Indonesia‘s top telecom company, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, and tech giant GoTo Gojek Tokopedia launched Sahabat-AI, a new large language model ecosystem designed to support AI-based services in Indonesian languages. This initiative aims to empower local developers to create applications that reflect Indonesia’s diverse languages and cultural nuances.
The Sahabat-AI project is supported by AI Singapore and India’s Tech Mahindra, using Nvidia’s AI Enterprise software and the Nvidia NeMo platform for robust language processing capabilities. Contributions from universities and media groups will further tailor the model to Indonesia’s unique context.
In its initial phase, Sahabat-AI will offer 8-billion and 9-billion parameter models, highlighting Indonesia’s growing AI sector, which has already drawn significant investment interest, including a recent data centre pledge from Microsoft.
London-based startup Tessl has raised $125 million in funding, achieving a valuation exceeding $500 million. Led by founder and CEO Guy Podjarny, the company aims to address challenges in managing software created by both humans and AI. Podjarny, known for his work with Snyk and Akamai, brings deep industry expertise in software security and scalability to this new venture.
Tessl plans to launch its AI-driven platform early next year, designed to simplify code creation and maintenance. The system will enable developers and non-technical team members to provide specifications in natural language or code, with Tessl generating code to meet those requirements. This approach allows users to test and adjust code in a secure sandbox environment before it’s deployed, with the AI automatically identifying and fixing potential issues to keep software running smoothly.
The platform is envisioned as open and adaptable, intended to work alongside other AI coding assistants. This flexibility has attracted significant investor interest, with Index Ventures, Accel, GV, and Boldstart among the backers. Tessl will initially support Java, Javascript, and Python, with plans to expand to more languages over time.
The name ‘Tessl’ reflects its goal of creating a seamless ‘tessellation’ of code, preventing overlaps and inconsistencies that often arise in software development. By streamlining the code lifecycle, Tessl aims to alleviate the increasing complexity in software engineering, particularly as AI-generated code continues to proliferate.
Khazna, BEEAH, and the Sharjah Communication Technology Authority (SCTA) are partnering to enhance Sharjah’s digital infrastructure by developing advanced data centres. Building on a joint venture formed in 2022 between BEEAH and Khazna, SCTA is joining the effort to create Sharjah’s largest data centre, featuring a 9MW capacity, with the first phase focusing on Kalba.
That project aims to provide the necessary infrastructure to support digital transformation in Sharjah, driving innovation and enabling emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. As a result, the collaboration will advance telecommunications solutions and significantly contribute to the emirate’s broader digital growth.
In addition to fostering technological advancements, the partnership also emphasises sustainability. The project will explore eco-friendly energy solutions, such as waste-to-energy power generation, and incorporate greywater recycling systems to minimise water usage.
Moreover, energy-efficient technologies will be integrated to reduce the environmental footprint. Consequently, it will foster economic growth and technological leadership in the UAE.
The Philippines Department of Transportation and UltraPass ID have partnered to pilot a biometric passenger processing system at selected airports following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing. The pilot test is scheduled to begin in early 2025 at Iloilo International Airport, with additional testing planned for Tacloban, Laoag, and Bicol International Airport later in the year.
The system, which embeds biometric data in passports, is designed to streamline airport operations by swiftly enabling passengers to pass through check-in, security, and boarding gates, enhancing both convenience and security. The implementation will occur in two phases – Phase 1 will involve Filipino passengers using the national ID, while Phase 2 will cater to foreign passengers with e-passports travelling domestically. Additionally, the system will integrate with the Philippine national ID system, which aims to reduce processing times and provide a touchless, more efficient airport experience.
Furthermore, this initiative is part of the US Smart Cities Trade Mission, which features 12 US companies from various sectors such as cybersecurity, AI, and tourism. These companies are already contributing to the growth of key Philippine industries, including the digital economy, semiconductors, and tourism.
Through this partnership, the Philippines aims to improve its airport operations and strengthen trade and investment opportunities. In doing so, the involvement of US companies sets high standards for labour practices, environmental responsibility, and corporate social engagement.
FutureMain, Sensoteq, Al Bahlaq Trading, and Colonel have formed a strategic partnership at ADIPEC 2024 to accelerate the global expansion of FutureMain’s ExRBM industrial predictive maintenance solution, particularly in the Middle Eastern market. That collaboration integrates Sensoteq’s advanced wireless sensor technology with FutureMain’s AI-powered ExRBM solution, enabling real-time monitoring of equipment conditions and proactive maintenance through precise diagnostics.
As a result, the sensors help detect potential failures early, minimising downtime and reducing maintenance costs. Moreover, Colonel and Al Bahlaq Trading, UAE-based companies with expertise in data development, IoT, and security systems, will support the local implementation and market entry of ExRBM in the region.
By leveraging their extensive networks, they will provide customised solutions that address specific industrial needs. Together, these partnerships aim to improve operational efficiency, enhance equipment reliability, and offer tailored solutions that reduce equipment failures, optimise productivity, and create long-term customer value in the Middle East.
Additionally, the collaboration highlights the tangible benefits that clients will experience, including cost savings and productivity gains. Furthermore, the partnership reaffirms the commitment to advancing technology and expanding global partnerships, ultimately delivering differentiated value to the industrial sector. That will create a stable environment for regional customers to adopt ExRBM effectively and achieve long-term operational improvements.
