News/Asia
LG CNS partners with Vietnam telecom giant to build hyperscale AI data center
LG CNS has partnered with Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Korea Investment Real Asset Management to develop a hyperscale artificial intelligence data center in Vietnam. The collaboration represents a significant expansion into Southeast Asia's rapidly growing data center market, projected to reach $30.5 billion by 2030, while supporting Vietnam's national digital transformation priorities. What you should know: The partnership will establish a comprehensive AI infrastructure project spanning facility construction, hardware deployment, and network systems.• The three parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum in Seoul to advance the AI facility construction.• A dedicated technical...
read Aug 8, 2025SoftBank shares surge 13% as $30B OpenAI bet drives $2.87B profit
SoftBank Group shares surged to a record high on Friday, jumping more than 13% to 14,205 yen before closing up 10.39% at 13,865 yen. The rally followed the Japanese technology investor's first-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations, delivering a net profit of 421.8 billion yen ($2.87 billion) compared to a loss in the same period last year. Why this matters: SoftBank's massive AI investments are driving both its financial performance and investor confidence. The company has committed $30 billion to ChatGPT maker OpenAI this year and is leading financing for Stargate, a $500 billion U.S. data center project. Market enthusiasm...
read Aug 8, 2025Perplexity denies Airtel users get downgraded AI search service
Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine company, has denied allegations that Airtel customers receive a downgraded version of its AI search tool, following viral social media claims suggesting the telecom partnership delivers inferior service. The company's clarification comes as misinformation spreads on Reddit about the collaboration, which provides Indian users with free access to Perplexity Pro features worth Rs 17,000 annually. What they're saying: Jesse Dwyer from Perplexity.ai directly addressed the controversy, emphasizing the partnership's authenticity. "Having worked personally with the Airtel team throughout this partnership, and also being familiar with the specific terms of this deal, I can assure you...
read Aug 6, 2025Anduril opens Taiwan office to sell AI attack drones amid China tensions
US defense technology company Anduril is opening a Taiwan office and will sell AI-powered attack drones to the island nation, marking a significant expansion of American defense tech presence in the region. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Taiwan and China, as fears of a potential Chinese invasion continue to mount. Why this matters: Taiwan's strategic importance to US technological leadership makes its defense capabilities critical to American interests, particularly given the island's dominance in semiconductor manufacturing that powers AI development. What Anduril is saying: The company frames Taiwan's defense as essential to broader regional stability and American strategic...
read Aug 6, 2025AWS signs 80MW wind power deal to fuel $8.3B India expansion
Amazon Web Services has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with Gentari, the clean energy subsidiary of Malaysian energy giant Petronas, for 80MW of wind energy in Tamil Nadu, India. The wind farm is expected to generate 300,000 MWh of clean electricity annually starting mid-2027, supporting AWS's ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 while powering the company's expanding $8.3 billion cloud infrastructure investment across India. What you should know: The wind farm is part of the broader Karur Wind Development zone, a major renewable energy hub in Tamil Nadu that hosts several large-scale projects. The region includes...
read Aug 6, 2025AI Underwater adhesive achieves 10x stronger bonds in seawater
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking underwater adhesive that maintains its stickiness even when submerged in seawater, achieving adhesion strength 10 times greater than existing soft materials in similar conditions. The breakthrough combines analysis of 24,000 natural protein sequences with AI-driven material design, potentially transforming everything from deep-sea robotics to surgical procedures. How it works: Scientists at Shenzhen University and Hokkaido University analyzed sticky protein sequences from thousands of organisms to identify the most effective amino acid combinations for adhesion.• The team created 180 different types of adhesive hydrogel (a stretchy, soft material) based on their protein analysis findings.• They then...
read Aug 6, 2025India’s Yashoda AI program trains 2,500 rural women in digital skills
India's National Commission for Women has trained 2,500 women from rural and semi-urban areas through its Yashoda AI program, an artificial intelligence literacy initiative aimed at enhancing digital inclusion. The program targets women from diverse backgrounds including self-help group members, elected officials, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs to build AI literacy skills in cybersecurity, digital privacy, and safe online practices. What you should know: The Yashoda AI program represents a significant government effort to bridge the digital divide for women in underserved communities. Participants include members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), local elected representatives such as sarpanchs, pradhans, parshads, mayors, MLAs, ASHA...
read Aug 4, 2025India’s TCS cuts 12K jobs as AI transforms $200B IT sector
India's largest private employer, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), announced it will cut more than 12,000 jobs—its biggest layoff to date—as the country's IT sector faces mounting pressure from slowing global demand and artificial intelligence automation. The cuts signal broader disruption in an industry that employs over half a million workers and contributes 7.5% to India's GDP, raising concerns about the country's economic trajectory and ability to create the 8 million jobs needed annually. The big picture: India's IT sector, long built on low-cost skilled labor for routine software services, is being squeezed by AI automation that threatens entry-level positions while...
