In an era dominated by cloud-based AI, a growing movement toward edge computing is emerging. Canadian edge AI startup Picovoice offers a full portfolio of voice AI and LLM technologies, distinguishing itself by delivering cloud-level performance directly on edge devices, combining high performance with privacy and low latency.Founded in January 2018 by Alireza Kenarsari, Picovoice aims to accelerate the transition of AI processing to where data is generated – at the user's fingertips.Kenarsari observed the inherent inefficiencies of cloud-dependent AI assistants, questioning the necessity of sending even simple voice commands to distant data centers for processing."If you tell Alexa to turn off the lights, does it really need to go through half of the planet, go to a data center, and come back? Probably not," Kenarsari said. "I knew what was going to happen, so my goal was to accelerate that transition."He envisioned a future where AI could operate more locally, mirroring human intelligence. This vision, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, led him to establish Picovoice.Kenarsari's journey to Picovoice is marked by a rich blend of experiences. His career began with stints at three different startups in Vancouver, where he witnessed the full spectrum of outcomes from acquisition and IPO to complete failure. This was followed by a role at Amazon, focusing on machine learning-based financial fraud detection. His close interactions with the Alexa unit at Amazon provided him with key insights that would shape his vision for his startup.End-to-end optimizationPicovoice's core technology is distinguished by its end-to-end optimization. The company owns its data pipelines, training mechanisms, and inference engines, enabling it to fine-tune its AI models for optimal performance on edge devices. This approach allows Picovoice to match the accuracy of cloud-based APIs while providing the low latency and reliability crucial for real-time applications.What differentiates Picovoice's solution from other edge-computing competitors? "Many edge deployment solutions use post-training optimization, where a pre-trained model (often open source) is modified to be smaller and faster. This approach has limitations: the original model isn't designed for edge deployment, restricting potential optimizations," explained Kenarsari. "Additionally, reliance on open-source runtimes like PyTorch and TensorFlow limits the optimization techniques available." These limitations make it difficult to achieve cloud-level accuracy on edge devices. That's why Picovoice addresses this by creating its own data pipeline and training mechanism.To empower non-developers to design voice-enabled product interactions, Picovoice has developed a web-based platform that simplifies the creation and customization of voice commands and wake words. It adopts a customer-centric approach, tailoring its business model to suit the unique needs of each client. As Kenarsari notes, "If you're making an AI PC, your constraints are very different compared to someone who is making a $5 million surgical robot."Its solutions are designed to be cross-platform compatible, supporting a wide array of operating systems and hardware configurations from Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox to NPU, GPU, CPU, MPU, and MCUs. "This versatility is particularly valuable for enterprises with diverse product portfolios," said Kenarsari. This is especially valuable for large enterprises that want to provide consistent user experiences across different devices.Value proposition for the edgePicovoice targets industries where privacy, reliability, and real-time processing are paramount, including consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare, public safety, and government tech. The company's business model is B2B-focused, offering cost-effective solutions for high-volume applications. Its technology is being utilized in various innovative applications, including LLM-based voice assistants, agentic AI, and even NASA's next-generation spacesuits. In public safety, Picovoice's on-device solutions ensure that sensitive data remains secure.Picovoice initially earned recognition by delivering technically advanced solutions that outpaced competitors, gaining credibility among sophisticated technical buyers. As the company evolves, expanding its product portfolio and refining its go-to-market strategy, its value is increasingly recognized by non-technical stakeholders as well. With a commitment to transparency, Picovoice offers open access to its technology and resources. Its flexible pricing model is designed to adapt to the unique needs and scale of each customer.Looking aheadLooking ahead, Picovoice's vision is to power a billion devices with its AI technology. It is actively expanding its team and exploring strategic acquisitions to further its reach and impact.The company remains committed to continuous innovation, investing heavily in research and development to stay at the forefront of the AI revolution.Picovoice has achieved profitability and secured significant multi-year deals with Fortune 100 companies. While the company is not actively seeking fundraising, it is open to strategic acquisitions to expand its team and capabilities.

