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Category: Technology

  • Using built-in tools on the Samsung WAD Interactive Display

    Interactive displays make teaching and collaborating easy and fun. Whether you want to emphasize something, show a process, or lead a brainstorming session, Samsung WAD Interactive Display takes it to the next level. That’s thanks to a number of built-in tools that foster teamwork, creativity, and organization. Here’s how to make the most of these powerful tools in your EDLA-certified display to turn your classroom into a dynamic digital learning environment.

    Access writing tools

    Samsung WAD writing tools are user-friendly and intuitive. To access, tap the arrow icon near the bottom of the display. This brings up the writing toolbar, where you’ll see all the options. You can change your pen colors and use the highlighter tool to help students focus on the lesson’s most important details. If you make a mistake, no problem. You can erase the markup naturally with a swipe of your hand.

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    Keep students on track

    Progress often comes when everyone rows together at the same speed. Samsung WAD comes with a built-in timer and stopwatch to help manage student work. This might be used for time-sensitive experiments, setting a time limit on an activity, or creating an education relay. Simply tap the hourglass icon in the toolbar, enter the desired time limit, and press start. Or tap the watch icon for the stopwatch and press start.

    Elicit student input

    If you’re planning an interactive lesson, use the online tutoring app AirClass to display feedback, student responses and class polling results in real time. This helps you gauge whether students grasp the material and lets you adjust your lesson accordingly. Whether you’re quizzing students on new material or gathering their opinions, AirClass helps you determine what students are learning and where you may need to refocus your efforts.

    Spotlight details and information

    Another great feature is the spotlight tool. It lets you focus students’ attention on specific details within a larger illustration or diagram. This can help you explain complex ideas or guide students through a detailed analysis. Simply tap the icon in the toolbar and move the circle of light to the part of the screen where you want to put the spotlight. To return to the full image, tap the X icon.

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    Record for future student reference

    Any lessons presented on a Samsung WAD display can be saved for future use by teachers and students, thanks to the onboard recording tool. Use it to capture a lesson and save it for later use. If a student is absent, you’re running a flipped classroom or you want to save a student presentation to watch later, this tool is invaluable. To start, tap the record icon on the toolbar and then the red button in the center of the screen when ready to start. When you’re done, press the stop icon and save the file directly to the display, a thumb drive, or a cloud account.

    Empowering teachers and students

    Samsung WAD Interactive Display offers versatile, embedded tools designed to empower teachers. Whether you’re writing or annotating on the display, setting a timer, sharing a screen or recording a lesson, Samsung WAD gives you the tools to streamline your workflow and engage with your students creatively.

    Learn more about how an EDLA-certified interactive panel can transform the classroom. Watch this video to find out more about how Samsung WAD Interactive Display can enhance any lesson.

  • Exotel and Grant Thornton Bharat launch Whitepaper: CXaaS: A Cornerstone for India’s $1 Trillion Digital Economy – CRN

    Exotel and Grant Thornton Bharat launch Whitepaper: CXaaS: A Cornerstone for India’s $1 Trillion Digital Economy – CRN

    Exotel, in partnership with Grant Thornton Bharat and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), has released an insightful whitepaper titled AI-Driven Customer Experience: Balancing Personalisation, Privacy, and Automation. This whitepaper, unveiled at the prestigious Indian Digital Summit 2025 in New Delhi, highlights how Customer Experience as a Service (CXaaS) is becoming a game-changer for India’s digital economy.

    The whitepaper underscores how businesses can leverage CXaaS to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and unlock value in sectors like BFSI, retail, and e-commerce. With the CPaaS market anticipated to reach $35 billion by 2026, the findings are a timely resource for organisations aiming to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

