Tag: 3BL

Decades of war, conflict, and economic hardship have plunged millions of Afghans into extreme poverty and food insecurity. Among the most vulnerable are infants, who face alarming rates of acute malnutrition. The shortage of professional medical services, combined with rising costs and limited humanitarian aid, leaves many families unable to access lifesaving treatment.

Combatting Infant Malnutrition with Breastfeeding

Action Against Hunger staff meet mothers every day who are desperate to get care for their babies — and the malnutrition situation in Afghanistan is only deteriorating.

The key to reducing malnutrition in infants is to promote exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months. According to the World Health Organization, breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year. Additionally, breastfeeding can help protect babies against short-and long-term illnesses and diseases.

However, data collected by our teams shows that in 2024, about 85% of all children admitted to our therapeutic feeding units for treatment of severe acute malnutrition with complications were under 24 months old. This means most complicated cases occur during infancy, when children should be protected from developing malnutrition through the nutrients they receive via breastfeeding. The fact that infants are overrepresented in complicated cases is an indicator that malnutrition is rising among the general population, including mothers — who then face challenges producing breastmilk.

Barriers to Breastfeeding in Afghanistan

Action Against Hunger has identified four significant barriers to exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months in Afghanistan. All these constraints mean that mothers in Afghanistan may face challenges properly feeding their young children.

1. Financial Constraints and Labor

Economic hardships leave many families unable to provide enough food to make sure no one needs to go hungry. As mothers usually leave more food for their children, they are often the ones with the least food intake within their households, which can lead to malnutrition. In addition, mothers living in rural areas are often busy with heavy physical work like agriculture and farming, impeding their ability to breastfeed their children.

2. Lack of Access to Healthcare

Poor coverage of health facilities across Afghanistan contributes to issues in treating babies when they are suffering malnutrition. In fact, 10 million people in Afghanistan live more than a one-hour walking distance away from the nearest health facility. Walking for one hour or more may be impossible for those who are ill or weak. This is made worse in the winter, when high snowfall impedes access. Without public transport or proper road conditions, health facilities can be too far out of reach for some families.

Additionally, women are only allowed travel outside of their homes when accompanied by an immediate male relative, called a “mahram”. If a mahram is not available, for example because they are working, then mothers cannot bring their children to health facilities.

3. Barriers to Women’s Education and Healthcare Professionals

Education bans on women in Afghanistan have resulted in fewer female nurses, midwives, and doctors available to counsel female patients. This hinders the spread of information about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding techniques.

With fewer public spaces are available for women, there are less opportunities for them to learn about family planning, reproductive rights, and professional childcare. Women depend on the knowledge available in their immediate family. However, some have reported not knowing anyone in their immediate community they could ask for guidance.

4. Misinformation about Breastfeeding

Misinformation about breastfeeding is prevalent. Traditional beliefs sometimes discourage mothers from exclusive breastfeeding, and older members of the community often advise mothers to feed their baby with honey or butter.

The reasoning behind this advice varies. Some communities believe that clostrum (the first form of breastmilk released after giving birth) is impure and harmful to the baby, while others believe that a mother’s milk is not sufficient for nourishing the child. Companies promoting formula milks often reiterate the latter piece of misinformation. It is a growing concern for our teams, who have observed increasing numbers of middle-class and educated families using formula milk.

Community Efforts to Fight Malnutrition

Action Against Hunger has been working with communities in Afghanistan to fight malnutrition since 1979. Our teams manage seven Therapeutic Feeding Units and support 40 health centers across the country. In each of Action Against Hunger’s clinics, teams provide screening services for all children and medical treatment for all cases found to suffer from moderate or severe acute malnutrition, providing essential, lifesaving care.

Our teams’ work also extends to community education services:

• Clinics are equipped with child-friendly spaces with painted walls, cushions to sit on, and a variety of toys for children to choose from
• Teams provide health education on optimal breastfeeding practices for caregivers
• Educational sessions cover practices such as bathing, massaging, and proper breastfeeding techniques
• A private consultation room is available for mothers to talk to nutrition and psychosocial counsellors
• Awareness is raised among community elders on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for children, facilitating the spread of knowledge amongst the community that will be self-perpetuated in the long term.

With these services, information on the best practices to support breastfeeding and prevent malnutrition become more accessible to communities, helping ensure mothers and babies have the resources they need to thrive.

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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., April 23, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale today released its Higg FEM Verification 2025 Annual Report, demonstrating progress in delivering consistent, comparable, and credible environmental performance data to help inform decision making across global consumer goods supply chains.

2025 Higg FEM Verification, At A Glance

• 13,500 completed verifications
• 70+ countries
• 500+ approved verifiers
• 70+ approved Verifier Bodies

The Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) is a core component of the Higg Index, which is stewarded and governed by Cascale and accessible through Worldly, the sustainability and supply chain intelligence platform. Verification is a critical component of the Higg FEM system. It improves the accuracy of assessments, reduces variability in how assessments are applied, and enables more consistent interpretation of results across facilities and regions.

