分类: technology

  • Inner Mongolia’s two ports named national smart port models

    Inner Mongolia’s two ports named national smart port models

    Two strategic ports in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have been designated as national models for smart port development by China’s National Port Administration. Ganqimaodu Road Port and Manzhouli Railway Port emerged as standout performers among 311 ports nationwide in this prestigious recognition of digital innovation.

    Ganqimaodu Road Port, serving as a critical energy corridor for China-Mongolia cooperation, has pioneered comprehensive smart port solutions encompassing operational protocols, construction standards, and data integration frameworks. The facility has established China’s inaugural dedicated cross-border lane for autonomous transport operations, marking a significant milestone in border logistics automation.

    Through the implementation of automated guided vehicles and advanced clearance systems, Ganqimaodu has achieved remarkable efficiency gains. Customs processing efficiency has surged by over 60 percent, while transportation costs have been reduced by 15 percent. These innovations have earned the port dual recognition as both a national multimodal transport demonstration project and a China-SCO digital economy best practice case.

    Meanwhile, Manzhouli Railway Port, which functions as the largest rail freight hub for China-Russia trade, has integrated cutting-edge 5G and Internet of Things technologies to develop a comprehensive cargo monitoring ecosystem. The port’s smart system incorporates intelligent dispatching mechanisms and sophisticated risk alert capabilities.

    The technological transformation at Manzhouli has yielded dramatic operational improvements. Real-time data visualization and intelligent analytics have enabled the port to double its daily transshipment capacity from 420 to 840 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Additionally, full-train inspection procedures now require less than one minute to complete.

    This national recognition underscores Inner Mongolia’s substantial contribution to China’s broader digital transformation of port infrastructure. Both facilities offer scalable and replicable solutions that demonstrate the potential of technological innovation in border logistics. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the region has allocated 410 million yuan (approximately $58.57 million) toward 50 smart port initiatives, significantly enhancing cross-border logistics efficiency and regulatory capacity through coordinated technological governance.

  • Samsung launches Galaxy Z TriFold in the UAE today

    Samsung launches Galaxy Z TriFold in the UAE today

    Samsung Gulf Electronics has unveiled its groundbreaking Galaxy Z TriFold device in the United Arab Emirates, positioning the country among an exclusive group of five global markets receiving first access to the innovative technology. The launch, occurring on December 19, 2025, represents a significant advancement in foldable device technology and underscores the UAE’s status as a regional leader in early technology adoption.

    The Galaxy Z TriFold introduces an unprecedented tri-fold form factor that redefines mobile functionality, seamlessly transforming from a conventional smartphone into a expansive 10-inch tablet display. This engineering marvel incorporates Samsung’s most advanced technological components, including the specialized Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, a professional-grade 200MP camera system, and the company’s largest foldable battery to date. The device’s structural integrity is ensured through reinforced Armor Aluminum framing and a newly developed titanium hinge mechanism designed for extended multi-fold durability.

    Fadi Abu Shamat, Vice President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, emphasized the significance of the UAE launch: “The Galaxy Z TriFold marks an important milestone in Samsung’s foldables journey. The UAE has consistently embraced our most advanced technologies early, and launching here reflects our commitment to a market that leads the region in digital adoption.”

    The device’s capabilities extend beyond hardware specifications, incorporating sophisticated Galaxy AI features that enable enhanced productivity through three-app multi-window functionality, standalone Samsung DeX operation without external hardware, and advanced creative tools including Photo Assist, Generative Edit, and Sketch to Image capabilities. The integration of real-time multimodal assistance via Gemini Live further positions the device at the forefront of AI-powered mobile technology.

    The UAE launch follows an exclusive preview event held at Dubai Mall on December 2, strategically timed with National Day celebrations to highlight the country’s role as an innovation hub. The Galaxy Z TriFold is now available through Samsung brand stores, authorized retail partners, and the company’s official online platform, offering consumers in the UAE pioneering access to what Samsung describes as the future of foldable smartphone technology.

  • Will the TikTok deal mean the app changes in the US?