    Highlights from the Whitepaper
    1. E-Commerce Growth at the Forefront:
    ⦁ India’s e-commerce market is growing at a CAGR of 30.11%, driven by increasing internet penetration and demand from Tier II and III cities.
    ⦁ Customers in these markets, which now account for 65% of e-commerce growth, are seeking better omnichannel and personalised experiences.
    2. Rising Expectations of Personalisation:
    ⦁ Globally, 82% of consumers value personalised interactions despite concerns about data privacy.
    ⦁ In India, 72% of customers are willing to share their data with brands they trust, presenting opportunities for businesses to build deeper connections.
    3. Key Drivers for CXaaS Adoption:
    ⦁ Rising operational costs, customer attrition, and the push for automation are compelling businesses to rethink their customer engagement strategies.
    ⦁ 61% of global consumers abandon brands after poor experiences, emphasising the need for seamless customer journeys.
    4. Sector-Specific Insights:
    ⦁ BFSI: Fraud detection improved by 20% through AI-powered CX solutions.
    ⦁ E-Commerce: Enhanced CX increased customer satisfaction scores by 18% and reduced cart abandonment rates by 12%.
    ⦁ Retail: Integrated CX strategies drove a 40% rise in conversion rates.
    5. The Role of AI in Scaling CX:
    ⦁ Virtual agents now handle 60% of customer interactions, providing 24/7 support and cutting costs by up to 35%.
    ⦁ AI-powered tools are transforming customer service by improving self-service resolution rates, enhancing personalisation, and enabling businesses to manage peak demand efficiently.
    6. Balancing Personalisation and Privacy:
    ⦁ Privacy-preserving AI technologies, such as federated learning, are critical to building trust while enabling data-driven insights.
    ⦁ Consumers increasingly expect transparency in data usage, with 70% of customers requiring clarity on how their data is handled.

    “Customer expectations are changing faster than ever, with people seeking more personalised, transparent, and seamless experiences. Delivering exceptional customer engagement is no longer optional—it’s a key driver of growth and loyalty. This whitepaper offers practical insights and a clear roadmap for businesses to reimagine customer journeys, adopt innovative approaches, and build trust while creating meaningful value,” said Shivakumar Ganesan, CEO and Co-Founder of Exotel.

    Dharmender Jhamb, Partner & Industry Leader FS Consulting, Grant Thornton Bharat, said, “The whitepaper emphasises the importance of ethical AI deployment, transparent data usage, and seamless integration across touchpoints to meet the rising expectations of digitally empowered consumers. Sector-specific insights demonstrate how leading organisations have successfully leveraged CXaaS to deliver exceptional results, including improved retention rates, measurable ROI, and operational scalability.”

  • Revolutionizing Application Development: Innovations in Serverless Microservices

    deployment of microservices

    In this era of cloud computing, serverless computing has revolutionized the design and deployment of microservices. Venkata Durga Ganesh Nandigam, an Engineering Manager and technology expert, highlights the transformative potential of serverless systems. His insights offer a roadmap for harnessing serverless architectures to achieve enhanced scalability, cost optimization, and operational efficiency, paving the way for innovative solutions in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

    Breaking Free from Traditional Constraints

    Traditional microservices architectures, though modular and scalable, often come with significant operational overheads. Serverless computing eliminates these limitations by abstracting infrastructure management and offering on-demand scalability. This transformation enables businesses to shift their focus from maintaining servers to innovating their applications. Research reveals that serverless systems reduce infrastructure costs by as much as 60%, while achieving a 55% improvement in deployment frequency. These benefits highlight how serverless computing is reshaping the foundational principles of application development.

    Event-Driven Architecture: The Key to Efficiency

    Event-driven serverless architectures represent a leap forward in application efficiency. This design paradigm enables applications to respond dynamically to real-time data, ensuring seamless functionality even during unexpected spikes in demand. For instance, serverless event-driven models can maintain latency under 100 milliseconds for critical operations. Organizations leveraging these models report a 43% reduction in integration challenges and significant improvements in system observability. By simplifying how services interact and scale, this architecture optimizes performance and reduces maintenance complexities.

    Reimagining Cost Efficiency

    The pay-per-execution model a hallmark of serverless computing offers unparalleled cost optimization. Unlike traditional models that require provisioning for peak capacity, serverless platforms allocate resources dynamically, ensuring that businesses only pay for what they use. Studies show that companies adopting serverless solutions have reduced their total cost of ownership by an average of 38%, with some workloads achieving up to 78% savings. This financial efficiency makes serverless computing particularly appealing to startups and large enterprises.

