Monash University Malaysia secures Petronas funding for energy research

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  • A full of US$ 17 mil in study provides was awarded&nbsp,
  • 61 academicians from 25 different universities were chosen as award recipients.

Monash University Malaysia secures Petronas funding for energy research

Seven of Monash University Malaysia’s studies ideas have received funding from Petronas, according to a statement from Monash University Malaysia. The university said in a statement that this collaboration highlights a shared responsibility to advance cutting-edge analysis in the electricity sector, with a focus on lasting solutions to the pressing global power challenges of the present and future.

Petronas has awarded a total of US$ 17 million ( RM71 million ) in research grants through the Petronas-Academia Collaboration Dialogue ( PACD ), a highly competitive initiative with 588 applicants vying for funding. Unfortunately, 61 experts from 25 institutions were selected, with Monash University Malaysia among the powerful organizations.

The awards were presented by Malaysia’s assistant secretary of Higher Education, Mustapha Sakmud, and Malaysia Petroleum Management’s Senior Vice President, Bacho Pilong.

” I strongly believe that technological advancements can provide a possible solution to the large investment purchases required for a sustainable future. This calls for more money to be spent on research and development, making engagement between academia and industry a must, according to Bacho Pilong.

The funding will be used for research in areas that are in line with international trends, with particular attention given to those in industries like low-carbon and renewable energy. These include carbon capture and storage systems, biofuel growth, successful hydrogen technology, and improving functional performance through data analysis and AI.

The list of Monash University Malaysia beneficiaries includes:

  • Professor Ir. Dr Chan Eng Seng, School of Engineering:” Microalgae Oil Biorefinery: Id, Quantification, and Characterisation of Lipid Compounds from Crude Fat Extracted from Microalgae”.
  • Dr Song Cher Pin, School of Engineering:” Biorefinery of Defatted Microalgae: Separation, Identification, Characterization, and Valorization of Defatted Microalgae”.
  • Dr Surya Nurzaman, School of Engineering:” Aerial Perching for Contact-Based Inspection in Oilfield Installations Using Soft Robotics”.
  • Professor Raphael Phan, School of Information Technology:” Æinstein: Adversarial AI Amongst Materials Discovery Domains”.
  • Dr Patrick Tang, School of Engineering:” Modelling and Knowledge-Informed Control of Microalgae Lipids Metabolism Under Diverse Environmental Stresses”.
  • Dr Lau Ee Von, School of Engineering:” Algae in CO2 Capture and Renewable Energy”.
  • Professor Chai Siang Piao, School of Engineering:” Development of Electro-Catalyst for CO2 Reduction from Flaring or Post-Combustion”.

These projects span critical areas such as renewable energy, CO2 reduction, green hydrogen, AI, and robotics —research that aligns with Monash University Malaysia’s mission to address key global challenges and drive technological advancements.

This collaboration with Petronas marks a major step in our continuing efforts to make effective research more prevalent. By working together, we are not only exploring solutions for today’s energy challenges but also shaping a sustainable future”, said Professor Dr Faisal Rafiq Bin Mahamd Adikan, vice president ( Research &amp, Development ) at Monash University Malaysia.

The breadth of research projects supported by this cooperation reflects the strength and ingenuity of our scientific community. I am assured the benefits will contribute to the betterment of society, both directly and globally”, he added.

Partnerships between academia and industry become even more important as the earth is under increasing pressure to switch to cleaner, more effective energy sources. The importance of such partnerships is strengthened by the influence of educational institutions like Monash University Malaysia on the development of strength.

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MKR launches Malaysia’s first EV tractor, partners technology leaders for smart farming solutions 

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  • The collaboration aims to make Malaysia’s bright agriculture more advanced.
  • Helps Dasar Agromakanan Negara 2.0, M’sia’s scheme for responsible, tech-driven crops

Left to Right: UPM Associate Professor Dr. Nazmi Mat Nawi, MADA director of Mechanical and Electrical Division, Mohd Fadzil Mat Desa, MKR CEO, Mohamed Khalili Rosly, LPP chairman, Haji Mahfuz Omar, Credence senior VP of Operations, Moharmustaqeem Mohammed, and LPP director of Engineering Division, Zaipudin Mohamad.

MKR Hartamas ( MKR ) has introduced Malaysia’s first electric vehicle ( EV ) tractor, the TerraGlide EV40, marking a significant step towards transforming the nation’s agricultural sector. The fully electric TerraGlide EV40, according to the manufacturer, produces no carbon pollution, which is in line with the federal plan to combat climate change and promote sustainable farming practices.

This program supports the Dasar Agromakanan Negara 2.0, Malaysia’s important policy for developing a lasting, tech-driven agribusiness industry. The TerraGlide EV40 is a key answer for addressing the immediate need for climate-conscious alternatives in agribusiness, offering farmers a natural, effective substitute for traditional equipment.

