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Alibaba Cloud Unveils New Services to Solve Generative AI Development Issues for Global Customers

Global cloud leader joins forces with technology partners to accelerate application development innovation

HANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, today announced a series of innovative AI products and services at the 2023 Alibaba Cloud Global Summit. The comprehensive set of new products are designed to meet the burgeoning demand for Generative AI development from customers worldwide.

The extensive AI solutions from Alibaba Cloud, spanning from AI computing platforms to AI acceleration services and AI-centric applications, are designed to assist customers in creating their own Generative AI applications in a more efficient, security-focused, and cost-effective manner.

Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, said: “To cater for the thriving demand for generative AI, we are constantly introducing innovative products and services to tackle different pain points of our global customers. Our comprehensive AI services are designed to help customers seize the unparalleled opportunities offered by this unstoppable technology trend.”

“As part of our commitment to foster more inclusive and innovative application development for generative AI, we have been joining forces with industry leaders to further extend our capabilities for different scenarios, ” added Yuan.

Comprehensive AI Services for Generative AI Development

  • To reduce AI process complexity, Alibaba Cloud introduced PAI-Lingjun Intelligent Computing Service, a comprehensive AI computing platform for high-performance computing tasks, such as foundation model training and inference. It offers large-scale deep learning and intelligent computing capabilities on Alibaba Cloud. The service also provides full-process AI engineering capabilities, including AI development, AI training, AI role management, and computing resource management. The platform, already in use in Mainland China, will be available in Singapore from early 2024, followed by more general availability across Asia throughout the year.
  • To accelerate AI model training and inference, Alibaba Cloud launched Alibaba Cloud AI Acceleration Solution, which uses leading datasets and hardware accelerators to manage data-intensive applications, optimizing the utilization of computing instances to expedite AI model training and inference tasks. According to the Stanford DAWN Deep Learning Benchmark, it can speed up AI model training by 70% and inference by up to three times. The solution includes layers for cloud-native AI suite, AI job scheduling, AI data acceleration, AI computing acceleration engine, resource scheduling, and computing resources, with each layer offering specific acceleration solutions for different scenarios.
  • To simplify building AI-based search service, Alibaba Cloud unveiled OpenSearch LLM-Based Conversational Search, its proprietary large-scale distributed search engine that enables intelligent search services in e-commerce, multimedia, social media, and big data queries in enterprises. Empowered by large language models, the service allows enterprises to rapidly build a dedicated conversational search system, ensuring security, accuracy, and reliability in search results. It also supports multimodal search results such as answers, URLs, and images to cater to specific business search requirements.

Technology Partnership to Foster Innovative Application Development

Alibaba Cloud announced a series of partnerships with global technology leaders to offer customers more advanced and security-focused cloud services, accelerating their digital transformation journey:

To promote innovative application development for enterprises, Alibaba Cloud collaborates with Red Hat to make Red Hat OpenShift, a platform for building, deploying and managing applications at scale, deployable on Alibaba Cloud. Red Hat OpenShift on Alibaba Cloud combines the industry’s leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes with Alibaba Cloud’s robust hybrid infrastructure. Optimized with full-stack automated operations, it offers a more consistent experience across environments to help customers boost productivity more effectively.

Accelerate Digital Transformation for Global Customers

Alibaba Cloud also announced collaborations with enterprise customers in markets including Malaysia, South Korea, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates, underscoring its unwavering commitment to its over 4 million global customers in exploring new opportunities presented by digital transformation and new AI trends.

Hashtag: #AlibabaCloud #AlibabaCloudGlobalSummit2023

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Alibaba Cloud

Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud () is the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. It offers a complete suite of cloud services to customers worldwide, including elastic computing, database, storage, network virtualization services, large-scale computing, security, management and application services, big data analytics, a machine learning platform and IoT services. Alibaba maintained its position as the third leading public cloud IaaS service provider globally since 2018, according to IDC. Alibaba is the world’s third leading and Asia Pacific’s leading IaaS provider by revenue in U.S. dollars since 2018, according to Gartner.