read Aug 1, 2025Putting the AI in Chai: India’s first cooking robot sees 243% sales boost after TV debut
Upliance.ai has launched India's first AI-powered smart cooking assistant, a robotic appliance that can chop, stir, knead, blend, and heat ingredients with minimal human intervention. The device, which sells for approximately $319, gained significant traction after appearing on Shark Tank India in 2024, leading to a 243% increase in sales for the Mumbai-based startup. How it works: The Upliance device combines a robotic cooking pot with AI-powered software to automate nearly the entire cooking process. The system includes a tablet with over 500 recipes and customization options, along with kitchen tools like measuring spoons, a spatula, and a scale for...
read Jul 30, 2025Foxconn and TECO team up to build modular AI data centers
Foxconn and TECO Electric & Machinery have announced a strategic share-swap alliance to jointly develop modular AI data center infrastructure, combining Foxconn's AI server manufacturing expertise with TECO's electromechanical systems and green energy capabilities. The partnership positions both Taiwanese companies to compete more effectively in the rapidly growing global AI data center market, targeting key regions including Taiwan, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. The big picture: This alliance represents a significant consolidation in the AI infrastructure supply chain, as hyperscalers and cloud service providers increasingly demand comprehensive, turnkey data center solutions rather than piecemeal components. Key details:...
read Jul 29, 2025Malaysia builds $2.36B green-powered AI infrastructure with Nvidia
Malaysia has partnered with Nvidia and YTL Power International in a RM10 billion ($2.36 billion) initiative to establish green-powered AI infrastructure and develop the nation's own sovereign large language model. The collaboration positions Malaysia as a strategic AI hub in Southeast Asia while advancing the country's digital sovereignty ambitions through sustainable technology deployment. What you should know: The partnership will create AI data centers powered entirely by renewable energy sources and deploy Nvidia's high-performance GPU technology across Malaysia. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz confirmed the initiative includes developing Malaysia's own sovereign LLM to strengthen...
read Jul 29, 2025Samsung invests $150M in Rebellions as South Korea targets AI chip market
South Korean AI chip startup Rebellions has secured investment from Samsung as part of a $150-200 million funding round ahead of its planned IPO. The startup, which merged with Sapeon last year to create a potential Nvidia rival, is collaborating with Samsung to manufacture its AI inference chips using cutting-edge 4-nanometer technology. What you should know: Rebellions has raised $220 million since its 2020 founding and was last valued at $1 billion, with the current round expected to push that valuation higher. Major investors include SK Hynix (a South Korean memory chip giant), SK Telecom, Korea Telecom, and Saudi Aramco,...
read Jul 28, 2025Musk’s Grok AI adds $30 anime companion with adult content, huge hit in South Korea
Elon Musk has added a pornographic anime companion named Ani to his Grok AI chatbot, and users are paying $30 per month for enhanced access through the mobile app's SuperGrok subscription. The feature has proven surprisingly popular, with usage nearly doubling in South Korea since its debut two weeks ago, highlighting how adult content is becoming a differentiating factor in the competitive AI chatbot market. What you should know: Grok now offers two AI companions—Ani, a flirty anime-inspired gothic avatar, and Rudi, a cartoon teddy bear—with Ani being the clear favorite for adult interactions. Ani defaults to voice conversations with...
read Jul 28, 2025Acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur creates entire sci-fi series “Warlord” using only AI
Acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has unveiled "Warlord," a science fiction series created entirely through artificial intelligence, with the first teaser released today and the full episode arriving within two to three months. The project represents a bold experiment in AI-driven storytelling that could challenge traditional studio production models while pioneering an open-source creative ecosystem. What you should know: "Warlord" follows an interdimensional warrior who appears indestructible because his lover in another dimension pulls him to safety whenever he faces mortal danger. "The only time that lover can bring him to her is when he's absolutely close to death," Kapur tells...
read Jul 28, 2025Google’s Gemini AI hits 450M users as India strategy accelerates
Google's Gemini AI assistant has crossed a significant milestone, surpassing 450 million monthly active users while daily usage surged more than 50 percent compared to the previous quarter. This growth comes as Google deepens its artificial intelligence investments in India through a series of strategic initiatives targeting students, farmers, and developers. The user growth represents a major validation of Google's AI strategy, particularly as the company faces intensifying competition from OpenAI's ChatGPT and other AI assistants. Shekar Khosla, Vice President of Marketing and Site Lead at Google India, announced the milestone on LinkedIn, noting the "growing momentum" behind the Gemini...
read Jul 25, 2025Indian filmmaker sues over AI-altered movie ending in creative rights battle
A dispute between Eros International and filmmaker Aanand L. Rai over the studio's AI-altered re-release of the 2013 film "Raanjhanaa" has escalated into a broader confrontation about creative rights and artificial intelligence in Indian cinema. The controversy centers on Eros's decision to use AI to create an alternate ending for the Tamil version of the romantic drama, transforming its tragic conclusion into a happier one without the director's knowledge or consent, setting what industry observers view as a potentially precedent-setting case for filmmaker rights in the AI era. What you should know: Eros International, a major Indian film studio, announced...
