How DeepSeek did it – Asia Times

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With the release of highly effective AI models that can compete with cutting-edge products from US companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, Chinese artificial intelligence ( AI ) company DeepSeek has shocked the tech industry.

With a fraction of the money and computing power of its competitors, DeepSeek, which was founded in 2023, has been able to achieve its goals.

DeepSeek’s “reasoning” R1 unit, released last week, provoked enthusiasm among academics, shock among shareholders, and reactions from AI heavyweights. A model that you work with both images and text was released on January 28th.

But what has DeepSeek done, and how did it do it?

In December, DeepSeek released its V3 type. This is a very effective” normal” large language model that works at a similar amount to OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Anthropic’s Claude 3.5.

These types can perform tasks like writing essays, writing system script, and correcting errors when they are prone to make up their own facts. On some testing of problem-solving and scientific argument, they score better than the average man.

V3 was trained at a noted value of about US$ 5.58 million. This is dramatically cheaper than GPT-4, for example, which cost more than$ 100 million to develop.

DeepSeek even claims to have trained V3 using around 2, 000 professional computer chips, especially H800 GPUs made by Nvidia. This is again little fewer than other businesses, which may have used up to 16, 000 of the more prominent H100 cards.

On January 20, DeepSeek released another unit, called R1. This is a so-called “reasoning” unit, which tries to work through difficult problems step by step. These models appear to be better at a number of tasks that call for context and have numerous linked components, including reading comprehension and strategic planning.

The R1 concept was modified to make room for V3 using a method known as reinforcement learning. R1 appears to work at a similar amount to OpenAI’s o1, released next year.

DeepSeek also used the same technique to make “reasoning” types of little open-source designs that can work on household servers.

This announcement has caused a significant increase in interest in DeepSeek, increasing the popularity of its V3-powered robot app, and causing a significant price drop in tech stocks as investors reevaluate the Artificial industry. At the time of writing, chipmaker Nvidia has lost around$ 600 billion in value.

DeepSeek’s advances have been in achieving greater performance: getting good results with fewer tools. In specific, DeepSeek’s engineers have pioneered two methods that may be adopted by AI researchers more widely.

The first involves a scientific concept known as” sparsity.” Although V3 has around 671 billion guidelines, only a small portion of these variables is used for any given type, AI models have a lot of them.

But, identifying which criteria will be needed isn’t simple. DeepSeek used a new approach to do this, and subsequently trained solely those guidelines. As a result, its types needed much less education than a standard method.

The other flaw is related to how V3 shops data in memory. DeepSeek has discovered a smart way to condense the relevant data to make it easier to store and get immediately.

People can download and change the concepts and methods used by DeepSeek under the complimentary MIT License.

Although this may be bad for some Artificial companies– whose profits may be hampered by the availability of readily available, effective models – it is also good for the broader Iot research community.

At present, a lot of AI exploration requires access to huge amounts of technology solutions. Scientists like myself who are based at universities ( or anywhere else besides big tech firms ) have had limited access to conducting tests and tests.

The condition can be changed by more effective designs and methods. For us, research and growth may now be much simpler.

For consumers, exposure to AI may also become cheaper. More AI designs may be run on people ‘ personal tools, such as devices or apps, rather than running “in the sky” for a membership fee.

More productivity may have a smaller impact for scientists who already have a lot of sources. Whether DeepSeek’s strategy will help to create models with better overall performance or just more effective designs remains to be seen.

Tongliang Liu is the chairman of the University of Sydney’s Sydney AI Centre and associate professor of machine learning.

This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.

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Vote-buying talk follows latest handout

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In light of the recent statewide elections, an opposition MP claims criticism is inevitable.

PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 18: 09

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks at an event held to kick off the second phase of the government’s 10,000-baht handout on Monday. The screen behind her carries a live feed of one of the elderly cash recipients. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses an audience on Monday to blow off the second phase of the president’s 10,000-baht flyer. A life feed of one of the old cash recipients is displayed on the screen behind her. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )

The second phase of the president’s 10, 000-baht flyer program, coming just weeks before statewide elections, will certainly be viewed as vote-buying by some people, People’s Party MP Pakornwut Udompipatskul said on Tuesday.