    Enhancing Developer Productivity

    Serverless computing has a transformative impact on developer productivity. By offloading infrastructure-related tasks, developers can focus on building innovative features and improving user experiences. Research indicates that teams leveraging serverless architectures spend 40% less time on operational tasks and achieve a 67% reduction in production incident recovery times. Stateless design patterns, integral to serverless frameworks, enhance agility, enabling faster iterations and reducing time-to-market for new features.

    Addressing Challenges Through Innovation

    While serverless computing offers significant benefits, challenges like cold start latency, debugging complexity, and vendor lock-in remain barriers to adoption. However, advancements in architectural patterns and tools are addressing these issues. Pre-warming strategies and optimized code deployment have cut cold start latency by 78%, while multi-cloud strategies enhance flexibility and mitigate vendor lock-in, ensuring resilient deployments.

    Pioneering Future Trends

    The trajectory of serverless computing is poised for continued innovation, driven by advancements in AI, edge computing, and blockchain. AI workloads on serverless platforms benefit from 91% better resource utilization during model inference, while edge-native serverless computing promises latency reductions of up to 86%. Meanwhile, blockchain integrations with serverless architectures enable more efficient transaction processing, reducing costs by 76%. These trends underscore the adaptability of serverless computing in addressing diverse technological challenges and opportunities.

    Unlocking New Dimensions of Security and Compliance

    Security is a critical focus in serverless architectures, with advancements such as zero-trust models and automated compliance frameworks effectively addressing concerns. Organizations leveraging serverless solutions achieve 57% faster compliance audit completion and an 82% reduction in security incidents, consistently exceeding stringent security and regulatory standards with enhanced protection and efficiency.

    In conclusion, Venkata Durga Ganesh Nandigam demonstrates how serverless computing addresses operational challenges, offering unparalleled scalability, efficiency, and innovation. This strategic shift empowers organizations to reimagine digital landscapes, drive transformative growth, and embrace a future-forward approach to modern application development.

  • Investing in efficient retail operations with digital solutions

    To improve retail operations without increasing the workload for staff, many retailers are looking to technology tools like digital signage, self-service kiosks and interactive displays. With strategically placed digital displays, for example, retail operators can engage with consumers in new ways about products, educate them on the features and even provide self-checkout. This frees associates to take care of the more complicated tasks, like stocking inventory, organizing the store or assisting customers with more in-depth support.

    This is especially critical during the ongoing labor shortage, especially as the retail industry sees higher turnover rates than others. Smart retail technology and integrated IT solutions allow retailers to meet changing consumer expectations and level up operations. These solutions can upgrade the in-store shopping experience — making it more convenient and profitable.

    Let technology do the selling

    According to Capital One, shoppers still spend far more — around 85% of the total retail revenue — in brick-and-mortar stores than online websites. In fact, the numbers show that 45% of consumers shop primarily in person, and 72% do so every week. Retail technology offers a critical way to tap these preferences and profit more from them.

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    Self-service kiosks, tablets and LED displays don’t just serve these customers more efficiently, they provide them new ways to interact with products. Saatva, an online mattress retailer, uses two-sided displays to greet customers with customized messages as they enter the store. Next to each mattress, an interactive display educates guests about specific features and production processes.

    Batteries Plus, meanwhile, uses Samsung 4K UHD LED Displays behind their checkout area, where they act as “silent salespeople,” offering customers timely, location-specific messaging, such as promotions for relevant products triggered by real-time weather alerts. Besides freeing up associates for other more involved tasks, these screens act as a conversation starter for salespeople to talk to customers.

    Maintain inventory and streamline retail operations

    In today’s omnichannel shopping environment — where orders come from inside the store and online, as well as native apps and third-party shopping sites — retailers must maintain accurate inventory management. Digital displays can be used in both the front and back of the house to keep track of inventory, locate items or update out-of-stock SKUs, ensuring retailers always have the most up-to-date and accurate information as they assist customers.

    Samsung Kiosk, for example, can be programmed to mark out-of-stock items as unavailable and allow customers at self-checkout to order the product for home delivery. Samsung rugged tablets equipped with barcode scanning technology provide convenient handheld units for workers to take inventory and manage restocking. If a particular store is out of an item, associates can use their handheld devices to help shoppers locate the item at another nearby location. With the help of cloud-based software, such as Samsung VXT content management system (CMS), inventory is always up to date, as the store’s ordering system can connect to its vendor databases.