As adoption of Higg FEM continues to scale across the consumer goods industry, data verification is increasingly important to help brands and manufacturers make more informed decisions. Cascale continues to evaluate and evolve the verification program to ensure it delivers value, supports increasing expectations on data quality, and enables more reliable performance tracking. In 2025, Cascale prioritized stabilizing operations, strengthening quality assurance systems, and reinforcing integrity mechanisms following the rollout of Higg FEM 4.0.

“Verification is fundamental to ensuring sustainability data can be trusted and used to drive meaningful decisions,” said Dhawall Mane, director of verification, training & insights at Cascale. “In 2025, we focused on strengthening the systems, processes, and oversight that underpin the Higg FEM verification program. These improvements deliver more consistent, reliable data at scale, supporting greater transparency and accountability across global supply chains.”

The report details significant advancements supported by enhanced quality assurance controls, introduced on the Worldly platform in 2025, which strengthened both error prevention and real-time issue detection. Strengthened monitoring infrastructure, paired with greater stakeholder engagement through integrity reporting channels, supported the timely identification and resolution of issues throughout the year. Protecting the credibility of the verification system remains a foundational priority.

Driving Continuous Improvement

Operational enhancements in 2025 included clearer verification requirements, expanded calibration support, improved data correction processes, and strengthened categorization standards. Together, these efforts are helping reduce variability and improve consistency across verification outcomes.

Cascale also advanced several initiatives to ensure evolution of the verification program remains fit for purpose, including introducing a multi-phase initiative to better align verification timing with how data is generated and used, as well as pausing expansion of verification of Level 2 and 3 questions in order to ensure the quality and practicality of the program by focusing on Level 1 questions. As the verification program continues to scale, Cascale remains committed to strengthening governance, enhancing transparency, and supporting stakeholders across the value chain.

Cascale members are invited to learn more and dive deeper into key report insights by registering for an exclusive member-only webinar on May 6.

Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to combat climate change and support decent work in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale stewards and governs the Higg Index frameworks, modules, and methodologies, while Worldly delivers the technology platform through which they are implemented globally. Cascale also recently acquired the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

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Representatives from the Greater Holyoke YMCA and Comcast were joined by State Representative Patricia Duffy to celebrate the opening of the organization’s STEAM tech center along with a recently awarded $15,000 grant from Comcast.

Through this support, the Greater Holyoke YMCA’s STEAM tech center provides access to devices, digital literacy training, coding, digital arts and online safety. YMCA programs serve over 500 youth annually and will integrate platforms such as ST Math, VR & AI programming, Cricut design and e-gaming embedded with healthy screentime habits and teamwork.

Additionally, the Greater Holyoke YMCA is a Comcast Lift Zone, which enables it to provide complimentary high-capacity WiFi to its patrons throughout its community center.

“Comcast has been an incredibly generous and dedicated partner of the Greater Holyoke YMCA, and their continued support has been instrumental in helping us open the tech center,” said Conor Bevan, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Holyoke YMCA.

Comcast’s support is part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the Internet, create digital opportunity, and build a future of unlimited possibilities. This includes digital programs such as Internet Essentials, Lift Zones, and Digital Navigators.

“Comcast is proud of its longstanding commitment to Holyoke and the relationships we’ve built with local organizations like Greater Holyoke YMCA, which are opening doors to transformative digital skills building and workforce development opportunities,” said Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s New England Region. “We recognize the critical role that the Internet plays in achieving economic mobility and personal growth, which is why we’re investing in partnerships that empower residents to shape their own futures.”

Internet Essentials provides high-speed Internet to qualifying low-income households for as low as $14.95/month. Since 2015, Comcast’s Internet Essentials has connected more than 801,000 low-income Massachusetts residents to broadband service at home.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

As the warm, sunny weather settles in, many home gardeners are sowing seeds or planting beautiful flowers in their garden beds. But what if we took that beyond just the plants we hope will take root and bloom into gorgeous flowers — what if we also started spreading seeds of kindness to those around us?

That’s exactly what Aflac aims to do through its Scatter Seeds of Kindness platform. Inspired by the main character of Aflac’s new children’s book, “Beyond Words,” the team at Aflac created an easy way for people from around the world to share words of kindness and hope for kids and families facing health challenges.

In “Beyond Words,” the main character, Buddy, has a friend, Bunny, who was in the hospital, and he goes on an intergalactic adventure in search of the perfect words to make her feel better. Through the magic of his imagination, Buddy journeys through outer space — exploring the depths of empathy, love and understanding — in search of what to say, and he finds that there are many ways to show you care that go “Beyond Words.”

“We’re taking a page out of Buddy’s book — pun intended — and asking people to scatter seeds of kindness by sending sweet notes to kids who are on their own health journeys and could use a little encouragement,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “Since the website went live, we’ve received dozens of seeds of kindness for kids and families in 20 states, helping to remind them that they are not alone, and there’s a whole world out there cheering them on.”