On Saturday, residents of 47 provinces will cast ballots for the presidents and members of the Provincial Administrative Organization ( PAO ). 3 million older people who are older than younger tend to vote more frequently than younger individuals did thanks to the state on Monday.

The schedule of the flyer to people over 60 was a concern, according to Mr. Pakornwut, who is also the main opposition whip.

He added,” We firmly believe that the general public understands that this government legislation was funded by citizens.”

He also emphasized the value of evaluating the effectiveness of the program to determine whether it results in the Pheu Thai Party’s stated goals of tangible financial improvement. More examination is needed after the show’s conclusion, he added.

In April, the second phase of the handbook is anticipated.

” It might not entirely been about vote-buying, though concerns are natural as it coincides with a big event, Songkran”, Mr Pakornwut.

However, the timing is definitely appropriate because, according to him, the intention is to encourage saving during the biggest getaway of the year, giving the economy a boost.

Nevertheless, Mr Pakornwut encouraged people to exercise their right to vote on Saturday.

” This election directly impacts your]local residents ] hometowns, with billions of baht in budgets at stake, as the next four years will shape the face of your province”, he said.

” We may continue to look out for any anomalies during the election, as we always do.”

The People’s Party has worked hard to expand its social network and win statewide elections. However, none of its prospects have been elected to top positions in previous PAO primaries.

However, Mr Pakornwut described the suggestions the community had been giving Women’s Party candidates as satisfying and encouraging.

He praised the group’s plan team’s tireless efforts to create a large motion.

” We are comfortable in our help base”, he said. ” While outcomes may vary across regions, we regard our companies, many of whom have strong voter foundations. Nevertheless, we believe we can go on”.

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DeepSeek’s shock in wider US vs China perspective – Asia Times

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What this second says about the world’s two biggest markets is what makes the DeepSeek-driven property judgment most intriguing.

To supply with the clear, neither Donald Trump’s 2017-2021 trade conflict nor Joe Biden’s more precise limits these last four years halted Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s technology ambitions. Although there are a few speed bumps occasionally, Xi’s” Made in China 2025″ feast is undoubtedly its biggest public relations triumph.

The most positive headlines Xi’s market has had in a while came from the shockwaves that Foreign artificial intelligence company DeepSeek sent through international markets.

Its claim of a cost-effective AI type using less-advanced cards has America’s Nvidia and French huge ASML&nbsp, reeling. Additionally, it removed the burden of Silicon Valley executives who were warming up to US President Trump. Immediately, US tech supremacy is in question as often before.

DeepSeek’s appearance also managed to confine Trump’s great AI instant below the fold. On January 21, Trump stood with OpenAI’s Sam Altman, &nbsp, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son and Oracle’s Larry Ellison to consider an AI triumph for America. The US$ 5 billion Stargate AI infrastructure project seems to be outdated and a probable huge boondoggle at this point.

However, it’s the financial lessons that stand out the most. In China, Xi’s victory may give the country an even stronger incentive to make more strides toward fostering confidence in the country’s economy. This is a stark warning for Trump that tariffs won’t revive US digital technology in ways that equalize the China danger; only daring policy choices you accomplish that.

New data revealed that China’s stock activity surprisingly decreased in January, ending three months of expansion at the same time DeepSeek was sputtering global markets.

China’s standard purchasing managers ‘ score slid to 49.1. The non-manufacturing PMI test, which includes companies and design, slowed to 50.2 from 52.2 in December. Industrial profits, meanwhile, are now down for three consecutive years, dropping 3.3 % in 2024 alone.

According to Zichuan Huang, an economist for China at Capital Economics,” the disheartening PMI data highlights the challenge that policymakers face in sustaining a sustained treatment in growth.” China is struggling as Trump considers taxes and intensifying challenges, Huang said, despite hints that were made in late 2024 that trigger attempts were taking off.

