You know how technology seems to move at lightning speed these days? Well, the online gambling world is riding that same wave, and artificial intelligence is the surfboard making it all possible. The transformation has been incredible - whether you're spinning slots in Las Vegas, enjoying European-style roulette, or checking out the latest platforms designed for players in Hong Kong, AI is completely changing how we experience online gaming.Let's talk about what's happening across Europe first because they've really been leading the charge. Countries like Malta and the UK have embraced AI-powered systems that can spot problem gambling behaviors before they become serious issues. It's like having a friend who notices you might be overdoing it and gives you a gentle nudge to take a break.These systems analyze playing patterns and can tell when someone's betting habits start looking risky, helping operators step in with responsible gaming measures at just the right time.Over in the Americas, things are getting equally interesting. The US market, despite its complex regulatory landscape, is seeing AI transform everything from customer service to game development. Las Vegas-based operators are using AI to create personalized gaming experiences that feel like they're tailor-made for each player. According to recent data from the American Gaming Association, AI-driven personalization has increased player engagement by an impressive 47% in the past year alone.The Asia-Pacific region is where things get really fascinating. In markets like Singapore and Macau, AI is being used to create culturally adapted gaming experiences that resonate with local players. Think games that automatically adjust their themes and features based on cultural preferences and playing styles. It's like having a casino that knows exactly what you like before you even realize it yourself.Looking at emerging markets in Latin America and Africa, we're seeing AI democratize access to sophisticated gaming platforms. Countries like Brazil and Nigeria are leveraging AI to create more affordable and accessible gaming solutions, breaking down barriers that once kept many players out of the loop. The technology is helping operators run more efficiently, which means they can offer better games to more people at lower costs.But it's not all just about making games more fun and accessible. AI is playing a crucial role in keeping things safe and fair. Advanced algorithms are constantly running in the background, watching for any signs of fraud or suspicious activity. They're like digital security guards who never take a coffee break, ensuring everyone plays by the rules.The future is shaping up to be incredibly exciting! We're beginning to witness AI creating truly immersive experiences that gently blur the lines between online and real-world gambling. Just imagine playing poker against AI opponents that can mimic human behavior so well, you'd feel like you were actually sitting at a table in Monaco. But that's just scratching the surface - we're talking about AI that can read your poker face through your webcam, adjust to your playing style in real-time, and even crack jokes that actually land!Picture walking into a virtual casino where everything from the ambient chatter to the way other players react to your wins and losses feels absolutely real. The technology is getting so sophisticated that soon you might forget you're sitting on your couch rather than in a high-stakes room in Monte Carlo.In summary, as we look ahead, it's clear that AI isn't just changing the game - it's creating an entirely new playing field. From enhanced security to personalized experiences, from responsible gaming to cultural adaptation, AI is helping the iGaming industry evolve in ways that benefit both operators and players. The real winner in all of this? The players, who get to enjoy safer, fairer, and more engaging gaming experiences than ever before.

MetAI, a Taiwanese startup pioneering the integration of industrial AI and 3D simulation technologies, today announced the successful close of a $4 million seed funding round. Investors include Addin Ventures, Kenmec Mechanical Engineering (6125.TWO), NVIDIA, Solomon Technology (2359.TW), SparkLabs Taiwan, and Upstream Ventures. This milestone underscores MetAI's pivotal role in advancing physical AI and bridging the gap between simulation and reality through cutting-edge technologies.The funding will accelerate MetAI's research and development efforts, scale its engineering team, and expand operations into the US market with a focus on semiconductor manufacturing, automated warehousing, and robotics applications.Revolutionizing physical AI and world models with scalable digital twinsThe next wave of AI, often described as the revolution of physical AI or generative physical AI, relies heavily on physically accurate simulated environments where robots, autonomous systems, and operational AI can be trained and validated before deployment. The transition to physical AI—and the development of comprehensive world models—has been hindered by the complex and time-consuming process of creating realistic, functional digital twins.MetAI addresses this challenge with