“NIA – BMA” Join Hands with Private Sector to Transform ARI into “Bangkok’s Sandbox – Cognitive Innovation District”, Connect with Partners & Capitalize on ARI’s 4 Types of Assets through “ARITech” to Create Innovations & Attract Foreign Investments

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – The National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA has collaborated with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to develop ARI Innovation District with ARITech, which covers AI, Robotics, and Immersive and IoT Technology, for the goals of driving the growth of the district and transform it into a cognitive city. Four key components for the development are economic assets, physical assets, network assets, and digital assets. ARI Innovation District or ARID will be developed as a new economic hub to accommodate innovative businesses, investments by the public and private sectors, as well as global tech firms. ARID is expected to pilot as an innovation sandbox in its mission to stimulate the investments of infrastructure crucial to the development of practical technologies. In support of this mission, ARID Hackathon 2023: Innovation for well-being was held. The top winner from the contest is PARK :D, which presented “Parking Lot – Sharing” platform as a means to improve transport connectivity. The award-winning idea will be developed further and used as an innovation for ARID.

ภาพ_บรรยากาศภายในงาน ARID SHOECASE (14).jpg


Mr. Sanon Wangsrangboon, deputy governor of Bangkok,
reveals that BMA and NIA have shared the goal of making the Thai capital a pleasant place to live in via policy formulation and implementation. To achieve this goal, it is important to use innovations in not just easing or solving problems but also leveraging existing good resources for enhanced livability and added value. ARI is a strategic area, which is now being upgraded into “innovation district”. The upgrade marks an important beginning of its journey to become more livable with better housing, convenient public services, modernity, and a town plan that well supports tech-driven businesses. ARI can ride on its ranking as one of the world’s best neighborhoods for its transformation into a top innovation district at an international level and its comprehensive integration of innovations.

“Bangkok is not just a tourist or a residential city. It is important to note that on the basis of supportive ecosystem for startups and innovations, Bangkok ranks among the best in the world. This year, Bangkok’s ranking in this regard also improves significantly. Such outstanding progress underlines the fact that the Thai capital is innovative in many aspects and enjoys urban growth, which are driven by its innovation districts and their strengths. So far, many other neighborhoods may need innovations too. BMA therefore is playing a role as a facilitator via regulation, bridging and integration in a way that boosts confidence in the possibility of innovation usage. Our efforts cover the development of innovation districts, which focus on impacts on people, city, economy, and new opportunities”.

Mr. Chanwit Rattanarasri, director of Innovation Infrastructure Department at the NIA, says his agency has laid down guidelines to pursue and distribute area-based innovation development at regional, city, and district levels. The development focuses on three dimensions: the promotion and development of Innovation Infrastructure, the development of City Innovation & Innovative City which include promoting community participation; and bridging and integration across relevant organizations in key dimensions. Moreover, NIA seeks to bring Deep Tech to various areas including ARID or ARI Innovation District in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai District. While being home to many people, ARID is also an outstanding economic hub, supports business establishments, facilitates the usage of infrastructure, and addresses many pain points in a way that fosters the development of new technologies.

“NIA, in collaboration with BMA and partners in both private and public sectors as well as communities in ARID, aims to increase ARITech’s role in developing ARID and promoting startups in this district in a hope that public services become really inclusive. After our collaboration started in 2020, we have found that ARID has important components. If these components are well-integrated, ARID will definitely progress further. These components are: 1) Economic assets or companies, researches, and startups related to ARITech that are scattered across this area and include world-famous firms like IBM, Forth Corporation and AIS; 2) Physical assets such as ARID’s city-center location, convenient access to public transport systems, and mixed use of spaces; 3) Network assets from entrepreneurs, government agencies, and civic organizations that have come together because of their shared goal of developing ARID; and 4) Digital assets that are available in the form of electronic data on electronic networks including databases or widely-used platforms”.

Mr. Chanwit adds that in 2023, NIA, BMA, and partners aim to establish ARID as a “Cognitive City”. Therefore, they will together expedite the development or adoption of Deep Tech to enhance ARID’s strengths and let it shine as a new economic hub for innovative businesses, investments by public and private sectors, as well as international tech firms. Also, NIA, BMA and partners aim to strengthen ecosystem for innovations by developing ARID as an innovation sandbox where infrastructure for technology development will be developed and used to solve city problems, increase the value of ARID’s physical assets, and foster collaborations among relevant organizations. In line with these plans, NIA organized ARID Hackathon 2023: Innovation for well-being to promote, build, and develop the sandbox where innovations will be tested. The contest focuses on the environment, connectivity, and safety. Out of the 36 teams that participated, 5 teams made it to the finals and joined the contest’s mentoring activity and pitching. PARK 😀 emerged as the top winner thanks to its presentation of Parking Lot – Sharing platform, which promises to enhance transport connectivity. Its idea will be developed further as a protype for testing in ARID.

