The U.S. is pushing Japan and the Netherlands to expand their restrictions on semiconductor-related exports to China, seeking to cover equipment for older-generation chips as well as chipmaking chemicals. The U.S. imposed sweeping export curbs in October 2022 to limit China's access to semiconductors seen as key for technologies such as artificial intelligence and self-driving vehicles, as well as high-tech weapons. Japan and the Netherlands followed suit last year at Washington's behest, but shipments to China of products not covered by the bans, mainly midrange to high-end chipmaking gear, have grown sharply. This has alarmed Washington, spurring it to press for tougher measures by two countries that are major players in the field. The current curbs broadly restrict exports of gear for making semiconductors in the 10- to 14-nanometer range or smaller. The U.S. wants this expanded to encompass some equipment for older, generic chips. Washington likely has its eye on lithography equipment, which prints circuits onto silicon wafers, and etching systems, used in three-dimensional stacking of memory chips. Japanese players such as Nikon and Tokyo Electron have particularly advanced capabilities in those fields. Essential chipmaking chemicals such as photoresist, for which Japanese companies including Shin-Etsu Chemical control over 90% of the market, are also believed to be in Washington's crosshairs. The Netherlands, home to semiconductor gear maker ASML, has been asked to stop companies from maintaining and servicing chipmaking equipment sold to China before last year's trade curbs took effect. The U.S. has urged Germany and South Korea to stop supplying necessary components as well, according to Bloomberg. Japanese officials and companies have been taken aback by the pressure. "We have no plans to take new measures at this time," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito said Friday. Tokyo last July added 23 items to its list of products subject to export restrictions, including equipment for making advanced semiconductors. It already requires permission to export photoresist for extreme ultraviolet lithography. If Tokyo tightens its curbs on equipment for older chips, Japanese companies might lose market share without meaningfully affecting China's access to products that it still could source from elsewhere. A Shin-Etsu representative said the company cannot comment regarding semiconductor materials. Photoresist maker JSR said it "cannot comment while the details are unknown." The pressure from the U.S. comes amid signs that its initial strategy to slow China's chipmaking advances has not worked as well as hoped. Huawei Technologies in August rolled out smartphones with 7-nm chips -- technology subject to the U.S. curbs -- that China asserts were homegrown. It may have improved on equipment for making older chips that fell outside the restrictions, or used parts and technology acquired before the restrictions took effect. Washington tightened its controls in October, essentially banning exports to global subsidiaries and offices of Chinese companies. The U.S. appears worried that its efforts may be ineffective without another round of coordinated action by allies.   Source: Nikkei Asia

List of military-linked entities operating in the US grows as the Pentagon adds Chinese AI companies, a drone maker and a memory-chip firm Among the companies named are Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp, NetPosa, Yitu Technology and Beijing Megvii   The Pentagon on Wednesday labelled more than a dozen Chinese tech firms, including memory-chip maker Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (YMTC), as “military companies” that pose a national security risk to the US.   Artificial intelligence companies Yitu Technology and Beijing Megvii, drone maker Chengdu JOUAV, lidar maker Hesai Technology and tech company NetPosa are also entities that operate in the United States but have ties to the Chinese military, according to the US Defence Department.   They join Shenzhen-based consumer drone maker DJI Technology and China’s leading genetics firm, BGI, on what is called the 1260H list, which makes US and international companies aware of entities that could be supporting Beijing’s military-industrial complex. First established under the National Defence Authorisation Act for fiscal year 2021, the 1260H list is updated annually by the Defence Department. Being named on the list does not involve a complete ban, but it does render the firms ineligible for Defence Department contracts. Additionally, the label could lead to blacklisting by the US Treasury Department, curbing the companies’ business prospects.   A spokesman for China’s embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, said that the US was “overstretching” national security and “abusing” state power, and that the moves would “ultimately undermine the US’ own interests.”   “They run counter to the US’ alleged commitment to market competition and international fair trade, undercut two-way trade and investment flows and discourage foreign investors,” he said.   Three Chinese firms were removed from the updated list on Wednesday: hi-tech electronic components manufacturer Fujian Torch Electron Technology, the China International Engineering Consulting Corp and SMIC Hong Kong International Co Ltd, which makes semiconductors. However, despite pressure from the US House committee on competition with China, Quectel, a Chinese Internet of Things firm, was not added to the list. Identifying “Chinese military companies” is part of a larger effort by Washington to block US investment in entities developing dual-use technologies, those that can help the Chinese military develop more advanced weapons.   An executive order by President Joe Biden in August banned US private equity and venture capital investments in China that involve sensitive technology like artificial intelligence.   During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Missouri, called Biden’s move “a step in the right direction” that could be “improved through legislative action, which is more permanent”.   According to Bill Drexel of the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank, the updated list “stands as a reminder that the Sino-American economic relationship – especially around technology – is continuing to fray, and for good reason”.   He said that while the Chinese Communist Party would not back down from its military-civil fusion strategy, “Americans cannot afford to be naive about the pronounced role that ostensibly private companies in China play in building out China’s military might, with direct strategic implications for American national security.”   Source: South China Morning Post