its proprietary generative model, a cutting-edge technology that enables the instantaneous generation of "SimReady (Simulation-Ready)" digital twins. By converting CAD files into operational 3D environments within minutes, MetAI's technology allows businesses to deploy precise, scalable, and fully functional simulations instantly.Developing physically accurate digital twins is seen as a barrier to entry for those looking to develop physical AI at scale," said Daniel Yu, CEO and Co-founder of MetAI. "We're changing that narrative by enabling businesses to instantly train AI systems—whether for robotics, logistics, or manufacturing—in physics-based virtual environments with unprecedented efficiency and scalability."Driving real industry impact: collaboration with KenmecMetAI partnered with Kenmec Mechanical Engineering in 2023 to revolutionize the creation of automated warehouse digital twins. MetAI's technology reduced the time needed for warehouse digital twin simulations from thousands of hours to just 3 minutes, dramatically saving operational and verification efforts. The generated digital twins operate with real-world fidelity, effectively establishing a warehouse world simulator—a dynamic virtual environment that mirrors real-world operations, enabling immediate throughput validation, optimization, and potential integration with AI agents to explore the world in simulations.Credit: MetAIThis collaboration demonstrated such significant value that Kenmec became a major investor in MetAI during this funding round."MetAI is changing the automated industry with its digital twin and simulation technologies," says Jonas Ko, President of Kenmec. "With their advanced technology combined with Kenmec's leading automated solutions, we aim to work together to deliver the most optimal and efficient outcomes for end customers, accelerating the adoption and implementation of automation with unprecedented precision and speed, empowered by AI advancements."Building on this success, MetAI has initiated collaborations with major manufacturing giants, including semiconductor fabs, aiming to apply the same methodology to create operational digital twins for fabs, further accelerating industry-wide efficiency.From real-to-sim to sim-to-realMetAI's technology goes beyond digital twin creation to provide tools for physical AI training, validation, and the generation of precise world models. By integrating scalable digital twins with reinforcement learning, MetAI enables robots and AI agents to learn, adapt, and optimize performance within simulated environments that replicate real-world complexities before real-world deployment.Key benefits include:Scalability: Organizations can rapidly generate environments for multiple scenarios or facilities, enabling faster prototyping and validation, and reducing simulation setup time from months to minutes.World Models for Industrial Use: With digital twins that highly resemble the real world, MetAI enables the creation of world simulators—dynamic, physics-based virtual representations of physical environments—supporting comprehensive AI testing and optimization. Precision Training: Robots and autonomous systems can be trained in physically accurate environments, minimizing real-world testing time, risks, and costs. Iterative Optimization: AI systems can refine their strategies continuously, leveraging reinforcement learning to adapt to changing needs.Driving value for the semiconductor and robotics industriesOne of MetAI's primary focuses is accelerating semiconductor manufacturing, an industry that faces significant challenges in labor constraints and the operational efficiency of factor designs. By simulating fab construction and production line setup with AI agents, MetAI has the potential to reduce timelines by up to a year, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.MetAI's broader applications extend to robotics and warehouses/logistics, where its ability to generate precise, dynamic environments allows for optimal training of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), robotic arms, and other precise industrial systems. This scalability helps industries maintain competitiveness in markets that evolve so fast nowadays.Credit: MetAICredit: MetAICollaboration with NVIDIAAs a member of the NVIDIA Inception program for startups, MetAI has collaborated closely with NVIDIA to refine its applications by integrating NVIDIA Omniverse technologies, unlocking new opportunities and industrial use cases. By taking advantage of the exceptional simulation scalability of the NVIDIA Omniverse platform, MetAI aims to empower businesses with applications that possess unprecedented speed and precision to train AI systems for real-world deployment.Scaling in the US MarketBuilding on its momentum and preliminary success with industry leaders in Taiwan's manufacturing and automation sector, MetAI is set to fuel the momentum of growth and accelerate its presence in the US market. With plans to deepen its US operations in 2025, the company is committed to bringing its groundbreaking technologies to the US semiconductor and automated warehouse industries, supporting businesses to achieve new heights of operational efficiency and digital transformation.Credit: MetAICredit: MetAI

