CelcomDigi earns ISO certifications for robust data security and business management systems

By:
On:
In: Technology
  • Customers are assured of data protection andamp; company reliability during disruptions thanks to certifications.
  • Accolades validate CelcomDigi’s robust data security &amp, business continuity steps

Left to Right: CelcomDigi chief enterprise business officer Afizulazha Abdullah, CelcomDigi chief transformation officer Kamal Khalid, British Standards Institution Sdn Bhd managing director Evelyn Chye, TUV Nord (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd general manager Eva Soo, and CelcomDigi chief technology officer Kesavan Sivabalan at the ISO Certifications Conferment Ceremony at CelcomDigi.

CelcomDigi Berhad has received two prestigious global certifications—ISO/IEC 27001: Information Security, Cybersecurity, and Privacy Protection – Information Security Management Systems ( ISMS ) and ISO 22301: Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS ) —demonstrating its compliance with international best practices in data and cyber security, operational resilience, and business continuity.

The company claimed in a statement that these accreditations demonstrate how reliable and prepared it is to manage business disruptions, ensure ongoing data protection, and provide exceptional service in today’s digital landscape.

TÜV Nord Cert GmbH, a famous independent accreditation body that reviews control systems across sectors, including data and computer security, is the recipient of the ISO/IEC 27001 certification. This emphasizes CelcomDigi’s robust surveillance controls, management, and compliance in handling sensitive details, protecting customer data, and limiting digital risks. The accreditation process involved a complete review of CelcomDigi’s data security policies, risk evaluation procedures, and program security measures to ensure compliance with global best practices.

The American Standards Institution ( BSI) Group awarded CelcomDigi the ISO 22301 BCMS documentation, demonstrating that the company is well-equipped to anticipate and deal with problems or business problems with the necessary emergency preparations in area. This ensures minimal impact on businesses, services, clients, and partners within its value chain. To ensure uninterrupted service delivery even in times of crisis, CelcomDigi underwent a thorough evaluation of its risk management frameworks, recovery strategies, and business continuity protocols.

CelcomDigi’s chief transformation officer, Kamal Khalid, said:” Trust is the cornerstone of our business. We work hard to create a name that Malaysians can rely on and trust. Our relentless pursuit of operational resilience and data security is demonstrated by the ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 22301 certifications. These certifications validate our efforts to continuously maintain and enhance our practices to meet globally benchmarked standards, ensuring our partners, employees, and customers experience reliability, trust, and minimal disruption in the event of a crisis”.

These certifications, in CelcomDigi’s opinion, reassure customers that their data is safeguarded by effective security measures and that services will continue to operate as planned despite unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, they enhance the company’s credibility and integrity, strengthening confidence among business partners and investors. For employees, they reflect a workplace committed to continuous improvements in internal processes and controls, fostering a safe and stable working environment.

As operational risks and cyber threats grow, CelcomDigi emphasized that it will continue to uphold the highest standards of business continuity and information security while creating a resilient, secure, and trusted digital ecosystem for everyone.

Continue Reading

Digital Edge announces leadership updates 

By:
On:
In: Technology
  • Samuel Lee ascends to the position of senior table consultant.
  • Samuel Lee to be succeeded to John Freeman as CEO in Q2 2025.

Leading developer and operator of interconnection and hyperscale edge data centers across Asia and a Stonepeak portfolio company, Digital Edge ( Singapore ) Holdings Pte Ltd. has announced that John Freeman, the group’s president, will take Samuel Lee’s place as CEO effective in the second quarter of 2025. In tandem, Lee will move to the responsibility of senior consultant to the board. Additionally, Digital Edge announced that market veterans Eanna Murphy and Maile Kaiser may serve as non-executive managers.

Freeman is an expert head with more than two and a half years in the information center and Firm economy, leading international groups across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and MEA. He was a founding member of Digital Edge, a member of the company’s board since its foundation, and held positions as adherence officer and chief legal & before assuming the position of group president in 2024.

The club’s two new non-executive managers, Maile Kaiser and Eanna Murphy, furthermore have considerable information centre experience. Kaiser is now chief revenue officer at CoreSite, having joined in 2012, and recently held jobs at IO Data Centers, AboveNet, and Oracle. Murphy is a mature working partner at Stonepeak and formerly served as Yondr’s chief operating officer. He founded Yondr’s program in the Americas. Additionally, he spent more than ten years on Google’s data center team in top positions.

Their appointments, along with Freeman’s shift to CEO, promote Digital Edge’s commitment to excellence in management and development, positioning the business for continued progress in the rapidly evolving digital infrastructure landscape.

Freeman stated in a statement regarding his visit,” I am honored to move into the role of CEO and excited about the opportunity to work alongside our partners and the extremely talented team at Digital Edge to provide our customers with timely and various AI- and cloud-ready data centers and connectivity solutions.”

Lee remarked,” I take great pride in what we have built and with great confidence in the future of Digital Edge as I move to the position of senior advisor.” I am honestly grateful for the support of our people, customers, and associates throughout my career. Freeman is a revolutionary leader with a passion for the crew, our clients, and the communities we serve, and I look forward to the company’s ongoing accomplishment under his leadership”.

