The entitlement epidemic rages
They rarely provide any concrete or useful advice but are somehow influencing the current generation of youth. They exist across a wide range of subjects from golf to beauty and in general have no training, experience or expertise in their chosen field, other than at a surface level.
- Based on reports, some companies are adopting a new strategy of deliberately keeping their customer service callers on hold for longer or even dropping the calls to avoid having to deal with a question or complaint. Annoying if true.
- I had to laugh at a quote a friend of mine sent me recently which read: "The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have begun asking humans to prove they are aren't robots." Every day a computer, not a person, is asking you to prove to the system that you are not some type of bot. Sometimes it seems they are messing with you when you get multiple Captchas in a row. I've had up to 10 before they accept that I'm not a robot of some kind. Also, while we're on the subject, if you have to select all squares with bicycles does that include the handlebars? My favourite is a picture of a snowscape and the ask was to highlight all images of a sniper.
- IBM is once again claiming that they will have a scalable quantum computer platform in the next few years. The Chinese are claiming they have a 1,000 qubit computer and others have made marketing announcements as well. To the best of my knowledge, no one has broken the workable 200 qubit barrier as yet and there are still a plethora of issues with scaling. This may be solved tomorrow, it could take another 10 years, or may not ever be possible. As of today, quantum computer claims are all marketing. Companies have put quite a lot of investment into this and to keep the stocks stable they must be positive about progress. It is the same story with artificial intelligence investment.
- According to a large language model query, one windfarm tower costs around US$2 million (64.8 million baht) per MW and a lot more for the offshore versions, not counting maintenance and some other costs. Each one takes up about 600m of space and the lifetime on average is estimated at 20 years. Idaho in the United States is currently testing eVinci reactors the size of a semi-truck that will output 5MW for a very long time. Even calculating a generous 30KWh per days for each home, that is close to 170 homes. The smaller Kaleidos units at 1.2MW can drive 40 homes. Put one or two of these near the average sub-station and you have 24/7, 365 power for generations. Refuelling is required every eight years or so and maintenance is minimal. Cost is hard to find but the initial investment for the front-end engineering and experiment design (FEEED) process was $3.9 million. These could be the future of stable, scalable, inexpensive energy.
- Why does any of this matter? Our technology and standard of living is related to inexpensive, reliable energy costs and supply. If the supply is nearby, this reduces transmission loss. If there is a grid of power provision this introduces robustness when other nodes can take up the slack if one fails or is down for maintenance. In some parts of Australia for example, there is a heavy reliance on interconnectors and if these fail the whole network can go down. I believe small modular nuclear-based products are the best approach for our energy future.
- With three months to go before the first end-of-life point for Windows 10, Windows 11 has finally taken over in market share. That still leaves around 46% of users on Windows 10 today. Many of those adopting Windows 11 will be organisations moving to the new OS and people buying new computers with it pre-installed. That means a huge number of home users and others still sitting on Windows 10. At the same time, so-called AI PCs have been selling in large numbers but without any "killer app" to justify these purchases. Kudos to the marketing of the term AI PC. Expect the announcement of Windows 12 in the near future.
- Turning it off and on still remains one of the best ways to clear a fault on your device. I've done this myself a few times in the past couple of months to solve issues on others' and my equipment. The IT Crowd got it right.
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Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
The entitlement epidemic rages
I was recently at Stonehenge in the United Kingdom. Besides the historical significance, it is a huge tourist site. As you might expect, there are rules, ropes to indicate boundaries and a well-run system. Enter the influencer. She was the classic example, with friends, the attitude and the only one who crossed the ropes to get that special picture. The current set of typically self-declared influencers come with a sense of entitlement that is almost scary. They rarely provide any concrete or useful advice but are somehow influencing the current generation of youth. They exist across a wide range of subjects from golf to beauty and in general have no training, experience or expertise in their chosen field, other than at a surface level. - Based on reports, some companies are adopting a new strategy of deliberately keeping their customer service callers on hold for longer or even dropping the calls to avoid having to deal with a question or complaint. Annoying if true. - I had to laugh at a quote a friend of mine sent me recently which read: "The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have begun asking humans to prove they are aren't robots." Every day a computer, not a person, is asking you to prove to the system that you are not some type of bot. Sometimes it seems they are messing with you when you get multiple Captchas in a row. I've had up to 10 before they accept that I'm not a robot of some kind. Also, while we're on the subject, if you have to select all squares with bicycles does that include the handlebars? My favourite is a picture of a snowscape and the ask was to highlight all images of a sniper. - IBM is once again claiming that they will have a scalable quantum computer platform in the next few years. The Chinese are claiming they have a 1,000 qubit computer and others have made marketing announcements as well. To the best of my knowledge, no one has broken the workable 200 qubit barrier as yet and there are still a plethora of issues with scaling. This may be solved tomorrow, it could take another 10 years, or may not ever be possible. As of today, quantum computer claims are all marketing. Companies have put quite a lot of investment into this and to keep the stocks stable they must be positive about progress. It is the same story with artificial intelligence investment. - According to a large language model query, one windfarm tower costs around US$2 million (64.8 million baht) per MW and a lot more for the offshore versions, not counting maintenance and some other costs. Each one takes up about 600m of space and the lifetime on average is estimated at 20 years. Idaho in the United States is currently