Weekly Roundup: Key Developments in Tech, Politics, and Global Affairs in Taiwan
30 August 2024
Technology
NASA: The interplanetary plane is not safe enough and SpaceX will take back the astronauts
Boeing’s Starliner that was sent to the ISS (International Space Station) early June will not be returning with the 2 astronauts that manned the spaceship. The 2 astronauts will stay at the space station until February next year, and then will hitch a ride back with SpaceX.
NASA officials said that the Boeing’s Starliner may not be safe enough to take back the 2 astronauts. This was due to a propeller failure and a helium leak during Boeing spacecraft’s first manned mission to the ISS which was the final test to obtain regular flight certification from NASA.
Source: SETN News
https://www.setn.com/News.aspx?NewsID=1519810&utm_campaign=viewallnews
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There are ways to become a humanoid robot operator! Tesla hires operators to "teach" Optimus robots movements
Elon Musk has previously revealed that Tesla will have a “truly useful humanoid robot” for limited use in 2025, and plans to provide it to other companies for use in 2026. A large amount of data was collected in order to train a humanoid robot that is as flexible as humans.
Hence why Tesla recently published a “Data Collection Operator, Tesla Bot” recruitment advertisement with an hourly salary of up to US$48 (approximately NT$1,509) to provide training data for the Optimus robot to perform human-like actions.
Source Yahoo Taiwan
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/tesla-data-collection-operator-tesla-bot-job-083018508.html
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OpenAI supports California's new bill requiring technology companies to "label AI-generated content"
ChatGPT developer OpenAI supports a California bill requiring tech companies to label artificial intelligence (AI) generated content which ranges from harmless memes to Deep Fakes containing misinformation about political candidates. According to the California Legislative Database, California state lawmakers are trying to introduce 65 bills involving AI this legislative season.
Many countries accounting for one-third of the world’s population are holding general elections this year. Experts are worried that AI generated content will impact this process, for example, AI generated videos have become the main battlefield in the Indonesian presidential election in February this year.
Source: SETN News
https://www.setn.com/News.aspx?NewsID=1520780&utm_campaign=viewallnews
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Politics & Business
17 missiles missed 7? The military revealed the reason for the low hit rate of "Pegasus Exercise" and the Ministry of National Defense will hold a meeting to review next week
The National Army’s “Pegasus Exercise” took place on the 26th and 27th. For the first time, the new towed 2B missile vehicle “M1167 Humvee” equipped with the “M41A7 ITAS towed missile launch system” launched 17 tow-type 2A missiles and it hit 10 out of 17 during the day and 11 out of 12 at night.
The hit rate during the day was way below expectation and the Ministry of National Defense will hold a meeting to review this matter next week. Since the hit rate of towed missiles has always been very high in past exercises, this result surprised many military personnel.
Source: Storm News
https://www.storm.mg/article/5229281
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Is Huawei’s AI chip Ascend 910C comparable to H100? Guo Zhengliang’s 2-point warning: Nvidia is afraid of losing China’s market share
The U.S. government continues to escalate its chip export restrictions to China, this results in China being unable to purchase high-end chips on the market. According to recent reports, Huawei’s latest AI chip “Ascend 910C” in which its performance is comparable to the Nvidia H100 is currently undergoing large-scale testing and can be delivered to domestic customers as soon as October.
Guo Zhengliang pointed out that if Nvidia does not sell H100 chips, then China will find another way to develop the Ascend 910C. If Huawei really succeeds in production and The U.S. government’s export restrictions stays, Nvidia will quickly lose its market share in China.
Source: Storm News
https://www.storm.mg/article/5228577
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“TVBS Poll" Lai Ching-te's satisfaction level within 100 days of taking office was 40%. 60% of the public were not confident that there would be no shortage of electricity.
A “TVBS” poll shows that Lai Ching Te’s satisfaction rate since taking office is at 40%. In addition, nearly 60% of respondents have “no confidence” in the government ensuring that Taiwan will not experience an electricity shortage.
In terms of trust, polls show that nearly half (49%) of the public is confident in Lai Ching-te's future governance performance, 40% had no confidence, and 11% had no opinion.
Regarding other policies, Lai Ching Te once emphasized that he would drive Taiwan to be a strong economic country. However, survey results show that 46% are dissatisfied with the Lai government’s economic performance, 38% are satisfied, and 16% have no opinion regarding this matter.
Source: Storm News
https://www.storm.mg/article/5228989
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International
Typhoon Shanshan makes landfall in Japan, causing 41 injuries and 1 loss of contact, and over 438 air flights canceled
Typhoon Sanshan has struck Japan causing 41 people to be injured, 1 person lost contact, houses damaged, and canceled over 438 flights in total. The Kyushu Shinkansen has also been suspended across the board, the Japan Meteorological Agency regarded Typhoon Shanshan as near the strongest typhoon.
It is currently predicted that on September 3, Typhoon Shanahan's will be weaker with its central pressure increasing to 994 hPa, and maximum wind speed weakening to 18m/s.
Source: UDN News
https://udn.com/news/story/6809/8193008?from=udn-catebreaknews_ch2
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Argentinian fintech surges as cash loses ground
In Argentina, the cash payment ratio in supermarkets in May this year accounted for only 17% of total transactions. With the country’s annual inflation rate reaching 270%, Argentines are resorting to non-cash payment solutions resulting in the surge of local credit card payment transactions.
President Mireille will propose a new law to establish a clear legal status for the electronic payment of tips by credit and debit cards. His government also makes it possible for commuters to pay by credit card or by scanning a QR code on public transportation.
Another non-local currency, the U.S. dollar remains prevalent in Argentina with research from the U.S. Federal Reserve stated Argentina as one of the world’s biggest recipients of The U.S. dollar with an estimate of billions of U.S. dollars being held by the Argentines outside of the formal banking system.
Source: UDN News
https://money.udn.com/money/story/122381/8177770
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With the world’s largest consumption of luxury goods and the lowest fertility rate, South Korean young people only live for today
South Korea’s fertility rate hit a new low in the world last year with researchers stating that financial difficulties are the main reason why South Koreans do not want to have children. Despite government’s effort to effort such as cash subsidies and free taxis, the decline in fertility rate continues.
Scholars believe that young Koreans pursue social status and instant gratification. According to data from the Bank of Korea, the deposit rate of people in their 30s dropped from 29.4% five years ago to 28.5% in the first quarter of this year.
The situation is even more unfavorable when considering that the annual income of people aged 20-30 increased by only 2% last year. One main reason why South Koreans do not have childrens is due to job insecurity or the cost of education.
Source: Business Weekly
https://www.businessweekly.com.tw/international/blog/3016506