Microsoft is making a bold move to secure its energy needs for Asian data centers, sparking a hiring spree! The tech giant is on the lookout for three senior energy strategists to mastermind its energy plans in the APAC region, with a particular focus on Australia and Singapore. But here's the catch: these experts will be tasked with navigating the complex world of power deals and interconnections to ensure Microsoft's data centers have the juice they need.
And it doesn't stop there. Microsoft is also seeking a principal civil/geotech engineer to oversee datacenter builds and a regional lead to manage new datacenter leases across Southeast Asia. With its expanding footprint, Microsoft is gearing up to tackle the energy-intensive demands of AI applications in the region.
In other news, Vietnam is making its mark in the semiconductor industry. Viettel, a Vietnamese telco, has begun construction on the country's first chipmaking plant, aiming to offer foundry services on a 32-nanometer process. This move is significant as Vietnam looks to bridge the gap in its chip-building capabilities, despite already contributing to the global semiconductor industry in various ways.
Meanwhile, Australia's eSafety Commissioner is cracking down on underage social media access. The 10 tech companies under the country's ban on social media for under-16s have removed a whopping 4.7 million accounts. While this is a positive step, the commissioner cautions that it's too early to gauge the law's effectiveness, especially as some kids may find workarounds. This raises an important question: how can we ensure online safety laws are truly effective?
In the realm of cybersecurity, Bangladesh's University of Dhaka has been under fire. Within an hour of deploying a Honeynet sensor, a tool designed to attract cyberattacks, the university faced over 63,000 attacks from thousands of unique IP addresses in just 12 days. This highlights the relentless nature of online threats and the importance of robust security practices.
Other notable tech stories include Malaysia and Indonesia blocking X for failing to curb deepfake pornography, China's potential ban on creating AI companions for the elderly, Starlink's close call with a Chinese launch near its broadband satellite, and the explosion of China's first reusable rocket, which still managed to keep its onboard Ethernet network intact.
Lastly, Indian cybersecurity firm CloudSEK has secured funding from a US state investment arm, a first for an Indian infosec company. CloudSEK has gained recognition for its analysis of Oracle's cloud security incident and the discovery of a major data leak in India. And ASUS is making waves in healthcare with its handheld ultrasound devices, now FDA-approved for sale in the US, targeting regions with growing demand for remote healthcare.
As the tech world continues to evolve, these stories showcase the diverse challenges and innovations shaping our digital future. But the question remains: how can we ensure a safe, sustainable, and inclusive digital landscape for all?
