Adobe has launched its Firefly Video Model, an AI tool that generates video from text prompts, stepping into the growing competition in generative AI for film and television production. This move positions Adobe alongside rivals like OpenAI, ByteDance, and Meta Platforms, all of whom have recently released similar video tools.
Adobe, however, distinguishes itself by training its models on data it owns the rights to, ensuring the generated content can be legally used for commercial purposes. While a general release date is not confirmed, Adobe has begun offering access to those who signed up for the waiting list.
Although no customers have been announced for the video tool, Gatorade is using Adobe’s image generation model to create custom bottle designs, and Mattel has applied the technology in designing packaging for its Barbie dolls. Adobe has geared its video tools towards creators, making them user-friendly for everyday video production.
Ely Greenfield, Adobe’s chief technology officer for digital media, highlighted that the focus is on ensuring the AI understands key video production concepts like camera angles and motion, allowing it to seamlessly blend with conventional footage.
The UK government prioritises adopting innovative technologies through its draft industrial strategy, ‘Invest 2035.’ The comprehensive plan aims to accelerate the integration and scaling of new technologies across eight key growth sectors, including cybersecurity solutions and ensuring that all emerging technologies are secure by design.
To support this technological advancement, the strategy focuses on strengthening cyber resilience by enhancing supply chain resilience to mitigate vulnerabilities that could impede long-term growth. Implementing strengthened cyber resilience measures is essential for safeguarding growth-driving sectors against potential digital threats, thereby reinforcing the overall security of the economy.
Additionally, a crucial element of the strategy is the investment in skills and workforce development, as the UK government acknowledges the need to prepare the workforce for future challenges through substantial investments in skills and training. Promoting cybersecurity education is vital, empowering individuals and organisations to protect themselves better and leverage technological advancements.
Furthermore, the draft strategy emphasises public consultation and stakeholder engagement, inviting input from businesses, experts, unions, and other stakeholders to refine the plan before its final publication in spring 2025. The government also highlights the importance of collaboration between itself and the cyber industry, as these partnerships are essential for addressing existing challenges, such as the skills gap and outdated cyber laws. Ultimately, this strategy aims to support the growth of a secure and resilient economy, fostering an environment where organisations can thrive safely in an increasingly digital world.
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is set to begin mass production of its latest AI chip, the MI325X, by the end of 2024. This move aims to boost AMD’s competitive position in a market largely dominated by Nvidia. The MI325X will be available in early 2025, designed to enhance AI processing speeds with new memory technology. AMD also plans to release a next-generation MI350 series in 2025 with an improved architecture and more memory for even greater performance.
Despite these announcements, AMD’s shares fell nearly 5%, as analysts were expecting new major cloud-computing clients to be revealed. AMD continues to face stiff competition from Nvidia, whose shares rose while Intel’s dipped amid the AI race. In addition to the new AI chips, AMD introduced server and PC processors based on its Zen 5 architecture, boasting faster speeds and optimised AI capabilities.
AMD’s CEO Lisa Su noted that the company would continue using Taiwan’s TSMC for manufacturing, and while no new clients were announced, demand for AI chips remains high. With an increased forecast for AI chip revenue, AMD is gearing up to meet surging market demand driven by generative AI.
USAID announced a groundbreaking $5 million funding initiative aimed at fostering a new public-private partnership involving the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Armenia, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). That collaboration seeks to leverage the strengths of the private sector to address global challenges, particularly in the realm of digital transformation.
Moreover, the partnership is specifically designed to enhance the resilience of Armenian institutions, thereby ensuring they are better equipped to serve citizens and maintain continuity during disruptions. Furthermore, this initiative aligns with Armenia’s recently adopted Cloud First Policy (CFP), which focuses on innovating public services through cloud technology and represents a significant step toward modernising the country’s technological infrastructure. Through strategic consultations with AWS leadership, the Armenian government aims to improve data safety, cost-efficiency, and overall resilience in its service delivery.
The implementation of the Continuity of Government IT (CGIT) solution on AWS will be crucial for protecting Armenia’s digital assets during disruptions. Specifically, this cloud-based solution will help the government align its continuity goals with technology paths that support its digital transformation objectives.
Additionally, this collaboration has the potential to create a replicable public-private model that other regions can adopt. By amplifying this approach, governments can not only enhance cyber resilience but also leverage cloud computing to accelerate sustainable development goals, ultimately contributing to a more robust global technological landscape.
Siemens is relying on its digital platform, Xcelerator, to drive future growth, especially in its factory automation business, which has faced slowing demand in China and Europe. Despite lowering its full-year sales forecast, Siemens reported an 82% jump in industrial software sales for the three months ending in June, mainly due to Xcelerator’s offerings, according to Peter Koerte, the company’s chief technology and strategy officer.
Xcelerator, launched in 2022, is a cloud-based platform that delivers hardware and digital services to a global customer base, boasting over a million monthly users. Siemens’ divisions, including mobility, smart infrastructure, and digital industries, leverage its offerings to enhance its operations. The platform collaborates with 400 partner companies, providing more than 900 solutions worldwide. However, Siemens has not disclosed specific financial figures for Xcelerator.
Xcelerator has achieved significant success in key markets, including China, India, Germany, and the US. Its advanced capabilities have enabled Siemens to secure major contracts, such as an order for 90 regional trains from Deutsche Bahn in August. By analysing data from these trains, Xcelerator enhances maintenance practices, boosts energy efficiency, and improves punctuality, showcasing its effectiveness in integrating digital and physical services to address customer needs.
