CelcomDigi collaborates with leading EV charge point operators to expand charging infrastructure nationwide

  • By the end of 2025, may place 100 EV batteries in residential and commercial areas.
  • Users of CelcomDigi receive US$ 2.2 off at JomCharge &amp and chargEV facilities all over the country.

In order to expedite the deployment of EV charging points nationwide, CelcomDigi Berhad has announced a strategic partnership with Malaysia’s leading electric vehicle ( EV ) charge point operators, JomCharge and Yinson Greentech’s chargEV.

By the end of 2025, CelcomDigi will fit over 100 EV charging points in industrial areas like searching malls and street locations, as well as in private areas, through its Innovation Center. This program demonstrates CelcomDigi’s commitment to supporting Malaysia’s EV ecology while providing its customers with green options.

Kugan Thirunavakarasu, the company’s main innovation officer in Malaysia, stated that the company recognizes the immediate need to increase the country’s charging infrastructure and increase accessibility, making it easier for Malaysians to adopt sustainable mobility solutions as Malaysia’s EV market continues to expand quickly.

As DNA transitions its sustainability coverage to a stand-alone news site, please visit https ://oursustainabilitymatters.com/celcomdigi-collaborates-with-leading-ev-charge-point-operators-to-expand-infrastructure-nationwide for the full article.

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Malaysia showcases connectivity progress to the world at MWC 2025 in Barcelona

  • As a doorway to ASEAN development, the nation’s industrial advancements as well as
  • Sarawak-Edotco partnership to make sure that every community can have access to a quick, reliable connection.

The Malaysian pavillion at MWC 2025 Barcelona.

Malaysia made a second appearance at Mobile World Congress ( MWC ) 2025 in Barcelona with an expanded pavilion showcasing its achievements in digital transformation and regional goals. Malaysia was already demonstrating its contributions to this growth as Mats Granryd, GSMA Director General, highlighted how connectivity technologies could generate nearly US$ 1 trillion ( RM49.13 trillion ) in economic value by 2030.

During the official opening of the palace on March 3, Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Communications, said,” The Malaysia Pavilion at MWC 2025 stands as a testament to our devotion, showcasing our nation’s scientific developments and opening a doorway to ASEAN innovation.” &nbsp,

Key players in the industry include Digital Nasional Bhd ( DNB), CelcomDigi, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia, U Mobile, YTL, Edotco, and Measat. The collaborative exhibit brings together key stakeholders including the Ministry of Communications, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and industry leaders.

National digital network program overreaches its goal

The National Digital Infrastructure Plan ( Jendela ), which has overreached, is a key highlight of Malaysia’s MWC presence. Over 9.03 million properties as of December 31, 2024, have high-speed Internet and fiber communication, exceeding our primary objective of 9 million by 2025, according to Mohamad Fauzi.

With wireless broadband speeds reaching a middle of 105.36 Mb and internet coverage increasing to 98.66 % in populated areas in Q4 2024, this success has become visible performance metrics. ” &nbsp,

He continued to add that the 5G rollout has continued to expand, reaching 82.4 % coverage of populated areas and a 56.18 % mobile penetration rate.

engagement in business improvements

Mohamad Fauzi emphasized that creative systems between public and private entities are central to Malaysia’s approach to online infrastructure. &nbsp,

The 6-way Multi-Operator Core Network ( MOCN) initiative, which is unprecedented in the ASEAN region, exemplifies the power of collaboration and shared resources, he said, explaining how this model ties state governments and mobile network service providers to maximize connectivity resources.

A Guideline for Network and Infrastructure Sharing has been created by MCMC and participating wireless network operators to codify this creative design. This framework includes protocols for bilateral and multilateral agreements while incorporating sustainability indicators in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance ( ESG) principles and Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG), including energy efficiency and environmental protection measures.

Adlan Tajudin (left), Group CEO, Edotco Group with Mohammad Ariffin Adenan, GM of Kejuruteraan Rasshin.

Edotco’s agreement in Sarawak to provide high speed connection to every neighborhood

Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak’s assistant leading, and Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak’s secretary of power and communications, witnessed the signing of an arrangement between Edotco Malaysia and Kejuruteraan Rasshin Sdn Bhd to accelerate the development of electronic equipment on the first day of MWC 2025.

In order to support the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, the collaboration aims to provide 4G and 5G-ready facilities across the region’s diverse landscape. This partnership is a crucial step in ensuring that every community in Sarawak, regardless of location, has access to reliable, high-speed connectivity, according to Gayan Koralage ( pic ), director of Malaysia Business at Edotco.

