Dr. Ali Okhowat, a Canadian physician with a background spanning humanitarian work in conflict zones to co-founding the World Health Organization (WHO) Innovation Hub, is now using artificial intelligence to solve one of healthcare’s most persistent problems: administrative burden. Through his company Aya Health Technologies Inc., he has developed an AI scribe solution called "Autochart.ai Health Assistant". The team joins the Canadian Technology Accelerator for startups in the second half of 2025, leveraging Taiwan’s proactive push toward "smart hospitals" to enter Asian markets.Describing himself as "a physician by training, but a geek at heart," Dr. Okhowat's career trajectory is unique. After completing training in Canada, he worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross in low-resource and conflict areas, including Gaza and Afghanistan, followed by a post with the WHO overseeing the Middle East and North Africa. This field experience heavily influenced his belief in using technology to make care more accessible and efficient, eventually leading him to co-found the WHO Innovation Hub in Geneva.The Genesis of Autochart.ai Health AssistantThe concept for Autochart.ai was born from the direct experience of a practicing physician. Following his return to Canada and involvement in the COVID-19 response, Dr. Okhowat co-established a medical clinic in British Columbia intended to function as an innovation lab for digital health solutions.The resulting product, Autochart.ai, is an AI health assistant and clinical workflow solution designed to reduce the time health providers spend on documentation."The first part is that a note has to be generated documenting what actually happened and what the next steps were," Dr. Okhowat explained. "We are trying to help all health providers who are somewhat burdened with this task of having to create that initial clinical document, and then all of the downstream documents that are also needed, things like referral notes, patient communications messages."The solution, which is built on the Microsoft Azure Foundry and leverages various Large Language Models (LLMs), has been fully commercialized since November 2024 and is currently being used by subscribers in Canada and the US, including several British Columbia providers and health facilities involved in a provincial AI Scribe pilot program.A Focus on Multilingual ContextA key differentiator for Autochart.ai is its robust support for diverse linguistic environments. Recognizing the need for global utility, the company prioritized multilingual capability from the start."We translated the public-facing website fully into 10 different languages, and the interface into 13 different languages," Dr. Okhowat stated. "The number of languages that we accept in terms of input languages and output languages are over 100 different languages and dialects," including support for both simplified and traditional Chinese text. This focus aims to address not only single-language needs but also multilingual, multi-issue, and multi-patient encounters common in clinical settings. The software can also integrate visual context, such as analyzing images of dermatologic lesions, into the generated documentation.Scaling in Taiwan's Smart Hospital EcosystemDr. Okhowat's visit to Taiwan for the Startup Acceleration Program is timely, aligning with the government’s recent initiative to encourage hospitals to transform into "smart hospitals" by digital transformation, robotics, and AI.In response to Taiwan’s changing demographics and rising healthcare needs, the government has just launched the "Healthy Taiwan Deep Cultivation Plan" (2025–2029) in April with a total budget of NT$48.9 billion (US$1.63 billion), focusing on four key areas-better working conditions for medical staff, diverse talent cultivation, smart healthcare technology, and sustainable, socially responsible medicine-to advance tiered care, workforce retention, and healthcare system reform.  Autochart.ai's strategy for entering the market centers on three pillars:1. Localization and Integration: Finding local partners to customize the solution and integrate it with Taiwan’s established Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and world-class hardware manufacturers.2. Regulatory Adherence: Gaining a deep understanding of local data security and Taiwan FDA health pathway regulations to ensure full compliance. The system is already designed to support on-premise or local secure cloud environments to meet strict data privacy demands.3. Investment Synergy: Engaging with the local investor community to secure funding necessary for scaling the solution, with the goal of making it a "homegrown solution in Taiwan."The company offers flexible business models, including Software as a Service (SaaS), API-based integration, and licensing. Dr. Okhowat noted the potential for innovative monetization, moving toward a value-aligned model such as a per-chart fee with a managed upper cap to reduce costs for health systems.Future Vision: AI as a Total Health AssistantLooking ahead five years, the vision for Autochart.ai Health Assistant expands beyond supporting providers to directly empowering patients."We want to be able to help the patients just as much," Dr. Okhowat said. The company is currently developing a patient-facing AI scribe, voice agents, and physical AI implementations that would help individuals own and manage their medical records, make appointments, and summarize complex medical discussions for loved ones and their "circle of care." This evolution aims to transform the system into a comprehensive AI health assistant for all stakeholders, from providers to patients to health systems.Dr. Ali Okhowat