Industry ministers from the G7 advanced democracies have agreed that non-market practices in the semiconductor industry pose an urgent challenge that requires collective action. This consensus was announced by the Italian presidency and is a response to growing concerns about China’s influence in the sector. During the G7 summit in June, leaders had previously pledged to address what they called unfair business practices by China, particularly as the country aggressively advances its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
The majority of global semiconductor production takes place in South Korea and Taiwan, with Taiwan’s closeness to mainland China heightening concerns about potential military conflicts that could disrupt global supply chains. Due to Taiwan’s leadership in advanced chip manufacturing, major economies such as the US and European nations have enacted legislation to enhance domestic semiconductor production. Initiatives like the US CHIPS Act and corresponding European measures have allocated substantial funding to incentivise companies to set up chip production facilities within their countries.
Alongside semiconductor issues, the newly established G7 task force will also focus on undersea cable connectivity, which has grown increasingly critical. Recent outages in major undersea cables have underscored the necessity for a stable and secure global internet infrastructure. This expansion of the G7’s agenda aims to address broader technological stability, moving beyond semiconductor concerns to encompass essential aspects of digital connectivity.
The European Commission has announced a significant investment in the continent’s digital infrastructure through its second work program under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital, allocating €865 million in funding from 2024 to 2027. That initiative will target large-scale projects promoting the rollout of 5G and gigabit networks in key sectors such as healthcare, transport, logistics, and manufacturing.
By focusing on these industries, the EU aims to drive the integration of advanced technologies to meet increasing digital demands. The program also seeks to expand Europe’s digital backbone by strengthening quantum communication networks and laying new submarine cables to enhance connectivity with third countries.
Additionally, it will develop digital platforms for transport and energy, optimising ICT energy use while minimising environmental impact and ensuring seamless integration with existing European data, cloud, and connectivity infrastructures.
That initiative supports the EU’s ambitious 2030 Digital Decade goals, which aim to provide all citizens and businesses access to 5G and gigabit-speed internet. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for Europe Fit for the Digital Age, emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity to foster innovation and connect more citizens and businesses.
With a total budget of €2 billion until 2027, the broader CEF Digital program has already funded 65 projects, including 5G Smart Communities and cross-border 5G corridors. It plans to launch a fourth call for project proposals to accelerate digital transformation further.
On September 21, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Decision No. 1018/QD-TTg, establishing Vietnam‘s strategy and vision for developing its semiconductor industry. This strategic plan outlines both short-term objectives until 2030 and long-term projections extending to 2050, emphasising five key tasks – developing specialised chips, promoting the electronics industry, enhancing human resources and attracting talent, drawing investment into the semiconductor sector, and implementing additional relevant measures.
The strategy includes a three-phase roadmap. In Phase 1 (2024-2030), Vietnam aims to leverage its geographical advantages and existing semiconductor talent to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). The goals are to establish at least 100 design companies, one small semiconductor chip manufacturing plant, and 10 packaging and testing facilities, with the semiconductor industry projected to generate over USD 25 billion in revenue annually. The workforce is expected to exceed 50,000 engineers and university graduates.
During Phase 2 (2030-2040), Vietnam intends to strengthen its position as a global center for semiconductors, targeting 200 design companies, two chip manufacturing plants, and 15 packaging and testing facilities. The expected annual revenue for the semiconductor industry is projected to surpass USD 50 billion, with a workforce growing to over 100,000 engineers and graduates.
In Phase 3 (2040-2050), Vietnam aspires to become a leading player in the global semiconductor arena, aiming for at least 300 design companies, three semiconductor chip manufacturing plants, and 20 packaging and testing facilities. The semiconductor industry’s revenue is anticipated to exceed USD 100 billion annually, while the electronics sector is expected to surpass USD 1.045 trillion. Despite the government’s ambitious strategy, challenges remain, including power shortages, competitive salaries for talent, and a weak technological foundation.
OpenAI is expanding its global presence with plans to open new offices in key cities, including Singapore, Paris, and Brussels. These will add to its existing hubs in San Francisco, London, and Tokyo, positioning the company for broader international reach. The company’s efforts follow a substantial $6.6 billion funding round and leadership changes.
Oliver Jay, formerly of Asana and Dropbox, will lead OpenAI’s international operations from Singapore. The new Singapore office, expected to open by the end of the year, will serve as a hub for the Asia Pacific region. The company is actively hiring engineers to build out its team in the region, which has seen rapid growth in ChatGPT usage.
The decision to expand into Singapore is partly driven by the country’s strong engagement with AI technology. OpenAI noted that Singapore has one of the highest per capita uses of ChatGPT, with usage doubling since the start of the year. This new office will be OpenAI’s second in Asia, after Tokyo.
As part of the expansion, OpenAI is partnering with AI Singapore, a national programme that promotes the development and adoption of AI in the region. CEO Sam Altman highlighted Singapore’s leadership in AI and its role in tackling complex societal issues, as well as fostering economic growth.
Uber is set to launch an AI assistant for its drivers in the United States in early 2025, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4.0, aimed at supporting drivers with queries related to electric vehicles (EVs). The assistant will initially help answer questions on topics such as where to charge EVs and which models to buy. In time, the AI may expand its capabilities to include other uses.
The assistant will be accessible from the Uber driver app and will offer personalised responses based on a driver’s location, needs, and available government incentives. Future updates are expected to include voice interaction, allowing drivers to speak directly to the AI, with audio responses.
Uber also announced an ‘EV mentorship program’ to encourage experienced EV drivers to help guide others interested in making the switch to electric vehicles. Mentors will receive financial incentives for sharing their knowledge and insights about owning and driving EVs.
As part of its broader focus on climate action, Uber is enhancing its Uber Green service, with an EV-only option in 40 cities. Riders can now choose electric vehicles in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.