The Edotco group, which owns over 58, 000 turrets spread across nine nations, will provide personalized solutions, including fixed wireless access and low-orbit satellite technology, to tackle Sarawak’s special regional challenges.

The engagement, according to Mohammed Ariffin Adenan, Managing Director of KRSB, aims to “improve communication and enable local neighborhoods and businesses by integrating them into the government’s evolving digital ecology.”

The Malaysian Industrial Development Authority ( MIDA ) stated in a media release from September 2023 that quoted&nbsp, Julaihi, that Sarawak has invested between 2018 and 2023 and made US$ 423 million ( RM1.89 billion ) to develop its telecommunication infrastructure and digital economy.

The Malaysian pavilion highlights a variety of applications of superior connectivity in fields like AI, AI, healthcare, education, broadcasting, manufacturing, and wise cities. Sukan Malaysia ( SUKMA ) 2024, which is Malaysia’s first 5G-Advanced live broadcast, is a notable highlight, demonstrating how high-quality video transmission with minimal latency is changing live broadcasting.

Malaysia has made progress in the development of artificial intelligence through strategic partnerships, including the development of the earliest large-language model specifically designed for Bahasa Melayu, the nation’s national language.

The US$ 11 trillion related future: global perspective

The broader themes of MWC 2025, which Granryd described as” setting” the stage for discussion of a connected potential projected to increase almost US$ 11 trillion in monetary value by 2030, are Malaysia’s advances in line with. ” &nbsp,

The GSMA Director General stressed the need to implement new revenue models, harness AI and Open Gateway APIs, and move the industry forward. Malaysia should be aware that it is not implementing 5G Standalone in its rollout.

In 2024, mobile technologies accounted for 5.8 % of global GDP, or RM29.03 trillion, with an expected increase of nearly US$ 11 trillion, or 8.4 % of GDP, by 2030, according to the GSMA’s Mobile Economy Report 2025. &nbsp,

Additionally, according to the report, there is a US$ 127 billion opportunity for 5G Standalone, which is projected to account for 70 % of all business revenue growth through 2030.

]RM1 = US$ 0.224]

Creating a connected future

According to Mohamad Fauzi,” Malaysia is creating a digital infrastructure ecosystem that benefits both our regional partners.” By putting emphasis on advancements in various key industries, Malaysia is also positioning itself as a hub for technology in the ASEAN region, improving quality of life domestically.

Malaysia’s participation in MWC 2025, which runs through March 6, underscores the country’s willingness to work with international partners and discover new opportunities for growth in the constantly evolving digital landscape.

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42 Kuala Lumpur, U Mobile bridge digital gap for youth in Malaysia 

  • Over 100 visitors have benefited from 42KL and U Mobile’s software advancement.
  • Effective participants are eligible for a free 4-week programming shoe tent and other programs.

42 Kuala Lumpur ( 42KL ) and U Mobile, Malaysia’s future second 5G network provider, have successfully completed their Open Day.

Over 100 participants with no previous programming knowledge are willing to train in tech in their partnership with 42KL and U Mobile in order to bridge the digital divide and equip more Indonesian youth with important online skills.

Participants were given a unique issue to test their ability to think logically and solve problems. Additionally, they were given a taste of 42KL’s distinctive teaching methodology, which emphasizes gaze, project-based education, and gamification.

By breaking down conventional barriers to technology education, this innovative approach encourages collaboration, the development of practical skills, and a learning experience that is engaging.

Participants who completed the problem are now ready for a complimentary four-week programming boot camp and other programs, paving the way for their transition into technology.

” At 42 Kuala Lumpur, we think working with business associates like U Mobile increases the impact of our activities. By collaborating with business leaders, we can open doors to technical training, enabling people to unlock their potential and make a significant contribution to Malaysia’s online coming,” said Jeff Sandhu, chief operating officer of 42 Malaysia.

Partnerships like this help us get closer to achieving our goal of developing 10,000 experienced technical talent over the next ten years, according to 42 Malaysia’s objective. We are committed to empowering the next generation through systems by giving them the tools and opportunities they need to live in a modern prospect, he added. As Malaysia’s coming next 5G network provider, we are committed to this.