These seeds of kindness are anonymous messages that focus on the person and not the illness, inspiring and reminding them of how wonderful and powerful they are. These notes are provided to families through the Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign and other partners who care for children with various types of illnesses.

“Beyond Words” and the Scatter Seeds of Kindness program are part of Aflac’s 30-year and nearly $200 million commitment to supporting children facing pediatric cancer and blood disorders. It was created to extend that spirit of compassion more broadly and answer the question: How can you help someone when you don’t know what to say?

Visit Aflac.com/BeyondWords to purchase this inspiring book and gain access to free resources, including the audio version of the book read by multi-mission research astronaut and mother of two, Kellie Gerardi; free coloring sheets featuring Buddy and his friends; and a link to Scatter Seeds of Kindness.

As demand for AI, cloud computing, and digital services accelerate, data centers are becoming the backbone of the global economy.

But according to a recent Fast Company Executive Board article – “The New Competitive Edge in Data Centers” – Glen Clark, CEO of DP World in the U.S./Mexico and Regional Head of Contract Logistics, argues that the factors that once defined success are evolving. Power and real estate remain essential, but increasingly, it is logistics that determines how quickly and reliably infrastructure can scale.

A Structural Shift in How Data Centers Compete

Clark’s perspective points to a clear change in how operators gain advantage.

As digital demand intensifies, execution is becoming the differentiator – particularly the ability to move, stage, and install highly specialized equipment across global supply chains.

Several dynamics are driving this shift:

• The rapid growth of AI and cloud workloads is accelerating demand for new capacity
• Infrastructure deployment timelines are tightening, with little tolerance for delays
• Equipment supply chains are becoming more complex, global, and time-sensitive

Together, these factors are elevating logistics from a supporting function to a critical enabler of speed and scale.

From Physical Infrastructure to Orchestrated Systems

Despite powering virtual services, data centers are deeply physical environments.

As Clark outlines, building and maintaining them requires the coordinated movement of thousands of components — from semiconductors and server racks to cooling and power systems — often across multiple geographies.

This is driving a shift toward more integrated, end-to-end logistics models, including:

• Coordinated inbound freight and multimodal transport
• Secure, specialized warehousing and staging
• Just-in-time delivery aligned with installation schedules
• Lifecycle management, including upgrades and reverse logistics

In this model, logistics becomes not just a function, but a system that underpins performance.

Why It Matters for Business Leaders

For organizations investing in digital infrastructure, the implications are significant. As data center development expands into new regions, logistics complexity is increasing.

Business leaders are placing greater emphasis on:

• Speed to deployment and time to revenue
• Supply chain resilience and risk mitigation
• Visibility and control across global operations
• Alignment with sustainability and regulatory requirements

In this environment, logistics is no longer evaluated solely on cost; it is a key driver of competitive advantage.

Read the Full Perspective

As the digital economy continues to scale, the role of logistics in enabling resilient, high-performance infrastructure will only grow.

For a deeper look at how these trends are reshaping the data center landscape, read Glen Clark’s full Fast Company Executive Board article: “The New Competitive Edge in Data Centers.”

May is Small Business Month, a time to honor the nearly 33 million small businesses in the U.S. that drive the economy and support local communities. While it’s important to shop at small businesses, arming their owners and employees with information that can help protect them is just as important, because business fraud is rising and evolving just as quickly as the technology they rely on to operate. Across industries, criminals are deploying more sophisticated tactics that blend technical manipulation with social engineering, making it harder for organizations to spot fraud before damage is done. KeyBank is providing information about four schemes in particular that are gaining traction. Understanding how they work is becoming critical for business leaders, finance teams, and employees alike.

One growing threat is QR code fraud, sometimes called “quishing.” In these scenarios, fraudsters impersonate trusted internal teams, often IT or security, and send messages prompting employees to scan QR codes to update systems or credentials. The codes lead to fraudulent websites designed to capture login information and sensitive data. Because QR codes feel routine and bypass traditional email filters, they can be especially effective in compromising internal systems and customer information.

Another increasingly common tactic is double‑sided spoofing, a scheme that targets both employees and financial institutions. Fraudsters first contact business users, posing as banks or service providers, to extract login credentials through social engineering. They then use that information to impersonate the business user when contacting the bank, resetting account access and initiating unauthorized ACH or wire transfers. These attacks can move quickly and often go undetected until funds are already gone.

SIM swapping attacks extend fraud beyond email and banking platforms into the mobile ecosystem. In these cases, criminals gather enough personal information to convince a wireless carrier to transfer a business user’s phone number to a new SIM card they control. Once completed, fraudsters intercept calls and text messages, including one‑time passcodes used for multifactor authentication, allowing them to take over online business accounts and financial platforms with alarming efficiency.

Still, one of the most damaging and persistent threats remains Business Email Compromise (BEC). Fraudsters impersonate vendors, suppliers, or merchants and request payment changes, such as new banking instructions. The messages often appear legitimate, referencing real projects or invoices. Without strict verification procedures, businesses may unknowingly reroute payments directly to criminal accounts.