testing eVinci reactors the size of a semi-truck that will output 5MW for a very long time. Even calculating a generous 30KWh per days for each home, that is close to 170 homes. The smaller Kaleidos units at 1.2MW can drive 40 homes. Put one or two of these near the average sub-station and you have 24/7, 365 power for generations. Refuelling is required every eight years or so and maintenance is minimal. Cost is hard to find but the initial investment for the front-end engineering and experiment design (FEEED) process was $3.9 million. These could be the future of stable, scalable, inexpensive energy. - Why does any of this matter? Our technology and standard of living is related to inexpensive, reliable energy costs and supply. If the supply is nearby, this reduces transmission loss. If there is a grid of power provision this introduces robustness when other nodes can take up the slack if one fails or is down for maintenance. In some parts of Australia for example, there is a heavy reliance on interconnectors and if these fail the whole network can go down. I believe small modular nuclear-based products are the best approach for our energy future. - With three months to go before the first end-of-life point for Windows 10, Windows 11 has finally taken over in market share. That still leaves around 46% of users on Windows 10 today. Many of those adopting Windows 11 will be organisations moving to the new OS and people buying new computers with it pre-installed. That means a huge number of home users and others still sitting on Windows 10. At the same time, so-called AI PCs have been selling in large numbers but without any "killer app" to justify these purchases. Kudos to the marketing of the term AI PC. Expect the announcement of Windows 12 in the near future. - Turning it off and on still remains one of the best ways to clear a fault on your device. I've done this myself a few times in the past couple of months to solve issues on others' and my equipment. The IT Crowd got it right.
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Infineon, TESA to create new AI platform
Infineon Technologies, a global leader in semiconductor solutions, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Thai Embedded Systems Association (TESA) to establish a National Secure Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) platform. This strategic partnership aims to help Thailand make significant strides, shifting its focus from traditional manufacturing to fostering innovation and intellectual property (IP), including AIoT startups. The global semiconductor market is expected to be worth US$200 billion in 2025, with the compound annual growth rate for the next few years estimated at 11%. "The global landscape is rapidly moving towards digitalisation, with a surge in demand for semiconductors driven by trends in artificial intelligence [AI] and Internet of Things [IoT] across various sectors, including manufacturing, consumer products, automotive, telecommunications, and even agriculture," CS Chua, president and managing director of Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific, told the Bangkok Post. Thailand, with its large population and significant agricultural sector, is uniquely positioned to capitalise on these opportunities, he added. For instance, modern technologies such as drones and AI are being explored for smart farming to address the decreasing human workforce in agriculture. The National Secure AIoT platform will drive the development of high-value smart electronics with the latest cybersecurity standards, aimed at benefiting crucial industries in Thailand's digital transformation. These industries include national security, healthcare, agriculture, energy, smart cities, and Industry 4.0. The partnership will also work closely with local startups and academia, fostering knowledge exchange and innovation that align with the national vision for a technologically advanced future. "The secure AIoT platform is described as a 'mixture of everything', aiming to build an entire ecosystem that encourages startups and companies to leverage digital transformation for societal and economic improvement," said Mr Chua. He added that the partnership with TESA will create a robust and scalable AIoT platform that will pave the way for innovative solutions in Thailand. "This collaboration not only underscores our dedication to driving digitalisation and decarbonisation, but also supports the Thai government's investments in the AI, IoT and semiconductor sectors," he said. This partnership will also enable Thai engineers and developers to create innovative products from the ground up -- from hardware and firmware to complete AIoT platforms, said Wiroon Sriborrirux, the president of TESA. Mr Wiroon added that the collaboration addresses three critical impact pillars, including security-first design, aligning with international cybersecurity standards. The National Secure AIoT platform will serve as the foundational infrastructure for various platform services. This will directly benefit key industries that have a significant impact on Thailand, Asean, and the global market, he added. Mr Chua added that a significant benefit of the platform is its ability to shortcut the hardware development phase. Recognising that many new-generation engineers tend to focus on software and application development, the platform provides a standardised hardware solution. "This allows developers to concentrate on programming, algorithms, and AI features to create proof-of-concept solutions much faster -- reducing development time from weeks to days," he said. Once an idea is proven, hardware can be optimised for cost-effectiveness. While not necessarily leading to vendor lock-in, the primary goal is to enable and speed up the development of new ideas, said Mr Chua. The initiative also aims to educate students and make universities aware of the platform. There are plans to hold competitions and hackathons to encourage startups to innovate within the digital economy, focusing on solving specific Thai problems in areas like agriculture, tourism, and smart homes. This approach cultivates hundreds of companies focused on software development and novel ideas, Mr Chua said. The IoT solutions often address niche, localised problems that large international companies may not find economically viable. For example, solutions for Thai agriculture might be unique to the region, making local innovation essential. This fosters self-resilience in technology capability within Thailand's industries. "Thailand can build its own IP and AIoT startups with proven solutions we can export to neighbouring countries in the region which have the same problem," Mr Chua said. While the National Secure AIoT platform is expected to create demand for semiconductors, the focus is on developing high-value intellectual property rather than just physical production. The goal is to empower Thai companies to create their own products, which can then be exported to neighbouring countries facing similar challenges.