This collaboration with 42 Kuala Lumpur” not only closes the digital divide, but also inspires Malaysian youth and aspiring innovators to realize their full potential.” While supporting Malaysia’s goal to become a technology-driven high-income nation, Tiffany Chew, U Mobile’s head of communications and sustainability, said it aligns with U Mobile’s sustainability priorities on digital inclusion and youth empowerment.

Initiatives like 42KL’s Open Day play a crucial role in connecting diverse communities with opportunities to excel in the digital economy, contributing to Malaysia’s digital agenda. Through this collaboration, 42KL and U Mobile are making strides in bridging the digital divide, encouraging innovation, and giving people the tools to create a brighter future.

The first campus under 42 Malaysia, a nation-building initiative spearheaded by Sunway Education Group and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, aims to develop 10,000 tech talent over the next ten years. It was founded in 2020, and it has since grown to 42 Iskandar Puteri in Johor and 42 Penang. 42 Malaysia is expanding, giving more students access to top-notch tech education.

Visit www. 42KL for more information about its programs. 42kl. edu. my. Visit https ://www .u.com.my/en/about-us/sustainability to learn more about U Mobile’s sustainability initiatives.

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Grab Malaysia deepens investment into Sarawak, in line with Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030

  • Sarawak is a major SEA tourism destination thanks to an agreement that makes use of Grab’s technology.
  • Standard traders will benefit from Grab, SDEC’s digitalization, broaden their audience, and increase their revenue.

From left to right: Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of SDEC; Hazwan Razak, head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, SDEC; Ben Chin, director, Country Strategy, Outer Cities, Grab Malaysia; and Adelene Foo, managing director, Grab Malaysia, at the MoU signing between Grab Malaysia and SDEC in Sarawak

Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Grab Malaysia and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad ( SDEC ) to promote digital transformation in Sarawak. The collaboration aims to increase online access and financial opportunities, helping to promote growth in small and medium-sized businesses.

The agreement makes use of Grab’s technologies and in-app capabilities to market Sarawak as a vital tourist destination throughout Southeast Asia, acknowledging the crucial role that digitalization plays in the state’s evolving economy. Additionally, Gram and SDEC will assist standard local firms in digitalizing their companies, enabling them to gain more customers and increase their income potential.

Adelene Foo, managing director of Grab Malaysia, stated that” Get is committed to supporting equitable, sustainable online economic progress across Malaysia, and our latest efforts in Sarawak reflect this. We’re thankful for the relationship between the Sarawak state and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation and are pleased to expand our purchase there.

” We are dedicated to utilizing our technology and insights to increase the state’s electric capabilities, strengthen local firms through digitalization, support Sarawakians ‘ growing demand for trustworthy online services, and create significant opportunities for Sarawak’s attractive areas,” she continued.

The modern tourism sector in Sarawak is a key driver of economic growth, according to Sudarnoto Osman, CEO of SDEC.” This engagement with Grab reinforces our responsibility to positioning the state as a leading online hub. We are enhancing online access for local businesses by tapping into Grab’s scientific knowledge, data-driven ecosystem, and broad geographical reach, as well as creating an investment-ready modern economy. This partnership serves as a proper move in promoting innovation, fostering innovation, boosting economic growth, and enhancing Sarawak’s position on the global digital map.

Strategic Efforts of the Partnership

    promoting tourism as a vital destination: leveraging Grab’s system and local reach to magnify Sarawak’s intelligent and digital tourism initiatives. In order to increase the visitor experience, the MOU also allows for a dedicated Grab cafe at Kuching International Airport.

  • Promoting nearby businesses through the GrabFood 5-Star Program: Featuring local restaurant in a customized list of top-rated eateries on GrabFood, showcasing Sarawak’s abundant culinary history and gastrotourism.
  • Financial literacy training and programs: Grab and SDEC will work with Bank Negara and GX Bank to develop outreach initiatives to increase financial literacy among local merchants. Additionally, Gramb will run mentoring programs to advance business skills and strengthen the ecosystem.
  • Digitalization of Pasar Tani/ Tamu: Using the Grab platform to expand their consumer base, strengthen their resilience to economic shocks, and make more affordable daily necessities available to the public.
  • Sustainable transportation options: By facilitating the launch and expansion of electric vehicle ( EV ) ride options in the state, supporting Sarawak’s environmental goals.

Expanding East Malaysia’s On-Demand Grocery Delivery

In line with Sarawak’s desire to become a digital-first economy, Grab has also partnered with Everrise by purchasing the premium supermarket chain in an effort to digitize its operations and expand on-demand grocery delivery in East Malaysia.