MKR’s TerraGlide EV40 launch coincides with the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding ( MoUs ) with key partners, including Credence ( a TM company ), represented by its Senior VP of Operations, Moharmustaqeem Mohammed, Universiti Putra Malaysia, represented by Associate Professor Dr. Nazmi Mat Nawi, Head of the Department of Biological &amp, Agricultural Engineering, Thai Achitech, represented by Managing Director Kingpetch Hempotirat, and Rompin Dairy Farm, represented by its CEO, Fahrizal Srihassan. CEO Khalili Rosly represented MKR.

These collaborations aim to promote the development of smart crops solutions, focusing on the Internet of Things ( IoT), cloud-based digital services, and greener gardening technologies to optimise grain yields, boost precision farming techniques, and lower carbon footprints.

Khalili Rosly, a spokeswoman for the launch, stated that “our focus has always been on innovation that benefits the agricultural community.” The TerraGlide EV40 is more than just an electric tractor—it symbolises the future of agriculture, where technology and sustainability go hand in hand. We are excited to work with organizations like Credence that share our vision for a more green, smarter Malaysia.

Farmers have previously benefited from MKR’s expertise in IoT-driven agricultural projects because of its improvements in productivity and sustainability. The TerraGlide EV40 builds on this success, offering an eco-friendly, high-performance solution that reduces operational costs and emissions while enhancing efficiency.

Together, MKR and its partners are shaping a future where smart agriculture, environmental sustainability, and advanced technology converge to create lasting benefits for Malaysia and beyond.

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Aptos Foundation partners The Ignition AI Accelerator to drive advancement of AI startups in APAC

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  • Fixed to encourage APAC entrepreneurs to expand their horizons in artificial intelligence globally.
  • Aptos Foundation to provide solutions, support for AI companies in the throttle

Aptos Foundation partners The Ignition AI Accelerator to drive advancement of AI startups in APAC

Aptos Foundation has partnered with The Ignition AI Accelerator to promote the growth and development of AI startups in Asia, according to a joint initiative between NVIDIA, Tribe, and Digital Industry Singapore ( DISG). This expands the function of the Aptos Foundation to bring together its experience and Aptos-related technology to create artificial intelligence solutions that are anticipated to transform businesses and economies.

The Fire AI Accelerator is positioned to lead APAC’s second generation of high-potential AI innovators and founders who are pushing the boundaries of AI growth globally with the assistance of the Aptos Foundation’s funding and industry experience. Singapore is the most advanced nation in the world for AI, according to new IMF study, which reflects decades of aggressive investment in the country’s AI system and talent.

In the accelerator, the Aptos Foundation will offer resources and support to AI startups, opening doors to new technologies and allowing them to get international markets. It&nbsp, may utilize Microsoft’s OpenAI Service, which it hopes will remove barriers to implementation and create a clear way for the practical application of frontier technology. The business has important working ties with Overlai and Adot, two of AI’s top executives.

Ng Yi Ming, director, The Fire AI Accelerator, emphasised,” Onboarding Aptos Foundation as a professional companion marks a crucial milestone in Ignition AI Accelerator’s mission to power AI startups and generate synergies with world leaders in emerging technologies. We want to give AI businesses the tools they need to create applications that will determine the upcoming wave of technological advancements by utilizing resources and expertise. Collectively, we are committed to driving the development of the AI industry and nurturing a new era of AI companies”.

While the Aptos Foundation’s goal is to promote bitcoin accessibility and decentralization, the development of AI technologies is anticipated to put a new dimension to the world ecosystem, bringing emerging technologies to the masses.

We look forward to leading the charge in this revolutionary method of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship because AI has unmatched development potential. With this relationship, we aim to meet the international colleagues at The Fire AI Accelerator in catalysing the development of AI programs, ideas, products and services”, said Bashar Lazaar, mind of Grants &amp, Ecosystem of Aptos Foundation. Together, we will empower a new wave of AI tech founders and pioneers who will create the future in APAC with potential worldwide.

The Ignition AI Accelerator, launched in May 2024, is a global initiative based in Singapore that supports AI startups with business and technical acceleration, offering deep AI development expertise, cloud credits, and funding opportunities. Since its inception, it has collaborated with leading industry players to provide diverse emerging businesses with the necessary knowledge and expertise to grow their AI-focused businesses globally.

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Singtel and Ericsson first to deploy new 5G technology for dynamic network resource allocation

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    At the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1, fans used a remedy.

  • No understanding of network funding &amp, administration needed to plug capabilities

ARRP was deployed at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1, held over the weekend, as part of Singtel’s 5G Express Pass offering to consumers which included twice the speed.
Singtel announced that Ericsson’s Automated Radio Resource Partitioning ( ARRP ) is the first wireless service provider to commercially deploy a new 5G capability.

