The Register: China reportedly tells local AI buyers to ignore Nvidia

Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/08/asia_in_brief/
Source: The Register
Title: China reportedly tells local AI buyers to ignore Nvidia

Feedly Summary: Plus: Google, Oracle, spend $9.5 billion on Asia datacenters; Philippines to tax clouds; Vietnam infosec praised; and more
In Brief Chinese authorities have reportedly let local orgs know they should satisfy their need for AI accelerators by shopping locally – not from Nvidia.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

**Summary:** The provided text covers several significant developments in AI, cloud computing, and digital governance across Asia-Pacific (APAC). Notably, it touches upon China’s shift towards local AI accelerators, Vietnam’s advancements in cybersecurity, India’s launch of a generative AI initiative, and the Philippines’ enactment of a digital services tax. These updates are crucial for professionals in security and compliance as they highlight regional trends that may impact market dynamics and regulatory landscapes.

**Detailed Description:**

The text discusses recent developments across various countries in the Asia-Pacific region concerning AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and digital services regulation. Here are the highlights:

– **China’s AI and Accelerators:**
– Authorities have encouraged local organizations to procure AI accelerators from domestic companies like Huawei instead of Nvidia, indicating a strategic realignment in procurement.
– Despite these shifts, Huawei and other Chinese firms currently lack products that can match Nvidia’s capabilities, particularly with Nvidia’s Blackwell product forthcoming.

– **Vietnam’s Cybersecurity Landscape:**
– Vietnam has been recognized for making significant strides in cybersecurity, bolstered by the government’s commitment to national defense and the protection of socio-economic interests.
– The pursuit of digital transformation has led the country to invest heavily in telecommunications and cloud services, which will be essential as Vietnam strives to upgrade its economic status by 2045.

– **India’s Generative AI Initiative:**
– The Indian government announced the BharatGen initiative, aimed at creating generative AI models in multiple local languages, emphasizing cultural and linguistic diversity.
– This project underscores India’s intention to maintain data sovereignty and control over its digital narrative, which is essential for its socio-economic strategy.

– **Philippines’ Digital Taxation:**
– A new digital services tax (12% VAT) enforced in the Philippines mandates that digital service providers register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, impacting cloud services and online marketplaces.
– The law aims to generate significant revenue for infrastructure projects, illustrating the government’s focus on raising funds for developmental initiatives.

– **Significant Investments in Cloud Infrastructure:**
– Major tech corporations, including Google and Oracle, have committed substantial investments in data centers in Malaysia, reflecting growing opportunities in cloud computing and the necessity for robust infrastructure amidst increasing digital demand.

These developments provide insight into the evolving landscape of AI and cloud computing within the APAC region and highlight shifting regulatory and market trends that professionals in security, compliance, and infrastructure management need to be aware of. Engaging with these trends can help in strategic planning and risk management in a dynamically changing global environment.