Everrise, a well-known homegrown supermarket chain that was founded in Sarawak in 1993, has 19 locations spread across Kuching, Miri, and Kota Kinabalu. Grab and Everrise will integrate Grab’s technology into Everrise’s operations to provide an online shopping experience that is as seamless as in-store shopping, with affordable and trustworthy delivery options, as more people switch to online shopping. Additionally, Gramb will use data insights to improve the customer experience, introduce relevant products, and customize the Everrise website.

Additionally, Grab and Everrise intend to integrate their loyalty programs, giving customers a more enjoyable experience across a wider range of routine activities.

Everrise is “excited to join the Grab family,” according to Jeffrey Sia, executive director of Everrise. We’ve long recognized the necessity of digitalization to better provide our customers with services. We’ve found the ideal partner in Grab to support us in achieving this goal. They make the ideal partner because of their expertise, knowledge, and customer-first mindset. Working together will give me the confidence and consistency that Everrise customers have come to expect.

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foodpanda Singapore appoints Bhavani Shankar Mishra as new managing director

  • will be in charge of managing the agency’s activities in Singapore.
  • has eight decades of foodpanda local management experience.

Bhavani Shankar Mishra ( pic ) has been named as the company’s new managing director, according to foodpanda, Singapore’s premier food and grocery delivery service.

Bhavani, who was the former senior director of businesses at foodpanda, will now be in charge of all aspects of the operation of foodpanda Singapore. He will guide the business’s devotion to innovation and excellence in customer service, making sure that customers continue to have access to a variety of options and services at affordable prices.

With eight years of local authority encounter at foodpanda, Bhavani has led a significant business transformation in APAC. Since joining the Thai logistics staff in 2018, he has played a significant role in maximizing activities, improving the customer experience, and implementing efficiency-driven options. He has worked for foreign tech companies in addition to his time at foodpanda. With practice leading teams in all eleven marketplaces, Bhavani is well-positioned to improve customer service, improve support for retailers and shipping partners, and increase Singapore’s competitiveness.

Foodpanda is more than just a shipping services, according to the Singaporean government. My goal is to improve the customer experience by enhancing the accessibility, reliability, and changing consumer behavior as we navigate a powerful market, changing technologies, and evolving consumer behavior. I look forward to helping foodpanda grow further and provide a top-notch experience for everyone in our distribution network, Bhavani said.

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International Construction Week & BuildXpo 2025 set to drive Asean’s construction future

  • may involve a global purchasing initiative coordinated by Matrade.
  • Featuring 350 booths, the company aims to promote an environmentally responsible and creative design business in Asean.

From October 28 through October 30, 2025, the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre ( MITEC ) in Kuala Lumpur will host the International Construction Week ( ICW) and BuildXpo 2025. The Ministry of Works and the Construction Industry Development Board ( CIDB) of Malaysia are hosting the 27th edition of ICW. In line with Malaysia’s Asean 2025 Chairmanship, it will concentrate on sustainability, innovation, and technical advancements in the construction industry.

The Ministry of Works ‘ secretary general, Azman al Ibrahim, emphasized the significance of ICW & BuildXpo 2025:
ICW & BuildXpo 2025 will demonstrate our authority in creating a responsible and creative design business as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. This program is a testament to our collective efforts to address local issues affecting the construction industry and its ancillary sectors while creating new growth opportunities.

Ir. Hj. Yusuf Bin Hj Abd. Wahab, the president of CIDB Malaysia, highlighted the change in the sector toward conservation and digital change.

The construction business is at a turning point; adopting sustainable practices and modern transformation is no longer recommended but necessary. Business leaders will work together to discover cutting-edge answers in ICW &amp and BuildXpo 2025.

As DNA transitions its sustainability coverage to a stand-alone news site, please visit https ://oursustainabilitymatters.com/international-construction-week-build-build-xpo-2025-set-to-drive-aseans-construction-future/ for the full article.

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Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Act 2024 (Act 854): Building trust and seizing global opportunities

  • In Malaysia, Act 854 establishes a safe and resilient online habitat.
  • establishes regulations for security companies and regulates NCII sectors to counteract threats.

Communications security and data morality are top priorities for governments and organizations in today’s increasingly interconnected world. This requires sufficient regulation guardrails in fast-growing digital economies like Malaysia to reduce risk and promote growth. The introduction of Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Act 2024 ( Act 854 ) was intended to accomplish all of these goals while safeguarding critical infrastructure, protecting citizens, and enhancing the country’s resilience to changing threats.

