Connect with us

Technology

Auburn’s College of Education embraces an AI-powered future to advance its mission

Published

on

AUBURN, Ala., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into daily life, Auburn University’s College of Education is sharpening its focus on this powerful tool and exploring how it can strengthen the preparation of future educators and healthcare workers.

Throughout the College of Education (and featured in the recent release of the college’s Keystone Magazine), artificial intelligence is being thoughtfully integrated across its four academic units, reflecting both the breadth of the college and a shared commitment to ethical, human-centered practice. Auburn College of Education Dean Jeffrey Fairbrother shared his perspective on how artificial intelligence aligns with the college’s vision for the future.

“In the College of Education, we’re committed to opening doors and improving lives, and artificial intelligence is an important door to opportunity,” he said. “I am proud of our faculty who are embracing AI to expand access, enhance learning and empower educators, always guided by ethics and integrity. By opening these doors today, we’re building a better future for all, far into the future.”

In the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, faculty are focused on teacher preparation and continuously improving methods of learning. Paul Fitchett, head of C&T, oversees several faculty members leading AI-focused initiatives, including some who are developing a course on the applied use of AI in the workplace that will come with industry credentialing.

“We are exploring AI through a number of different, applied facets,” Fitchett said. “Some individuals are leveraging AI to expand research capabilities while others are engaging AI to support teaching and learning, improving the educational experience for instructors and students alike.”

In Agricultural Education, Leadership and Communications, AI is treated as both a research tool and an object of study, with faculty developing a new AI course and even patent-pending technologies that support agriculture, Extension work and global food systems, always emphasizing the “expert in the loop” and transparency over blind automation. In Elementary Education, future teachers learn to use AI as a collaborative planning and efficiency tool, refining outputs through pedagogical expertise and deep knowledge of learners.

Margaret Flores, interim head of the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling, emphasized the importance of research regarding how AI will impact these professions. SERC faculty members are working to integrate AI into their classrooms to inform their students about future uses in their careers.

In Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, faculty are embedding AI directly into applied coursework, training students to critically evaluate AI-generated vocational data, labor market information and assessment recommendations while grounding decisions in professional judgment and ethics. In the School Counseling Program, students are prepared to navigate AI’s possibilities and limits through ethics-focused coursework and national research, reinforcing that empathy, nuance and confidentiality remain irreplaceable.

Meanwhile, the Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success (EAGLES) Program is leveraging AI as an equalizer for students with intellectual disabilities, using federally funded digital literacy and AI modules to promote independence, self-advocacy and access.

“AI can enhance the services or instruction that we provide, reduce administrative tasks and increase efficiency in research,” Flores said. “We must ensure that researchers are shaping how AI is changing our fields.”

In the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology, faculty are working with AI in multiple ways. Through basic and applied research, faculty are addressing early childhood vocabulary learning and mathematics learning, and learning how AI can help with research workflow, STEM learning and even the development of education policy.

Several faculty members are also incorporating AI into their classrooms, including the use of an AU tutor to support independent learning and AI-explicit language in teaching materials such as syllabi.

EFLT Department Head Hank Murrah said that his unit’s approach is about embracing the changes that come with AI while also working to shape how it will affect the future of education.

“We view AI as both a transformative research tool and a catalyst for innovation in teaching and learning,” Murrah said. “Our faculty are developing AI-driven interventions for STEM education, leveraging AI to streamline research workflows and exploring ethical frameworks for its use in classrooms. These efforts position us to prepare graduates who are not only AI-literate but capable of shaping evidence-based policy and practice. We believe AI will redefine how educators design learning experiences and how researchers generate insights—making education more adaptive, fair and impactful.”

Matt Miller serves as the director of the School of Kinesiology, whose faculty members are exploring how AI can help with conducting research and processing data to find ways to improve a person’s health. Within the School of Kinesiology, AI is being introduced in coursework related to exercise prescription and programming, helping students analyze data, tailor training plans and think critically about how emerging technologies can support safe, individualized, evidence-based practice.

