDF solidified their strategic partnership in August 2023 through a Memorandum of Understanding and the CDF’s acquisition of shares in the multilateral development Bank, demonstrating a mutual commitment to future collaboration.
The grant agreement was signed at the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM which brought together regional leaders to discuss pressing issues, including economic recovery, climate action, and sustainable development. The signing of the Grant Agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening regional and international cooperation for sustainable growth.
The CDF recognizes that as the region’s development challenges become more complex, many can best be solved through market-based solutions. CDF’s Financial Innovation team is working to expand collaboration with various sectors and establish pioneering approaches that catalyze investments within disadvantaged countries, regions, sectors, and communities.
Increasingly, investors and businesses are looking at emerging markets for new opportunities. However, investing in these markets is complex, and the CDF has an important role to play in mobilising investment into high-impact areas. Encouraging these investments requires new forms of collaboration. The CDF has engaged with several partners to collaborate in delivering its mandate since inception. Most recently, it also partnered with the USAID in the delivery of the Caribbean Community Resilience Fund (CCRF), a blended finance fund aimed at mobilizing capital from commercial, development finance institutions, and impact investors towards climate resilience and economic sustainability in the Caribbean region.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Deepnight, the first and only company to use AI software for military night vision, announced today it raised $5.5M in funding. Led by Initialized Capital, additional participants include Y Combinator, renowned scientist Vladlen Koltun (co-author of Learning to See in the Dark), angel investor Kulveer Taggar, Brian Shin, a former partner at In-Q-Tel, and Matthew Bellamy, lead singer of the band Muse.
Deepnight will use the funds to continue to develop its AI-based night vision technology and hire for key roles in computational imaging research.
“What the Deepnight team has been able to accomplish using AI is truly revolutionary for night vision and will have broad implications for improving safety in low light environments, whether that’s defense, agriculture, or environmental research,” said Kim-Mai Cutler, Partner at Initialized Capital. “We are excited for Deepnight to advance its technology making digital night vision devices more affordable and accessible.”
Combining low-light cameras with a novel AI image processing algorithm, Deepnight achieves superior low-light imaging performance to existing military night vision created by industry incumbents like L3Harris.
Right now, state of the art military night vision goggles cost around $13K because they use rare metals and bespoke manufacturing processes. The high cost is attributable to the highly precise manufacturing, as opposed to the mass manufactured CMOS sensors found in digital camera systems. Deepnight instead uses a digital approach: by leveraging the ubiquity of silicon manufacturing, in both sensors and AI chips, Deepnight will mass produce higher performing digital night vision goggles at a fraction of the cost of their analog counterparts.
In less than a year, Deepnight has earned $4.6M in contracts with the federal government including the Air Force and the Army as well as with companies like Sionyx and SRI International.
“We are thrilled to work with our investors, which include experts in the fundamental science that we use, to advance our AI model and replace analog night vision with digital cameras enabled by algorithms,” said Lucas Young, Co-Founder and CEO of Deepnight. “This market was very overdue for a disruption and now with advances in AI we can deliver a complete night vision solution to these industries at a much more affordable price point.”
“What impressed me most about Deepnight is how they’ve fundamentally reimagined night vision technology,” said Kulveer Taggar. “By combining AI with digital sensors, Lucas and his team aren’t just drastically reducing costs, they’re actually delivering superior performance to traditional systems. Securing millions of dollars in government and defense contracts in their first year demonstrates the clear market demand for this breakthrough approach.”
About Deepnight
Deepnight is making advanced night vision accessible to everyone, transforming how the world sees after dark with groundbreaking AI-driven solutions. The company has disrupted the market with a digital approach and will mass produce higher performing digital night vision goggles at a fraction of the cost of their analog counterparts. Deepnight’s customers currently include the Air Force, the Army and companies like Sionyx and SRI International. The company is backed by Initialized Capital, Y Combinator and prominent investors and is headquartered in San Francisco. To learn more visit http://deepnight.ai.
NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spree Finance, the blockchain-native commerce, rewards, and credit infrastructure network, today announces an exclusive partnership to power payments and rewards for BookIt, the next-gen booking “super-app” from global travel and rewards technology leaders OneCompany and Superlogic. This partnership enables Spree and Bookit to reward consumers for accessing coveted travel, entertainment, and premium retail products and experiences.
First-of-its-kind Decentralized Commerce Network
This first-of-its-kind partnership marks the first time cryptocurrency holders can seamlessly transact with 2M+ Real-World merchants and brands in travel, entertainment, and retail directly from their self-custodied wallets, enabling crypto for real-world commerce. Spree’s on-chain payments and Commerce DeFi credit rails will integrate with BookIt’s premium travel and retail merchant network starting today. Users can pay with 3,000+ supported cryptocurrencies and tokens for travel and retail purchases while earning stable-coin-backed rewards: Spree Points.
“Blockchain technology has proven its major use case of digital-asset-to-digital-asset ‘Trade’, but to reach mass-consumer adoption, we need to solve the use case of digital-asset-to-real-world-commerce ‘Pay’ use case,” said Jared Christopherson, Spree Co-founder. “While many blockchain protocols today are fast and charge low fees, bringing real-world merchants and brands on-chain at scale has been challenging, until now! With 2M+ merchants in its network, BookIt is the perfect partner for Spree to enable the future of decentralized commerce.”
A Next-Generation Commerce and Credit Infrastructure
Spree is redefining the future of digital payments with its innovative Commerce DeFi infrastructure, integrating crypto commerce with a robust DeFi credit infrastructure. This approach enables users to transact in digital assets effortlessly while providing merchants with instant liquidity.
At the heart of the Spree Network is a pair of tokens. Spree token which governs the network while SP (Spree Points), a stable-coin backed “universal rewards” token can not only incentivize users and facilitate transactions across its extensive network of merchants, but also power Spree’s Defi-lending protocol to enable instant settlement for merchants and credit orchestration for consumers. Unlike legacy payment rails like Visa and Mastercard, merchants pay up to 90% less in processing fees when accepting payments over Spree’s decentralized payments network, which leverages secure blockchain-native rails to remove friction and middlemen, and reduce excess fees. Significantly lower fees allow merchants to take control of their revenue and directly reward the end consumer without middlemen.
Revolutionizing Rewards and Loyalty
Offering consumers more than just travel, Bookit provides elite access to VIP experiences, from front-row seats at major sporting events, to exclusive concerts, private wine tours, and celebrity chef tastings. Bookit members can earn up to 10x the rewards of competing platforms, using SP as its native rewards token, providing consumers with additional benefits on purchases, and flexibility when redeeming SP universal rewards points across its network of 2M+ merchants and brands.
“Our mission with BookIt is to reimagine the e-commerce journey for travel, entertainment and retail as a “consumer-first” experience, where your loyalty is our priority and your rewards is an asset – not something that corporations can arbitrarily devalue,” said Lin Dai, CEO of Superlogic, co-creator of BookIt super-app. “Integrating with Spree’s next-gen commerce and rewards rails is revolutionary for the entire travel and loyalty industry, and we are proud to be the first of many major enterprise partners to partner with Spree.”
A veteran in blockchain solutions for enterprises, Lin Dai has worked closely with world-class brands including Warner Music Group, American Express, Pepsi, Anheuser-Busch and more on Web3 initiatives. As part of the new partnership, Lin Dai will be joining Spree’s board to guide its strategy and adoption with enterprise clients.
Spree Finance at ETH Denver 2025: Buildathon, Partnerships & Exclusive Events
Spree will have a dynamic presence at ETH Denver 2025, with co-founder and head of technology Carter Razink actively participating in the Buildathon. As part of its commitment to fostering innovation, Spree will sponsor the Buildathon winner’s trip to the next year’s EthDenver conference, empowering emerging developers to further their journey.
On February 28, Spree will co-host an exclusive event with leading EthDenver communities including Spork DAO and Pudgy Penguins, bringing together industry leaders, builders, and Web3 enthusiasts, followed by an after-party at Temple nightclub.
On Mar 1, at the BuiDl stage of the EthDenver conference, at 12:05pm, Lin Dai, Co-CEO of Bookit, Pat Yiu, of MEGA, and Carter Razink, co-founder and head of technology at Spree, will be interviewed live on stage to discuss the partnership and the future of decentralized commerce and credit, while any conference attendees can visit the Spree booth where the team will be showcasing the BookIt super app and Spree’s innovative Commerce DeFi solutions in action. For a limited time, conference attendees visiting the Spree booth will receive a complimentary pre-registration for Gold-tier membership to BookIt, a $99 value, to unlock higher rewards and build up their status towards future on-chain benefits.
To close ETH Denver in style, Spree Finance is hosting a private dinner together with leading hedge fund ETH Strategy bringing together key industry leaders and investors from both blockchain and enterprise world, to cross-pollinate ideas and collaborate on the future of mass-consumer adoption.
Spree is a blockchain-native decentralized commerce and rewards protocol that enables frictionless real-world transactions by humans or AI agents. Powered by Spree, 3,000+ tokens can be used with 2M+ major Real-World merchants in travel, entertainment, and retail, earning consumers up to 30% back in on-chain rewards, while reducing merchant processing fees by up to 90%. Users can follow Spree on: https://x.com/spreefinance
About BookIt
BookIt is a next-gen platform that rewards consumers for booking coveted travel and entertainment experiences and purchasing premium retail products, co-created by Superlogic, the leader in experiential rewards technology, and Open Network Exchange, the leader in global travel and leisure-based commerce solutions. For more users can visit Bookit.
Closure of the Company’s offer under the Albion VCTs Prospectus Top Up Offers 2024/2025 (the “Offers”)
The Board of Albion Enterprise VCT PLC (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has now received applications reaching its £20 million limit (inclusive of the Company’s £10 million over-allotment facility which has been exercised) under its offer for subscription (“Offer”) pursuant to the Prospectus issued on 12 November 2024 by the Company, Albion Technology & General VCT PLC and Albion Crown VCT PLC. On the basis that such applications received by the Company are all valid and accepted, the Offer of the Company is now fully subscribed and has now closed to further applications.
The allotment in respect of valid applications received prior to the Offer closing are expected to take place on 21 March 2025 in respect of the 2024/2025 tax year.
Application for the shares to be admitted to the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s market for listed securities will be made and dealings are expected to commence on or around 26 March 2025.
The offers for subscription of Albion Technology & General VCT PLC and Albion Crown VCT PLC remain open for valid applications.
The Offers which constitute separate offers opened on 6 January 2025 and are expected to close no later than 5.30 p.m. on 4 April 2025 (unless fully subscribed by an earlier date or previously closed).
A downloadable version of the Prospectus is available from www.albion.capital/offers. Copies of the Prospectus are also available, free of charge, from the Companies’ registered office at 1 Benjamin Street, London, EC1M 5QL.
Terms used in this announcement have the same meaning as defined in the Prospectus.
27 February 2025
For further information please contact:
Vikash Hansrani Operations Partner Albion Capital Group LLP Tel: 0207 601 1850
Humanoid robots will start to become much more common as prices tumble. thinkhubstudio
Humanoid robots are supposed to be our loyal assistants, but we saw another side to them the other day. Chinese robot manufacturer Unitree was demonstrating its latest H1 robots at a lantern festival in the city of Taishan, Guangdong province, when one walked up to the crowd barrier and seemed to lunge at an elderly woman, nearly headbutting her.
The incident quickly went viral, and sparked a fierce debate about whether the robot actually attacked the woman or had tripped up. It’s mostly being overlooked that we’re a long way from having robots that could intentionally attack someone – machines like these are often remote controlled – but the danger to the public is clearly real enough.
With sales of humanoid robots set to skyrocket over the next decade, the public will increasingly be at risk from these kinds of incidents. In our view as robotics researchers, governments have put very little thought into the risks.
Here are some urgent steps that they should take to make humanoid robots as safe as possible.
1. Increase owner requirements
The first important issue is to what extent humanoid robots will be controlled by users. Whereas Tesla’s Optimus can be remotely operated by people in a control centre, others such as the Unitree H1s are controlled by the user with a handheld joystick.
Currently on sale for around £90,000, they come with a software development kit on which you can develop your own artificial intelligence (AI) system, though only to a limited extent. For example, it could say a sentence or recognise a face but not take your kids to school.
Who is to blame if someone gets hurt or even killed by a human-controlled robot? It’s hard to know for sure – any discussion about liability would first involve proving whether the harm was caused by human error or a mechanical malfunction.
This came up in a Florida case where a widower sued medical robot-maker Intuitive Surgical Inc over his wife’s death in 2022. Her death was linked to injuries she sustained from a heat burn in her intestine during an operation that was caused by a fault in one of the company’s machines.
The case was dropped in 2024 after being partially dismissed by a district judge. But the fact that the widower sued the manufacturer rather than the medics demonstrated that the robotics industry needs a legal framework for preventing such situations as much as the public do.
While for drones there are aviation laws and other restrictions to govern their use in public areas, there are no specific laws for walking robots.
So far, the only place to have put forward governance guidelines is China’s Shanghai province. Published in summer 2024, these include stipulating that robots must not threaten human security, and that manufacturers must train users on how to use these machines ethically.