The policy aims to strengthen digital defenses among Malaysia’s most crucial organizations and prepares Malay businesses for success both domestically and internationally. The Act promotes economic growth by boosting business confidence and facilitating smoother international trade and cooperation, according to Dr. Megat Zuhairy, CEO of the National Cyber Security Agency ( NACSA ).

Additionally, it opens the door to additional rules and amendments, such as a new Malaysian Cybercrime Bill being developed to address contemporary threats in an ever-evolving chance landscape. This has the ability to address both the growing threats to network and communication security and enhancements to safeguard against website harm.

In order to meet the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and the UN Convention Against Cybercrime in June 2025, Dr. Megat claimed that this innovative Cybercrime Bill, which will be introduced in October, was essential for Malaysia to adopt as part of its national and international commitment to combat crime.

laying the groundwork for a secure online coming

Act 854 provides a solid foundation for Malaysia’s protected and tenacious digital ecosystem. It places an emphasis on protecting the National Critical Information System (NCII ), which englobes 11 vital sectors, including state, bank, defense, and healthcare, where disruptions could threaten national security, the market, or public balance. The Act also establishes a complete regulatory model, mandating steps, requirements, and protocols for NCII sectors, and regulates the security services sector to provide strong protection against changing threats and vulnerabilities.

The National Cyber Security Committee’s formation, the responsibilities of the NCII sector’s leaders and entities, and the National Cyber Security Agency’s ( NACSA ) Chief Executive’s clear responsibilities are among its key characteristics.

Businesses and service providers are required by the law to adopt strict security practices, conduct regular risk assessments, report incidents swiftly, and adhere to licence and incident management protocols. Organizations that run important systems within the NCII sector must abide by these strict standards.

Act 854 is a proper facilitator, in addition to its safe works. Strong cybersecurity systems are essential for businesses because of the growing interlinking of international trade, both to ensure safe cross-border procedures and growth, and to comply with regulations.

Act 854 strengthens Malaysia’s security framework by ensuring that businesses are recognized as trustworthy world players in accordance with international requirements like ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST. Buyers who place a premium on supply chain security and data protection are drawn to this in turn.

First step in ensuring adherence with Act 854: reducing supply chain challenges

No nation can be isolated in a world where online interconnectivity is growing and where trusted, safe communications are possible. Malaysia has taken proactive steps in response to this and has collaborated with BlackBerry, a global safe communications company, to strengthen its digital defenses and promote the development of its cyber workforce through capacity building and innovation.

The establishment of a Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE ) in Kuala Lumpur is a significant initiative. This world-class service, which has been operational since March 26, 2024, is supported by a C$ 3.9 million ( RMRM12.2 million ) funding from the Government of Canada and focuses on developing computer power through training and coaching to improve overall endurance in Malaysia and ASEAN. Almost 2000 men and women have taken courses at the CCOE to date, representing a range of ability levels.

Organizations must first address supply chain risks, especially in high-risk areas like operating systems and IoT parts, in order to comply with Act 854. A survey conducted by BlackBerry and unveiled by Christine Gadsby, ( pic ) vice president and chief information security officer of BlackBerry in 2024, revealed troubling findings.

Gadsby noted that “79 % of Malaysian software supply chains were targeted by cyberattacks in 2023, exceeding the global average of 76 %.” And if that weren’t bad enough, there was more bad information. Additionally, 81 % of respondents discovered unidentified (unreported or unaccounted-for third-party ) members in their supply chains, she continued.

Gadsby urged IT leaders to address the lack of awareness as a top priority, citing the risk that invisible supply chain flaws pose to businesses. She added that the financial and operational costs of these attacks were significant, noting that “66 % of businesses reported financial losses, 59 % experienced data breaches, and 59 % experienced financial loss.

The findings highlight the urgent require for stringent security measures, such as endpoint protection and “out of band” stable communications solutions, to secure supply chains, ensure functional continuity when outages or attacks occur, and adhere to strict international standards.

growing confidence in Malaysia’s modern business

Government departments are provided with a comprehensive set of robust technology solutions designed to ensure data dignity, independence, and communication endurance at every level by BlackBerry solutions deployed in Malaysia.

SecuSUITE® for secure communications up to classified level, UEM ( Unified Endpoint Management ) for secure management of workforce devices anywhere, and BlackBerry AtHoc® for mission-critical communications and incident response. These solutions offer full online independence, giving organizations complete command over communications data, system, and operations. They are trusted by NATO and governments around the world, including all of the G7 and the majority of the G20.

