Nvidia taps 2 young Chinese AI experts to strengthen research
US chip giant
Nvidia has hired two prominent
artificial intelligence (AI) experts who hail from China, underscoring the rising global recognition of talent from the mainland and their key contributions to the field's advancement.
Zhu Banghua and Jiao Jiantao, both alumni of China's Tsinghua University, said on their respective social media accounts that they joined Nvidia, sharing photos of themselves with Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of the company.
Zhu, who received his bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Tsinghua in 2018 and a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2024, joined Nvidia's Nemotron team as a principal research scientist, according to Zhu's post on X from over the weekend.
Zhu's LinkedIn profile showed that he has also been an assistant professor at the University of Washington since September 2024.
'We'll be joining forces on efforts in [AI] model post-training, evaluation, agents, and building better AI infrastructure – with a strong emphasis on collaboration with developers and academia,' Zhu said, adding that the team was committed to open-sourcing its work and sharing it with the world.
Nemotron is a group at Nvidia dedicated to building enterprise-level AI agents, according to the team's official website. The team's Nemotron multimodal models power AI agents for sophisticated text and visual reasoning, coding and tool-use capabilities.
Jiao, who received a PhD in electrical, electronics and communications in engineering from Stanford University in 2018 after graduating from Tsinghua with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, said on LinkedIn over the weekend that he joined Nvidia to 'help push the frontier of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and artificial super intelligence (ASI).'
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AllAfrica
an hour ago
- AllAfrica
Give the A-10s to Taiwan and they can stop a Chinese sea invasion
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Companies such as Nvidia, which calls itself the world leader in artificial intelligence computing, relies on Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) to manufacture their advanced chips. A scene at TSMC. No matter how you look at it, Taiwan will have to shoulder the burden of an initial attack by China. The first few days will be critical. Swarms of Chinese invasion craft, supported by missiles and drones, will push Taiwan's modest defense resources to the breaking point. Taiwan's air force consists of modernized, but quite old, F-16s and home-grown short-legged F-CK-1 Ching Kuo fighter jets. A near-fourth generation jet, the F-CK-1 is underpowered and has limited range and endurance. Taiwan's existing aircraft are unlikely to be able to stop an incoming invasion fleet, or support Taiwanese air defenses by knocking out swarms of drones. F-CK-1A model. The A-10, however, can do both jobs, and it is more sturdy and survivable than any Taiwan air force jet in the inventory. The A-10 also has superior firepower and is equipped with new weapons ideally suited to sinking an invasion fleet or blasting away at drones. An A-10 peels away from a KC-135 tanker over Afghanistan, February 2011 with Pave Penny pod visible and featuring a false canopy painted in dark gray on the underside. The A-10 is a creature of the 1970s. Originally built by the now defunct Fairchild-Republic company between 1972 to 1984 in Farmingdale, New York, the A-10 was conceived as a ground attack plane to knock out Soviet tanks and other armor on the battlefield. Its creators thought of the A-10 playing a big role in stopping a Soviet invasion of then-West Germany through the Fulda Gap, an ideal funnel where Soviet armor could be picked off. That mission faded away just as the USSR dematerialized. But over the years, and especially in the last half decade, the remaining A-10s have been significantly modified and equipped to carry new weapons that were not yet dreamed about in the 1970s. Equipped with new, sturdy wings, new electronics and fire control, laser designators, and 'smart' rocket pods, the A-10's upgrades complement the huge firepower of its GAU-8 Avenger 30mm hydraulically driven seven-barrel Gatling-style autocannon. The autocannon fires PGU-14/B armor-piercing incendiary rounds featuring a depleted uranium penetrator that can easily tear up any landing ship or other seagoing vessel. The new star of the show is the A-10's ability to fire the new/old 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II. The APKWS is an old Hydra unguided rocket that is upgraded with a guidance kit that is operated with a laser designator to hit a target. APKWS recently were diverted to the Middle East from