While the tactics vary, prevention strategies share common ground. Regular employee training helps teams recognize red flags and report suspicious activity early. Strong password policies—combined with multifactor authentication—reduce the risk of stolen credentials being misused. Secure network practices, routine system updates, and consistent monitoring of accounts and transactions can further limit exposure.

Perhaps most importantly, businesses should establish clear procedures for validating payment changes, credential resets, and unusual requests before taking action. Fraud thrives on urgency and assumptions.

As fraud schemes continue to evolve, awareness remains one of the most effective defenses. By understanding the most common attacks and reinforcing protective controls, businesses can reduce risk, respond faster, and stay one step ahead of today’s fraud landscape.

If you suspect your business has been exposed to fraud, immediately contact any financial institution where you maintain an account. If you are a KeyBank client, contact KeyBank’s Fraud Client Service Center immediately at 1-800-433-0124 or dial 711 for TTY/TRS.

Get more tips from KeyBank that can help protect you from fraud

_{The information and recommendations contained here have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable based on current information and conditions and are subject to change. KeyBank assumes no duty to update any information in the material in the event that such information changes. KeyBank does not represent or warrant its accuracy, reliability, or completeness or accept any liability for any loss or damage (whether direct or indirect) arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This material is provided as general information only; particular situations may require additional information or actions. Nothing in material shall be regarded as an offer, solicitation, recommendation or advice (whether financial, accounting, legal, tax or other) given by KeyBank and/or its officers or employees or other presenters. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. ©2026 KeyCorp®. All rights reserved. KeyBank Member FDIC. CFMA #260414-4341978}

Originally published on CVS Health Company News

ROANOKE, VA – Aetna Better Health® of Virginia, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS), announced the opening of its new Community Resource Center (CRC) in Roanoke, located at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s EnVision Center. The CRC is open to the public and expands access to health and wellness services by helping individuals and families navigate health care benefits, connect to local resources and better understand and manage their health – including support for maternal health, chronic conditions such as diabetes and social care needs. The center is also equipped with computers, state of the art teleconferencing and a private space for medical conversations.

For many families, navigating health care and social services can feel overwhelming. That is why the CRC is staffed with a dedicated team of Aetna community engagement staff members who can help families access health services and available benefits with the goal of removing barriers and making critical connections to care.

“Improving health starts with meeting people where they are, and this new Community Resource Center gives us a tangible way to do that in Roanoke,” said Joel Gray, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Virginia. “By bringing together trusted guidance, practical tools and connections to local resources, we’re helping individuals and families take meaningful steps toward better health – whether that means managing a chronic condition, supporting a healthy pregnancy or accessing benefits that enable long-term well-being.”

The opening of Aetna’s Community Resource Center coincided with the EnVision Center’s annual spring community cookout which took place on April 4 and brought families together to enjoy a free book fair, food and giveaways. The Aetna Wellness on Wheels (AWoW) mobile RV unit was also onsite to provide free blood pressure and BMI screenings for attendees.

“The EnVision Center was created to be a trusted hub where residents can access the services and support they need in one place,” said Lynelle Lewis, EnVision Center Manager. “Adding Aetna Better Health of Virginia’s Community Resource Center strengthens that mission by expanding access to health-focused resources that can help individuals better manage their health and make informed decisions about their care.”

Aetna Better Health of Virginia is a Managed Care Organization serving 242,000 Medicaid members statewide in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information, visit https://www.aetnabetterhealth.com/virginia.

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About Aetna Medicaid

Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of Medicaid members, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve members in 15 states, including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www.aetnabetterhealth.com.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media contact

Monica Prinzing
Monica.Prinzing@CVSHealth.com

 

By: Ellen Jackowski
Chief Sustainability Officer, Mastercard

Adam Tenzer
Senior Vice President, Data and Governance, Technology, Mastercard

The power of today’s technologies has made payments faster, more seamless and more secure. Greater data availability means richer insights. AI is making more things possible. It’s an exciting future for all of us at Mastercard as we power commerce around the globe. But as we grow, can we do so sustainably? Our company has spent 10 years testing that hypothesis and has found that the answer can be yes.

In 2025, we achieved and exceeded our interim emissions targets, reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 location-based emissions by 44% (target was 38%) and Scope 3 by 46% (target was 20%) from 2016 levels. Even while growing net revenue by 16%, our emissions decreased by 1% year over year. This marks our third consecutive year decreasing emissions, showing signs that decoupling emissions from growth is possible.

These results reflect a comprehensive approach built on renewable energy investment and procurement, supply chain engagement and embedding environmental sustainability into everyday business decisions. We also recognize the magnitude of what lies ahead. Powering payments for the digital economy requires a global technology stack, and our emissions are directly shaped by the efficiency of the applications we build, the hardware they run on and the data centers and energy behind that hardware. Understanding each layer is essential to driving progress. 