In recent years, artificial intelligence technology has rapidly advanced, leading to the development of poker bots able to compete against professional human players. With names like Claudico, Libratus, Pluribus, and DeepStack, these AI poker agents employ sophisticated mathematical algorithms and probabilities to study games and opponents. They measure game theory and optimal strategies, exploit machine learning, and always try to achieve the maximum expected value for a large number of hands.Some of today's leading poker AIs have beaten top human players in scientific tests playing poker. The Libratus AI (an artificial intelligence developed at Carnegie Mellon University) defeated top human players in 120,000 hands of no-limit Texas Hold'em. Facebook's Pluribus bot won against top pros in six-player no-limit Hold'em. With the technology getting better and better, the majority of people in the poker community are curious about what impact increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) poker bots will have on the online poker landscape.Despite the impressive recent successes of online poker bots, today's best-of-breed AIs still suffer from some obvious limitations. The most advanced poker AIs excel in fixed-limit Texas Hold'em but are less effective at more sophisticated no-limit games. They still lack human intuition and the capacity to detect small patterns in betting behavior and styles. This means players could predict their methods, as well as identify and exploit their vulnerabilities.The communication and psychological aspects of poker also pose problems for current bots, as do the dynamics of multi-player matches compared to simpler heads-up competitions. Furthermore, the practical use of state-of-the-art poker AI programs requires substantial computing power and facilities. Regular updates are necessary to optimize algorithms, prevent exploitation, and adapt to new developments.Impact on Professional and Casual PlayersDespite their current constraints, AI bots will probably be common in online poker as the technology inevitably improves. The widespread use of poker bots may impact professionals and amateurs differently. For pros, bots will likely lower win rates as the human advantage of reading opponents and adapting on the fly decreases. Only elite players would retain an edge against top AIs. Bots could also undermine the "feel" and intuitiveness of gameplay that many pros rely on. Collusion between bots could also be a concern.For casual players, bots may reduce games and site traffic, dominating lower stakes. Humans may find playing mostly bots programmed to maximize EV less fun and social.Necessary Changes in Strategy and Industry PracticesWidespread poker bots will demand adaptation of strategy and business models. Players will probably need to adjust their strategies in order to compete with the increasingly sophisticated AI programs — their thinking may need to become more math-based than intuitive. But the bots' lack of emotion could help disciplined players.Poker websites may have to change the formats, restraints, and matchmaking to control bot influence and make gaming fair and fun. New variants could also be introduced. However, sites may lose traffic, as there's a possibility that players frustrated by bot activity may want to quit. As for average players, bot activity will be troublesome in the higher ranges of the gameplay. On the other hand, bot-aided coaching tools may assist novices in mastering the basics.The Allure and Controversy of Poker BotsWhile poker bots offer some advantages, their emergence is also creating controversy and debate. Many players understandably have concerns about fairness, integrity, and the "purity" of gameplay against bots.For poker strategy and theory enthusiasts, AI pushes the boundaries of perfect play in intriguing ways. Their mathematically optimal strategies and superhuman endurance reveal truths about the game. Some even find battling wits against an AI a fun challenge. However, many serious players find competing against bots unappealing compared to matching wits with real human opponents exhibiting skill, creativity, and personality. Poker loses its social element against detached, algorithmic foes.If overused, bots could make the games mechanical and drain most of the inherent joy, turning online poker into more of a math exercise than a battle of wits. There is also wariness about how bots could be used unfairly if not properly regulated. While they have advantages in relentlessly applying game theory, their limitations reinforce the value of human intuition, psychology, and flexibility. Protocols may be needed to separate bot-only and human-only matches and mitigate concerns so that both can coexist.The growth of AI poker bots sparks mixed feelings and debates about the soul of the game. But one thing is clear — poker's complexity means bots are unlikely to completely dominate the top levels of the game anytime soon without major pushback from poker professionals and enthusiasts. For now, the human element perseveres, as the subtle psychological and emotional aspects of poker remain elusive to AI.