In an exclusive interview, Mariia Zhuldybina, CEO and co-founder of TRAQC, a Canadian startup, shared her vision for transforming quality control in additive electronics manufacturing. The company is pioneering the use of terahertz radiation to inspect the functionality of printed materials in real-time.Zhuldybina's journey began during her PhD research in terahertz metamaterials, where she visited industrial facilities producing printable electronics. "I was fascinated about the production line and how it is working at huge volume and how many we can produce in a very short time," Zhuldybina said, but she also noticed that quality control methods were outdated. This realization sparked her desire to bring her research to the industry, developing a solution for in-line, non-contact quality control.TRAQC's technology uses terahertz light to measure the functionality of printed materials, similar to how our eyes see different colors of light. "Our system is actually measuring how the signal of terahertz light is reflected which corresponds to actual functionality of the printed production of the printed traces. We do it in a similar way to your eyes, for example exploring a rainbow: what is red what is blue what is green, and we can also do it with terahertz to explore what is good electrical properties, what is bad electrical properties," Zhuldybina explained.Key AdvantagesTRAQC's system offers significant advantages over traditional quality control methods. It can operate at speeds up to 50 meters per minute with 95% precision. In contrast, traditional camera solutions only inspect the surface and cannot assess functionality, while probe methods are manual and can damage the products. According to Zhuldybina, "sometimes people throw away kilometers of printed devices because there was a lack of quality control during the production in line."Applications and MarketTRAQC's technology targets various additive electronics manufacturing sectors, including sensors, RFIDs, NFC antennas, medical devices, wearable devices, and solar cells. The company is particularly focused on the solar energy sector, where there is a growing demand for fast, cheap, and thin solar panels. Zhuldybina emphasized the urgency, stating, "We need to go from producing like 360 gigawatt of solar panels per year to 3,000 gigawatts. We need to jump almost 10 times within five years."Competitive Edge and PricingWhile there are existing quality control methods like probe methods, camera systems, and profilometers, TRAQC's solution offers a more comprehensive approach. "All the solutions are missing something what we complement," Zhuldybina noted. Although TRAQC's hardware, priced at $75,000, is more expensive than a simple multimeter, it provides added value through consistent data collection, AI integration, and real-time feedback. The company also employs a subscription model for its AI-powered services, costing around $3,000 per month.Installation, Scalability, and Taiwan's Supply ChainsTRAQC's system is designed for easy integration into existing production lines, requiring only about 30 minutes for installation. The company is currently raising $1 million in pre-seed funding to scale up production, deploy pilot systems, and accelerate market entry.Recognizing the importance of strategic partnerships, TRAQC is also looking to leverage Taiwan's robust supply chains. "Yes, we are very open for this opportunity, and not only in printable electronics but in terms of the technology which we are using," said Zhuldybina, indicating a dual interest in both printable electronics and the broader technology supply chain in Taiwan.Vision for the FutureLooking ahead, TRAQC aims to become the standard tool for the printed electronics industry, providing a comprehensive solution for quality control and process improvement. The company is also committed to sustainability, with the goal of reducing waste and energy consumption in manufacturing. According to their estimates, a single TRAQC machine can reduce CO2 emissions by 150,000 kilograms of CO2 equivalent.TRAQC's innovative approach has the potential to significantly impact the additive electronics manufacturing industry by improving efficiency, reducing waste, and enabling the production of high-quality products.TRAQC's system offers significant advantages over traditional quality control methodsPhoto: CompanyTRAQC's system is designed for easy integration into existing production linesPhoto: Company

Procero, a company focused on enabling edge AI use cases, is making significant strides in empowering businesses to run AI applications locally and within their own environments. In a recent interview, Board Director Dr. Richard Reiner discussed Procero's mission, its technology's potential, and its views on the evolving AI landscape.Procero's core focus is to enable AI applications, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and other generative AI, to operate on-premise, addressing critical concerns around data privacy, cost-efficiency, and latency. Dr. Reiner highlighted the increasing demand for edge AI solutions, driven by the need to avoid reliance on large, cloud-based environments."The demand for running AI on the edge is very strong, but the availability of edge AI solutions has been limited," Dr. Reiner stated, emphasizing Procero's commitment to enhancing the capability of edge devices to handle more complex AI use cases with greater performance.Procero sees strong potential across several vertical markets, including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, network intelligence, telecom-based edge computing, smart mobility, and healthcare. Dr. Reiner pointed out healthcare as a key area where edge AI solutions are crucial due to privacy regulations.Strategic partnerships across the AI ecosystemProcero is actively seeking to collaborate with key players across the AI technology ecosystem. This includes:*Semiconductor companies: Procero aims to partner with companies producing NPUs, GPUs, or TPUs, particularly those focused on edge devices for AI PCs, AI-enabled mobile devices, and IoT devices. Procero's software solution can significantly expand the capability to run AI applications on these systems.*Device OEMs: Procero also targets device Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that integrate semiconductor and memory technology into finished products like IoT devices, mobile phones, and laptops. The company offers its software to enhance AI capabilities at the device level.