Artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage at CES 2025, bringing a key challenge for tech giants into focus: balancing high performance with power efficiency amid growing computational demands. In CES 2025, Silicon Motion Technology introduced its PCIe Gen5 SSD controller, the SM2508, specifically designed to address this need. Leading brands like ADATA Technology, BIWIN, and Lexar showcased a range of next-generation PCIe Gen5 SSD products powered by the SM2508 controller. Meanwhile, Fanxiang unveiled several storage solutions featuring the SM2320 controller, demonstrating Silicon Motion Technology's extensive expertise in storage controller innovations.CES 2025 – Striking the Perfect Balance Between High Performance and Power Efficiency in the Computational EraThe SM2508 capitalizes on TSMC's 6nm EUV process technology to slash power consumption by 50% compared to 12nm solutions. Its PCIe Gen5 implementation operates below 7 watts, delivering a 70% improvement in energy efficiency. Equipped with an advanced 8-channel architecture, the SM2508 supports capacities of up to 8TB. It is paired with a NAND flash interface speed of up to 3600MT/s, enabling sequential read/write speeds of 14.5GB/s and 13.6GB/s, respectively. The controller also delivers random read/write performance exceeding 2.5 million IOPS, representing a threefold improvement over its predecessor.At CES 2025, ADATA Technology showcased its new MARS 970 series, introducing two SSDs powered by the SM2508 controller for desktops and laptops. The MARS 970 STORM, designed for desktop computers, features an ARM Cortex R8 real-time computing architecture and an 8-channel NAND flash design. It achieves sequential read speeds of 14,000MB/s and sequential write speeds of 12,000MB/s. Combined with XPG's exclusive hybrid liquid-air cooling system, it is particularly suited for high-load applications such as AAA gaming, high-performance workstations, and AI computing. The MARS 970 BLADE, designed for laptops, breaks the limitation of large heatsinks typically required for PCIe Gen5 SSDs. It delivers sequential read speeds of 12,000MB/s and sequential write speeds of 11,000MB/s, while an innovative ultra-thin heatsink design ensures excellent cooling without increasing the laptop's thickness or weight. ADATA Technology expressed its intention to continue deepening its partnership with Silicon Motion Technology, expanding the application of PCIe Gen5 technology to develop diversified storage solutions such as USB devices and external SSDs, catering to various market demands and providing comprehensive storage products for both consumer and enterprise users.Another storage giant, BIWIN (BIWIN STORAGE TECHNOLOGY), also exhibited a range of new storage products powered by Silicon Motion Technology controllers. Among them, the flagship PCIe Gen5 SSDs X570 PRO and Predator GM9000, both utilizing the SM2508 controller, offer read speeds of 14,000MB/s and write speeds of 13,000MB/s, along with up to 4GB of DRAM cache. These features, along with smart optimization mechanisms, significantly enhance data processing and multitasking capabilities. With a high-quality 3D TLC NAND flash memory design, the random access performance reaches 2 million IOPS, meeting the stringent demands of high-end users for professional workstations and gaming computations. For portable storage solutions, BIWIN introduced the Amber PR2000 external SSD powered by the SM2320 controller. It supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 specifications, offering read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s and write speeds of 1,800MB/s, providing high-performance mobile storage for professionals.Lexar presented several products based on its latest collaborations with Silicon Motion Technology. Among them, the SL500 external SSD, a recipient of the 2025 CES Innovation Award, features an innovative magnetic design for direct attachment to a smartphone's back and supports 4K 120fps high-quality video recording, catering to the mobile shooting needs of content creators. Another key product is the NM1090 Pro SSD, developed for PC gamers, which is powered by the SM2508 controller built using Silicon Motion Technology's 6nm process. It offers sequential read speeds of up to 14GB/s and write speeds of 12GB/s, nearly doubling the performance of PCIe 4.0 products. Thanks to the advanced manufacturing process of the SM2508 controller, this product not only effectively manages heat dissipation during high-speed operation but also maintains stable performance and excellent energy efficiency during professional applications such as 4K/8K video editing, AI model training and high-performance graphics computing.At CES 2025, Fanxiang showcased several new products powered by Silicon Motion SM2320 controller. Silicon Motion's SM2320 portable SSD controller is equipped with both Type-C and USB-A interfaces, supporting transmission speeds of 20Gbps and 10Gbps, respectively. Despite its compact size—roughly that of a USB flash drive—it delivers outstanding performance, transferring 4GB of video in just 2 seconds, even in low-temperature environments. This makes it particularly well-suited for mobile professionals, content creators, and business users.As the AI computing era unfolds, the balance between storage device performance and power consumption becomes increasingly important. At CES 2025, leading storage companies such as ADATA Technology, BIWIN, Lexar, and Fanxiang showcased several products powered by Silicon Motion Technology controllers. Whether it's the high-speed read/write performance sought by gamers, the stable computational performance demanded by professional workstations, or the need for thin and efficient cooling in laptops, Silicon Motion Technology's solutions cater to these diverse requirements. Looking to the future, Silicon Motion Technology is committed to deepening its relationships with customers and partners, seizing opportunities in the next generation of storage technology.Lexar - NM1090 Pro SSDCredit: LexarBIWIN - X570 SSDCredit: BiwinAdata - MARS 970 STORM SSD Credit: AdataAdata - MARS 970 BLADE SSDCredit: Adata

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.