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is being switched off in 2025, marking a milestone in the advancements in telecommunication technology. Providers are making a digital leap to more advanced networks, but it has left members of the public questioning: What's next?The PSTN has been the backbone of voice communication for decades, both in Asia and the rest of the world. However, from the beginning of 2025, it is being gradually phased out. This decision is due to a need for more cost-effective and advanced communication solutions with more features that the users need. It is costly to maintain the infrastructure needed for PSTN, and this network is also incompatible with the latest telecommunication developments.Telecommunication companies are instead investing in modern tech, like Next-Generation Networks (NGN) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), taking a step into the digital era. Asia is going to be most affected by PSTN retirement, as there are large rural areas that are underserved. The transition is likely to highlight areas where more inclusive communication solutions must be developed.It is not just the telecoms industry that is seeing a digital revolution. Various sectors have embraced tech advancements, turning online to bolster their offerings. For example, the entertainment industry has significantly grown in the online world, thanks to online games and gambling. The US has seen the biggest shifts, with online gambling revenue exceeding $20 billion. That's because of the convenience of these platforms. Online casinos in Texas, a state where gambling is tightly regulated, allow Texans to gamble online in a state where they can't access brick-and-mortar establishments. These offshore casinos come with the latest games, big bonuses, and advanced security measures.In addition to the entertainment industry, online shopping, cloud computing, and e-learning systems dominate the modern world. There is clearly a digital shift going on globally, with cloud-based technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) services overshadowing tech from decades ago. PSTN had its limitations and could not be accessed by people living in areas where the infrastructure could not reach, but now there are opportunities to reach these areas, providing social-economic benefits through digital transformation.However, there are also challenges to the retirement of PSTNs. There are many businesses and operating systems that rely on this technology, and these must be upgraded or overhauled completely to adapt to new technologies. This is most challenging in the security, healthcare, and financial sectors where alarms and medical devices are linked to PSTN infrastructure.Many Asian companies are also not yet aware of the implications of the PSTN phase-out. There needs to be an effort to educate the community and implement mechanisms to support those who will be most impacted.As mentioned, the rural areas will also be most impacted. Currently, many regions of Asia rely on PSTN telemetry systems to monitor utility availability. Transitioning from these systems to, for example, IoT sensors that transmit data, may be beneficial in the long run since it deliver up-to-date data and real-time analytics, but the initial deployment can be expensive.Even in large metropolises, like Singapore and Tokyo, the retirement of PSTN will be challenging. These cities rely on PSTN for emergency communication in elevators and other scenarios and will have to quickly implement new emergency measures.Although the switch-off is laying the foundation for new telecommunication technologies, the new tech, like 5G networks, NGN, IoT, and VoIP must be immediately implemented to prevent obstructions. The retirement of PSTN in Asia and abroad marks the end of an era but also signals new beginnings as flexible and feature-rich solutions are rolled out.

In the dynamic world of gambling venues, the newest casinos in the Netherlands emerge as pioneers of innovation and sustainability. These casinos strive to captivate the modern player through a fusion of tradition and progressive technology. The Netherlands has a rich history of traditional gaming halls, but the need for change and adaptation to modern demands has produced new projects that are both impressive and in line with contemporary standards.A notable example of this is the development of the Holland Casino in Venlo. Here, architecture and ecology have gone hand in hand, with the building providing energy-saving solutions such as solar panels and LED lighting. For more information on the design and sustainability of this casino, you can take a look at the sustainability and technology of the Holland Casino Venlo. In addition, recent developments show that online gambling platforms in the Netherlands are quickly adapting to changing regulations. These platforms offer a wide range of games, various payment options, and a strong focus on user safety. As a result, the gaming environment is changing drastically and ensures that both physical and digital casinos can offer innovative and reliable gaming experiences.Sustainability as a key to successSustainability has become a central theme in the latest casino projects in the Netherlands. Holland Casino in Venlo is a key player in this, with an impressive integration of biometric access control and ecological focus. For example, special corridors for bats have been installed to protect local wildlife. This approach to sustainable building is becoming increasingly important as players and visitors make more conscious choices regarding their environmental impact. Furthermore, other new casinos are encouraged to adopt additional innovations and sustainable technologies that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. This leads to a trend in which Dutch casinos play an exemplary role, inspiring already established institutions to also take steps towards green energy and environmental conservation.Regulations and the digital transformationThe gambling industry in the Netherlands is currently undergoing significant changes due to new government regulations. These changes have consequences for both physical and online casinos. Online platforms benefit from licenses issued by the Netherlands Gambling Authority, which leads to a regulated and safe gaming environment for enthusiasts. Innovations such as the use of IDEMIA's digital vault technology ensure compliance and data security. This type of technology ensures that casinos not only meet regulatory requirements but also build trust among their players. This transition to stricter regulation reflects the need for a balance between opening up the market to international players and protecting local interests, while also emphasizing the importance of technology in the gambling experience.Popular gaming options and technological innovationsThe modernization of casinos in the Netherlands is further emphasized by the implementation of advanced technologies and the expansion of gaming options offered. Traditional games such as blackjack and roulette remain popular, but there is a growing interest in digital versions and interactive experiences such as video poker. Holland Casino is leading the way in this regard, investing in advanced video technologies that seamlessly connect with the needs of the current generation of players. For more details on the architectural and technological developments, you can view the project details of MVSA Architects for Holland Casino Venlo. This combination of technology and classic gaming is also found in online casinos, which appeal to an ever-growing audience with their bonuses and extensive payment options. This evolution points to an era in which the latest casinos in the Netherlands are positioning themselves as more than just a place for escapism but as an innovative spearhead for entertainment and technology.