Ukraine because they proved valuable in shooting down Houthi drones. The APKWS II system is highly effective but cheap compared with using air-to-air missiles to knock out drones. The cost of a Sidewinder AIM-9X missile is around $600,000; typically two are fired at a target to nail it. The all up cost of the APKWS including the unguided Hydra unguided rocket (which are about $3,000 each) is less than $25,000. Because it is a man-in-the-loop guidance package – unlike the Sidewinder, which uses an infrared seeker – the chance for a successful hit is better. Sidewinder has far better range, but most of the time small drones are not picked up by radar or E/O sensors until they are much nearer. The range of the APKWS is around two miles. Most drones cannot fight back, so knocking them out of the sky is a turkey shoot. If Taiwan had the full fleet of A-10s it could focus its air defenses against Chinese missiles and let the A-10s operate against drones. If Taiwan had the full fleet of A-10s it could focus its air defenses against Chinese missiles and let the A-10s operate against drones. Compared with modern jet fighters the cost of operating the A-10 is far lower, coming in at $6,000 to $9,000 per hour compared versus the F-16's $30,000 per hour. A-10 aircraft are made to be robust, including titanium armor to protect the cockpit and self-sealing fuel tanks if the plane is hit by ground fire. The upgraded A-10s also has a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) which means it can see targets even in bad weather. This means that if the PLA Navy tries to launch an invasion in heavy overcast conditions, thinking it can preclude Taiwan's use of airpower, the SAR upgrade takes that strategy off the table because SAR can see through clouds, mist and bad weather. In the past Taiwan has always wanted the newest and the greatest, not old stuff that the US has often dumped on the island. That view is understandable, but the A-10 must be viewed as a formidable exception. The A-10 would hand to Taiwan a capability it sorely lacks, and one that China will fear. With F-16s challenging China's air arm, the A-10 can sink an invasion fleet and do so quickly. In the past the US has refused to export the A-10, a strange posture considering that the Air Force has a low opinion of the fighter. But the potential struggle over Taiwan is looming. Taiwanese air crews could quickly be trained here by the existing operators, and support and maintenance assets rapidly transferred to the island. Any new equipment, if we had any, will take years to materialize and probably can't duplicate the flexibility and utility of the A-10. So, if the Air Force does not want the A-10, the A-10 can still contribute to Taiwan's defense and to security in the Pacific region. Stephen Bryen is a special correspondent to Asia Times and former US deputy undersecretary of defense for policy. This article, which originally appeared on his Substack newsletter Weapons and Strategy, is republished with permission.
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
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Hong Kong stocks slip as China factory activity contracts before US trade deadline
Hong Kong stocks fell after a government report showed manufacturing in China struggled to expand this month as US tariffs hampered exports, while traders braced for more volatility before a deadline on US trade deals. The Hang Seng Index dropped 0.4 per cent to 24,187.33 at 9.45am local time on Monday, trimming this month's advance to 3.8 per cent. The Hang Seng Tech Index added 0.3 per cent. On the mainland, both the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.1 per cent. WeChat operator Tencent fell 0.8 per cent to HK$509, while e-commerce leader Alibaba Group Holding declined 0.8 per cent to HK$111.50. Electric vehicle maker BYD dropped 0.3 per cent to HK$123.80, while peer Li Auto slipped 2 per cent to HK$108.40. Limiting losses, China's top chipmaker SMIC jumped 6.2 per cent to HK$47.55, while online-game provider NetEase advanced 1 per cent to HK$209.80, and short-video platform operator Kuaishou Technology climbed 2.2 per cent to HK$64.15. China's official purchasing managers' index rose to 49.7 in June from 49.5 in May, the statistics bureau said in a report on Monday, remaining in contraction territory for a third straight month. A sub-index tracking new orders rose to 50.2 from 49.8, it added. A reading below 50 indicates a contraction in activity. The report reflects sentiment among manufacturers since Chinese and US officials agreed to a truce last month in Geneva to lower tariffs and ease export curbs. Elsewhere, other US trading partners are working to strike a deal over the next nine days. Subsequent talks in London pushed China's deadline to mid-August.