Tech giant Elon Musk said on Sunday that his proposed fight with Meta head Mark Zuckerberg would be live-streamed on his social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. Amid the professional competition between them, the duo have been egging each other into a mixed martial art cage fight since June. Quite how serious both sides are about the proposal isn't clear as most communications regarding it have been jocular. No date has been set for the fight but Musk had suggested the Las Vegas Octagon, an events center where mixed martial arts (MMA) championships are often held. The build up to 'Zuck v Musk' Musk and Zuckerberg continued mimicking boxers taunting their opponents in the build-up to a fight over the weekend.  Musk said that the Twitter website he bought and is now trying to rebrand as X would livestream the fight and that "All proceeds will go to charity for veterans."  Zuckerberg's riposte, meanwhile, was posted on his rival site Threads, and questioned whether X would have a large enough reach.  "Shouldn't we use a more reliable platform that can actually raise money for charity?," he asked.  Zuckerberg, also appeared to question whether Musk, who has a habit of issuing social media comments with his tongue in his cheek, was serious about the fight.  He suggested an August 26 date, and said "I'm ready today... but [Musk] hasn't confirmed."  The 39-year-old is a mixed martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in several ju-jitsu competitions, and Zuckerberg said on Sunday: "I love this sport and will continue competing with people who train no matter what happens here."  A history of sparring The maelstrom began when Musk in June provoked Zuckerberg by asking him if he was "up for a cage fight." Zuckerberg in return asked Musk to "send location," which was when Musk first suggested Vegas. Over the years, the giants have clashed on several issues ranging from politics to artificial intelligence. In early July, the duo became direct competitors after Meta launched a Twitter-like platform called Threadswhich rapidly drew 120 million users, according to Quiver Quantitative.

