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Electronic health records (EHRs). Insurance claims. Patient registries. Wearable devices. Never before has health data been so abundant.

Yet the United States continues to struggle with siloed systems that make it difficult to streamline and use this information to advance science and medicine – particularly in areas such as public health, safety monitoring, and precision medicine.

Now, a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, technologists, and policy experts argues that the country should rethink how this data is managed. In a new paper published in Science, the group calls for real-world health data (RWD) to be governed as a public utility – an essential piece of public infrastructure, akin to electricity, water, and the internet.

To address data silos, patient privacy, and other related challenges, the researchers looked to lessons from the creation of public utilities throughout history – such as the electrification movement, federal drinking water standards, and the advent of the internet.

They propose that a public utility model could better govern health data and ensure it flows where it matters most: from patients to new and innovative solutions and back again to benefit the public.

The public utility approach would ensure that there is governmental regulatory oversight, ensuring fair access, transparency, and accountability for health data. 

Governance would be distributed to utility boards, while the government would establish and enforce regulations and standards, enabling individual research entities and stakeholders the freedom to address their own research questions and challenges. Like other public utility boards, this information could be accessed by patients and the community, ultimately empowering them with a formal role in oversight and data sharing.

The researchers also argue that current U.S. privacy laws, including HIPAA, are insufficient for today’s digital health ecosystem. They call for extending HIPAA-like protections to include consumer health data (including wearables, genomics, and mobile apps), clarifying public health and research use cases, and more.

Researchers also recognized that transforming health data governance will require both legal reform and cultural change. They underscore that healthcare organizations and policy-makers must recognize health data as shared infrastructure with collective value, not just a secondary byproduct of clinical care.

Chennai, Mar 06: Chennai’s real estate sector marked a significant digital milestone as DRA Homes launched the city’s first multi-lingual Virtual Sales AI Assistant at the recently concluded CREDAI Chennai Fairpro exhibition.The innovation signals a decisive move towards technology-led sales transformation, positioning the company at the forefront of AI-driven customer engagement in the city.

Designed to function as a digital sales assistant, the AI-powered tool enables prospective buyers to instantly access comprehensive project information, pricing details, configuration options and amenity specifications. It also facilitates site visit scheduling, helping buyers explore properties with greater convenience and clarity. At Fairpro, the assistant saw enthusiastic participation from visitors, many of whom appreciated the speed, ease and transparency it brought to the property exploration process.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ranjeeth Rathod, Managing Director – DRA Homes, said, “Innovation in real estate is no longer optional – it is imperative. The launch of Chennai’s first Multi-lingual Virtual Sales AI Assistant reflects our commitment to building a future-ready organization that leverages technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. We believe AI will play a transformative role in redefining how homes are marketed, explored and purchased, and this is a significant step in that direction.”

Following its successful debut, the Virtual Sales AI Assistant will now be integrated in a few malls and airports, ensuring a consistent, intelligent and responsive engagement model across multiple customer touchpoints.

Adding to this,Mr. Manoj Vasudevan, Head- Sales, Marketing & CRM, DRA Homes, said, “Today’s homebuyer expects speed, transparency and personalized engagement at every stage of the buying journey. With this AI-powered assistant, we are able to provide instant, accurate information while meaningfully enhancing the customer experience. Our focus is on combining human expertise with intelligent automation, enabling our teams to deliver deeper advisory support while the technology streamlines information access.”

As digital adoption accelerates across sectors, the introduction of this Virtual Sales AI Assistant marks a pivotal shift for Chennai’s real estate ecosystem – setting a new benchmark for innovation, responsiveness and customer-centricity in property sales.

International Women’s Day 2026 marks a shift in how organizations define progress. We have moved past the era where growth of women in the workforce was viewed from a linear perspective, a solitary achievement or a simple upward trajectory. The world recognizes that growth today is catalytic. It’s a force when ignited in one individual, creating ripples across the entire organization. It isn’t about personal milestones but about how every step forward emboldens those around us to take their own leap. 

In the fast-paced, AI-driven world, the definition of strength has evolved. It’s not the loudest voice in the room but one that is most thoughtful, where there’s space for every voice at the table, encouragement of ideas and support for women’s ambition. There is a profound impact when the leadership in organizations is rooted in empathy, collaboration and patience. This approach is necessary to create safe spaces for women in the workforce and to reassure that every voice is not just present but is heard and valued. When women lead with this mindset, they drive commercial outcomes, nurture people and build cultures where other women can rise too.    

This brings us to the core philosophy of ‘Give to Gain’. For way too long, giving was seen as a loss of time or competitive edge. In 2026, we understand that giving equals intentional multiplication. When organizations invest in creating trust, mentorship and opportunities for women to thrive, it doesn’t lose but gain a more resilient and innovative workforce. This reciprocity is the foundation of modern success. At Neokred, where women lead across various functions be it tech or product or finance, we see that diversity is the fundamental engine pushing purposeful innovation. We practise bias free hiring, ensure equitable growth opportunities, and actively support women through mentorship, skill development. By encouraging collaboration, respect, and a strong sense of belonging, we empower every individual to thrive and lead with confidence. Times are changing. Women are evolving. And at Neokred, we do not just support that growth, we thrive on it. 