For robots controlled by owners, in the UK there is currently nothing preventing someone from taking a robot dog out for a stroll in a busy park, or a humanoid robot to the pub for a pint.
As a starting point, we could ban people from controlling robots under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when they are otherwise distracted such as using their phones. Their use could also be restricted in risky environments such as confined spaces with lots of members of the public, places with fire or chemical hazards, and the roofs of buildings.
2. Improve design
Robots that looks sleek and can dance and flip are fun to watch, but how safe are the audiences? Safe designs would consider everything from reducing cavities where fingers could get caught, to waterproofing internal components.
Protective barriers or exoskeletons could further reduce unintended contact, while cushioning mechanisms could reduce the effect of an impact.
Robots should be designed to signal their intent through lights, sounds and gestures. For example, they should arguably make a noise when entering a room so as not to surprise anyone.
Even drones can alert their user if they lose signal or battery and need to return to home, and such mechanisms should also be built into walking robots. There are no legal requirements for any such features at present.
It’s not that manufacturers are entirely ignoring these issues for walking robots. Unitree’s quadroped Go2, for instance, blinks and beeps when the battery is low or if it is overheating.
It also has automatic emergency cut-offs in these situations, although they must be triggered by a remote operator when the robot is in “telemetric mode”. Crucially, however, there are no clear regulations to ensure that all manufacturers meet a certain safety standard.
3. Train operators
Clearly there will be dangers with robots using AI features, but remote-operated models could be even more dangerous. Mistakes could result from users’ lack of real-world training and experience in real-life situations.
There appears to be a major skills gap in operator training, and robotics companies will need to prioritise this to ensure operators can control machines efficiently and safely.
In addition, humans can have delayed reaction times and limited concentration, so we also need systems that can monitor the attention of robot operators and alert them to prevent accidents. This would be similar to the HGV-driver distraction-detection systems that were installed in vehicles in London in 2024.
4. Educate the public
The incident in China has highlighted current misconceptions about humanoid robots as the media is once again blaming AI despite the fact that this was not the issue. This risks causing widespread mistrust and confusion among the public.
If people understand to what extent walking robots are owner-operated or remote-operated, it will change their expectations about what the robot might do, and make everyone safer as a result.
Also, understanding the owner’s level of control is vital for managing buyers’ expectations and forewarning them about how much they’ll need to learn about operating and programming a robot before they buy one.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
SAN DIEGO, Calif., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, today announced a collaboration with the Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego (BGCGSD) to provide an opportunity for San Diego middle school youth to learn about cybersecurity skills, safety, risks and potential careers the field.
According to CISA’s January 2023 report “Protecting Our Future: Partnering to Safeguard K–12 organizations from Cybersecurity Threats,” many K-12 schools lack the resources to implement comprehensive cybersecurity programs.
“ESET is committed to empowering San Diego youth with the skills and knowledge to stay safe online,” said Marissa Pitchford, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, ESET North America. “Through our longstanding relationship with both the Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego we aim to close cybersecurity education gaps and help keep our community safe from cyber threats.”
The Event On Thursday, February 27th, 100 middle school students will participate in cybersecurity workshops led by San Diego cybersecurity professionals. The educational event will be held from 2:00-4:30pm at Rincon Middle School, 925 Lehner Ave, Escondido, California. Workshops include sessions on cyber hygiene and online safety, and gamified cybersecurity skills training using the popular, hands-on video game program, World of Haiku. Volunteers will also help build awareness about the interests and skillsets that make good cyber professionals and how to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
“ESET has been a valuable partner for the BGCGSD and are invested in improving the lives of young people,” said Michelle Malin, COO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. “As a recent partner in our annual Back 2 School Drive, ESET donated a free one-year security license and a cyber-safety parental guide with each of the 2,000 backpacks empowering local families in San Diego to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.”
Leading the workshops will be cybersecurity professionals volunteering their time from ESET, INDUS, Booz Allen, Yahoo!, Aira, Rice University/Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) San Diego, NVIDIA/National University, San Diego Gas & Electric/WiCyS San Diego, ASML, and the San Diego County Credit Union.
“We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with ESET,” said Lisa Easterly, President & CEO of the San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE). “CCOE mobilizes businesses, academia, and government in the region, and ESET’s support has been instrumental in inspiring the next generation of cyber warriors and educating local SMBs and vulnerable communities to foster a more secure digital community for all San Diegans.”
About ESET ESET provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyber threats — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud or mobile protection, its AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multi-factor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
2025: ON TRACK TO DELIVERc.$100 MILLION NET CASH FLOW
Q4
FY1
Revenue2
$339M
$ 1,117M (-1%)
Adjusted EBITDA3
$157M
$455M (+14%)
Net Cash-Flow
$27M
$56M (+73%)
Sophie Zurquiyah,Chief Executive Officerof Viridien, said:
“In 2024, we met our revenue and exceeded our profitability and cash generation targets driven by strong commercial successes at Geoscience, a dynamic performance at Earth Data in both our key basins and prospective regions and the continued focus on operational efficiency at Sensing & Monitoring.
In 2025, Viridien will continue strengthening its technology leadership in its core markets while further developing its New Businesses. We anticipate continued improvements thanks to Geoscience’s record high backlog, Earth Data’s solid pipeline of projects and the termination of contractual fees for vessel commitments, and Sensing & Monitoring’s progress towards their restructuring plan.
In this context, we confirm with confidence our target of c.$100 million of net cash generation and balance sheet deleveraging.”
2024Highlights2
Group2
IFRS figures: Revenue, EBITDA and Net Income of respectively $1,211 million, $516 million, $51 million. $427 million, $216 million, $29 million in Q4.
Overall stable group revenue at $1,117 million.
Strong growth at Digital, Data & Environment (DDE) with $787 million revenue (+17%). Consistent momentum for Geoscience (GEO) driven by our preferred advanced technology and numerous commercial successes at Earth Data (EDA).
Sensing & Monitoring (SMO) revenue was $330 million, with no mega crews during the year.
33% revenue growth for New Businesses, exceeding our 30% target.
Group adjusted EBITDA3 of $455 million. DDE Adjusted EBITDA of $458 million, up 25% driven by the strong performance of both GEO and EDA. SMO adjusted EBITDA of $35 million (vs $56 million) already reflecting the positive impact of the restructuring effort.
Net Cash flow of $56 million, including $(75) million contractual fees from vessel commitments, exceeding our initial Net Cash flow target of “reaching a similar level as 2023” (ie. $32 million).
Key milestones of our financial roadmap delivered during the year: improved credit rating in Q2, revolving credit facility extended in Q3 and implementation and increase of the bond buyback program in Q3 and Q4.
Net debt at $921 million ($974 million in December 2023) and liquidity at $392 million (including $90 million undrawn RCF).
Digital, Data and Energy Transition (DDE)
Revenue at $787 million was up 17% with strong growth at GEO (+20%) and EDA (+14%). Q4 revenue, $238 million (+19%).
Adjusted EBITDA at $458 million was up 25%. Profitability impacted by $(54) million in penalty fees from vessel commitments vs $(44) million in 2023. Q4 EBITDA $150 million (+28%). $(12) million penalty vs $(13) million in Q4 2023.
Geoscience:
Revenue at $404 million (+20%). $107 million in Q4 (+10%).
GEO performance continues to be driven by technology differentiation. Order intakes, +89% in 2024, +155% in Q4, benefited from best-in-class imaging technology which the industry requires to solve subsurface challenges, increased activity in the Middle East and the renewal of long-term contracts for Dedicated HPC Processing Centers (DPCs).
New Businesses in GEO confirm the positive market dynamics in Carbon Sequestration with several projects in Norway, US Gulf and in Asia Pacific, as well as in Minerals & Mining with the award of programs in Australia and Oman. Alliance signed with Baker Hughes to offer high-quality and fully integrated Carbon Capture and Sequestration solutions to clients.
Earth Data:
Revenue at $383 million (+14%). $131 million in Q4 (+27%).
Prefunding revenue grew to $205 million (+6%). 81% of Capex. After-Sales grew to $178 million (+25%) in a flat market.
$252 million Capex, including the large Laconia Ocean Bottom Nodes (OBN) project in the US Gulf, the North Viking Graben streamer survey in Norway, and numerous global reprocessing projects.
New Businesses in EDA completed the mining project in Southeast Arizona and delivered several Carbon Sequestration projects in the North Sea, US Gulf and Asia.
Sensing and Monitoring (SMO)
Revenue at $330 million was down 27%, following delivery of “mega crew” systems in 2023. $100 million in Q4 (-16%).
Adjusted EBITDA at $35 million was down 37%. $18 million in Q4 (+104%).
Q4 EBITDA performance shows that the restructuring plan is on track to achieve expected cost reductions and operational flexibility.
New Businesses in SMO represented 17% of revenue and experienced strong momentum with deliveries for the geothermal market and infrastructure monitoring.
Market trends
E&P Capex environment expected to be stable year-on-year in 2025, as the longer-term energy industry upcycle extends.
Evolving Industry Trends:
Offshore exploration gaining momentum in key regions like the US Gulf, Brazil, Norway as well as frontiers areas such as the Equatorial Margin and the East Mediterranean Sea.
Middle East growth expected with investments in advanced imaging and digital solutions.
Demand expected to be strong for High-end geophysical technologies, such as OBN and Full Waveform Inversion (FWI), that mitigate risks and optimize field development.
New Businesses:
Continued market growth potential in CSS with new imaging contracts and project pipeline driven by most Oil & Gas operators investing to reduce carbon emissions and address societal pressures.
Increased interest from the Minerals & Mining sector for subsurface characterization.
Infrastructure Monitoring market consistently increasing by double digits annually across various sectors.
Digital solutions / HPC markets expanding rapidly fueled mainly by the explosion of AI applications.
New reporting KPI for EDA
Starting in Q1 2025, we will change the reporting KPIs for EDA:
To align with market practice, Revenue split between Prefunding and After-sales will no longer be reported.
Cash EBITDA (i.e. EBITDA – Capex) will be reported to provide more clarity on our financial performance. ($97 million and $75 million in 2023 and 2024 respectively, excluding penalty fees from vessel commitments).
Full year 2025 financial outlook
In 2025, based on a stable E&P Capex environment, performance is expected to be driven by:
Geoscience: growth backed by industry leading technology and strong backlog.
Earth Data: stronger Cash EBITDA KPI, with end of vessel commitment penalty fees.
Sensing & Monitoring: further savings expected from the restructuring plan.
New Businesses: growth and first year positive contribution to the group’s profitability.
Financial objective: net cash flow of c.$100m.
Viridien will continue to focus on cash flow generation and deleveraging. Thanks to 2024 financial performance and the favorable debt market, our bond refinancing could be realized in 2025, before our previous Q1 2026 indication.
Full Year 2024 Conference call
The press release and the presentation will be available on our website www.viridiengroup.com at 5:45 pm (CET).
An English language analysts conference call is scheduled today at 6.00 pm (CET).
Participants should register for the call here to receive a dial-in number and code, or participate via the live webcast from here.
A replay of the conference call will be made available the day after for a period of 12 months in audio format on the Company’s website.
The Board of Directors met on February 27, 2025 and approved the consolidated financial statements ending December 31, 2024. The Statutory Auditors are in the process of issuing a report with an unqualified opinion.
About Viridien:
Viridien (www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,400 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN ISIN: FR001400PVN6).