    Will the TikTok deal mean the app changes in the US?

    ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, has finalized a landmark agreement with U.S. investors that will fundamentally alter how the platform operates for its American user base. This strategic move addresses longstanding national security concerns while raising critical questions about the future of TikTok’s signature user experience.

    The heart of the transformation centers on TikTok’s proprietary recommendation algorithm—the sophisticated artificial intelligence system that powers the platform’s iconic For You Page. Under the new arrangement, this algorithm will be licensed to Oracle, TikTok’s established cloud computing partner in the United States, and subsequently retrained exclusively on American user data rather than the global data streams that currently fuel its recommendations.

    Social media analyst Matt Navarra observes that the central question is no longer about TikTok’s survival but rather what form it will take. “The platform’s power has historically derived from its slightly unpredictable nature—delivering weird, niche, and sometimes politically sharp content before it appears elsewhere,” Navarra noted. “Smoothing these edges doesn’t just change content moderation; it potentially alters the platform’s cultural relevance.”

    Tech journalist Will Guyatt highlights that the American version’s differentiation may depend on whether it receives new features, security updates, and platform improvements simultaneously with the international version. Meanwhile, computational expert Kokil Jaidka from the National University of Singapore suggests that core features like short videos and integrated shopping will likely remain intact as they operate independently from the algorithm.

    The investment consortium includes Oracle—chaired by Trump ally Larry Ellison—alongside Abu Dhabi’s government investment fund MGX and private equity firm Silver Lake. Navarra warns that pressure from these institutional investors could further contribute to a “blander” user experience, transforming TikTok from the internet’s experimental playground to a more conventional social space.

    Practically, users may notice the algorithm lagging in personalization and slower adaptation to viral trends as it operates on narrower data inputs. Jaidka explains that “if TikTok operates with a licensed or partially diluted algorithm, some systemic blind spots may become more pronounced.”

    The ultimate test, according to analysts, will be whether TikTok retains its status as the internet’s premier destination for cultural experimentation or evolves into a more predictable digital environment.

  • What does TikTok’s deal mean for America’s users?

    What does TikTok’s deal mean for America’s users?

    The landmark partnership between TikTok and Oracle Corporation continues to generate uncertainty regarding the platform’s operational future for its American user base. While the arrangement nominally addresses national security concerns raised by U.S. regulators, industry observers note the conspicuous absence of detailed specifications governing user experience modifications.

    This strategic alliance, formed under intense geopolitical pressure, ostensibly creates a new entity called TikTok Global to oversee U.S. operations. Oracle’s role as a “trusted technology partner” provides the architectural framework for data security compliance, yet the practical implications for content delivery algorithms, data processing protocols, and feature accessibility remain deliberately vague in public disclosures.

    The arrangement’s ambiguity stems from complex negotiations involving multiple stakeholders: ByteDance (TikTok’s Chinese parent company), U.S. regulatory bodies, and now Oracle as the primary American technology partner. This tripartite dynamic creates inherent tensions between national security priorities, commercial interests, and user experience consistency.

    Technology analysts suggest the partnership could potentially introduce differentiated user experiences across geographical regions, with American users possibly encountering modified content recommendation algorithms or altered data retention policies. The fundamental architecture of TikTok’s service—particularly its critically acclaimed content discovery mechanism—may undergo significant recalibration to satisfy regulatory requirements.

    Market response indicates cautious optimism tempered by practical concerns. While the partnership prevents immediate platform prohibition in the United States, preserving access for TikTok’s approximately 100 million American users, the long-term user experience implications warrant continued scrutiny as implementation details emerge.

  • TikTok owner signs deal to sell US business

    TikTok owner signs deal to sell US business

    In a monumental resolution to years of geopolitical tension, TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance has formally agreed to divest the majority of its U.S. operations to a consortium of American and global investors. The arrangement, detailed in an internal memo from CEO Shou Zi Chew to staff on Thursday, culminates extensive negotiations prompted by longstanding national security concerns in Washington.