We are quite appreciative of Lee’s leadership as the company has expanded over the past five years, according to Andrew Thomas, top managing director at Stonepeak and chairman of Digital Edge. Additionally, we are delighted to welcome Kaiser and Murphy to the table, both of whom bring world-class business expertise as we expand.

To support its next growth phase, Digital Edge recently secured more than US$ 1.6 billion ( RM7 billion ) in new capital through a combination of equity and debt financing. With this funding, the business can expand more quickly and effectively in response to the region’s growing and changing demand for cloud and artificial intelligence.

Founded in early 2020, Digital Edge now owns and operates 21 data centres, delivering over 500MW of critical IT weight in company and under building across Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Additionally, the company has a further 300MW of development available for strategic locations.

Continue Reading

Empowering rural communities, one harvest at a time

By:
On:
In: Technology
  • Invested US$ 407, 400 with regional Organizations to support vulnerable populations
  • collaborated with SIrom on climate initiatives for underprivileged areas.

Heineken Malaysia Berhad ( Heineken Malaysia ) is attempting to positively affect the communities in which it operates. The brewer has long worked with like-minded participants to promote this work and has collaborated with them in this endeavor. With almost six years of operations in Malaysia, he has long sought to make lasting change that benefits the neighborhood areas.

Heineken Cares was established in 2021 as a reaction to the pandemic’s soaring need for assistance. Through the programme, Heineken Malaysia has invested US$ 407, 400 ( RM1.8 million ) in cooperation with several local NGOs to address the needs of vulnerable communities.

One of its most notable partnerships has been with the impressive group of women who have led diverse initiatives to support marginalized communities through mentoring and environmental projects.

The firm’s roots trace back to Kampung Gana, Sabah, in 2018, where Heineken Malaysia and Sirom introduced natural gardening on two acres of land, supported by a gravity-fed liquid system. This action promoted both well-being and economic resilience by empowering women in the community to sell surplus produce at local industry, as well as providing nutritious food.

” Our collaboration with Sirom has improved significantly since our initial collaboration with the Sabah project began in 2018.” Sirom has been a valuable companion, bringing not only their skills but also a thorough understanding of the societies they serve. Together, we’ve been able to go beyond short-term aid, to focus on making a long-lasting impact”, said Renuka Indrarajah ( pic ), Corporate Affairs and Legal director of Heineken Malaysia.

Band up to make a distinction
In 2021, this engagement extended beyond organic gardening. Heineken Cares and Sirom mobilized quickly to provide necessary foods and emergency care to the destroyed Kampung Jawa in the Klang Valley. &nbsp,

Their target then transitioned to long-term lasting solutions in 2022, introducing other water systems and organic gardening in Long Tanyit, Sarawak, and Kota Marudu, Sabah. Through this, the societies were given the tools and training to develop endurance so that they could live independently. Women, in particular, found fresh roles as businesses, earning wages that improved their families ‘ livelihoods.

Bringing together for a common cause
In 2023, Heineken Cares and Sokong by Malaysiakini partnered to create a lasting effect in nearby communities, reflecting Heineken Malaysia’s commitment to sustainability and society improvement. Their support was crucial to a Kampung Sg program in December 2023. Lebak, Bentong, Pahang, where Sirom led a task to enable the Orang Asli area through gardening farming, promoting self-reliance and green development.

We continue to have a positive effect wherever we are, staying true to our goal of fostering genuine community and creating a better earth, Renuka said.

Through the engagement, Sirom continued to expand their work, supporting more Orang Asli people in 2024. The efforts focused on tackling food insecurity, economic obstacles, and enterprising spaces, laying the groundwork for lasting change.

” Through Heineken Cares, we’ve been able to scale our efforts and achieve communities that often go unnoticed. Joanne Yeoh from Sirom said,” A simple act can assist those in need.

Cultivating desire: The rockmelon planting project
” At the heart of Kampung Sg. Lebak’s conversion is a thriving rockmelon land. This opportunity addressed vital issues like food uncertainty, lack of lasting incomes, and minimal entrepreneurial skills. Girls from the town took the lead, managing the land, tracking crops, and gradually transforming their roles from quiet participants to confident, ready farmers”. said Yeoh. &nbsp,

The results speak levels. By August 2024, the community had generated US$ 8, 700 ( RM37, 000 ) in sales, with 15 % coming from fish farming—a testament to the project’s diversified approach. &nbsp,

]RM1 = US$ 0.22]


Beyond figures, the true impact was seen in the villagers ‘ growing confidence, especially among women. Working on the land has been more than simply a job, according to Nuar from Kampung Sg Lebak; it also serves as a sense of purpose. She appreciates having the hands-on responsibilities of farm life while earning money that helps her home. Every day brings new classes, and being an associate superintendent, she can continue teaching and guiding people.