*Application vendors: Recognizing the importance of application-specific AI implementations, Procero seeks to collaborate with vendors developing AI-driven applications such as chatbots, image generation, and video generation for various devices. Procero's edge-optimized inference engine can be embedded within these applications to improve performance.Early success and strong IP moatFounded at the end of 2023, Procero has quickly advanced from its R&D phase to having its first commercially available product and is engaging with major companies. The company was founded within a venture lab in Montreal called Tandem Launch, and its technology is based on intellectual property licensed from leading university research institutions as well as additional IP developed within the company.Procero has a strong IP moat with multiple families of issued patents and ongoing patent applications. Dr. Reiner believes this robust IP protection differentiates Procero and safeguards its innovations.Experienced leadership teamProcero boasts a strong leadership team, including CEO Audrey Larocque, who brings extensive experience in venture-backed companies and fundraising, and CTO Dr. Vahe Vardanyan, a seasoned AI expert with over a decade of experience, including a background at one of Canada's leading government research AI institutions and Ubisoft. The team also includes VP of Engineering François Painchaud, who has led engineering teams at companies like Autodesk, Epic Games, and Unity Technologies.Impact of DeepSeek and AI advancementsThe emergence of models like DeepSeek has brought both excitement and controversy to the AI field. While acknowledging the concerns around the training process of DeepSeek, Dr. Reiner highlighted the novel techniques it introduced that have led to efficiency gains."They did introduce a number of novel techniques that lead to gains in efficiency," Dr. Reiner noted, adding that these techniques are being adopted by various organizations.Dr. Reiner confirmed that Procero's inference engine is compatible with and enhances the performance of models like DeepSeek, demonstrating its adaptability and value in the evolving AI landscape.Business model and future visionProcero's business model centers around licensing its technology to companies who will bundle it with their products, including software solutions, devices, and applications. While licensing terms are currently negotiated on a case-by-case basis, Procero is working to establish replicable formulas.Looking ahead, Procero is focused on expanding its hardware platform coverage, optimizing its technology for new processor designs, and increasing its support for various AI model types. The company is also committed to growing its team with top-tier talent and is open to establishing R&D centers globally.With a clear vision and a strong technological foundation, Procero is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for edge AI solutions and drive innovation in the AI era.Procero inference engine solution for edge AI. Credit: ProceroBenefits of Procero inference engine for edge AI. Credit: ProceroThe architecture of the Procero inference engine for edge AI. Credit: Procero

Applied Quantum Materials (AQM), a Canadian company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, is making significant strides in the field of quantum materials, with a focus on silicon quantum dots.Founded in April 2015, the company is leveraging its expertise to develop innovative solutions for industries ranging from semiconductor nanolithography to life sciences.The driving force behind AQM is CEO and co-founder David Antoniuk, who has a Ph.D. in engineering physics and a rich background in technology development. Antoniuk's experience includes managing laser-cutting technology for systems sold to General Motors and overseeing nanotechnology initiatives for the Alberta government. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in guiding AQM's growth and diversification.AQM's journey began with a conversation between Antoniuk and a professor at the University of Alberta, which led to the establishment of the company. Initially focused on silicon nanomaterials and quantum dots, AQM has strategically expanded its scope to capitalize on the versatility of its core technology."Our products are unlike most of the other quantum dots on the market," says Antoniuk, emphasizing the unique properties of AQM's silicon quantum dots.AQM's silicon quantum dots offer several advantages over traditional materials, including biocompatibility, high quantum yield, and robust stability. These characteristics make them suitable for a wide range of applications, including life sciences and display technology.In the semiconductor industry, AQM's precursors are used to create photo resists with feature sizes of less than seven nanometers. The company's materials are also being explored for applications in quantum computing, silicon photonics, and quantum sensing.While Japan dominates the photoresist market, AQM has carved out a niche by providing a reliable supply of high-quality materials. The company is poised to support the growth of the semiconductor industry worldwide.The quantum dot market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for safe and stable materials. AQM is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth with its non-toxic, full-spectrum silicon quantum dots, offering a viable alternative to heavy metal-based materials.When asked about AQM's fund-raising status, Antoniuk said the company has primarily relied on direct material sales and strategic development to fuel its growth. The company has strategically avoided venture capital funding, focusing instead on generating revenue through sales and contracts.Credit: Applied Quantum MaterialsAQM's commitment to innovation is further demonstrated by its spin-off company, Dark Matter Materials, which is developing nanomaterials for hydrogen production. This technology has the potential to provide a cost-effective and on-demand solution for low-temperature hydrogen production, from any type of water, particularly in regions with limited access to traditional energy sources. Dark Matter Materials is using related nanomaterials to develop safe, non-lithium-ion, solid-state batteries.To stay competitive, AQM has a strong intellectual property portfolio, with patents and proprietary know-how protecting its technology. The company is also exploring innovative applications for its quantum dots in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as cosmetics.The company is also applying photonic waveguides on silicon materials, which are useful in the telecom and quantum computing sectors. "You can also use them for quantum sensors. The versatility of our silicon materials is poised to address industry problems with our safe, stable, biocompatible, and very robust products," said Antoniuk.As AQM continues to expand its market presence and develop new applications for its quantum materials, the company is poised to make a significant impact across multiple industries.For the benefit of readers who are not familiar with quantum dots, here is a brief explainer:Quantum Dots: A Layman's ExplanationImagine tiny, nano-sized semiconductor particles that glow in various colors when light shines on them. These are quantum dots. Unlike regular materials, quantum dots' color depends on their size and surface treatment. By precisely controlling the size of these particles or modifying their surface chemistry, scientists can create a wide range of vibrant and pure colors.But quantum dots are more than just pretty colors. They have unique properties that make them incredibly useful in various technologies:• Efficient Light Emission: They emit light very efficiently, making them ideal for displays like TVs and monitors, creating brighter and more vivid images.• Tunable Wavelengths: Their ability to emit specific wavelengths of light makes them valuable in sensors, medical imaging and therapeutics, and even quantum computing.• Stability and Durability: Silicon quantum dots, like those developed by AQM, are particularly stable and robust, able to withstand high temperatures and harsh environmental conditions.• Biocompatibility: Importantly, silicon quantum dots are non-toxic, opening up applications in medicine and cosmetics.