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Deep Dive: How loan sharks target Hongkongers desperate for cash
Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-read articles provide context to grasp what's happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. News: How one person can fall victim to loan sharks in Hong Kong High interest rates on loans can lead people to borrow more money to cover their payments When his grandmother died, Hongkonger Fai Chan inherited her flat in eastern Kowloon valued at HK$3 million in 2023. But first, he had to pay a HK$1.2 million premium to the Housing Authority. He did not have the money. That was the start of his journey into the world of borrowing at high interest rates and sinking deep into debt. He had been shunned by banks due to a past bankruptcy. So he turned to two well-known finance companies for the money. Each lent him HK$600,000, and he paid the Housing Authority. But their 40 per cent annual interest rate over 10 years meant he had to repay HK$22,000 a month, which swallowed almost his entire salary of HK$20,000 to HK$30,000. The punishing monthly payments became unbearable, and he turned to smaller, less regulated lenders to borrow even more. Soon, he was juggling loans from six different places, all licensed lenders. He was taking on new debt to pay off his old ones. Chan never missed a payment but lived in constant anxiety. His phone number was shared among lenders. These loan sharks bombarded him with offers of 'help' if he needed more cash. Deep Dive: Hong Kong's gig workers call for more industry regulation 'Over WhatsApp, they will say, 'just come over and get money in 30 minutes',' Chan recalled. 'But once you get there, they will scrutinise your request and get all your information, your family's telephone numbers too.' He learned that hidden handling fees were the biggest trap. A borrower taking out a HK$10,000 loan might only receive HK$8,000 after a 20 per cent fee was deducted. However, they would still have to repay the full HK$10,000 plus interest. The law prohibits lenders from charging fees over the stated interest rate. Seeing him struggle, a friend lent Chan HK$180,000. The loan enabled him to break the cycle of borrowing and sinking deeper into debt. By then, Hong Kong's property market had slumped. The value of his grandmother's flat sank to HK$1.2 million. He sadly gave up the flat he inherited, selling it for HK$1.8 million. After repaying his friend and settling his debts with the finance companies, he was left with virtually nothing. Even now, his phone still occasionally buzzes with messages from lenders. Some falsely claim he still owes them money. Looking back, he said he never would have accepted his inheritance if he had known the trouble it would bring. Staff writers Question prompts 1. According to News, which of the following is true? (1) Chan had to borrow money because of a flat he inherited from his mother. (2) At one point, Chan was dealing with loans from six places, none of which were licensed lenders. (3) Lenders are not allowed to charge fees over the stated interest rate. (4) Chan got out of debt after a friend lent him money. A. (1), (3) only B. (2), (3) only C. (2), (4) only D. (3), (4) only 2. Name at least TWO ways predatory loan companies manipulate their victims. 3. List ONE positive and ONE negative outcome based on how Chan's experience with predatory loan companies ended. Illustration Question prompts 1. What is being depicted in this illustration, and how does it relate to the information in News? 2. Based on your own knowledge and what you learned in News, how did predatory lenders get the nickname 'loan shark'? Issue: Main targets of loan sharks and ideas for industry reform Elderly Hongkongers, gamblers and students have all been identified as victims of moneylending schemes Many have called for more industry regulation and tougher licensing requirements Amid Hong Kong's economic downturn, a growing number of residents have been driven into the web of moneylenders, many of whom operate outside the law. Lawyer Lau Kar-wah said elderly residents may be targeted by financial intermediaries offering older homeowners a lower mortgage rate for their flats. These intermediaries encourage them to sign fabricated documents showing proof of income or cash flow and transfer their mortgage to another bank. To get the money for their fabricated monthly income, the mortgagor would be asked to borrow from a lender at a high interest rate. Lau said many of the victims were elderly people who wanted to help their children or low-income households whose properties were likely their main assets. Terence Mok, a social worker at the Smart i-Change Gambling Counselling Service, said problem gamblers were also lured by ads for online loans that often charged interest rates of more than 48 per cent, after exhausting their credit cards and borrowing from family. These unlicensed loan sharking operations used unregistered prepaid SIM cards or overseas numbers, making them nearly impossible to trace. Innocent family members and friends sometimes end up harassed due to these debts. Leung, who asked only to be identified by her surname, said she and more than 10 relatives found themselves targeted by debt collectors after a family member gave their names and personal details as 'referees' on a loan application without their knowledge or consent. Under the licensing conditions for money lenders, a referee cannot be held liable for a loan and must provide written consent. But in reality, debt collectors are known to hound family members and put pressure on the actual borrower. Deep Dive: Hong Kong authorities aim to boost 'silver economy' by encouraging elderly spending Emails were sent to their employers, stating their names, addresses and company details, and false claims that they had borrowed money. 'Shouldn't the referee be informed ... for checking?' she asked. 