“School of Kinesiology faculty members conduct research that yields large and complex datasets involving measures related to human movement, including but not limited to their physical activity throughout the day, brain activity during exercise, joint angles while walking or throwing a ball and protein expression after exercise training,” Miller said. “AI helps faculty members make sense of these measures to translate research findings into practical knowledge that can be used to enhance health and performance.”

Additionally, in the School of Kinesiology, the Sensorimotor and Rehabilitation (SMART) Neuroscience Lab studies the neuroscience of human movement using virtual and augmented reality simulations. And now, a new member of the lab has joined the team to help understand things like balance and walking: Circuit, the robotic “dog” who comes complete with artificial intelligence built in. Circuit is what’s called a quadruped robot (“robot dog”), and he’s used to explore new ways of supporting older adults’ safety at home.

Led by Director of Physical Therapy Harsimran Baweja, the SMART Neuroscience Lab is using Circuit to study whether robot dogs equipped with artificial intelligence and advanced sensors can reliably track human movement during everyday activities.

While there are many uses for AI, College of Education faculty members are also acutely aware that the human touch is an essential part of their work. The overall goal is to use AI to enhance the service provided to another human being, whether they are a student or a patient.

“Whatever their approach, integrity and professional ethics remain the driving force for our use of generative Artificial Intelligence,” Fitchett said. “Maintaining these principles is essential as we navigate an ever-changing landscape.”

Together, these efforts highlight a college-wide approach to AI that spans disciplines and populations, using emerging technologies not as replacements for human expertise, but as tools to expand opportunity, insight and impact.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/auburns-college-of-education-embraces-an-ai-powered-future-to-advance-its-mission-302750731.html

SOURCE Auburn University College of Education

Continue Reading

Technology

Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd Successfully Participates in First Trades of SGX McCloskey FOB Australia Hard Coking Coal Futures

Published

on

By

SINGAPORE, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd (SFSPL), a member of Straits Financial Group, is pleased to announce its successful participation in the first trades of the SGX McCloskey FOB Australia Hard Coking Coal Futures, marking an important milestone in the development of risk management solutions for the global metallurgical coal market.

Straits Financial Services’ participation in the inaugural trades reflects its continued commitment to supporting the development of commodity derivatives markets and providing clients with access to a broad range of exchange-traded risk management solutions.

The new contract further strengthens the suite of commodity products available to participants across the steelmaking value chain, including producers, traders, consumers and financial institutions. By providing a transparent and centrally cleared marketplace, the contract can support price discovery and help market participants manage exposure to fluctuations in hard coking coal prices, a critical raw material in global steel production.

Mr Roger Quek, CEO and MD of SFSPL said: “As commodity markets continue to evolve, access to transparent and liquid derivatives instruments is increasingly important for participants looking to manage price risk effectively. We look forward to supporting the growth of this market and continuing to connect our clients with opportunities across global commodity markets.”

Participation in the inaugural SGX McCloskey FOB Australia Hard Coking Coal Futures trades further demonstrates Straits Financial Services’ commitment to supporting product innovation and the continued development of Asia’s commodity derivatives ecosystem.

About Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd

At Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd, we distinguish ourselves by promoting key and innovative contracts to support the financial and commodity derivative markets as well as providing products and services to fulfill the needs of every trader.

With a strong presence in Asia and a deep understanding of the global markets, we provide value to our clients by enabling global access with a local perspective. Established in 2010, Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd is part of Straits Financial Group which is headquartered in Singapore.

Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd provides a fully integrated service for our clients to access the financial and commodity derivative markets and we strive to build lasting relationships with our clients.

For more information, please visit our website at https://www.straitsfinancial.com.

This document is issued for information purposes only. This document is not intended and should not under any circumstances to be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell, nor financial advice or recommendation in relation to any capital market product. All the information contained herein is based on publicly available information and has been obtained from sources that Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd believes to be reliable and correct at the time of publishing this document.

Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd will not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind (whether direct, indirect or consequential losses or other economic loss of any kind) suffered due to any omission, error, inaccuracy, incompleteness, or otherwise, any reliance on such information. Past performance or historical record of futures contracts, derivatives contracts, and commodities is not indicative of the future performance. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

If after reading the foregoing content you have any doubts in relation thereto, please consult your own independent legal, financial and/or professional adviser.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/straits-financial-services-pte-ltd-successfully-participates-in-first-trades-of-sgx-mccloskey-fob-australia-hard-coking-coal-futures-302873622.html

SOURCE Straits Financial

Continue Reading

Technology

Tulip Unveils Global Imaging Patent Licensing Program

Published

on

By

Tulip Imaging provides access to more than 125,000 patents from Canon, Sony, Huawei, and OPPO covering foundational image and information processing technologies

LONDON, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tulip Licensing Ltd today announced the launch of Tulip Imaging, a new patent licensing program offering access to advanced digital imaging and information processing technologies from Canon Inc., Sony Group Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., and Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.

The combined portfolio includes more than 125,000 patents developed through decades of research, development, and innovation by four of the world’s leading technology companies and represents the most significant offering of digital imaging and information processing patents. The underlying technologies of this sophisticated portfolio help reinforce every dynamic visual experience on a modern device — from high-fidelity digital commerce to seamless social interaction. Through Tulip, implementers can efficiently access these portfolios while tailoring their licenses to include patents relevant to their specific products, technologies, and business needs.  

“Canon has advanced the science of imaging through continuous innovation in optics, cameras, image processing, medical imaging, and printing technologies for more than eighty years,” said Hideki Sanatake, Managing Executive Officer, Group Executive of Corporate Intellectual Property and Legal Headquarters. “Innovation thrives when intellectual property is respected and Tulip’s licensing program is an opportunity to support the continued investment that drives future breakthroughs.”

“Sony’s wide range of imaging technologies have helped define the modern digital era and enriched imaging experiences,” said Yuko Tsuda, Representative Director & President of Sony Intellectual Property Services Corporation. “We believe broad access to innovation should be supported by efficient, transparent licensing, and Tulip provides a viable option for achieving that objective.”

“Huawei has continuously invested in next-generation imaging technologies that combine artificial intelligence, computational photography, and advanced image processing to empower everyday visual and digital experiences,” said Alan Fan, Chief Intellectual Property Officer of Huawei. “Through this milestone cooperation with leading partners, we are jointly opening up our once-proprietary imaging technologies to help our licensees provide vivid imaging experiences to everyone.”

“OPPO remains committed to sustained investment in imaging R&D, advancing technologies that deliver richer and more intuitive imaging experiences to users worldwide,” said Adler Feng, Chief Intellectual Property Officer of OPPO. “Our collaboration with leading innovators across the imaging industry reflects the strength of OPPO’s imaging technology innovation and underscores our commitment to building a healthy and sustainable intellectual property ecosystem to support continued innovation and industry growth.”

Tulip’s appointment as licensing administrator reflects the confidence Canon, Sony, Huawei, and OPPO have in Tulip’s experienced team to deliver efficient, practical, and business-oriented licensing solutions.

For more information, please visit www.tulipinnovation.com.

About Tulip

Tulip is a specialized patent licensing group that partners with the world’s leading innovators to bring strategic patent assets to market through structured, professionally managed licensing programs. Tulip designs, launches, and administers licensing programs across high-value patent portfolios and a range of technology sectors.

Led by professionals with decades of experience building and managing global patent programs, Tulip combines technical expertise, commercial judgment, and disciplined execution to deliver practical, business-focused solutions for patent owners, implementers, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tulip-unveils-global-imaging-patent-licensing-program-302873877.html

SOURCE Tulip Licensing Ltd.

