Weekly Roundup: Key Developments in Tech, Politics, and Global Affairs in Taiwan
9 August 2024
Technology
Zoom Launches Zoom Docs! Combines AI Technology to Turn Meeting Content into Editable Documents
Zoom has launched Zoom Docs, the first product in its Zoom Workplace suite built using generative AI technology. Zoom Docs can automatically convert Zoom meeting content into editable online collaboration documents or databases, boosting team productivity. The AI-powered features include automatic drafting of content like reports and proposals, as well as translation to facilitate cross-team communication. Zoom Docs also integrates with other tools like Zoom Whiteboard, Google Drive, and Figma, ensuring consistent communication and reducing time spent on administrative tasks. Zoom Workplace paid users can access Zoom Docs at no extra cost, making online collaboration more efficient and saving time. Overall, Zoom Docs leverages AI to streamline meeting-to-document workflows and enhance teamwork.
Source: UDN News
https://tech.udn.com/tech/story/123154/8147310
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U.S. rules that Google violated market monopoly - signed exclusive contracts with mobile carriers, paid to be the default search engine
The U.S. Department of Justice has ruled that Google violated market monopoly practices. The key reasons cited include:
1. Google signing exclusive contracts with mobile carriers, making it difficult for competitors to gain market share.
2. Google paying Apple large sums to be the default search engine on Safari, further entrenching its dominance.
The ruling states that through these tactics, Google has maintained a market share of over 90% in recent years, while its main competitors hold less than 6%. The DOJ believes Google leveraged its technological advantages and scale to dominate the digital advertising market as well.
Google plans to appeal the ruling, but if the DOJ prevails, it could set a precedent for investigations into other tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Apple for potential monopolistic practices.
Source: UDN News
https://tech.udn.com/tech/story/123153/8144730
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OpenAI Co-Founder Schulman Resigns, Jumps Ship to Rival Company
John Schulman, a co-founder of OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, has announced his departure from the company. In a post on the social platform X, Schulman stated that he will be joining Anthropic, a competing AI startup in the United States.
The move comes as OpenAI has seen several key departures in recent months, including the exit of co-founder and former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever in May, and the departure of another founding member, Andrej Karpathy, in February. The changes at the leadership level reflect the ongoing competition and evolution in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
Source: SETN
https://www.setn.com/News.aspx?NewsID=1510454
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Politics & Business
Next Year's National Defense Budget Reaches a New High of 647 Billion
President Lai Qingde announced that next year's national defense budget will reach a record high of 647 billion Taiwan dollars. This represents a significant increase, demonstrating Taiwan's commitment to strengthening its self-defense capabilities amid evolving international conditions, climate change challenges, and technological transformations.
The overall central government budget for 2024 will prioritize four key areas: fiscal soundness, public welfare, responding to public expectations, and achieving balanced development across Taiwan. Key allocations include a 51 billion Taiwan dollar increase in long-term care funding and a nearly 5-fold increase in resources to combat fraud. The president expressed the hope that both the ruling and opposition parties will support the implementation of this comprehensive budget plan.
Source: Liberty Times News
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/paper/1660477?utm_medium=APP&utm_campaign=SHARE&utm_medium=APP
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Can Taiwan Become an "AI Smart Island"? Former Interior Minister Li Hung-yuan Calls for Review of Energy Policy: If There's a Power Shortage, Industries Won't Come
Former Interior Minister Li Hung-yuan has called for the Taiwanese government to review its energy policy if the country wants to become an "AI smart island." Li warned that if Taiwan experiences power shortages, AI industries will not come to Taiwan. He pointed out that most countries do not rely on natural gas for more than 20% of their energy, but Taiwan's energy plan has natural gas accounting for 50%. Li expressed concerns that if there is a conflict between Israel and Iran, Taiwan's natural gas supply could be disrupted. He emphasized that without a stable power supply, Taiwan's ambition to become an AI hub will be jeopardized. Li urged the government to carefully examine its energy policy and ensure a reliable electricity system to attract AI and other high-tech industries to the island.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5218816
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The CCP set up a column for stubborn Taiwan independence elements! The People's Party "strongly condemns": They should not use various forms of suppression
The Chinese government's Taiwan Affairs Office has added a new column on its website titled "Punish the stubborn 'Taiwan independence' elements according to law". This column lists several prominent Taiwanese politicians, including former Premier Su Tseng-chang, former Legislative Yuan President You Hsi-kun, and DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu, as "stubborn Taiwan independence" elements.
In response, the spokesperson for Taiwan's People's Party, Wu I-hsuan, strongly condemned the CCP's actions. She stated that the People's Party firmly defends Taiwan's democratic, free, human rights, and rule of law values. Wu urged the CCP to understand the parable of "the north wind and the sun" and not to use various forms of suppression and threats against Taiwan, as this does not help cross-strait peaceful exchanges.
Source: SETN
https://www.setn.com/News.aspx?NewsID=1511242
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International
"Microcredit Banker" Takes Over Bangladesh: Former Prime Minister Flees, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Leads Interim Government
Following the overthrow of Prime Minister Hasina by young protesters in Bangladesh, President Shahabuddin dissolved the parliament and appointed 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus as the chief advisor of the interim government. Yunus stated that if Bangladesh needs to take action, he will accept the responsibility for the sake of the country and the courage of his compatriots. This comes after months of student protests against the government's quota system reserving one-third of public service jobs for children of 1971 independence war veterans. The unrest has claimed over 300 lives, leading to Hasina's hasty resignation and flight. Yunus, the "microcredit banker", now leads the temporary administration in Bangladesh.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5218801
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Taiwan Stock Market Hits Largest Single-Day Drop in History, Falling Over 400 Points!
The Taiwan stock market experienced a sharp decline today, with the benchmark TAIEX index dropping over 400 points. This comes after two consecutive days of strong rebounds following a steep 2,811-point plunge last Friday and Monday. Analysts identify three key observation points: heightened uncertainty, the impact of AI concept stocks like Nvidia and Supermicro plunging, and the potential for further volatility. Major stocks like TSMC, Foxconn, and MediaTek also saw significant drops in early trading. The sudden reversal of the market's rebound momentum has caught investors' attention, highlighting the continued turbulence and uncertainty in the Taiwanese equity market.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5218910
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Lin Yu-Ting Defeats Turkish Opponent 5-0, Advances Strongly to the Gold Medal Match
Taiwanese athlete Lin Yu-Ting has achieved a remarkable victory in the Olympics. She defeated her Turkish opponent by a score of 5-0, showcasing her dominance and strength. This impressive win has propelled Lin Yu-Ting into the gold medal match, where she will have the chance to clinch the highest accolade. Her dominant performance has captured the attention of fans and spectators, who are eagerly anticipating her final showdown for the gold medal. This achievement is a testament to Lin Yu-Ting's skill, dedication, and determination, and it has brought great pride and excitement to Taiwan's Olympic contingent.
Source: Yahoo News
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/奧運》林郁婷5比0擊敗土耳其女將-強勢挺進金牌戰-201328625.html