The Road Transport Department in Malaysia is working to reduce traffic-related fatalities through a combination of technology, enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and collaboration. The department's use of artificial intelligence (AI) aligns with the country's national strategy, which aims to foster innovation and competitiveness. This initiative is part of a broader effort led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to promote technological advancements in Malaysia.
https://opengovasia.com/2024/12/28/malaysia-leveraging-ai-for-smarter-traffic-enforcement/The European Commission has approved Nvidia's acquisition of Run:ai, a company that helps developers optimize infrastructure for AI, after initially raising concerns about the deal's potential impact on competition. The commission had warned that the deal could strengthen Nvidia's control over the market for graphics processing units (GPUs), which are used in AI-linked tasks and where Nvidia dominates with an 80% share. However, the commission ultimately concluded that the acquisition would not raise competition concerns after Run:ai announced plans to make its software open-source, making it available to a wider range of users beyond just Nvidia GPUs. The US Department of Justice is also investigating the deal on antitrust grounds.
https://channelnewsasia.com/business/nvidia-closes-us700-million-runai-acquisition-after-regulatory-hurdles-4831696Nvidia is set to launch the next version of its compact computers for humanoid robots, dubbed Jetson Thor, in the first half of next year. The company's vice president of robotics, Deepu Talla, believes that the market for physical AI and robotics is at a "tipping point" and Nvidia is investing in this space to help new robotics firms grow. This move comes as Nvidia faces competition from rivals like AMD and cloud computing titans Google and Amazon. In related news, researchers at MIT have developed an AI system called PRoC3S that can enable warehouse robots to safely handle odd-shaped packages and navigate crowded spaces without putting human workers in danger.
https://www.pymnts.com/artificial-intelligence-2/2024/nvidia-focuses-on-robots-amid-stiffer-ai-chip-competition/The government has expressed its support for Pakistan's tech industry, with prominent speakers emphasizing the importance of technology in driving economic growth. Speakers such as Zaid Inam, Maheen Rahman, Asad Malik and Atif Awan highlighted the need for a conducive environment to attract investment in key sectors of the economy. The two-day event also featured an AI Challenge Competition won by a team from NED University of Engineering and Technology, whose winning application was recognized as the top tech innovation at the conference.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1266788-92disrupt-moot-highlights-pakistan-s-startups-tech-sector-investmentSafe Pro Group Inc., a leading provider of artificial intelligence solutions specializing in drone imagery processing, has received an official request from Ukraine's State Special Transport Service (SSTS) to purchase up to 50 AI-powered demining packages worth $5 million. The SSTS, which employs over 20,000 staff and has 5,000 trained deminers, plans to use the technology for its mission, similar to that of the US Army Corps of Engineers, in large-scale reconstruction projects.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241230132776/en/Safe-Pro-Group-Issued-Official-Request-by-Ukraine-to-Secure-5-Million-for-AI-Powered-Drone-Demining-PackagesThe growth rate of energy consumption in the tech industry has slowed down, but this slowdown is offset by a decrease in revenue, leading to an increase in energy intensity. This trend may be disrupted next year due to a surge in investment in AI data centers among major web-scale companies.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241230724859/en/Operators-Take-Baby-Steps-Towards-Sustainability-as-Climate-Change-Worsens-Rapidly---ResearchAndMarkets.comResearchers have made significant advancements in artificial intelligence, with several AI companies releasing impressive video generators and an AI agent outperforming the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in predicting weather patterns. Additionally, a study found that ChatGPT surpassed human physicians in solving medical case histories, while OpenAI's "reasoning" system excelled in coding and complex math problems.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/2024-scientific-technological-advancements/681158/China is planning to integrate advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, and AI into its intelligent manufacturing sector by 2025. This integration will enhance production efficiency and foster new business models and growth opportunities for enterprises, supporting China's goal of achieving high-quality economic development and elevating its position in the global value chain. Key areas of emphasis include internet-connected vehicles, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, low-altitude information infrastructure, biomanufacturing, the quantum industry, and embodied AI.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1325980.shtmlIndian-origin CEO Aravind Srinivas met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, discussing the potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India. Srinivas praised Modi's dedication to staying updated on AI and his remarkable vision for its future use. The two leaders discussed the evolution of AI and its applications.
https://www.news18.com/india/inspired-by-his-dedication-indian-origin-perplexity-ai-ceo-aravind-srinivas-meets-pm-modi-discusses-ai-evolution-9171543.html