InveStar BD is the first full spectrum digital investment and AI driven learning Platform of Bangladesh. InveStar BD to Drive Innovation in the Investment Landscape with Microsoft Partnership. InveStar BD, the pioneering Bangladeshi tech company aiming at revolutionizing the investment landscape, proudly announces its selection for the prestigious Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.  This recognition highlights InveStar BD's commitment to innovation and its potential to shape the future of investment in Bangladesh.  With this critical partnership, InveStar BD can leverage Microsoft's cutting-edge technologies, cloud infrastructure, and development tools to enhance its platform's performance, scalability, and security. The brainchild of tech entrepreneur & investor, Mr. Farihan F. Rahman, Founder & Chairman, InveStar BD aims to democratize and revolutionize the capital market by providing a full spectrum digital investment platform infused with cutting-edge technology.  The platform, currently in the beta stage, is designed to empower individuals to navigate the complexities of investing and make informed decisions, while providing an easy to access management of customer portfolios.  The vision behind InveStar BD is to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to participate in the capital market. InveStar BD's co-founder & Managing Director, Mr. Dipro K. Chowdhury, brings invaluable technical expertise to the team.  With a deep understanding of technology and its potential to transform industries, Chowdhury plays a vital role in shaping the platform's architecture and ensuring a seamless user experience. Adding to the strength of the team is Mr. Hasanul B. Khan, Director who serves as a strategic advisor to InveStar BD. With his extensive experience in investing & sales, Khan brings valuable insights and guidance to help shape InveStar BD's strategic direction. In addition, InveStar BD introduces a groundbreaking AI-driven learning platform, providing free educational resources to help users understand the basics of investing which will build financial literacy among the next generation of investors. Joining the esteemed Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub is a significant milestone for InveStar BD.  This collaboration brings together the expertise of Microsoft, a global technology leader, and the vision of InveStar BD, creating a unique opportunity to drive innovation and accelerate the growth of the investment ecosystem in Bangladesh. InveStar BD is being developed in close cooperation with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and key financial partners to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.  This partnership signifies a significant step forward for the company as it aims to empower individuals to engage in the capital market confidently and securely. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), as the premier stock exchange in Bangladesh, plays a vital role in regulating and overseeing the country's capital market.  Their endorsement and support of InveStar BD highlight the platform's commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and operational standards. InveStar BD's selection for the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub reflects the company's innovative approach and potential to disrupt the investment landscape. This recognition opens doors to invaluable resources, mentorship, and global networking opportunities, propelling InveStar BD towards even greater success. InveStar BD's mission aligns with the aspirations of Bangladesh's tech-savvy youth, providing them with a platform to participate in the capital market and build long-term wealth.  Through its innovative approach and partnership with Microsoft, InveStar BD aims to simplify the investment process, promote financial literacy, and foster a culture of informed investing. The beta stage of InveStar BD's all-in-one investment platform is an exciting phase, as the team tirelessly tests and refines its features to deliver a seamless user experience.  The platform will offer an array of investment options tailored to meet the diverse needs of users, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, fixed-rate deposits, systematic investment plans, gold, even other exciting new startups, and more.  The recognition from Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub reaffirms InveStar BD's commitment to revolutionizing the investment landscape in Bangladesh.  With the support of Microsoft and its extensive network, InveStar BD is poised to create a positive impact on the financial well-being of individuals and contribute to the growth of the country's digital economy. For more information about InveStar BD, please sign up at the website: www.investarbd.com

Guwahati Biotech Park celebrated the first anniversary of its Technology Incubation Centre with a grand event on Tuesday. The event was conducted in the auditorium of Guwahati Biotech Park. Keerthi Jalli, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, Guwahati Biotech Park welcomed the dignitaries She also spoke on the upcoming Business Enterprise Zone and the campus being developed for the same. Phase II expansion plans have also been laid out for augmenting lab space and startup coves. She spoke on the vision to make GBP a Centre of Excellence for Biotech and allied sectors in the entire North East. The event was graced by chief guest, Keshab Mahanta, Minister of Science and Technology. The occasion marked significant achievements, the inauguration of the first of its kind in the North East, a NIDHI PRAYAS Centre of Technology Incubation sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, GOI, the inauguration of a state-of-the-art packaging unit funded by ARIAS Society, recognition of 7th Talent Search Contest winners where winners win huge funding in grants, the release of one-year achievement report of Guwahati Biotech Park and exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with educational institutions.  Minister Keshab Mahanta in his speech emphasised the government’s support for the biotech and allied industry and the importance of fostering an ecosystem conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. He also launched the Assam Biotechnology Council website which will serve as a single platform for accessing the incentives and grants outlined in the Biotechnology policy for the State of Assam. Anyone can apply for these grants through this website for augmenting their startup dreams.  

As we step into 2023, the fashion world continues to evolve at a brisk pace, taking into account both the latest innovations in technology and an ever-increasing concern for sustainability. This year, fashion has ventured into a world where style meets substance, with an emphasis on expressing individuality, reducing waste, and embracing smart textiles. This blog post will guide you through the exciting landscape of trendy fashion in 2023. Sustainable Fashion: Upcycling and Second-hand: Upcycling, which involves reusing discarded objects or materials to create a product of higher quality or value than the original, has grown exponentially. Fashion enthusiasts are now looking for unique pieces made from upcycled materials. Thrift shops and second-hand platforms are also trending as people are embracing the idea of reusing clothing to reduce waste. Eco-friendly Fabrics: Brands have been using sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester more widely. Moreover, new innovative materials like mushroom leather and lab-grown textiles are making a debut in mainstream fashion. Tech-infused Fashion: Wearable Tech: In 2023, fashion and technology are more entwined than ever. Garments with integrated LEDs, solar panels, and touch-sensitive fabrics are trending. Not just for functionality, these features are becoming a part of the aesthetic. Smart Textiles: Fabrics that can change color, monitor health, or even charge your phone are no longer a part of science fiction. 2023 has seen the rise of smart textiles, offering an unprecedented fusion of style and utility. Vintage Meets Modern: Reimagined Vintage: This year, fashion designers have been looking back to move forward. Vintage styles from the '60s and '90s are back with a modern twist. High-waisted pants, puff sleeves, and grunge are revamped with contemporary fabrics and cuts. Androgynous Styles: Unisex clothing and gender-fluid designs are gaining popularity. Think tailored suits for all, oversized silhouettes, and mixing traditionally masculine and feminine elements.

