This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on June 24, 2024 - June 30, 2024

Edotco Malaysia has unveiled an industry-first capacity development programme for its suppliers and business partners, primarily small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to elevate their capabilities and competitiveness in the digital infrastructure sector. The company’s newly improved Vendor Development Program (VDP) will cover five critical dimensions in the telecommunications tower industry: environmental, social and governance (ESG); occupational health and safety; integrity; business continuity management; and operations rollout.

The programme’s modules were developed to ensure globally accepted key concepts and practices from industry guidelines, standards and regulations, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ISO 45001 by the International Organization for Standardization and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, are easily understandable and adaptable. The VDP, first introduced in 2018, is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the capabilities of vendors to better align with Edotco’s operational standards and strategic goals.

Launched on June 19, the improved programme, which saw the participation of more than 150 vendors, started with the ESG dimension, giving participants access to the government’s Skim Insentif Kelestarian, a programme designed by the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SME Bank and co-developed with UNGC Malaysia and Brunei. This module helps Edotco’s SME vendors and business partners adopt sustainable practices and potentially qualify for the ESG Adoption Fund grant, worth RM40,000, allocated by the government.

Additionally, Edotco is preparing its supply chain to align with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the government’s long-term target of achieving net zero by 2050.

The connected vehicle technology market in Asia-Pacific is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 4% from 2023 to 2028, according to a forecast by data analytics and consulting firm GlobalData. The rise in internet connectivity and the deployment of 5G technology in major economies like China, India, South Korea and Japan are driving the demand for advanced connectivity features in cars.

GlobalData’s latest report, Global Sector Overview & Forecast: Connected Vehicle Technologies — March 2024, found that Asia-Pacific held a significant share of the global connected vehicle technology market in 2023, with Asian countries leading the adoption of smartphone and embedded connectivity units. The Asia-Pacific market is set to grow from 28.5 million units in 2023 to 34.6 million units in 2028.

Gorantala Sravan Kumar, associate project manager for automotive at GlobalData, said the influence of the younger generation’s reliance on smartphones and internet connectivity extends to their vehicles. “Consumers, especially the younger generation, are hooked to their smartphones and gadgets and want to be connected all the time. Their reliance on the internet and gadgets also seeped into their vehicles and they want to stay connected, even on the road.”

Concurrently, advancements in technology are being utilised to enhance passenger safety and boost the vehicles’ security features. Many start-ups have developed specialised chipsets that enable fast communication via 5G and decentralised networks.

The growing middle and affluent classes across various Asian countries are increasing the demand for smart and connected vehicles. Consumers are now seeking in-car infotainment, connected services and advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Significant investments to upgrade digital infrastructure, including 5G networks, are crucial for reliable and fast communication between vehicles and infrastructure, said Sravan Kumar.

Developing nations are also building smart cities with integrated connected technology to improve transport networks and traffic management. As cars become more advanced, seamless connectivity is becoming a standard expectation among consumers.

Automakers and suppliers must keep up with the demand for cutting-edge technology to attract younger consumers, who expect features like MirrorLink and Android Auto or Apple CarPlay as standard in their vehicles, he said.

NTT Data has found that globally, 80% of organisations agree that inadequate or outdated technology is holding back their progress and efforts in innovation. In fact, 93% of C-suite executives in Asia-Pacific believe legacy infrastructure is greatly hindering their business agility.

These findings come from NTT Data’s inaugural Lifecycle Management Report, which leverages 25 years of data-led insights and explores the challenges and opportunities that exist for organisations as they navigate infrastructure lifecycle management.

According to the report, only 59% of enterprises in Asia-Pacific have fully aligned their technology approach with their business strategy needs, while 71% of organisations in the region say their network assets are mostly ageing or obsolete. The report also found that more than two-thirds (69%) of currently active hardware in Asia-Pacific (with scheduled last day of support) will no longer be supported by 2027.

Unfortunately, lifecycle management can have an even more direct impact on operations. Misaligned lifecycle patterns can result in inappropriate coverage levels, labour-intensive renewals, extended incident resolution times, security breaches, and even costly licence violations and compliance issues.

Lifecycle management is a critical enabler of business success. Unfortunately, rapid modernisation and the proliferation of technology consumption models, coupled with an increasingly complicated and fragmented supplier ecosystem, make it difficult for many organisations to adequately maintain their technology infrastructure in a way that fosters business agility and innovation.

Gary Middleton, vice-president of Networking GTM at NTT Data, said: “Infrastructure lifecycles are a critical part of the IT management process. They represent an opportunity and a challenge for leadership, as effective lifecycles can result in huge business benefits, from increased efficiency to fostering greater innovation. However, inefficient lifecycle management can be an equally meaningful operational blocker, posing numerous risks to security and business continuity.”

Hundreds of fake websites purported to be selling tickets for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics are popping up on the internet. So far, 338 fraudulent websites have been identified by the French Gendarmerie Nationale in collaboration with Olympic partners.

Of the 338 websites, 51 have been shut down and 140 have received formal notices from law enforcement. Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint confirmed that a site was fraudulent and worked with the relevant authorities to have it taken down.

Threat actors running these websites are likely trying to defraud people who are attempting to purchase tickets for the games. The sites could also be collecting personal information such as names, contact information and credit card details.