Ottawa-based deep-tech startup Hyperlume is poised to disrupt the landscape of AI and high-performance computing with its innovative optical interconnect solutions. The company is tackling the growing challenges of heat and energy consumption in AI data centers by offering a short-distance optical communication solution that utilizes micro-LEDs for data transmission.Mohsen Asad, Hyperlume's CEO and Co-founder, explains, "The most urgent challenges for AI infrastructure are data transfer bandwidth and energy consumption. We are focused on short-distance optical communication, and are pioneering a new class of ultra-fast, low power based optical interconnects - specifically built for next-generation AI and high-performance computing networking."Credit: HyperlumeInnovative technology and key advantagesWhile micro-LEDs have faced adoption challenges in display technology due to cost, Hyperlume is taking a different approach. The startup is developing micro-LEDs specifically for short-distance communication, enabling high-speed data transfer at very low power orders of magnitude better than active electrical interconnects in terms of energy per bit.A key differentiator is Hyperlume's Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) compatible technology, which allows integration of their optical engine into the system package similar to integrating a standard Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) chip. This makes it naturally scalable and cost-effective, especially at volume.Additionally, as a key advantage, their micro-LED interconnects are technology node agnostic and can be fabricated at advanced nodes like 3nm or 5nm, or with more conventional nodes, which gives system architects much more flexibility in terms of cost-performance trade-offs.The company has also patented an optical architecture to couple light directly from micro-LEDs into fiber bundles or optical waveguides, eliminating the need for bulky optics and active alignments reducing packaging complexity and cost.Furthermore, Hyperlume's technology offers customers flexibility in choosing performance and cost, as the interconnects can be built on different CMOS nodes. The startup's innovations span micro-LED structures, drivers, photo-detectors, and optical coupling, setting them apart from competitors.Altogether, our approach offers a scalable path to low-cost, wafer-level manufacturing, especially when paired with advanced wafer-level packaging, and wafer-level optics"Hyperlume isn't just building state-of-the-art technology, our approach offers a scalable path to low-cost, wafer-level manufacturing, especially when paired with advanced wafer-level packaging, wafer-level optics, and passive alignment which we're co-developing with partners. ," says Mohsen, " We're enabling a technology on how data moves inside next-gen compute systems. That's the real competitive edge. We are trying to make sure the technology that we're developing can be easily implemented in AI infrastructure with no hurdles."Targeting a rapidly expanding marketHyperlume is targeting the massive and fast-growing market for optical interconnects, fueled by increasing demand for AI and high-performance computing. By 2028, the optical interconnect market is projected to exceed $20 billion, largely driven by the exponential growth in AI model size and bandwidth requirements.Hyperlume's microLED-based optical interconnects could potentially capture a multibillion-dollar segment, especially in areas where power efficiency, density, and reach are critical—like pluggable active optical cable (AOC), GPU-to-GPU scale-up, or chiplet communication. Some estimates suggest that sales of AOCs are projected to grow at a 32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in 2024-2029.Credit: HyperlumeCompetition and strategic partnershipsThe company's first product will be an ultra-low-power active optical cable designed to replace traditional copper interconnects in AI and high-performance computing systems, which are power-hungry, suffer from limited reach and bandwidth, and are hitting fundamental scaling limits.Laser-based optical solutions like silicon photonics and VCSEL, another competing technology, are powerful technologies, but they come with challenges in power consumption, thermal management, cost, and complex packaging complexity.Hyperlume is actively collaborating with tier-one AI chip manufacturers, advanced packaging foundries, and fiber optics producers to co-develop and scale its technology. These strategic partnerships are crucial for ensuring the manufacturability of their solutions in high volumes.Business model and roadmapHyperlume's primary business model revolves around (1) volume sales of active optical cables and optical interconnects specifically for AI and HPC interconnects (2) design wins with Tier-1 chipmakers and hyperscalers and (3) licensing, integration, and support based on co-packaged optics and other customers' need. This allows customers to immediately benefit from its energy-efficient, high-speed optical links using a familiar form factor, while Hyperlume continues to expand toward in-package solutions.For chipmakers and system integrators, Hyperlume also offers modular interconnect engines that can be integrated directly into advanced packages, as well as co-development and IP licensing models for custom implementations. So, whether it's in-cable or in-package, Hyperlume is building a scalable, low-power optical connectivity platform that meets customers where they are today—while enabling them where they need to go tomorrow.Funding and future visionHyperlume has recently raised nearly US$13 million from investors, including Intel Capital, LG, BDC, and ArcTern Ventures to execute the company roadmap from product development to customer pilots—with a clear runway. The company, established