Amazon closes Shanghai AI research lab in latest cost-cutting move
Wang Minjie, an applied scientist at the lab, wrote in a WeChat post earlier this week that Amazon disbanded the team due to "strategic adjustments amid U.S.-China tensions."
Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser said in a statement that the company "made the difficult business decision to eliminate some roles across particular teams" in its Amazon Web Services unit.
The Financial Times was first to report on the lab closure.
Amazon announced layoffs at AWS last week, with U.S. teams focused on marketing and training and certification among those that were impacted.
Geopolitical tensions between the world's two largest economies have pushed a growing number of American corporations to reduce or discontinue their operations in China. President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies have accelerated that shift, while the Chinese government has called for self-sufficiency in AI and technology development.
The U.S. has also placed restrictions on China, limiting its ability to buy chips and chip-making equipment, including from companies like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, that can be used to train AI models. Some of those restrictions have since eased.
AWS established the Shanghai lab in 2018 with a focus on areas like natural language processing and machine learning.
The company has retreated from China over the past several years. In 2022, Amazon discontinued its Kindle e-book store in the region, after shuttering its e-commerce marketplace in China in 2019.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
20 minutes ago
- UPI
Larger statin dosages urged for many with cholesterol, heart risks
1 of 2 | Dr. Charles Hennekens, a medical school professor and heart disease researcher at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla., says too many patients at high risk of heart attacks and stroke are being "underdosed" with beneficial statin drugs. Photo by Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University ST. PAUL, Minn., July 31 (UPI) -- Doctors are routinely "underdosing" statins for patients at risk for heart attacks and strokes due to elevated levels of "bad" cholesterol, even though the drugs have proven safe and effective, a top U.S. researcher maintains. At a time when an estimated 40% of U.S. adults have metabolic syndrome -- a combination of heart risk factors including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance -- doctors usually don't start them off with the maximum dosage of statins, even though they can quickly lower levels of LDL cholesterol, according to an opinion published this month in the medical journal Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine. Co-author Dr. Charles Hennekens, the Sir Richard Doll Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine in Boca Raton, says his analysis of several major clinical studies of the new generation of highly potent statins, such as rosuvastatin and atorvastatin, shows that maximal doses are safe and sorely needed, but aren't being prescribed. Those with metabolic syndrome have cardiovascular risks equivalent to those with prior heart attacks or strokes, yet many are "undertreated" by starting their statin regimens at low or moderate dosages, Hennekens told UPI. "The data indicate that over half of people who were put on a statin remain on the initial dose they're given, so even though the intent may be to titrate it up, it's not done in the majority of instances," he said. "So, you get on a low dose of statin and you stay on it." But this "flies at the face of the data" showing that statins "have the strongest and most consistent body of evidence supporting their prescription in treatment and prevention in both men and women including older adults," he said. "There's no threshold for LDL below which you don't see incremental benefits." The studies demonstrate newer statins can lower LDL, or bad cholesterol, in as quickly as a month and can provide related benefits, such as stabilizing the build-up of harmful plaque on the cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels, Hennekens said. Therefore, he urges cardiologists who initiate drug therapies for those with metabolic syndrome to start statins at maximal tolerated levels. "Everything points to getting on the highest dose of evidence-based statin," he noted. "The goal of LDL in the high-risk secondary patients is less than 50 [milligrams per deciliter], and we have a lot to do to achieve that goal because there are lots of forces in society, especially in American society, that are making that more difficult. "For example, in the United States today, in middle-age people gain 7 to 10 pounds of body weight every 10 years, so we have a society that's fatter, but only about 21% of Americans reach the daily minimum recommendation for daily physical activity, Hennekens said. "We have a nation that would benefit enormously from therapeutic lifestyle changes, but in the end, we have such high absolute risk that many are going to require adjunctive therapy." And if so, "we make a strong case that the first one you should consider is a statin, and that every other adjunctive therapy should be viewed in the context of residual risk after the statin is given with maximal doses," Hennekens added. Other experts on the use of statins to control LDL cholesterol contacted by UPI generally agreed with the premise that dosages should start at maximum levels for those at high risk of heart disease. Dr. Laurence Sperling, the Katz Professor in Preventive Cardiology at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, noted it's already on a list of guidelines developed in 2018 by an American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association joint task force. "In patients with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, [the guidelines say] reduce LDL cholesterol with high-intensity statin therapy or maximally tolerated statin therapy," he said. "The more LDL cholesterol is reduced on statin therapy, the greater will be subsequent risk reduction." Sperling said he agreed with the recommendation to use "a maximally tolerated statin to lower LDL-C levels by 50%." Joseph Saseen, a researcher and professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Colorado's Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Boulder, told