More than 70 % of US Federal government departments already use the critical event management ( CEM) platform AtHoc. In Malaysia, it can also help NCII by enhancing compliance, simplifying incident response, and providing real-time situational awareness. By enabling timely notifications to the relevant authorities, automating regulatory reporting, and supporting crisis management drills, it assists customers in adhering to Act 854. The platform’s secure communication channels help protect sensitive data, and its ability to issue public alerts in emergencies improves coordination, readiness, and effectiveness in critical situations.

promoting a security-first culture

Building a strong security-first culture is crucial for long-term resilience, as human error continues to be the main cause of security breaches. As threat actors become more sophisticated in how to create attacks using messaging apps like Whatsapp or successfully intercepting telco-networks, as reported by the FBI and CISA in the United States last year, this is becoming more of a concern. &nbsp,

Such tactics might include using AI to spew fake information in a very specific way for political or financial gain.  Alternatively, AI technology can be used to compile valuable information on high-value targets by analysing stolen communications metadata on the web or through consumer messaging apps like location, contacts, and more. &nbsp,

In this new era, it is crucial to bridge knowledge gaps through ongoing training and positive reinforcement, as well as ensuring the use of appropriate tools for workplace communications. Your risk exposure will be reduced by equipping employees with the tools to recognize” Deepfakes” and effectively respond to threats, or adopt more responsible mobile and cyber-hygiene practices.

BlackBerry emphasizes the value of incorporating a strong sense of cybersecurity best practices into the fabric of organizational culture, calling for a constant and collaborative commitment. Employees, leaders, and stakeholders are unified in a well-established cybersecurity culture, making compliance a proactive, organisation-wide initiative. Businesses can reduce insider risks, safeguard crucial assets, and strengthen their overall security posture by cultivating this approach.

Conclusion

The forthcoming Cybercrime Bill, which will be introduced later this year, helps to pave the way for a more secure digital future thanks to Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Act 2024 ( Act 854 ) and the forthcoming Cybersecurity Act. Government and businesses are working together locally and internationally to promote a security-first culture that promotes compliance and global competitiveness in tandem with strong regulation and the adoption of advanced solutions. Organizations and their employees are empowered to protect digital assets and prosper in an interconnected, fast-evolving economy thanks to people-focused initiatives like the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.

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China explores military applications with DeepSeek – Asia Times

DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence (AI) model can be used in various military applications, from controlling unmanned vehicles to giving commands, according to a white paper recently published by Chongqing Landship Information Technology, an autonomous driving solution provider.

Landship said DeepSeek has excellent potential in military use, such as command, communications, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

“In military strategic planning, DeepSeek can conduct in-depth analysis of massive intelligence information and provide military commanders with accurate decision-making support,” it said. “DeepSeek has powerful language understanding and generation capabilities, allowing it to adapt to battlefield tasks quickly.”

Landship added that DeepSeek could collaborate with satellites, radars, and drones to improve the efficiency and accuracy of military reconnaissance. It can quickly identify key military targets from satellite images and estimate their sizes and numbers, supporting military decision-making.

Landship, formerly Beijing Landship Information Technology Co Ltd, was co-founded in 2012 by Zhang Dezhao and several other autonomous driving experts from Tsinghua University.

In 2015, the same team founded Beijing Zhixingzhe Technology Co, or IDriverPlus, to develop self-driving solutions, including a product called IDriverBrain.

IDriverPlus and Landship brand their products as Xingji, which means “star horse” (or Qianlima — a mythical horse that can run very fast) in Chinese.

Landship said on February 27 that it has deployed DeepSeek in a self-driving military vehicle called Xingji P60. It displayed the vehicle at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025) in Abu Dhabi from February 17 to 21. 

The company said the P60 integrated Landship’s civil-use self-driving software and DeepSeek’s military-use large language models (LLMs) to achieve efficient information processing and decision-making in complex and changing environments. LLMs refer to AI models like ChatGPT, which can understand human language.
 
IDriverPlus’ Chief Technology Officer and Landship’s General Manager Wang Xiao said the company hopes to lead new trends in the defense sector by offering high-performance products at affordable costs.

According to online footage, the vehicle was not called P60 but CS/VP16B at the exhibition. It was shown at the booth of Norinco, or China North Industries Corporation, a state-owned defense and technology company.