The robotics sector is booming, yet a fundamental challenge persists: moving autonomous machines safely and efficiently from the controlled environment of a warehouse into the complex, unpredictable flow of daily life. Vancouver-based startup Ma Robot AI is tackling this issue head-on with its specialized "Embodied AI" software, designed to grant robots and autonomous vehicles human-level intuition in dense, high-traffic areas.Founded by a unique partnership, Ma Robot AI is led by CEO Winnie Liang, who brings a background in business and workflow automation from her time at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and CTO Dr. Mo Chen, a distinguished authority in the field as a Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) AI Chair and Computer Science faculty member at Simon Fraser University, with a recent visiting professorship at Stanford. They are co-founder husband and wife. The need for their combined expertise emerged during the pandemic, as they witnessed how overwhelmed hospital staff spent crucial time on manual, repeatable delivery tasks.The Technology: Intuition Without DataMa Robot AI's core offering is a patent-pending hybrid AI system that fundamentally shifts how robots perceive and interact with uncontrolled environments. Unlike conventional solutions that rely on extensive data collection for specific environments (a key bottleneck for scaling), Ma Robot AI's software operates in real-time, on the edge, and requires no prior data from the target location.The critical differentiator is the concept of "interpretable AI," which allows robots to predict how human agents will move in time and space, enabling them to navigate safely and confidently among people. This technology is applicable not just to delivery robots, but also to autonomous and computer-assisted driving systems, offering potential improvements in safety and efficiency on urban streets.Scaling Strategy: From Integrator to LicensorHaving incorporated nearly two years ago, Ma Robot AI, currently a team of eight, is pursuing a two-phase business model. Initially, the company acts as a system integrator (SI), pairing its software with cost-efficient, high-performance third-party hardware (often sourced from Asia). This approach is currently being piloted in a BC hospital, where a robot is helping deliver lab samples-a project supported by a grant from the BC government.The long-term vision is to transition entirely into a software licensing model. By showcasing the power of their AI through successful pilots, the company aims to establish trust with major global hardware vendors. This would allow manufacturers to license Ma Robot AI's software to upgrade their own mobile robots and vehicles, significantly accelerating market entry into high-impact sectors like healthcare and urban logistics.Liang emphasized that Ma Robot AI will focus on AI algorithms and software, which is their core strengths, and refrain from producing robots themselves.Eye on the Asia-Pacific MarketMA Robot AI is leveraging a Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) program to focus its international expansion on Taiwan's technology and manufacturing ecosystem. CEO Winnie Liang emphasized that Taiwan's strength in hardware, robotics, and supply chain efficiency makes it a perfect partner to scale their software-centric product.The company is actively seeking strategic partnerships with local industry leaders, technology integrators, and investors, with specific interest in meeting groups like URS Robot, Turin Drive, and Kingswaytek Technology during its November visit.Ma Robot AI is targeting an early-next-year Seed Funding Round, aiming to capitalize on the traction generated by their pilot successes and solidify their transition from a startup with promising technology to a pivotal software licensor in the global robotics landscape. Their ultimate goal is to see their AI bring robots out of the industrial warehouse and into broad, collaborative use alongside the human workforce within the next five years.Winnie Liang, CEO of Ma Robot AI. Credit: Ma Robot AI

Wireless PnC, a cleantech company based in Victoria, British Columbia, is making waves in the micromobility sector with its highly efficient and universally compatible wireless charging technology. The company, founded by Dr. Samira Soltani, aims to streamline fleet operations, reduce emissions, and accelerate the adoption of sustainable transportation globally.In an exclusive interview, Ishtdeep Singh, the company's Product Development Head, detailed the technology, the company's strategic focus on the Asian market, and current funding efforts.The Universal Charging SolutionThe inspiration for Wireless PnC came from the growing need for convenient, efficient, and standardized charging for light electric vehicles, particularly e-bikes and e-scooters."The current plug-in charging technology is not able to solve the universality issue," explained Singh. "Some are compatible only with bikes, some only with scooters. With our single wireless charging pad, it is universal among different kinds of vehicles, whether it is an e-bike, an e-scooter, or even an industry robotic vehicle."The system relies on inductive charging, comprising two parts: a receiver module mounted on the vehicle (e-bike/e-scooter) and a ground pad connected to a standard 120-volt wall plug. This simple infrastructure is a major differentiator, requiring minimal footprint and zero large-scale upgrades or vehicle redesigns.A Leap in Efficiency:Wireless PnC claims a significant technological advantage in power transfer efficiency. While traditional plug-in solutions operate at 85% to 88% efficiency, Wireless PnC achieves an impressive 95% efficiency, with only a minimal 5% power loss. This reduces power consumption by up to 30% compared to other chargers and translates to more than 400 W-hrs saved per charge for larger e-bikes-a significant benefit over the vehicle's lifetime.This is attributed to patented coil designs and a novel shielding