There's a new sheriff in gambling town: sweepstake casinos. These sites are stealing the spotlight faster than a blackjack dealer shuffles cards. Yes, regular online casinos have their glitz and glamour, but sweepstakes are shaking the scene up in a way no one saw coming.Why are so many iGamers choosing sweepstake casinos?First off, there's the irresistible allure of free stuff. Who doesn't love freebies? Unlike regular online casinos, sweepstakes don't make you cough up cash just to join the fun. The best sweepstakes sites hand you a bundle of free coins or 'sweeps' simply for signing up. It's like walking into a party, and someone hands you a plate of snacks just for showing up. And while regular casinos might lure you in with flashy deposit bonuses, those usually come with a spider web of terms and conditions. Meanwhile, sweepstakes keep things refreshingly straightforward. Games can be played, sweeps coins won, and rewards cashed out, all without requiring an initial monetary investment.Another big reason? Legal accessibility. Online gambling laws can feel like going through a Harry Potter Triwizard's labyrinth. Some states allow regular online casinos, others don't. So here comes sweepstakes, which dance around these laws like a graceful ballerina. They operate under a sweepstake model, which is perfectly legal in most states, even the ones that frown upon traditional online gambling. This means that iGamers who previously had to sit on the sidelines can now get in on the action, no VPNs or legal headaches required.Let's also talk about the social factor. Traditional online casinos can feel a bit solitary at times. Sure, there are live dealer games, but most of the time, it's just you and your screen. Sweepstake casinos, on the other hand, have a community vibe that's hard to beat. You can join through social media platforms, and many sweepstake casinos encourage interaction with chat rooms, leaderboards, and even community challenges.And then there's the game variety. Sweepstake casinos aren't just copy/pasting the same tired slots and table games. They're spicing things up with unique and creative games. You can find candy-themed slots, Wild West poker, or cosmic adventures, and many more, depending on your style and preferences. What's more, they're constantly adding new games to keep things lovely, so you're never stuck in a rut. Because, let's face it, monotony is the kiss of death in the iGaming world.Sweepstakes offer low-risk entertainment, allowing players to enjoy games without requiring real-money stakes. This makes them an appealing option for casual gamers who can focus on the fun rather than financial concerns. It's a chance to enjoy gaming while still having the opportunity to win real rewards.Flexibility in gameplay is another reason iGamer are choosing sweepstake casinos. Online traditional online casinos, where gameplay often hinges on strict betting rules and limited demo options, sweepstake platforms will let you switch with no effort between casual play and the chance to win real cash. You could be in a mood for a quick spin on a slot during your coffee break or a more strategic poker session–sweepstake casinos can offer you all. This flexibility makes it easy to go and play whenever you have time, no tied down rules, and a lot of freedom to play on your own terms.Lastly, don't forget the novelty factor. Sweepstakes casinos bring a fresh stream to the online gaming experience. For many iGamers, it's a chance to try something different from the same-old, same-old. The concept of playing with sweeps coins, winning real cash, and doing it all legally in a state where traditional gambling isn't allowed feels downright revolutionary.Sweepstake casinos bring a fresh and accessible twist to online gaming, but it's important to game responsibly. Set limits, prioritize fun over winnings, and enjoy the experience without overindulging.