The new software solution effectively allocates community resources to meet varying workloads of enterprises and customer applications, overcoming issues of over- or underprovisioning and reducing the risk of compromising system performance, in contrast to previous iterations of community slicing that required customers to pre-define their network requirements.

Singtel claimed that ARRP makes network management for enterprise customers less complicated and is especially advantageous for mission-critical applications where network requirements often change instantly.

ARRP was deployed at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1, held over the weekend, as part of Singtel’s 5G Express Pass delivering to customers. This made it possible for subscribers to broadcast the competition and festivities, discuss content on social media in real-time, and request ride-hailing services in a crowded environment with more than 250, 000 spectators over the course of three days. &nbsp,

Ng Tian Chong, CEO, Singtel Singapore, said,” With ARRP, businesses only need to identify their desired result and the program handles the remainder. Businesses can use the new capabilities of 5G and channel slicing even without any prior knowledge of community resourcing and administration. This opens the door for companies to look into potential uses for high-speed client events, smart manufacturing, and homeland security.

Daniel Ode, Head of Ericsson Singapore, Philippines and Brunei, says,” Ericsson’s Automated Radio Resource Partitioning option enables Singtel to identify and set quantifiable objectives or ‘ intents’ for its business customers, pertaining to upstream or downstream throughputs, along with a maximum resource utilisation in the network. Utilizing automation, in spite of the difficulties brought on by the rise in complexity, enables our customers to offer flexible and long-term service differentiation for outstanding network experiences.

Singtel has been constantly releasing new 5G features to help businesses increase their business activities. Since achieving complete 5G protection in 2022, it has developed techniques like system slicing that use network resources for certain purposes, also up to the level of portable applications. To find out more about ARRP, attend Singtel Networks.

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OMS Group allocates US0 mil  for investments in Global Cable Systems and Terrestrial Infrastructure

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  • Following KKR’s funding in OMS in 2023, the money was allocated.
  • Will partner telecoms providers to enhance system, change capex into green operating expenses

OMS Group allocates US$300 mil  for investments in Global Cable Systems and Terrestrial Infrastructure

OMS Group, a global leader in integrated telecommunications infrastructure solutions, announced that it has set aside US$ 300 million ( RM1.25 billion ) for investments to expand its submarine cable systems and terrestrial infrastructure. According to the business, this capital allocation comes after KKR invested in OMS Group in 2023.

The funding will help the group expand its network and offer businesses and organizations with important connectivity infrastructure. The company hopes to improve connectivity between crucial regions and encourage the expansion of modern technologies by expanding its submarine cable networks and earth infrastructure.

Ronnie Lim, party CEO at OMS Group, said,” Our funding is a direct reaction to the growing demands of the global digital habitat. The growth of data areas, cloud solutions, and the higher consumption rates of existing wire systems have created an urgent need to develop our system. As part of this vision, we aim to be a one-stop shop for client needs across subsea, Cable Landing Stations ( CLS), and terrestrial networks, starting with the Asean region”.

This integrated approach will facilitate access to our extensive services while even laying the foundation for our development into the larger APAC market, ensuring that we can satisfy the diverse and expanding needs of our clients in this dynamic environment.

Utilizing its long-term investment capital to aid them in transitioning capital expenditures into green operating costs, OMS Group will work with telecom providers to progress crucial infrastructure. The group is positioned to deliver strong digital backbone and scalable submarine cable solutions, which are essential for regional digital transformation. The investment includes developing uplink system from Constructors to data centers, which will further strengthen its “platformization” approach.

” Our move to guide asset ownership of submarine cable networks and CLS is in line with our goal to improve global connection, particularly in Asia. This purchase is in line with our goal of expanding the world’s system of telecommunications infrastructures and addressing the growing data demand. By incorporating earth downlink into our profile, we aim to offer a complete complement to our existing position in the changing telecommunications landscape, according to Rozaimy Rahman, CEO of Interconnect Managed Services.

With a different fleet of cable ships, barges, and cable docking stations serving the international communications industry, OMS Group is one of the largest separate operators in this sector. The team’s investments include Project MIST, an intra-Asia deepwater cable system stretching 8, 100 miles with a 216 TB ability, connecting Malaysia, India, Singapore, and Thailand through landing points in Chennai and Mumbai. Additionally, LitUp Network, a subsidiary of OMS Group, has developed four CLSs and network support facilities in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, owning dark fibers and licenses to operate network facilities and infrastructure in these countries.

I’m proud to highlight our ongoing investments in vessels, subsea networks, robust terrestrial backhaul systems as we move forward with our company, OMS Group. These initiatives strengthen our commitment to comprehensive connectivity solutions and serve as a crucial backbone for the region’s digital economy. Our clients can rely on our proven experience and infrastructure as we develop to meet their changing needs, according to Lim Soon Foo, chairman of OMS Group.

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UN’s plan to govern AI buys into the industry’s hype – Asia Times

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The United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) has released its final report on governing AI for humanity.