    The newly formed joint venture will see ByteDance’s ownership drop to 19.9%, effectively transferring control to U.S. entities. Technology giant Oracle, investment firm Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based strategic investment company MGX will each acquire 15% stakes. The remaining 30.1% will be distributed among existing ByteDance investor affiliates, creating a diversified ownership structure that satisfies regulatory requirements.

    This agreement aligns with preliminary terms disclosed in September 2024, when President Donald Trump intervened to postpone enforcement of legislation that would have prohibited the application’s operations without a sale. The original ban, enacted during the Biden administration in April 2024, was scheduled to take effect on January 20, 2025, but faced multiple administrative delays to facilitate negotiation progress.

    A critical component involves Oracle’s licensing of TikTok’s proprietary recommendation algorithm, ensuring operational continuity while addressing security apprehensions regarding foreign control over user data and content dissemination mechanisms. The White House has acknowledged this technological arrangement as vital to protecting national interests.

    The transaction is scheduled for formal closure on January 22, 2025, preserving platform access for TikTok’s extensive American user base of over 170 million. Company leadership emphasizes that this resolution safeguards both national security priorities and the application’s role in global digital community building.

    International diplomatic engagement played a role in the outcome, with President Trump noting direct communication with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who reportedly endorsed the ownership transition. Neither the White House nor Oracle provided additional commentary when solicited for response.

  • Thailand conference launches international initiative to fight online scams

    Thailand conference launches international initiative to fight online scams

    BANGKOK — In a landmark move against transnational cybercrime, Thailand has spearheaded the formation of an international coalition to tackle the escalating threat of online scams that cost global victims an estimated $18-37 billion annually. The initiative, formally launched as the Global Partnership Against Online Scams, emerged from a two-day conference co-hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

    The gathering brought together over 300 participants from nearly 60 nations, culminating in a multilateral agreement signed by Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates. The partnership framework encompasses four critical pillars: political commitment, enhanced law enforcement cooperation, comprehensive victim protection protocols, and cross-border public awareness campaigns.

    Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul set the tone in his keynote address, emphasizing that ‘online scams reveal a deeper problem—a collective vulnerability that no country can address alone.’ This sentiment echoed throughout the conference, which highlighted how criminal enterprises, particularly those operating across Southeast Asia, have evolved to exploit digital platforms and artificial intelligence technologies.

    The private sector played a significant role in the proceedings, with tech giants Meta and TikTok contributing expertise and resources. Meta presented a threat assessment detailing how scam networks are increasingly leveraging AI to perpetrate fraud across its platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. TikTok formally endorsed the conference’s closing statement, becoming one of the first corporate members of the new alliance.

    Brian Hanley, Asia-Pacific director of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (which TikTok recently joined), stressed the necessity of multi-stakeholder engagement: ‘Scams are exploiting not only transnational boundaries but also the seams across various platforms from banks, telcos, to social media platforms.’ He emphasized that combating these sophisticated networks requires ‘all major stakeholders at the table.’

    The urgency of the initiative has been amplified by recent developments across the region, including scam center raids in Myanmar, victim repatriation challenges in Thailand, and the tragic death of a South Korean student forced into scam operations in Cambodia. While Cambodia—known as a hub for scam compounds—was notably absent from the conference due to ongoing tensions with Thailand, the collaboration represents growing regional consensus on addressing cybercrime.

    This new partnership builds upon previous multilateral efforts, including the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime signed by over 70 countries in Vietnam last October. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres characterized that agreement, such initiatives represent ‘a vow that no country, no matter their level of development, will be left defenseless against cybercrime.’

  • China innovates network technology, achieving efficient data transmission

    China innovates network technology, achieving efficient data transmission

    China has officially commissioned a groundbreaking national network infrastructure that demonstrates unprecedented data transmission capabilities, marking a significant advancement in global information technology. The China Environment for Network Innovation (CENI), the country’s first national science and technology infrastructure in the ICT sector, recently passed national acceptance in Nanjing and is now operational.