Today, our data centers make up the largest share of our energy use, accounting for roughly 60% of our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, defined as our direct emissions (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from purchasing energy and cooling (Scope 2). Technology goods and services also drive one-third of our Scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 emissions primarily reflect indirect impacts across our supply chain.

A key lever in decreasing emissions remains renewable energy. But our technology team has also taken on the challenge to innovate further. As we execute our technology strategy, the design and use of modern, sustainable platforms have become central to our overall objectives. Our Sustainable Technology Steering Committee formalizes the work, provides accountability and drives action. And a specific sustainable technology initiative has been one of four key technology imperatives that our teams have prioritized the past two years.

Driving action with data

Since 2023, we’ve focused on developing ways to capture and bring together more and more granular data reflecting our own business practices to provide greater visibility into the performance and impact of technology. The result has been a comprehensive dashboard — now patent-pending — that provides a single Sustainability Score for each product and technology asset. That score is comprised of a number of metrics that provide unique insights to drive real action across our technology stack, including:

• Real-time energy consumption (kWh) of hardware, tech-related carbon intensity by region and location-based emissions
• Server utilization and hardware life-cycle indicators
• Amount of convergence of technical assets, like software applications and databases, onto a single physical system like a server

Today, this data is driving comprehensive action across our technology stack, helping us manage our emissions even as we grow. Here are a few examples.

Engineering sustainable applications

Running environmentally sustainable technology starts with how we engineer the applications that power our products. The Sustainability Special Interest Group (SSIG) — part of our Software Engineering Guild, which unites thousands of our engineers across geographies and products — has helped lead the way. The SSIG has integrated principles from the nonprofit Green Software Foundation into the way we build, while helping develop Mastercard’s own architectural patterns and engineering practices to ensure more efficient application design, runtime optimization and carbon-aware decision making.

Energy-use data on individual technologies from our dashboard, as well as case studies on the impact of these practices, have helped shape practices across our software engineering community. And these practices have become more than recommendations. They’ve become codified within Mastercard’s engineering principles. These practices are also part of internal architecture and engineering review board processes, ensuring new applications are evaluated for efficiency and carbon impact before they’re deployed into production.

Optimizing hardware

Once applications are built, they need infrastructure to run on — hardware devices like servers, network switches and storage. Optimizing that infrastructure to efficiently utilize our compute and storage capacity while managing emissions is another component of our sustainable technology strategy.

One physical server running at an optimally higher CPU utilization consumes energy more efficiently than two physical servers running at low utilization. With visibility into which applications are using how much of each hardware device across each location, we’ve identified underutilized hardware, then consolidated and decommissioned devices when possible. The impact? Over 3,700 hardware devices removed since 2024. And we’re accelerating, already decommissioning hardware devices at nearly double the rate in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year.

But it’s not only on or off. Dynamic power settings enable us to adjust power used by devices in real time, based on the processing required or the workloads being managed. When we’re not decommissioning unneeded hardware, we’re scaling the use of dynamic power settings to help mitigate the energy consumption of physical servers. Pulling together emissions metrics for both devices and applications helps us identify new opportunities, allowing us to scale the use of server CPUs’ dynamic power settings. 

Where we run our technology

Mastercard’s technology ecosystem includes owned, co-located and cloud environments. That’s where the hardware powering the applications we build runs. Our suppliers, including co-located and cloud environments, contribute to our overall emissions, so we’ve coordinated closely with suppliers to help advance our sustainability goals.

Through collective efforts with co-located data center operators, we’ve brought greater visibility to our operations, with actual energy and emissions data collected directly from providers. We’ve also worked to close gaps in cloud emissions tracking, adopting new methodologies and partnering with data analytics provider Greenpixie to obtain more comprehensive carbon and energy metrics and to standardize reporting across vendors. 

Accurate measurement of application workloads across co-located and cloud environments is enabling more informed decisions. With this data, we’re able to right-size and right-place workloads across environments while further optimizing where we operate our infrastructure, based on carbon intensity and available energy sources. 

Delivering business results and environmentally sustainable outcomes

Our 2025 results — achieving our interim emissions-reduction targets and reporting three consecutive years of decreasing emissions with profitable growth — reflect a conviction that we believe the technology sector must embrace: environmental sustainability does not have to be a constraint on performance; it can be a catalyst for it. The discipline required to manage environmental impact reveals inefficiencies, reduces waste and builds resilience. When you treat environmental impact as a core business objective rather than a side initiative, it strengthens the entire enterprise.

This work is inseparable from Mastercard’s broader mission. The same infrastructure and practices that enable us to make progress toward decoupling emissions from growth also power the tools we offer customers — connecting people to the digital economy, helping consumers and businesses make more sustainable choices and enabling circular economy models.