The document provides a strategy for maximizing the potential of AI while also addressing its dangers. Additionally, it urges all governments and partners to work together to promote the advancement and safety of all human freedom.

This document appears to be a good step forward for AI, promoting both current research and reducing potential risks. Nevertheless, the finer information of the report highlight a number of issues.

Reminiscent of the IPCC

On October 26, 2023, the UN expert panel on AI was first established. This committee’s goal is to make suggestions for the global leadership of AI.

It says this approach is needed to ensure the gains of AI, such as opening new areas of scientific inquiry, are equally distributed, while the challenges of this technology, such as mass surveillance and the spread of misinformation, are mitigated.

39 people make up the advisory panel, which includes people from a variety of locations and professional sectors. Among them are business associates from Microsoft, Mozilla, Sony, Collinear AI and OpenAI.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) of the UN, which aims to provide important input into international climate change negotiations, is similar to the committee.

The addition of popular industry figures on the advisory table on AI is a significant difference from the IPCC. This may have benefits, such as a more educated understanding of AI systems. But it may also include disadvantages, such as slanted viewpoints in favor of professional interests.

The most recent release of the last report on AI for mankind provides a valuable insight into what we can probably anticipate from this committee.

What’s in the statement?

An time report that was released in December 2023 followed the last statement on governing AI for society. It makes seven suggestions for closing the gaps in the current AI management framework.

These include the establishment of a global AI data model, the establishment of an independent global scientific section on AI, and the development of an AI standards trade. Additionally, the report concludes with a call to action for all relevant stakeholders and governments to collectively manage AI.

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The disparaging and occasionally conflicting statements made throughout the document are what’s troubling. For instance, the record makes good recommendations for management to address the impact of AI on focused power and wealth and its political and economic ramifications.

But, it even claims that:

No one now has the knowledge to entirely control AI’s outputs or its evolution.

On some records, this state is not technically accurate. There are “black box” systems, in which the output is known, but the computation used to create outputs is not. However, in terms of technology, AI techniques are generally well understood.

AI reflects a range of features. This range includes profound understanding systems like facial recognition as well as relational AI systems like ChatGPT. It is inaccurate to assume that all of these methods have the same amount of impenetrable difficulty.

The addition of this claim raises doubts about the benefits of having industry representatives serve as expert boards, who should be providing more in-depth knowledge of Artificial technologies.

The notion of AI evolving on its own accord is another problem that this state raises. The following narratives, which falsely portray AI as a system of organization, are what has been interesting about the increase of AI in recent years.

This false narrative creates a creative blame for the business, shifting perceptions of responsibility and liability away from those who design and develop these systems.

Despite the simple undertones of impotence in the face of AI systems and the uneven claims made throughout, the statement does in some ways positively advance the conversation.

A tiny step forth

In spite of conflicting claims made throughout the record that suggest then, the document and its call to action are a good move forward.

The participation of the phrase “hallucinations” is a important instance of these contradictions.

Sam Altman, the company’s CEO, used the word to redefine absurd outcomes as part of the “magic” of AI, which is how the word itself gained popularity.

Hallucinations are never a essentially accepted term—they’re a innovative marketing plan. It is not productive to push for the&nbsp, management of AI while also praising a word that implies a technologies that cannot be governed.

What the document lacks is consistency in how AI is viewed and understood.

Additionally, it lacks application specificity, which is a typical stumbling block for some AI initiatives. A holistic approach to AI management will only succeed if it is able to account for the specificities of each program and domain.

The document represents a positive step forward. To promote advancement while reducing the numerous negative effects of AI, it will need refinements and modifications.

Zena Assaad is older teacher, School of Engineering, Australian National University

The Conversation has republished this post under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.

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Concerns and implementations of AI in Malaysia’s digital landscape at the Malaysia Digital Tech Adoption Summit

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  • Suggestion to get information from the EU AI Act&nbsp,
  • Effective AI implementation starts with a clear, planned strategy

(From left): Ts. Fadzli Abdul Wahit, Head of Transformation, MDEC (Moderator); Fahri Aminudi, Resource Director, GDS IDC Services; Tiensoon Law, Deputy CEO, Innov8tif and Ts. Tan Aik Keong, CEO, Agmo Group Bhd.

The Malaysia Digital Tech Adoption Summit on September 12th attracted attention for the transformational power of AI across sectors, from complex system needs to functional software like fraud protection. AI is now reshaping the method companies operate, driving progress and efficiency.

As Malaysia positions itself as a hub for electric technology, there’s growing acknowledgment that AI is not just a forthcoming resource but a present-day catalyst for change. By supporting the country’s AI ecology and assisting it in strengthening, MDEC’s having the summit shows its commitment to promoting its development as a leading online economy, contributing to the creation of a more aggressive and tenacious economy.

A section,’ Navigating AI Landscape ‘ was held as part of the mountain.

