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The astronomical rates of transmission and a lack of a sure cure for COVID-19 till now has been reason enough for global leaders and citizens to have grave concerns. With the promise of a slew of vaccines, this panic has been somewhat assuaged but extreme caution is still the order of the day.
To their credit, many countries were quick to realise technology’s potential in effectively managing the impact of the virus. Tech giants across the globe supported governments by launching AI-powered solutions and applications to help citizens control risk.
Solutions had to be created under extreme pressure and absurdly tight timelines, leading to phenomenal creativity. Here are some of the significant ways in which technology has and can help deal with the COVID-19 pandemic:
Using AI to Identify, Track and Forecast Outbreaks
Canadian startup BlueDot’s, San Francisco’s Metabiota, and Boston’s health map are few examples where the power of AI was harnessed to warn people of the threat days before the WHO issued its public warnings.
Liberty and Passage by Access Anywhere is a prime example of this technological application. Developed by Access Anywhere, it is a total outbreak management system that combines a plethora of cutting-edge technologies on a single platform. Liberty & Passage is an outbreak management solution for individuals, organisations and the entire travel industry.
Extremely versatile, it can be deployed across various sectors including airports, cruise lines, immigration and tourism boards. Its ease of use, flexibility and scalability means it can be a significant tool for organisations in almost any sector to restart their business safely.
Using AI to Help Diagnose the Virus
Infervision, an AI company had launched a coronavirus AI solution that helps front line healthcare workers detect and monitor the disease efficiently. It also has the capacity to improve the speed of a CT diagnosis. Alibaba has built an AI-powered diagnosis system, which is 96% accurate in diagnosing the virus in seconds.
Using Drones to Deliver Medical Supplies
Drone delivery is considered the safest and fastest ways to deliver medical supplies during a disease outbreak. For example, Terra Drones is using their unmanned aerial vehicles to transport medical samples and quarantine material with minimal risk. Additionally, drones are being used to patrol public spaces and track non-compliance of quarantine mandates.
Using Chatbots To Share Information
Chatbots are an effective way for people to get specific information and advice. For instance, Tencent operates WeChat, where people can access free online health consultation services. Similarly, the travel and tourism sector has immensely benefited from the use of chatbots.
Using AI to Identify Infected Individuals
As the COVID-19 virus transitioned from an outbreak to a full-on pandemic, China’s sophisticated surveillance system used facial recognition technology and temperature detection software from SenseTime to identify people who have developed a fever and were likely to have been infected by the virus.
Technological innovations like ‘Smart Helmets’ are also being used by officials in Sichuan province to identify people with raised temperatures. Additionally, the Chinese Government’s monitoring system, Health Code, uses big data to identify and assess the risk of each individual based on their travel history.
Innovation in technology is helping to mitigate the impact of the current pandemic by keeping people informed and abreast with the latest developments and encouraging them to take all the necessary precautions.
With the discovery of the new COVID-19 strain and experts declaring the pandemic to be a recurring feature in the future one can only see technologies like AI and Machine learning playing a pertinent role in keeping people and organisations up and running.


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Indonesia’s National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) is committed to protecting consumers’ interests and ensuring Indonesia’s banking sector’s integrity. In light of the increasing threats posed by cyber-attacks, BPKN recognises the significance of robust security measures, particularly for financial institutions like BSI operating in the realm of Islamic banking.
Mufti Mubarak, the Deputy Head of BPKN, said that the agency is committed to ensuring boosting cybersecurity further. He emphasised that the agency will diligently monitor all cyber incidents until they are resolved.
By asserting its commitment to comprehensive cyber security, BSI demonstrates its dedication to protecting its customers’ confidential information, financial transactions, and the overall integrity of its banking operations. BPKN’s guarantee instils confidence in BSI’s customers and the general public, assuring them that BSI has taken significant measures to fortify its cyber defences.
As technology advances, cybercriminals continue evolving tactics, making it crucial for financial institutions to remain vigilant and proactive in countering potential threats. BPKN’s unwavering vigilance and commitment to overseeing this matter ensures that cyber-attacks targeting BSI will be swiftly addressed and resolved.
The report stated that Indonesia’s cybersecurity index score was 38.96 out of 100 in 2022. This figure places Indonesia as the third lowest among G20 countries. On a global scale, Indonesia ranks 83rd out of 160 countries on the list mentioned in the report. Enhancing cyber security requires significant support and collaboration from relevant stakeholders.
This support is evidenced by the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) and the Indonesian ICT Association are recently actively engaged in cybersecurity initiatives. They coordinated a seminar to educate and create awareness about cyber security. The workshop’s objective is to enhance public understanding of the significance of cyber security in the digital era.
The field of cybersecurity has long been confronted with various challenges. In order to establish a strong and resilient cyber security framework, it is crucial for all stakeholders, including the private sector and the government, to collaborate and foster more effective models that can proactively anticipate and mitigate future cyber attacks, which often transpire unpredictably.
Furthermore, the government, through Presidential Regulation Number 53 of 2017 concerning the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), and its amendment, Presidential Regulation Number 133 of 2017, established the BSSN. The agency is responsible for effectively and efficiently implementing cybersecurity by utilising, developing, and consolidating all elements related to national cybersecurity.
BPKN’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of cybersecurity is a testament to its role as a consumer protection agency, safeguarding the rights and interests of individuals who entrust their financial well-being to institutions like BSI.