mechanism.Furthermore, the system is designed for low maintenance and durability, having been successfully tested outdoors on concrete pads in rain and snowy conditions.Asia-Pacific Strategy: Leveraging Taiwan's EcosystemWith the e-scooter and e-bike culture booming across North America and Asia, Wireless PnC views the Asia-Pacific region as a critical market. The company is actively seeking to leverage Taiwan's strong manufacturing and semiconductor ecosystem.The company is looking for Taiwanese partners to build key hardware components, including PCBs, charging coils, and communication chips (like Wi-Fi ESP chips).Singh confirmed that the current visit to Taipei is about more than just supply chain. Wireless PnC is actively seeking a strategic investment to use Taiwan as a "bridge" to enter the broader Asian market, including major hubs for light electric vehicles like India and Malaysia. While the initial focus is on e-scooters and e-bikes, the company sees potential expansion into three-wheelers, golf carts, and e-rickshaws.Company Status and FundraisingWireless PnC was officially incorporated in 2023, though the idea was initiated by co-founders Dr. Samira Soltani (CEO) and Dr. Sahar Sam (Serial Entrepreneur) back in 2020. Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, the company currently employs 14 full-time staff.The company has completed indoor testing and MVPs and has already tested its technology with two prominent bike-sharing companies in Canada. An outdoor pilot installation is planned for the near future at an educational institution in Canada.Wireless PnC is currently seeking to raise US$1 million in a pre-seed funding round. These funds are earmarked for product development, pilot installations, team expansion, and securing additional non-dilutive grants, all aimed at scaling wireless charging stations and strengthening partnerships with fleet operators and municipalities. The company has already successfully secured nearly US$1 million in non-dilutive funding through grants and subsidies.Wireless PnC is positioning itself as a leader in the cleantech transition, offering a versatile charging solution that could become a key infrastructure component for smart cities worldwide.Wireless PnC CEO and Fouder, Dr. Samira Soltani. Credit: Wireless PnC

MaxEpic, a nascent but rapidly advancing chiplet semiconductor startup based in Canada, is spearheading the development of next-generation fully-integrated power delivery and power integrity solutions crucial for the escalating demands of AI systems.Founder and CEO Dr. Jerry Zhai is a seasoned veteran who has accumulated over two decades of experience in semiconductor technologies, product development, and business development with companies such as Analog Devices, Samsung Semiconductor and Renesas."AI has made a tremendous inroad in our industry from component to system level. The technology we have developed is a highly integrated power delivery chiplet that can address the new and rigorous demand of AI systems," said Zhai. "That is a fundamental force which drove us to start up this company."The company, which began its focused development just about two years ago, is moving swiftly. Already, the company has successfully engaged with multiple major AI industry players, including large-scale hyperscalers, AI machine makers, semiconductor companies, and manufacturing partners, underscoring the immediate industry relevance of their solution.Addressing the AI Power and Thermal CrisisThe dramatic advancements in AI hardware, such as GPUs, CPUs, and High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), have resulted in an unprecedented power dilemma. Dr. Zhai points out that the electrical current drawn by these components has increased three to five times over prior generations.Modern CPUs, for instance, can consume up to 1,000 Amperes at a very low voltage of around 0.7 volts. The voltage for HBM continues todecrease. For example, the I/O voltage is down to 0.4V now to meet the low latency and high speed of data transmitting. The layer stack up of HBM that has increased up to 12 layers to meet workload demands has raised the HBM current consumption and density dramatically. This extreme current level and super high density create immense systemic challenges, including thermal dissipation issues and limits on I/O ports.MaxEpic's innovative power delivery method trademarked as Ivy-ChipletTM is a fundamental solution to this challenge. It utilizes a proprietary IP to perform high-efficiency voltage conversion. Instead of drawing 0.7 volts directly, the device can effectively take a voltage that is twice or three times higher, such as 1.4 volts or 2.1 volts. In HBM I/O power which needs 0.4V, the voltage converstion ratio is 5-to-1 or 6-to-1 and the input voltage become 2.0V or 2.4V As a consequence of this voltage conversion, the current flowing into the device is instantly reduced by half, two-thirds or even less, depending on the designed voltage conversion . This significant reduction in current directly alleviates the problems of I/O port limit and thermal challengess by dramatically reducing power loss along the delivery path. The efficiency of MaxEpic's technology is remarkable, achieving up to 97% with its proprietary power streaming circuitsTechnological Edge and Versatile ApplicationsThe Chiplet's design offers significant flexibility in integration. It can be used as a standalone device or be seamlessly integrated directly into the AI device's package using contemporary 3D packaging technology.MaxEpic's device is implemented using FinFET nodes, designed to be fully compatible with more advanced nodes like 7 nanometer, 5 nanometer, or even lower. This compatibility with cutting-edge process technology is vital, as the more advanced a chip is, the more efficient its power management needs to be.The high efficiency, excellent thermal properties, and dimensional profile of MaxEpic's solution expand its potential beyond high-performance computing (HPC) and data centers. The technology can address systems requiring high degrees of integration and size reduction in three dimensions. Potential applications include next-generation AI glasses, which have a huge demand for high integration, small size and low profile, and Electric Vehicle (EV) systems, which benefit from the high reliability the technology offers.Founder and CEO Dr. Jerry Zhai, MaxEpic. Credit: MaxEpic