    This revolutionary network testbed achieved what previously seemed impossible: transferring 72 terabytes of data generated by China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) from Guizhou province to Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Hubei province in merely 1.6 hours. Traditional internet methods would have required approximately 699 days to accomplish the same data transfer.

    According to Liu Yunjie, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, CENI represents China’s entry into the world’s advanced echelon in network technology innovation. “CENI’s passage of national acceptance enables China to deliver higher-quality services for all industries to embrace AI,” Liu stated.

    The infrastructure boasts large-scale, programmable, virtualized, and open-sharing features, providing a simple, efficient, and low-cost test environment for researching innovative architectures of future networks. The development team has pioneered a service-customized network architecture internationally and created the world’s first distributed large-network operating system.

    After over a decade of construction, CENI now spans 40 cities nationwide with a total optical transmission length exceeding 55,000 kilometers. The network can support 128 heterogeneous networks and 4,096 parallel heterogeneous service tests while seamlessly interconnecting with existing internet infrastructure and global test facilities.

    The project has generated substantial intellectual property, including 206 international and domestic standards, 221 authorized invention patents, and 139 software copyrights. Multiple achievements have received national-level scientific and technological awards.

    Wu Hequan, another academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized that CENI will support the development of 5G-Advanced and 6G technologies while allowing research institutions and enterprises to test various new technologies.

    Notably, CENI offers dramatic improvements for AI development. Liu explained that “training a large model with 100-billion-level parameters across domains requires over 500,000 rounds of iterative development. With CENI, each training round takes only about 16 seconds,” resulting in significant time and economic savings.

    Looking forward, CENI will provide open testbed support to key industries including manufacturing, energy and power, education, healthcare, and the low-altitude economy, thereby accelerating China’s digital transformation initiatives.

  • Breakthrough in BMI tech aids patients

    Breakthrough in BMI tech aids patients

    In a landmark advancement for neurotechnology, Chinese researchers have demonstrated unprecedented brain-machine interface (BMI) capabilities enabling paralyzed patients to interact with their physical environment through thought alone. Two individuals with high-level paralysis have successfully operated power wheelchairs, directed robotic dogs to retrieve objects, and manipulated robotic arms to perform tasks like drinking water—all without physical movement.

    The achievement, announced by the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, represents a significant leap beyond previous BMI applications that were limited to virtual interactions. The patients, both in their 30s, received minimally invasive neural implants developed through collaboration between the CAS center, Shanghai Huashan Hospital, and industry partners.

    Technical innovations were crucial to this breakthrough. Researchers overcame substantial challenges including neural data compression, environmental noise interference, and maintaining ‘cross-day stability’ through neural manifold alignment techniques. Most impressively, the team achieved an end-to-end delay of under 100 milliseconds from neural signal to device execution—faster than the body’s natural neural transmission speed.

    The system’s practicality is enhanced by its cost-effective design and minimal invasiveness. The implant requires only a 5-millimeter cranial puncture, the smallest reported globally, and is approximately half the size of Neuralink’s device. According to lead scientist Zhao Zhengtuo, the technology is progressing toward clinical applications with the goal of making implantation as simple as ear piercing.

    Future development timelines anticipate motor and language function restoration within three years, sensory restoration and treatment for neurological disorders within five years, and highly minimally invasive systems for both medical and consumer applications within a decade. All procedures underwent rigorous ethical and technical reviews, with patients reported in good health throughout the trials.

  • In this secret missile factory, Ukraine is ramping up its domestic arms industry

    In this secret missile factory, Ukraine is ramping up its domestic arms industry

    In a clandestine facility somewhere in Ukraine, a military transformation is underway under extraordinary secrecy. BBC correspondents, blindfolded during transport to protect the location, witnessed the production of Ukraine’s formidable Flamingo cruise missile – a domestically developed weapon system with an estimated 3,000km range capability.

    The extreme security measures reflect Ukraine’s adaptation to wartime realities: production facilities for these critical weapons must remain hidden from Russian targeting. Two factories belonging to manufacturer Fire Point have already been struck, forcing the company to disperse and conceal its operations. Within the assembly area, workers’ identities are protected and architectural features cannot be filmed, all part of maintaining operational security while continuing production.