The India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) will provide an "orbital jump" to strategic ties between the two countries and emerge as one of the most important pillars of the relationship, NSA Ajit Doval said Tuesday as he hosted his US counterpart Jake Sullivan for talks on regional and global issue ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit to the US next week. The NSAs also participated in the second Track 1.5 dialogue on iCET organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry where they encouraged stakeholders on both sides to strive for technology value chain partnerships that would lead to "co-development and co-production of high technology products and services in both countries". The two countries have also established a strategic trade dialogue that, Doval said, will serve as a platform to address regulatory barriers, and issues related to exports control. After iCET was launched by Modi and President Joe Biden last year, Modi and Sullivan have led efforts between the two countries to engage in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, telecommunications, defence and space. "We have been able to kickstart the Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism, signed an MoU on semi-conductors, the public private dialogue on telecom engaging stakeholders from the government, industry and academia to further open collaboration in Open RAN, 5G and 6G has been kickstarted, detailed dialogue on biotech is being held, important exchanges on AI have taken place, and there is positive momentum under the defence and space pillars," said Doval. Sullivan said that a key focus area was removal of barriers to collaboration on both sides "to maximise the full potential of bilateral ties". "The US and India are poised to lead in clean energy transformation, shore up and diversify global semi-conductor supply chains...," he said.

Chinese firm Alibaba on Tuesday introduced Tongyi Qianwen, an AI-powered language model similar to GPT. At the same time, Beijing revealed a draft law that new AI must "reflect socialist values." The new AI model Tongyi Qianwen — which means "truth from a thousand questions" — can draft invitation letters, summarize meeting notes and advise users on what type of makeup to purchase, as showed in a filmed demonstration on Tuesday. "We are at a technological watershed moment driven by generative AI and cloud computing, and businesses across all sectors have started to embrace intelligence transformation to stay ahead of the game," said Alibaba Group CEO Daniel Zhang. The model will be integrated into DingTalk, Alibaba's workplace messaging app and Tmall Genie, its voice assistant. Tongyi Qianwen can draft business proposals and emails and "will bring about big changes to the way we produce, the way we work, and the way we live our lives," according to Zhang. Last Friday, Alibaba published a teaser to the new chatbot, with a post on social media reading: "Hello, my name is Tongyi Qianwen, this is our first time meeting, I welcome your feedback." Alibaba Cloud plans to open Tongyi Qianwen to customization from users, so that they can build their own large language models. The AI chatbot race Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create original content, such as text or images, by learning from data it is trained on. Interest in generative AI has spiked since the Microsoft-backed OpenAI launched the chatbot sensation ChatGPT last year. Since then, rival companies have rushed to launch similar products, such as Google's Bard and Baidu Inc's Ernie Bot. On Monday, Chinese AI company SenseTime also revealed a chatbot called SenseChat along with a range of new AI products. Stricter regulation on AI in China Also on Tuesday, China's Cyberspace Administration (CAC) revealed draft measures for regulating generative AI services, as more companies like Alibaba introduce publicly available AI models.  The regulator wants companies to submit AI products for a "security assessment" before being released to the public. The CAC said that while China supports innovation and the use of reliable software, content generated by generative AI "must reflect core socialist values." Under the draft law, providers of generative AI services must require users to submit their real identities and must take measures to prevent discrimination when designing algorithms and training data. The public can comment on the new proposal until May 10th, with the new regulations expected to come into force later this year.  Although ChatGPT is unavailable in China, its popularity has been rising as users take advantage of virtual private networks to get around the ban.

