AI & Research Funding: UC Riverside researchers were selected for the DOE’s Genesis Mission, aiming to boost quantum computing reliability and improve how labs share scientific data and equipment. Semiconductors: Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions will showcase contamination management and gas abatement tech at SEMICON India 2026, targeting higher yield and cleaner fab operations. Industrial Automation & Safety: Leuze sensor tech is helping SEW-EURODRIVE run a smart, automated production buffer warehouse, while Leuze safety laser scanners support secure material transfer and precise positioning. Digital Governance in Schools: Kansas is drafting classroom technology rules, with possible mandates on student access to devices, as districts debate tradeoffs for early grades. Tech Policy & Rights: France’s top courts struck down a proposed ban on social media for under-15s, citing freedom of expression and insufficient privacy protections. Cyber-Physical Security: Retailers are urged to treat digital signage like IoT, isolate it from payment systems, and tighten identity controls. Energy & Storage: MIT researchers highlight sodium-ion batteries as a path to cheaper, more sustainable energy storage for the clean-energy transition. STEM Education & Workforce: IIT Tirupati opened a Makers Lab with Kia India to help students build prototypes, and RS South Africa backed the GirlCode hackathon to grow women’s tech talent.