    This represents a remarkable evolution in Ukraine’s defense capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky reveals that over 50% of weapons deployed on front lines are now domestically produced, with nearly all long-range systems originating from Ukrainian industry. This marks a dramatic shift from early dependence on Soviet-era stockpiles and Western military aid.

    At the heart of this effort is Iryna Terekh, Fire Point’s 33-year-old chief technical officer. The former architecture student now oversees production of the black-painted Flamingo missile which she describes as designed to ‘eat Russian oil.’ The massive weapon, resembling a World War Two V1 rocket with a jet engine mounted on a tube the length of a London bus, provides Ukraine with deep-strike capabilities that Western nations have been reluctant to supply.

    The strategic significance is substantial. With front lines stretching over 1,000 kilometers, Ukraine is increasingly targeting Russia’s war economy to slow advances. General Oleksandr Syrskyi, head of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, estimates long-range strikes have cost the Russian economy over $21.5 billion this year alone.

    Ruslan, an officer in Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, explains the strategy: ‘To reduce the enemy’s military capabilities and their economic potential.’ His forces have conducted hundreds of strikes deep inside Russian territory targeting oil refineries, weapons factories, and ammunition depots.

    Despite impressive progress, disparities remain. Russia launches approximately 200 Shahed drones daily, while Ukraine’s response reaches about half that number. Fire Point, which didn’t exist before the full-scale invasion, now produces 200 drones daily at approximately $50,000 each – significantly cheaper than Russian equivalents.

    The company deliberately avoids components from China and the United States, with Terekh explaining the emotional ‘roller coaster’ with American support. This self-sufficiency strategy emerges amid uncertain Western backing, particularly after the Trump administration halted nearly $70 billion in military support previously provided under President Biden.

    Denys Shtilerman, Fire Point’s chief designer, acknowledges there is no ‘wonder weapon’ but emphasizes that ‘the game changer is our will to win.’ Terekh views domestic weapons production as Ukraine’s true security guarantee, dismissing current peace negotiations as ‘capitulation talks.’

    She hopes Ukraine’s example will shock Europe into preparedness: ‘We are a bloody example in terms of being prepared for war,’ noting that most other nations would have ‘already been conquered’ facing similar onslaught.

  • Amazon holds talks to invest in OpenAI, source says

    Amazon holds talks to invest in OpenAI, source says

    Amazon.com Inc. is currently engaged in high-stakes negotiations to secure a substantial investment in OpenAI, the pioneering artificial intelligence research laboratory behind ChatGPT. According to sources familiar with the matter, this potential strategic partnership could value OpenAI at an extraordinary $500 billion valuation, signaling a seismic shift in the AI industry’s competitive landscape.

    The discussions, while characterized as “very fluid” by anonymous insiders, potentially involve an investment approaching $10 billion from the e-commerce and cloud computing giant. This development emerges as OpenAI prepares for what could become a landmark initial public offering, with previous Reuters reports suggesting the company might target a staggering $1 trillion valuation.

    This potential Amazon-OpenAI collaboration represents a significant evolution in OpenAI’s corporate structure following its transformative restructuring with Microsoft, which holds a 27% stake in the AI firm. The Microsoft partnership previously established OpenAI as a public benefit corporation controlled by a non-profit entity, effectively removing traditional constraints on capital raising and computing resource acquisition.

    Industry analysts note that the Amazon investment could facilitate OpenAI’s broader access to cutting-edge hardware, particularly Amazon’s proprietary Trainium chips that directly compete with Nvidia and Google’s AI accelerator technologies. Additionally, the negotiations reportedly include discussions about OpenAI providing an enterprise version of ChatGPT to Amazon, though specific details regarding integration with Amazon’s existing AI-powered shopping features remain undisclosed.

    The potential Amazon financing might also catalyze a comprehensive fundraising round involving additional investors, according to industry reports. This development underscores OpenAI’s remarkable transition from its non-profit origins to becoming one of the most valuable and strategically significant technology companies in the AI revolution.