Income (loss) before income taxes and share of income (loss) from companies accounted for under the equity method
50.1
19.9
Income taxes
24
(13.4)
(14.0)
Net income (loss) before share of net income (loss) from companies accounted for under the equity method
36.6
5.9
Net income (loss) from companies accounted for under the equity method
8
(0.5)
(2.0)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
36.1
3.9
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
5
14.7
12.3
Consolidated net income (loss)
50.8
16.2
Attributable to:
Owners of Viridien S.A
49.8
12.9
Non-controlling interests
1.0
3.3
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (a)
29
7,150,958
7,131,286
Weighted average number of shares outstanding adjusted for dilutive potential ordinary shares (a)
29
7,184,713
7,171,894
Net income (loss) per share(in US$)
(1) – Base (a)
6.97
1.81
(2) – Diluted (a)
6.93
1.80
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per share(in US$)
(3) – Base (a)
$
4.91
0.08
(4) – Diluted (a)
$
4.89
0.08
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per share(in US$)
(5) – Base (a)
$
2.06
1.72
(6) – Diluted (a)
$
2.05
1.72
(a) As a result of the July 31, 2024 reverse share split, the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per shares for 2023 has been adjusted retrospectively. Number of ordinary shares outstanding has been adjusted to reflect the proportionate change in the number of shares.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss)
In millions of US$
December 31
(2) 2024(a)
2023(a)
Net income (loss) from consolidated statement of operations
50.8
16.2
Other comprehensive income to be reclassified in profit (loss) in subsequent period:
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
0.4
2.0
Variation in translation adjustments
(23.0)
14.2
Net other comprehensive income to be reclassified in profit (loss) in subsequent period (1)
(22.7)
16.2
Other comprehensive income not to be classified in profit (loss) in subsequent period:
Net gain (loss) on actuarial changes on pension plan
3.6
(4.6)
Net other comprehensive income not to be reclassified in profit (loss) in subsequent period (2)
3.6
(4.6)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, net of taxes (1)+(2)
(19.1)
11.6
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period
31.8
27.8
Attributable to:
Owners of Viridien S.A
31.3
25.1
Non-controlling interests
0.5
2.7
(a) Including other comprehensive income related to discontinued operations which is not material.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6.1.2 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
In millions of US$
Notes
(3) Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
28
301.7
327.0
Trade accounts and notes receivable, net
3, 18
339.9
310.9
Inventories and work-in-progress, net
4
163.3
212.9
Income tax assets
24
22.9
30.8
Other current assets, net
4
74.0
92.1
Assets held for sale, net
5
24.5
–
Total current assets
926.2
973.7
Deferred tax assets
24
43.6
29.9
Other non-current assets, net
16
8.9
6.8
Investments and other financial assets, net
7
25.7
22.7
Investments in companies accounted for under the equity method
8
1.1
2.2
Property plant & equipment, net
9
220.6
206.1
Intangible assets, net
10
535.4
579.7
Goodwill, net
11
1,082.8
1,095.5
Total non-current assets
1,918.1
1,942.9
TOTAL ASSETS
2,844.3
2,916.6
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Financial debt – current portion
13
56.9
58.0
Trade accounts and notes payable
3
120.9
86.4
Accrued payroll costs
84.5
89.1
Income taxes payable
24
20.4
12.5
Advance billings to customers
19.2
24.0
Provisions – current portion
16
19.7
8.7
Other current financial liabilities
14
0.5
21.3
Other current liabilities
12
182.5
250.3
Liabilities associated with non-current assets held for sale
5
2.4
–
Total current liabilities
507.0
550.3
Deferred tax liabilities
24
18.4
24.3
Provisions – non-current portion
16
28.8
30.1
Financial debt – non-current portion
13
1,165.6
1,242.8
Other non-current financial liabilities
14
–
0.5
Other non-current liabilities
12
1.7
4.3
Total non-current liabilities
1,214.5
1,302.0
Common stock (a)
15
8.7
8.7
Additional paid-in capital
118.7
118.7
Retained earnings
1,036.5
980.4
Other Reserves
55.2
27.3
Treasury shares
(20.1)
(20.1)
Cumulative income and expense recognized directly in equity
(1.1)
(1.4)
Cumulative translation adjustments
(113.3)
(90.8)
Equity attributable to owners of Viridien S.A.
1,084.7
1,022.8
Non-controlling interests
38.1
41.5
Total Equity
1,122.8
1,064.3
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
2,844.3
2,916.6
(a) Common stock: 11,215,501 shares authorized and 7,165,465 shares with a nominal value of €1.00 outstanding at December 31, 2024.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6.1.3 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
In millions of US$
Notes
December 31
(4) 2024
2023
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Consolidated net income (loss)
1, 19
50.8
16.2
Less: Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
5
(14.7)
(12.3)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
36.1
3.9
Depreciation, amortization and impairment
1, 19, 28
124.7
91.5
Impairment and amortization of Earth Data surveys
1, 10, 28
261.4
153.1
Amortization and depreciation of Earth Data surveys, capitalized
10
(16.6)
(15.4)
Variance on provisions
14.3
(2.6)
Share-based compensation expenses
3.4
2.8
Net (gain) loss on disposal of fixed and financial assets
(3.7)
(1.7)
Share of (income) loss in companies recognized under equity method
0.5
2.0
Other non-cash items
(0.3)
5.2
Net cash flow including net cost of financial debt and income tax
419.8
238.8
Less: Cost of financial debt
97.2
95.3
Less: Income tax expense (gain)
13.4
14.0
Net cash flow excluding net cost of financial debt and income tax
530.4
348.1
Income tax paid – Net (a)
(12.4)
5.5
Net cash flow before changes in working capital
518.0
353.6
Changes in working capital
(61.2)
54.7
– Change in trade accounts and notes receivable
(128.4)
51.8
– Change in inventories and work-in-progress
28.1
49.2
– Change in other current assets
10.5
(9.9)
– Change in trade accounts and notes payable
26.8
(5.4)
– Change in other current liabilities
1.8
(31.0)
Net cash flow from operating activities
456.7
408.3
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Total capital expenditures (tangible and intangible assets) net of variation of fixed assets suppliers and excluding Earth Data surveys)
9
(32.9)
(60.9)
Investments in Earth Data surveys
10
(252.1)
(171.1)
Proceeds from disposals of tangible and intangible assets
28
6.8
0.4
Proceeds from divestment of activities and sale of financial assets
28
–
6.2
Dividends received from investments in companies under the equity method
0.5
–
Acquisition of investments, net of cash & cash equivalents acquired
28
–
(1.9)
Variation in other non-current financial assets
28
(8.2)
(5.2)
Net cash-flow used in investing activities
(286.0)
(232.5)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayment of long-term debt
13, 28
(59.4)
(1.8)
Total issuance of long-term debt
13, 28
0.1
23.9
Lease repayments
13, 28
(55.7)
(57.0)
Financial expenses paid
13, 28
(85.6)
(90.7)
Net proceeds from capital increase:
– from shareholders:
–
0.1
– from non-controlling interests of integrated companies
–
–
Dividends paid and share capital reimbursements:
–
–
– Equity attributable to owners of Viridien S.A.
–
–
– to non-controlling interests of integrated companies
(3.8)
(0.9)
Net cash-flow from (used in) financing activities
(204.4)
(126.4)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
(11.0)
2.6
Net cash flows incurred by discontinued operations
5
19.3
(23.0)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(25.3)
29.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
327.0
298.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
301.7
327.0
(a) Includes a cash inflow of US$6 million in 2024 and US$32 million in 2023 for the research tax credit in France.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6.1.4 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
In millions of US$, except for share data
Number of shares issued(a)
Share capital
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Other reserves
Treasury shares
Income and expense recognized directly in equity
Cumu-lative translation adjust-ment
Viridien S.A. – Equity attributable to owners of Viridien S.A.
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Balance at January 1, 2023
7,123,573
8.7
118.6
967.9
50.0
(20.1)
(3.4)
(102.4)
1,019.3
39.5
1,058.8
Net gain (loss) on actuarial changes on pension plan (1)
(4.6)
(4.6)
(4.6)
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (2)
2.0
2.0
2.0
Net gain (loss) on translation adjustments (3)
14.8
14.8
(0.6)
14.2
Other comprehensive income (1)+(2)+(3)
–
–
(4.6)
–
–
2.0
14.8
12.2
(0.6)
11.6
Net income (loss) (4)
12.9
12.9
3.3
16.2
Comprehensive income (1)+(2)+(3)+(4)
–
–
8.3
–
–
2.0
14.8
25.1
2.7
27.8
Exercise of warrants
238
0.1
0.1
0.1
Dividends
–
(1.0)
(1.0)
Cost of share based payment
12,951
2.6
2.6
2.6
Transfer to retained earnings of the parent company
–
–
Variation in translation adjustments generated by the parent company
(22.7)
(22.7)
(22.7)
Changes in consolidation scope and other
1.6
(3.2)
(1.6)
0.3
(1.3)
Balance at December 31, 2023
7,136,763
8.7
118.7
980.4
27.3
(20.1)
(1.4)
(90.8)
1,022.8
41.5
1,064.3
(a) Pro forma following Reverse Share Split (see note 2 – Significant events, acquisitions and divestitures).
In millions of US$, except for share data
Number of shares issued(b)
Share capital
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Other reserves
Treasury shares
Income and expense recognized directly in equity
Cumu-lative translation adjust-ment
Viridien S.A. – Equity attributable to owners of Viridien S.A.
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Balance at January 1, 2024
7,136,763
8.7
118.7
980.4
27.3
(20.1)
(1.4)
(90.8)
1,022.8
41.5
1,064.3
Net gain (loss) on actuarial changes on pension plan (1)
3.6
3.6
3.6
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (2)
0.4
0.4
0.4
Net gain (loss) on translation adjustments (3)
(22.5)
(22.5)
(0.6)
(23.0)
Other comprehensive income (1)+(2)+(3)
–
–
3.6
–
–
0.4
(22.5)
(18.5)
(0.6)
(19.1)
Net income (loss) (4)
49.8
49.8
1.0
50.8
Comprehensive income (1)+(2)+(3)+(4)
–
–
53.4
–
–
0.4
(22.5)
31.3
0.5
31.8
Exercise of warrants
Dividends
–
(3.8)
(3.8)
Cost of share based payment
24,703
2.7
2.7
2.7
Transfer to retained earnings of the parent company
–
–
Variation in translation adjustments generated by the parent company
28.0
28.0
28.0
Changes in consolidation scope and other
Balance at December 31, 2024
7,161,465
8.7
118.7
1,036.5
55.2
(20.1)
(1.1)
(113.3)
1,084.7
38.1
1,122.8
(b) Reverse Share Split: Pursuant to a delegation from the Combined General Meeting of shareholders of May 15, 2024, and a sub-delegation from the Board of Directors held on the same day, a reversed share split has been implemented, on July 31, 2024, on the basis of 1 new share of €1.00 nominal value for 100 old shares of €0.01 nominal value.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
1All variations refer tothe same period last year 2Unlessotherwise stated, all figures and commentsare referring to “Segment” (i.e. pre-IFRS 15), as defined in the2023 and2024UniversalRegistrationDocuments’ glossaries, under section 8.7 3Adjusted fornon-recurringitems
A dual challenge for the battery industry: ramping up production while innovating game-changing chemistries for the future
Battery innovation is fueling industry transformation, but overcoming current production ramp-up challenges will be crucial for European and US manufacturers
Lithium-ion batteries currently dominate due to their proven performance, scalability, and well-established supply chain, while next-generation batteries are gaining traction
76% of manufacturers will need to upgrade or build new production lines to support the future generation of battery cells
Paris, February 27, 2025 – TheCapgeminiResearch Institute’s report‘The battery revolution: Shaping tomorrow’s mobility and energy’,published today, shows that batteries are transforming existing industries and enabling the emergence of new business models. However, despite the surging demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and energy-storage solutions, the future of batteries depends on overcoming a series of complex challenges across the entire value chain, from securing sustainable raw materials and optimizing manufacturing processes to advancing recycling capabilities.
According to the new report, the battery industry is reaching an inflection point, driven on the one hand by the need for higher energy density, faster charging times, improved safety, greater sustainability, and, on the other, the need for manufacturers to reduce costs.
While batteries are playing a critical role in decarbonizing carbon-intensive mobility and driving the renewable energy transition1, the industry is facing series of challenges that have wide ranging implications for scaling production, gigafactory industrialization and ramp-up, economic viability, and supply chain constraints.
Battery technology is constantly evolving to improve performance and reduce costs While almost all (98%) battery manufacturers surveyed produce lithium-ion batteries (using liquid electrolyte), the industry is actively exploring alternative chemistries to support electric mobility and accelerate energy storage. Amongst them, solid-state batteries (using solid electrolyte), represent a major shift in battery technology, primarily for EVs. They answer the need for improved performance owing to their potentially higher energy densities, faster charging times, and improved safety compared with traditional lithium-ion batteries.
“Innovation is driving a sustainable and competitive battery industry, with advancements in technologies and alternative chemistries improving performance and longevity. At this transformative time, while European and North American manufacturers are navigating production ramp-ups and exploring next generation of batteries, a solid and scalable digital foundation will be crucial for the industry’s future,” said Pierre Bagnon, Global Head of Intelligent Industry Accelerator at Capgemini. “Data and digital technologies can enhance the entire battery value chain, optimizing lifecycle management from quality control to waste management and recycling. Equally, collaboration within an innovation ecosystem that brings together all players and regulators is vital to continue the industry’s journey towards a battery-driven sustainable future.”
Advances will enable new business models but not without challenges According to the survey, batteries are enabling new business models in the mobility industry to make EVs accessible to a broader range of consumers: a majority (around 64%) of mobility players are exploring battery swapping; nearly two-thirds of automotive organizations are considering battery-leasing and over half Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model that allows EV owners to lease or rent their batteries, rather than buy them. However, the success of these business models depends heavily on the implementation of standards, battery performance notably regarding longevity, adequate infrastructure, and economies of scale.
In the energy and utilities sector, two in five organizations say they are integrating batteries with renewable energy systems to optimize energy storage and usage, with most of them (69%) currently offering or planning to offer BaaS solutions. However, key challenges remain; while a battery is considered an expensive asset, the electricity it stores is relatively cheap. Furthermore, most organizations emphasize the lack of robust grid infrastructure and advanced control systems (65%); the need for multiple battery types to facilitate both short-term and long-term storage solutions (61%) and for open performance standards to ensure reliability and transparency (59%).
Beyond the automotive and energy sectors, multiple industries are rapidly integrating batteries into their operations: three in five of the organizations surveyed stated that battery innovation will impact fleet operators and heavy transportation in the next 5-10 years. Disruptions are also expected in aviation and shipping. Innovations in these industries include battery-powered eVTOLs (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing), heavy-duty vehicles, and electric ships on short sea routes.