Looking forward: Step two and the gardening development

Sirom is gearing up for Phase two, which will introduce hydroponics farming to further strengthen food safety, with the base set. This step aims to:

  • Enhance incomes by providing regular pay to Kampung Sg Lebak farm workers.
  • Promote children involvement with the Geran Agropreneur Muda offer.
  • Promoting sustainability through the use of other animal feed sources like composting and composting in kitchens.
  • By donating farming vehicles and saving rockmelon seeds, to promote self-sustainability.
  • Improve community health by maintaining a constant source of wholesome meal.

” Alliances are the foundation of change. Cooperation with Heineken Cares and Sokong have provided essential sources, from funding to administrative assistance. For partnerships change benevolent efforts into lasting, effective change, ensuring that communities are not just fed but even empowered to grow independently”, Yeoh reflects.

Join the movement
Your support can help areas like Kampung Sg grow from a single plant, which every successful harvest begins with. Lebak. For every RM10 you donate, HEINEKEN Malaysia will add RM40, amplifying your influence and nurturing green future.

Join us today: https ://sokong .org/campaigns/heineken-cares-2024&nbsp ,&nbsp,

Discover more about Heineken Malaysia’s conservation journey and how you can make a difference.

Continue Reading

AI revolution: wellness, wealth and a world without work – Asia Times

By:
On:
In: Asia, Technology

Nouriel Roubini, a well-known scholar, likes to make provocative estimates. According to Roubini, who is dubbed” Dr. Doom,” the Artificial revolution will result in significant increases in success and customer prices, as well as job losses that could topple to 80 % in many industries.

Roubini predicts that governments will introduce universal basic incomes ( UBI ), unconditional payments that would replace social security, unemployment benefits, and other social benefits, to maintain economic activity and stop widespread social unrest. AI will become subject to a portion of the cost’s taxation. &nbsp,

Roubini’s timeframe for the end of most labor – 20 times – is positive, but AI will eventually eliminate the need for most job as we know it. People will rather appearance for purpose-driven habits. The healthcare sector, which caters to mental, spiritual and physical animal health, could be the main beneficiary.

Graph illustrating the exponential growth of AI ( machine brain ) power. Timeline diagram: Handel Jones, IBS, Inc.

Amara’s laws

In the 1970s, American researcher and futurist Roy Amara made his famous statement about technological adaption that came to be known as Amara’s laws: “We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.”

AI is a case in point. By the 1980s, scientists predicted that AI may exceed individuals in all areas of knowledge. By far more than half a decade, they were off the mark. By 2030, experts today forecast that AI will surpass individual features in the majority of fields.

On the other hand, present innovations show that AI, in combination with large-scale automation and robotics, is bringing us closer to Roubini’s projection: The end of almost all job that relies on regular, repetitive tasks. Advances in East Asia, and particularly China, offer a glimpse of the future.

More than half of the total industrial drones in China are near two million, or nearly half of it. Additionally, Foreign producers have created AI-controlled robots for a range of tasks, including adding and cleaning solar panels, raking up crops, and planting trees.

Chinese manufacturers of technology, batteries, solar panel, and container and logistics companies have reached technology rates of over 90 %. China’s latest electric vehicle ( EV ) factories have the capacity to turn out a car every 30 seconds.

Chinese EV manufacturer BYD recently installed 500 multitasking human robots that can do everything from sorting parts and using energy screwdrivers to carrying out visual quality inspections.

The supply chains and manufacturing processes are undergoing an ever-smaller increase in human work.

By 2030, China may account for nearly half of global production, fueled in large part by its result in the rollout of AI-powered automation and robotics.

AI resurrending itself

AI’s influence will go far beyond increasing production and transportation. Few jobs will be safe, according to the most recent advancements in the creation of Large Language Models ( LLM) like China’s DeepSeek and ChatGPT.

LLMs may produce articles, create technical paperwork, review contracts, analyze clinical images and automated software testing. Facebook’s chairman, Mark Zuckerberg, told an interviewer last month that his business may start replacing software professionals with AI as early as this time.

This year, AI will be performing the work of mid-level engineers, according to Zuckerberg, who added that “we’ll get to the point where most of the script in our apps and the AI we create is really going to be written by AI engineers rather than people engineers.”

There will be extraordinary productivity gains in a growing number of industries. https ://www .statista.com/site/insights-compass-ai-future-ai-work

Abundance

Roubini adheres to the essay of revolutionary Peter Diamantis, co-author of the best book” Abundance: The Coming Is Better Than You Think”. We will soon be able to satisfy the fundamental requirements of every person on earth, including children and men, according to Diamantis. Everything is within our reach, and presence for all is within our reach.

Like Roubini, Diamantis believes that AI, technology, and different systems will be able to produce consumer products in virtually unlimited quantities, and at ever-decreasing value. Consumers will experience a lower cost of living as a result of the deflationary effect, but the challenge will be to keep up with demand, which necessitates addressing wealth inequality.

Wealth inequality in many countries, already at historic levels, will only increase unless mitigating measures are taken. So does Roubini’s claim that the enormous increase in wealth that will be created by AI can be financed by a guaranteed universal basic income ( UBI ) that is on the rise.