If you need more information, please visit https://ari.district.earth or https://www.facebook.com/ARI.Innovation.District.

Hashtag: #NationalInnovationAgency #NIA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Lao Responsible Business Awards 2023 Celebrates Workforce Well-being

LAO RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS AWARDS 2023 – CELEBRATING WORKFORCE WELLBEING
Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum, the winner of the Lao RBA 2023 in the Large Business Category under the theme of “Workforce Well-being”, received the certificate and trophy from Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador of the EU to Laos.

Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum and Animal Doctors International were two of the leading businesses to be recognized at the 2023 Lao Responsible Business Awards for their commitment to the well-being of their workforce.

Former Miss Universe Laos Payengxa Lor Shines at Asian New York Fashion Week 

Payengxa Lor Shines at Asian Fashion Week 
Payengxa Lor at the Asian New York Fashion Week in New York City, USA. (Photo: Kane Philip)

Miss Universe Laos 2022, and a Miss Universe 2022 Top-16 finalist, Payengxa Lor, walked the ramp at Asian New York Fashion Week, on 9 September.

Tropical Depression from Vietnam to Hit Laos This Week

Laos to Experience Oncoming Tropical Depression from Vietnam
Raining in Laos (photo: Lao Phatthana News)

A tropical depression originating off the coast of Vietnam, bringing torrential rainfall to the central parts of the country has now weakened and entered Laos as a low-pressure system.

Thailand Receives First Chinese Visitors Under New Visa-Free Policy to Boost Tourism

Thailand Receives First Chinese Visitors Under New Visa-Free Policy to Boost Tourism
Chinese tourists takes selfies with Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, right, on their arrivals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn province, Thailand, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. Thailand's new government granting temporary visa- free entry to Chinese tourists, signaling that the recovery of the country's tourism industry is a top economic priority. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK (AP) — Top Thai officials welcomed hundreds of Chinese tourists at Bangkok’s international airport on Monday, the first day of a new visa-free entry program that officials say will boost the country’s tourism industry that was badly damaged by the coronavirus pandemic.

Luxury brands deploy diverse, innovative content strategies to accelerate online content platform businesses

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – Ocean Engine, Douyin E-commerce, and Ocean Insights, in collaboration with Deloitte China, released their inaugural white paper on China’s luxury market. Douyin Luxury Gravitational Center – 2023 Douyin Luxury Industry White Paper provides businesses with valuable industry insights, marketing inspiration, and e-commerce strategies through an in-depth examination of China’s luxury market and Chinese consumer behavior, and analysis of Douyin’s core strengths and successful case studies.

By summarizing luxury brands’ success stories in the Douyin ecosystem, the white paper highlights their various stages of development in the Chinese market to help them achieve future sustainable growth on Douyin.

After a dip in 2022, Deloitte forecasts that China’s luxury market will hit RMB580 billion this year, accounting for 25% of the global total. Furthermore, China’s market share is expected to rise to 40% by 2030, surpassing Europe and the Americas to become the largest single market globally.

This will be driven by the continued consumption willingness of high-net-worth individuals, new incremental volume brought by the post-90s generation, extended reach through online channels, and the optimization of pricing, products, and marketing by brands. Jewelry, watches, and bags are the strongest-growing segments due to their investment potential and asset preservation, the rarity of their brand and design elements, and versatility.

Tianbing Zhang, Deloitte Asia Pacific Consumer Products & Retail Sector leader, says, “In 2023, China’s luxury sector is on a trajectory for a robust recovery, solidifying its position as a critical market in the global brand landscape. Our analysis indicates a maturing Chinese consumer base, where luxury items are increasingly seen not merely as social capital, but as assets for personal enjoyment and long-term investment. On the channel front, the accelerated digital transformation of China’s luxury marketplace has elevated online platforms into indispensable touchpoints along the consumer journey. Looking ahead, the future competitive advantage for brands will hinge on deploying diverse and innovative content strategies.”