As a DIGITIMES senior analyst covering the wearable technology sector, I've observed an interesting shift in the smart glasses market. While most manufacturers race to pack more technology into their frames, a new segment is emerging that prioritizes lifestyle integration over cutting-edge features.The current smart glasses landscape"Most AR smart glasses can be separated into two categories based on their projection systems," notes Will Greenwald in his comprehensive CES 2025 coverage. "Prism systems that bounce a projection off of a prism into your eye, and waveguide systems that use special etchings in a flat lens to guide the projection into your eye."However, this tech-first approach may be missing what everyday consumers actually want from their eyewear.The power challenge and innovationThe smart glasses industry has consistently struggled with power management. While established players like TCL's RayNeo X3 and Even Realities G1 (priced at US$599) focus on wireless capabilities and AI integration, MagicPalm's approach to battery life through magnetic swappable batteries could influence future design trends. They claim over six hours of continuous use, with the potential for extended use through battery swaps.This practical solution to one of the industry's most persistent challenges exemplifies how focusing on user experience rather than technical specifications can lead to meaningful innovation.A fresh perspective on smart eyewearWhile tech-focused companies compete on features like AR displays and AI integration, MagicPalm has entered the market with a distinctly different philosophy – focusing on everyday usability and compatibility with existing eyewear. Their approach suggests that the future of smart glasses might not lie in maximizing technical capabilities, but in seamlessly integrating with users' daily lives.Simplicity as innovationThe smart glasses industry has traditionally emphasized technological advancement, with prices ranging from $400-$600 for feature-rich devices. However, MagicPalm's focus on core functionalities – audio, battery life, and style compatibility – represents a pragmatic shift toward what consumers might actually need.Their patented integration technology, which works with 90% of global eyewear styles, addresses a simple but crucial consumer need: the ability to make their existing, preferred eyewear "smart" without compromise.Practical solutions to real challengesAs Greenwald points out in his CES coverage, different manufacturers are targeting specific use cases. While Captify glasses from Solaire Inc. focus on real-time captioning and translation, and others pursue AR capabilities, MagicPalm's approach centers on lifestyle enhancement through practical features like directional audio for private conversations and music listening.Accessibility and market impactThe smart glasses market has traditionally targeted early adopters with premium pricing. MagicPalm's announced Amazon launch price of US$150-US$200 suggests a strategic focus on mainstream adoption. This pricing, combined with their compatibility-first approach, could open up the smart glasses market to a broader audience who might have been hesitant about investing in more expensive, tech-heavy options.Looking forwardWhile Greenwald observes that "we're closer than ever to a world where I can have a mini-map and quest objectives in the corner of my vision," there's perhaps an equally important trend emerging: smart glasses that prioritize everyday practicality over futuristic features.MagicPalm appears to have created something special here – smart glasses that finally feel like they're designed for the way we actually live, not just how we imagine the future. This focus on present-day usability over futuristic promises could well be the catalyst that brings smart eyewear into mainstream adoption.As the market matures, we'll be watching several key trends:•The growing demand for lifestyle-focused wearables•Consumer preference for simplicity versus feature-rich devices•Price accessibility and market adoption rates•Integration with existing eyewear ecosystems

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.