Overcoming production ramp-up challenges with scalable digital foundations The battery industry is facing a number of complex and pressing challenges. Over half of battery manufacturers cite time required to build and ramp up gigafactories and difficulties in securing a stable supply chain for battery components and materials (respectively 59% and 53%). Uncertainty, around economic viability and profitability, appears as a key concern to scaling production.
The scarcity of experienced talent also represents a significant challenge for the battery industry, with 60% of organizations facing skills shortages in both battery technology and manufacturing. Expertise gaps extend beyond specialized skills and encompass data scientists and manufacturing engineers who can analyze and correlate production data with battery performance, enabling process optimization and defect reduction.
While batteries are key to decarbonizing carbon-intensive mobility and driving the renewable energy transition, only one in three battery manufacturers surveyed have taken meaningful steps toward establishing a sustainable circular economy.
A majority (67%) of respondents acknowledge that data and digital technologies are crucial to the industry’s future. However, digitalization among battery manufacturers is currently low, at just 17% and data usage remains minimal in sustainability-related fields. In Europe, a Digital ‘battery passport’2, setting high environmental standards for battery production and recycling, will enable suppliers and OEMs to make informed decisions by considering the complete lifecycle of battery manufacturing.
Report Methodology The Capgemini Research Institute surveyed 750 senior executives from large battery, automotive, and energy and utilities organizations across 15 countries in North America, Europe, and APAC. The survey findings are complemented by in-depth discussions with 22 experts from battery, automotive, and energy and utilities sectors. The organizations surveyed are significant players in their respective segments, including battery manufacturers with annual revenue exceeding $50 million; energy and utilities firms with revenues over $1 billion (except those from Sweden and Norway, whose revenue exceeds $500 million); and automotive manufacturers with revenue above $1 billion (excluding two- and three- wheeler original equipment manufacturers [OEMs] with revenue over $300 million). The global survey was conducted in September-October 2024.
About Capgemini Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.
About the Capgemini Research Institute The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.
1 According to IEA, batteries account for 90% of the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE Scenario), with 60% of CO2 emissions reductions to be made in the energy sector by 2030 associated with batteries – Source: IEA, “Batteries and secure energy transitions,” April 2024. 2 From February 2027, EVs sold within the EU must be equipped with ‘battery passports’ that provide detailed information on battery composition, including sources of key materials, carbon footprint, and recycled content.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
February 27, 2025
“ED failed to provide information on how it intends to ensure ED data is not compromised or misused… [and] failed to answer any of our questions about what safeguards and procedures are in place to protect this data”
“The Department’s evasive response…heightens our concerns about whether ED may have violated the law or the federal government’s procedures in handling this data.”
Text of Letter (PDF) | Response from ED to Original Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (BHUA), led 14 of her colleagues, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), in writing a letter to Acting Secretary of Education Denise Carter, raising concerns about the Department of Education’s (ED; the Department) response to their inquiry into the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to millions of student loan borrowers’ personal data. Earlier this week, a federal court blocked DOGE’s access to sensitive ED databases with borrower information.
The letter was joined by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).
“[T]he Department’s response was woefully inadequate, may have contained misleading information, and raised new concerns about the nature and extent of DOGE’s access to the Department’s internal systems,” wrote the senators.
ED’s response to the senators’ initial letter failed to answer basic questions about DOGE’s access to student loan borrowers’ personal data.
The Department refused to confirm or deny whether DOGE had been granted access to the National Student Loan Data System or other databases with sensitive federal student loan data.
ED claimed it was committed to following “applicable laws and regulations” regarding management of borrower data, but it did not provide any information about if, how, why, by whom, and to what extent DOGE was granted access to these databases.
While ED said the DOGE team was onboarded through the proper processes, “including background investigation and system access authorization,” additional information indicates that at least one DOGE employee granted access “ha[d] not yet completed ethics or information security trainings” according to a declaration submitted in federal court two days before ED’s response.
ED also shared new information about the extent of DOGE’s access to other sensitive databases, saying that DOGE “is currently supporting a review of Department and Federal Student Aid (FSA) contracts to identify possible efficiencies…To support this work, one employee had read-only access to two of FSA’s internal systems.” But the Department failed to provide full and declarative information about which DOGE or ED employees had access to which datasets, what they were doing with that access, whether any data is being fed through Artificial Intelligence systems, and why one employee’s access to FSA’s internal systems was revoked.
ED also failed to provide information on how it intends to ensure data at the department is not compromised or misused, saying only that “robust protections in place to ensure data are secure,” but not providing specifics.
“The Department’s evasive response, in addition to the recent news that a federal judge has blocked ED from sharing sensitive data with DOGE due to potential violations of federal law, heightens our concerns about whether ED may have violated the law or the federal government’s procedures in handling this data,” concluded the lawmakers.
The 15 senators pressed the Acting Secretary to provide more information about DOGE employees’ or affiliates’ access to ED’s databases, the safeguards in place to protect federal student loan data, the status of DOGE’s work at the department, and more by March 5, 2025.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Case study
weeHoloCam: DASA Funding Transforms Marine Biology with Revolutionary Underwater Imaging
The University of Aberdeen has developed a state-of-the-art underwater holographic camera with DASA support, enabling rapid real-time analysis of marine life in impressive detail
From Ship-Sized to Hand-Held
DASA funding and Dstl technical advice has helped the University of Aberdeen develop the world’s most compact and lightweight underwater holographic camera – the weeHoloCam
The holographic camera has vastly improved processing speed – what previously took months can now be done in hours
Added AI integration enables the automatic classification of millions of marine particles in real-time
The weeHoloCam’s evolution spans two DASA projects, the first focused on developing the camera and processor, the second project added AI classification capabilities
Plankton might be microscopic, but their importance to the planet is huge. These marine organisms produce half the world’s oxygen, form the foundation of ocean food chains, and play a crucial role in carbon absorption from the atmosphere. Marine biologists study plankton to better understand how the ocean’s food web is changing, and how climate change affects marine life. However, this process has always been a challenge – as traditional sampling methods are time-consuming and logistically difficult.
This was the reality for marine biologists until the University of Aberdeen, with DASA funding in 2019, revolutionised underwater imaging with their weeHoloCam.
“The holographic camera we used in the past was big in size and weighed more than 100 kilograms, making it very difficult to transport and deploy,” explains Dr. Thangavel Thevar from the School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen. “Now, with DASA funding, we have developed a very small version of the same that is 60 cm long and weighs just 3.5 kilograms – the frame for the camera is actually heavier than the camera itself!”
Technical Innovation
The weeHoloCam’s innovative design features two cylinders – one housing a pulse laser and optics while the other containing a sensor, mini-PC and electronics. “The camera can detect particles that are present between its windows, covering approximately 12 cm cube of water,” explains Dr. Thevar. “Within this volume, we can capture incredibly detailed holograms of particles as small as 50 microns.”
Breaking Speed Barriers
Using this advanced system, the team unlocked new capabilities in underwater imaging. “For example, in a single 3-hour dive, you can capture up to 200,000 holograms,” says Dr. Thevar. “Previously, processing each hologram took about two minutes, which meant 200,000 holograms will take more than 9 months to process.”
Using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology, the team dramatically reduced the processing time. “We’ve taken the processing time down from two minutes to just two seconds per hologram. What would have taken 100 days now takes just one day.”
Adding AI Intelligence
Building on this, the University of Aberdeen embarked on a second project with DASA in 2022 to make the process even quicker by integrating an AI classification system for the particles. “As engineers, we needed to make this useful for biologists,” explains Dr. Thevar. “When you’re dealing with millions of individual images from hundreds of thousands of holograms, manual classification becomes incredibly time consuming.”
The new AI classifier automatically labels the images in real-time. As soon as a hologram is recorded through the camera, it’s processed and classified automatically.
Real-World Applications and Impact
The weeHoloCam has been deployed more than 20 times across various marine environments, including regular work with Marine Scotland. “We hope to support their weekly vessel deployments for plankton monitoring,” explains Dr. Thevar. “While traditional net sampling provides valuable data, our holographic camera adds crucial information about vertical depth distribution that nets can’t capture. This complementary approach gives us unprecedented insight into marine health.”
The system has even attracted media attention, featuring on BBC’s One Show during a deployment in Loch Ness. “While we did not find Nessie we were afforded a rare opportunity to study plankton in a freshwater situation which was a first for us,” says Dr. Thevar.
From a defence and security standpoint, the WeeHoloCam project addresses a critical challenge in marine operations: monitoring microscopic sea life in real-time. This capability is essential for predicting harmful algal blooms and tracking changes in marine biomass that can affect underwater optical systems.
The innovation delivers two key advantages:
Its compact size enables deployment on the growing fleet of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, dramatically increasing measurement coverage
Its advanced AI algorithms automatically classify micro-organisms, significantly reducing the manual analysis time needed to produce biological tactical assessments
End of DASA project trial
In October 2024, at the end of their DASA project, the University of Aberdeen demonstrated their subsea holographic camera to technical Dstl partners. The lab-based trials proved highly successful. The team showcased the system’s real-time classification capabilities, using both previously collected sea-trial data and live samples containing tiny jellyfish. The demonstration highlighted the intuitive user interface, which allows operators to easily select and group different marine organisms for analysis, from bubbles to dinoflagellates (a planktonic single-celled organism) and copepods (a group of very small crustaceans).
Future Horizons
The team is now running at full capacity with several exciting developments:
Tackling sea lice detection in salmon farms, despite the challenging nature of identifying these sparse, elusive parasites
A new funded project to permanently deploy a system for harmful micro-jellyfish detection
Exploring mounting the technology on autonomous underwater vehicles
Supporting carbon transport research by tracking organic matter movement in oceans
The DASA Difference
The University of Aberdeen credits DASA’s support for the project’s success. “Working with DASA has been a very positive experience,” notes Dr. Thevar. “It’s always a two-way conversation where we help each other. They’ve pushed us forward, whether through commercialisation ideas or project development, and have been instrumental in providing further leads to follow.”
“From studying plankton populations to tracking carbon transport in our oceans, this technology is helping us understand our marine environments in ways we never could before,” concludes Dr. Thevar. “And with each new application we discover, the value of DASA’s early investment becomes even more apparent.”
The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, met today with Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, at Palazzo Chigi, as part of a series of meetings to discuss topics linked to the technological transition and the development of artificial intelligence. During the meeting, the potential to enhance existing activities in Italy and explore new investment opportunities was also discussed.
San Francisco, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LambdaTest, a leading cloud-based unified testing platform is advancing mobile accessibility testing with its latest addition—VoiceOver testing on real iOS devices. By enabling developers and QA teams to evaluate app accessibility in real-world conditions, this feature ensures apps meet the highest inclusivity standards.
Unlike simulators, real device testing replicates genuine user experiences, accounting for network variability, hardware performance, and actual screen sizes. This approach uncovers subtle accessibility issues that only surface in real environments, such as device-specific gestures and hardware interactions. With real-time VoiceOver narrations, teams can identify and fix problems like missing labels, incorrect focus order, and ambiguous UI descriptions—enhancing the user experience for visually impaired individuals.
Seamless activation of VoiceOver within LambdaTest’s real device cloud allows for quick compliance checks with WCAG guidelines. Teams can efficiently track issues through session recordings, screenshots, and annotations, streamlining collaboration and remediation efforts.
“Accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s a necessity. True accessibility comes from understanding how real users interact with technology in their everyday lives. By testing on real devices, we ensure that digital experiences are not just compliant, but truly usable and inclusive for everyone,” said Mayank Bhola, Co-founder and Head of Product at LambdaTest.
Recent studies indicate an increasing reliance on mobile apps among screen reader users, reinforcing the need for accessible digital experiences. By integrating VoiceOver testing into their workflows, developers can address usability barriers before release, fostering an inclusive and frictionless app experience.
With this expansion to its accessibility toolkit, LambdaTest continues to empower teams to build functional, high-performance, and equitable applications, ensuring no user is left behind. For more information please visit: https://www.lambdatest.com/real-device-cloud
About LambdaTest
LambdaTest is an AI-native, omnichannel software quality platform that empowers businesses to accelerate time to market through intelligent, cloud-based test authoring, orchestration, and execution. With over 15,000 customers and 2.3 million+ users across 130+ countries, LambdaTest is the trusted choice for modern software testing.
Browser & App Testing Cloud: Enables manual and automated testing of web and mobile apps across 5,000+ browsers, real devices, and OS environments, ensuring cross-platform consistency.
HyperExecute: An AI-native test execution and orchestration cloud that runs tests up to 70% faster than traditional grids, offering smart test distribution, automatic retries, real-time logs, and seamless CI/CD integration.
KaneAI: The world’s first GenAI-native testing agent, leveraging LLMs for effortless test creation, intelligent automation, and self-evolving test execution. It integrates directly with Jira, Slack, GitHub, and other DevOps tools.
LONDON, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After success in centralized exchange (CEX) trading, Mizar, the automated trading platform backed by Nexo, KuCoin, and other notable traders, is expanding its focus to decentralized exchanges (DEX), bringing advanced trading tools on-chain.