Gaming used to mean sitting down in a specific room. You powered up, stared at a glowing screen, and disappeared for hours. Now it's something people do on buses, at bus stops, in bed, or while waiting for a takeaway. The shift from console to mobile didn't just make games more convenient. It made them part of daily life. What was once an escape has become a companion.The rise of the smartphone didn't just give us better cameras or faster messaging. It handed us a new kind of playground. A billion pockets turned into arcades overnight. Games like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Candy Crush weren't flukes. They were proof that entertainment didn't need a controller anymore. Mentioning a social casino game these days barely raises an eyebrow. People play for fun, for the challenge, or just to pass a dull minute. It's gaming stripped down to its essentials, accessible to anyone who can swipe a screen.The Old Console CrowdRemember when playing games meant being tethered to a television? The ritual of plugging in cables, picking up controllers, and arguing over who got player one. It was a production. Then came the phone. Suddenly, gaming was as easy as opening an app. It didn't matter if you had five minutes or fifty. You could dive in, make progress, and get on with your day.Classic titles noticed. Call of Duty, FIFA, even Grand Theft Auto showed up on mobile screens, adapted and alive. They weren't replacements; they were reinventions. For players who grew up glued to their consoles, this was liberation. You could take your favorite worlds with you. No more waiting until you got home to play. You already were home, in a way. It's as if the rules changed overnight and everyone who'd ever held a controller suddenly found the game following them instead of the other way around.Quick Fixes and Fast RewardsMobile games are built for the modern attention span. You don't need hours to get something out of them. You need thirty seconds and a thumb. They tap into something primal. The thrill of progress. The satisfaction of instant feedback. It's psychology cleverly disguised as play. Every level cleared, every reward unlocked, is another nudge to keep you hooked. The developers know exactly what they're doing-and we thank them for it.And that's what keeps people coming back. Mobile gaming doesn't demand loyalty. It earns it, one dopamine hit at a time. It fits between emails and errands, filling the gaps modern life leaves behind. A quick match here, a puzzle there, a sense of control in a world that often feels like it has none. You could call it escapism, but really, it's convenience disguised as joy.Everyone's a GamerThe stereotype of the gamer sitting in a dark room surrounded by empty cans is long gone. Your gran is probably playing Wordscapes. Your mate who hates "nerd stuff" has a Clash of Clans base he's been building for years. Mobile gaming didn't just grow the audience. It obliterated the walls that once defined it.Now, everyone's a gamer whether they admit it or not. It's a universal language. No tutorials needed. Just curiosity and a few taps. The accessibility is what made it unstoppable. You don't need to spend a fortune or dedicate your weekend. All you need is a phone and a spare moment. It's the great equalizer of entertainment-the one pastime that fits inside your pocket and asks for nothing but your attention.A Cultural ShiftMobile gaming's influence sits quietly in the background of pop culture. It's as normal as scrolling social media or watching short clips online. The way we interact with games mirrors how we consume everything else now.It's a bit like when Netflix changed how we watched TV. We stopped planning our lives around scheduled shows. We started watching on our terms. Mobile gaming did that for play. And if you've ever felt the heartbreak of losing your progress because your phone died mid-level, you've joined a global brotherhood of quiet, shared despair. Somewhere out there, millions know exactly how you feel.The Competitive EdgeCompetition has changed too. It's no longer about high scores on a single machine. It's global, constant, and always within reach. Daily missions, leaderboards, and events keep players locked in. It's not about beating the game anymore. It's about staying part of the loop.That endless engagement turned mobile gaming into a financial juggernaut. In 2024, it made up nearly half of all gaming revenue worldwide. The numbers prove what anyone with a smartphone already knows. We're all playing. Constantly. And most of us don't even realize because it has become second nature.The Next ChapterThe next leap won't be about screens or specs. It'll be about depth. Phones are getting faster, graphics sharper, and stories richer. Soon, the line between console and mobile will disappear. The best games will live everywhere. What matters won't be what you play on, but how easily you can lose yourself in it.The evolution of mobile gaming shows what happens when technology meets everyday life. It's no longer about finding time to play. It's about the moments between everything else when play finds you. Gaming didn't just survive the move to mobile. It thrived. It adapted, simplified, and conquered. The console might have started the story, but the phone made it impossible to put down.