Aware of the potential social-economic impact of AI in the coming years, prominent tech industry leaders, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, have voiced support for a UBI. Google, Apple and Cisco have even donated money to UBI pilot projects.

The launch of a UBI is a key factor, according to a study by the UNDP. If introduced too early, it could impact a country’s competitive strength.

Additionally, a UBI would need to be a component of a complete overhaul of the current social security net and the tax system.

Wellness for all

A world without work will mark a milestone in human history, regardless of whether it occurs sooner or later.

In the 20th century, machines reduced the economic value of our physical power. In the 21st century, AI will reduce the economic value of our professional knowledge, be it accountants, architects, or attorneys.

Most people believe that their identity is inextricably linked to their work or professional abilities. Work provides the satisfaction of accomplishment and has largely defined our social standing.

Deprived of the security of work and its accompanying status, people will seek new values and a new purpose-driven lifestyle. The wellness industry, catering to mental, spiritual and physical improvement, could be one of the primary beneficiaries.

The wellness industry will grow by 9 % to 12.5 % in the next decade, outpacing overall economic growth.

The wellness sector can assist in reducing the social and psychological effects of a work-free world. It offers everything from community-based wellness experiences to group therapy, mindfulness training, and courses on integral thinking and resensitizing ourselves to nature. &nbsp,

The wellness industry, which emerged in the 1970s, is expected to grow between 9 % and 12.5 % in the next decade, outpacing the overall economy. Although AI may also have an impact on the wellness sector, work that necessitates human compassion will be largely shielded from the job losses brought on by the AI revolution.

With the rise of AI, East Asia has a demographic reason to be anxious. In Japan, the median age is 49 years and rising. In 20 years, the ratio of non-working to non-working people will be close to 1 to 1. Both South Korea and China share comparable demographics.

Despite being the “oldest” region in the world, East Asia could become a trendsetter in the post-work era. The region produces the majority of the hardware needed for Industry 4.0 and is unaffected by existential concerns about AI. Moreover, China is integrating AI education into its primary and secondary school curricula.

China’s Ministry of Education issued guidelines in December of last year mandating that younger primary school students concentrate on learning about and experiencing AI technologies, while middle school and elementary school students are expected to learn and apply AI concepts.

Continue Reading

Tech bros back in China’s official spotlight as Jack Ma meets Xi – Asia Times

By:
On:
In: Asia, Technology

The recent speech by former exiled leader Jack Ma at the Chinese President Xi Jinping highlights Beijing’s unwavering commitment to using cutting-edge technologies to maintain its economic development.

After requiring Alibaba’s Ant Group to halt its initial public offering in the United States in November 2020, Beijing tampering with the world sector’s requirements for a month and a half.

All digital platforms, including Douyin, Kuaishou, Alibaba and Tencent, had faced governmental clampdowns. While ride-hailing firms were fined for collecting user data without authorization, food-delivery platforms were accused of violating labour rights.

Ma, a businessman, spent time visiting agricultural tech companies around the world, spending time with his family in Tokyo, meeting with friends on his pleasure yacht in Europe, and meeting with his home there. &nbsp,

In June 2022, Li Daokui, a former assistant to&nbsp, the People’s Bank of China, said the clampdown on Chinese internet companies had generally ended. &nbsp,

He explained that the removal of Ant’s Investor program in November 2020 was a political choice because Chinese leaders were shocked to see the names of numerous party members listed on the company’s shareholder list.

In March 2023, Ma officially returned to China after banishment. In July 2024, he gave a speech at Alibaba’s office in Hangzhou.

Some observers say Ma’s” self-exile” from late 2020 to first 2023 showed Xi’s negative approach towards China’s online companies and some private&nbsp, companies. They claim that Beijing is now using Ma and a group of Hangzhou-based business leaders to demonstrate to the outside that China welcomes all tech firms.

Alibaba’s Hong Kong-listed shares rose to HK$ 138.5 ( US$ 17.8 ) on February 21, 11.6 % up from a week earlier. Tencent’s shares surged 8.9 % to HK$ 517, while Kuaishou Technology’s grew 9.2 % to HK$ 58.4 for the same period.

” Xi’s symposium is of great significance”, a Chinese columnist using the pseudonym” Fengye”, or Maple Leaf, says in an article published by Beijing-based Zhengshang Canyue. The author continues:

The personal economy’s expansion in the new century and a new journey has many potentials and opportunities. &nbsp, After the US vote, the world economy continues to be stormy, and several European and American companies are in turmoil. Nevertheless, Chinese firms focus on impressive and cutting-edge solutions and keep increasing their profitability.

China’s artificial intelligence models surprised the world with their incredible performance, China’s robot dancers performed at the Spring Festival Gala, and Chinese electric cars slowly gained popularity for themselves in the eyes of the world thanks to their outstanding performance and quality.