Since launching its DEX trading products in 2024, Mizar has seen strong results, particularly on Base and BNB Chain, where traders in the Mizar Alpha Program report millions in net profits within months. With Solana integration on the horizon, the community is anticipating even more opportunities.
Mizar aims to replicate the seamless, feature-rich experience of CEX trading on DEXs. “Our goal is to enhance the on-chain trading experience—delivering the same ease and efficiency as Binance, but on decentralized platforms like Raydium” said Francesco Ciuci, CEO of Mizar.
The platform already offers an intuitive, high-performance trading terminal that simplifies meme-coin and token trading. Users can trade directly from the Mizar app or via the Mizar Telegram bot, which features a fast, user-friendly mini-app interface.
Beyond execution, Mizar is looking to revolutionize on-chain trading through AI and automation. “There’s so much untapped data on-chain that the potential for AI and automation is enormous. In a few years, I believe most on-chain crypto trading will be managed by bots and AI agents” said Ciuci. “We envision Mizar as an AI-powered platform that can either handle everything for users or recommend optimal strategies using advanced AI models.”
This vision is already evident in Mizar’s current offerings. The platform provides free AI-powered analytics, helping traders discover new tokens, identify smart wallets, and spot potential scam tokens. Its advanced trading bots take automation further, allowing users to capitalize on market volatility, copy-trade others wallets, and execute trades directly from Telegram chats.
With cutting-edge technology, AI-driven tools, and a strong community, Mizar is positioning itself as a key player in on-chain trading. As the platform continues to expand and refine its offerings, traders can expect a constantly evolving suite of smart tools designed to optimize success in the decentralized market.
About Mizar
Mizar is a next-generation trading platform that empowers users with advanced automation tools and AI, for seamless trading across both CEX and DEX markets. With a commitment to innovation and user success, Mizar is redefining the landscape of crypto trading for the modern investor.
ADVISORY – ANNVILLE – Governor Shapiro to Swear-in John R. Pippy as 55th Adjutant General of PA
John. R. Pippy will be sworn in as the 55th adjutant general of Pennsylvania and promoted to Major General. Pippy was unanimously confirmed as adjutant general by the Pennsylvania Senate on Feb. 4, 2025.
In this capacity, Pippy assumes command of the Pennsylvania National Guard, the third largest in the country, and is head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The DMVA provides programs and services to nearly 700,000 veterans, the fifth largest veteran population in the country.
NOTE: This event is available by stream to the general public at https://pacast.com/live/dmva. Media is invited to attend in person.
WHO: Governor Josh Shapiro Adjutant General John R. Pippy
WHEN: Friday, February 28; 10:15 AM
WHERE: Bldg. 8-80, Bearty Ave., Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
DIRECTIONS AND DETAILS FOR ACCESS:
All visitors must enter through the main gate. All other entrances and exits to Fort Indiantown Gap are permanently closed.
Take I-81 North and get off at exit 85B Indiantown Gap. This will put you on 934 North to the main gate. You must show a state- or federally-issued identification card to enter the installation. Continue through the access point to the first light, and take a right onto Service Rd. Next, take a right onto Bearty Ave. Then turn right on Bellamy Ave. to Bldg. 8-80. More information here: https://www.ftig.ng.mil/Gate-Construction/.
REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Titan America, based in Norfolk, Virginia, has announced it will install cloud-based concrete dispatch from BCMI Corp., a software developer for the bulk construction materials industry based in Redmond, Washington.
Titan America, a leading building materials supplier in key urban markets spanning the U.S. East Coast, from New York to Miami, will add BCMI Dispatch to its existing suite of BCMI products, in all its U.S. operations including Titan Virginia Ready Mix, Powhatan Ready Mix, S&W Ready Mix and Titan Florida.
The cement and concrete producer is poised to support strong construction trends in infrastructure, residential and urban development, in part through its commitment to technology that boosts operational efficiency, performance and customer satisfaction.
“We are proud to partner with BCMI’s dispatch system to streamline order placement and the dispatching process,” Titan America Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain Rod Cintra says. “To provide exceptional service, it’s critical that our dispatch team has real-time information to optimize delivery options, while enabling faster and better decisions.”
By adopting BCMI’s cloud-based dispatch, analytics and mobile app for customers, Titan America is leveraging best-in-class technology that will improve data flow. BCMI will integrate with other critical systems such as SAP to share business-critical information across the organization.
Titan America is a long-time advisor and contributor to the growth of BCMI’s software for ready mix, aggregates and cement producers.
“Titan was BCMI’s first supporter and customer back in 2013,” BCMI Co-founder and CEO Craig Yeack, says. “This milestone is the result of years of product refinement, support and relationship building. We are honored to support Titan America in its current operations and in its future growth.”
About Titan America
Titan America LLC and its family of companies are leading heavy building materials producers in the eastern United States. Titan America is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and its subsidiary companies produce cement, aggregates, ready mixed concrete, concrete block and beneficiated fly ash. Titan America is a member of TITAN Cement Group, an international cement and building materials producer. For more information, visit www.titanamerica.com.
About BCMI
BCMI Corp.’s mobile software empowers bulk construction material producers to improve business processes. BCMI’s performance analytics, interactive communication tools and AI-assisted dispatch keep materials producers and contractors aligned with real-time business solutions. For more on our cloud-based BCMI Dispatch, Material Pro and Material Now apps, visit www.bcmicorp.com.
Cape Town, South Africa: International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivered the following remarks at the first meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Cape Town, South Africa:
“I would like to thank the Government of South Africa for hosting this week’s G20 meeting, and Minister Godongwana and Governor Kganyago for their leadership in shepherding a focused discussion on our shared global economic challenges.
There was one resounding common theme I heard during our discussions: the need to reinvigorate global growth in an environment characterized by limited macroeconomic policy space and heightened policy uncertainties. Against this backdrop, I see important opportunities to advance the reforms needed to deliver lasting global economic prosperity.
Global Outlook: Low Growth, High Debt
We project global growth at 3.3 percent this year and next—steady but well below historic average and in the context of high public debt levels. Underlying this, we see divergences widening across economies, with growth in the U.S. stronger and a somewhat more gradual pick up in the EU than previously expected. In emerging markets and developing economies, growth in 2025 broadly matches last year’s performance.
The global disinflation process continues. With the gradual cooling of labor markets and energy prices expected to decline further, headline inflation is projected to continue its trajectory toward central bank targets.
At the same time, uncertainty with regard to economic policies is high. Governments around the world are shifting policy priorities. There are significant policy changes in the United States, in areas such as trade policy, taxation, public spending, immigration, and deregulation, with implications for the U.S. economy and the rest of the world. Governments in other countries are also adjusting their policies. The combined impacts of possible policy changes are complex and still difficult to assess but will come into clearer view in the months ahead.
Risks are also diverging. In the short-term, there is some upside potential in the U.S., where positive sentiment could boost activity. But, overall risks are to the downside for most other economies, including the risk of policy-induced disruptions to the disinflation process or capital outflows from emerging market economies.
Domestic Policies to Boost Growth
With the outlook for growth stuck at its lowest in decades, the central task is to craft policies that provide a strong foundation for higher and more durable growth.
Macroeconomic and financial stability must be preserved to enable growth. To that end, countries must manage multiple pressures: contain short-term risks, rebuild buffers, lift medium-term growth prospects.
For central banks, the focus remains fully restoring price stability, and to do so while supporting activity and employment.
On the fiscal side, most countries need to put public debt on sustainable path and rebuild fiscal buffers. While mobilizing more domestic revenues is crucial in many countries, it is equally important to promote more efficient public spending. The two go hand-in-hand to ensure that countries have the fiscal space to meet future shocks and provide the basis for higher future growth.
Critically, it is important that countries embrace ambitious reforms to lift productivity and enhance growth prospects. The specific priorities will vary from country to country, but in general this calls for a pivot toward supply side policies: cutting red tape, increasing competition and encouraging entrepreneurship, strengthening education systems, smart regulation that can encourage risk-taking and rapid but safe advances productivity-enhancing technology, such as AI.
Cooperative Actions to Boost Growth
While domestic reforms are essential, many countries cannot go it alone. Stepped up external support is vital to help countries implement reforms, through capacity development and concessional external support, and actions to crowd-in more private inflows.
There is also an urgent need to address debt challenges. A few countries may need to restructure their debt, while many more face high interest payments and refinancing needs that cripple their ability to invest in their future. A key step is to improve the predictability and timeliness of restructuring processes, building on the significant progress already achieved, including under the Common Framework. We also need to help countries with sustainable debt but faced with elevated interest payment and refinancing needs that crowd out their capacity to invest in education, health or infrastructure.
The IMF has a role to play. Through policy advice, capacity development, and lending where relevant, we help countries maintain or restore macroeconomic stability and implement sound policies needed for durable growth. We will continue to play a leading role on debt through our debt sustainability analyses and our support for international efforts to address debt challenges, including the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable.
We remain committed to helping our member countries achieve greater prosperity and stability.”
TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS today announced that the new Zenbook DUO (UX8406CA) and Zenbook 14 (UX3405CA), are now available in Canada. These new additions join the recently launched Zenbook A14, the lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC on the market, further expanding ASUS’s lineup of AI-powered Zenbook laptops.
Designed for power, portability, and next-level AI capabilities, the latest Zenbook models feature extended battery life, premium designs, and a customizable Copilot key, delivering an effortless blend of speed, creativity, and productivity. With cutting-edge AI tools at their core, these laptops streamline tasks, enhance security, and supercharge performance for work and play.
Next-Gen AI Power with Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) Processors
At the heart of these two new 2025 ASUS Zenbook laptops are the new Intel® Core™ Ultra processor (Series 2), featuring integrated AI acceleration, next-gen Intel Arc™ graphics, and an upgraded core architecture. Built for the AI era, this powerhouse processor boosts gaming, content creation, and multitasking to new heights, delivering exceptional speed and efficiency in a slim and stylish package.
ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8406CA)
The revolutionary dual-screen Zenbook DUO (2025) features twin 14-inch 16:10 OLED HDR NanoEdge touchscreens with up to 3K 120Hz resolution, seamlessly blending AI-powered performance with versatile multi-mode functionality — Dual Screen, Desktop, Laptop, and Screen Sharing — and superb mobility. Measuring just 14.6mm (0.57″) at its thinnest and weighing only 1.35 kg (2.98 lbs)1, it’s powered by up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H with integrated NPU, unlocking enhanced AI capabilities. It also features a large-capacity 75Wh battery and includes a comprehensive array of I/O ports. The easy-to-use Zenbook DUO maximizes productivity, with zero fuss.
ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3405CA)
Zenbook 14 (UX3405CA) takes sophistication to a whole new level, with an environmentally-conscious thin-and-light design. It amplifies AI efficiency with its Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H and Intel Arc graphics, and offers an immersive experience with its vivid 14-inch 16:10 ASUS Lumina OLED touchscreen and powerful super-linear speakers.
Later this year, an AMD-powered variant, the Zenbook 14 (UM3406KA), will join the lineup, featuring the new AI-enabled AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with a 50 TOPS NPU for accelerated AI performance.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The Zenbook DUO and Zenbook 14 are now available in Canada. The Zenbook DUO is available at the ASUS Store, Best Buy, Amazon, and Canada Computers, with Costco joining later this year. The Zenbook 14 is available at the ASUS Store, Amazon and Shi, with Canada Computers, Costco, and Staples set to carry it later this year. The Zenbook 14 (UM3406KA) will also be available later this year.
For detailed specifications, availability, pricing, and where to buy links, please see below.
Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
SPECIFICATIONS2
ASUS Zenbook DUO (UX8406CA)
Model
UX8406CA-BS91T-CB
UX8406CA-DS91T-CA
UX8406CA-CS71-CB
Marketing Name
ASUS Zenbook DUO (2025)
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Color
Inkwell Gray
Weight
1.65 kg (3.64 lbs)
Weight without keyboard: 1.35 kg (2.98 lbs)
Weight of keyboard: 0.30 kg (0.66 lbs)
Dimensions
31.35 x 21.79 x 1.46 ~ 1.99 cm (12.34″ x 8.58″ x 0.57″ ~ 0.78″)
Keyboard Dimensions
31.28 x 20.90 x 0.51 ~ 0.53 cm (12.31″ x 8.23″ x 0.20″ ~ 0.21″)
ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.
1 Without keyboard 2 Price and specifications and subject to change without notice. For the latest information please visit https://www.asus.com/ca-en/
Headline: Microsoft AI ignites telecom innovation and growth
The telecommunications industry is experiencing significant AI advancements, emerging as the leading adopter of generative and agentic AI to drive automation, personalization, and data-driven decisions. According to a recent IDC white paper, telecom and media companies are seeing nearly four times the return on investment (ROI) on every dollar invested in AI. Additionally, by 2027, almost 90% of telecom providers are expected to use generative AI to improve customer experiences, up from 62% today.
96% of our tier-1 telecom customers are already adopting Microsoft AI solutions. Our ecosystem of customers and partners are harnessing the power of AI to reimagine customer experiences, modernize networks, automate business operations, and drive growth.