Many pre-existing conditions at home are bringing in new risks from abroad. China’s home crisis resulted in the longest negative run since the 1997-98 Asian problems. Poor family demand and&nbsp, near-record&nbsp, children poverty are slamming confidence.

” To even have a chance to boost prices and confidence”, says Hui Shan, chief China scholar at Goldman Sachs, Beijing has install” a big stimulus from the state” to generate a real “turning stage”.

Zhiwei Zhang, president of Pinpoint Asset Management, notes that “part of the decline may be expected to weaker outside requirement, as the new import orders score dropped to its lowest level since March last time.”

If Trump fulfills his threats to impose 60 % tariffs on all domestic goods, things could start to get worse. Trump’s implementation of trade restrictions has been much slower than anticipated by international investors.

According to analysts at Singapore-based UOB Global Economics &amp, Markets Research,” a lot of what Trump pledged to do was carried out on day one with the absence of concrete tariff measures are a significant relief.” ” There is, after all, another four years of Trump to go”.

These dangers only make Xi’s team’s task more pressing to stabilize China’s financial system. Immediate priorities include repairing a weak property sector fueling deflation, building more vibrant capital markets, reducing youth unemployment, addressing runaway local government debt, curbing the dominance of state-owned enterprises and increasing transparency.

Team Xi also must create a vibrant network of social&nbsp, safety&nbsp, nets&nbsp, to encourage consumption over saving. Last week, Xi’s government intensified efforts to support China’s volatile stock markets. That included encouraging mainland households to buy more shares and encouraging pensions and mutual funds to make more domestic stock investments.

According to Wu Qing, the head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission,” This means that at least several hundred billion yuan of long-term funds will be added to A-shares every year.”

Such steps are only necessary, though, because Team Xi has been too slow to address the economy’s pre-existing conditions. In financial circles, is it a hot button whether Beijing should use a yuan-sheen deflation strategy to boost growth? &nbsp,

The pros are obvious. Exports, which were a major factor in China’s 5 % growth in 2024, would be further boosted by a weaker exchange rate. In December alone, overseas shipments jumped 10.7 % year on year.

However, the disadvantages prevent Team Xi from choosing the less effective yuan route. For one thing, it might make it more difficult for highly indebted property developers to pay off offshore bonds. That would increase&nbsp, default&nbsp, risks &nbsp, in Asia’s biggest economy. Seeing# ChinaEvergrande or# ChinaVanke&nbsp, trending again is the last thing Xi’s Communist Party needs in 2025.

Another is that deleveraging efforts could be wasted due to the monetary easing required to lower the yuan. Beijing has made significant strides over the past few years in reducing China’s financial woes and raising the standard of its gross domestic product. As a result, Xi and Premier Li Qiang have been reluctant to let the People’s Bank of China ease more assertively, even as deflation deepens.

The yuan’s use in trade and finance might be Xi’s biggest reform accomplishment over the past dozen years. In 2016, China won a place for the yuan in the International Monetary Fund’s” special drawing rights” basket, joining the dollar, yen, euro and pound. Since then, the currency’s use in trade and finance has soared. Excessive easing now might damage trust in the yuan, slowing its progression to reserve-currency status.

It also might trigger a broader&nbsp, Asian currency war&nbsp, that’s in no one’s best interest. Tokyo might be all-in on a much weaker yen, entice South Korea into the fray.

Memories of 2015 are clearly entering into Beijing’s equation. A destabilizing capital flight that still lingers among party bigwigs was caused by China’s decision to devalue the yuan by nearly 3 % ten years ago. Over the next year, Xi’s team had to draw down Beijing’s foreign exchange reserves by&nbsp, US$ 1 trillion&nbsp, to restore calm.

However, Trump World should also take a wake-up call about its top economic policy initiatives this week. A massive trade war, like that one in Exhibit A, might have worked better in 1985, when a select few industrialized nations had more economic power.

This same stuck-in-1985&nbsp, problem&nbsp, helps explain why Japan’s efforts since 2012 to increase competitiveness and rekindle innovation came up short. The enterprise, led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is largely about bringing back the trickle-down economics of the 1980s Ronald Reagan era.