Continue reading here

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

By Sudeepto Roy

What you should know:

• In 2025, Qualcomm enabled over 60 startups across the Americas, Africa, Middle East, India and Asia-Pacific to deploy AI solutions at the edge. Collectively, Qualcomm incubated startups have filed 1,350+ patents and 25,000+ inventors have received training in IP rights — demonstrating the massive scale of innovation and edge intelligence adoption worldwide.
• Startups are complementing cloud dependent AI with edge deployment for ultra low latency inferencing, on-device processing and data sovereignty, enabling applications in robotics, healthcare and industrial automation while maintaining regulatory compliance and user privacy.
• The future belongs to context-aware AI systems that orchestrate predictions and actions autonomously, while no-code platforms are empowering SMEs and non-experts to rapidly deploy sophisticated edge AI solutions without deep technical expertise.

In 2025 Qualcomm Government Affairs’ ecosystem development team enabled over 60 startups across the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, India and Asia‑Pacific, to bring wireless connectivity, IoT and edge AI-based products to market, scale business, and secure IP rights. Ten key technological trends emerged from their edge AI implementations. Let’s look at what’s shaping the future.

1. Connecting bits and atoms

Edge AI transcends the realm of digital assistants, by embedding intelligence adjacent to the physical world. By orchestrating seamless interactions among machines, sensors and humans, it transforms business workflows into systems that are not only precise and auditable but resilient against failure, making it a necessity in robotics, industrial IoT and transportation.

Industrial IoT

• Amatama (Japan) were advised on-prem AI innovation for lifelike and empathetic cognition for humanoid robotics.
• Guide Robotics (Japan) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for visual–inertial SLAM for robotic computer vision.
• Vilota (Singapore) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for indoor visual positioning for drones/robots in hazardous settings.
• maum.ai (Korea) used Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ9 Series for multimodal AI for IoT devices, robots, and agricultural vehicles.
• PixConvey (Saudi Arabia) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit intelligent map‑less AGV/robotic navigation.
• Techvico (Vietnam) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit for sensor fusion and SLAM for AMR perception and navigation.
• Tecnologico Nacional de Mexico (Mexico) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for AI robotic hand control using EMG signals.
• Manyface (Saudi Arabia) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for AI‑based predictive maintenance for oil wells.

Transport

• Motov (Korea) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for urban road and traffic insights via visual AI.
• Auklr (India) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS8550 for digital instrument cluster with on‑device route guidance.
• Moovo (Taiwan) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS2290 for universal smart e‑bike & fleet management system.
• Pixii Motors (Tunisia) were advised on IoT innovation for electric scooter with AI‑driven battery optimization.

2. Reimagined workflows

Reimagined workflows in edge AI are defined by their relentless generation and assimilation of real-time data, demanding not only technical acumen but deep domain expertise to manage complex inter-dependencies and regulatory constraints. The true innovation lies in their capacity to unlock capabilities previously out of reach, through combining perception (sensing) with on-device cognition and agency, whether in clinical diagnostics, industrial automation or adaptive learning environments.

Industrial IoT

• Noahlogy (Japan) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit to enable an edge AI agent for maritime and shipbuilding operations.

Healthcare 

• CancerFree Biotech (Taiwan) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for AI‑aided audiovisual annotation and traceability for FDA trials.
• ThakaaMed (Saudi Arabia) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for edge‑AI analysis of dentistry, respiratory, stroke, eye scans for healthcare diagnostics and insurance validations.
• AmalXR (Tunisia) were advised on multi-device innovation for immersive VR rehabilitation with clinically validated progress tracking.
• AINX Computing (Brazil) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for AI‑assisted interpretation of Autism Spectrum behavioral patterns.
• Zumira.ai (Brazil) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for edge AI for screening psychosocial conditions.
• Biorithm (Singapore) used the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for ECG-based maternal guidance for fetal distress.
• Wellgen Medical (Taiwan) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for AI‑assisted 3D tomographic microscopy for cytopathology.
• Edulytics (Senegal) used the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for AI‑assisted liver fibrosis screening via portable ultrasound.
• Raxa (India) used Snapdragon handsets to enable an AI patient/provider platform with Indian languages for the oral-literate, on-device privacy, offline access, record digitization and ABDM compliance.

Pharmacology

• Aframend (Nigeria) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for drug discovery leveraging African phytochemicals.

Healthcare and Pharmacology

• EndoSemio (Taiwan) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for AI‑assisted early detection of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Education and Training

• Goware (Vietnam) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform to enable an AI language learning companion for personalized retention.

3. Real‑time intelligence

Edge AI enables ultra-low latency, high-volume inferencing and dynamic actions on-device. Reliance on cloud-AI introduces round-trip delays that are incompatible with real-time needs in industries such as video analytics, industrial automation and autonomous systems.

Media

• Cear, Inc. (Japan) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit to enable audio/video AI for spatial immersive sound via directional multi‑mic control.
• SnapCut.ai (Vietnam) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for on‑device detection of key moments in long videos to auto‑create shorts.

Retail and Media

• Speed 3D (Taiwan) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for AI/AR retail vending and customer engagement hub.

Industrial IoT

• Metaoptics (Singapore) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS8550 for AI‑enabled super‑resolution for metalens manufactured by semiconductor process.
• RainScales (Vietnam) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS8550 for warehouse cameras turned into proactive safety/operations systems.