UPI one reason for the low-dosage prescriptions is that cardiologists overestimate the chances of possible side effects, such as muscle aches and digestive problems. "While dose-related side effects can occur, they do not justify the routine underdosing of statins in high-risk populations," Saseen said. "Clinicians too often initiate therapy at suboptimal doses, particularly in patients with elevated [cardiovascular] risk. Evidence-based guidelines recommend starting high-intensity statin therapy, especially very high-risk secondary prevention patients." Clinical data have shown, for instance, that initiating atorvastatin at as much as 80 mg. daily "is both safe and effective in reducing cardiovascular events among secondary prevention patients," Saseen said. "Similarly, rosuvastatin at 20 mg. has been shown to be a safe and effective starting dose in primary prevention patients with elevated [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein]." Also agreeing with Hennekens' conclusion is Dr. Paul Heidenreich, a practicing cardiologist, professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of medicine at the Palo Alto, Calif., Veterans Affairs clinic. "When high intensity statins are indicated, one can recommend starting with the high intensity or beginning with moderate intensity followed by up-titration," he said. He noted some cardiologists are concerned that if patients can't tolerate a high-intensity statin, they may subsequently refuse all statins, in which case it may be better to start off with a moderate dose. "However, I feel it is rare that the patient will refuse to try a lower dose," Heidenreich said. "As the authors note, titration to a higher intensity is not as frequent as it should be, with patients staying on the initial intensity. Thus, patients are likely better off starting with the recommended high-intensity statin." The clinical data also showed that the rate of intolerance with a placebo "was surprisingly high, suggesting that patients are on the lookout for any new symptom that occurs following initiation of a new medication. It is important to stress that the vast majority of patients tolerate statins medications without side effects," he said.
Engadget
22 minutes ago
- Engadget
8BitDo's Ultimate 2C controller is on sale for only $18
The well-regraded 8BitDo Ultimate 2C controller is on sale for just $18 via Amazon . This is nearly 40 percent off and a record-low price. Typically, this controller doesn't go any lower than $25 , so this is one heck of a deal. There's one major caveat. The deal only applies to the pink colorway, which may not be everyone's bag. It looks pretty good, though, as you can see below. This is a record-low price. $18 at Amazon The Ultimate 2C is a good match for the Nintendo Switch, Windows PCs and Android devices. It connects via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or with a physical cable. It's compatible with devices running Windows 10 and above and Android 9.0 and above. The battery life is solid, with around 32 hours per charge on Bluetooth and 19 hours when using the wireless 2.4G adapter. As for the actual controller, it boasts Hall Effect joysticks that are precise and durable. There's an extra set of bumpers that can be remapped without additional software. It offers 6-axis control and haptic feedback, aka rumble. It's a decent little controller, particularly for the price. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice .
The Hill
22 minutes ago
- The Hill
The Latest: US inflation ticked higher last month, as Trump's latest tariff deadline nears
A key U.S. inflation gauge rose last month, in a sign that President Donald Trump's broad-based tariffs are starting to lift prices for many goods. Prices rose 2.6% in June compared with a year ago, the Commerce Department said on Thursday, up from an annual pace of 2.4% in May. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, prices rose 2.8% in the past year, the same as the previous month, which was revised higher. Meanwhile, Trump has announced a flurry of trade activity ahead of his latest deadline Friday to impose even steeper import taxes on goods coming from countries around the world. A handful of trade deals have trickled in — most recently with South Korea and Pakistan — but many details remain hazy. Thorny negotiations for most trading partners remain up in the air. And, while Trump may have gotten his way with tariffs on some countries, his overhaul of American trade policy still faces a challenge in federal court. Here's the Latest: Trump lashes out at India for its relationship with Russia The U.S. president on Truth Social suggested that he plans to do as little trade as possible with India and Russia. 'I don't care what India does with Russia,' Trump posted. 'They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let's keep it that way.' Trump announced on Wednesday 25% tariffs on goods from India and additional penalties for India's reliance on Russia for oil and military equipment. Trump also issued a warning to Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president, saying that he should 'watch his words' and that he's 'entering very dangerous territory!' Trump is using Canada's recognition of the Palestinian state in trade talks Trump said Canada's announcement it will recognize a Palestinian state 'will make it very hard' for the U.S. to reach a trade agreement with its northern neighbor. The threat posted in the early hours Thursday on Trump's social media network is the latest way he has sought to use his trade war to coerce countries on unrelated issues and is a swing from the ambivalence he has expressed about other countries making such a move. 'Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine,' Trump said in his post on Truth Social just past midnight. 'That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh' Canada!!!' The Republican president said this week that he didn't mind British Prime Minister Keir Starmer taking a position on the issue of formally recognizing Palestinian statehood. And last week, he said that French President Emmanuel Macron's similar move was 'not going to change anything.' ▶ Read more about Trump's trade talks with Canada. US and Pakistan announce trade agreement The U.S. and Pakistan reached a trade agreement expected to allow Washington to help develop Pakistan's largely untapped oil reserves and lower tariffs for the South Asian country, officials from both nations said Thursday. 