” Today, big corporations and hyperscalers are building 100-megawatt data centres over a period of eight weeks”, said Fahri Aminudin, resource director of GDS International, speaking at the&nbsp,

GDS Holdings Ltd is a China-based designer and operator of high-performance info centers. In 2023, it inaugurated the Johor college of Nusajaya Tech Park.

Tiensoon Law, the lieutenant CEO of Innov8tif, and Tan Aik Keong, the CEO of Agmo Group Bhd, who accompanied Fahri, who both shared insights into how their businesses are navigating AI inclusion and driving innovation in their respective areas.

Moderated by Ts. Fadzli Abdul Wahit, Senior Vice President of MDEC, the board delved into the various AI software, strategies, and challenges faced by organizations striving to keep pace with this revolutionary technology. &nbsp,

In GDS’s situation, Fahri was referring to their position in the Artificial environment. ” We are preparing our network in terms of energy, in terms of cooling, as well as the GPUs and CPUs for these hyperscalers”.

” In the DC ( data centers ) business today, things have to be done as quickly as big companies and hyperscalers are building 100-megawatt data centers in over a period of eight months,” he said.

A hyperscaler is a business that runs large information centres and offers colossal amounts of computing power, usually via cloud services. These businesses support considerable system for large-scale information processing, storage, and control.

Additionally, Fahri emphasized how crucial energy and cooling are for tomorrow’s data centers.

” 10 years ago, in terms of cabinet cabinets for example, it was just around six to seven watt. Now, we’re talking about a 100-kilowatt cabinet to process data to support AI”, he said.

” We’re talking about 100 times faster, so we need to include enough strength”, he added.

Implementing AI implementation throughout an institution

When asked for his view&nbsp, on what are some important success factors in terms of implementing AI&nbsp, implementation throughout an institution, Aik Keong said that there are some items that are needed.

” You need to start with identifying your goals and what are your concern remarks”, he said. You may address the threats or automate some methods once you find them.

He even brought up the importance of checking data quality and availability.

” Maybe you might not have the information with the appropriate digital format”, he added.

When the data has been collected, it is necessary to set up the appropriate orders and decide whether any modification is necessary. For example, if you need a legal model AI, you do n’t have to use a large language model, as a small one would be more efficient.

Tiensoon agreed, saying that while” AI is the biggest phrase of today, many of its real-world programs are built on smaller types thanks to machine learning and deep learning, not always the standard AI applications that we are using now.”

He added that because LLMs ( large language models ) are receiving a lot of attention, more people are turning into experienced AI users, which lowers the barrier of entry into creating AI.

” That’s probably the reason why a lot of businesses, like technology firms and advertising agencies, are embracing conceptual AI and LLM to produce a lot of useful software,” he said.

Last but not least, Aik Keong also stressed the importance of a strategy. Implementing AI is a lifelong quest because it continuously evolves, so you have to think of it like a product.

He emphasized that a successful AI execution begins with a clear, organised approach as businesses increasingly look to it to improve operations. ” To adopt AI properly, you first need to determine your objectives—what are the issues you’re trying to solve? Second, make sure you have access to reliable data, as lacking reliable electronic data can be a big hindrance. When you’ve secured your files, you can decide whether flexibility is needed. For instance, domain-specific AI, like legitimate AI, does not require huge models, a smaller design trained on your data could be more successful”.

Aik Keong emphasized that the adoption of AI is a incremental process:” The next step is to assign an Artificial lead to handle training and adoption.” Additionally, management is important, as is creating a concise strategy for the next three years.

Agmo Group’s strategy emphasizes the need for businesses to have long-term, structured development while also being functionally and organizationally available for AI.
 

AI recommendations and addressing problems

There are issues raised in regards to the risks and challenges that AI poses in terms of both morality and security because it is quickly expanding and revolutionizing companies worldwide.

While Innov8tif does n’t have its own set of guidelines, Tiensoon said that they are using guidelines from AI Verify Foundation, a non-profit organisation established in June 2023 by the InfoCommunications Media Development Authority of Singapore ( IMDA ), with the aim to create international guidelines for AI’s responsible, secure, and innovative use.

” Some of its resources can help you analyze your data collection, mainly the organized people, and they’ll be able to inform you whether they’re biased or fair”, he added.

He even made a point about AI’s concerns about data privacy regulations, and he hoped there would be clear rules for how to use Circuit numbers and phone numbers in various companies.

” With the roll out of e-invoicing for all firms till July next year, Circuit numbers are going to be circulated everywhere”, he said.

Aik Keong is aware of the issue and cited the EU AI Act as an example of an AI regulation model that was put into place in August.

First, an AI technique has to follow regulation compliance. &nbsp,

Aik Keong said,” If your AI is a high-risk structure, as in it adversely affects safety or basic rights, it must go through this compliance evaluation before it could even enter the market to maintain transparency.”

Secondly, for general purpose AI models, they’ll need to go through things regarding documentation, they’ll need to have a summary of its data training to ensure it is n’t in the high-risk category.