He continues,” Jack Ma is an icon representing the first batch of Taiwanese Internet firms that has made remarkable achievements and laid a solid foundation for the emergence of several technology startups,” adding that it’s nice that he attends the symposium. Ma is an icon representing the second batch of Taiwanese Internet firms that has made remarkable achievements and laid a solid foundation for the emergence of the emergence of numerous technology startups. &nbsp,

Additionally, he points out that Ma’s return to China may indicate that the billionaire saw strong growth prospects in China’s technology sector following the” Six Little Dragons in Hangzhou “‘s emergence but did not find any compelling projects abroad.

” Six Small Dragons” is a film.

According to the Chinese press, the Six Small Dragons in Hangzhou are DeepSeek, Unitree Robotics, Game Science, Deep Robotics, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and Manycore Tech.

DeepSeek was founded by Liang Wenfeng, a Zhejiang University student, in December 2023. On January 20 this time, the business launched DeepSeek-R1, which within time surpassed ChatGPT to be No. # 1 on the US free game download charts. &nbsp,

Hangzhou Yushu Technology, known as Unitree, was founded by Wang Xingxing in 2016. At China Central Screens Spring Festival Gala on January 28, 2025, it’s dancing computers won acclaim.

Feng Ji and Yang Qi founded Foreign movie game studio Game Science in 2014.

Zhu Qiuguo and Li Chao co-founded Deep Robotics in 2017.

BCI, which is engaged in real-time thought decoding, distant machine power, and brain-machine co-evolution, was established by Han Bicheng in 2015.

Manycore Tech, a maker of 3D design technology, was co-founded by three Chinese alumni of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2011.

” Xi’s symposium highlighted Zhejiang, as the province has a good business environment” ,&nbsp, Wang Bin, a columnist for the Zhejiang Daily’s social media account, writes in an article.

Zhejiang is a place that embodies the animal contact. Anyone can sense this in their work and daily lives, Wang says. ” When a position is like a bay that&nbsp, protects individuals, it is easier to keep people and businesses”.

China has experienced a flurry of cash flows since it discontinued its Covid laws in first 2023. According to some economists, the country’s economy is impacted by declining domestic use, rising political tensions between China and the US, and US level increases.

According to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, China’s net foreign direct investment ( FDI) decreased by US$ 168 billion last year, the biggest capital flight since 1990. US investment in China reached a historic substantial of US$ 344.4 billion in 2021, but it has since decreased. &nbsp,

Chinese companies invested US$ 177 billion overseas in 2024, compared to US$ 4.5 billion that foreign investors simply sent to China.

Some foreign firms adopted a” China-plus-one” plan to invest not only in China but also in other countries as a result of the growing tensions between China and the US. Additionally, many Taiwanese firms are now exporting their factories abroad, fearing that US President Donald Trump may impose tariffs on imports from China. &nbsp,

Alibaba’s AI prepare

It is questionable whether Beijing’s high-tech battle does help retain and recruit foreign funding, but it did increase Alibaba’s stock.

After The Knowledge learned on February 11 that Apple Inc. partnered with Alibaba to add AI capabilities to the phone, Alibaba’s stock also rose. Apple wants to release its AI-powered smartphones in China in May. &nbsp,

On February 20, Alibaba Chief Executive Eddie Wu said in an investor call that&nbsp, artificial generative intelligence ( AGI ) is at the core of the company’s AI strategy. He stated that the company will make significant investments in AI system, foundation models, and business transformation that will be driven by AI. &nbsp,

One of the largest property management firms in Europe, Eurizon Capital, stated in an article that investors should be optimistic about Chinese securities for various reasons:

  • Since 2023, there has been continued governmental relaxation in China.
  • Growing China’s production and industrial prowess, shown by the growing industry deficit in 2024 and the subsequent rise of DeepSeek,
  • Stabilizing estate business and client sentiment,
  • Stable Chinese bonds and money.

According to Eurizon’s analysts, Beijing’s social and policy climate has changed since soon 2023 from the exceedingly disciplinary position taken against the private sector in the summer of 2021 to a more rational and market-friendly stance.

They continued, noting that while Foreign stocks are not cheap, the world still underweights them because some investors have adopted an ABC-style mindset, which includes “anything but China.”

Some experts believe it is prudent for China to show its technology sector, which outperforms other sectors, but this approach could sway Chinese hawks in the US and force them to sanction Chinese startups. &nbsp,

Yong Jian contributes to the Asia Times. He is a Chinese blogger who specializes in Chinese systems, business, and politics. &nbsp,

Read: China links all to DeepSeek in the country’s strategy.

Continue Reading

China connects everything to DeepSeek in nationwide plan – Asia Times

By:
On:
In: Asia, Technology

China now connects everything to DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence ( AI ) model that developed last month and gained notoriety, from chatbots and smart vehicles to government departments and schools.

Baidu, a Chinese search engine, announced that its robot Ernie Bot 4.9 type now integrates with DeepSeek-R1 to strengthen students ‘ problem-solving capacity. Students can upload a photo of a problem to the robot, which will respond with a detailed explanation. &nbsp,

The business added that from April, it will charge high-end customers just for some custom-made services and will allow specific users and SMEs to use Ernie’s simple functions for free.