I believe that the impact of an inclusive culture extends far beyond the office walls. A woman’s confidence and success in the workplace acts as a cornerstone for thriving in her family and community too. To me, championing women is deeply personal. When trust, opportunity, and the belief that women can succeed is given freely, it multiplies through leadership, innovation, and impact. That is how women become catalysts of growth in careers, leadership, and communities, and in every life they touch.

By offering trust and mentorship to women at work, and by advocating for them, we embrace a ‘Give to Gain’ mindset, where we ensure that women rise and thrive together.

Siliguri, Mar 6: Generali Central Insurance, a joint venture between global insurance major Generali and Central Bank of India announced the launch of its branch in Siliguri, West Bengal. Following the company’s recent brand transformation, after Central Bank of India joined in as the JV partner, this is the second branch opening in the eastern region after Bhubaneshwar. This milestone marks a significant step forward underscoring the brand’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions to its customers.

 The launch event was graced by Mr. Anup Rau, the Managing Director and CEO of Generali Central Insurance.

Speaking on the occasion, Anup Rau, MD and CEO of Generali Central Insurance, said:

 “This branch launch is a testament to our growth potential and the increasing business opportunities in this region. By bringing comprehensive insurance solutions under one roof, we are strengthening our ability to serve customers more effectively and build deeper partnerships with our Bancassurance partners, advisors, motor dealer partners and other intermediaries. Through our bancassurance collaborations, we are also able to significantly extend our reach, leveraging nearly 2,900 partner bank branches across the region to make our solutions more accessible to customers.”

The new branch in Siliguri is expected to help in expanding Generali Central Insurance’s footprint in North Bengal or semi urban and rural markets of the East, offering enhanced accessibility and customer-centric services. This launch reflects the company’s strategic vision to accelerate growth and reinforce its presence in key markets.

Jharkhand, Mar 06: ACC, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is driving rural transformation by empowering women farmers with sustainable agricultural solutions. In Chhatatand village of Dhanbad district, ACC supported Smt. Chayna Devi with seeds, training, and access to solar lift irrigation, helping her shift from subsistence to income-generating farming. Through improved cultivation techniques and resource support, Chayna has significantly enhanced her family’s livelihood and emerged as a progressive farming role model in her community.

With just 10 dismil of land, Chayna cultivated peas using the inputs provided and harvested 400 kg of produce, earning ₹16,000. Encouraged by this success, she diversified her farming further and now earns over ₹1 lakh annually through vegetable cultivation. Her success is a direct result of ACC’s partnership with on-ground agricultural experts to promote modern techniques and capacity building.

“Before this, our farm was only for our own use. Today, I contribute significantly to my family’s income,” shared Chayna. The initiative demonstrates how ACC’s support helps families break the cycle of subsistence farming and transition towards sustainable, income-generating agriculture.

Amsterdam, Mar 6: PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of sought-after AV professional, Jonas Field, to lead its next wave of growth in the Norwegian market. 

 Accepting the role of Country Sales Manager for Philips Professional Displays, Jonas brings more than 10 years of hands on, top tier AV/IT knowledge and experience, and is a highly regarded and commercially driven industry professional. Throughout his career, he has built strong relationships across the channel, including distributors, integrators, consultants, and end customers.

Based in Oslo, and reporting to Roeland Scholten, PPDS Sales Director for Benelux and Nordics, Jonas will take ownership of the commercial strategy for Philips Professional Displays in Norway. His focus will include expanding distributor partnerships, increasing brand visibility within the channel, supporting partners with targeted go to market initiatives, and driving market share growth across key verticals.

Total market solutions 

Jonas joins PPDS as the AV market in Norway continues to flourish, with rising demand for high quality AV solutions in markets such as corporate, education, and entertainment due to a growing need for video conferencing, digital signage, and live event production, including LED.

PPDS has maintained an upward trajectory in the country – and the Nordics region – in recent years, with sales of Philips digital signage, ePaper, interactive displays, and dvLED surpassing expectations, while Philips hotel TVs continue to be firmly established as a brand of choice for the hospitality industry. Sister brand, AOC, was also recently named as Norway’s market leader for home and office monitors.

Jonas will work closely with the full AV channel, including distributors, system integrators, AV/IT teams, designers/architects, among others, to identify new market and project opportunities, ensuring PPDS remains a key choice for tenders, big and small, across all market verticals, including retail, corporate, hospitality, transportation, control rooms, public venues, and broadcast. 

Seizing opportunity

Discussing his appointment, Jonas commented:

 “PPDS has become a major force in Norway, and I am excited to seize this opportunity to join such a flexible and forward thinking company with a great team. I believe that, with my skillset and understanding of the market, backed by the incredible portfolio of Philips Professional Displays and associated software and solutions, together we can achieve great things.”

Roeland Scholten added:

“In a competitive market, we need strong leaders and personalities to move forward and get where we want to be. Jonas has an impeccable background, working at some of the industry’s most established manufacturers and distributors, and has demonstrated from day one that he is the right fit for PPDS, sharing our values and ambitions. I am delighted to welcome Jonas to the team.”