Thirdly, its standards are applied internationally ( both EU and non-EU entities ) as long as AI solutions are used in the EU, the Act applies.

Due to the fear that AI will overtake people, the prospect workforce has become concerned.

However, Aik Keong presents the counter-argument that people that do n’t have AI skills wo n’t be replaced by AI but by those who use it.

Agmo believes that he is also focused on educating businesses for AI-driven prospects in addition to offering AI solutions. Through its AI Academy, the business monitors companies ‘ levels of technological eagerness and offers customized training programs to advance their skills. &nbsp,

This alternative approach ensures that the business is not only adopting Artificial solutions but is also developing the internal capacity to make the most of it.

Fahri on the other hand understood the concern that some people could n’t adapt and learn machine language, C-language, Python because “it’s too late”.

” Therefore, we need to have more innovations be it software, data centres, providing power, because of pay rate that data facilities are offering is on a much higher level, so that’s why we set up in Singapore, just to narrow the gap of the money, which is what drives ability as well”, he said.

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A chip-making powerhouse is reborn in Japan – Asia Times

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Japan – In a level of the AI increase days, Japan’s Kokusai Electric is building its first fresh in-country shop in 35 years.

In the markets for Chemical Vapor Deposition ( CVD), Atomic Layer Deposition ( ALD ), and other thermal process and plasma treatment equipment used to create nanoscale thin films for the fabrication of integrated circuits ( ICs ) on silicon wafers, Kokusai squares off against Applied Materials and Tokyo Electron.

Following a successful spin-off from the Hitachi Group led by US private equity firm KKR, the business has since resurrected as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing technology.

Kokusai is significantly smaller than Applied Materials and Tokyo Electron in terms of overall sales, but according to market research firm Gartner, it holds significant market share in its key products, accounting for 34 % of batch CVD in 2023 and 70 % in batch ALD.

Kokusai’s target applications include AI processors and other advanced logic ICs, the high-bandwidth memory ( HBM ) used with AI processors, 3D NAND flash memory and silicon carbide power devices.

” As silicon products have become three-dimensional and more sophisticated in recent years”, Kokusai explains,” the edge of chips has become more difficult. This, in turn, has increased need for very difficult accumulation”.

Examples include the continuously increasing number of layers in 3D NAND, the Gate All Around ( GAA ) transistors developed with 3nm process technology, and the Complementary Field-Effect Transistor ( CFET ) architecture being developed by nanoelectronics R&amp, D organization imec for use at process nodes below 1nm, which were all envisioned at the end of the decade.

Kokusai has also established a significant presence in the market for advanced reasoning Circuit thermal processing products, first in Japan and China, and then in Europe and the US. In the past four rooms, just over 50 % of the company’s income were in China.

Graphic: Asia Times

The semiconductor production equipment business started with a single diamond germanium/silicon ingot grabber in 1956, which Kokusai Electric Company, which was established in 1949 as a maker of telecommunications and other electronic equipment, began.

A propagation furnace was created in 1964, and a CVD system was created in 1970 as a result. In 1961, the business was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

In 2000, Kokusai Electric merged with Hitachi Denshi, a maker of film, communications and analyze tools, and Yagi Antenna to shape Hitachi Kokusai Electric, a unified company of digital conglomerate Hitachi Ltd.

With sales and service centers in Taiwan, China, Europe, and the US, Hitachi Kokusai has grown to become a leader in the production of semiconductor production tools. It has also established companies in Japan and South Korea.

However, it was a difficult mashup of three largely related organizations. US merger business KKR seized 24.9 % of Hitachi Kokusai in a contentious deal with different foreign and Chinese investors in 2017 as part of the reform of the Hitachi Group.

Hitachi Kokusai’s semiconductor production equipment department was spun off, taken over by KKR, and renamed Kokusai Electric Corporation in 2018.

Applied Materials and KKR reached an agreement to buy Kokusai in 2019, but that deal fell apart two years later subject to objections from the Chinese competitive regulator.

The Chinese choice made sense because Kokusai’s product line would match Applied Materials ‘ and boost its market focus. If the parties involved in a package have a significant business reputation in the nation, Chinese authorization is necessary.

Kokusai Electric Corporation was listed on the bottom tier of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in October 2023, earning DealWatch’s” IPO of the Year” accolade. ( The 1995 establishment of the DealWatch Awards helped to grow and expand Japan-related capital markets. ) &nbsp,

DealWatch wrote in its assessment of Kokusai that” we cautiously executed the deal in a tough situation with an uncertain business culture and a worsening silicon cycle. This is the first large-scale world IPO in Japan in approximately five years.” We attracted attention from blue-chip outside investors, leading to incredibly strong property value performance”. Kokusai’s IPO price was ¥1, 840, but it jumped more than 30 % on the first day of trading.