SK hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has recorded 24.4489 trillion won in revenues, 11.3834 trillion won in operating profit (with an operating margin of 47%), and 12.5975 trillion won in net profit (with a net margin of 52%) in the third quarter.Credit: DIGITIMESThe company achieved its highest-ever quarterly performance, driven by the full-scale rise in prices of DRAM and NAND, as well as the increasing shipments of high-performance products for AI servers. In particular, operating profit exceeded 10 trillion won for the first time in the company's history.As demand across the memory segment has soared due to customers' expanding investments in AI infrastructure, SK hynix once again surpassed the record-high performance of the previous quarter due to increased sales of high value-added products such as 12-high HBM3E and DDR5 for servers.Driven by surging demand for AI servers, shipments of high-capacity DDR5s of 128GB or more have more than doubled from the previous quarter. In NAND, the portion of AI server eSSD, which commands a price premium, expanded significantly as well.Building on this strong performance, the company's cash and cash equivalents at the end of the third quarter increased by 10.9 trillion won from the previous quarter, reaching 27.9 trillion won. Meanwhile, interest bearing debt stood at 24.1 trillion won, enabling the company to successfully transition to a net cash position of 3.8 trillion won.As the AI market rapidly shifts toward inference-driven workloads, there is growing interest in distributing computational loads of AI servers across broader infrastructures such as general servers. This trend is expected to further expand demand across the entire memory portfolio, including high-performance DDR5 and eSSD.In addition, the recent wave of strategic partnerships and AI data center expansion announcements by leading global AI players provides further momentum. This is expected to drive balanced demand growth not only for HBM, but also for various product lines including memory solutions for general servers.In response, SK hynix plans to accelerate the migration to its most advanced 1cnm process, or the sixth-generation of the 10-nanometer technology, which is already in stable mass production. This will enable the company to establish a full DRAM lineup across server, mobile, and graphics applications, and to flexibly respond to customer needs through expanded supply. In NAND, the company will also increase output of world's highest 321-layer TLC and QLC products to swiftly meet customer requirements.Meanwhile, the company has completed discussions with key customers regarding HBM supply for next year. HBM4, which completed development in September and entered mass production, fully meets customer performance requirements and supports industry-leading speeds. Shipments will begin in the fourth quarter this year, with full-scale sales expansion planned for next year.Furthermore, amid surging demand for AI memory, the company has already secured full customer demand for its entire DRAM and NAND production for next year.In order to address higher-than-expected customer demand, SK hynix plans to expand its production capacity through M15X, where equipment installation has recently begun after the early opening of a new cleanroom, and to accelerate the migration to advanced process technologies.As a result, investment for next year is expected to increase compared to this year, reflecting the company's continued commitment to a market-aligned investment strategy."With the innovation of AI technology, the memory market has shifted to a new paradigm and demand has begun to spread to all product areas," said Kim Woohyun, Chief Financial Officer. "We will continue to strengthen our AI memory leadership by responding to customer demand through market-leading products and differentiated technological capabilities."SK hynix 3Q25 Financial Results. SK hynix

Livestreaming has become a central part of Asia's digital life, spreading across shopping, gaming, entertainment, education, sports, and corporate sectors. Viewers can now watch everything from product launches to eSports tournaments in real time, often interacting directly with hosts or other audience members. Artificial intelligence is playing a big role in this growth.AI can provide real-time translations, auto-generated captions, and interactive overlays that make streams easier to follow. With faster internet and mobile technology, livestreams have become seamless experiences. Businesses, influencers, and content creators are using these tools to reach wider audiences, engage viewers, and create richer, more interactive broadcasts.Sports Streaming and In-Match FeaturesIn Asia, livestreaming is more than watching content. It is about interaction and immediacy. Platforms allow viewers to respond, ask questions, and even participate in polls or giveaways instantly. Sports fans in Asia can now watch matches live while accessing detailed analytics, player stats, and commentary simultaneously. AI-driven tools highlight scoring chances, track movements, and provide instant updates. For example, international betting sites, like non Gamstop sports betting platforms, integrate live betting, where viewers can adjust their wagers as events unfold, offering a highly interactive experience. Whether it is football, basketball, or martial arts competitions, live streams provide fans with insights that were once only available to professional analysts.This real-time access changes how audiences watch, follow, and participate in sporting events. Not only do these