Why Chinese companies are betting on open-source AI

Catch up with China

1. While a Windows system outage disrupted computers across the world on Friday, China was largely unaffected. Instead of the CrowdStrike software that caused the chaos, Chinese companies usually use domestic cybersecurity software. (CNBC)

2. Nvidia is working on yet another flagship AI chip, known as B20. It’s designed to sell to the Chinese market without violating US export controls. (Reuters $)

3. In a recent interview, Donald Trump accused Taiwan of taking the semiconductor industry away from the US and asked it to pay more for American military equipment. (New York Times $)

4. Guo Wengui, a self-exiled tycoon from China who has in recent years become an ally to US right-wing figures, was convicted for defrauding over $1 billion from online followers to fund his lavish lifestyle. (Mother Jones)

5. China recently withdrew from Top500, an international forum that ranks the world’s fastest supercomputers. The new secrecy will make it harder to understand China’s supercomputing advances from the outside. (Wall Street Journal $)

6. China is now mining and selling so many rare earth elements that the global prices of them have plunged 20% in the past year. (Nikkei Asia $)

7. The supply chain of fentanyl precursor materials in China consists of thousands of small chemical manufacturers. And the intense competition among them has driven them to continue selling to drug cartels in Mexico without worrying about the consequences. (Foreign Policy)

Lost in translation

China is experiencing one of the most extreme summers in its climate history, marked by severe drought and flooding across the country. In fact, these weather events are happening so often this year that nonprofit organizations working in disaster rescue and climate change response are facing significant funding shortages, according to the Chinese publication Phoenix New Media. 

Despite government efforts to allocate disaster relief funds and supplies, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have stretched resources thin for organizations like the Shuguang Rescue Alliance. By July, Shuguang had used up 80% of its budget for the entirety of 2024. Additionally, fundraisers noted that with more disasters happening, the public is experiencing fatigue when asked to donate to another cause. This year, public and corporate donations have declined to 1/10th their previous levels after disasters, exacerbating the funding difficulties.

One more thing

Aspiring drivers in Beijing will now have to pass a day-long virtual-reality driving course before they’re allowed behind the wheel of a real car. It almost looks like a huge arcade with realistic driving games. To be honest, this might be one of the better uses of VR?