Continue Reading

Technology

YPF Sociedad Anónima Announces Increase in Maximum Purchase Price Relating to its Outstanding Tender Offers to U.S.$1,000,000,000

Published

on

By

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — YPF Sociedad Anónima (“YPF”) today announced that it has increased the maximum purchase price relating to its previously announced cash tender offers (each a “Tender Offer” and, collectively, the “Tender Offers”) to purchase outstanding securities listed in the table below (the “Securities”) from U.S.$500,000,000 to U.S.$1,000,000,000 in the aggregate, excluding any Accrued Interest (the “Maximum Purchase Price”).

No other terms of the Tender Offers have changed. Holders who have already validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) their Securities do not need to re-tender their Securities. The table below sets forth certain information regarding the Securities and the Tender Offers.

Title of Security

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

Principal Amount Outstanding

Acceptance Priority Level

Consideration(a)

6.950% Senior Notes due 2027

CUSIP:  984245 AQ3

          P989MJ BL4

ISIN:    US984245AQ34

          USP989MJBL47

U.S.$643,428,000

1

U.S.$1,017.50

2.500%/9.000% Step Up Amortizing Notes due 2029

CUSIP:  P989MJ BS9

          984245 AV2

ISIN:    USP989MJBS99

          US984245AV29

U.S.$640,999,934 (b)

2

U.S.$1,042.00

Per U.S.$1,000 principal amount.Outstanding principal amount as of the date of this press release corresponds to the application of the amortization factor of 0.85714 multiplied by the original principal amount of the 2029 Securities (as defined below) shown in the records of the DTC (as defined below). The original principal amount of the 2029 Securities before the application of the amortization factor is U.S.$747,833,257.

The Tender Offers are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in YPF’s Offer to Purchase dated September 7, 2026 (the “Offer to Purchase”), including the concurrent or earlier consummation of a new notes offering that provides YPF with sufficient funds to meet the obligations of YPF in connection with the Tender Offer. The Tender Offers are also subject to the Acceptance Priority Procedures and proration as described in the Offer to Purchase. Under the Acceptance Priority Procedures, Securities will be accepted for purchase according to the Acceptance Priority Level set forth in the table above, beginning with the lowest numerical value first. The Offer to Purchase more fully sets forth the terms of the Tender Offers. The Tender Offers are scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time (6:00 p.m. Buenos Aires time), on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 unless extended or earlier terminated (such date and time, as it may be extended with respect to the Tender Offer, the “Expiration Date”). Holders of Securities (“Holders”) may participate in the Tender Offers by validly tendering and not validly withdrawing their Securities by the Expiration Date.

Securities validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offers may be withdrawn at any time at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time (6:00 p.m. Buenos Aires time), on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 (such date and time, as it may be extended with respect to the Tender Offers, the “Withdrawal Deadline”), but not thereafter. The Withdrawal Deadline for the Tender Offers is the same as the Expiration Date.

It is expected that the Settlement Date for the Tender Offer will be on or around Friday, September 18, 2026, the second business day after the Expiration Date, but which may change without notice (the “Settlement Date”).  Payment for the Securities that are validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offers will be made on the Settlement Date.  YPF will not be responsible for any delays in the transmission of funds to Holders attributable to the clearing systems and under no circumstances will any interest be payable because of any such delay.

Subject to the terms and conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, Holders who validly tender their Securities at or prior to the Expiration Date will receive the applicable Consideration specified in the table above payable for such tendered Securities that are accepted for purchase by YPF. In addition, YPF will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities up to, but not including, the Settlement Date (“Accrued Interest”). Payment of the Consideration and Accrued Interest will be made on the Settlement Date.