Multiple touchpoints, rich content, and a complete value chain in China’s digital landscape are building a distinctive local luxury ecosystem. Chinese luxury consumers are shifting to more diverse online platforms, with 53% having purchased via online channels, including official brand websites (48%), official flagship e-commerce stores (43%), content platforms (39%), and luxury e-commerce platforms (26%).

Online content platforms have become integral to the luxury consumer journey, with 34% of consumers believing short video product descriptions are more detailed and 28% stating that short videos have richer content. Apart from product reviews and unboxing, Chinese consumers also want to understand the story behind a brand. Short videos and livestreams are the best carriers for this authentic content with stories, surprises, and fun. Thanks to its distinctive content creation and distribution system, Douyin has amplified the luxury industry’s voice within its ecosystem.

Xueqin Wang, vice president of the Ocean Engine Consumer Goods Business Center, adds, “In recent years, the digitalization of the global luxury market has been transformative, fundamentally altering consumer behavior within an increasingly digital content ecosystem. Short-format video, a vital content medium, is progressively ingrained in consumer interest cultivation and purchase decision-making. Douyin, one of China’s leading short-video platforms, is setting new standards in online marketing efficiency through data-driven insights, key performance metrics, and strategic optimization. In collaboration with Ocean Engine, a comprehensive data and content platform, and Deloitte, we offer a tailored approach enabling luxury brands to precisely identify their optimal business channels and consumer touchpoints. This strategic alignment serves to bolster market sustainability in China.”

According to the white paper, Chinese consumers rank easy to wear every day (49%), self-rewarding (47%), and fashionably designed (35%) as the top three considerations when buying luxury. Douyin E-commerce achieved exponential growth in gross merchandize value (GMV) and paid users and merchants over the first half of 2023, with GMV surging even higher during festivals and shopping seasons like Qixi Festival and Valentine’s Day, underlining the effectiveness of emotional marketing.

Qing Mu, vice president of Douyin E-Commerce, says, “Douyin E-commerce has been upgraded from interest e-commerce to omnichannel interest e-commerce. By skillfully merging compelling content that sparks shopping interest with a well-designed product shelf catering to active consumer needs. Douyin offers a holistic approach to the consumer journey, unlocking significant growth opportunities. Over the past two years, numerous brands have ventured into Douyin’s ecosystem, rigorously testing and validating its business models. By utilizing a well-curated mix of high-quality content, superior service, and officially authenticated products, these brands effectively satisfy the diverse consumption patterns of Douyin’s user base. This creates a streamlined, end-to-end consumer experience, from brand engagement to transaction conversion. The synergy between luxury brands and Douyin E-commerce promises a future filled with potential.”

Webin Lin, head of Ocean Engine Business Analysis, adds, “As of the first half of 2023, Douyin stands as a pivotal channel in China’s luxury narrative, captivating an impressive 150 million users with a keen interest in high-end products. Notably, 73% of China’s luxury consumer base actively engages with Douyin, a statistic unmatched by any other platform regarding reach, brand engagement, and conversion rates. As we move forward, we are eager to collaborate with brands to effectively communicate the nuanced attributes of luxury – elegance, intelligence, and heritage – through the expansive reach of Douyin.”

Crystal Wang, Deloitte China Consumer Products & Retail Sector Financial Advisory leader, concludes, “As Chinese luxury consumers’ mindset and channel preferences continue to evolve, the key to success lies in delivering excellence at every touchpoint by understanding their deeper needs for products, content, and services.”

Click here to read the white paper.

Hashtag: #DeloitteChina

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Deloitte China

Deloitte China provides integrated professional services, with our long-term commitment to be a leading contributor to China’s reform, opening-up and economic development. We are a globally connected and deeply locally-rooted firm, owned by its partners in China. With over 20,000 professionals across 30 Chinese cities, we provide our clients with a one-stop shop offering world-leading audit & assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, business advisory and tax services.

We serve with integrity, uphold quality and strive to innovate. With our professional excellence, insight across industries, and intelligent technology solutions, we help clients and partners from many sectors seize opportunities, tackle challenges and attain world-class, high-quality development goals.

The Deloitte brand originated in 1845, and its name in Chinese (德勤) denotes integrity, diligence and excellence. Deloitte’s professional network of member firms now spans more than 150 countries and territories. Through our mission to make an impact that matters, we help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world.