The accelerating global digital transformation has positioned storage devices as no longer merely tools for data storage but as critical cornerstones for facilitating information security, promoting computational efficiency, and shoring up business innovation. In response to the industry trends, BIWIN has unveiled a brand-new generation of storage solution - Mini SSD, a revolutionizing version that breaks through the volume limitations of traditional SSD. The breakout product is a masterpiece that combines all aspects of powerful performance, compact size, and high reliability, redefining new benchmarks for storage peripherals, breaking the boundaries between storage and application, and immersing users with efficient and secure data management experiences anytime, anywhere.Redefining Storage Form Factor: Balance Between Small Size and High PerformanceThe Mini SSD crystallizes BIWIN's years of technological accumulation in storage solutions and packaging and testing fields. The application of LGA (Land Grid Array) packaging technology contributes to high integration of controller and NAND flash modules, resulting in the integral dimensions of just 15mm×17mm×1.4mm which is almost equivalent to a microSD card or just half the size of a coin, yet realizing a leapfrog in performance and capacity enhancement. Its design meets both the needs of terminal devices for slim portability and provides greater design flexibility for device manufacturers.Redefining Storage Form Factor: Balance Between Small Size and High PerformancePowered by complementary slot design to enable a flexible plug-and-play experience, this innovation allows for extensive compatibility with abundant devices including laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, NAS, smart photo albums, and portable SSDs, effortlessly fitting massive data into your "pocket". Furthermore, the removability functionality featured by Mini SSD simplifies data transfer processes, breaks data boundaries, and enhances data sharing convenience between devices, meeting storage needs in different scenarios and becoming a capable assistant for smart living.Size Down, Performance Up Driving a Comprehensive Upgrade of Smart ExperienceMini SSD achieves excellent performance in its compact body. The product supports PCIe 4.0×2 interfaces and NVMe 1.4 protocol, and by adopting 3D TLC NAND, it achieves read speeds up to 3700MB/s and write speeds up to 3400MB/s, along with a wide range of capacity options covering 512GB~2TB, fulfilling high-efficient storage needs across various scenarios including mobile devices and edge intelligent terminals.Size Down, Performance Up Driving a Comprehensive Upgrade of Smart ExperienceWith extraordinary efficiency performance as swift as a strong gale, the Mini SSD effortlessly handles high-load scenarios, including rapid loading of large AAA games, 4K video editing, image rendering, real-time interactions, and multitasking demands. Whether for gaming enthusiasts or content creators, the Mini SSD delivers an unprecedented smooth and efficient user experience.With extraordinary efficiency performance as swift as a strong gale, the Mini SSD effortlessly handles high-load scenariosThe substantial capacity of the Mini SSD equips customers to handle multi-functional media centers and small data centers on home/enterprise NAS, and smart photo albums, providing excellent storage and performance guarantees for home audio-visual entertainment, photo album sharing management, cloud collaborative working, and remote file access applications, all of which help to ensure perfect preservation of precious moments from business exhibitions, artistic creation, and family life, making life more convenient and memories more vivid.Collaborative Hardware and Firmware: Dual Protection of Security and ReliabilityIn addition to demonstrating excellence in performance, Mini SSD from BIWIN qualifies for data security and device stability through hardware and software collaborative design. The products are equipped with top-notch integrated packaging technologies which are replete with capabilities of vibration resistance and shock resistance, as well as IP68 rating dust and water resistance. Designed to withstand outdoor drops and impacts, it's able to endure falls from a height of up to 3 meters without damage, meeting high-standard data protection in a wide range of complex and variable environments. The particular LGA packaging form creates reliable electrical and mechanical connections through direct pad-to-pin connections, engineered to power well-established vibration and shock resistance and then secure stable operation under harsh circumstances.Collaborative Hardware and Firmware: Dual Protection of Security and ReliabilityIn terms of firmware algorithm, this Mini SSD boasts technical features like dynamic SLC cache, dynamic wear leveling, Trim, GC (Garbage Collection), and advanced thermal management, ensuring continuously durable writing and secure reliable storage of data and thereby protecting data integrity and consistency.The launch of the Mini SSD, which marks an important step in BIWIN's integrated R&D and packaging and testing business model, not only crystallizes its profound insights into storage technology but also injects fresh vitality into the industry with its exceptional performance and innovative design.BIWIN has a clear sense that not only is the success of a product determined by the technology itself but also backed by collaborative cooperation with upstream and downstream partners in the industry chain. Looking ahead, BIWIN will continue to bear in mind the concepts of openness and mutual benefits to forge partnerships with terminal manufacturers and industry collaborators with the goal of promoting the marketization of Mini SSD, accelerating ecosystem development, and achieving dual empowerment of technology and business value. Taking Mini SSD as a springboard, BIWIN is readily steeling itself to explore the new frontiers in storage technologies, funding development efforts into technical research and development and diversifying the product matrix, thereby sparking valuable growth for users and partners and jointly creating unlimited possibilities for the future of storage.For More About BIWIN: https://en.biwin.com.cn/