Ahead of Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC), we’re sharing new capabilities and customer momentum that show how telecoms are adopting the Microsoft Cloud and AI capabilities to support their AI journey and empower the next generation of telecom solutions.
We invite you to join us next week at MWC to learn more about our new announcements and see firsthand how Microsoft AI is transforming the telecom industry. Experience live demos, attend insightful sessions, and meet our experts to learn how you can drive innovation and growth with Microsoft AI technologies.
Data is the fuel that powers AI: Telco data model
Telecom networks are recognized for their complex, data-rich environments. This data is the fuel that powers AI and forms the foundation upon which next-generation telecom systems are built. To convert this massive potential into actionable intelligence, organizations need a unified platform that can seamlessly connect, manage, and analyze their data. Microsoft Fabric is the end-to-end data platform designed to power customer AI transformation and help organizations reimagine how they unlock value from their data and revolutionize the services they offer.
Today we announce the Telco industry data model in Microsoft Fabric, designed to unify all data—from network performance metrics to customer interactions, within a single analytics environment. As an integral Fabric workload, telecom providers can use the Telco industry data model to manage and streamline how all their data is ingested, modelled, and analyzed through:
Native Fabric integration—a unified pipeline within Fabric’s analytics, governance, and visualization framework means faster time to market, with better insights.
Expanded data model—pre-built telecom-specific schemas covering network data, customer insights, and operational metrics drives operational efficiency.
Developer and visualization tools—simplified, AI-ready solution building that dramatically reduces development and testing time, making networks more resilient.
More than 50% of our telecom customers are leveraging Fabric for real-time business insights to optimize business and network operations. Leading customers like Telefónica, KPN, One NZ, and partners like Accenture, Infosys, and LigaData are using Fabric to achieve business results. The broader customer adoption for Fabric is more than 19,000 customers, including 70% of the Fortune 500. The Telco industry data model in Microsoft Fabric enables telecoms to establish a strong data foundation to unlock AI-powered insights that fuel innovation, operational efficiency, and greater value across the entire organization.
“Microsoft Fabric, powered by Telco data model and AI capabilities, has revolutionized our solutions by providing real-time insights throughout the customer journey, potentially increasing operational efficiency by 40%. Our solution offers preventive insights across the entire order lifecycle and its auto-healing capability for enhanced jeopardy management, significantly improving the management of complex B2B orders and enhancing the customer experience.”
The Telco industry data model in Microsoft Fabric will be available early in April 2025.
Telecom customers around the world are taking advantage of the cloud and AI in new and innovative ways. The collaborations we recently announced with KT Corporation, Lumen, Telstra, and Vodafone demonstrate how telecoms are innovating to elevate customer experiences, streamline business operations, modernize networks, and unlock new revenue streams. Additionally, we’re introducing new collaborations with top telecom providers that exemplify how they’re building the foundation to successfully implement AI, benefiting their organization, employees, and customers.
Spark, New Zealand’s leading telecom provider, is joining forces with Microsoft in the country’s largest Microsoft public cloud partnership, highlighting how AI and the Cloud are helping to transform telecom worldwide. Spark will migrate a portion of its workloads to Microsoft Azure and roll out one of New Zealand’s largest Microsoft 365 Copilot deployments. For more, read the press release.
Microsoft and Telefónica are extending their strategic collaboration to co-develop digital solutions using Open Gateway, a GSMA-led initiative that transforms communication networks into programmable platforms via Telefónica’s AI platform, Kernel. Both companies will work together to migrate Kernel’s capacities to Azure as part of a software as a service (SaaS) offering. The collaboration also encompasses a joint go-to-market strategy, which will bring a suite of digital products and services to other telecoms, developers, and telecom entities—available on Azure Marketplace and integrated into Microsoft’s overall telecom solutions. For more, read the press release.
We are also announcing that Surface for Business with 5G devices and Microsoft 365 Copilot will be available in all Verizon Business channels starting in April 2025. This launch marks a decade of partnership between Microsoft and Verizon Business, offering cellular connected Surface for Business devices and Microsoft services. Customers are choosing Surface Copilot+ PCs today for their exceptional performance, battery life, and security. Now, with the Verizon 5G network, the combination of Surface and Microsoft 365 Copilot offers an unparalleled mobile experience for business customers. For more, read the Surface IT Pro blog.
Telecoms accelerate growth in the next wave of AI: Agentic AI
As the AI platform shift accelerates, it’s inspiring to see customers and partners harness AI, generative AI, and agentic AI to drive transformation—reshaping both their businesses and the industry at large.
Elevating customer experiences
A recent IDC white paper showed AI-powered customer engagement is a top priority for businesses, with 92% of organizations currently using AI for marketing and public relations (PR) and 77% using it for customer service. Telecom providers are delivering frictionless customer experiences with AI-infused customer care at-scale with Dynamics 365. With a comprehensive view of the customer, telecoms obtain real-time insights into accounts and next-best actions to take. They also enable their customers through AI-powered automation for self-service. Additionally, Amdocs has created the Customer Engagement Platform that is fully integrated with Dynamics 365, to reimagine customer experience and identify new revenue opportunities for telecoms.
Since last MWC, we announced Dynamics 365 Contact Center, a powerful solution that works with existing customer relationship management systems (CRMs) and unifies interactions, streamlines support, and boosts customer satisfaction. With this solution, consumers can engage and self-serve in their channel of choice while reps can handle billing and tech issues faster with a single view. Built-in Copilot capabilities and real-time analytics drive improvements and upselling, enhancing loyalty, and revenue.
Leading telecoms are also reimagining how they connect with customers by harnessing Microsoft 365 Copilot to capture real-time transcripts, gain contextual insights, and automate repetitive tasks. This reduces handling times, freeing representatives to tackle more complex customer needs.
Here are some examples of how telecoms customers are using Microsoft AI technologies to transform their business and reimagine customer experiences:
Telkomsel’s AI-powered solution Veronika, built on Azure and introduced at the end of 2023, is delivering impressive results. Telkomsel has increased self-service interactions by 62% and cut escalations to agents by 38%. The average monthly active users of Veronika also grew by 67%, rising from 1.3 million in the first half of 2023 to 2.2 million in the second half. These improvements have boosted agent productivity and service quality, making for a smoother, more efficient customer experience.
Vodafone is harnessing Microsoft 365 Copilot to empower 68,000 employees to boost productivity, innovation, and quality. They are also leveraged Azure OpenAI Service, Azure AI Studio, Kubernetes Service to develop Tobi and SuperAgent to empower their agents with real-time AI support to improve customer experience, decrease churn, and provide competitive advantage. This improved first-time resolution from 70% to 90%.
Lumen is leveraging Microsoft AI solutions to empower their employees and improve customer service.
“Lumen is building the trusted network for AI. By scaling our AI capabilities with tools like Copilot, Azure AI, and Azure ML, we’re empowering our employees to tackle complex challenges and prioritize high-impact activities that enhance customer experiences and satisfaction. As we navigate our transformation, Microsoft’s AI tools are essential in supporting our objectives and sustaining our competitive advantage.”
Ryan Asdourian, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Lumen Technologies
Optimizing operations and modernizing networks
To keep pace with increasing business demands, leading telecoms are optimizing business operations and modernizing their networks with AI and an integrated data backbone.
Here are examples of how customers are using Microsoft AI capabilities to drive operational efficiency, innovation and growth:
AT&T automates code conversion and human resources (HR) inquiries with Azure OpenAI Service, improving employee experience, cutting costs and boosting customer service.
KT Corporation is leveraging Microsoft AI to drive efficiency and innovation.
“The Microsoft AI-driven solutions have enabled KT Corporation to improve its work efficiency and drive significant work innovation. By introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot, KT Corporation empowered over 11,000 employees with the latest AI solutions. Additionally, by developing AI agents built on solutions such as Microsoft Sustainability Manager and Copilot, KT reduced task completion time by 50% and improved infrastructure efficiency by 20%.”Phil Oh, CTO, KT Corporation
Proximus and TCS’s GitHub Copilot journey showcases how Microsoft generative AI accelerates IT delivery in telecom, improving productivity, code quality, and developer experience.
“In terms of developer experience, that’s where we got phenomenal, satisfactory feedback from developers—about 90% plus positive feedback from all categories of developers.”
Muralidharan Murugesan, Head – AI, Telco, Media & Information Services Industry, TCS
NTT DATA is leveraging Microsoft AI to build agentic AI workloads.
“NTT DATA leverages Microsoft Copilot Studio to deliver agentic AI advisory, implementation, managed services, and connectivity. By providing industry-specific automation and utilizing our integrated managed services platform, we support clients throughout their agents’ lifecycle. This collaboration is pivotal in achieving our clients’ outcomes, enabling us to deliver tailored, efficient, and innovative solutions that drive business success and enhance decision-making processes.”
Aishwarya Sing, SVP, Global Head of Digital Collaboration, NTT
One NZ is using Microsoft Fabric for real-time analytics from unified data sources. With the integration of multiple systems and visualizing insights on a single pane, One NZ has rapidly streamlined processes and proactively addressed growth opportunities:
“Previously, you needed to be a data engineer or scientist to access and understand customer information. Now we’re making it user-friendly, so anyone can easily make data-driven decisions.”
Strathan Campbell, Channel Environment Technology Lead, One NZ
Telstra scales in-house generative AI tools, saving 90% of employees’ time and reducing follow-up contacts by 20%.
Unlocking new revenue streams in the enterprise
A recent IDC white paper reports that 63% of telco and media companies say they are currently monetizing or using AI to boost revenue. As a trusted partner, beyond supporting their own transformation, we equip telecom providers with comprehensive business-to-business (B2B) offerings to drive topline growth and better serve their enterprise customers.
For example, AT&T’s collaboration with Microsoft is reimagining enterprise connectivity. AI applications and AT&T’s connectivity are tackling the USD112 billion annual retail shrinkage issue head-on. By integrating Azure IoT with AT&T’s 5G network and leveraging Teams Phone Mobile for notifications, retailers receive alerts that minimize loss and ensure safer shopping experience. AT&T’s move into AI-powered connectivity has created new revenue streams, spanning cost savings, compliance, and collaboration.
“AT&T is a leader in enabling innovative AI solutions and continues to expand capabilities through our relationship with Microsoft. We’re excited to integrate Microsoft’s AI capabilities into our retail crime intelligence platform, which utilizes near real-time notifications via Teams Phone Mobile. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both companies to enhance retail security and contribute to a safer shopping environment for both employees and customers.”
Another partner, Norwood Systems, is extending traditional voice services with Voice AI, opening up a new revenue stream for telecoms. Its OpenSpan solution, built on Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Speech, enables telecoms to bridge public switched telephone network (PSTN) and mobile services, to deliver advanced features like real-time recording, transcription, and summarization. This provides seamless call management for users and deeper insights for the telecom providers:
“By integrating Norwood’s OpenSpan with our mobile and voice networks, BT is unlocking new possibilities in voice technology. This innovation bridges our award-winning networks with AI, creating opportunities to enhance customer experiences, drive new efficiencies, and shape the future of voice communications.”
Jon Martin, Senior Director, Unified Communications, BT
To continue our mission to help telecoms succeed in this era of AI platform shift, Microsoft is enabling telecoms to further capitalize on AI by offering generative AI-powered managed security services. This allows tier-1 telecoms to generate new revenue from reselling, implementation, and managed services, while also reducing security operations center (SOC) costs and accelerating threat responses.
AI-powered Microsoft platforms and capabilities for co-innovation
Microsoft offers arguably the most comprehensive AI solutions. As a platform-first company, we also provide extensive tools to empower partners, developers and customers to build innovative cloud and AI solutions that meet the needs of telecom businesses.
Our adaptive cloud approach unifies hybrid, multi-cloud, and edge infrastructure through a single Azure Arc platform. We enable customers to build distributed, low-latency, high-performance applications and establish a common data foundation for current and future AI investments. For ultra-low latency or regulatory scenarios, we’re expanding Azure withAzure Local—cloud-connected infrastructure deployable at edge locations like retail sites and central offices. We continue to support existing Azure Operator Nexus customers as the solution evolves as part of our overall approach for Azure at the edge.
Accenture is spearheading an enterprise-ready private multi-access edge compute (MEC) solution built on Azure Local to deliver low latency, localized data processing, and meet regulatory requirements. Tejas Rao, Accenture, Managing Director, Accenture says, “Private 5G and edge computing are no longer experimental technologies, they are catalysts for enterprise transformation. By leveraging Azure Local, we help organizations harness ultra-low latency and localized data processing to unlock real-time insights, automate critical operations, and meet industry-specific compliance needs.”
Another partner,
Microsoft has also performed an initial integration of Project Janus into Academic institutions, such as the To learn more about how telecoms can modernize their networks with Project Janus, read this blog.
Vice President WW Telecommunications, Media and Gaming, Microsoft
Silvia Candiani leads Microsoft’s Worldwide Telecommunications, Media and Gaming Industry, overseeing industry strategy, go-to-market plan, ecosystem growth, and solution development. Silvia was formerly CEO of Microsoft Italy, focused on accelerating digital transformation. Prior to Microsoft, Silvia led Consumer Marketing for Vodafone in Italy and was previously a consultant at McKinsey in the Media and Telecommunication industries. She has a BA from Bocconi University and an MBA from INSEAD. Silvia is also a member of the Bocconi University Alumni Advisory Board and Lavazza Group.
PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media GroupNews Commentary – According to a recent article issued by Fact.MR, the global drone surveying market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.3% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2033. The report said: “The drone surveying market is witnessing increased demand for its services across different industries. The survey done by drones has multiple benefits in comparison to the traditional way of surveys such as lower cost, reduced time, and improved end results. The drone covers a larger area within less amount of time and money for a survey if compared with the traditional or conventional way of surveys. Since the data is captured and generated with actual imagery, it also brings better transparency in the end result. All these benefits have resulted in increased demand from governments and real estate development companies for drone surveying services. The drone surveying service providers are entering into partnerships with companies and the government to carry out surveys on their behalf for the planning and development of urban areas and townships. The image and data collected from the drone surveys are more accurate and can be converted into meaningful output as per the requirements. This helps governments and infrastructure development companies in different stages of planning in township development, urban planning, and land surveys. The continuous advancement of technology in the drone market has led to increased demand for their products and services. The services or task performed by a drone has significantly improved in the last few years which has ultimately resulted in improved demand.” Active Companies in the Drone Industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI), ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO), New Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR), Unusual Machines (NYSE: UMAC).
Fact.MR added: “The industries catered to by drones have also increased significantly. Earlier most of the demand for drones was from agriculture and public administration, now it has increased to infrastructure development, mining, energy, education, and transportation among others. Now a mining company can easily calculate/measure the area covered for the mining, or the stockpile volume with the help of drone surveys. It is expected that in the coming years, the drone surveying industry will witness continuous technological advancement, resulting in the expansion of service offerings. The US drone surveying market and construction and mining industry is expected to be the market leader in the demand for drone surveying services. Increased spending from governments and rising demand for residential and commercial spaces would add a significantly high pace to the overall drone surveying demand in the US.”
ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone Advances IQ Square Drone to Manufacturing Stage for Outdoor Applications Including Inspections, Surveys, and the Fast-Growth Power Washing Sector – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that its subsidiary ZenaDrone has moved its first batch of IQ Square multifunction drones from prototype to manufacturing stage. This drone was designed for outdoor applications for operator line-of-site inspections such as for building and construction inspections, short-range land surveys, power washing and other business and government applications. The IQ Square is also expected to be a key part of ZenaDrone’s multifunction drone inventory for its Drone as a Service or DaaS business, which enables business and government users to hire a turnkey drone service and drone pilot through a local store for easy subscription-based or pay-as-you-go access to drones for various uses.
“The IQ Square’s rapid progression from the prototype stage, initiated in 2022, to the manufacturing and assembly stage is a testament to our hardware and engineering team’s dedication and hard work. We see many commercial and government applications for the IQ Square, which we also envision will be central to powering our future DaaS operations as a versatile multifunction drone for multiple outdoor uses requiring line-of-site including fast growth uses like power washing,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.
The IQ Square will be equipped with a power wash system for use in larger-scale cleaning jobs such as stadium seating, building exteriors, and public spaces; drones eliminate the need for scaffolding, lifts, or manual labor by providing a more efficient, safe, and cost-effective solution. Tethered to a ground-based water and a power source, it is designed to maintain a continuous supply of high-pressure water needed to clean large areas without the weight limitations of onboard tanks.
The mold and drone body frames of the first batch of IQ Square drones are currently being completed, after which they will be assembled, integrated, and tested at the company’s Sharjah, UAE production facility. The Company will oversee the integration and quality inspection of electronics, battery and propulsion systems, software, and sensor installation and calibration, concluding with final flight testing.
According to QYResearch, the global market for drone cleaning services, including applications such as water hose-tethered power washing for stadium seats and public areas, is projected to reach approximately $53.89 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.3%.
ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service or DaaS business model enables government agencies, building developers, entertainment facilities, farmers, environmental firms, etc. to conveniently access a turnkey drone solution via a local store on a pay-as-you-go or subscription basis rather than having to buy the entire drone hardware and software solution. Like Amazon Web Services, where Amazon owns computer equipment platforms and hires the personnel, with the DaaS model, ZenaDrone owns the drones, hires the pilots and ensures regulatory compliance to enable the cost savings, precision and efficiency of drones over existing legacy methods. Continued…Read this full release by visiting:https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/
Other recent developments in the drone industry include:
Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI) recently announced that its Safe Pro AI subsidiary reached its latest milestone having processed over 1,000,000 real-world images and 20,000 explosive threat detections in Ukraine utilizing its patented AI-powered small object threat detection and drone image analysis and mapping technology.
Sourced from real-world aerial imagery collected in Ukraine by organizations utilizing commercially available drones over the past two years, SafePro’s latest generation of small object detection models include one of the largest and widest arrays of labeled imagery of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in existence today. Supported by the hyper scale of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud, this robust dataset enables the patented SpotlightAI™ ecosystem to rapidly detect over 150 types of surface-level explosive hazards, enabling government and humanitarian organizations to quickly assess threats on the ground with sub-centimeter precision. The Company intends to utilize its newly enhanced models to power new threat detection solutions designed for expanded domestic and international applications in defense, public safety and commercial markets.
ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO) recently announced that it has successfully achieved regulatory compliance with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its SafeAir systems. This milestone marks a step forward for the company, solidifying its position as a trusted provider of safety solutions in the rapidly expanding drone market.
ParaZero secured EASA compliance for its SafeAir systems. The Company announced last week that its system is integrated with the DJI Matrice 350, DJI Mavic 3T, and DJI Mavic 3E, and has successfully achieved CE Class C5 compliance. This achievement marks a significant advancement in drone safety and regulatory readiness, particularly within the European market.
New Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ: HOVR)announces that John Wyzykowski has been appointed as a Technical Expert. Horizon Aircraft recently announced that John Wyzykowski has joined the company as a Technical Expert to support the development of its propulsion systems. John is the latest in a series of new hires as Horizon Aircraft continues to bolster its engineering team with people who have proven track records in the aerospace sector. John joins from Lilium, a leading eVTOL developer, where he held the position of Head of Propulsion. With decades of experience in advanced aerospace propulsion, John will play a key role in supporting the ongoing development and optimization of the Cavorite X7, Horizon’s revolutionary hybrid-electric eVTOL.
John is a recognized expert in propulsion system design, integration, and performance optimization for next-generation aerospace platforms. His extensive background includes work on gas turbine and fully electric propulsion architectures, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges associated with eVTOL applications, including power density, thermal management, and system redundancy. His insights will be instrumental as Horizon Aircraft continues its rigorous testing and refinement of the Cavorite X7’s propulsion system.
Unusual Machines (NYSE:UMAC)announced it has recently secured Red Cat Holdings (RCAT) as a customer for motors. This marks the company’s first partnership to develop motors built to a U.S. drone producer’s specific requirements. Red Cat will use three motor variants from Unusual Machines for one of its platforms designed for government and commercial applications.
Red Cat has placed its initial order, marking a significant milestone in Unusual Machines’ efforts to become a Tier 1 supplier of drone motors for American manufacturers. The motors will be among the first produced in Unusual Machines’ U.S.-based manufacturing facility, which is currently under development. In the interim, production will take place in a partnered facility, that we believe will result in a seamless supply chain transition. Unusual Machines expects to begin delivering on Red Cat’s first order by the end of March.
This order further strengthens the relationship between Unusual Machines and Red Cat, as the companies continue their collaborative work on the FANG™, a high-performance FPV drone designed for defense applications.
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ATLANTA, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GreyOrange Inc., a leader in AI-driven fulfillment automation, announces recognition of its GreyMatter hyper-intelligent warehouse orchestration in Interact Analysis’ comprehensive report, Warehouse Software Market Insight. Authored by Interact Analysis Research Manager Rueben Scriven and Senior Analyst Irene Zhang, the report reveals key insights into the rapidly evolving warehouse software market, highlighting a projected CAGR of 12.7% from 2023 to 2030. Interact Analysis predicts the warehouse automation software market will reach over $16 billion by 2030.
The report underscores the pivotal role of mobile robots in propelling growth within the fleet management system market. Their swift deployment, space efficiency compared to fixed automation, and flexible purchasing models, such as Robotics as a Service (RaaS), have accelerated the adoption of mobile robots – and the need for corresponding software.
According to the report, “To enhance operational efficiency in warehouses, implementing a Warehouse Execution System (WES) is likely to be considered a strategic choice.”
“With more disparate automation systems being used, along with more complex logistical processes, the need for fine-tuned orchestration and execution is becoming paramount to stay ahead of the curve,” said Rueben Scriven, Research Manager, Interact Analysis. “Being able to orchestrate fixed automation, mobile automation, and manual operations, GreyMatter is a true Warehouse Execution System.”
In alignment with this concept, GreyMatter’s hyper-intelligent warehouse orchestration is at the forefront of this software revolution. GreyMatter is designed to solve critical warehouse operation challenges. It seamlessly supports both fixed automation and robotics while maintaining exceptional reliability as agent numbers grow. With advanced functional areas like Fulfillment Engine, Inventory in Motion, and Integrated Automation, GreyMatter ensures precise and efficient operational orchestration.
“The recognition of GreyMatter’s value to the industry by Interact Analysis is a nod to the commitment of GreyOrange to producing competitive advantages for our customers,” said Akash Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO, GreyOrange. “GreyMatter’s capability to operate across various facility types, flex up and down according to inventory levels and demand, and provide agnostic multiagent orchestration for robotic and human labor differentiates the WES, and prepares companies today with solutions for future needs.”
Download the Warehouse Software Market Insight report, compliments of GreyOrange here.
Learn more about GreyOrange’s GreyMatter by visiting www.greyorange.com.
Interact Analysis, Warehouse Software Market Insight 2025, Rueben Scriven and Irene Zhang; January 2025
About Interact Analysis Interact Analysis is the leading authority on the warehouse automation market. With analysts located across the world including the US, China, UK, and Germany, Interact Analysis helps its clients stay ahead of the curve with its high quality research and analysis.
About GreyOrange GreyOrange Inc. is at the forefront of AI-driven robotics systems, transforming distribution and fulfillment centers worldwide. Its emphasis on orchestration, innovation, and customer satisfaction marks a new era in efficient, responsive supply chain solutions. The company’s solutions offer a competitive advantage by increasing productivity, empowering growth and scale, mitigating labor challenges, reducing risk and time to market, and creating better experiences for customers and employees. Founded in 2012, GreyOrange is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with offices and partners across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.greyorange.com.
CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VelocityEHS®, the global leader in enterprise EHS & ESG software solutions, has announced the publication of three groundbreaking scientific papers, further cementing its leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in workplace safety and sustainability. These papers, published in the esteemed journals Ergonomics; International Journal of Data Warehousing and Mining; and Elsevier, showcase VelocityEHS’ innovative in musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk assessment, ESG data management, and Chemical Safety.
Advancements in Ergonomics Risk Assessment
The first paper, NLP-based Ergonomics MSD Risk Root Cause Analysis and Risk Controls Recommendation, published in Ergonomics and authored by Pulkit Parikh, PhD., Julia Penfield, PhD., Richard Barker, CPE, CSP, Blake McGowan, CPE, and James Richard Mallon, CPE, presents an AI-powered framework that utilizes Natural Language Processing (NLP) to automate the identification of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks and recommend targeted risk controls.
By leveraging deep learning and expert-driven ML models, this system goes beyond traditional risk scoring to provide actionable insights that improve workplace ergonomics and reduce injuries.
“Traditional ergonomics assessments often stop at producing risk scores, leaving companies without clear guidance on control actions,” said Rick Barker, CPE, Senior Director, Solution Strategy.
Until now, most research using artificial intelligence to combat musculoskeletal disorders has been limited to risk assessment. One of the unanswered questions among researchers is how to enhance the model to offer sustainable improvement strategies.
Julia Penfield, PhD., VP of Research & Machine Learning at VelocityEHS addressed this challenge: “We presented a framework that goes beyond MSD risk scoring. Along with machine learning, computer vision and natural language processing can propose risk control recommendations to help organizations achieve their goal to create safer workplaces. To the best of my knowledge, we are the first to take this holistic approach.”
Revolutionizing ESG Data Management
The second paper, Automatic Question Answering from Large ESG Reports, published in International Journal of Data Warehousing and Mining, and co-authored by Pulkit Parikh, PhD., and Julia Penfield, PhD., introduces the first AI-driven system designed to automatically extract and answer questions from extensive Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) reports.
ESG reports often exceed 50 pages, making manual extraction for audits, benchmarking, or Scope 3 reporting time-consuming and labor-intensive. Compounding this challenge, audits require answering hundreds of questions, posing difficulties even for experts. Additionally, midsize companies managing Scope 3 reports must manage thousands of suppliers, making it difficult to process ESG data.
“An AI-system could transform this process, enabling organizations to retrieve relevant information and drive informed decision-making effortlessly and efficiently,” said Dr. Julia Penfield.
