HCLSoftware, a global enterprise software leader, launched HCL Domino 14.5 on July 7 as a major upgrade, specifically targeting governments and organisations operating in regulated sectors that are concerned about data privacy and digital independence.

A key feature of the new release is Domino IQ, a sovereign AI extension built into the Domino platform. This new tool gives organisations full control over their AI models and data, helping them comply with regulations such as the European AI Act.

 It also removes dependence on foreign cloud services, making it easier for public sector bodies and banks to protect sensitive information.

“The importance of data sovereignty and avoiding unnecessary foreign government influence extends beyond SaaS solutions and AI. Specifically for collaboration – the sensitive data within email, chat, video recordings and documents. With the launch of Domino+ 14.5, HCLSoftware is helping over 200+ government agencies safeguard their sensitive data,” said Richard Jefts, executive vice president and general manager at HCLSoftware

The updated Domino+ collaboration suite now includes enhanced features for secure messaging, meetings, and file sharing. These tools are ready to deploy and meet the needs of organisations that handle highly confidential data.

The platform is supported by IONOS, a leading European cloud provider. Achim Weiss, CEO of IONOS, added, “Today, more than ever, true digital sovereignty is the key to Europe’s digital future. That’s why at IONOS we are proud to provide the sovereign cloud infrastructure for HCL’s sovereign collaboration solutions.”

Other key updates in Domino 14.5 include achieving BSI certification for information security, the integration of security event and incident management (SEIM) tools to enhance threat detection and response, and full compliance with the European Accessibility Act, ensuring that all web-based user experiences are inclusive and accessible to everyone.

With the launch of Domino 14.5, HCLSoftware is aiming to be a trusted technology partner for public sector and highly regulated organisations seeking control, security, and compliance in their digital operations.

A research team from the University of South Florida (USF) has developed an AI system that can identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children.

The project addresses a longstanding clinical dilemma: diagnosing PTSD in children who may not have the emotional vocabulary, cognitive development or comfort to articulate their distress. Traditional methods such as subjective interviews and self-reported questionnaires often fall short. This is where AI steps in.

“Even when they weren’t saying much, you could see what they were going through on their faces,” Alison Salloum, professor at the USF School of Social Work, reportedly said. Her observations during trauma interviews laid the foundation for collaboration with Shaun Canavan, an expert in facial analysis at USF’s Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing.

The study introduces a privacy-first, context-aware classification model that analyses subtle facial muscle movements. However, instead of using raw footage, the system extracts non-identifiable metrics such as eye gaze, mouth curvature, and head position, ensuring ethical boundaries are respected when working with vulnerable populations. 

“We don’t use raw video. We completely get rid of subject identification and only keep data about facial movement,” Canavan reportedly emphasised. The AI also accounts for conversational context, whether a child is speaking to a parent or a therapist, which significantly influences emotional expressivity.

Across 18 therapy sessions, with over 100 minutes of footage per child and approximately 185,000 frames each, the AI identified consistent facial expression patterns in children diagnosed with PTSD. Notably, children were more expressive with clinicians than with parents; a finding that aligns with psychological literature suggesting shame or emotional avoidance often inhibits open communication at home.

While still in its early stages, the tool is not being pitched as a replacement for therapists. Instead, it’s designed as a clinical augmentation, a second set of ‘digital’ eyes that can pick up on emotional signals even trained professionals might miss in real time.

“Data like this is incredibly rare for AI systems,” Canavan added. “That’s what makes this so promising. We now have an ethically sound, objective way to support mental health assessments.”

If validated on a larger scale, the system could transform mental health diagnostics for children—especially for pre-verbal or very young patients—by turning non-verbal cues into actionable insights. 

Canva has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to launch free teacher training and certification programs hosted on the education ministry’s DIKSHA platform. 

The initiative aims to enhance digital literacy, creativity, and AI proficiency among educators across India, in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

As part of the agreement, Canva will offer Indian teachers free access to its education platform and provide learning materials tailored for visual and collaborative instruction. NCERT will ensure that the course content aligns with the national curriculum and is made regionally accessible. Available in multiple Indian languages, the course will also be broadcast via PM e-Vidya DTH channels to extend its reach beyond internet-enabled classrooms.

The certification program includes training on using Canva’s design tools to create engaging lesson plans, infographics, and presentations. Teachers will also learn to co-create content with students and apply AI tools to improve classroom outcomes. Upon completion, participants will receive a joint certificate from NCERT and Canva.

“This partnership is a powerful step toward equipping educators with practical digital skills that not only save time but spark imagination in every classroom,” Jason Wilmot, head of education at Canva, said in a press statement.

Chandrika Deb, country manager for India at Canva stated, “By delivering this program free of cost, in multiple languages, and through a trusted national platform like NCERT, we are not only advancing digital fluency and creative confidence in classrooms across the country, but also deepening Canva’s long-term commitment to India, which plays a pivotal role in our vision to democratize design and creativity at scale.”

Moreover, the company shared some interesting figures. Canva has seen significant global momentum, with over 100 million students and teachers using its platform. In 2024, over 1 billion designs were created, many powered by Canva’s AI tools like Dream Lab, which enables teachers to generate custom visuals instantly. Teacher usage of AI tools has increased by 50% over the past year, with student engagement rising by 107%.

We may see further developments in this partnership as the training program for teachers progresses over time.