Last October, IDriverPlus signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Harbin No.1 Jiqi Manufacture Group Company Ltd, a unit of Norinco, to jointly develop all-terrain unnamed rescue vehicles.

Huawei’s support

DeepSeek launched its latest AI model, DeepSeek R1, on January 20. It trained the AI model using only 2,000 Nvidia H800 graphic processing units and a low-cost method called “knowledge distillation.”

During the distillation, DeepSeek asked a more intelligent chatbot, such as Alibaba’s Qwen or OpenAI’s ChatGPT, many questions and used the answers to fine-tune its logic to become more intelligent.

DeepSeek R1’s debut in late January caused a slump in United States stocks, as investors worried they might have overvalued AI stocks.  

Xu Bingjun, a military columnist and a senior researcher with Xinhua Liaowang think tank, praised DeepSeek’s low-cost strategy in a recent article titled “How DeepSeek changes military AI and its impact on the United States and Western countries.” 

“DeepSeek can be applied to intelligent combat systems to significantly improve combat effectiveness by analyzing real-time battlefield situations, optimizing combat plans, and predicting enemy actions,” he says in the article.

“With DeepSeek, more autonomous weapons, drones, and unmanned tanks and ships can be developed,” he says. “These unmanned combat platforms can perform tasks autonomously in complex environments, reducing casualties while improving combat efficiency.”

In early February, US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan congressional bill to ban DeepSeek from government devices due to national security concerns. Some states, like New York and Virginia, the US Navy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), have stopped their employees from using DeepSeek on official devices.

Landship said it worked with Huawei Technologies’ Mobile Data Center (MDC) to draft its latest White Paper about DeepSeek’s potential military applications. It said it hopes to promote using DeepSeek in the military field through cooperation.

The White Paper disclosed Huawei’s AI goals for 2025:

  • March – Deploying DeepSeek R1 on Huawei MDC’s system to realize semantic understanding and assisted decision-making, and also to improve real-time reasoning;
  • April – Deploying DeepSeek’s Janus-pro 7B on Huawei MDC’s system to realize multi-modal video understanding and improve real-time image understanding;
  • June –  Running DeepSeek’s natural language processing (NLP) program with Huawei’s 310P and Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics’ RK3588 chips;
  • September – Testing DeepSeek-powered drones;
  • December – Using the drones to identify complex camouflage targets.

On August 17, 2022, IDriverPlus and Huawei signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement to develop “autonomous driving + AI” solutions using Huawei’s Ascend AI chips.

On September 9 of the same year, Huawei’s Vice President Deng Taihua visited IDriverPlus’ headquarters in Beijing to discuss self-driving vehicle projects. IDriverPlus said it would test its software at Huawei’s Ascend AI Computing Center, which commenced operations in February 2023.

Yong Jian is a contributor to the Asia Times. He is a Chinese journalist who specializes in Chinese technology, economy and politics. 

Read: DeepSeek is now the brain of Chinese state-owned firms

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Steps needed after robot nearly head-butted China festival spectator – Asia Times

Humanoid robots are supposed to be our loyal assistants, but we saw another side to them the other day. Chinese robot manufacturer Unitree was demonstrating its latest H1 robots at a lantern festival in the city of Taishan, Guangdong province, when one walked up to the crowd barrier and seemed to lunge at an elderly woman, nearly headbutting her.

The incident quickly went viral, and sparked a fierce debate about whether the robot actually attacked the woman or had tripped up. It’s mostly being overlooked that we’re a long way from having robots that could intentionally attack someone – machines like these are often remote controlled – but the danger to the public is clearly real enough.

With sales of humanoid robots set to skyrocket over the next decade, the public will increasingly be at risk from incidents of this kind. In our view as robotics researchers, governments have put very little thought into the risks.

Here are some urgent steps that they should take to make humanoid robots as safe as possible.

1. Increase owner requirements

The first important issue is to what extent humanoid robots will be controlled by users. Whereas Tesla’s Optimus can be remotely operated by people in a control center, others such as the Unitree H1s are controlled by the user with a handheld joystick.

Currently on sale for around $110,000, they come with software development kits on which customers can develop artificial intelligence (AI) systems, though only to a limited extent. For example, your robot could say a sentence or recognize a face but not take your kids to school.

Who is to blame if someone gets hurt or even killed by a human-controlled robot? It’s hard to know for sure – any discussion about liability would first involve proving whether the harm was caused by human error or a mechanical malfunction.