read Jul 25, 2025Hyundai Glovis deploys world’s first AI-controlled car carrier ships
Hyundai Glovis is deploying the world's first AI-controlled autonomous navigation systems on car carrier ships, partnering with Avikus to retrofit seven vessels with Level-2 Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship platforms by mid-2026. This $6.5 billion initiative represents the first commercial deployment of integrated AI decision-making systems across multiple car carriers, potentially transforming maritime logistics where full AI autonomy has remained largely theoretical. What you should know: The AI system, branded as HiNAS (HD Hyundai Intelligent Navigation Assistant System), enables partial remote control and real-time route optimization rather than full autonomy. Glovis plans to install the technology on vessels including the 229.9-meter-long...
read Jul 25, 2025AI robot kills fish humanely in 7 seconds using Japanese technique
California-based Shinkei Systems has developed a robotic fish-killing system that automates the Japanese ike jime method, widely considered the most humane way to harvest fish while preserving meat quality. The refrigerator-sized robot, called Poseidon, uses computer vision to identify fish species and perform the precise brain-spiking technique in just seven seconds, addressing growing demand for humane harvesting and high-quality seafood in the US market. How it works: The Poseidon robot combines ancient Japanese technique with modern AI to revolutionize fish processing on commercial vessels. Fish are inserted into the machine, which uses computer vision to identify the species and anatomical...
read Jul 25, 2025Asian markets fall as Tesla drops 8% despite Wall Street’s AI gains
Asian markets declined Friday following Wall Street's record-setting session, as gains from Alphabet and AI stocks were offset by Tesla's steep drop. The mixed performance reflects ongoing uncertainty around trade negotiations, with key meetings scheduled between U.S. and Chinese officials as tariff deadlines approach. Market performance: Asian indices mostly retreated despite Wall Street's continued momentum to new highs. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.7% to 41,511.09, though markets found some relief after Trump announced a reduced 15% import tax on Japanese goods instead of the previously threatened 25% rate set for August 1. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 1.1% to 25,383.07,...
read Jul 25, 2025SoftBank deploys world’s largest AI system with 4,000 Nvidia GPUs
SoftBank has deployed what it claims is the world's largest artificial intelligence computing system, installing more than 4,000 of Nvidia's most advanced Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs) in a massive infrastructure expansion that signals Japan's aggressive push into the global AI race. The Japanese telecommunications giant's new system delivers 13.7 exaflops of computing power—roughly equivalent to performing 13.7 quintillion calculations per second. To put that in perspective, this represents more raw computational horsepower than most national supercomputing centers, positioning SoftBank as a major player in the infrastructure arms race powering today's AI revolution. This deployment isn't just about impressive numbers....
read Jul 24, 2025SK Hynix posts record $6.7B profit as AI chip demand soars
SK Hynix posted record quarterly profits and announced plans to boost spending this year as the Nvidia supplier works to address investor concerns about slowing AI chipset demand. The South Korean memory chipmaker reported a 69% jump in operating profit to 9.2 trillion won ($6.69 billion) for Q2, driven by strong demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips essential for AI processing. What you should know: SK Hynix is doubling down on AI chip production despite market uncertainties, positioning itself as the dominant player in advanced memory technology. The company plans to double HBM chip sales for the full year compared...
read Jul 23, 2025Tata Communications builds India’s first national AI network with AWS
Tata Communications, one of India's largest telecommunications providers, has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to build a specialized national network designed specifically for artificial intelligence workloads. This infrastructure represents one of the most significant AI-focused network deployments in India to date, connecting AWS's major data centers across three key cities with high-speed, low-latency connections optimized for machine learning and AI applications. The collaboration addresses a critical infrastructure gap as Indian businesses increasingly adopt AI technologies. Unlike traditional networks designed primarily for web browsing and basic data transfer, AI workloads require massive bandwidth and minimal delays to handle the enormous...
read Jul 23, 2025Man creates deepfake Instagram account with ex-girlfriend’s photos, gains 1.4M followers
A woman in India had her identity stolen and used to create a viral deepfake Instagram account called "Babydoll Archi" that gained 1.4 million followers through AI-generated erotic content. The case highlights how artificial intelligence tools are making it easier for bad actors to exploit women's images for revenge, while demonstrating the challenges of preventing and prosecuting such digital crimes. What happened: Pratim Bora, a mechanical engineer and self-taught AI enthusiast, created the fake Instagram profile using private photos of his ex-girlfriend Sanchi, a homemaker from Dibrugarh, Assam. Bora initially used morphed real photos when he created the account in...
read Jul 18, 2025Human coder beats OpenAI’s AI by 9.5% in grueling 10-hour contest
Polish programmer Przemysław Dębiak narrowly defeated OpenAI's custom AI model in the AtCoder World Tour Finals 2025 Heuristic contest in Tokyo, marking what may be the first time a human has beaten an advanced AI in a major world coding championship. The 10-hour coding marathon left Dębiak "completely exhausted," highlighting the physical toll required for humans to compete against tireless AI systems in what could represent one of the final victories in this domain. What happened: The competition pitted 12 of the world's top programmers against OpenAI's AI model in a grueling optimization challenge that lasted 600 minutes. Dębiak, a...
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