    Mitigate risks with IT experts

    Most retailers know they need to take advantage of digital technology but do not know where to start. Factor in staff shortages, and operators must get even more creative about maintaining efficient workflows, including the IT department that monitors their tech stack. The Samsung software integrated into the display can help manage IT by supporting and enabling custom content scheduling — all protected by Samsung Knox, a defense-grade mobile security platform. That’s a boon for smaller businesses and brands that may not have the budget for these.

    Samsung VXT CMS also extends a lifeline for time-strapped marketing managers and small teams without a dedicated IT department, as it routinely performs health checks on the equipment and software, alerting retailers to real-time issues.

    Innovating to retail productivity and success

    While online shopping is here to stay, brick-and-mortar retailers are leading the way when it comes to innovative, omnichannel strategies. Digital displays backed by a cloud-based CMS let retailers deliver customized content and self-service kiosks, even with limited staff and budget resources — and especially then.

    See how retail brands like Good American seamlessly bridge online and in-person commerce with Samsung displays and VXT software in this case study. Also learn more about how digital signage drives retail traffic and sales.

  • Scaler innovation lab partners with NeoSapien to further advance India’s first AI-powered wearable device – CRN

    Scaler innovation lab partners with NeoSapien to further advance India’s first AI-powered wearable device – CRN

    Scaler, a soonicorn education provider in India, has partnered with NeoSapien, an early-stage startup developing an AI-powered wearable device to enhance human memory, decision-making, and productivity. NeoSapien, a Shark Tank India Season 4 participant, is the first company to join the recently launched Scaler Innovation Lab, a non-dilutive grant fund to support promising startups, offering not just financial assistance but also access to a high-quality workspace, resources, and a strong network of industry experts. This pioneering incubator fosters innovation in AI/ML, IoT, robotics, and blockchain.

    NeoSapien stands out as a groundbreaking venture, being the first in India and among the pioneers globally to develop an AI-powered wearable. This device, created by cousins Dhananjay Yadav and Aryan Yadav, aims to redefine how individuals interact with technology, bridging gaps in communication while fostering deeper connections.

    Through its partnership with Scaler Innovation Lab, NeoSapien will leverage state-of-the-art resources to advance its product development and scale operations. The collaboration includes:
    Grant Support: A non-dilutive grant of ₹10 lakh to support NeoSapien’s growth.
    Student Internships: Access to talented students from Scaler School of Technology, who will intern with NeoSapien to provide essential skilled talent.
    Expert Mentorship: Guidance from industry leaders at Scaler to accelerate research, development, and product implementation.
    Operational Assistance: Support in software testing and warehousing to streamline operational challenges.

    “Scaler Innovation Lab is committed to empowering promising startups like NeoSapien to bring transformative ideas to life,” said Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-founder of Scaler and InterviewBit. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with NeoSapien as our first partner and to contribute to the vibrant startup ecosystem by combining the expertise of our mentors and the talent of our students.”

    NeoSapien Co-Founder Dhananjay Yadav commented, “Joining Scaler Innovation Lab is a game-changer for us. The funding, mentorship, and access to top-tier talent will significantly boost our growth trajectory, enabling us to focus on what we do best—innovating and solving real-world challenges through technology.”

    During their Shark Tank India pitch, the founders showcased the immense potential of Neosapien and their vision for the future of personal assistance, seeking ₹80 lakhs for 2.5% equity.

    The Scaler Innovation Lab is designed to be a hub for groundbreaking ideas, providing startups with a collaborative environment and a robust support system to thrive. By partnering with NeoSapien, Scaler aims to foster innovation and prepare its Scaler School of Technology students for impactful careers in technology.

  • How to use Interpreter on the Galaxy Z Fold6 with Galaxy Buds3 Pro

    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 makes a great travel companion, pairing super-intuitive AI features with cutting-edge hardware. Thanks to one of Samsung’s latest Galaxy AI* features, Interpreter, you can now communicate with colleagues worldwide — no matter their language. Let’s see how it works.

    First, set up Interpreter and download the language pack(s)

    Before getting started, make sure Interpreter is ready to go. To set it up:

    1. Swipe down from the top of your Galaxy Z Fold6 screen.
    2. Swipe down again.
    3. Then swipe left and locate [the ‘Interpreter’ icon].
    4. Launch Interpreter by tapping the icon.
    5. Next, tap [the ‘Three lines’ icon] to open Settings.
    6. Tap [the ‘Gear’ icon] to download Language packs.

