News/Asia
Scammers use AI deepfakes of Indian chief minister to promote fake investment scheme
Scammers in India have used AI-generated deepfake technology to create a fraudulent video featuring Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu promoting a fake investment scheme. The incident highlights growing concerns about deepfake misuse in financial fraud, prompting government officials to warn of stern action against cyber criminals exploiting this technology. What happened: Cybercriminals created an AI-generated video of Chief Minister Naidu falsely endorsing an investment scam that promised massive returns for an initial investment of Rs 22,000 (approximately $260). The deepfake video was distributed across social media platforms, claiming that "one of India's most successful entrepreneurs has revealed how...
read Jul 17, 2025TSMC reports record $12.9B profit as AI chip demand soars
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is expected to report a record-breaking 52% surge in second-quarter profit to T$377.4 billion ($12.9 billion) on Thursday, driven by soaring demand for advanced AI chips. However, the world's largest contract chipmaker faces mounting concerns over potential U.S. tariffs under President Trump and a strengthening Taiwan dollar that could pressure future margins. What you should know: TSMC's anticipated quarterly profit would mark its highest-ever net income and sixth consecutive quarter of growth, reflecting the company's central role in the AI boom. The company has already flagged a 38.6% rise in second-quarter revenue for the three...
read Jul 16, 2025Rakuten builds memory-enhanced Japanese AI model with government backing
Rakuten has been selected for the third phase of Japan's government-backed Generative AI Accelerator Challenge (GENIAC), a program supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The Japanese tech giant plans to develop an open-weight Japanese language model with enhanced memory capabilities, positioning itself to create more personalized AI applications across its business ecosystem while contributing to Japan's domestic AI research capacity. What you should know: Rakuten will focus on creating a lightweight, memory-augmented Japanese language model using a Mixture of Experts architecture starting in August 2025. The model...
read Jul 16, 2025Survey: AI skills boost salaries 53% in India’s booming job market, though creative fears remain
A new report from Naukri.com, a career platform, reveals that 41% of advertising and marketing professionals in India fear AI may diminish creativity in their work, with similar concerns shared by 54% of Animation and VFX professionals and 43% in Film and Music industries. Despite these creative anxieties, the study of 60,000+ jobseekers shows that 86% of Indian professionals view AI as a friend rather than a threat, with AI-skilled workers earning 53% higher median salaries than their non-AI peers. The big picture: India's AI job market is experiencing explosive growth, with AI/ML job postings surging 38% year-over-year in Q1...
read Jul 14, 2025That’s chicken “pops,” not “pox.” Indian restaurant’s AI menu makes gnarly error.
A restaurant in India accidentally used AI to describe "Chicken Pops" as a childhood disease with "small, itchy, blister-like bumps," confusing the appetizer name with chicken pox symptoms. The embarrassing mistake highlights how AI-generated menu descriptions can go spectacularly wrong when algorithms misinterpret dish names, potentially affecting customer perceptions and ordering decisions. What happened: Royal Roll Express restaurant in Sikar, Rajasthan, displayed a grotesque menu description on Zomato, a food delivery platform, that described their "Chicken Pops" appetizer as "small, itchy, blister-like bumps caused by the varicella-zoster virus" and noted it was "common in childhood." The likely culprit: Food delivery...
read Jul 11, 2025Indonesia launches AI Center of Excellence with NVIDIA and Cisco to build sovereign capabilities
Indonesia has launched an AI Center of Excellence in partnership with NVIDIA, Cisco, and telecommunications leader Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison to advance the nation's sovereign AI capabilities. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, aims to foster local AI research, develop indigenous talent, and drive innovation through collaboration with startups as part of Indonesia's "Golden 2045 Vision" for digital transformation. What you should know: The AI Center of Excellence will feature comprehensive infrastructure and training programs designed to make Indonesia an AI creator rather than just a consumer. A new NVIDIA AI Technology Center will provide research...
read Jul 10, 2025London and Singapore test AI systems to assist air traffic controllers
Aviation authorities in London and Singapore are testing AI systems that could assist or potentially replace human air traffic controllers, following a series of high-profile accidents including the recent collision near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. The trials aim to determine whether artificial intelligence can reduce human error and improve safety in increasingly congested airspace, though experts remain divided on the risks and benefits of automation in air traffic control. What you should know: AI-powered systems are being tested at major international airports to enhance air traffic control operations through continuous monitoring and early conflict detection. The U.K.'s...
read Jul 10, 2025Huawei targets Middle East and Asia for AI chips despite 200K production cap
Huawei Technologies is actively seeking customers in the Middle East and Southeast Asia for its AI chips, marking an ambitious attempt to challenge Nvidia's dominance in international markets despite significant manufacturing constraints. The Chinese tech giant is targeting regions where governments have already committed to purchasing millions of Nvidia and AMD chips, positioning itself as an alternative supplier in the rapidly growing AI infrastructure market. What you should know: Huawei has approached potential customers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand about purchasing its older-generation Ascend 910B processors. The outreach represents Huawei's strategy to establish a foothold in markets currently...
