In an era where technology is shaping every aspect of daily life, governments, corporations, and societies are taking bold steps to stay ahead of the curve. The Indonesian government, for instance, is empowering its youth by providing them with visual coding training. This initiative is aimed at developing a technologically capable workforce that can meet the demands of the rapidly evolving digital world. However, the process of digitization is facing challenges in various areas.

One such challenge is being faced by Malaysia, which is struggling to develop artificial intelligence (AI) data centres due to US export restrictions on AI chips. Despite this hindrance, the country’s Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong has reassured that these restrictions would not impact the overall development of Malaysia’s data centre ecosystem. This is because many of these operations, such as transaction services, e-commerce, and data storage, do not rely on AI chips or advanced AI technology.

Parallel to these developments in the tech scene, the Indoor Distributed Antenna System (DAS) market in the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing significant growth. This growth is largely driven by the increased demand for seamless wireless connectivity, the expansion of smart city initiatives, and the rapid adoption of 5G-ready infrastructure. The market, valued at $2.47 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $6.46 billion by 2033, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.09% under a realistic scenario. Should the 5G rollouts be accelerated and DAS integrated with Wi-Fi 6 and private LTE networks, the market could reach $9.70 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 15.16%.

While the world is making strides in digital technology, we are also increasingly aware of the need to protect our ecosystems. Technology is playing a key role in protecting coastal ecosystems, particularly in Asia where approximately 40% of the population lives near a body of water or coastline. Southeast Asia, home to roughly 42% of the world’s total mangrove forests, is at the forefront of technological innovations and investments aimed at preserving these crucial habitats for marine species.

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