Abe backed up his wager that monetary easing and currency depreciation would cause a rise in corporate profits and initiate a virtuous cycle. The intention was for boom stocks to spur CEOs on to fatten their paychecks, thereby boosting consumer spending and accelerating economic growth.

The plan for Japan was correct about the stock boom. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average reached its highest point last year thanks to aggressive Bank of Japan easing, a plunging yen, and some efforts to improve corporate governance.

Yet wages didn’t surge as hoped, ending the year on average or below the roughly 2.5 % inflation rate. Reaganomics is even less effective at raising living standards today than it was 40 years ago, according to all so-called Abenomics.

This is the way Trump 1.0 went, too. A$ 1.7 trillion tax cut, which primarily targeted the top 1 %, was the centerpiece of Trumponomics. More importantly, the maneuver made it more advantageous to reduce income inequality and put the national debt on track to reach the current$ 36 trillion level.

Now, Trump 2.0 is angling to make the$ 1&nbsp, trillion-plus tax cuts from his first term permanent while adding new ones to the books that will inevitably exacerbate Washington’s already serious debt woes.

The US net foreign investment position, or the difference between foreign assets owned by Americans and those owned abroad, is now nearly twice the size of the US gross domestic product. It’s negative$ 24&nbsp, trillion compared with negative$ 18&nbsp, trillion&nbsp, when Biden entered office in 2021.

A big dilemma now faces Trump: widen Washington’s investment imbalances or reduce its addiction to imports and capital inflows. For now, Trump’s new economic team is more interested in protecting the status quo than disruption.

Washington’s budget would be reliant on the savings of both Japanese and Chinese households as well as the world’s developing countries as more tax cuts are proposed. Trump’s tariffs and trade restrictions would increase US inflation and reduce domestic consumption.

Many economists believe that Trump should concentrate more on boosting domestic economic stoke. Biden, for all his policy missteps, paved the way for the US to compete with China more organically.

Biden’s 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, for example, deployed$ 300&nbsp, billion &nbsp, to strengthen domestic research and development. Biden took other steps to incentivize innovation, raise America’s semiconductor capabilities, improve infrastructure and increase productivity.

It was only a start, though. Despite his deregulation comments, Trump has not yet come up with a strategy to replace Biden’s tech upgrade policies.

As Trump prioritizes old-school tariffs, lower Federal Reserve interest rates and a weaker dollar, Xi’s China is engaged in a multi-trillion-dollar effort to lead the future of electric vehicles, semiconductors, renewable energy, robotics, biotechnology, aviation, high-speed rail and, of course, AI.

This last priority is now paying, and this has never before been a positive outcome for China. And serving as a wake-up call for both Xi’s party and Trump 2.0 that it’s time to raise their games.

Follow William Pesek on X at @WilliamPesek

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Korat residents demand end to potash mining

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Wheat fields ruined, say demonstrators who want authorities to waste licence of Bangchak-owned mine company

PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 17: 15

Representatives from the Dan Khun Thot Conservation Group protest at the Ministry of Industry on Tuesday, saying the investment by Bangchak Plc in a potash mining company is at odds with the energy group’s green ambitions.
Members of the Dan Khun Thot Conservation Group protested at the Ministry of Industry on Tuesday, claiming that the energy team’s clean goals are at conflict with Bangchak Plc’s investment in a potassium mining business.

Nakhon Ratchasima’s sodium mine opponents are requesting good management from the SET-listed power team Bangchak Plc, the lot owner of the mining company that holds a agreement to the site.

The Department of Primary Industries and Mines should revoke the Thai Kali Co.’s license, which is located close to the local communities, as the Dan Khun Thot Conservation Group gathered on Tuesday at the Ministry of Industry.

In the Dan Khun Thot district of the northeastern province, Thai Kali holds a 25-year concession to mine an area that extends to 9, 005 rai of land. Not far from its first site, the department last month granted it a mining license at Nong Don Pho. The new project is anticipated to have an impact on 300 homes.

