🖥️ Tech Futures #8

Happy Monday 👋

This week, the EU upheld a combined $15.3B tax ruling against Apple and Google for unpaid back taxes in Ireland, citing unfair advantages. Infineon announced the world's first 12-inch GaN wafer, addressing the growing demand for power semiconductors in AI and EVs. Telespazio and Altec are deploying Starlink internet to schools and government offices in Río Negro, improving remote connectivity. SiMa.ai launched MLSoC Modalix, a 6nm edge AI chip, delivering high performance and energy efficiency for AI models in key industries. Sakana AI secured $100M in Series A funding to collaborate with NVIDIA on AI infrastructure, research, and community growth in Japan.

💾 Semiconductor

🏭 Infineon, a leading European chipmaker, announced a breakthrough with the world's first 12-inch gallium nitride (GaN) wafer technology. This innovation aims to meet the growing demand for power semiconductors, especially in AI data centers and electric vehicles. 

🌍 L&T Semiconductor Technologies (LTSCT) partnered with IBM to co-develop advanced processors. This collaboration will leverage both companies' expertise to advance semiconductor and processor technologies.

💡 Tata Electronics signed a deal with Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) to enhance the infrastructure for its semiconductor projects. TEL will assist Tata Electronics with its semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat, and its assembly and testing facility in Jagiroad, Assam.

⚡ The US Department of State announced a partnership with India's Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to diversify and strengthen the global semiconductor supply chain. This partnership aims to reduce global dependence on China and improve the semiconductor ecosystem's resilience, security, and sustainability.

🛰️ 5G

🤖  Sejong City in South Korea will begin a four-month demonstration of service robots in its Naseong-dong commercial. Funded by $930K, including $740k from national funds, the project will use 5G technology.

🌐 Taihan Cable & Solution completed Kuwait’s first fiber optic cable factory, aiming to support the country's growing 5G infrastructure needs. This move is expected to bolster Kuwait's connectivity and position it as a key player in the Gulf region's telecommunications sector.

📶 Telespazio and Altec are partnering in deploying Starlink satellite internet to schools and government offices in Río Negro, Patagonia. The project will initially cover select institutions and expand to improve connectivity in remote areas.

🧠 AI

📈 SiMa.ai launched MLSoC Modalix, a new edge AI chip, built on a 6-nanometer process designed for advanced models like CNNs and Generative AI. It provides high performance and energy efficiency for industrial automation, healthcare, and aerospace sectors.

🌟 TCS and Google Cloud launched new AI-driven cybersecurity tools. Recent updates include the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s Cloud Marketplace and new e-hailing features. The TCS Managed Detection and Response and TCS Secure Cloud Foundation leverage Google Cloud's technology to enhance threat detection and cloud security. 

🤝 Sony Research and AI Singapore (AISG) collaborated on the SEA-LION project, focusing on large language models (LLMs) tailored for Southeast Asian languages. The SEA-LION models aim to enhance AI accuracy for the region's diverse languages, including Tamil.

📚 SK Telecom and SPC Group signed a strategic MOU to enhance cooperation in AI technology. Their collaboration will focus on integrating AI into service interactions, developing B2B solutions for retail, and improving membership app functionalities.

💰 Tech Deals

💵 Salesforce plans to acquire Own, a developer in data protection and data management solutions, for $1.9B to expand its cybersecurity portfolio.

💳 Progress acquired ShareFile, a file management platform, for $875M. The deal will enhance Progress's document-sharing and collaboration capabilities.

💷 Glean, an AI work platform and search engine company, raised $260M in Series E funding to expand its platform features to search for information across organizations and content.

🌟 Quantum Source, an Israeli startup, raised $50M in Series A funding to develop its photonic quantum computers.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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