'We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. 'We are in the process of choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership.' Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the 'long-awaited' deal and thanked Trump for playing a key role in finalizing it. Pakistan's Finance Ministry said in a statement early Thursday the agreement aims to boost bilateral trade, expand market access, attract investment and foster cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The deal includes a reduction in reciprocal tariffs, particularly on Pakistani exports to the U.S., the statement from the ministry said. A new figure wasn't immediately provided. ▶ Read more about the Pakistan's trade agreement with the U.S. Trump and his tariffs still face a challenge in federal court Trump may have gotten his way with tariffs on some countries, but his overhaul of American trade policy has not gone unchallenged. In May, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade agreed that Trump exceeded his powers when he declared a national emergency to plaster tariffs on imports from almost every country in the world. Now, on Thursday, the 11 judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, which typically specializes in patent law, are scheduled to hear oral arguments from the Trump administration and from the states and businesses that want his sweeping import taxes struck down. That court earlier allowed the federal government to continue collecting Trump's tariffs as the case works its way through the judicial system. The issues are so weighty — involving the president's power to bypass Congress and impose taxes with huge economic consequences in the United States and abroad — that the case is widely expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, regardless of what the appeals court decides. ▶ Read more about the challenge in federal court. Indian government assesses the impact of the US's coming tariffs India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said the Indian government is in talks with exporters, industries and other stakeholders to assess the impact of 25% import tariff imposed by the U.S. on Indian goods. In a statement to the parliament, Goyal said the government will take all necessary steps to secure and advance the national interest. The minister said India has in the past decade transformed from being one of the fragile fives to the fastest growing major economy in the world. Goyal's comments were seen in contrast to Trump's social media post early Thursday wherein he slammed India and Russia, saying 'they can take their dead economies down together.' India relies heavily on imported crude oil, particularly from Russia India is currently the third biggest importer of oil after China and the United States, depending heavily on imported crude oil. Over 80% of India's crude oil is imported. Russia is the biggest supplier to India — followed by Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the United States. Earlier this month, the country's crude processors were hit by the EU's sanctions on Indian diesel imports made from Russian oil, with Nayara Energy, an Indo-Russian oil refining and marketing company specifically targeted with penalties. 'Whether India will stop importing from Russia, depends on what the penalty is. The country will weigh its options before deciding,' said Sangeeta Godbole, a former trade negotiator with three decades of experience in the Indian government. Godbole said the vagueness of the penalty threat issued by the U.S. might be deliberate. 'It's all so fluid right now. According to me, the only people we can turn to are the Middle-East countries but they are part of the OPEC+ just like Russia,' she added. Top Indian business association expresses disappointment with 25% tariff rate The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry said it was disappointed with the imposition of 25% import tariffs and an additional penalty on Indian goods by the U.S. The 'move is unfortunate and will have a clear bearing on our exports,' said Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, president of the industry body. Agarwal hoped the higher tariffs will be short-lived and the two countries finalize a bilateral trade agreement soon. 'India and U.S. have a long-standing partnership, which is strengthened by our deepening engagement across an array of areas from technology to defense to energy and advance manufacturing. There is a lot our two countries can achieve together,' Agarwal said in a statement late Wednesday. US-South Korea trade deal includes $150 billion shipbuilding investment A top South Korean official says the $350 billion investment fund announced earlier by Trump includes $150 billion for cooperation on the shipbuilding industry. Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, told reporters in Seoul on Thursday that the $150 billion fund is 'the most noteworthy' part of the deal, saying it covers cooperation on all major parts of the shipbuilding industry such as constructions, maintenances, repairs and overhauls of vessels. He says South Korean companies have world-class shipbuilding capabilities and U.S. companies hold strengths in software sectors. South Korean president hails trade deal with the US South Korea's president hailed the trade deal announced by Trump Thursday, saying it would serve as a chance to further strengthen economic cooperation and military alliance with the United States. In a Facebook post, Lee Jae Myung said the $350 billion investment fund is meant to solidify a foundation for bilateral cooperation on strategic industries. The fund will play a role of supporting the entrance to the U.S. market by South Korean companies in areas where they excel such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, secondary batteries, biotechnology and energy. Lee also said the deal would remove uncertainty surrounding South Korea's export environment as the U.S. 15% tariff for goods from South Korea is a lower or similar figure facing other major trade competitors. 'The government was only engaged in negotiations by placing a top priority on national interests,' Lee said. 'It's important to pull out a mutually beneficial agreement, rather than seeking unilateral benefits.'