Transforming Chemical Safety with AI-driven SDS Indexing
The third paper, A Machine Learning Driven Automated System to Extract Multiple Information Fields from Safety Data Sheet Documents, published in Elsevier, and authored by Misbah Khan, Julia Penfield, PhD., Aatish Suman, and Stephanie Crowell, presents an AI-powered system designed to automate the extraction of key chemical safety data from Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
SDS indexing has evolved from storing physical copies to digitally extracting key fields for inventory and risk management. While essential for compliance, manual SDS indexing is labor-intensive, costly and time consuming. An AI-driven solution will automate this process, allowing organizations to access critical chemical information with speed and accuracy.
“Effective chemical data management is essential for workplace safety and regulatory compliance. AI is no longer the future of chemical safety — it’s the present. With automated SDS indexing, we’re setting a new standard for speed, accuracy, and compliance,” says Misbah Khan, Staff Machine Learning Scientist, VelocityEHS. “An AI-driven solution will allow an organization’s team member to quickly retrieve SDS information in case of an accident, improving the response time and potentially saving a life. This blend of innovation and responsibility propels us toward an EHS future that’s both efficient and human centered.”
The paper concluded that an automated system could improve efficiency and compliance by indexing fields, such as product name, manufacturer, supplier, and revision date, with a precision accuracy of 96 to 99%.
Driving Innovation in Workplace Safety & Sustainability
These research contributions reflect VelocityEHS’ commitment to pioneering AI to improve workplace safety and operational performance. The company continues to invest in innovation to provide advanced solutions so organizations can reach all their EHS goals.
To learn how Velocity’s AI Machine Leaning scientists worked with certified ergonomists to deliver the most comprehensive ergonomics assessment tool, watch this video.
Relied on by more than 10 million users worldwide to drive operational excellence and achieve outstanding outcomes, VelocityEHS is the global leader in true SaaS enterprise EHS & ESG technology. The VelocityEHS Accelerate® Platform is the definitive gold standard, delivering best-in-class software solutions for managing Safety, Ergonomics, Chemical Management, and Operational Risk. In addition, Velocity offers world-class applications for Contractor Safety & Permit to Work, Environmental Compliance, and ESG.
The VelocityEHS team includes unparalleled industry expertise, with more certified experts in health, safety, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, sustainability, the environment, AI, and machine learning than any other EHS software provider. Recognized by the EHS industry’s top independent analysts as a Leader in the Verdantix 2025 Green Quadrant Analysis, VelocityEHS is committed to industry thought leadership and to accelerating the pace of innovation through its software solutions and vision. Its privacy and security protocols, which include SOC2 Type II attestation, are among the most stringent in the industry.
VelocityEHS is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with locations in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Tampa, Florida; Oakville, Ontario; London, England; Perth, Western Australia; and Cork, Ireland. For more information, visit www.EHS.com.
Chicago, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Healthcare desperately needs more clinicians, but can’t scale up fast enough. Traditional medical training demands thousands of hours of supervised, hands-on practice and struggles to prepare today’s workforce for modern challenges – especially the management of chronic diseases. Today, SimCare AI announces $2 million in seed funding to rethink clinical training from first principles: using AI patients to bypass regulatory constraints and certify clinical skills with far fewer patient interactions.
The funding round was led by Y Combinator and Drive Capital, with participation from Harper Court Ventures Fund, Singularity Capital, Triple S Ventures, Goodwater Capital, Asymmetry Ventures, Sand Hill North, and Transpose Platform.
SimCare AI founders Vrishank Saini and Tigran Bdoyan.
The story began with a problem: when founder Vrishank Saini failed a critical clinical communications exam and couldn’t afford the $9,000 tutor fee, he got together with Tigran Bdoyan and built an AI solution instead. The tool worked so well it attracted 2,500 users and reached $5,000 in monthly recurring revenue within three weeks. After an initial rejection from Y Combinator’s S24 batch, Saini and his co-founder Bdoyan dropped out of college with no funding, moved to San Francisco, and – when told they couldn’t reapply to the same batch – created new email accounts and applied again. Y Combinator caught them but, impressed by their determination, gave them $500,000 to build SimCare AI.
“We took a risk to prove our point,” said Vrishank Saini, CEO and Co-founder of SimCare AI. “By using AI patients, we’ve set a clinical benchmark for how training should be measured – efficient, reliable, and cost-effective. Current training methods excel at teaching acute conditions but fall short with chronic diseases that develop over months and years. A medication change today might not show its impact for months, and missed interventions might not reveal their consequences for years. SimCare AI’s simulations compress these timelines dramatically, allowing clinicians to witness disease progression patterns that would traditionally take years to experience.”
Vrishank Saini, CEO and Co-founder of SimCare AI.
The SimCare AI platform can be customized for different specialties and use cases, from residency programs preparing trainees for complex patient scenarios to social work programs practicing family interventions. Telehealth companies, for example, screen job applicants by testing their skills with SimCare AI patients, enabling faster and more cost-effective hiring. The platform also supports their onboarding, training, upskilling, and remediation without the prolonged timelines and high expenses of traditional training. For healthcare organizations, being able to benchmark and predict performance of their workforce will offer employers an advantage. Currently, SimCare AI has already closed 30 pilots with institutions including the University of Pennsylvania.
The innovation comes at a crucial moment. As seasoned physicians leave the profession while less experienced clinicians backfill positions, the clinical experience gap is widening. Traditional training methods – role-playing, in-person evaluations, and one-on-one interviews – cost institutions hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in faculty time and administrative overhead, while still failing to provide comprehensive exposure to complex patient cases.
Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina Douglas A. Drossman MD, President at DrossmanCare commented: “I have been extremely impressed with our collaboration with SimCare AI. At DrossmanCare, in partnership with the Rome Foundation, we develop educational programs designed to enhance healthcare providers’ communication skills with patients. SimCare AI has seamlessly integrated our vast library of publications and videos on communication into an innovative program that allows providers to engage in advanced, simulated patient interviews with a virtual avatar. This approach enables providers to gain valuable insights into complex psychosocial issues through the use of sophisticated interview techniques. Additionally, the program provides real-time feedback, allowing providers to continuously refine their skills. I’ve never encountered a company with such a refined ability to replicate the nuances of a clinical encounter, offering a truly remarkable training experience.”
SimCare AI’s technology offers a radical solution: proving clinical competency with just 20 patient encounters instead of 200. The system’s sophisticated AI maps decision trees for each patient interaction, creating dynamic, realistic conversations that align with accreditation standards. This precision helps institutions track, assess, and verify student competencies according to regulatory requirements – allowing students and professionals to practice and be evaluated anytime, anywhere. This standardized approach not only reduces faculty burden and costs but accelerates the pace at which new clinicians can enter the workforce.
Molly Bonakdarpour, Partner at Drive Capital, commented: “SimCare AI is addressing a clear need in healthcare training. In just four months, they’ve demonstrated strong early impact, delivering measurable ROI for customers. We’re impressed with their vision and execution and look forward to supporting their continued growth in AI-driven healthcare solutions.”
The platform’s impact extends across the healthcare education landscape. While medical schools use SimCare AI to teach patient interactions and clinical reasoning, therapy programs employ it for counseling practice, and telehealth companies leverage it for hiring and upskilling. SimCare AI’s precision helps institutions track, assess, and verify student competencies according to regulatory requirements – a crucial feature for medical schools, nursing programs, and continuing medical education.
Vrishank Saini added: “Looking ahead, SimCare AI plans to integrate more detailed clinical data – from transcripts to diagnostic workups – into its evaluation system. The company’s goal is to standardize clinical training and evaluation across healthcare, enabling competency to be measured quickly and reliably. For risk-bearing organizations, this provides a clear, consistent method to train clinicians in the specific skills that drive quality metrics.”
About SimCare AI SimCare AI (YC S24) creates simulated conversations with AI patients to scale healthcare training. Healthcare organizations use our clinical simulations for more efficient recruitment, reduced training time and costs, and enhanced patient outcomes. Governments are pushing to expand the healthcare workforce by increasing training output; however, it is illegal to train without direct clinical supervision, limiting scale in training. These restrictions don’t apply to AI patients, providing a scalable solution that helps organizations train more people, meet accreditation standards, and grow faster. For more information please visit: http://simcare.ai/
About Drive Capital Drive Capital is a venture capital firm in Columbus that invests in world-class founders building the next generation of market-defining companies.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, Associate Professor of Critical Cultural & International Studies, Colorado State University
The question was famously attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and refers to the historical inability of the political entity of Europe to coordinate on a united front in the global arena.
Friedrich Merz, the expected next chancellor of Germany, offered one continental vision shortly after his conservative party triumphed in the country’s national elections. “My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” he said.
Merz’s apparent desire for a stronger German role could portend a balance shift back to Germany’s preeminent place in the EU, a position it has pulled back from in recent years. But it remains an open question as to what extent Europe can be unified given the continent’s political landmines – or even what kind of Europe it would be.
Filling Merkel’s shoes
A German leader has, in living memory, succeeded in providing something approaching a singular European voice that the White House could deal with. Europe was long synonymous with Angela Merkel, Germany’s long-lasting – and only female – chancellor, who was known by affectionate nicknames like “Mutti Merkel,” or “Mommy Merkel,” and, during Trump’s first time in office, was even referred to by some as the de facto leader of the free world.
Merkel collaborated especially well with France’s Emmanuel Macron, a passionate fellow Europeanist, communicating a vision of a united Europe and its core values to the rest of the world. Dubbed “Merkron” by commentators, the pair were seen as the EU’s power couple.
Merkel was visionary, too, especially regarding the former superpowers of the Cold War and their controversial leaders. A child of East Germany, she never trusted Russia’s Vladimir Putin. She also experienced great difficulties collaborating with Trump during his first presidency. Somewhat anticipating Merz’s recent comments, Merkel in 2017 warned that neither Germany nor the EU could rely on the U.S. the way they used to, urging her fellow Europeans to take their fate and their interests in their own hands.
A déjà vu of ‘the German question’
But in some ways Merkel was more popular abroad than at home.
The so-called “German question” – or the inability of the Germans to unify as a nation in its leadership and “Leitkultur,” or “guiding culture” – has been tormenting the country since the 19th century and gained renewed relevance during the years of German reunification following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Years on from the so-called “Miracle of Merkel,” Germany’s increasing internal political divisions – especially pronounced between the country’s West and East – mirror the broader divisions facing the EU at large, including over who should claim the mantle of political leadership and around what vision.
To regain the gravitas within Europe it had under Merkel, Germany now would need a similar kind of strong and visionary program that resonates with the continent. The country’s political, economic and social challenges in 2025 demand clear national leadership, something that in my opinion neither the unemotional and uncharismatic outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz nor the opposition right-wing leader and soon-to-be successor Merz has demonstrated in public over the past couple of years.
Although Merkel and Merz represent the same political party, the CDU, their visions for Germany and the EU are strikingly different. A wealthy former business lawyer, Merz’s signature book, “Dare More Capitalism,” is a blueprint for a policy agenda that prioritizes reduction of government intervention, less bureaucracy, lower taxes and pro-market reforms. Merz also wants to strengthen German borders with restrictionist immigration politics, a reflection of how the country has moved far to the right on the issue amid the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), with whom Merz has at times flirted.
Yet in Merz’s relatively different agenda, he similarly advocates for both Europe and NATO, and wishes to refashion Germany into the powerhouse it was in the Merkel years and make it again the envy of Europe.
Given the current “America First” attitude of the Trump administration and the rise of far-right populism across the EU and the world, it is thought-provoking – some would say alarming – that Trump declared the results of an election that saw strong gains for the far right – propelling it into second place – as a “great day for Germany.”
Whether it is great for Europe depends on what vision of the continent one has in mind. Merz, although more right wing than Merkel, nonetheless has advocated for a strong Europe, led by Germany, that could promote a Europe independent of U.S. influence, appearing to follow in the steps of former French President Charles de Gaulle, who sought to cleave Europe from American dominance.
Despite the bewilderment and dismay expressed by the European leaders at such statements, today’s tormented and divided Europe can hardly claim it is a problem-free environment, nor that many of the continent’s leaders don’t likewise support such politics.
The rise of populism and nationalism across Europe poses a huge problem for what could unceremoniously be described as “Old Europe,” especially now, when it is seemingly drifting apart from its former ally and protector, the United States.
With Russian influence and authoritarian politics growing in Central Europe – especially in Hungary and Slovakia – and ultra-nationalist and far-right ideas likewise strong in Austria, Germany, France and elsewhere, today’s Europe is hardly a unified political, economic and cultural totality.
Less than a year ago, France’s Macron, the still-passionate Europeanist, marked a somber note in suggesting: “We must be clear on the fact that our Europe, today, is mortal. … It can die, and that depends entirely on our choices.”
Among other things, what Macron’s warning points to is the unresolved question of what the European bloc desires to be. So long as the answer to that question remains unclear, Kissinger’s question could be rephrased to, “Is there even a Europe to call?”
And, given the Trump administration’s emerging hostility to a host of EU policies, including on the war in Ukraine, foreign aid, regulation and trade, there is a further worrying interpretation for EU leaders, even if there were “a Europe to call”: Would Washington bother picking up the phone?
Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