By the end of the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2024, KKR owned 43.4 % of Kokusai. In July, KKR sold about half that stake. The most recent shareholder data available shows Qatar Investment Authority at 4.9 %, Applied Materials at 14.7 %, and KKR at 23.2 %.

Since July, Kokusai’s share price has dropped from an all-time high of 5, 940 to 3, 320 yen. Applied Materials made some profit, KKR made some profit, and other investors bought shares in exchange for what it could not have acquired in a takeover. Kokusai has now gotten its independence from KKR after fleeing the Hitachi bureaucracy.

Toyama Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo on the Japan Sea, will now have Kokusai’s new 24 billion yen factory, which will be able to meet its goal of double production capacity in five years, up to March 2026, with twice the efficiency of older facilities. It will also seek to strengthen the company’s R&amp, D capability.

” To make our operations smarter”, Kokusai’s management said,” we plan to systematically introduce cutting-edge technologies, including IT, IoT]Internet of Things], digitalization, data utilization, automation, and even AI”. The beginning of production is expected in October.

Kokusai is also expanding its service and support operations in the US, Europe, India, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, mainland China and Japan.

Its customers include TSMC, Samsung Electronics, Micron Technology, Chinese DRAM maker CXMT, Intel and other leading semiconductor makers. The key to filling up the new factory will be having the necessary equipment to implement their advanced process technologies.

Follow this writer on&nbsp, X: @ScottFo83517667

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MDV strengthens fintech partnership with Capbay through US1.2 mil facility to boost SME growth 

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  • Attempts to increase supply chain banking solutions, provide financial products to M’sian SMEs&nbsp,
  • CapBay facilitated over US$ 813M in funding, with US$ 239M in Shariah-compliant cash

Left to Right: CapBay directors Darrel Ang, Dion Tan, Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff (Chairman), Ang Xing Xian (CEO), Jasmine Lau, and Edwin Tan celebrate RM1 billion financing journey

Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad ( MDV), a leading fintech company specializing in Peer-to-Peer ( P2P ) financing and supply chain finance, announced the continuation and expansion of its strategic partnership. MDV is extending a new US$ 1.2 million ( RM5 million ) facility to CapBay to further support tech-driven SMEs and improve access to alternative financing solutions.

MDV second partnered with CapBay in 2021 by providing a pilot account for purchase through CapBay’s P2P system. This fund, aligned with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation’s ( MOSTI ) 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economy ( MySTIE ) framework, aimed to support the industry’s recovery from the pandemic. The captain account has since grown six-fold, demonstrating MDV’s trust in CapBay’s revolutionary approach to Business funding and its powerful performance.

CapBay, globally recognised for its leadership in fintech, has facilitated over US$ 813 million ( RM3.4 billion ) in financing, including US$ 239 million ( RM1 billion ) in Shariah-compliant funding, benefiting 1, 800 SMEs across 20 industries. Featured in CNBC and Statista’s Global Fintech Companies list ( 2023 and 2024 ) and ranked 30th on the FT High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2024 list, CapBay has achieved an 18x expansion and a 166 % compound annual growth rate ( CAGR ) from 2019 to 2022.

]RM1 = US$ 0.29 ]

Through its Multi-Bank Supply Chain Finance system, CapBay has transformed SME funding in Malaysia since its founding in 2017. It uses AI-powered credit rating, advanced information study, and machine learning to evaluate SMEs that are frequently overlooked by traditional lenders. With this strategy, CapBay is able to offer targeted financing while still maintaining a default rate of less than 0.3 %. CapBay’s P2P platform, which is licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia, gives investors access to private credit deals with average net returns of up to 8.3 % annually while strategically diversifying funds across multiple financing notes to reduce risks and maximize returns.

The new RM5 million facility highlights MDV’s confidence in CapBay’s ability to provide effective financing solutions for startups and SMEs, particularly those battling traditional funding. With this partnership, CapBay intends to expand its supply chain financing offerings and offer creative financial solutions to Malaysian SMEs. These funds will enable the business to keep providing alternative financing options to Malaysian SMEs, many of whom are battling traditional banks to obtain loans. This aligns with MDV’s long-term goal of leveraging digital fundraising platforms to diversify financing options for technology-based companies.

” Our partnership with CapBay underscores MDV’s commitment to driving innovation in Malaysia’s rapidly evolving FinTech landscape”, said Rizal Fauzi, CEO of MDV. ” As SMEs face challenges accessing traditional financing, especially in the tech sector, we are facilitating critical funding that empowers these businesses to scale, innovate, and contribute to Malaysia’s economic resilience and growth. This partnership is a sign of our belief that underserved businesses can benefit from the potential of digital finance.

Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff, chairman of CapBay, also expressed gratitude for MDV’s continued support. ” We deeply value MDV’s continued support and confidence in CapBay’s vision. The significant advancements we are making in the transformation of SME financing are reflected in our ongoing partnership with MDV. This collaboration provides meaningful opportunities for growth for us to promote innovation that targets underserved businesses. We are working together to promote long-term economic resilience and competitiveness in Malaysia by supporting SMEs ‘ success and also by creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

The collaboration between MDV and CapBay demonstrates a mutual commitment to fostering innovation in the financial industry. Through CapBay’s platform, MDV is helping technology-based SMEs access alternative financing solutions, overcoming traditional funding barriers and achieving sustainable growth.

Fintech, in our opinion, is revolutionizing the future of finance by providing novel ways to expand access to capital and help businesses succeed in a fast-paced digital world. We are confident in our ability to help underserved SMEs overcome traditional financing obstacles and accelerate their growth as MDV continues to champion forward-thinking partners like CapBay, said Rizal.

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The weaponization of everything has begun – Asia Times

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In: Asia, Technology

One of those activities that many have speculated was on the sky is the use of common materials in 21st-century issues is the attack on pagers and walkie-talkies ( and possibly even solar sections ).

However, there were those who, as security researcher Mark Galeotti put it, believed this “weaponization of all” was akin to Hollywood films or cyberpunk crime thrillers.

According to them, turning pagers or phones into incendiary devices was possibly not possible both technologically and logistically. Only the most anxious person may believe that a circumstance like this could actually turn out to be true.

Yet it has today happened. And it has resulted in the deaths of 37 people, the injuries of thousands more, and the potential for severe corporate disorganization.

The ability to communicate with your troops or extremist network has always been a necessity in fighting. And as the geographical scope of conflict grows, the ability to communicate is even more crucial.

An institution needs to be able to rely on its communication devices to be trustworthy. And it is important to have faith in the real people they are speaking to, not the artificial intelligence ( a growing concern in the face of “deep fakes” )

Members of an organization also need to discover ways to prevent being heard, which is a constant worry when communication tools are continually increasing in both strength and difficulty.

Therefore, any business in the twenty-first century must be wary of the dangers of digital disruption and of the various ways that information and communication can be hacked, hacked, and manipulated.

However, the transformation of common means of communication and information into practical arms leads to a new breed of fear and paranoia.

How worried should we be?

There are many individuals who will say that the things we are seeing in Lebanon will undoubtedly be bringing to a nearby area.

In a time of “open modern innovation,” Audrey Kurth Cronin, director of the Institute for Strategy & Technology at Carnegie Mellon University in the US, has asserted that one of the biggest safety issues is the possibility of devastating development by non-state stars.

In other words, we are living in a world where more and more people and businesses can use destructive systems. The wonderful rights no longer possess the most advanced technology.

Following the attacks on September 17 and 18, the Syrian army carried out controlled blasts of mobile communications products. &nbsp, Photo: EPA-EFE via The Conversation / Wael Hamzeh

There might be world leaders who feel they can test the potential of the techniques that their thieves and technologists have been considering and experimenting with in a time of growing political tensions.

In a time when online systems are in use, two colonels in the Chinese government published a book about the resurgence of global politics and war in 1999. I discussed their ideas in my 2023 text Theorising Future Conflict: War Out to 2049.

One of their most disturbing feedback is about the possible use of everything in upcoming global wars:” These ] new idea arms did make regular people and military men very shocked that common things can also become weapons with which to engage in war.”

The situations in Lebanon does give us a sense of what these Chinese martial visionaries saw coming. Naturally, whether states are able to adapt to a constantly evolving protection landscape is still up for debate. We are in a period of rapid shift for a variety of new technology.

State with more pressing issues and limited tools might have more to worry about. Additionally, as this new era of conflict transitions from visionary speculation to terrible reality, organizations like Hezbollah may be entering a new hazard.

Geopolitical affect

We do n’t know whether more attacks will be launched in Lebanon, but the events are still ongoing. Additionally, we are unsure of the region’s potential broader political influence as a result of the attacks.

However, for the time being, it appears that there is a modern and political divide between those who will suffer from these fresh tactics in this weaponization of everything and those who will be able to launch extremely inventive attacks on individuals and organizations from a distance.

It seems doubtful that hostile nations like Russia would use any threats they discovered in the products used in daily life to fuel a global conflict, according to countries like the UK.

The different punishment strategies, such as nuclear arsenals, which involve mutually assured destruction, at least temporarily, keep a large portion of our conflict from going to war.

And we would probably have far more to worry about than exploding smartphones if political tensions did achieve a level where Vladimir Putin’s Russia considered these novel military options.

However, non-state players may not be frightened of using this kind of invasion. So we must hope they do n’t possess the serious organizational skills necessary to turn everyday objects into explosives, and we must also hope security services around the world are monitoring new threats closely.

In times of serious and fast change in AI, drones, drones and attacks, the only certainty is doubt in this complex, and often terrible, world we are living in.

Mark Lacy is senior lecturer of politics, philosophy and religion, Lancaster University

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

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