    First, download your own language pack — “English [United States],” for example — and then the language in which you’ll be interacting — “Spanish [Spain]” or “French [France],” for example. Once these are downloaded, you’re ready to go.

    Real-time chat using Conversation mode

    Conversation mode makes speaking with locals as easy as saying, “Hola!” or “Bonjour!” Here’s how:

    1. Tap [the ‘Three lines’ icon], and select “Conversation” mode.
    2. For a dual-screen experience, tap “FlexMode.”
    3. Tap [the ‘Microphone’ icon] and speak your message — in English, for example.
    4. Interpreter then displays your original text in English and provides the translation onscreen.
    5. It also reads the translation aloud.

    When another person responds, Interpreter listens, records and instantly translates the speaker’s words visually and audibly.

    Conversation mode makes finding your way around new places and making new friends easy.

    Translate a presenter in Listening mode

    If you plan to enjoy a tour or presentation, Listening mode makes sure you never miss a word:

    1. Tap [the ‘Three lines’ icon] and select “Listening” mode.
    2. Select the speaker’s language.
    3. To start translating, tap [the ‘Microphone’ icon].
    4. Interpreter listens to the presenter and translates the speech in real time. Want to hear it without disturbing others around you? Just pop in your Galaxy Buds3 Pro, and you’ll be listening to your own personal AI translator.

    Take your Galaxy AI travel companions everywhere you go

    With Interpreter and Galaxy Buds3 Pro on the Galaxy Z Fold6, chatting with locals and enjoying guided tours while bridging the language barrier is a breeze. Whether traveling through a busy city or meandering around a quaint village, Galaxy AI ensures you’re never left without words.

    Ready to connect with others effortlessly in almost any language? Use Interpreter with Galaxy AI to chat, listen and translate — like a local.

    Learn more about how mobile AI is unfolding before our eyes. And sign up for a Samsung Business Account to get exclusive offers, including volume pricing discounts, on Galaxy Z Fold6 today.

    *Galaxy AI features by Samsung will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices.

  • IIT Madras, CMC Vellore develop affordable indigenous robot for hand rehabilitation

    IIT Madras, CMC Vellore develop affordable indigenous robot for hand rehabilitation

    IIT Madras, CMC Vellore develop affordable indigenous robot for hand rehabilitationIANS

    Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Christian Medical College, Vellore (CMC Vellore) on Friday announced the development of a cost-effective and portable plug-and-train robot for hand rehabilitation.

    Called ‘PLUTO’ (Plug and Train Robot), this device technology was licensed through Technology Transfer Office-TTO ICSR and commercialised by Thryv Rehab Solutions.

    It addresses a significant gap in the current rehabilitation market. This innovative device is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for affordable and adaptable rehabilitation solutions in clinical and home settings.

    PLUTO is also the first and only indigenous robot to have been tested in Indian homes, demonstrating that PLUTO can deliver intense therapy and make therapy accessible.

    PLUTO has also benefitted more than 1,000 patients across 11 different clinics across India in the last four years.

    The patented technology offers precise therapeutic movements and real-time feedback, ensuring better outcomes for patients with conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons’ disease, and post hand-surgery, among others.

    The device is well-suited for use in rehabilitation centres, clinics, hospitals, and even patients’ homes, bridging the gap in accessibility to effective, affordable hand rehabilitation solutions. The innovation’s cost-effectiveness and portability make it a transformative tool in the healthcare industry.

    “PLUTO revolutionises hand rehabilitation by providing an affordable and accessible solution for patients with post-stroke conditions. Its portability enables timely and consistent therapy at home or bedside, improving recovery outcomes and reducing dependency on caregivers,” said Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, Head of TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development at IIT Madras.

    “Over 1,000 patients with hand impairments have used the device for therapy; at least 15 patients per week use PLUTO for routine hand therapy at CMC Vellore. PLUTO was also the first and only indigenous robot to have been tested in Indian homes, demonstrating that PLUTO can deliver intense therapy and make therapy accessible,” added Prof. Sivakumar Balasubramanian, Department of Bioengineering, CMC Vellore.