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents have emerged as the critical application of generative AI to drive the growth of future tech. Taiwania Capital and Amazon Web Services (AWS) invited globally recognized AI expert Andrew Ng to explore the potential of AI agents and the outlook of the AI industry at the AI Agents Forum on November 5, 2024.Andrew Ng is the general partner of AI Fund, which has just announced the opening of a branch office in Taipei, with Jill Shih as its general manager.Deputy Minister Fang-guan Jan of Taiwan's National Development Council (NDC), an investor in the AI Fund, also brought good news to the forum. "Together with the Ministry of Digital Affairs, we are launching a NT$10 billion project focused on AI and digital industries." Jan said, "With the partnership of the government and the private sector, we hope to build an even stronger AI system in Taiwan."Taiwania Capital CEO David Weng said, "Generative AI is transforming many industries, and with NDC and private sector funds' commitment, combined with Taiwan's semiconductor and server manufacturing prowess with the emerging software, especially the Agentic AI application, we can put Taiwan in the center of so many innovative solutions."In his keynote speech, Ng discussed the layers of the AI ecosystem, ranging from semiconductors and cloud infrastructure to foundational models and applications. He underscored that the application layer holds the greatest opportunity for Taiwanese companies, particularly in developing robust application solutions. "Taiwan has strong global visibility thanks to its leadership in semiconductors and ICT manufacturing. However, focusing on AI applications can unlock even more revenue and value to support underlying technology layers."Ng also introduced a new "Agentic Orchestration Layer" in the AI ecosystem, which exists between the application layer and foundational models in which OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta operate their large language models (LLMs). This layer represents companies like LangChain and CrewAI, which facilitate multi-agent cooperation by enabling different AI agents with specialized functions to work together seamlessly.Ng emphasized that AI would accelerate corporate innovation processes, and some industries will benefit a lot from AI-agent-assisted exploration. He mentioned when AI agents of AlphaGo started to explore the game of Go ten years ago, it started very quickly beating all the human champions. "We're going to use agents to break things fast and learn," said Ng. "If your industries are built on heuristics and not on exhaustive explorations in the past, then chances are that you need to watch encroaching on your territory."He shared insights on five trends leading to the future of AI:Trend 1: Increasing demand for AI computing power highlights the importance of faster and cheaper tokens, which Taiwan's semiconductor industry can continue to capitalize on.Trend 2: Building prototypes of AI-based products and services is becoming very efficient, which is changing the corporate innovation process: "It's easy to generate 20 ideas now, and 19 of them don't work well, so just throw them away," said Wu. Now it's easy to generate 20 ideas, 19 of which don't work well, so just throw them away," said Andrew Ng.Trend 3: AI is already heavily utilizing text-based technologies. In the future, AI will move towards a multimodal form, moving from text to image analysis, and Taiwanese companies can focus on visual AI applications in areas such as manufacturing, autonomous driving, and security.Trend 4: Data Gravity is decreasing, meaning the cost of "moving" data is becoming lower.Trend 5: The importance of data engineering is increasing, especially in the management of unstructured data such as text and images.CK Tseng, Arm VP, Sales of North America, Da-shan Shiu, Managing director of MediaTek Research, and Robert Wang, Managing Director of AWS Taiwan and Hong Kong, joined Andrew Ng in a panel discussion moderated by David Weng. They see agentic AI systems that autonomously execute tasks as transformative across multiple sectors, especially when embedded in workflows that enhance productivity and accuracy. They highlight several use cases:1. Service Efficiency: Tseng provided a real-life example where agentic AI can streamline services, like restaurant reservations, by allowing AI-to-AI communication, thus reducing inefficiencies for both consumers and businesses.2. B2B Opportunities: Panelists noted that agentic AI is particularly impactful in business-to-business (B2B) contexts. AI-driven workflows can tackle complex, high-stakes applications like legal document processing, cross-border trade facilitation, and energy management, where domain-specific knowledge is critical. They observed that B2B applications have less competitive pressure than consumer-facing (B2C) applications, which often get replicated quickly.3. Trust and Reliability: Regarding trustworthiness, panelists stressed the need for AI agents to earn user trust through the reliable execution of delegated tasks. They discussed tools like guardrails and verification mechanisms to improve accuracy and avoid errors, noting that many companies fine-tune their language models to ensure the reliability of function calls, which is crucial for dependable task execution.4. Industry-wide Applications: The panelists foresee widespread adoption in industries with extensive digital operations. They mentioned healthcare, finance, and manufacturing as sectors likely to benefit from agentic AI, especially when it can operate autonomously within established, digitally