read Jul 9, 2025South Korea builds out $19.9M micro data centers for domestic AI chips
South Korea's government is launching a KRW27.3 billion ($19.9 million) initiative to build micro data centers powered by domestically manufactured AI chips, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, hospitals, and public institutions across non-metropolitan regions. The project aims to reduce dependence on US firms like Nvidia while providing local AI chipmakers such as Furiosa AI and Rebellions with real-world deployment opportunities to prove their technology in commercial settings. What you should know: The Ministry of Science and ICT will lead the construction of container-based data centers in regional areas from 2025 through 2029. These modular micro data centers integrate compute, storage,...
read Jul 8, 2025Google launches AI Mode in India as first international expansion
Google has launched AI Mode in India as its first international expansion of the AI-powered search experience, making it available to all users in English after a successful two-week testing period. This marks a significant milestone in Google's global AI strategy, bringing advanced conversational search capabilities to one of the world's largest internet markets following the feature's US debut at I/O 2025. What you should know: AI Mode offers a more sophisticated search experience than traditional Google Search or AI Overviews, powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5. The feature uses a "query fan-out technique" that breaks questions into...
read Jun 27, 2025KDDI and HPE launch $1.5B Nvidia-powered AI data center in Japan
KDDI Corporation, a Japanese telecommunications operator, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) have announced a strategic partnership to launch a next-generation AI data center in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, with operations scheduled to begin in early 2026. The facility will leverage Nvidia's Blackwell architecture and advanced liquid cooling technology to serve Japan's growing AI market, positioning both companies to capture demand from startups, enterprises, and research institutions developing AI applications and large language models. What you should know: The Osaka Sakai data center will be powered by HPE's rack-scale system featuring the Nvidia GB200 NVL72 platform, specifically designed for high-performance AI...
read Jun 27, 2025Thailand launches first locally-operated hyperscale cloud platform
Thailand has launched its first hyperscale cloud platform operated entirely by a Thai company, marking a significant milestone in the nation's push for digital sovereignty and technological independence. AIS Business, the enterprise division of Thailand's largest telecommunications company AIS, unveiled AIS Cloud powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, designed to keep sensitive data within Thai borders while providing enterprise-grade computing power. This development addresses growing concerns among Thai businesses and government agencies about data security, regulatory compliance, and dependence on foreign cloud infrastructure. Unlike traditional cloud services where data might be processed or stored overseas, hyperscale cloud platforms—massive, highly automated data...
read Jun 27, 2025Arrive AI rings Nasdaq bell as smart mailboxes expand to India
Arrive AI is hitting multiple milestones simultaneously, from ringing the Nasdaq opening bell to securing new patents and launching an international partnership with India's Skye Air Mobility. The autonomous delivery company's momentum signals its evolution from a startup founded on a napkin sketch in 2014 to a comprehensive infrastructure provider targeting the last-mile logistics market. What you should know: Arrive AI's smart mailboxes, called Arrive Points, go far beyond simple package drop-offs with AI-powered features designed for secure, climate-controlled deliveries. The mailboxes offer temperature control, anti-theft mechanisms, hazardous material detection, UV/ozone disinfection, and facial recognition capabilities. They integrate with real-time...
read Jun 25, 2025Google APAC chief calls AI a “magic wand” for Asia’s $60B media sector
Google's Sanjay Gupta positioned artificial intelligence as the transformative force that will propel Asia-Pacific to the forefront of global storytelling, calling AI a "magic wand" for the region's media creators during his keynote at the APOS conference in Indonesia. The Google APAC president's vision comes as Asia contributes only 15% to global media revenues despite having 50% of the world's population, suggesting massive untapped potential for AI-driven growth in the region's $60 billion media and entertainment sector. The big picture: Gupta showcased AI's creative potential through Google's collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery to bring "The Wizard of Oz" to the...
read Jun 24, 2025Google expands AI Mode to India as first international market
Google has expanded its AI Mode search experience to India, marking the first international rollout of the advanced AI-powered search tool since its March announcement. This expansion follows the wide US launch at I/O 2025 and represents Google's push to bring more sophisticated AI search capabilities to international markets, starting with one of its largest user bases. What you should know: AI Mode offers significantly more advanced capabilities than traditional Google Search or AI Overviews. The tool is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5 and uses a "query fan-out technique that breaks your question into subtopics and issues...
read Jun 23, 2025It’s no sweat for AI and satellites as India attempts to map deadly heat at building level
India's government is deploying artificial intelligence and satellite technology to map urban heat vulnerability at the building level, with organizations like SEEDS, a Delhi-based disaster-preparedness nonprofit, and Microsoft developing models that can assess indoor heat risk for individual structures. This granular approach addresses a critical gap in current heat action plans, which fail to target relief efforts to the most vulnerable populations during deadly heat waves that regularly push temperatures above 45°C (113°F). The big picture: Traditional heat action plans operate at city-wide scales, missing crucial variations in heat exposure that can differ by up to 9°C within the same...
read Jun 19, 2025North Korean hackers used AI deepfakes to steal $659M in crypto
North Korean hackers from the notorious Lazarus group used AI deepfakes to impersonate company executives during a fake Zoom call, successfully tricking an employee at a cryptocurrency foundation into downloading malware. The sophisticated social engineering attack, orchestrated by the BlueNoroff unit, demonstrates how state-sponsored cybercriminals are weaponizing AI technology to target high-value cryptocurrency assets, with North Korea having stolen at least $659 million in digital currency in 2024 alone. The attack methodology: The hackers initiated contact through Telegram, sending a Calendly link that redirected the victim to a fake Zoom domain under their control.• During the group video call, multiple...
read Jun 18, 2025No man is an island, but AI can be. Sensay creates world’s first AI government in the Philippines.