    Robot's modular design uses recyclable materials and energy-efficient processes

    Robot’s modular design uses recyclable materials and energy-efficient processesshiksha

    The cost-effective device minimises production costs while delivering high functionality, making advanced rehabilitation accessible to a broader audience. Its affordability reduces financial strain on healthcare systems and patients, promoting widespread adoption.

    The robot’s modular design uses recyclable materials and energy-efficient processes, reducing waste and environmental impact. Its adaptability eliminates the need for multiple devices, supporting sustainable healthcare innovation.

    PLUTO is a modular, portable robot that facilitates advanced hand rehabilitation therapy with adaptive assistance and therapeutic gaming.

    The device provides targeted therapy for wrist and hand movements using a single actuator and a set of interchangeable mechanical handles.

    The modular design ensures versatility, allowing training of various functions such as wrist flexion/extension, forearm pronation/supination, and hand opening-closing.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Jumpstart your 2025 New Year’s resolutions by taking full advantage of your workplace wellness benefits 

    As we kick off the new year, many of us start to think about our personal goals for 2025. Whether making New Year’s resolutions or just taking stock of progress on a personal journey, efforts to improve physical and mental well-being are frequently a top priority. Common wellness resolutions include plans to work out or meditate in the mornings, walk 10,000 steps daily, create a new sleep routine or train for a 5K on the weekends.

    Work-related challenges are barriers to personal well-being

    However, if you struggle to balance your personal goals with your workplace responsibilities, you are not alone. According to Deloitte, most employees (83%) and executives (74%) say they’re facing work-related obstacles when it comes to achieving their well-being goals. They cite a heavy workload or stressful job (30%) and limited time due to long work hours (27%) as the top two challenges. Considering that many of us spend nearly a quarter of our week at work, it is not surprising that our workday experience has a big impact on our personal wellness journey. For those working even longer hours like many banking and insurance employees, the time crunch can be even more significant.

    Most of us are not taking full advantage of workplace wellness benefits

    Companies are realizing this too. Investments in employee wellness programs have grown over the past decade. In industries like financial services, where some of the workforce challenges are well documented and employee retention is a key priority, there is likely support for your personal wellness journey included in your benefits package. However, research also shows that many of us are not fully taking advantage of these offerings. According to Gartner, Inc., although 80% of employees have access to fitness well-being offerings, only 32% use them.

    Workplace wellness tips for the new year

    This year can be different. As you think about your resolutions for 2025, review your workplace benefits and see if they can help you reach your goals. Maximizing wellness support through work and extending healthy habits into the workday are great ways to enhance your health journey.

    Here are some quick workplace wellness tips to consider as we head into a new year:

    • Set personal wellness goals: Think about personal health and wellness goals and identify habits that can support them both at home and at work. For example, if getting more physical movement into your day is important but your position requires long hours in front of a computer or on the road driving to client sites, perhaps there is a way to spend part of your day at a standing desk or to take a short walk break during lunch.
    • Leverage available resources: Review workplace benefits and see where they might align with wellness goals and associated habits. Many banking and insurance companies are creating more holistic wellness programs that include everything from fitness stipends to free counseling services and flexible work options. As organizations work to expand their portfolio or wellness benefits to help employees manage the stress that can accompany the often demanding financial services environment, there will likely be something for everyone.
    • Track your progress: For many of us, it can be highly motivating to see our progress against goals and celebrate big and small achievements throughout our journey. Wearables  can help you track and identify trends in the habits you identify as important. In fact, according to Deloitte’s Connected Consumer Survey, 69% percent of those who own smartwatches and fitness trackers say the devices improve their fitness, and 64% say they improve their health. Check to see if your company provides a fitness reimbursement to purchase  new technology, such as a smart watch or fitness ring, or replace an outdated one.
    • Participate actively: Consistency is essential. Regular participation maximizes benefits, whether attending workshops, participating in team fitness challenges or taking advantage of counseling services. Connecting with those who face the same workplace rigors is a great way to uncover new ways to balance your personal wellness goals with the realities of the workday. For example, team step challenges can bring together remote claims adjuster teams through motivating group chats and a virtual monthly awards celebration.
    • Integrate wellness into daily work routine: Within company policies, build in short daily wellness breaks to walk, stretch or meditate throughout the day. For instance, use your wearable device or mobile phone to set reminders to take a short stroll around the office or practice a few minutes of mindfulness.