Agriculture

• Calyx (Taiwan) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS8550 for computer vision for poultry lifecycle management.
• Institute Tecnologico de Chihuahua (Mexico) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for embedded AI optimization of bioprocesses/hydroponics.
• Vision.Inn (Brazil) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit to create an AI platform to reduce mortality and optimize intensive swine ops.

4. Agentic AI systems

Agentic AI systems orchestrate predictions and generative outputs to drive context-aware actions, with each step governed by operational constraints and checkpoints. This architecture enables flexibility in adapting to variability in inputs and operational conditions, while maintaining auditability and reliability. Agentic orchestration is now central to edge AI applications where every action must be traceable and robust, especially in environments demanding both adaptability and operational control. While several of our startups (mentioned elsewhere) have implemented Agentic AI systems, two that stand out are:

Industrial IoT

• Mobisense (Saudi Arabia) used the Dragonwing AI On-Prem Appliance for real‑time audio cognition and agentic workflows in private 5G (and future 6G) networks.
• Agile Loop (Saudi Arabia) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for agentic IoT workflow automation and integration tools.

5. Enabling tech for AI

Foundational innovation underpins edge AI. Startups are developing custom silicon and integration tools, each addressing distinct challenges in on-device AI deployment. These offerings complement Qualcomm’s Edge Impulse and AI Hub suite of services to augment and automate workflows through rapid data collection, AI-enabled analysis and enhanced decision-making.

Industrial IoT

• Manovega (India) were advised on custom ASIC for custom RISC-V SoC purpose-built for edge AI processing.
• Netrasemi (India) were also advised on cusom ASIC to enable power-efficient Edge AI SoCs for IoT solutions.

6. Democratizing AI access through no-code AI

No-code platforms are lowering barriers for small and medium enterprises and non-experts to deploy AI solutions. By enabling rapid prototyping and domain-specific automation without deep technical expertise, these tools accelerate adoption of edge-AI across industries, making advanced capabilities accessible to a broader range of users.

Healthcare

• ModAstera Inc. (Japan) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for no-code AI model development from medical imaging.

Enterprise

• MoBagel (Taiwan) used the Dragonwing AI On-Prem Appliance for no-code AI agent platform with generative BI and predictive analytics.
• Tricuss (Taiwan) were advised on multi-device innovation to enable a no-code AI agent builder with a proprietary data asset platform.

Retail and Media

• PixelML (Vietnam) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS8550 for no-code agentic sales/marketing automation at scale.

Legal and Compliance

• iGotAI (Vietnam) were advised on multi-device innovation to enable no-code audit automation with secure local deployment and full control.

Education and Training

• PAIA Technology (Taiwan) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for no-code robot and edge-AI educational platform for K-12.

Industrial IoT

• Orangecat (India) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform to enable an agentic AI coding platform for developers and enterprises with voice-activated website building to support Indian languages.

7. Privacy and data sovereignty

Edge AI startups are embedding federated learning, on-device inference and secure workflows to keep sensitive data local. This approach enables personalization and regulatory compliance while minimizing exposure to external risks, making privacy and data sovereignty foundational for deployment in regulated and sensitive domains.

Customer Operations

• Filum AI (Vietnam) used the Dragonwing AI On-Prem Appliance for on-prem agentic contact center with strict data privacy.

Legal and Compliance

• Legal Tech (Taiwan) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for patent translation and contract lifecycle automation.

Industrial IoT

• Sakak (Korea) used the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for personalized federated learning for secure on-device fine-tuning.

8. Use of country-specific and sovereign AI models

Edge deployments increasingly rely on sovereign or locally trained AI models to address linguistic, cultural and regulatory requirements. By tailoring solutions to local contexts, startups ensure compliance and relevance in sensitive domains such as healthcare, legal and education, strengthening trust and adoption.

Legal and Compliance

• Sandlogic (India) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for India’s Shakti LLM (2.5B) applied across regulated workflows.

Education and Training

• LingoAI (Singapore) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for smart offline translation using Singapore’s SEALION with user-data safeguarding.

Similarly, aforementioned startups Mobisense, PixConvey and Agile Loop are using Saudi Arabia’s Allam model, Raxa supports several Indian languages, while SqueezeBits has also used South Korea’s ExaOne from LG.

9. AI for environmental resilience

Edge AI is advancing sustainability by enabling real-time monitoring of ecosystems, optimizing resource use and mitigating climate risks without reliance on cloud connectivity. Startups are deploying solutions for agriculture, climate prediction and environmental management, supporting resilience and efficiency in diverse settings.

Agriculture

• ENFARM Agritech (Vietnam) used the Qualcomm RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit (Lite) for real-time soil analysis and crop management via 4G gateway and on-device chatbot.
• SEAMORNY (Vietnam) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for AI-driven aquaculture lifecycle management.
• Archeos (Benin) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for aquaculture automation for water quality and precision feeding.
• Ecobees (Tunisia) was advised on IoT innovation for AI-enabled beekeeping for hive health monitoring and care.
• Pollen Patrollers (Kenya) was advised on IoT innovation for smart pollination to prevent hive collapse and boost yields.
• Farmer Lifeline (Kenya) was advised on IoT innovation for solar-powered AI devices for early crop pest/disease detection.
• BSV Robotics (Brazil) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for autonomous robots for pest monitoring/control in cotton farms.