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Ending European tech stagnation
As the tech revolution intensifies, Europe is finding itself on the sidelines, particularly in AI. This is a problem not only for Europe but for the broader Western alliance. As other regions surge ahead with tech-centric ambitions, the prospect of Europe fading into digital irrelevance is becoming stronger. While US tech giants dominate the current AI landscape, Europe's own champions are few and far between. The continent that led the industrial revolution now struggles to foster globally competitive tech behemoths -- not for a lack of talent or innovative spirit, but rather because a complex mix of fragmented markets, cautious investment climates, and a regulatory environment that inadvertently stifles innovation. The result is growing dependence on external technologies and a diminished capacity to shape the digital future according to Europe's values and interests. This digital lag is as much a strategic vulnerability as it is an economic problem. Europe's tech deficit should concern the US almost as much as European governments. After all, a technologically weakened Europe is a less capable partner in addressing global challenges, from economic competitiveness to security. The US also knows that it cannot hold back the tide of Chinese technology alone. And Europeans know that there is no alternative to US power. Each still needs the other. As Europe and the US seek a new tech relationship, East Asian countries like Malaysia, powered by government investment and dynamic private sectors, are making enormous strides. The Middle East, too, is leveraging its resources to become a new hub for AI development and tech innovation. This rise of new tech power centres is, in itself, a positive development, fostering global competition and innovation, but it underscores the need for Europe to reclaim its position. The greatest challenge, however, comes from China, which makes no secret of its ambitions to achieve global AI dominance by 2030. China's "Digital Silk Road" initiative is already spreading the country's tech infrastructure and influence across Europe, Africa, and beyond. And this isn't just about market share; it's also about embedding technical standards, surveillance capabilities, and, ultimately, China's authoritarian model into countries' digital DNA. If the US and Europe fail to offer a compelling, democratic alternative, much of the world's digital infrastructure will be controlled by a strategic rival. The solution is a clear-eyed strategy -- a transatlantic technology pact for the 21st century, with a 2030 horizon. This strategy must revolve around a positive AI agenda, one that goes beyond simply trying to regulate or contain risks. We need to articulate a vision for how AI can be a force for good -- advancing science, improving health care, addressing climate change, and creating new economic opportunities. Europe recognises this: the Draghi report of EU competitiveness, the Paris AI Action Summit, and the recent Nato summit in The Hague all show an awareness of the need for radical change. This new pact should focus on fostering joint research and development in foundational AI models and critical enabling technologies. Existing mechanisms like the Joint European Disruptive Initiative, the Nato Innovation Fund, and the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic can serve as platforms for joint research and development in strategic dual-use technologies. We must also emphasise interoperability, especially in defence-related technologies. The turn by countries on both sides of the Atlantic towards reindustrialisation provides a strategic opportunity to align efforts around interoperable digital and hardware systems, strengthen defence supply chains, and avoid duplication. Shared standards and joint development of critical capabilities such as cloud, AI models, cyber, and quantum will ensure transatlantic resilience in the face of future conflicts. The turn by countries on both sides of the Atlantic towards reindustrialisation provides a strategic opportunity to align efforts around interoperable digital and hardware systems, strengthen defence supply chains, and avoid duplication. Shared standards and joint development of critical capabilities such as cloud, AI models, cyber, and quantum will ensure transatlantic resilience in the face of future conflicts. This will require investing in the joint digital infrastructure of the future, from next-generation networks to secure data centres. AI and emerging AGI systems will place immense demands on energy, computing power, and storage. The US and Europe must ensure we have the physical and digital backbone to support our AI ambitions, coordinating around semiconductor and advanced compute supply chains. This is where public-private partnerships can play a crucial role, bringing together governments, industry, and academia. The security of critical infrastructure, including in strategic locations like Taiwan, must be a shared priority, as digital and geopolitical stability are inextricably linked. An important goal of transatlantic cooperation must be to offer an alternative to China's digital expansionism, particularly in developing countries. This means providing competitive financing, open-source technologies, and training that aligns with democratic principles and promotes open, interoperable systems. Only by acting together can the US and Europe provide countries with a compelling alternative to China's surveillance-driven model. Lastly, we must rejuvenate our democracies to make them fit for the technological age. The decisions we make -- or fail to make -- in the coming years will determine whether the US and Europe can lead the next wave of tech advancement, or whether we will be reacting to a world shaped by others. A Europe that is merely a consumer, rather than a creator, of critical technologies will be a Europe with a diminished voice and influence. ©2025 Project Syndicate Ylli Bajraktari, a former chief of staff to the US National Security Adviser and a former executive director of the US National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, is CEO of the Special Competitive Studies Project. André Loesekrug-Pietri is Chairman and Scientific Director of the Joint European Disruptive Initiative, the European advanced research projects agency.