According to some Chinese media reports, Baidu could get more information by giving up its closed-source type and connecting with other AI models, but doing so would also need it to rely on external systems and risk losing its profitability over the long run. &nbsp,

Google announced on February 16 that Weixin messaging software users can now search using DeepSeek. Tencent is reportedly considering integrating various items with DeepSeek, according to a company spokesman.

Earlier this month, the Shenzhen-based Huawei said its Huawei Cloud has connected with DeepSeek-R1. Chinese manufacturers BYD and Geely added that DeepSeek-R1 is compatible with their electric vehicles.

Gong Zheng, an engineer at the Institute of Technology and Standards, a research institute under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ( MIIT ), said that the technical advantages of leading IT companies “open the door to free AI services.” &nbsp,

Clean basic AI companies may turn into a data-sourcing route for businesses. These companies may form a ‘ finished company loop’ and provide value-added services and enterprise-level solutions”, he said, adding that China wants to develop the industry standards for the next generation of human-computer interaction technology. &nbsp,

A company employs a closed business loop, which actively collects customer feedback and analyzes it to improve its goods and services.

Despite many nations forbid their students from using AI tools to do their homework, many states, including Xinhua, promoted the benefits of allowing primary and secondary school students to use DeepSeek on Tuesday. &nbsp,

Xi’s call

At a symposium in Beijing on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and corporate leaders met to discuss the rise of DeepSeek and related applications.

These company heads included Huawei Technologies ‘ Ren Zhengfei, Alibaba’s Jack Ma, Tencent’s Pony Ma, DeepSeek’s Liang Wenfeng and Unitree’s Wang Xingxing.

” In this new era, the development prospects of the private sector are broad and promising”, Xi said in a speech. ” It’s time for entrepreneurs and private companies to showcase their talents.”

” It is hoped that private firms and entrepreneurs will have the ambition to serve the country, be dedicated to development, abide by the law and do business well, promote common prosperity, and make new and greater contributions to promoting Chinese-style modernization”, he said.

Xi added that some of the difficulties and challenges currently faced by the private sector generally arise during China’s industrial upgrade, but they are partial, temporary, and resolvable.

The People’s Daily claimed that the central government values technological innovation based on DeepSeek and Unitree executives ‘ appearances at Xi’s symposium.

Before this, Chinese Premier Li Qiang had met some entrepreneurs, including Unitree’s Wang, at a symposium in Hangzhou on December 20, 2024. At China Central TV’s Spring Festival Gala on January 28, Unitree received applause for its dancing robots. &nbsp,

Li had also met other industrial experts, including DeepSeek’s Liang, at a symposium in Beijing on January 20, 2025.

The same day that DeepSeek launched DeepSeek-R1, which had surpassed ChatGPT to surpass it in popularity. 1 on the US free app download charts in a few days. Given that DeepSeek had developed its AI model at very low costs, US stocks significantly decreased on January 27 as investors worried that Nvidia and OpenAI might be overvalued.

The DeepSeek team claimed they used only 2, 000 Nvidia H800 chips to train its AI model.

However, no one really knows how many chips DeepSeek has used, nor who ultimately&nbsp, controls this company and offers it unlimited financial resources.

The 2030 goal

China’s State Council made its New Generation AI Development Plan public in July 2017 and pledged to make China a major AI innovation hub and a global leader in AI technology by 2030. &nbsp,

In February 2023, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP ) Central Committee and State Council&nbsp, published&nbsp, the Overall Layout Plan for the Development of a Digital China, calling for the integration of the nation’s digital and real economies. &nbsp,

Vice Premier Liu He at the time said that China should promote its semiconductor industry using a “whole nation” approach, allowing the government to use the resources of the country’s research institutions and businesses to fund technological advancements.

According to the plan, China will form a nationwide system by 2025 to achieve its” Digital China” goal.

The Guangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Zhengzhou, and Hohhot city governments said their computing networks are connected to DeepSeek-R1. &nbsp,

In Shenzhen, the Futian district government said it created 70 AI” staff members” with DeepSeek to handle documents and assist its civil servants. &nbsp,

More and more government departments will try to integrate with AI tools, according to Hu Guoqing, head of the 6G and AI artificial intelligence research group and associate researcher at Peking University’s Shenzhen Research Institute.

Yong Jian contributes to the Asia Times. He is a Chinese journalist who specialises in Chinese technology, economy, and politics. &nbsp,

Read: Where DeepSeek, Qwen’s AI engineers really come from

Continue Reading

Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, Kintone formalise partnership to boost digital adoption among Malaysia’s SMEs

By:
On:
In: Technology
  • The Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 and business development are fueled by association.
  • Collaboration supports Sarawak’s perception for a tech-driven, green circular economy

Left to Right: Shingo Hiraki, first secretary, Telecommunication & IT, Embassy of Japan in Malaysia;.Tsubasa Nakazawa, managing director Kintone Southeast Asia Sdn Bhd; Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, chairman of SDEC

Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation ( SDEC ) and Kintone Southeast Asia Sdn Bhd ( Kintone ) have joined forces to drive Sarawak’s digital future. In an effort to advance Sarawak’s modern economy through the use of cutting-edge technologies, the two businesses recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration is in line with Sarawak’s desire for a round, green economy based on technological advancement and responsible growth.