Climate and Environment

• Climatrix (Nigeria) was advised on IoT innovation for hyperlocal climate and flood prediction for disaster resilience.
• Orbital Universe (Saudi Arabia) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit for AI-based monitoring of mangrove carbon sequestration.

Education and Training

• Solar Freeze Connect (Kenya) used the Qualcomm Dragonwing RB3 Gen 2 Development Kit for AI hubs for education/services via solar-powered 4G/5G gateways.

10. Building for AI safety and trust

Edge AI startups are prioritizing safety and trust by embedding explainability, ethical safeguards and reliability checks into their solutions. These measures are essential for responsible deployment in sensitive contexts, ensuring that AI systems operate transparently and meet high standards for accountability.

Legal and Compliance

• AI Seer (Singapore) used the Snapdragon X Elite Platform for real-time explainable fact-checking of multimodal generative output.

Customer Operations

• Banya AI (Korea) used the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for on-device care companion ensuring safe generative outputs.

IP generation

In 2025, we achieved two major intellectual property milestones: over 25,000 inventors worldwide completed training in IP rights through free, localized online courses and our equity-free startup incubation programs enabled supported startups to collectively file more than 1,350 domestic and international patents. This marks a substantial share of deep-tech patent activity in their respective countries.

Particularly in the U.S., The Inventor’s Patent Academy (TIPA) reached 3,800 learners across a dozen states, embedding IP education into entrepreneurship and workforce curricula at major institutions (including SDSU, UCSD, CSU San Marcos, Houston Community College and Georgia Tech) and national conferences, establishing itself as a trusted resource for building patent skills essential to U.S. innovation and advanced manufacturing.

Looking ahead to 2026

Designing edge AI systems is a discipline apart — requiring precise engineering under tight memory and processor bandwidth, across heterogeneous hardware like CPUs, GPUs, DSPs and NPUs.  Qualcomm and Arduino platforms, and associated developer tools are crucial to practicing this genre of engineering design. Success depends on balancing model compression, token throughput and accuracy, while minimizing hallucinations and “mispredictions” through robust checkpoints. Integrating new sensor and operational data into model updates, and using workflow feedback for continuous improvement, is essential. The next wave of innovation will be shaped by those who master this convergence of physical and digital intelligence, building resilient systems where real-world constraints are not obstacles, but vectors for differentiation and progress.

Learn More

Discover Qualcomm’s developer programs
Learn about Qualcomm’s global ecosystem initiatives
Browse Qualcomm’s global ecosystem development startup directory
Check out the GitHub repository for Qualcomm’s startup demos
Visit the Qualcomm Academy portal for training in AI, 5G, business coaching and intellectual property

Southwire Canada is proud to support the next generation of talent through Southwire’s Wired for the Future Scholarship via Electro Federation Canada’s (EFC) scholarship platform. The program reflects Southwire Canada’s commitment to advancing education, supporting community involvement, and strengthening the future of Canada’s electrical industry.

Supporting Canadian Students Driving Innovation and Sustainability

The $3,500 Wired for the Future Scholarship is open to students enrolled full-time at an accredited Canadian university or college who are pursuing programs aligned with Southwire’s industry and areas of impact. Eligible fields of study include engineering, technology, data and AI, business, environmental science, safety and skilled trades.

Applicants must have maintained a minimum cumulative average of 75% and demonstrated community involvement or leadership in sustainability-related initiatives. Through this scholarship, Southwire Canada is recognizing students who are excelling academically while also making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Strengthening the Future of Canada’s Electrical Industry

Southwire and its subsidiaries provide wire and cable solutions, electrical products, engineered solutions, and field support services that help power infrastructure and electrification initiatives across Canada.

“With a strong operational presence across the country, Southwire Canada is committed to supporting customers and communities from coast to coast,” said Ian Rand, President of Southwire Canada. “With distribution centers in Toronto and Calgary, a Canadian head office in Mississauga, and field services based in Toronto, investing in Canadian students is a natural extension of how we support the future of Canada’s electrical industry.”

By supporting Canadian students through the Wired for the Future Scholarship, Southwire Canada is helping to build the future workforce that will contribute to these critical industries. The scholarship underscores Southwire Canada’s ongoing commitment to community involvement, education and sustainability.

Southwire Company, LLC is North America’s leading wire and cable company. The $9.7B organization is made up of more than 9,000 team members across the globe who unite as ONE Southwire each and every day to serve each other, their customers and their communities. Southwire and its subsidiaries provide solutions including building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, utility products, portable and electronic cord products and OEM wire products. In addition, Southwire offers electrical products, engineered solutions and a variety of field support services.

For more on Southwire’s products and solutions, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com.