Still trying to crack the Chinese 'glass ceiling'
Malays on one side and non-Malays on the other.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Nvidia denies back-door features in its H20 chips after Beijing raises security concerns
Nvidia said its chips had no 'back doors' after China's cyberspace regulator interviewed company representatives over alleged security risks associated with its H20 chips, which were tailor-made for Chinese customers, although it remains unclear what impact Beijing's mistrust of the US firm will have over time. 'Cybersecurity is critically important to us,' an Nvidia representative said in an email to the South China Morning Post on Thursday night. 'Nvidia does not have 'back doors' in our chips that would give anyone a remote way to access or control them.' The statement was in response to a regulatory move by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the agency responsible for the country's cybersecurity. The Chinese regulator said on Thursday that it had summoned and interviewed Nvidia regarding the potential tracking and remote control functions of its H20 chips, a surprise move as Nvidia had just received the green light from Washington to export the chips to clients in China. Nvidia's shares were down 0.8 per cent on Thursday in New York. The latest development highlights the challenges faced by Nvidia, the world's most valuable company in terms of market capitalisation, in trying to please both Washington and Beijing amid intensifying US-China rivalry in artificial intelligence and hi-tech. While China needs Nvidia chips to build out its computing infrastructure, Beijing remains committed to the long-term goal of tech self-sufficiency by reducing its reliance on imported American equipment and technologies. In the latest example of that, a group of Chinese semiconductor and AI companies – including Huawei Technologies, Cambricon Technologies and Moore Threads – formed an alliance to push for the adoption of locally developed processors for AI projects. China's cyberspace administration did not specify the source or evidence for its concerns about back-door security threats associated with Nvidia chips. In May, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced a bill that would require makers of AI processors to incorporate tracking technology in their chips before export. The proposal aimed to address reports of US export-controlled AI chips being smuggled into China via third countries. But Nvidia has never said that its H20 chips have such tracking functions. The summoning of Nvidia was the latest example of the long-lasting mistrust between Beijing and Washington over the other's tech hardware. The US has banned the use of Huawei gear in the American telecommunications network, while new guidelines from the administration of US President Donald Trump implied that the use of Huawei's Ascend AI chips 'anywhere in the world' could be a violation of US export controls. For its part, China accelerated the process of replacing imported technologies in its key infrastructure facilities about a decade ago, after former US National Security Agency contract employee Edward Snowden exposed the global spying practices of the US. In May 2023, the CAC said products from another US chip giant, Micron Technology, failed a national security review, resulting in a sales ban of its products to key infrastructure operators in China. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Govt bent on safeguarding Sabah's rights – Anwar
Anwar speaking at the at the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day.-Bernama photo KOTA KINABALU (Aug 3): The Federal Government remains determined to safeguard Sabah's rights as the state is an integral part of Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim asserted. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day here on Sunday, Anwar said the Federal Government will also continue to safeguard the nation's sovereignty against any form of intrusion, whether on land or at sea. He further emphasised that Malaysia is prepared to bring matters concerning Sabah's rights and the country's sovereignty to international court proceedings if necessary. 'Why are we doing this? Because this is our country — Sabah is part of Malaysia. We are spending tens of millions of Ringgit, maybe a hundred million Ringgit, to defend our rights. We will not allow even an inch of our land or sea to be encroached upon. 'Wherever it may be — in the Spanish courts or internationally — we will fight to the maximum to defend Sabah's rights because Sabah is part of Malaysia,' he said. Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, and his deputy Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. Anwar said the MADANI Government is committed to driving Sabah's development and resolving demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through various initiatives and allocations, stressing that the relationship between the state and Federal Governments must remain strong. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said among the resolved matters is the interim special grant for Sabah, which has been increased from RM300 million to RM600 million this year, along with an allocation of RM10 billion to complete the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah. 'It (Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah) was delayed under the previous government, but we are continuing it under the responsibility of the Federal Government. Maybe it's not visible yet, not completed, but at least we've approved it and the work packages are in progress,' he said. On utilities, Anwar said the Federal Government has given full authority over electricity supply management to the state government, along with continuous subsidies for seven years until 2030 amounting to RM3.54 billion. To address the ongoing water supply issues, the Federal Government has approved an allocation of RM300 million, in addition to handing over projects worth under RM50 million to the state administration.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
AI roadmap focuses on ethics, innovation and equitable growth
KUALA LUMPUR: The new AI Action Plan 2026-2030, which will guide the country towards becoming an 'inclusive and sustainable' Artificial Intelligence (AI) nation by 2030, focuses on ethics, innovation and equitable growth, the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) said. The roadmap outlines five key priorities, namely, delivering measurable sectoral impact, embedding responsible AI, building talent pipelines, supporting local innovation, and ensuring coordinated government execution. "Inclusivity means ensuring AI benefits all segments of society - across regions, income levels, ages and abilities - by expanding access to AI education and tools, supporting SMEs, startups and underserved communities, and promoting multilingual and culturally relevant AI solutions," NAIO told the New Straits Times. Sustainability, meanwhile, covers economic resilience, environmental responsibility and evolving safeguards. The Action Plan also aims to close the digital divide through literacy programmes in underserved communities, empower cooperatives with AI tools, and create real-world use cases in areas such as health, education and agriculture. The office said public consultations on a comprehensive AI Governance Framework, which integrates ethical principles, regulatory recommendations and safeguards for responsible AI use, will also follow once its draft framework is approved. Malaysia is currently ranked second in Asean and 23rd globally in AI readiness. The government has made key strides since 2021, with major investments in supercomputing capacity, such as YTL-Nvidia AI Cloud, and chip development, such as ARM IP licensing. "This step is crucial to ensure Malaysia's AI governance is transparent, inclusive and grounded in societal values, while aligning with global best practices," it added. On July 31, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Malaysia aims to be an "inclusive and sustainable" Artificial Intelligence (AI) nation by 2030. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the government wants the country to become a regional hub for digital technology innovation and the production of " Made by Malaysia" products and services, he said.