To support Sarawak’s small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) in their digital transformation journey, SDEC and Kintone successfully co-hosted the inaugural SME Digital Transformation Seminar in Kuching, Sarawak, on 18 February. The seminar made a major step forward in providing Sarawak’s small and medium-sized businesses with the resources, expertise, and tools necessary to grow their businesses and stay competitive in an increasingly electric world.

Sarawak’s attempts to digitalize have attracted more attention, and the state government is actively investing in digital equipment. The partnership between SDEC and Kintone is in line with the growing need for versatile, available options for local organizations and supports the goals set out in the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030.

SMEs account for approximately 97 % of all businesses in Malaysia, making them the backbone of the nation’s economy. ” Kintone’s no-code platform simplifies sophisticated process techniques, enabling SMEs across industries—including hospitality, building, and retail—to develop user-friendly custom programs tailored to their needs at a fraction of the cost. This reduces the stress of high-cost IT investments that many small companies struggle to maintain, according to Tsubasa Nakazawa, Kintone Southeast Asia’s managing director.

” Our final goal is to help businesses of all sizes connect this answer, transform their business processes, and promote flexible growth,” said the company. Kintone now serves over 37, 000 customers worldwide, empowering businesses, government agencies, and communities to improve productivity, engagement, and performance. This action reflects our broader commitment to supporting SMEs across Sarawak, Borneo, and Malaysia as a whole”, he added.

The SDEC by Kintone workshop brought up senior government officials, business leaders, and business owners, offering enterprises of all sizes an opportunity to understand how online tools can simplify operations and travel cost-efficient improvements—without requiring IT expertise. Attendees gained practical knowledge of how Kintone’s simple software aids organizations in managing workflows and enhancing collaboration at a reasonable pace. Additionally, the occasion provided networking opportunities for individuals to exchange ideas and link.

This workshop reinforced the shared idea that technology should be an innovator as Sarawak’s market continues to be shaped by modern change. Through practical demonstrations and expert-led discussions, participants witnessed firsthand how Kintone’s flexible platform can streamline workflows, reduce operational bottlenecks, and empower businesses to adapt to a rapidly digitising world.

Continue Reading

Maybank earns multiple sustainability awards at gobal finance sustainable finance awards

By:
On:
In: Technology
  • First banks in M’sia to release Climate Report and Social Impact Report in 2024.
  • won 4 ecology prizes, including Best Bank for Sustainable Financing in Emerging Markets.

At the International Finance Sustainable Finance Awards, Maybank has received numerous accolades. Among the awards, Maybank was named the Best Bank for Sustainable Financing in Emerging Markets ( Global &amp, Asia Pacific ), Best Bank for Sustainability Transparency ( Asia Pacific ), Best Bank for Sustainable Finance ( Malaysia ), and Best Bank for Sustainable Finance ( Indonesia ). In a press release, the bank said these accolades reflect its efforts to combat climate change and advance sustainable development in the ASEAN area.

In addition to these sustainability-focused prizes, Maybank was even recognized as the Best Foreign Exchange Bank in Malaysia. These achievements coincide with the company’s M25 technique, which emphasizes customer-centricity, online change, and sustainability leadership.

Continue reading at <a href="https://oursustainabilitymatters.com/maybank-earns-multiple-sustainability-awards-at-global-finance-sustainable-finance-awards/ “>https ://oursustainabilitymatters.com/maybank-earns-multiple-sustainability-awards-at-global-finance-sustainable-finance-awards/&nbsp ,for t<a href="https://oursustainabilitymatters.com/maybank-earns-multiple-sustainability-awards-at-global-finance-sustainable-finance-awards/ “>he full article as DNA is transitioning our sustainability coverage to a standalone news site.

Continue Reading

Converting radio frequency into usable energy – the success story of Malaysian inventors

By:
On:
In: Technology
  • developed an Radiofrequency technique that transforms atmospheric energy into energy for IoT devices.
  • Developed from Aug 2020 to Sept 2023, this technology boosts energy reliability &amp, conservation

Although mobile devices and Internet of Things ( IoT ) applications are becoming more common, keeping them charged is still a challenge. Researchers and industry leaders are looking into new ways of energy harvesting and developing novel charging options besides conventional power outlets.

This vision is becoming a reality in Malaysia, thanks to a collaboration between Infinecs Systems Sdn Bhd, Universiti Malaya, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology ( CREST ) Project. They have collaborated to create an innovative solution that transforms ambient radio frequency ( RF ) energy into usable electrical power for IoT devices, an Integrated RF Energy Harvesting System. Developed between August 2020 and September 2023, this discovery systems enhances energy efficiency and sustainability.