sites offer competitive odds and a variety of bet types, but users can often pay using crypto or e-wallets, adding flexibility. Watching a match this way is very different from traditional broadcasts, as every moment can affect decisions and strategies. This integration of live streams with betting creates a highly engaging experience that keeps audiences invested throughout an event.E-Commerce and Live ShoppingRetail has embraced livestreaming across Asia, turning product demonstrations into interactive shopping events. Platforms like Taobao Live, Douyin, Shopee, and Lazada allow influencers and brands to showcase products in real time. Viewers can ask questions about size, colour, or features while watching demonstrations.Many shopping events coincide with festivals or special promotions, driving huge sales. AI tools help highlight popular items, suggest similar products, and analyse viewer behaviour to make the experience more engaging. The combination of immediacy, interaction, and easy purchasing is transforming how people shop online, making livestreaming a vital sales channel.Gaming and eSports StreamingLivestreaming has reshaped the gaming scene in countries such as China, South Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Players and fans watch tournaments, live matches, and speed runs on platforms like Douyin, Kick, and AfreecaTV. AI helps by automatically highlighting key moments, providing real-time stats, and moderating chat to keep interactions friendly.Viewers can now enjoy eSports with instant commentary and predictive analysis. Interactive features, such as live polls and fan competitions, create a sense of community while keeping the focus on the action. The combination of technology and interactivity makes gaming streams a leading form of entertainment across Asia.Media, Entertainment, and Live EventsLive performances, concerts, and cultural festivals are increasingly streamed to global audiences. Organisers use AI to improve camera angles, detect crowd reactions, and provide immersive experiences with AR and VR elements. Fans can watch in real time, comment, and share content on social media. Interactive features allow viewers to choose which performances or angles to follow.Streaming concerts or festivals offers a wider reach than traditional venues, bringing entertainment directly to people's devices. This accessibility is reshaping how audiences experience live shows while offering new opportunities for content creators and performers.Education and Corporate TrainingLivestreaming is also transforming education and business communications. Trainers can deliver live classes, workshops, or corporate presentations to students or employees across the region. AI assists by providing automated captions, translating lectures, and moderating questions in real time. Interactive quizzes and polls help maintain engagement, and analytics track participation and learning outcomes.For companies, live streams allow efficient communication, product demonstrations, or large-scale meetings without requiring physical presence. These tools are increasingly standard for schools, universities, and corporations looking to expand reach and efficiency.Technology Behind the StreamsThe growth of livestreaming relies on fast internet, widespread 5G coverage, and advanced mobile devices. AI enhances the viewing experience with features like automated highlights, translation, and smart camera control. Content creators can focus on producing engaging material while AI handles repetitive or technical tasks. This combination of human creativity and AI support ensures smooth, interactive broadcasts that attract and retain viewers. The rise of crypto payments, e-wallets, and flexible digital transactions also supports live commerce and live betting models.Livestreaming Across IndustriesFrom e-commerce and gaming to entertainment, education, sports, and corporate events, livestreaming is integrated into nearly every sector in Asia. Companies and creators now have the tools to engage audiences in real time, measure responses, and adjust content instantly. Interactive features such as live chats, polls, and tipping mechanisms make streams participatory rather than passive. AI-driven insights help identify popular content, analyse presentations, and tailor experiences to different audiences. The result is a digital ecosystem where livestreaming is central to business growth, entertainment, and communication.How AI is Revolutionising Livestreaming Across Asia's Expanding Digital Ecosystem. Credit: Pexels

SK hynix Inc. announced today that it presented its next-generation NAND storage product strategy at the '2025 OCP (Open Compute Project) Global Summit', held in San Jose, California, from October 13 to 16.SK hynix unveils AIN Family (P/B/D) and hosts HBF Night to expand the AIN B ecosystem. Credit: SK hynixSK hynix said that, with the rapid growth of the AI inference market, the demand for NAND storage products capable of process large volume data quickly and efficiently is increasing dramatically. The company will fulfill customer needs by establishing the 'AIN (AI-NAND) Family' lineup of solution products, optimized for the AI era.Chun Sung Kim, Head of eSSD Product Development at SK hynix, presented the AIN Family during the Executive Session on the second day of the event.The AIN Family consists of NAND solution products optimized for performance, bandwidth, and density respectively which is designed to enhanced data processing speed and storage capacity. AIN P (Performance) is a solution to efficiently process large volume data generated under