Tech Spotlight 05: A Glimpse of Tech in October

October 2024 has marked a pivotal month of technological advancements and strategic partnerships, especially in Vietnam, where tech giants like Meta and Hyosung are making major investments. Globally, AI continues to drive innovation, with leaders like Meta and Samsung embedding it across their product lines to improve user experiences and operational efficiency.

Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China also shaped the tech landscape, as both nations compete for technological leadership. Meanwhile, shifts in global manufacturing saw companies like Meta relocating production to Southeast Asia to cut costs and diversify supply chains. The future of transportation advanced as well, with significant funding fueling the development of electric air taxi technology.

1. Meta to produce Quest virtual reality headsets in Vietnam

Meta plans to produce virtual reality headsets in Vietnam starting in 2025, creating 1,000 jobs with the manufacturing of the Quest 3S. This marks another significant electronics contract for Vietnam, already a supply-chain hub for Apple and Dell. Meta also announced it is supporting an AI course at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities Hanoi in Vietnam to unlock growth opportunities and deliver innovative products, aiming to contribute to the country’s economic prosperity.

2. Samsung Brings AI to All Devices

Samsung Electronics announced it would be integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into all its major home appliances and mobile devices, aiming to provide a more personalized and secure user experience. It aims to use AI to recognize individual users by voice and location to enhance personalization across its products. Key developments include the introduction of the One UI software to unify the experience across Samsung devices, with a beta version available for developers soon.

3. Huawei Tests New AI Chip Amid U.S. Sanctions

Huawei Technologies has begun testing its new AI chip, the Ascend 910C, with potential clients in China, offering an alternative to Nvidia's high-end chips amid U.S. restrictions. This chip is an upgrade from the 910B and is being tested by large Chinese internet and server companies, many of which are also Nvidia customers. Moreover, Huawei's AI chips have already been widely used in training China's large language models, highlighting its progress in building domestic AI infrastructure.

4. Meta Unveils New AI Video Generator - Movie Gen

Meta announced the development of a new AI model called Movie Gen, which is capable of generating realistic video and audio clips based on user prompts. This model can create short videos of up to 16 seconds and audio of up to 45 seconds, incorporating background music, and sound effects, and even editing existing videos. The announcement comes amid Hollywood's growing interest in generative AI video technology following the introduction of tools like OpenAI’s Sora.

5. Toyota Invests $500 Million into Electric Air Taxi?

On October 2nd, Toyota Motor announced a $500 million investment in startup Joby Aviation to support the certification and commercial production of Joby's electric air taxis. This additional funding, followed by the prior $394 million investment, strengthens their strategic alliance on commercial manufacturing. Joby's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft aims to address urban mobility challenges but still faces some regulatory hurdles. Toyota is working closely with Joby to provide key components for the aircraft, targeting deployment within the next few years.

6. South Korea's Hyosung Invests $4 Billion in Vietnam’s High-Tech Sectors

On October 15th, Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon announced plans to invest an additional $4 billion in Vietnam based on the country’s potential as an Asian manufacturing hub. By investing in industrial data centers, high-tech industrial materials, aviation biofuel, and carbon fiber, this partnership is expected to create 20,000 jobs and contribute to Vietnam's economic development. The company is also seeking partnerships with other international companies, such as ADNOC, to further develop its projects in Vietnam.

7. US Seeks to Curb China's Tech Ambitions with New Investment Rules

The Biden administration is finalizing rules to limit U.S. investments in Chinese technology sectors that could pose a threat to U.S. national security. These sectors include semiconductors, quantum information technologies, and certain AI systems. The rules aim to prevent the transfer of U.S. know-how to China, which could aid in the development of advanced military and surveillance technologies. Moreover, the U.S. is taking this step to protect its national security interests and to maintain its technological edge.

8. A Startup Tackles U.S. Electrician Shortage with AI-Powered Scheduling Solution

To address the severe shortage of electricians in the U.S., a startup company, Treehouse, is using AI and automation to streamline the process of quoting and scheduling electrical jobs. By reducing the need for on-site visits and improving efficiency, this approach can help to alleviate the pressure on the limited pool of electricians and enable faster and more cost-effective installations.

9. OpenAI Disbands AGI Readiness Team Amidst Leadership Changes and Restructuring

Recently, OpenAI has disbanded its AGI Readiness team, which was focused on preparing the company and the world for the development of advanced AI. This move comes amidst a series of changes at OpenAI, including the departure of key executives, the restructuring of the company, and increased scrutiny from regulators. There are growing concerns about the potential risks of advanced AI and the need for robust safety measures and ethical guidelines.

10. WeRide Launches GXR: A Spacious, Safe, and Fully Autonomous Robotaxi

WeRide has unveiled the GXR, a new production robotaxi designed for efficient and safe autonomous driving. The GXR features advanced hardware and software, including a comprehensive redundancy system, a new sensor suite, and a high-performance computing platform. It offers a spacious interior with a unique design that eliminates the front passenger seat and features a large entryway. Passengers can book and use the GXR through the WeRide Go app.

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