One such website, identified by Proofpoint researchers, is “paris24tickets.com”, which claims to be a secondary marketplace for sports and live events tickets. Worryingly, this website was listed as the second sponsored search result on Google after the official website, when searching for Paris 2024 tickets.

Emails were also sent out, claiming to provide discounts, to entice customers. The email addresses may have been collected when users signed up on the website.

The homepage of the fraudulent website listed many Olympic events. If a user were to click one of the sport icons, he would be taken to a ticketing page to select tickets and provide payment data. The site looked similar to other legitimate ticketing websites.

Coursera Inc has rolled out several generative artificial intelligence-powered features to enhance assessment and grading capabilities. These features, including AI-Assisted Grading, Proctoring and Lockdown Browser and AI-based Viva Exams, will help campuses deliver authentic learning to students while increasing the value of online assessments, courses and certificates.

The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) allows up to 30% of credits to be earned through platforms like Coursera, but universities must ensure that the online learning meets strict academic standards to qualify for those credits.

Institutions like Wawasan Open University, whose students are mainly working adults under the age of 40, incorporate Coursera content into selected courses, with up to 50% integration for some courses. This partnership gives WOU access to top content from industry leaders like IBM, Google and Meta, helping students upskill, reskill and stay updated with evolving industry trends.

The new features introduced under scale assessment creation and grading include the AI assessment generator, which saves educators’ time by generating diverse maths, text and multiple-choice assessments tailored to courses and seamlessly integrating them into assignments. Question banks and variants provide a variety of questions and multiple variants for robust testing, making exams difficult to predict and easier to author. AI-assisted grading, meanwhile, streamlines grading by suggesting scores and feedback based on assignment analysis, with the final decision remaining with graders.

Coursera also included tools to improve academic integrity. These are:

• Graded item locking, which requires students to complete all ungraded items, watch videos and complete readings, promoting comprehensive learning and preventing skipping ahead.

• Time and attempt limits that control exam attempts to ensure fairness, discourage trial and error, and limit outside resource access, encouraging meaningful engagement and reflection.

• Proctoring and lockdown browser, which maintains exam integrity by blocking unauthorised resources and detecting unauthorised assistance during high-stakes exams.

• Plagiarism detection, which instantly identifies content similar to previous submissions, deterring plagiarism and educating students on independent thinking and originality.

Moreover, the platform has incorporated tools for enhanced learning and evaluation:

• Quiz prep and prior learning recaps with a Coursera coach, which provides a personalised tutor powered by generative AI and grounded in expert Coursera content, offering interactive learning assistance, lecture summaries, guided practice and tailored pre-assessment reviews.

• AI peer reviews, which facilitate peer feedback with AI-powered insights, evaluate text-based submissions and generate grades using assignment rubrics.

• AI-based viva exam, which analyses free-form written submissions and grading criteria to dynamically generate custom follow-up questions to test the authenticity and critical thinking behind the student’s submission.

AeroHT, a subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng, showcased its electric flying vehicle, the XPeng Voyager X2, in Beijing on June 18. According to the South China Morning Post, the company is close to receiving its airworthiness certification and plans to begin accepting pre-orders in the fourth quarter of this year.

Over his four-decade career, Sid Meier has produced some of the world’s most popular video games, including Sid Meier’s Civilization, which has sold more than 51 million units worldwide and accumulated more than one billion hours of play.

Sid Meier’s Memoir! is the story of an obsessive young computer enthusiast who helped launch a multibillion-dollar industry. Writing with warmth and ironic humour, Meier describes the genesis of his influential studio, MicroProse, founded in 1982 after a trip to a Las Vegas arcade and recounts the development of landmark games, from vintage classics like Pirates! and Railroad Tycoon to Civilization and beyond.

Articulating his philosophy that a video game should be “a series of interesting decisions”, Meier shares his perspective on the history of the industry, the psychology of gamers and fascinating insights into the creative process, including his rules for good game design. — Amazon

Sony has introduced the Reon Pocket 5, a wearable cooling device tailored for sweltering tropical climates. This innovative gadget, designed to be worn around the neck, provides personalised cooling and heating, making it an essential accessory for those navigating the region’s high temperatures and humidity.

The Reon Pocket 5 features advanced cooling technology, offering significant improvements over its predecessors, boasting up to 1.5 times more heat absorption. It uses thermoelectric cooling to lower the body temperature, providing immediate relief from heat. The device is lightweight, portable and can be discreetly worn under clothing, making it perfect for outdoor activities and daily commutes.

With the average daily temperature in Malaysia often exceeding 30°C, the Reon Pocket 5 promises to be a game-changer. Its user-friendly design includes a smartphone app for easy control, allowing users to adjust the cooling levels to their preference. Additionally, the device’s battery life has been extended, ensuring it lasts throughout the day.

The Reon Pocket 5 is not only practical but also promotes comfort and well-being in the intense Malaysian heat. It is particularly beneficial for those who spend extended periods outdoors or in non-air-conditioned environments. This wearable cooling device is set to become a must-have for Malaysians seeking to stay cool and comfortable amid the tropical heat.

Sony is running an early bird promotion for the device, offering a 10% discount voucher for the next purchased item, except PlayStation, among others, until June 30. The device, which costs RM799, is available on Sony’s official website: store.sony.com.my/products/reon-5/?locale=en.

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