Development Archives | Page 549 of 562 | Digital Watch Observatory

Malaysia seeks Chinese investment for data centres

Malaysia is in talks with potential Chinese investors about building data centres as part of its strategy to attract high-quality investments, according to Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. Rafizi stated in an interview that the government aims to enhance its infrastructure to leverage the AI boom.

In the past year, major US tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia have announced plans to establish data centres in Malaysia. Chinese firms are also interested in developing additional facilities to support local tech companies seeking to expand into the Southeast Asian market, Rafizi noted.

Rafizi emphasised Malaysia’s goal to expedite its transition from the back end to the front end of the semiconductor industry, focusing on integrated circuit design and data centres. He clarified that discussions with Chinese companies have not included using their Malaysian operations to bypass US tariffs.

Experts join Regulating AI’s new advisory board

Regulating AI, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting AI governance, has announced its advisory board’s formation. Board members include notable figures such as former US Senator Cory Gardner, former Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga, and former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho. The board aims to foster a sustainable AI ecosystem that benefits humanity while addressing potential risks and ethical concerns.

The founder of Regulating AI, Sanjay Puri, expressed his excitement about the diverse expertise and perspectives the new board members bring. He emphasised the importance of their wisdom in navigating the complexities of the rapidly evolving AI landscape and shaping policies that balance innovation with ethical considerations and societal well-being.

One of the organisation’s key initiatives is developing a comprehensive AI governance framework. That includes promoting international cooperation, advocating for diverse voices, and exploring sector-specific AI implications. Former President of Bolivia Jorge Quiroga highlighted the transformational power of AI and the need for effective regulation that considers the unique challenges of developing nations.

Regulating AI aims to build public trust, align international standards, and empower various stakeholders through its board. Former US Senator Gardner underscored the necessity of robust regulatory frameworks to ensure AI is developed and deployed responsibly, protecting consumer privacy, preventing algorithmic bias, and upholding democratic values. The organisation also seeks to educate and raise awareness about AI regulations, fostering discussions among experts and policymakers to advance understanding and implementation.

Meta launches AI chatbot in India, rivaling Google’s Gemini

Meta has officially introduced its AI chatbot, powered by Llama 3, to all users in India following comprehensive testing during the country’s general elections. Initially trialled on WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and Facebook since April, the chatbot is now fully accessible through the search bars in these apps and the Meta.AI website. Despite supporting only English, its functionalities are on par with other major AI services like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, including tasks such as suggesting recipes, planning workouts, writing emails, summarising text, recommending Instagram Reels, and answering questions about Facebook posts.

The launch aims to capitalise on India’s vast user base, notably the 500 million WhatsApp users, by embedding the chatbot deeper into the user experience. However, some limitations have been observed, such as the chatbot’s inability to fully understand the context of group conversations, except in direct mentions or replies. Moreover, while it cannot be disabled, users can choose not to interact with it during searches.

Despite its capabilities, Meta AI has faced criticisms for biases in its image generation, often depicting Indian men with turbans and producing images of traditional Indian houses, which Meta has acknowledged and aims to address through ongoing updates. The launch coincides with Google releasing its Gemini app in India, which, unlike Meta’s chatbot, supports multiple local languages, potentially giving Google a competitive advantage in the linguistically diverse Indian market.

Why does it matter?

In summary, Meta’s rollout of its English-only AI chatbot in India is a strategic effort to leverage its extensive user base by offering robust functionalities similar to established competitors. While it faces initial limitations and biases, Meta is actively working on improvements. The concurrent release of Google’s Gemini app sets up a competitive landscape, underscoring the dynamic and evolving nature of AI services in India.

India mandates USB-C ports for smartphones and tablets to curb e-waste

The Indian government plans to follow the European Union’s lead and make USB-C the standard charging port for smartphones and tablets starting in June 2025. All new smartphones and tablets sold in India must have USB-C charging ports once the policy takes effect. India had previously indicated its intention to introduce similar regulations following the EU’s decision, with the original deadline set for March 2025.

The implementation of the EU law is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Its main goal is to enhance user convenience and decrease electronic waste by eliminating various charger requirements. For instance, Apple has adhered to this regulation by transitioning from its exclusive Lightning connector to USB-C for its iPhone 15 devices.

India has implemented new regulations to simplify charging solutions, minimise electronic waste, and align with global standards, mirroring the legislative actions previously undertaken by the EU. According to a report by Mint, these regulations initially encompass smartphones and tablets, with plans to include laptops by 2026 while excluding basic phones and wearables.

EvolutionaryScale secures $142 million to enhance AI applications in biology

AI startup EvolutionaryScale has secured $142 million in seed funding, led by investors including Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, and Lux Capital. Both Amazon Web Services (AWS) and NVIDIA’s venture capital arm participated in this substantial funding round. Lux Capital’s co-founder Josh Wolfe likened EvolutionaryScale’s achievements to a ‘ChatGPT moment for biology,’ highlighting their development of a groundbreaking large language model capable of designing new proteins and biological systems.

EvolutionaryScale aims to deploy its AI across diverse applications, from accelerating drug discovery processes to engineering microbes that can degrade plastic pollution. The company’s chief scientist, Alex Rives, emphasised the growing significance of AI in creating innovative biological solutions. That aligns with broader industry trends where AI is increasingly pivotal in advancing biotech and pharmaceutical research.