Potash, a common term used for nutrient forms of the element potassium, is an important nutrient for growing plants. It is a key component of fertilisers.

Thai Kali had previously been forced to halt operations following fierce community protests, but it is now gearing up to resume operations once Bangchak becomes its majority shareholder last month.

According to Bangchak, the investment was a part of a business diversification strategy that focuses on upstream activities. The&nbsp, acquisition of a 65 % holding in Thai Kali was made through Bangchak’s wholly owned subsidiary BCV Energy.

The government’s Vayupak Fund 1 is the largest shareholder of Bangchak with 19.84 %. The Ministry of Finance holds 4.76 % of the total while the Social Security Office holds 15.78 %.

According to Buaphan Srithong, a spokesperson for the Dan Khun Thot Conservation Group, high levels of salt in paddy fields have already made them unable to produce rice anymore, making potash mining by Thai Kali have had a significant impact on local people’s livelihoods.

Residents are suing for damages to the environment. A committee was established by the Department of Primary Industries and Mines to look into the matter, but no conclusions have been reached.

Residents are concerned that a new potash mining site will result in the same harms that other communities have already experienced.

Chutamas Srihatapadungkit, another protester, said she was disappointed with the response from the department so far. She thinks that once the investigative committee’s report is released, no new mining permits should be issued.

If someone has been violated, they should be eligible for rehabilitation, she said.” People have a fundamental human right to live in a good environment.

” But it seems as though our request was not taken into account when we were given the new license.” In that situation, we will continue to fight until our demands are met.

The group later relocated to Nonthaburi Provincial’s Social Security Office. Demonstrators called on the Office, as a major shareholder in Bangchak, to ensure the company follows the principles of human rights, good governance and sustainability.

They argued that Bangchak should stop investing in Thai Kali to avoid having a negative impact because it frequently boasts about its green credentials.

On Wednesday, the group plans to gather at Bangchak’s headquarters to protest against its involvement in a non-green business. Additionally, they will request an investigation into the Thai Stock Exchange.

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Cabinet approves B620m fund to tackle forest fires, smog

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PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 17: 07

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, flanked by cabinet ministers from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, announces the cabinet has approved 620 million baht to tackle forest fires and dust problems. (Photo: Royal Thai Government)
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announces the government has approved 620 million ringgit to deal with forest fires and dirt issues, flanked by government officials from the judgement Pheu Thai Party. ( Photo: Royal Thai Government )

The cabinet has approved a 620 million baht central fund allocation to combat the PM2.5 dust haze and forest fires that constantly pollute a large portion of the nation. &nbsp,

According to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the cabinet meeting approved the 620 million baht finance to deal with bush fires and dangerous dust this time, as suggested by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

She had advised businesses to make the right decisions with it. &nbsp,

During the regular conference, the cabinet considered steps to maintain PM2.5 pollution. According to Ms. Paetongtarn, the Ministry of Interior had instructed all provincial rulers to deal with the crisis and to forbid the burning of grain trash.

To guarantee total preparation to fight forest fires, the department was also working closely with security organizations, the department of natural resources and atmosphere, and the ministry of agriculture and cooperatives.

The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security had been given the task of looking after the most susceptible populations. &nbsp,

In all agrarian regions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives would be on the lookout for produce debris burning. Those found breaking the government’s restrictions on burning out would not be permitted to receive financial aid. &nbsp,

The burning restrictions ran from June 1 this time until May 31 of that year. Allows may be carried out to lessen the amount of dangerous dust in the air, according to Ms. Paetongtarn.

The Transport Ministry’s present plan, free travel on public trucks and electric carriages, had reduced the amount of traffic on Bangkok’s streets by 500, 000 cars a morning, according to&nbsp, the prime minister. &nbsp,

The Industry Ministry had enlisted the assistance of sugar producers and businesses, and asked them to minimize the wood purchased from areas that are burned by 25 % per day.