Google has started rolling out its AI-powered Scam Detection feature for the Pixel Phone app, initially available only in the beta version for US users. First announced during Google I/O 2024, the feature uses onboard AI to help users identify potential scam calls. Currently, the update is accessible to Pixel 6 and newer models, with plans to expand to other Android devices in the future.
Scam Detection analyses the audio from incoming calls directly on the device, issuing alerts if suspicious activity is detected. For example, if a caller claims to be from a bank and pressures the recipient to transfer funds urgently, the app provides visual and audio warnings. The processing occurs locally on the phone, utilising the Pixel 9’s Gemini Nano chip or similar on-device machine learning models on earlier Pixel versions, ensuring no data is sent to the cloud.
This feature is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to tackle digital fraud, as the rise in generative AI has made scam calls more sophisticated. It joins the suite of security tools on the Pixel Phone app, including Call Screen, which uses a bot to screen calls before involving the user. Google’s localised approach aims to keep users’ information secure while enhancing their safety.
Currently, Scam Detection requires manual activation through the app’s settings, as it isn’t enabled by default. Google is seeking feedback from early adopters to refine the feature further before a wider release to other Android devices.
California’s sole remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, is adopting artificial intelligence to navigate the complex challenges of staying operational. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has partnered with Atomic Canyon, a local startup, to deploy an AI system called Neutron Enterprise. The tool will help manage the plant’s decades-old infrastructure by analysing and organising millions of historical documents, a task critical for meeting federal licensing requirements to keep the facility running for another 20 years.
Located on the coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US, the Diablo Canyon facility was commissioned in 1985 and once slated for closure. However, in 2022, California reversed course to meet its ambitious carbon-reduction targets. The plant’s vice president, Maureen Zawalick, revealed that the facility stores over 9 million records, many originating from outdated formats like microfiche, making data retrieval and management a daunting task.
Using NVIDIA-powered systems, Atomic Canyon’s software can process these archives in natural language, significantly improving document accessibility and usability. According to the startup’s founder, Trey Lauderdale, the AI will streamline data searches, saving time and resources. Over time, the technology may also optimise maintenance schedules, an effort-intensive process that requires careful coordination of the plant’s aging systems.
Apple is preparing to enter the smart home market with a new AI-enabled wall tablet, expected to be launched by March 2025. The device, reportedly code-named J490, will integrate features like AI capabilities, Siri voice controls, and video conferencing through FaceTime, positioning itself as a central hub for home management.
The tablet is designed to compete with Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub, offering similar functionality with a sleek 6-inch screen, available in silver and black. Its interface will blend elements from the Apple Watch and iPhone’s StandBy mode, optimised for voice interaction. The device will enable control over home appliances, provide access to Apple’s apps, and allow photo slideshows, notes, and calendar displays.
Apple is also developing a high-end version with robotic screen movement, which could be priced up to $1,000. The standard model is expected to align more closely with competitor prices, such as the Echo Show 8 and Google’s Nest Hub Max. The tablet will feature a new operating system, ‘Pebble’, which adjusts its interface based on user proximity, while security options will include camera alerts and intercom functions.
Meanwhile, Apple recently established Apple Operations India to boost research and development efforts in the region. The new subsidiary will focus on expanding the company’s hardware engineering capabilities by acquiring equipment, hiring local talent, and providing hardware analysis support.
Indonesian students are now encouraged to explore AI and coding to unlock new talents and prepare for a tech-driven future. Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar stated that the option to study these subjects opens opportunities for young people, but she urged schools to make these courses voluntary rather than mandatory, allowing students to choose these areas of study according to their interests.
AI and coding education is part of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s vision for a ‘Golden Indonesia’, aiming to create a generation equipped with essential digital skills. The initiative seeks to introduce these courses at both primary and secondary education levels, supporting Indonesia’s global competitiveness in a world increasingly shaped by technology.
The internet, widely accessible across Indonesia, offers new avenues for self-directed learning in AI and coding, according to Umar. She pointed out that many Indonesian game developers have already taught themselves coding through online resources, demonstrating that digital skills can be acquired outside formal educational settings.
Umar highlighted the potential of AI and coding to inspire Indonesia’s youth, noting that with the right digital knowledge, young Indonesians can become innovative leaders. Harnessing this potential could foster new ideas and entrepreneurial success, helping to fulfil Indonesia’s vision of a future led by a skilled, tech-savvy generation.
YouTube is testing an AI-driven feature allowing select creators to remix songs by describing desired stylistic changes. This builds on its Dream Track toolset, which debuted last year and lets users generate AI-based tracks using artist vocals. The new feature, ‘Restyle a track,’ enables creators to transform a song’s genre or mood, producing 30-second snippets for Shorts while preserving the original’s essence.
The tool uses Google DeepMind’s Lyria model and ensures proper crediting of the original music. YouTube has partnered with Universal Music Group to compensate artists and rights holders, addressing potential concerns from the music industry. Creators participating in the trial can experiment with a limited selection of tracks under this system.
This development follows a growing trend of platforms enabling AI-generated music customisation. YouTube’s approach highlights its commitment to both creative innovation and maintaining industry standards. Competitors like Hook, an app for remixing music, are also exploring similar functionalities for short-form video content.