    Whatever your goals are for 2025, don’t leave your workplace benefits on the table. By being proactive, consistent and engaged in the programs your company offers, you can maximize the value of your employee wellness program to make your New Year’s resolutions a reality and improve your well-being in the bank branch, on the road and at home.

    To learn more about Samsung wellness solutions, start here.

  • IBM and L’Oréal to build first AI model to advance the creation of sustainable cosmetics – CRN

    IBM and L’Oréal to build first AI model to advance the creation of sustainable cosmetics – CRN

    IBM and L’Oréal, announced a collaboration to leverage IBM’s generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology and expertise to uncover new insights in cosmetic formulation data, facilitating L’Oréal’s use of sustainable raw materials, for energy and material waste reductions. This unique effort will develop a custom AI foundation model engineered to significantly increase the ability of L’Oréal Research & Innovation teams to reach extra performance and consumer satisfaction in every cosmetic category and every region of the world. The formulation foundation model is believed to be a first-of-its-kind in the industry, redefining AI innovation at the intersection of beauty, chemistry and technology.

    The collaboration combines L’Oréal’s unparalleled expertise in cosmetic science with IBM’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies for scientific discoveries, to unlock a future where science and technology can inform or help prioritise solutions that are both ecologically responsible and innovative. To preserve Earth’s natural resources, it is critical to explore renewable, sustainably sourced raw materials when developing consumer products. This effort will contribute to helping L’Oréal meet its L’Oréal for the Future’s target of sourcing most of its product formulas based on bio-sourced materials and/or the circular economy by 2030.

    “As part of our Digital Transformation Program, this partnership will extend the speed and scale of our innovation and reformulation pipeline, with products always reaching higher standards of inclusivity, sustainability, and personalisation”, declares Stéphane Ortiz, Head of Innovation Métiers & Product Development – L’Oréal Research & Innovation.

    “Building on years of unique Beauty science expertise and of data structuring, this major alliance with IBM is opening a new exciting era for our innovation and development process”, said Matthieu Cassier, Chief Transformation & Digital Officer – L’Oréal Research & Innovation.

    “This collaboration is a truly impactful application of generative AI, leveraging the power of technology and expertise for the good of the planet”, said Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow, Vice President Europe and Africa and Director IBM Research Zurich. “At IBM, we believe in the power of purpose-built, customised AI to help transform businesses. Using IBM’s latest AI technology, L’Oréal will be able to derive meaningful insights from their rich formula and product data to create a tailored AI model to help achieve their operational goals and continue creating high quality and sustainable products.”

    “This alliance between highly specialised expertise in artificial intelligence and cosmetics seeks to revolutionise cosmetic formulation. It embodies the spirit of AI-augmented research, emphasising sustainability and diversity”, declares Guilhaume Leroy-Méline, IBM Distinguished Engineer, Business Transformation Services CTO, IBM Consulting France.

    The creation of this AI model will use a large number of formulations and component data points to accelerate multiple tasks to be performed by L’Oréal, including the formulation of new products, reformulation of existing cosmetics and optimisation for scale-up production – tools that will better equip L’Oréal’s 4,000 researchers worldwide over the next several years. In addition, IBM Consulting will support L’Oréal in its aim to rethink and redesign the formulation discovery process. Understanding the behaviors of renewable ingredients in cosmetic formulas will help L’Oréal build out more sustainable product lines with greater inclusivity and personalisation for its consumers around the world.

    Foundation models are a type of AI model trained on a broad set of unlabeled data, capable of performing various tasks and applying information from one situation to another. These models have significantly advanced the field of natural language processing (NLP) technology over the past several years, and IBM is pioneering applications of foundation models beyond language, in areas such as chemistry, time series and geospatial modalities. IBM’s AI technology has the potential to augment L’Oréal’s creativity in finding new cosmetic formulations to transform the beauty industry. L’Oréal, together with IBM’s expertise and technology, will help to shape a future where innovation meets sustainability, delivering products that will be as unique as the people who use them daily.