YPF reserves the absolute right to amend, extend, terminate or withdraw any or all of the Tender Offers in its sole discretion, subject to disclosure and as otherwise required by applicable law. Any (i) increase or decrease in the percentage of Securities sought in a Tender Offer, other than the acceptance for purchase of an additional amount of Securities not to exceed two percent of the applicable series of Securities, or (ii) change in the Consideration offered, will be communicated by public announcement that is widely disseminated no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time (10:00 a.m. Buenos Aires time), on the third business day before the Expiration Date.  Any other material change in the terms of a Tender Offer will be communicated by public announcement that is widely disseminated no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time (10:00 a.m. Buenos Aires time), on the second business day before the Expiration Date. In the event of termination or withdrawal of a Tender Offer, Securities tendered and not accepted for purchase pursuant to such Tender Offer will be promptly returned to the tendering holders.

The complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offers are described in the Offer to Purchase, copies of which may be obtained from Sodali & Co, the information and tender agent for the Tender Offers (the “Information and Tender Agent”), at the Tender Offer Website: https://projects.sodali.com/YPF, by email at YPF@investor.sodali.com, by telephone in Stamford at +1 203 658 9457, or in writing at 333 Ludlow Street, South Tower, 5th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902, United States.

YPF has engaged BBVA Securities Inc., Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC to act as the dealer managers (the “Dealer Managers”) and Banco Santander Argentina S.A., Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A., Balanz Capital Valores S.A.U., Cucchiara y Cía. S.A., Banco CMF S.A., Macro Securities S.A.U., Latin Securities S.A.U., Cocos Capital S.A. and Puente Hnos. S.A. as local dealer managers (the “Local Dealer Managers”) in connection with the Tender Offers. Questions regarding the terms of the Tender Offers may be directed to BBVA Securities Inc. by telephone at +1 (800) 422-8692 (U.S. toll free) or +1 (212) 728-2446 (collect), Itau BBA USA Securities, Inc. by telephone at +1 (888) 770-4828 (U.S. toll free) or +1 (212) 710-6749 (collect), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC by telephone at +1 (866) 846-2874 (U.S. toll free) or +1 (212) 834-7279 (collect) and Santander US Capital Markets LLC by telephone at +1 (855) 404-3636 (U.S. toll free) or +1 (212) 940-1442 (collect).

None of YPF, the Dealer Managers, the Local Dealer Managers, the Information and Tender Agent or the trustee for the Securities, or any of their respective affiliates, is making any recommendation as to whether Holders should or should not tender any Securities in response to the Tender Offers or expressing any opinion as to whether the terms of the Tender Offers are fair to any holder. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender any of their Securities and, if so, the principal amount of Securities to tender. Please refer to the Offer to Purchase for a description of the offer terms, conditions, disclaimers and other information applicable to the Tender Offers.

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Securities. The Tender Offers are being made solely by means of the Offer to Purchase. The Tender Offers are not being made to holders of Securities in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require any tender offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offers will be deemed to be made on behalf of YPF by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

Disclaimer

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including those related to the tender for Securities and whether or not YPF will consummate the Tender Offers. Forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future, and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic, political and business conditions in Argentina and South America, existing and future governmental regulations, fluctuations in the price of petroleum and petroleum products, supply and demand levels, currency fluctuations, exploration, drilling and production results, changes in reserves estimates, success in partnering with third parties, loss of market share, industry competition, environmental risks, physical risks, the risks of doing business in developing countries, legislative, tax, legal and regulatory developments, economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions, political risks, wars and acts of terrorism, natural disasters, project delays or advancements and lack of approvals. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect YPF’s financial results is included in the filings made by YPF and its affiliates before the Comisión Nacional de Valores in Argentina and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in particular, in YPF’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and its current reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the foregoing, the forward-looking statements included in this document may not occur. Except as required by law, YPF does not undertake to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that the projected performance, conditions or events expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

Sodali & Co – Michael Truscelli email ypf@investor.sodali.com 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ypf-sociedad-anonima-announces-increase-in-maximum-purchase-price-relating-to-its-outstanding-tender-offers-to-us1-000-000-000–302874444.html

SOURCE YPF Sociedad Anónima

Continue Reading

Trending