in 2022, is growing rapidly to a team of 20 people, driven by strong market demand."I think one of the main reasons behind the growth of the company is the demand from the market," Asad states, "Our customers, our partners, want to move faster... they have billions of dollars of market in front of them and they want to collaborate with us to shorten time to market."While currently focused on AI infrastructure and high-performance computing, Hyperlume's technology can be expanded to adjacent markets, including defense, automotive, telecommunications, handheld devices, and medical devices. "In the long term, we see our platform technology extending into telecommunications, optical computing, chiplet integration, and even edge AI and automotive applications, where size, power, and bandwidth are critical constraints. Our ability to deliver high-speed, low-latency communication with a tiny footprint opens doors in almost any system where data movement is a bottleneck and may provide a new paradigm in advanced switching," said Mohsen.As Mohsen emphasizes, "It's critical that your technology is highly reliable, especially because data centers and racks are often dedicated to mission-critical applications- like emergency services or airport systems. The optical interconnects must perform consistently over long periods, often operating inside data centers for years without failure".As demands for efficiency, power savings, and bandwidth continue to rise in AI and high-performance computing, Hyperlume is paving a new path for next-generation infrastructure with its innovative microLED-based optical interconnect technology. From data centers to edge devices, wherever data transfer bottlenecks exist, Hyperlume has the potential to become a key enabler—lighting the path forward at the speed of innovation in the AI era.Credit: Hyperlume

Smiths Interconnect, a leading provider of innovative solutions for critical semiconductor test applications, today announced the launch of DaVinci Gen V, the latest flagship product in its DaVinci series portfolio.The product rigorously tests semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process to ensure they provide ultra-reliable and repeatable performance. This is important because these chips are used in a range of areas essential to everyday life, including AI accelerators, automotive systems, and next-generation 6G communications networks, which are set for global rollout over the next few years.The DaVinci Gen V solves the fundamental industry challenges of impedance tuning – an essential part of circuit design that enables the maximum transfer of signal power – and signal integrity – the measurement of the quality of an electrical signal as it travels through a circuit. By tackling these challenges the DaVinci Gen V ensures reliable, super-high performance in electronic systems and testing.Brian Mitchell, Vice President of Smiths Interconnect's Semiconductor Test Business Unit, said: "This innovation empowers semiconductor manufacturers to test faster, more reliably, and with greater precision – ensuring their products meet the demands of AI, 6G, and next-generation technologies. More than just a product, DaVinci Gen V embodies Smiths Interconnect's commitment to advancing semiconductor testing through continuous innovation."The technical specificationThe product delivers breakthrough high-speed signal transmission performance. It enables unprecedented digital signaling speeds of up to 224 Gbps PAM4 for AI accelerators and beyond 100 GHz for 6G communications – these speeds are crucial for supporting the growing demand for massive data transfer.The product also supports the growing complexity of modern integrated circuits, accommodating a 40% increase in next-generation ASIC (application-specific integrated circuits) sizes. ASICs are powerful computer chips that combine several different circuits all on one chip, in a 'system on a chip' design.As next-generation integrated circuits continue to evolve – doubling in bandwidth and computational power every two years – DaVinci Gen V is designed for seamless integration. It maintains full compatibility with existing test hardware, allowing manufacturers to transition effortlessly, reduce development cycles, and accelerate time-to-market.Brian Mitchell, Vice President of Smiths Interconnect's Semiconductor Test Business Unit.Credit: Smiths Interconnect

Bhutan, the secluded Himalayan kingdom famed for measuring progress by Gross National Happiness instead of traditional economic metrics, finds itself turning to an unexpected economic savior — Bitcoin.Historically isolated between economic giants China and India, Bhutan faces persistent economic pressures such as high youth unemployment, limited agricultural land, and a tourism industry still recovering from the pandemic.With Bhutan's GDP hovering around $3.02 billion in 2023, tourism previously accounted for more than 10%, bringing in around $334 million. However, tourism plummeted during COVID-19, and numbers have yet to fully rebound.Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay acknowledged that while Bhutan can accommodate about 300,000 visitors annually, only 150,000 arrived last year.To offset these economic troubles, Bhutan is getting into Bitcoin mining – a decision brought about by its surplus hydropower. Bhutan's abundant rivers, fed by melting Himalayan glaciers, generate ample hydropower.During peak summer months, excess electricity production surpasses domestic demand, creating an ideal scenario for Bitcoin mining. The country's hydropower plants thus power supercomputers solving complex mathematical puzzles, rewarding Bhutan with newly minted Bitcoins.Currently, Bhutan's Bitcoin holdings are valued at over $600 million, accounting for about 30% of its GDP, according to blockchain analytics firm Arkham. Beyond Bitcoin, Bhutan has smaller holdings in Ethereum and LinqAI.The strategic move to crypto isn't without precedent. Countries worldwide are quickly warming to these currencies, with global crypto adoption surpassing records.For instance, El Salvador holds around $550 million in Bitcoin, and the United States recently established a strategic Bitcoin reserve under President Donald Trump.This global crypto momentum isn't limited to Bitcoin alone – interest in alternative assets, particularly meme coins, has exploded recently, proving to us the growing mainstream enthusiasm for crypto's potential.Bhutan's economic struggles are compounded by its geographic constraints. Nestled among mountainous terrain, the kingdom has limited arable land, forcing dependence on imports, particularly food, mainly from neighboring India.Also, Bhutan's policy of environmental conservation, which maintains at least 60% forest coverage, restricts industrial expansion and foreign direct investment.These economic restrictions directly contribute to a brain drain crisis. With youth unemployment reaching 19% in 2024, which is significantly above the global average of 13.6% reported by the World Bank, Bhutanese youth are increasingly emigrating for better employment prospects.In 2022 alone, over 10% of Bhutan's educated populace moved abroad, particularly to countries such as Australia, seeking higher wages.Interestingly, Bitcoin mining revenues are providing a direct economic stimulus, recently allowing Bhutan to sell $100 million worth of crypto. This sale directly funded a huge increase in civil servant salaries, effectively doubling wages and mitigating the civil service exodus.Early 2024 saw civil servant resignations decrease to 500 from nearly 1,900 during the same period in 2023, showing Bitcoin's immediate benefit.Sustainability is central to Bhutan's Bitcoin initiative, aligning smoothly with the kingdom's stringent environmental ethics. Given the naturally cooler climate, with temperatures that usually range between 15 to 30 degrees Celsius, there is reduced need for costly cooling systems, mostly required by mining operations elsewhere.Moreover, the choice to mine Bitcoin rather than export hydroelectricity at lower tariff rates optimizes revenue, positioning Bitcoin mining as economically pragmatic and environmentally compatible.Also, Bhutan is diversifying economically through innovative projects such as the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a special administrative region designed to support all this sustainability and economic activity.This urban development project has its own sustainable businesses, residential zones, and protected natural areas, supporting Bhutan's environmental and happiness-centric philosophies.Overall, Bhutan's strategic use of Bitcoin is not really an economic gamble but more a calculated move set for economic self-reliance, sustainability, and halting the exodus of its young talent.

Super 8 Studio, a Taiwan-based Agentic AI as a Service (AaaS) firm is leading the charge of the race into artificial intelligence in Taiwan with the launch of two brand new AI-driven tools aimed at helping businesses automate customer service, marketing, and data analysis.The company, previously known as Super 8, said the shift to AaaS model allows the firm to capitalize on a growing demand for AI-powered automation solutions in corporate environments. The launch of InsightArk, real-time data analytics platform and MessageHero, a scalable AI Agent solution, underscores Super Studio 8's determination to help businesses of all sizes to become leaner, faster and more competitive.As businesses generate increasing amounts of data and struggle with labor shortages in key sectors like customer service and analytics, the need for AI-driven automation has never been greater. AaaS allows companies to quickly implement AI-powered assistants without the need for in-house AI expertise, reducing costs and improving efficiency. By deploying AI agents, businesses can handle high volumes of customer interactions, automate marketing efforts, and extract insights from data—capabilities that were once available only to tech giants with massive R&D budgets.Super 8 Studio CEO Brian Chen says the company's transformation into a full AaaS provider underscores its commitment to helping businesses tackle the core challenges of digital transformation. Credit: Super 8 StudioAI agents for a changing business landscapeAs businesses rush to integrate AI into their operations, Super 8 Studio sees an opportunity in Agentic AI, a technology that enables companies to deploy autonomous, AI-driven assistants to manage customer interactions and streamline workflows."We anticipated that businesses would have a strong need for AI-driven automation long before it became mainstream in Taiwan," said Brian Chen, CEO of Super 8 Studio. "By expanding into AaaS, we aim to help companies implement AI-powered agents that can handle everything from customer inquiries to data-driven decision-making."InsightArk is designed to help businesses manage customer interactions across multiple messaging platforms, providing real-time analytics, automated content generation, and strategic recommendations. The platform aims to turn fragmented conversations into long-term customer relationships by analyzing user behavior and engagement trends.Caption: Super 8 Studio's Copilot, InsightArk, and MessageHero form a seamlessly integrated AI ecosystem. Credit: Super 8 StudioMessageHero, meanwhile, is tailored for small and mid-sized businesses looking to adopt AI-driven customer service and marketing solutions without requiring in-house AI expertise. The platform allows companies to quickly deploy custom AI agents that can handle inquiries, automate responses, and assist in sales and support