Everything you’ve lost at sea.
| NS Weekly is a roundup of the latest Asian tech news. ‘NS’ is an acronym for NODESHORE, representing the N and S poles of a magnet. We gather news from across the globe and present it in an easy-to-read format. This series is published every Monday at 5 p.m. |
Nvidia Acquires Israeli AI Startup Run:ai for Competitive Edge in AI Software
ㆍNvidia, the world’s leading AI chipmaker, has acquired Run:ai, an Israeli AI startup specializing in virtualized infrastructure for optimizing GPU resource utilization. While the exact acquisition amount was not disclosed, industry speculation estimates the deal at up to $700 million.
ㆍThis acquisition aligns with Nvidia’s strategy to enhance its software competitiveness in the AI ecosystem. Run:ai’s technology will bolster Nvidia’s AI training capabilities, complementing its investments in areas like humanoid robots and large language models (LLMs), marking a significant step in its AI innovation roadmap.
India Launches First Space Docking Mission
ㆍIndia successfully launched a rocket from a facility near Chennai, carrying two satellites designed to test space docking, a critical technology for manned missions to the moon or space stations. ISRO President Sreedhara Somanath confirmed the satellites were placed in the correct orbit, with docking tests set to conclude around January 7, 2025.
ㆍThis mission positions India to become the fourth country to master space docking, following Russia, the U.S., and China. The launch aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious plan to send an Indian astronaut to the moon by 2040.
Indonesia Develops Generative AI Rooted in Local Culture and Language
ㆍIndonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, is creating a generative AI system that reflects its unique culture and language, providing an alternative to Western-centric models. The initiative aims to integrate Indonesia’s values and linguistic diversity into AI development.
ㆍGoTo (a Gojek Tokopedia division) and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison launched Sahabat-AI, a large-scale language model trained on Indonesian, Javanese, and other local languages. This collaboration highlights Indonesia’s efforts to bring regional flavor to the global AI landscape.
Japan and U.S. Collaborate on AI-Powered Cyberattack Research
ㆍJapan and the U.S. have launched a joint initiative to study AI-driven cyberattacks, focusing on combining U.S. technology with Japan’s data on attacks originating outside English-speaking countries. The collaboration aims to address rising threats, such as malware and sophisticated email scams, enabled by generative AI advancements.
ㆍJapan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology will establish a research facility in Washington, with work beginning in April 2025. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to strengthening global cybersecurity in the AI era.
China Develops Underwater Drone for Submerged Object Retrieval
ㆍChinese company Chasing Innovation has introduced the Dory Explore, an upgraded underwater drone designed to locate and retrieve submerged objects. Weighing 1.1 kilograms, the drone can dive to depths of 15 meters and operate for up to four hours on a single charge, featuring a metal detector and a net for object recovery.
ㆍThe Dory Explore highlights advancements in underwater drone technology, expanding their applications from marine observation to search, leisure, and military purposes, marking a significant step in underwater exploration.
