Plus: India’s CCTV Concerns
Welcome to this week’s tech news update from Asia. We explore various topics including Australia’s need for more datacentres, India’s inquiry into CCTV camera security, and a data breach at Mazda.
Recent research from Deloitte Access Economics, backed by Google, suggests that Australia must double its datacentre capacity within the next four years to stay competitive. Without swift investments and clear policies, Australia risks trailing behind its neighbors in digital infrastructure.
The report indicates that Australia will require approximately A$52 billion (around US$36 billion) in digital infrastructure funding by 2030. This investment would involve increasing compute resources and expanding datacentre capacity from about 3.3GW to 6.4GW.
Despite Australia’s hot climate, the country holds several advantages like access to land, capital, and energy, along with a stable regulatory environment compared to some regional counterparts. However, this report warns that other nations are advancing their infrastructure more quickly.
If Australia heeds this advice, the economy could gain an additional A$134 billion by 2050 and create about 14,300 new jobs each year. However, another study indicates that while AI tools are prevalent in workplaces, many workers lack the skills. Although 84% of Australians use AI, only 7% report having advanced skills. This gap is especially concerning among older employees, who often hold senior roles, potentially putting Australia at a disadvantage.
Australia
- Deloitte warns that lacking AI infrastructure could hinder economic growth.
- Retraining in AI could boost Australians’ earnings by up to A$11,000 annually, according to research.
- After a ban on social media for those under 16, some parents and teachers see it as a success, while others question its effectiveness.
- A free trade agreement between the EU and Australia is expected to enhance technology and digital trade.
- Australian startup Gilmour is making progress towards competing with SpaceX by developing new rocket technologies.
China
- The UK has placed sanctions on Xinbi, a Chinese cryptocurrency marketplace linked to hacking and scams in Southeast Asia.
- A US advisory panel warns that China’s lead in open-source AI might threaten American advancements in the field.
- New legal measures in Hong Kong may require phone passwords under a national security law, raising privacy concerns.
- Nvidia’s DRIVE Hyperion platform is gaining traction among Asian automakers like BYD and Geely for autonomous vehicles.
- Officials from Super Micro Computer have been charged with smuggling high-end servers into China.
India
- Following concerns about potential spying, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated a nationwide audit of CCTV cameras.
- Google plans to label verified investment apps in India to help users dodge scams as the government cracks down on fraudulent sites.
- Bengaluru food startup Swish has raised $38 million, showcasing investor confidence in India’s food tech scene.
- Delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy are raising fees due to increasing operational costs.
- The government has directed ISPs to block 261 websites due to piracy issues.
Japan
- Mazda has reported a security breach that has compromised sensitive employee and partner data.
- Renesas has unveiled new tools for managing software and microcontroller selections tailored for the automotive sector.
- Shares in SoftBank surged after its Arm unit announced plans to develop proprietary chips.
South Korea
- SK Hynix is confidentially seeking US listings for American Depositary Receipts, aiming to raise up to $14 billion for chip production.
- The Export-Import Bank of Korea will provide 300 billion won (approximately $200 million) to support LG’s AI initiatives.
Taiwan
- Grab plans to buy Foodpanda Taiwan for $600 million in a significant shift in the food delivery market.
- Air Liquide has opened its first chip materials plant in Taiwan, investing over $1 billion to enhance the semiconductor supply chain.
- UPS has inaugurated a $100 million logistics center in Taoyuan, its largest in the Asia Pacific.
Elsewhere in Asia
- The conflict in Iran is revealing weaknesses in the global AI supply chain, especially as East Asian chip manufacturers rely on Middle Eastern energy.
- OpenAI has appointed the former CEO of Jiostar to lead its operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
- In Singapore, JTC is expanding its LaunchPad startup hub, providing flexible leasing options and access to multiple cities for new and growing companies.