'These processes seem to be completely non-existent, and personal privacy has also been violated.' Lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-chong highlighted another predatory pipeline involving young people being duped by direct sales investment schemes. He said scheme organisers would persuade students to 'invest' in products by taking out high-interest loans, with false promises of being able to repay the debt quickly from the sales profits. Hong Kong's money lending industry is governed by the Companies Registry, but the city's Consumer Council has long advocated for this system to be consolidated into a single, industry-specific regulator to improve governance. Meanwhile, social worker Mok suggested the government tighten its licensing procedures, as some lenders who were denied renewals might open new ones. Staff writers Question prompts 1. According to Issue, which of the following is true? (1) Loan sharks usually charge gamblers interest rates of less than 30 per cent. (2) Predatory lenders go after students by enticing them to invest in products by taking out high-interest loans. (3) Unlicensed loan sharks can be tough to trace because they often use overseas numbers or unregistered prepaid SIM cards. (4) Under current regulations, if a moneylender is denied a license renewal, they cannot open a new one. A. (1), (2) only B. (2), (3) only C. (3), (4) only D. (1), (4) only 2. Using Issue, identify THREE groups of people targeted by loan sharks and ONE characteristic that unites these different groups. 3. List TWO measures that have been proposed to reform the moneylending industry. Graph Question prompts 1. What is being depicted in the graph? 2. What steps should the government take to address the issues presented in the graph? Explain using News, Issue and your own knowledge. Glossary bankruptcy: a legal process that helps a person or business who cannot repay their debts. Bankruptcy grants them relief by either wiping out what they owe or making a plan for them to pay over time. However, they may be forced to sell things they own, and it could be more difficult for them to get loans in the future. interest rates: the amount you are charged for borrowing money – a percentage of the total amount of the loan. For example, if you borrow HK$1,000 at a 10 per cent interest rate, it means you will repay HK$1,100. loan sharks: people or businesses that lend money but charge extremely high interest rates and may even use threats of violence to collect debts asset: anything valuable that a person owns which can provide economic benefits in the future. Assets could include real estate, vehicles, personal belongings, cash savings, or stocks and bonds direct sales investment schemes: business models that require people to buy products from a parent organisation and sell them directly to customers Loan sharks prey on vulnerable people, causing them a lot of stress. Photo: Shutterstock Sample answers News 1. D 2. One way loan sharks manipulate their victims is by bombarding them with messages and offers of 'help'. Even after Chan paid off all his debts, loan sharks continued to contact and harass him, falsely claiming that he still owed them money. This can stress out vulnerable and unaware individuals. Additionally, moneylenders collect all of a borrower's contact information, as well as that of their family and friends, so they can harass others in the victim's network. Finally, loan sharks charge hidden handling fees, which take advantage of vulnerable individuals who lack the funds to repay their debts. They may resort to borrowing more money from other loan sharks to pay the fees, continuing the cycle. 3. A positive outcome for Chan was that he managed to break the cycle of borrowing and repaying, thanks to a friend lending him money. He was no longer in debt. However, the value of the flat he inherited dropped by more than half, forcing him to sell it. Unfortunately, he was left with very little money after paying off his debts. Illustration 1. This cartoon shows a man stranded on a boat surrounded by sharks. The man seems desperate to grab the money being handed to him by a 'finance company', as it says on the sleeve. This is a nod to the information in the news because the man is in a vulnerable situation and needs cash. He is willing to take the money from this so-called finance company. All the while, he is surrounded by sharks - which represent loan sharks - that are ready to prey on him. 2. Loan sharks likely got their name because sharks are predatory creatures that hunt their prey. Similarly, loan sharks also seek out vulnerable people, hunting them down and preying on their assets. (accept all reasonable answers) Issue 1. B 2. According to Lau, loan sharks sometimes target the elderly, while Mok explains that they also target gamblers, and Ng notes that they also target students. While these three groups seem very different, they are similar in one way: they are vulnerable. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to scams because they may not understand the details of the loans. Gamblers may be down on their luck after exhausting all other options for cash. Therefore, they are likely to be desperate and will resort to borrowing to repay their debts. Students are vulnerable because they likely do not have much money and may need to borrow funds to establish their lives and careers. They might not know how loan sharks and borrowing work. 3. The Consumer Council believes that the current system should be consolidated. Currently, the Companies Registry handles licenses, the police, and the Licensing Court. Consolidating these duties into a single, industry-specific regulator might create more fairness for lenders and borrowers, according to the Consumer Council. In addition, Mok thinks that the government should tighten the reins on licensing. He reasoned that some lenders who are denied renewals might just open new ones. Graph 1. This graph shows the number of complaints relating to money lenders in Hong Kong from 2018 to 2025. Although the trend is not steady, the primary concern is that Hong Kong is on track to record 112 complaints in 2025, given that there were 28 complaints in the first quarter of the year. This number is much greater than any other year. 2. The Hong Kong government needs to provide better education on the dangers of loan sharks. This information should be readily available to vulnerable groups that tend to use loan shark services. Lectures can take place at elderly community centres and universities. (accept all reasonable answers)