iCatch Technology, a leading AI vision SoC platform solution provider in Taiwan, and DMP (Digital Media Professionals), a leading AI acceleration solution company in Japan, are excited to announce their collaboration to co-exhibit at Automotive World 2025, held at Tokyo Big Sight from January 22 to 24, 2025. At this year's event, the two companies will showcase advanced Camera Monitoring System (CMS) solutions for both passenger and commercial vehicles, featuring DMP's AI algorithms for ADAS, DMS, and License Plate Recognition (LPR), all powered by iCatch CR5 AI Vision SoC.CMS, DVR, and DMS cameras are essential for modern automotive safety and convenience, relying on advanced AI-driven applications to provide real-time analytics, improve image quality under diverse environmental conditions, and ensure seamless operation. Low-latency performance is critical for fast decision-making, especially in ADAS, while features such as dirt detection and low-light capabilities ensure system reliability in challenging conditions. High-precision frame synchronization enhances the integration of multiple camera feeds, improving both driver safety and overall system performance.Central to this collaboration is iCatch's latest SoC, the CR5 AI Vision SoC, specifically designed for automotive applications. The CR5 integrates the ThetaEye AI ISP Gen 8 for superior noise reduction and exceptional low-light imaging. Supporting up to 8 cameras with 120dB High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Local Tone Mapping, the CR5 delivers a total resolution of 4K60. The SoC also features a 1.5 TOPS AI Neural Processor Unit (NPU) for robust AI processing, a low-power Smart H.265 codec, and an audio DSP with 3A algorithms.With advanced interfaces like USB 3.2 Gen 1 and SDIO 3.0, the CR5 ensures secure data protection through AES encryption. This collaboration with DMP underscores the strength of their partnership to drive innovation in automotive AI vision solutions."We are thrilled to collaborate with DMP at Automotive World 2025, showcasing the combination of iCatch's cutting-edge Vision SoC with DMP's software and ecosystem," said Weber Hsu, President of iCatch Technology. Tatsuo Yamamoto, Chairman, President, and CEO of DMP, added, "By integrating DMP's AI solutions with iCatch's advanced CR5 SoC, we offer a comprehensive, high-performance system for next-gen automotive applications. This collaboration will enable us to deliver best-in-class solutions for ADAS, DMS, and LPR."For those interested in learning more about iCatch's latest SoC or to view our live demo, please visit our booth at Automotive World 2025 at Tokyo Big Sight from January 22-24, 2025.Credit: iCatch Technology

Alif Semiconductor, a leading global supplier of secure, connected, power-efficient Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) microcontrollers (MCUs) and fusion processors, has reinforced its position as the pioneer of endpoint AI MCUs with the announcement of the second generation of its Ensemble family of products.The new E4, E6, and E8 Ensemble MCUs and fusion processors will integrate the latest neural processing unit (NPU) from Arm, the Ethos -U85, with Alif's unique high bandwidth memory and intelligent power management architecture to support NPU operators required by transformer networks to efficiently execute generative AI workloads. Transformer networks enrich endpoint use cases by focusing on the most relevant parts of older portions of an acquired input sequence while rapidly processing in parallel the current acquired sequence to enable deeper contextualization. For localized use this results in an instant, accurate, and more satisfying experience when using multimodal AI in endpoint products focused on vision, voice, text, and sensor fusion without relying on the cloud.Reza Kazerounian, President of Alif Semiconductor, said: "Alif's original Ensemble controllers in full production today remain at the forefront of the market for AI/ML performance, on-chip resources, energy efficiency, and small footprint. We specifically chose Arm's standardized Ethos NPU IP because of its widely supported broad ecosystem in addition to superior performance and efficiency. Alif's second-generation controllers will dial up benefits again enabling developers to create products that previously they could only wish for, unleashing endless new use cases that will enter our everyday lives."The new Ensemble devices are based on the proven system architecture which made the first-generation E1, E3, E5, and E7 products so popular. These included large, fast on-chip tightly coupled memories to feed pairs of Arm Cortex-M55 CPUs coupled to Ethos-U55 NPUs, Alif's proprietary aiPM granular power management, a hardware-isolated secure enclave, and multiple ways to stream image, sound, and sensor data into the device. Ensemble devices can readily perform inferencing for neural networks using only its internal memory, and with external memory if required.The second generation of Ensemble introduces a set of improvements to give even higher AI/ML performance at lower power consumption, and to provide more integrated support for embedded vision and audio applications. New features integrate a wider internal memory bus topology bringing abundant localized data bandwidth for NPU consumption, dual MIPI-CSI camera interfaces, a fast hardware image signal processor operating up to 200 frames per second, and a pair of faster interfaces to external memory each capable of 800MBytes/s. Finally, new broader options for SRAM data retention give designers more flexibility to wake from sleep faster.Paul Williamson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, IoT Line of Business at ARM, said: "As edge AI deployments continue to grow at pace, we need to deliver smarter, faster, and more secure processing on the devices closest to the data source. With the world's first implementation of the Ethos-U85 in an endpoint AI MCU, Alif is enabling on-device generative AI, which is particularly valuable in voice and vision applications. OEMs can now embed AI into battery-powered applications, illustrating why edge AI is being built on the energy-efficient Arm compute platform."Pete Bernard, Executive Director of the EDGE AI FOUNDATION, added his appreciation of the role that Alif has played in enabling AI at the edge. He said: "The use of transformer networks in endpoint devices such as smart glasses or earbuds promises to make interactions with devices astonishingly intuitive and natural. Alif is opening a pathway to this new opportunity by implementing the Ethos-U85 NPU in the high-performance, low-power Ensemble architecture."The second-generation Ensemble E4, E6, and E8 devices will be available for lead customers, contact Alif for samples. The first-generation E1, E3, E5, and E7 Ensemble devices continue to be actively supported for new designs and are in volume production.

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