This came up in a Florida case where a widower sued medical robot-maker Intuitive Surgical Inc. over his wife’s death in 2022. Her death was linked to injuries she sustained from a heat burn in her intestine during an operation that was caused by a fault in one of the company’s machines.

The case was dropped in 2024 after being partially dismissed by a district judge. But the fact that the widower sued the manufacturer rather than the medics demonstrated that the robotics industry needs a legal framework for preventing such situations as much as the public does.

While for drones there are aviation laws and other restrictions to govern their use in public areas, there are no specific laws for walking robots.

So far, the only place to have put forward governance guidelines is China’s Shanghai province. Published in summer 2024, those regulations include stipulating that robots must not threaten human security, and that manufacturers must train users on how to use these machines ethically.

For robots controlled by owners, in the UK there is currently nothing preventing someone from taking a robot dog out for a stroll in a busy park, or a humanoid robot to the pub for a pint.

As a starting point, we could ban people from controlling robots under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or when they are otherwise distracted such as using their phones. Their use could also be restricted in risky environments such as confined spaces with lots of members of the public, places with fire or chemical hazards, and the roofs of buildings.

2. Improve design

Robots that looks sleek and can dance and flip are fun to watch, but how safe are the audiences? Safe designs would consider everything from reducing cavities where fingers could get caught, to waterproofing internal components.

Protective barriers or exoskeletons could further reduce unintended contact, while cushioning mechanisms could reduce the effect of an impact.

Robots should be designed to signal their intent through lights, sounds and gestures. For example, they should arguably make a noise when entering a room so as not to surprise anyone.

Even drones can alert their users if they lose signal or battery and need to return to home, and such mechanisms should also be built into walking robots. There are no legal requirements for any such features at present.

Robot opening a door
‘I am now exiting the room.’ Simple Line

It’s not that manufacturers are entirely ignoring these issues for walking robots. Unitree’s quadroped Go2, for instance, blinks and beeps when the battery is low or if it is overheating.

It also has automatic emergency cut-offs in these situations, although they must be triggered by a remote operator when the robot is in “telemetric mode.” Crucially, however, there are no clear regulations to ensure that all manufacturers meet a certain safety standard.

3. Train the operators

Clearly there will be dangers with robots using AI features, but remote-operated models could be even more dangerous. Mistakes could result from users’ lack of real-world training and experience in real-life situations.

There appears to be a major skills gap in operator training, and robotics companies will need to prioritize this to ensure operators can control machines efficiently and safely.

In addition, humans can have delayed reaction times and limited concentration, so we also need systems that can monitor the attention of robot operators and alert them to prevent accidents. This would be similar to the HGV-driver distraction-detection systems that were installed in vehicles in London in 2024.

4. Educate the public

The incident in China has highlighted current misconceptions about humanoid robots as the media are once again blaming AI despite the fact that this was not the issue. This risks causing widespread mistrust and confusion among the public.

If people understand to what extent walking robots are owner-operated or remote-operated, it will change their expectations about what the robot might do, and make everyone safer as a result.

Also, understanding the owner’s level of control is vital for managing buyers’ expectations and forewarning them about how much they’ll need to learn about operating and programming a robot before they buy one.

Carl Strathearn is a lecturer in computer science at Edinburgh Napier University and Emilia Sobolewska is a lecturer and researcher in applied informatics at Edinburgh Napier University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Climate Hack 2024: Cross-border collaboration for climate solutions

  • 16 groups united across frontiers, showcasing international collaboration on climate issues
  • The Green Plan 2030 and sustainable development initiatives will be explored by winning groups in Singapore.

The third edition of Climate Hack, a program designed to teach young people in Asia digital skills, was just wrapped up by the Singapore International Foundation ( SIF ). This year’s occasion saw the highest amount of cross-border team formed, with over 300 students from 27 states participating.

At the Climate Hack 2024 Pitch Day, three winning team were announced: E-Connect, SustainIQ, and Sustainloop. These teams, comprising students from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Philippines, presented revolutionary solutions focusing on strategic alliances, individualized customer experience, and cost-effective options. Moreover, Ecovolve from Cambodia, Indonesia, and Singapore received the Women’s Choice Award.

Continue reading at https ://oursustainabilitymatters.com/climate-hack-2024-cross-border-collaboration-for-climate-solutions / for the full article as DNA is transitioning our sustainability coverage to a standalone news site.

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