According to the prime minister, the ministry had put a lot of emphasis on this initiative, which effectively reduced sugarcane burning by 10 % per day.

According to Ms. Paetongtarn, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Asean were collaborating to address the haze issue.

The leader of the Progressive Movement, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, claimed that the government kept issuing orders to combat PM2.5 dust pollution but did not follow up on them. The prime minister refuted this claim. She claimed that every ministry had closely monitored the way the measures were being implemented. &nbsp,

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Credit card services disabled on Koufu app amid police investigation into unauthorised transactions

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He once more attempted to get another SMS with an OTP. This day, he managed to add his cards to the game. &nbsp,

He was informed on December 21 that he had received two credit cards messages indicating an amount of €1 035 had been made. He also discovered that two trades, totalling about €237, were made on Dec 18. &nbsp,

He returned to test and realized that the initial OTP was for adding his passport to Google Pay. &nbsp,

Another sufferer, who wanted to be known simply as Larry, described a similar experience. &nbsp,

On November 25, he received an OTP to contribute his POSB credit cards to Google Pay and connected it to Koufu Eat. He thought the communication was for adding his cards to the game, and he keyed it in. &nbsp,

Similar to Mr. Teh, his first attempt was unsuccessful, but his passport was added on his third test. &nbsp,

On Dec 7, he was notified that a deal of €1, 480 was made on his cards. &nbsp,

One victim, who wanted to be known just by her first title Celine, said she had tried adding her father’s debit card to the game.

When her father received the OTP alert, he read out the six figures to Celine.

Every moment she entered the OTP, the game kept crashing. She eventually gave up and didn’t put the cards.

But, at about 2am on Dec 21, her father was notified that his cards had been charged about €500 without his approval. &nbsp,

Eventually, the couple discovered that the OTP information they had received on Koufu Eat was also used to add their cards to Google Pay. &nbsp,

Celine came away with a rude surprise from the event. &nbsp,

” We are both in our mid-30s … We are quite IT savvy”, she said. ” The chances of us getting scammed is like close to a minimum” .&nbsp,

” But seemingly it also happened because we didn’t actually read the messages properly”.

After the false purchases, all three victims filed police reports.

Koufu told CNA that Apple Pay and Google Pay are the only e-wallet payment methods that are available through the game.

Additionally, it added that since Koufu Eat uses eNETs as its repayment gate, it does not store any of its clients ‘ credit card information. &nbsp,

Consumers are directed to the eNETS repayment gateway to process their payments once they have completed their purchases using the software.

Baskets claimed its investigation revealed that eNETS did not handle the reported false transactions.

The payment gateway is certified in accordance with the latest business rules, it added.

The eNETS spokesperson stated that the payment gateway does not store card verification value ( CVV ) credentials in any way, and that the credit card information is encrypted and tokenized.

&nbsp,” The situation is now under inspection. We will continue to give the Singapore Authorities Force our aid as needed,” according to NETS.

None of the patients have received compensation. The bank explained to the customers when they spoke with DBS that it was unable to withdraw or cancel the transactions.

Celine and Mr. Teh claim that they were informed that they had authorized adding their cards to Google Pay because they had entered the OTP, and that these purchases were deemed to be genuine.

Mr. Teh was informed that the card holder would continue to be responsible for the purchase because it was classified as secured, but the authorities may suggest a” special design” to the lender for consideration.

DBS said on Tuesday that it is aware of recent reports of illegal purchases on its users ‘ cards after they were added to the Koufu software in response to CNA’s questions.

” We have been working closely with Koufu and the authorities to thoroughly evaluate this matter,” said the bank.

According to DBS, studies show there has been” no compromise” with its card and payment systems and that they are safe.

” Instead, affected users had authorised the addition of their card to an unfamiliar third-party Google Pay budget. When a passport is added to a portable budget, it is akin to having the card on hands”, said the bank.

” For this reason, later card bills made via the wireless wallet may be disputed. &nbsp, We have been in touch with impacted customers to give support and assistance”.