About Deloitte

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients.

Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited is a company limited by guarantee and a member firm of DTTL. Members of Deloitte Asia Pacific Limited and their related entities, each of which are separate and independent legal entities, provide services from more than 100 cities across the region.

Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.

Disclaimer

This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser.

No representations, warranties or undertakings (express or implied) are given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this communication, and none of DTTL, its member firms, related entities, employees or agents shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly in connection with any person relying on this communication. DTTL and each of its member firms, and their related entities, are legally separate and independent entities.

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HKSTP and Global Entrepreneurship Network Join Forces to Propel Innovators from 200 Markets to Success Across the World

HKSTP delegation to Australia unveils Innovation Mixer and Market Discovery initiatives in Melbourne to pave way for Asia’s growth opportunities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), has joined forces with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) to lead aspiring innovators to global growth opportunities, and extend Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem to GEN’s 200 markets around the world. HKSTP led a delegation to Australia and attending the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2023 in Melbourne to explore collaboration opportunities and ignite market discovery initiatives.

Ir Dr HL Yiu, Chief Corporate Development Officer of HKSTP (first from left), shared his insight on the panel discussion of “Doing Business in China” during the GEN Congress.
Ir Dr HL Yiu, Chief Corporate Development Officer of HKSTP (first from left), shared his insight on the panel discussion of “Doing Business in China” during the GEN Congress.

GEN is a global community that fosters deeper cross-border collaboration and initiatives between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policy makers and entrepreneurial support organisations, to make it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business.

In July this year, John Lee, the Chief Executive of HKSAR, witnessed an MoU signed by Jonathan Ortmans, GEN Founder and President and Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, committing the two parties to support entrepreneurship across ASEAN countries. To expedite the partnership, HKSTP joined GEC 2023 in Melbourne from 19-22 September with a delegation of fast-rising startups and business leaders from Hong Kong. The delegation highlighted Hong Kong’s world-class I&T ecosystem and potential for collaboration with their counterparts from GEN’s global network. The infusion of new talent and ventures will further boost Hong Kong’s mission towards an international I&T hub, creating opportunities for all innovators.

Ir Dr HL Yiu, Chief Corporate Development Officer of HKSTP, said, “HKSTP is committed to growing collaboration with the worldwide innovation community through our partnership with GEN. Entrepreneurs all face common challenges in the startup-to-scale-up journey and Hong Kong’s unique integrated innovation ecosystem provides funding, R&D, talent and go-to-market opportunities to the world. Both HKSTP and GEN share the same vision of fostering global innovation, collaborating and growing our respective ecosystems to reach new levels of success.”

The collaboration with GEN commits both parties to exchange programmes and activities to drive cross-border and cross-sector collaboration with a focus on Green Tech, Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, SmartCity, Mobility, AI, and Fintech. GEN’s annual flagship events such as Global Entrepreneurship Week and the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, provide ideal platforms to expand Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem to new markets.

“GEN is committed to connecting entrepreneurs to opportunities that help them start and scale,” said Jonathan Ortmans, Founder and President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. “We are proud to be deepening collaboration with the HKSTP to advance the interest of both local and global founders.”

The HKSTP Australia delegation leveraged the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, which featured three days of actionable intelligence from various sectors. It gathered thousands of voices, from 200+ countries to participate in creating an inclusive global ecosystem by networking, learning and sharing. The delegation also met with representatives from the startup community, universities, government bodies and investors in Australia to further explore business and collaboration opportunities. In addition, the delegation shared experiences and exchanged ideas with Australian tech ventures who are interested in learning and exploring the Hong Kong market.

HKSTP also introduced its Market Discovery Programme in Hong Kong and shared details with enterprises interested in expanding into Hong Kong, the GBA and mainland China markets. The two-day intensive Market Discovery Programme will be held in Hong Kong on 6-7 November 2023, packed with seminars, tours and networking opportunities to connect entrepreneurs with experts, investors, corporate leaders as well as entrepreneurs with past success in expanding their business within the region. The by-invitation programme is free-of-charge and participants can experience a stay at the Science Park’s InnoCell smart living co-creation space to spark collaboration with Science Park’s I&T talents.

For details, please visit: www.hkstp.org/our-community/events-and-happenings/expand-in-china-with-confidence/

Hashtag: #HKSTP

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.