Sensay, a creator of AI-powered digital replicas, has purchased a real island off the Philippines coast and established what it claims is the world's first AI-powered government. The company has appointed historical figures like Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius as president and Winston Churchill as prime minister to run "Sensay Island," positioning this as a demonstration of AI's potential in governance free from political partisanship. What you should know: The AI government consists entirely of digital replicas of historical figures, each trained on their respective writings, philosophies, and speeches. Marcus Aurelius serves as Head of State, with Winston Churchill as Prime...
read Jun 18, 2025Indian police arrest man for deepfake video targeting chief minister
Odisha police have arrested a construction worker for creating and sharing an AI-generated deepfake video depicting Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in an obscene manner on Facebook. The arrest marks another case in India's growing crackdown on AI-generated content used for defamation and harassment, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces with synthetic media. What happened: The Cyber Crime Unit of Odisha Crime Branch arrested Kishore Kausalya, a construction company employee from Rayagada district, following a complaint about the morphed video. The fake video was designed to defame the Chief Minister and "tarnish his image in the eyes of the public," according...
read Jun 18, 2025Edgnex invests $2.3B in 144MW AI data center for Jakarta
Edgnex Data Centers will invest $2.3 billion to build a 144MW AI-focused data center in Jakarta, Indonesia, marking one of Southeast Asia's largest AI infrastructure projects. The facility addresses critical infrastructure gaps in Indonesia while supporting the company's broader strategy to reach over 300MW capacity across Southeast Asia by 2026. What you should know: The new Jakarta facility represents Edgnex's second data center project in Indonesia and is designed specifically for AI workloads. • The site was acquired in March 2025 and is currently in early construction phases, with Phase one expected to go live by December 2026. • Once...
read Jun 13, 2025Singapore’s Temasek joins $100B AI infrastructure partnership
Singapore's Temasek has joined the AI Infrastructure Partnership, a major consortium backed by Microsoft, BlackRock, and MGX that aims to invest over $30 billion in AI infrastructure development. The partnership represents one of the world's largest coordinated efforts to build the data centers and energy facilities needed to power AI applications like ChatGPT, with plans to mobilize up to $100 billion including debt financing. What you should know: The AI Infrastructure Partnership has been steadily expanding its roster of major institutional investors since its September launch. Temasek joins after Kuwait Investment Authority became the first non-founder financial anchor investor earlier...
read Jun 10, 2025TSMC revenue surges 40% as companies stockpile AI chips
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported a 40% surge in May revenue to NT$320.5 billion ($10.7 billion), driven by companies stockpiling chips amid rising trade uncertainties. The strong performance from the world's leading contract chipmaker—which produces semiconductors for Nvidia and Apple—signals continued resilience in AI-driven demand despite broader geopolitical tensions affecting the tech supply chain. What you should know: TSMC's May revenue growth slightly decelerated from April's 48% increase but still exceeded analyst expectations for the quarter.• The May figure represents an 8.3% month-over-month decline from April, suggesting some normalization after the previous month's exceptional performance.• Analysts on average expect a...
read Jun 5, 2025Nestle India slashes ad budget 25% but boosts digital marketing
Nestlé India's strategic pivot to digital storytelling and ecommerce comes amid a significant 25% reduction in advertising spend for FY25. Despite financial headwinds, the FMCG giant has maintained brand investment through focused digital transformation initiatives and targeted campaigns for flagship products like Maggi and KitKat, demonstrating how major consumer brands can sustain market presence even with constrained marketing budgets. The big picture: Nestlé India slashed its advertising and promotional spending to Rs 965.86 crore in FY25, down from Rs 1,287.68 crore the previous year, while simultaneously experiencing a 15.7% profit decline. The company reported Rs 3,314 crore in profit, down...
read Jun 3, 2025LG Uplus debuts liquid-cooled AI data center prototype
LG Uplus is pioneering liquid cooling technology for AI data centers with a new demonstration facility in South Korea, marking a significant shift in how telecom companies approach thermal management for high-density computing. This initiative represents a growing recognition that traditional air cooling methods cannot efficiently handle the intense heat generated by modern AI workloads, requiring innovative cooling technologies to enable sustainable expansion of AI infrastructure. The big picture: LG Uplus has launched a liquid cooling demonstration room at its Pyeongchon 2 Internet Data Center in Anyang to validate sustainable cooling technologies for AI-focused facilities. The testing environment is designed...
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