Bite-Sized News Bits

SMD Semiconductor Joins Forces With German Tech Giant

Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) Semiconductor, a subsidiary of the esteemed Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC), has teamed up with German tech giant X-FAB Global Services to expand its chip design capabilities.
 
This exciting collaboration not only signifies SRDC’s commitment towards propelling the industry into IR4.0 but also provides incredible opportunities for talented semiconductor professionals across the state.
 
“This activity also aligns with X-FAB’s expansion plan at (its) Samajaya facility in Kuching to increase the foundry output from 30,000 to 40,000 wafers per month by 2025,” CEO of SMD Semiconductor, Shariman Jamil, said.
 
Stepping into the technological future, Sarawak is taking its industry to new heights with a commitment to IR4.0 and economic growth - an ambitious promise that has already enticed its semiconductor professionals overseas back home to help bring this initiative alive.

Canva Forges Ahead With Generative AI Tools

Canva Inc., the Australian design software company, has introduced Generative AI tools to its graphic design platform, Canva.
 
As reported by Bloomberg, the new tools will allow users to create presentations and slides by telling the AI what they want with a description.
 
The idea behind the new tools is to make graphics, slides, and advertising materials accessible to those without professional knowledge.
 
Speaking with Bloomberg, Canva's chief product officer, Cameron Adams, said it was "the biggest deployment of AI for graphical design within its industry."

Creative Minds Unite in KL to Secure Funding

Ten bold British innovators descended on Kuala Lumpur on March 22 for an exciting demonstration of groundbreaking technologies that could potentially secure up to a million-dollar investment and entry into Sunway iLabs' Net Zero Lab, the acceleration program dedicated to green start-ups. It was one eventful day in Malaysia where creativity had no limits!

The programme is in partnership with Sunway Innovation Labs (Sunway iLabs), MyDigital Corporation and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and is delivered by IoT Tribe.

Through the programme, UK start-ups will be able to pilot and scale their innovative solutions alongside Malaysian corporates to digitalise analogue systems, optimise energy use through AI and improve food security. The initiative will also help realise Malaysia’s digital ambitions towards a fully digitalised economy as outlined in the MyDigital Blueprint and the 4IR policy.

Apple Gear Up for WWDC 2023

Apple has announced that it will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC, online from June 5 to June 9. But like last year, there will be an offline component, with the company having an in-person experience for a select few at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.

Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, Susan Prescott, says this year's WWDC will be our "biggest and most exciting yet." Apple has yet to reveal its plans to launch at its biggest developer-focused event.

Apple will likely announce new versions of its software platforms, such as iOS, macOS, iPadOS, WatchOS, iOS 17 and WatchOS 10. Rumours have also floated around a 15-inch MacBook Air, which will be announced at WWDC 2023.

Musk Petitions for Time Out on AI

Over 1,000 leading experts, researchers and backers in the field of Artificial Intelligence have come together to call for a six-month pause on creating "giant" AI systems. Notable signatories of the plea include Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and financial strategist Emad Mostaque.
 
The primary purpose of this moratorium is to allow for adequate study and mitigation of potential capabilities and associated dangers posed by GPT-4 and other such large black-box models with emergent capabilities. Critics of these kinds of systems point to the inherent risks that come with giving machines powerful learning capabilities without proper oversight or regulation.
 
Musk has been vocal about his concerns surrounding AI, particularly related to its implications on jobs and privacy. He has previously warned against overreliance on automation and the dangers of autonomous weapons technology. By signing this petition, he hopes to take proactive measures to mitigate potential harms caused by unchecked progress in artificial intelligence development.

KPMG, MDEC on the Hunt for Unicorns

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is on a mission to make five local tech start-ups join the exclusive world of unicorns by 2025 and they've enlisted KPMG for help.
 
According to Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, MDEC's CEO, entrepreneurs can look forward not only to capacity-building initiatives and enhancements but also customised support through six key pillars of MDEC's Founders Centre of Excellence (FOX) programme – that'll empower 20 promising startups in hopes of producing those coveted billion-dollar successes.
 
KPMG, a global leader in the consulting and service industry is joining forces with some of today's most innovative startups to offer essential guidance on market research insights to managing organisational risks.
 
FOX programme provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for eligible start-ups to reach their maximum potential. MDEC is looking out for 400 - 500 hopefuls that meet these requirements and are ready to fly high.

MIDA Inks Deal With DHL

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is collaborating with DHL Express Malaysia to attract quality foreign investors, creating a competitive edge for the country as an ideal supply chain hub in Southeast Asia.

Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, MIDA Deputy CEO of Investment Promotion and Facilitation, believes this will help fortify Malaysia's international investment standing.

DHL Express provides comprehensive services including air freight and sea freight, and a data centre as well as the upcoming state-of-the-art facilities that would help MIDA attract more FDI into Malaysia.

The partnership will also open up investment opportunities from 16 free trade agreements already in place – such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

“The RCEP and CPTPP opened up new markets altogether in countries such as Mexico, Canada, Peru, and Chile; having DHL Express to export to these markets is a direct advantage of this collaboration,” Sivasuriyamoorthy added.

Better Spinach Through AI

A Japanese agricultural startup has crafted a brave new way to grow spinach! Located in Tokyo, Farmship developed technology with Pi Material Design – an information science spin-off from the University of Tsukuba – that leverages AI to evaluate sprout potential and reduce food waste while increasing productivity.
 
It's a hi-tech gardening revolution!

The AI system has two parts. The first uses photographs to estimate the height, width and weight of seedlings grown in plant factories. The other predicts future growth using an index developed by Farmship.

The company says its system could be adapted to other leafy vegetables, including lettuce, by changing the data set for the AI model. It is also aiming to shorten growing periods using AI.

AWS’ Cloud Seed in Malaysia

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is planning a new cloud region in Malaysia. Details about precise location or timelines have yet to be announced, but the company confirmed the region would include three availability zones.
 
AWS said it plans to invest US$6 billion in Malaysia by 2037. "The new AWS Region reflects our deep and long-term commitment to customers and organisations in Malaysia, as well as our commitment to serving sizeable and fast-growing demand for cloud services across Southeast Asia," said Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of infrastructure services at AWS.
 
The company pointed to several existing AWS customers in Malaysia that will benefit from the new region, including Johor Corporation, Bank Islam, and public broadcaster RTM. Malaysia's three main data centre hubs are Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Cyberjaya.