integrated processes.As AI agents gain traction, the panelists anticipate a wave of new startups focused on developing novel AI agents, accelerating commercialization across various industries.In his closing remarks, Weng reiterated Taiwania Capital's commitment to supporting Taiwan's startup ecosystem in the Agentic AI era. Jointly planned with AWS, Taiwania has organized a series of activities to support AI startups and enable mature industries to upgrade and transform. Their goal is to help Taiwan secure a competitive advantage in the generative AI landscape, opening new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today launched a beta version of M-Trust, a secure cyber-physical trust platform, created to help solve the growing issues of product safety, traceability, and counterfeiting.Laura Matz, Chief Science & Technology Officer of Merck stated, "As expectations for product quality control rise, companies must ensure safety and transparency in their industrial value chains while complying with ever-tightening regulations. Until now, they may have struggled to fully digitalize assurance processes because machines did not meet human standards. M-Trust is a first-to-market, cyber-physical trust platform that enhances product traceability and authenticity by digitally empowering human capabilities in quality control processes. Designed for businesses that want to remain competitive in today's connected world, this innovative technology is also poised to enable the novel business models of tomorrow."The M-Trust platform enables organizations to improve product quality and authenticity by immutably linking the physical and digital worlds. Powered by advanced Web 3.0 technology, the new offering supports the creation of digital twins for enhanced product security and the digitization of quality control processes.The platform allows customers to:-Use crypto anchor technologies to link physical products to their digital identities, enhancing traceability and quality assurances throughout the supply chain.-Work within a framework that enables them to build digital systems that translate human capabilities in quality control into more efficient and less error-prone machine-to-machine interactions - the platform can be leveraged to help machines identify objects with certainty and make verifiable claims about them.-Integrate product authenticity into their systems, including the potential for smart contracts that verify data and automate agreements within a value chain.The M-Trust portfolio of software and hardware is first-to-market and built on multi-patented technology. The Platform as a Service (PaaS) offering includes software that can be easily integrated into existing workflows and processes, crypto anchors that are adaptable to different security needs, and corresponding reader hardware.Built in-house at Merck, this technology is backed by the company's legacy and expertise in product quality and security and is designed to adapt to evolving technologies and regulatory requirements, such as the EU Digital Product Passport.The M-Trust platform is being launched in beta to offer verified users an early invite to be part of the new product's journey. Updates on the general availability will be provided in due course. More information on the new platform and developer-focused software development kits can be found at: www.MTrust.io

Ink Invent, CES 2024 Smart Cities Award Honoree, is once again showcasing new RheoLight Crystal Glass innovations. Black made visible for LiDAR and the Visibility Label for mobility coatings.Finally, Black Made Visible for ADASStatistics reveal that black is the most hazardous color for vehicles in motion. Because of their reduced visibility, black cars face a 47% higher risk of accidents at dusk or dawn and a 12% higher risk by day compared to white vehicles. Automotive black paint reflects less than 2% of light, and this significantly limits LiDAR sensors' ability to detect vehicles at a critical distance of 200 meters.RheoLight implemented in black metallic or pearlescent automotive coatings, strongly improves the accuracy and reliability of data captured by LiDAR sensors and Computer Vision. This leads to safer navigation and more accurate obstacle detection, finally making black vehicles detectable.RheoLight benefits in Black coatingsBlack metallic with 9% RheoLight; ADAS data improvements LiDAR | 280% more reflectivity Computer Vision | 150% more reliabilityVisibility Label for safer mobility colors The Visibility Label is an innovative rating system designed to measure the visibility of coatings in the mobility industry. It ranks the human visibility of colors from A (highly visible) to G (barely visible) under low and dark lighting conditions. It also includes an additional A to G visibility score for LiDAR and Computer Vision (camera), which are used in ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) for autonomous driving.What are Crystal Glass Pigments?RheoLight, the world's first Crystal Glass Pigment, represents a groundbreaking class of effect pigments characterized by their unique physical and chemical structure: perfectly round Crystal Glass Microspheres. Much like the properties of diamonds, RheoLight enhances and intensifies light direction and reflection, delivering strong specular and return reflections under all lighting conditions.Amazingly, just 1 gram of RheoLight CSTL (automotive OEM grade) contains 12 billion perfectly round Crystal Glass Microspheres, each with an average particle size of 5 microns. RheoLight mobility grades are available as liquid dispersions, enabling seamless formulation in mobility coatings.Experience RheoLight at CES 2025Visit our booth to explore how simple it is to create striking and visible automotive colors with our RheoLight R&D Mini-Lab and ColorLab engineers.Safety made beautiful in every color at the Ink Invent / RheoLight booth #62100/6 - Eureka Park at the CES 2025 Holland pavilion