It encouraged users to be vigilant and to report them to its 24-hour scam reporting line at&nbsp, 1800 339 6963 if they are within Singapore or on 65 6339 6963 from abroad.

” We also suggest turning on purchase warning alerts to keep abreast of all cards activity and regularly monitoring obligations for any suspicious task,” said DBS.

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China’s new face of AI: Who is DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng?

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In China, technical difficulties persist as the battle for global AI dominance grows, and businesses have been frantically trying to develop their own AI-powered chatbots in response to OpenAI’s 2022 ChatGPT release. &nbsp,

Liang has been outspoken about China’s ability as an AI big, and he has shared expectations for Chinese AI improvements. &nbsp,

Innovation costs money, and our history propensity to use outdated technologies was related to China’s earlier evolutionary stage, Liang said. However, today, China’s socioeconomic scale and the profits of resolute brands like ByteDance and Tencent are both significant global players. &nbsp,

” We lack confidence and the capacity to organize high-calibre skills for successful development,” says the author. We believe that with economic growth, China may eventually changeover from being a recipient to a source, rather than continuing to drive on the bandwagon of others” .&nbsp,

While expressing his thoughts on DeepSeek and Chinese AI, he has even identified “gaps” for China in the world technological conflict, citing” the US sanctions” on high-end silicon computers as being a major concern. &nbsp,

” Second, there’s a distance in training efficiency”, Liang said. We think that due to structural and teaching dynamics gaps, China’s best models will probably need twice as much compute power as the best world models.

” We need half the information and computation for similar results, and data efficiency is even half as effective.” Combined, that’s four times the tools. Our goal is to continuously narrow these gaps” .&nbsp,

” DEEPSEEK AI MASTER”&nbsp,

Foreign citizens praised Liang’s achievements and praised his efforts, but he has yet to make a public statement about DeepSeek’s immediate popularity. &nbsp,

On the well-known microblogging platform Sina Weibo, one user commented,” It only shows how you don’t need to be ( some ) tech bro to achieve global AI success.” ” Liang Wenfeng demonstrates that China may take something and make it ten times better for a fraction of the cost.”

A previous hedge fund manager used his skills and ideas to “revolutionize” Chinese AI, according to another Weibo users using the hashtag Jianguo. &nbsp,

In the world field of science and technology, another Weibo user compared Liang’s accomplishments to being “akin to a nuclear explosive.” &nbsp,

” China’s youths are gradually shining brightly, which is this country’s greatest luck” .&nbsp,

Another person, who shared a video listing Liang’s educational history, called him a” full genius”.

He” comes from a regular home, earned successes in numerical opportunities, and his research into AI has also had a major impact.”

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Antique dealer admits to selling customer’s Qing Dynasty vase to pay off his debts

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A customer sold a Qing Dynasty vase in Singapore for a fake painting on Tuesday ( January 28 ) and entered a guilty plea. &nbsp,

Kuok Chio, 42, who owns the business traditional business Foreign Art Centre, pleaded guilty to acquiring the benefits of legal perform, criminal breach of trust and cheating. &nbsp,

Kuok requested that the vase’s user let him send two items from his selection for valuation purposes when he informed the owner that he was traveling to Hong Kong in October 2023. &nbsp,

Kuok had earlier taken a few days to visit the location where the victim kept his ancient collection in order to take pictures of the selection. He claimed at the time that a group of customers was interested in buying products from the defendant’s set. &nbsp,

The victim’s family expressed unease over letting the accused handle the probable price, and the victim informed Kuok that he was not intending to sell his collection. &nbsp,

On Oct 25, 2023, the target agreed to allow Kuok take one dish to Hong Kong to have it valued – a “blue and white garlic-head dish” made during the reign of the Chinese Emperor, who ruled Qing Dynasty China from 1735 to 1796. &nbsp,

The vase was worth at least HK$ 1, 800, 000, or about S$ 315, 280 ( US$ 233, 000 currently ), according to court documents. &nbsp,

Kuok agreed when the victim informed him that he wouldn’t buy the bowl without his permission. Kuok even issued a post-dated payment for S$ 50, 000 from his business profile to the target as security. &nbsp,