large-scale AI inference workloads. The product significantly boosts processing speed and energy efficiency by minimizing the bottleneck between storage and AI operations. SK hynix is designing NAND and controllers with new structures and plans to release samples by the end of 2026.AIN D (Density) is a high density solution designed to store large amount of data with low power consumption and cost suitable for storing AI data. The company targets to increase density to petabyte (PB) level from terabyte (TB) of current QLC-based SSDs, and to aim for mid-end storage solution which implements both the speed of SSD and the cost efficiency of HDD.AIN B (Bandwidth) is SK hynix's solution leveraging HBF technology. This product expands bandwidth by vertically stacking multiple NANDs.With global top level HBM development and production capabilities, SK hynix has been conducting researches on AIN B from early stage to address the memory capacity gap driven by the expansion of AI inference and scaling up of LLMs. The key is to combine HBM's stacking structure with high density and cost efficient NAND flash. The company is taking various strategies for AIN B into consideration, such as placing together with HBM to enhance overall system capacity.SK hynix jointly hosted 'HBF Night' with Sandisk, after both parties entered an MOU for HBF standardization in August, to expand the technology ecosystem. The event was held at The Tech Interactive, near the OCP Global Summit venue, on the 14th.At the event, a panel discussion featuring Korean and foreign faculty members was held, with the participation of numerous industry architects and engineers participated. During the event, a collaborative effort across the industry was proposed to accelerate innovation in NAND storage products."Through OCP Global Summit and HBF Night, we were able to showcase SK hynix's present and future as a global AI memory solution provider, thriving in a rapidly evolving AI market," Ahn Hyun, President and Chief Development Officer said. "In the next generation NAND storage market, SK hynix will collaborate closely with customers and partners to become a key player."

Smiths Group plc ("Smiths") announces that it has entered into an agreement for the sale of Smiths Interconnect to Molex Electronic Technologies Holdings, LLC ("Molex", a Koch company) (the "Transaction"). The Transaction values Smiths Interconnect at an enterprise value of £1.3bn, representing 15.1x headline EBITDA of £86.1m1 for the fiscal year 2025. Smiths will receive cash consideration for the Transaction which is subject to customary adjustments for working capital, cash and debt. This announcement demonstrates clear progress against the strategic actions announced on 31 January 2025, designed to maximise value creation, unlock value in the portfolio, and enhance returns to shareholders. The sale of Smiths Interconnect is a notable step forward in the strategy to become a more focused industrial engineering company. Completion of the Transaction is expected to take place in the second half of fiscal year 2026.Credit: SmithsAs also announced in January, Smiths is executing against the delivery of enhanced returns to shareholders through its ongoing £500m buyback which is expected to complete by the end of calendar year 2025. Smiths remains committed to returning a large portion of disposal proceeds from the sale of Smiths Interconnect to shareholders and intends to maintain an investment grade credit rating with the desire to have an efficient balance sheet.  The Board of Smiths will provide an update on the use of proceeds in the Q1 FY2026 Trading Statement scheduled for release on 19 November 2025. Smiths continues to progress with both the sale and demerger processes in parallel for Smiths Detection, as previously stated.Roland Carter, Chief Executive of Smiths, said: "This is an important step as we deliver on our commitment to focus Smiths and unlock the inherent value in our business. Today's announcement, and our recent results, show we are delivering on our strategy with pace and purpose and I am confident that we will continue to do so as we further focus our business as a high-performing industrial engineering company.""We thank our Smiths Interconnect colleagues for their significant contribution to the Smiths Group over many years and wish them every success as they transition to their new owner, Molex, who is well placed to support their future growth."Under French employment laws, prior to making any decision to enter into the Transaction (including by way of entry into any binding share purchase agreement), Smiths is required to carry out an information and consultation process with its French works council (the "French Works Council"). It is intended that the consultation process regarding the Transaction will begin following this announcement.Whilst Smiths will ensure the views of the French Works Council are properly considered, the French Works Council opinion on the Transaction is consultative and not binding on Smiths or Molex.Following completion of the consultation with the French Works Council, the agreement that Smiths has entered into gives it the unilateral and unconditional right to require Molex to enter into a binding share purchase agreement to complete the Transaction, which is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions and regulatory approvals.Based on headline FY2025 EBITDA, which excludes the contribution from the US sub-systems business unit of Smiths Interconnect, which was reported as agreed for sale in Smiths full year 2025 results, and which completed in October 2025.