The system has a higher awareness that allows it to get energy from three different frequency bands, ensuring versatility, and an extended fluid range that allows efficiency to be maintained perhaps from poor RF signals. Additionally, it optimizes power storage and change for better performance.

The effectiveness of cooperation between academia and industry is demonstrated by this job. The Analog, Digital and RF Research Group, led by myself, along with contributions from Dr Lian Wen Xun and Dr Yong Jack Kee, played a key function in its development. Help from CREST, Infinecs, UM, APU, and USM was instrumental in bringing this technology to existence”, said Dr Ir Harikrishnan Ramiah, mind of the Centre of Research Industry at Universiti Malaya and director for the job.

He noted that overcoming a number of professional difficulties was necessary to create an RF energy harvesting system that could effectively convert RF power across many songs. ” This was achieved through strenuous study, extensive tests, and close cooperation between scientific analysts and industry specialists”, he said.

Another key problem was integration—seamlessly combining parts such as the RF front-end, converter, and cost pumps into a single program. ” We addressed these issues through careful architecture and optimisation”, Harikrishnan added.

The program has largely good industry feedback, and there is a lot of interest in its ability to provide self-sufficient, green power solutions for IoT devices. The renowned Major In Tech Innovation Award for Most Powerful Academia-Industry Collaboration has been given an additional recognition for its effects.

Looking back, the team is actively pursuing commercialism, targeting programs in 5G contacts, IoT sensors, biological wearables, and RFID. ” We even plan to continue R&amp, D efforts to enhance the state’s functionality, performance, and flexibility. According to Harikrishnan, the future work includes integrating it with 5G Wireless Sensor Networks ( WSN) and co-designing antennas and rectifiers to reduce system complexity and improve overall performance.

Continue Reading

Nexmedis secures funding co-led by East Ventures and Forge Ventures

By:
On:
In: Technology
  • The scope of money may include AI and services for the healthcare industry.
  • Fuses knowledge in computer technology &amp, medicine to generate medical innovation

Left to right:  Dr. Almer Deta Tarandha, (co-founder and chief medical officer), Yehuda Dani Utomo (co-founder and CEO), Matilda Narulita (co-Founder and COO)

Nexmedis, an Indonesia-based AI-powered Health Information System operator, has secured an unknown amount of funding co-led by East Ventures and Forge Ventures. This financing will help Nexmedis ‘ mission to revolutionise healthcare operations, improve medical services, and improve patient outcomes across Indonesia. Additionally, it will help grow its service to all of the nation’s hospitals and introduce more advanced AI solutions to address issues in the healthcare system.

Problems in healthcare, such as regular administrative jobs and scattered data, have delayed symptoms and treatments. Moreover, Indonesia’s large landscape complicates the distribution of advanced health tools and training to rural areas, affecting patient care.

Founded in 2023 by Yehuda Dani Utomo ( co-founder and CEO ), Matilda Narulita ( co-founder and COO ), and Dr. Almer Deta Tarandha ( co-founder and chief medical officer ), Nexmedis combines expertise in computer science, management consulting, and medicine to drive healthcare innovation. Its options emphasize the incorporation of AI to improve efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare procedures.

Starting with its Clinical Decision Support option, Nexmedis offers an AI-powered HIS that makes the person and care company trip better. This device provides treatment recommendations using ICD-10 codes ( International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision ), enabling personalized treatment recommendations and a smooth process of insurance claims processing. For the Social Security Agency of Indonesia, health and personal insurers, correct data is provided.

Additionally, the company is developing an AI-powered translation tool that can turn voice notes into planned digital records, summarizing exchanges between patients and doctors. This application aims to reduce human documents, optimize operations, and enable care providers to focus more on patient care. It is scheduled to debut immediately.

” We are thrilled to had secured this purchase, which will be a game-changer as we continue to innovate and provide AI-driven alternatives to care. East Ventures and Forge Ventures have put a lot of confidence in us as a means of bridging the gap in healthcare accessibility with technology, and their commitment to it is reflected in this. With their help, we are poised to expand our growth and effects, improving individual attention and outcomes”, said Yehuda Dani Utomo, co-founder and CEO of Nexmedis.

Since August 2023, Nexmedis has served over 400 medical services. In the Ministry of Health’s Regulatory Sandbox program, its clinical tests AI has been designated as” Fostered by the Ministry of Health.” In addition, the company has collaborated with leading universities like Gadjah Mada University and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to develop AI-powered wellness digitalization.

” We are excited to work with Nexmedis to transform Indonesia’s care environment by integrating AI to enhance performance and patient care. Their growth and collaborations with important institutions “underline the need for creative electronic solutions in the industry,” said Melisa Irene, companion at East Ventures.

” At the foundation of great organizations are great owners, and we’re looking forward to partnering with Yehuda, Matilda, and Almer, who are driving change in a crucial business in Indonesia through their modern materials”, said Tiang Lim Foo, managing partner at Forge Ventures.

With this funding, Nexmedis will be able to expand its services to more hospitals and introduce custom-made AI solutions to address Indonesia’s healthcare challenges.

Continue Reading