functions.One of the platform's early adopters, Taiwan-based WaySim, a provider of mobile internet services for international travelers, integrated MessageHero to manage its growing volume of customer inquiries. Within days, the company deployed an AI agent capable of automatically responding to customer requests, significantly reducing the workload on human representatives while maintaining around-the-clock customer support.Expanding AI deployment with on-premise solutionsTo address security concerns among larger enterprises wary of cloud-based services, Super 8 Studio is rolling out on-premise AI solutions that allow businesses to deploy AI-driven automation within their own infrastructure. The company is also developing more than 100 industry-specific AI agent applications, customized for different business needs."AI capabilities will define market competitiveness," Chen said. "We want to help businesses extract value from massive amounts of data and use AI-driven insights to shape their products, services, and business strategies."Global expansion and future outlookSuper 8 Studio's ambitions extend beyond Taiwan. The company has already expanded its AI services to major Japanese brands, including UNIQLO, Panasonic, and LINE. Last year, it successfully entered the Japanese market, laying the groundwork for broader global expansion.Caption: MessageHero effectively tackles the core challenges SMEs face in customer service, marketing, and sales. Credit: Super 8 Studio

In today's digital-first world, information security is more critical than ever. With cyberattacks on the rise and regulatory requirements tightening, businesses across all industries recognize the need for robust data protection frameworks. For distributors who manage large volumes of sensitive customer, supplier, and operational data, ensuring the security of their systems is not just a competitive advantage—it's an operational imperative.NewPower Worldwide, a global leader in the distribution of electronic components and supply chain management solutions, is setting an example for the industry by achieving the ISO 27001:2022 certification for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). This internationally recognized certification is a testament to the company's commitment to protecting sensitive information, ensuring data integrity, and maintaining the trust of its global stakeholders.ISO 27001: What it is and why it mattersISO 27001 is the gold standard for information security management. It provides a globally recognized framework for organizations to manage sensitive data, protect it from threats, and ensure its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Achieving this certification requires a systematic approach to identifying risks, implementing protective measures, and continuously improving security practices.For distributors like NewPower Worldwide, ISO 27001 certification is more than a compliance milestone. It demonstrates a proactive commitment to cybersecurity best practices — a critical requirement in today's supply chain-dependent industries.Why distributors must prioritize ISO 27001Distributors play a crucial role in the global supply chain, often acting as intermediaries between manufacturers and customers. This position involves handling sensitive data such as supplier contracts, customer information, and internal systems records. Without robust security measures, distributors are at risk of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber threats that could disrupt operations and damage reputations.Here are the key reasons why ISO 27001 is essential for distributors:• Protecting data and building trust Distributors handle vast amounts of sensitive information. ISO 27001 certification ensures that this data is protected, fostering trust among customers, suppliers, and partners.• Reducing cybersecurity risks The supply chain is a prime target for cyberattacks. ISO 27001 provides a structured approach to identifying, mitigating, and managing these risks, reducing the likelihood of costly incidents.• Ensuring regulatory compliance With increasing regulations around data protection, ISO 27001 helps businesses stay compliant with legal requirements while avoiding penalties.• Enhancing operational resilience ISO 27001 improves overall resilience by ensuring businesses can maintain operations and recover quickly in the event of a security breach or system disruption.NewPower Worldwide: Leading the wayNewPower's achievement of ISO 27001:2022 certification reflects its leadership in information security. According to CEO Carleton Dufoe: "Accomplishing ISO 27001 certification highlights our dedication to meeting the highest global standards for information security and reinforces the trust we've built with our customers worldwide."This achievement builds upon NewPower's existing certifications, including ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management, further strengthening its comprehensive Integrated Management System. With this certification, NewPower Worldwide continues to lead the way in delivering secure, resilient, and scalable supply chain solutions amidst the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.A call to action for distributorsDistributors who implement best practices in security not only safeguard their operations and protect sensitive data but also help build a safer and more resilient global supply chain. By prioritizing robust cybersecurity measures, enforcing strict access controls, and fostering a culture of vigilance and compliance, organizations demonstrate leadership and responsibility—ultimately strengthening the entire supply chain ecosystem.ISO 27001 certification is no longer optional — it's essential for building trust, managing risks, and ensuring long-term success in a fast-evolving digital world.