As digitalization penetrates every industry-whether in cloud computing, telecommunications infrastructure, automotive electronics, or IoT devices-the security of hardware platforms is no longer an isolated concern of a single sector, but a common challenge faced by all critical infrastructures. In the past, the focus of cybersecurity was largely placed on software.However, as attack methods continue to evolve-from supply chain infiltration and firmware tampering to chip-level exploits-the security and resilience of hardware have come to be recognized as a fundamental cornerstone of modern security architectures. At the heart of this shift, Secure Flash Memory is increasingly emerging as the critical enabler across diverse application domains.Evolution of International Standards: Hardware and Firmware Security FrameworksIn recent years, international standards and certification frameworks for hardware and firmware security have gradually formed a tightly interwoven network. Among them, the NIST SP 800-193 Platform Firmware Resiliency (PFR) Guidelines established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology clearly define three core capabilities: detection, protection, and recovery.These requirements mandate that platforms be capable of identifying anomalies, blocking unauthorized updates, and securely restoring firmware when necessary. Initially widely adopted in servers and networking equipment, SP 800-193 is now regarded as a cornerstone for defending against firmware-level attacks.However, relying on a single framework alone is insufficient to address the diversity of application scenarios. To provide a more flexible and scalable approach that covers varying product types and market demands, the Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms (SESIP) was introduced. Designed specifically for IoT and embedded platforms, SESIP emphasizes a modular approach to security evaluation.By decomposing security functionalities into reusable security claims, SESIP not only improves certification efficiency but also allows manufacturers to reuse existing security assets across product lines, avoiding the need to start from scratch for each market-specific requirement. This flexibility has made SESIP a critical tool in today's rapidly expanding landscape of IoT and smart devices.To learn the latest cybersecurity regulations and trends, download the hardware security whitepaper for free.The Convergence of Industry Standards: Common Criteria, FIPS 140-3, and ISO/SAE 21434At the same time, other international security frameworks continue to exert their influence. Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408) remains one of the most widely recognized global security evaluation systems, providing stringent assurances for smart cards and critical infrastructure devices. FIPS 140-3, mandated by the U.S. government, sets clear requirements for the security of cryptographic modules, covering encryption, key management, and physical protections, and has been broadly adopted in finance, government, and cloud services.Additionally, ISO/SAE 21434, originally designed for the automotive sector, introduces a risk-based approach to cybersecurity lifecycle management. While its initial focus was on automotive electronics, its methodology is increasingly being extended to other safety-critical domains, highlighting the growing convergence of cross-industry security standards.Though these standards originate from different perspectives, they share a common foundation: ensuring the establishment of a Root of Trust, safeguarding firmware and cryptographic keys against tampering, and enabling systems to recover quickly after an attack.This is precisely where secure flash memory demonstrates its value. The latest generation of secure flash memory devices typically integrate multiple security mechanisms, such as secure boot support, immutable key storage, hardware-based authentication, and cryptographic accelerators.These features allow secure flash memory not only to meet the firmware integrity requirements of NIST SP 800-193 but also to align with the cryptographic module protections defined in FIPS 140-3 and to complement the modular security claims of SESIP. In other words, secure flash memory is not just a solution for one certification, but rather a bridge across multiple international standards.Practical Applications: Secure Flash Memory in Different Industry SegmentsFor example, in the server domain, secure flash memory ensures that both BIOS and BMC firmware are verified during startup, blocking any unauthorized modifications in real time-a direct embodiment of PFR principles. In IoT devices, the same memory can be evaluated through SESIP, modularizing secure updates and key management, thereby enabling shared security foundations across different product lines.In financial services or cloud platforms, the built-in cryptographic engines of secure flash memory directly support the requirements of FIPS 140-3, providing a trusted environment for key storage. In automotive electronics, these memories can be incorporated into the threat modeling and risk management frameworks outlined in ISO/SAE 21434, supporting end-to-end lifecycle security management.Secure Flash Memory as the Engine of Cross-Industry Digital TrustIt can therefore be said that the role of secure flash memory has moved far beyond being a mere data storage component; it has become the tangible foundation of a system’s Root of Trust. It is the essential vehicle through which security standards are realized and the shared language that enables cross-industry collaboration. As industries worldwide continue to raise the bar for cybersecurity, the ability to effectively integrate and align with multiple international standards will determine whether products can successfully enter the market and earn end-user trust.Looking ahead, as supply chain security challenges intensify—from manufacturing to system integration to end applications—the demand for security will only continue to grow. With its unique ability to span across multiple standards, secure flash memory is poised to remain the cornerstone of digital trust in industry. It is not merely a technological option, but a strategic necessity for companies seeking to maintain competitiveness and compliance in the global marketplace.To learn more about Winbond's advanced security solutions, visit Winbond's website or contact Winbond directly, or download the latest Hardware Security White Paper.