However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential misuse of generative AI in bioweapons development. Despite these ethical considerations, EvolutionaryScale plans to use its newly secured funding to train its AI models further and expand its team for collaborations within the biotech sector. They have also released the ESM3 models, with the smaller variant open-sourced for non-commercial research, while AWS and NVIDIA will offer the larger ESM3 commercially.

Why does it matter?

One notable achievement highlighted by EvolutionaryScale involves engineering a novel fluorescent protein using their ESM3 model. That protein represents a significant departure from naturally occurring variants, a process typically requiring nature millions of years to evolve. The company’s advancements underscore the transformative potential of AI in pushing the boundaries of biological innovation.

UAE government partners with Rittal for AI development

During the 2024 AI Retreat, the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office of the United Arab Emirates entered a strategic partnership with Rittal FZE, a Rittal and Co KG division based in Herborn, Germany. Rittal, a renowned provider of IT infrastructure solutions, power distribution, climate management, and industrial enclosures, is set to collaborate with the UAE to enhance the implementation and training of AI technologies. This partnership, focusing on advancing technology and training, is poised to inspire and excite the future of AI in the UAE.

The Executive Director of the AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office, Saqr Binghalib, underscored that the UAE government prioritises enhancing skills in digital advancement. He stressed that such efforts are vital for enhancing the country’s standing as a leading global AI hub and fostering stronger collaborations with the private sector. Rittal is committed to advancing technology and training through AI advancements and other smart applications, especially to support robotics and Industry 4.0 programming. The AI Retreat in 2024 saw the participation of over 2,000 decision-makers, experts, and representatives from the public and private sectors.

Google enhances Gmail with new AI features

Google is enhancing Gmail with new AI features designed to streamline email management. A new Gemini side panel is being introduced for the web, which is capable of summarising email threads and drafting new emails. Users will receive proactive prompts and can ask freeform questions, utilising Google’s advanced models like Gemini 1.5 Pro. The mobile Gmail app will also feature Gemini’s ability to summarise threads.

However, these upgrades will only be accessible to paid Gemini users. To benefit from these features, one must be a Google Workspace customer with a Gemini Business or Enterprise add-on, a Gemini Education or Education Premium subscriber, or a Google One AI Premium member. Despite their potential usefulness, it’s advised not to depend entirely on these AI tools for critical work, as AI can sometimes produce inaccurate information.

In addition to Gmail, Google is incorporating Gemini features into the side panels of Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. The rollout follows Google’s earlier promises at the I/O conference. Further AI enhancements, including ‘Contextual Smart Reply,’ are expected to arrive for Gmail soon.

2027 could spell the dawn of artificial superintelligence

As China edges closer to the proverbial ‘splinternet’ there is more talk of the advent of AI on the continent. According to IBM, ASI is a hypothetical software-based AI system with an intelligence scope beyond human intelligence, possessing cognitive functions and thinking skills well beyond that of known humans.

According to SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, at the implementation level, ASI will bring about real change to our societies in about ten years. The CEO assured investors of his company’s plans to tap in to the trend, pinpointing the company’s majority shareholder portfolio in the chip design firm, Arm.

Similar developments in China see Huawei releasing HarmonyOS, the beta version of a mobile operating system, and rival to Android on the continent. Versions of the software are carded to come to market housed in smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, smart glasses and earbuds by year end. The company also plans to build an ecosystem around the OS. Such technological developments in China further behooves the East and West to approach the table of negotiations as equals in the field of AI and other emerging technologies governance.

Oracle commits $1 billion to bolster AI and cloud services in Spain

Oracle has announced it will be investing $1 billion over the next decade in AI and cloud computing in Spain to cater to the growing demand for its services in the country. This investment will be used to establish a new cloud region enabling customers to transition workloads from their data centres to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

Additionally, it will assist in compliance with regulations such as the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and the European Outsourcing Guidelines. This initiative marks Oracle’s third cloud region in Madrid in collaboration with Telefonica España as project partner. Albert Triola, the head of Oracle Spain, emphasised the company’s dedication to supporting organisations in Spain across various sectors and sizes, aiming to accelerate the adoption of cloud technologies to enhance business performance.

José Luis Escrivá, Spain’s minister for digital transformation and public administration noted that this investment will empower Spanish enterprises and public sector entities to innovate with AI and accelerate their digital transformation process.

Why does it matter?

Oracle’s optimistic forecast for fiscal 2025 revenue growth surpassed analysts’ expectations thereby reflecting the growing demand for its AI-driven cloud services.

Furthermore, Oracle announced collaborations with OpenAI and Google Cloud with the objective of expanding its cloud infrastructure offerings to customers thus showing its commitment to enhancing its cloud services portfolio.

Huawei reports significant advances in AI and operating systems development

Huawei Technologies announced significant advancements in operating systems and AI, achieving in 10 years what took the US and Europe 30 years. Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, highlighted these achievements at a developer conference in Dongguan.

Huawei’s Harmony operating system is now on over 900 million devices, which marks a substantial progress since its launch in 2019 when US restrictions cut Huawei off from Google’s Android support. Yu noted that Huawei’s Ascend AI infrastructure is now the second most popular, following Nvidia.

Why does it matter?

The rise of the Internet of Things has provided Huawei an opportunity to surpass long-time Western dominance in software. Additionally, Huawei’s smartphone business has rebounded with the Mate 60, featuring a new China-made chip. Sales of Harmony-equipped smartphones increased by 68% in the first five months of the year. In Q1 2024, HarmonyOS became the second best-selling mobile OS in China, overtaking Apple’s iOS with a 17% market share.