Things might all appear chaotic and unstable in the world right now, but Alberta is proving to be a bedrock of economic activity in Canada. The province may only be home to around 12% of Canada's population, but it accounted for 15.4% of GDP in 2023. Quite what is going to happen to the world's economy as a result of Trump's tariff turmoil is anyone's guess, but with a strong digital economy, Alberta might weather the storm better than other regions.Canada's productivity has been trailing that of other countries, but Alberta has invested in the digital transformation and could be the poster boy (or girl) of what might be achievable for the nation if policymakers and industries follow suit. It is about investment and innovation. The province's productivity rates were way above the national average, and its information and technology (ICT) sector was among the most productive.Resilience and innovationThe province has demonstrated real resilience and continues to be one of the country's key contributors to economic growth. It is one of Canada's most productive regions. While the oil and gas industry continues to be the key driver of economic output, the Albertan government has been keen to diversify as, sooner or later, the energy transition will diminish that sector. This has led to high-value technology-intensive industries receiving investment and support.Alberta's digital economy has been transformed in recent years, and significant growth has occurred in all sectors. Over 60,000 jobs have been created, and the sector employs a third more people than before the pandemic. While the push has been to move reliance away from oil and gas, environmental campaigners have expressed concern that the digital economy can also be incredibly power-hungry if not developed in a sustainable manner.Data centres and resourcesData centres need water, digital infrastructure and electricity. Canada has the advantage that its cold climate means less cooling is required, and up to 85% of Canadian electricity is renewable and non-emitting. However, Alberta has been focusing on luring IT giants based on the near-term electricity supply powered by a combination of new gas and renewable power plants.Amazon has invested in a major data centre in Calgary to establish a cloud computing hub in the region. Montreal-based eStruxtures Data Centres are building a new $750-million AI facility in Rocky View County. Alberta has a deregulated electricity sector, meaning developers can negotiate directly with the private generators like Capital Power or TransAlta to tailor electricity supply solutions.Artificial Intelligence is everywhereData centres and AI processes are becoming vital to almost every industry. Delegates at recent conferences covering industries from online gambling to communications, risk management and fashion all reported that there were more round-tables on AI than just about anything else. It all has a bit of a feeling of the Metaverse hype of a few years back. How can anyone forget how we were all going to be doing everything in an alternative world, running around but without any legs?However, AI and digital services are much less alien, and many of us already use them without necessarily even realizing it. It is integrated into most online platforms and services.Industries grounded in a digital worldSome industries are entirely digital and would not exist without data centres, cloud computing, IT and electronics—online entertainment and casinos are a case in point.Canadians are voracious gamblers and love to play online slots or take a punt on the outcome of a sports fixture. Compared to other nations, a very high proportion of Canadians engage in gambling activities. Alberta is now looking to open its gambling market to commercial companies to regulate the industry and capture revenue which is currently flowing out of the province. A regulated market helps keep players safe as only reputable operators, like those reviewed and recommended on Casino.org Alberta, will be granted a license.Putting their money on a regulated marketAlberta had hoped to get its commercial gambling market operational last year but encountered a few problems. While it was keen to replicate Ontario's successful model, it had some unique issues to overcome. Ontario had simply wanted to bring all players over from offshore sites to its new regulated market. Alberta already had a regulated gambling website but wanted to introduce commercial operators without cannibalizing the one run by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, which already delivered welcome revenue to the provincial coffers.New legislation had to be drafted in an attempt to bring more players to the hybrid legal system and add consumer protections. The goal is to add self-exclusion and gambling harm avoidance tools and keep the gambling revenues, according to Dale Nally – Alberta's Red Tape Reduction Minister. The legislation, tabled in March called the iGaming Alberta Act, would create a new corporation. Alberta's iGaming corporation would be a market overseer, with the ALGC in charge of regulation.Nally says they are doing this due to popular demand from citizens keen to see something modelled on the Ontario system. Nally said,"Albertans have said to us, why don't you do the same here? Why don't you put in place safety measures? Why don't you stop the money from leaving the province, and keep some of it in Alberta?"While he acknowledges that gambling always contains risk, he wants to reduce it as much as possible. Online digital gambling is potentially more risky than its land-based counterpart because some websites never had any intention of being anything other than scam sites. Those will almost certainly try and continue to market their "services" to Albertans, but they should be much easier to spot.Keeping the faithWhatever storms are raging with tariffs and trade, Alberta's Premier has welcomed the pause in their immediate imposition. However, there is still concern that many workers and businesses of all sizes are going to feel the pain. Opposition leaders have been quick to point out on social media that tariffs are not good for Canada or the world.