India added over 1,300 active tech startups last year, taking the total tally of active tech startups to 25,000-27,000, a Nasscom report said on Wednesday. India added over 1,300 active tech startups last year, taking the total tally of active tech startups to 25,000-27,000, a Nasscom report said on Wednesday. India continues to be the third largest tech startup ecosystem globally (after the US and China). The country also added the second highest number of unicorns in the world, with over 23 added in the CY2022. Simultaneously, the potential pipeline of unicorns expanded to over 170, growing at a pace equivalent to 2021, according to the report by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), in collaboration with Zinnov. "Despite the current downturns, opportunities abound for innovative companies that are leveraging emerging technologies to create actionable impact while prioritising business fundamentals over growth," said Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom. Despite the headwinds, while total funding in CY2022 dropped 24 per cent over 2021, the annual investments at $18.2 billion were higher than the pre-pandemic levels of $13.1 billion in 2019. The year also witnessed a significant investment focus on non-unicorns and unique startups. Almost 1,400 unique startups received funding in 2022, 18 per cent higher than in 2021. Among these, 47 per cent of startups raised their first round in 2022, the report mentioned. Both early-stage ($5.9 billion in CY2022) and seed-stage ($1.2 billion) investments grew between 25-35 per cent over 2021. In 2022, tech startups in the seed-stage secured 1,018 investments. Late-stage investments bore the brunt with a decline of 41 per cent in deal sizes greater than $100 million, due to considerable correction in the global public markets. "What is remarkable is the ecosystem's maturity, where founders are intentionally prioritising profitability over valuation and the investor trust, despite macroeconomic variables at play. This will pave the way for growth in 2023 and beyond," said Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov. Tech startups are expected to continue increasing innovation and deep-tech adoption, particularly in areas related to SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) that require complex solutions, the report said. Source: Business Standard

Germany's top court has ruled that police use of automated data analysis for crime prevention is unconstitutional. It said the technology should only be used where an "identifiable danger" exists. Germany's Federal Constitutional Court on Thursday declared as unconstitutional regulations in the states of Hesse and Hamburg that allow police to automatically process personal data using special software to prevent crime. Both German states must now make improvements in how the software, which helped police probe an underground network charged with plotting to overthrow the German government, is allowed to be used. What did the court say about the rules? The Karlsruhe-based court criticized state laws for not regulating circumstances in which data could be processed precisely enough, and demanded that the legislation be rewritten. "Given the particularly broad wording of the powers, in terms of both the data and the methods concerned, the grounds for interference fall far short of the constitutionally required threshold of an identifiable danger," the judges said. Provisions regulating the use of the technology in the central state of Hesse and the northern city-state of fHamburg violated the right to informational self-determination, a statement from the constitutional court said. The court ruled that automated data analysis or interpretation could be justified, but that the seriousness of the possible crimes must be taken into account. "Compatibility with the principle of proportionality is of particular importance, the specific requirements of which depend on the reach of the powers in question," it said. The court said the two states had successfully demonstrated the need for the technology, given the "increasing use of digital media and means of communication." "Particularly in the areas of terrorist and extremist violence and organized and serious crime, the police authorities are faced with ever larger data streams that are increasingly heterogeneous in terms of their quality and format." What does the software do? Provided by the CIA-backed Palantir Technologies, the software can find connections that individual investigators would not see. It networks information already stored in various police inventories with each other to help establish relationships between people, groups, or even places and things. At a previous hearing, a Hesse state official explained that a suspected ATM bomber had been arrested after the software, named "Hessendata," showed that a certain car was near several crime scenes. Hessendata is available to some 2,000 police officers and has been used to investigate terrorism, organized crime, and child sex abuse.  The software was also used to investigate the far-right, underground "Reichsbürger" network, with some of its members charged with plotting to overthrow the German government in December, an official told the court. The case challenging the use of the software was brought by the German Society for Civil Rights. The group argued that the  software used innocent people's data to provide leads and could also produce errors, as well as impact people at risk of police discrimination. What happens next? The state of Hesse has been given a deadline of September 30 to rewrite its provisions, while the present legislation in Hamburg — where the technology is not yet in use — was nullified. A constitutional complaint against the law in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which also already uses the software, is still pending in Karlsruhe. Other states also want to allow their police forces to use automated data analysis. Constitutional Court president Stephan Harbarth said states now had the option "of shaping the legal basis for further processing of stored data files in a constitutional manner."