At the time Kuok was in arrears of more than S$ 60, 000, and his firm had been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. He made the decision to buy the dish to pay off his bills. &nbsp,

The bowl was offered for sale by Kuok when he got in touch with an ancient trader the same night. Kuok sold the jar to him after receiving payment in cash for it at S$ 150, 000. &nbsp,

He used the funds from one of his two bank accounts to pay off his debts, depositing S$ 120,000 into the other. The remaining S$ 30, 000 remains unknown for. &nbsp,

DAMAGED PAINTING AFTER ONLINE TUTORIAL

Kuok’s deception with the artwork began in June 2021 when he discovered a piece of Chinese calligraphy by Taiwanese designer Lim Tze Peng hanging on a roof in the victim’s residence. &nbsp,

The victim paid S$ 18, 000 to purchase the painting from a dealer. The victim agreed to let Kuok provide the painting to a professional cleaning service after he informed him that the painting had some ink marks. &nbsp,

Kuok reimbursed the sufferer S$ 2,700 for washing and transportation costs, and the victim received the restored artwork in January 2022. &nbsp,

Kuok informed the victim’s business that the painting was inside a light PVC pipe and that Kuok had brought it there. He cautioned the prey against opening the pipe because it contained n gasoline, which would help keep the painting. &nbsp,

The sufferer left the pipe in his company without opening it. When the survivor confronted Kuok about the vase at his place of business about two years later, he noticed a painting with similar spots to Kuok’s. &nbsp,

When he inquired about it, Kuok responded that it was a unique artwork and that the sufferer did not pursue the issue because he was focused on the vase. &nbsp,

When the survivor was moving home and decided to redefine the painting and hang it up, the deception first surfaced in June of that year. &nbsp,

He brought the PVC pipe to a salesperson’s company, who informed him that the artwork in was a phony. &nbsp,

Kuok allegedly unintentionally damaged the artwork by cleaning it on his own after following an online video training to do so. &nbsp,

He poorly prepared the chemical combination for the washing, which smudges some of the ink. &nbsp,

Kuok chose to return a fraudulent painting to him, which was a copy of the original taken before he began the cleansing process because he had no idea how to describe the damage to the complainant. &nbsp,

The defense requested on Tuesday that Kuok’s punishment been postponed and that he need more time to raise the amount needed to pay the target. &nbsp,

The charges for acquiring gains from criminal carry is up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to S$ 500, 000, or both. &nbsp,

For legal breach of trust, Kuok faces up to seven years in jail, a good, or both. For stealing, he could experience up to three years in prison, a great, or both. &nbsp,

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Southern Thai temple proposed for Unesco recognition

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In: South-East Asia

Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan’s membership in Nakhon Si Thammarat is approved by the Cabinet.

PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 16: 22

A view of the stupas at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong)
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, a perspective of the pyramids at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. ( Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong )

Twelve years after it was first put on a preliminary list, the government approved an application to designate Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a Unesco world heritage site.

Local people were pleased that Tuesday’s decision came after the World Heritage Committee had been waiting for a while since the temple’s inclusion on the cautious record in 2013, according to Chaichana Dechdecho, an MP for the southwestern state and deputy party leader.

He thanked Chalermchai Sri-on, the Democrat Party president and secretary of natural resources, for bringing the plan before the case.

He said the next step is to send the standard documents to the World Heritage Centre in Paris by February 1 so that the church can be included in the 2025 square.

By March 1, the World Heritage Committee of the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) will release the results of Thailand’s application.

The Unesco Expert Committee did receive the plan once it has passed this stage for further analysis. Committee members may check the site in earlier 2026 before making their final recommendation.

The church, which was constructed in the 13th century CE, is a historical heritage site that highlights the close relationship between Brahmin-Hindu, Mahayana Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism in sea Southeast Asia.

The site has been used for religious purposes continuously for roughly 1,200 years, and it is a gateway for a diverse range of beliefs, showing how close a relation exists between the sacred place and the nearby communities is.

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