BSSN formulates the Indonesian Cyber Security Strategy as a shared reference for all stakeholders involved in national cyber security. This strategy is a framework for acquiring and developing cybersecurity policies within their respective institutions.
Their commitment to diligently resolving this case demonstrates their tireless efforts and dedication to addressing the emerging challenges posed by the rapidly evolving digital landscape. By proactively tackling these challenges head-on, they strive to foster a resilient and secure banking ecosystem that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders involved.
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Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Pham Duc Long, highlighted the country’s recent focus on developing digital infrastructure, including significant investments in data centres and cloud computing. These efforts are aimed at driving national digital transformation and enabling the delivery of digital services to advance the digital economy and society.
At the 31st meeting of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Wireless Group in Hanoi, Long emphasised that the world is currently confronted with a range of complex issues in the era of wireless devices. APT, in response, is committed to collaborating with member countries to address these problems and effectively overcome the associated challenges.
During the discussions, participants delved into various significant management-related topics. These included potential frequency bands for 6G technology, the effective management of broadband satellite beams, expanding wireless internet coverage through band extensions, and the advancements and implications of 5G technology.
The event serves as a forum for management agencies, organisations, and businesses in the fields of frequency and wireless to discuss and update research activities in the region and around the world. Among the topics discussed, Vietnam is particularly interested in the implementation of new technologies, frequency planning, and trends in the selection of appropriate bands and technologies.
The meeting was held in a hybrid format. The event saw the participation of more than 500 delegates who are leading experts in the field of wireless in the region and the world from member countries, corporations, and large domestic and international telecom enterprises.
In April, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) announced an auction for frequencies in the 2300-2400 MHz waveband, which will enable network operators to advance their 4G and 5G technologies. The starting price for this waveband was VND 12.88 billion (US$ 548,481) per MHz per annum, and each company had the opportunity to bid for 30 MHz. The companies are allowed to use the wavebands for 15 years for 4G and 5G purposes.
Both mobile service providers and other telecommunication companies were able to participate in the auction if they met the requirements. This means that new players using 4G and 5G technologies entered the mobile market. Companies that do not currently possess licenses for telecom services were also permitted to submit applications to the MIC for consideration and evaluation of their eligibility to participate in the auction.
As OpenGov Asia reported, upon successfully winning the auction and paying the fees in full and on time, the businesses were awarded licenses to use frequencies and offer telecommunication services. Companies that participated in the auction for the right to use radio frequencies in the 2300-2400 MHz waveband were able to establish networks and provide telecommunication services that use IMT-Advanced (4G) or IMT-2020 (5G) technologies.
5G technology offers several benefits that can transform communication, work, and life overall. With its faster data transmission speeds, lower latency, and higher network capacity, 5G can provide seamless connectivity for a wide range of applications, from virtual and augmented reality to autonomous vehicles and smart cities. Digital infrastructure is among the government’s top priorities. Vietnam has set a target to be among the top 30 nations with the most advanced and robust digital infrastructure by 2025. Vietnam’s next wave of socio-economic development will come from innovation, science, and technology, driven by the digital economy.
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Graduates of the Information Technology Programme at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) have created a system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to evaluate emotional distress and depression levels, as well as associated risks, by analysing various factors such as the caller’s voice, emotions, and keywords.
Currently, various government departments and social welfare organisations offer mental health helplines and online support services. The “AI Early Depression Screening System” has been specifically developed for individuals seeking emotional assistance and the dedicated counselling volunteers who assist them.
For instance, within this system, counselling volunteers from the organisation can engage in online sessions with those seeking help through the platform. They can access the medical records and past conversation logs of the help-seekers.


As the online conversation begins, the system automatically analyses the caller’s speech tone, voice, and content to gain insights into their emotions. Additionally, the system provides a real-time transcription of the caller’s voice, enabling the identification of specific words used during the conversation.
To train the AI system and analyse the conversation content, the team used the depression research lexicon created by Stanford University, which consists of over 2,000 depression-related keywords. For instance, instances have been observed where single mothers repeatedly use the keyword “useless” to describe themselves. In such cases, the system records the frequency of usage and analyses its association with other words, allowing an estimation to be made that the help seeker may be experiencing emotional distress.
Once the conversation is concluded, the system performs an initial assessment of the social worker’s risk of depression or emotional distress. It displays keywords associated with depression and potential causes of the condition. Additionally, it automatically identifies words related to substance abuse, alcohol, gambling, and self-harm as part of assessing the potential suicidal tendencies of the help-seekers. In conclusion, the system offers mental health guidance and suicide prevention advice while generating reports for further analysis and follow-up by professionals.
A senior lecturer at the Department of Information Technology at IVE (Tsing Yi) and the project’s guiding authority, highlights the convenience and user-friendly nature of the integrated online consultation and intelligent analysis system. The system effectively presents counselling conversation data, aiding in preliminary screening and serving as a reference tool for professional counselling or medical staff. However, he emphasised that the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions still require the professional judgment of healthcare and counselling teams.
It is suggested that this system is suitable for mental health institutions, hospitals, clinics, and even insurance companies. The continuation of conversations regularly is encouraged to enable the system to gather more data, thereby improving the accuracy of its analysis. Currently, the system exclusively supports English, but the next objective is to optimise it to accommodate additional languages such as Cantonese and Mandarin.
The system has garnered significant recognition and achievements through participation in various competitions in China and Hong Kong.
IVE’s IT Discipline has developed a comprehensive range of programmes to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in the fast-paced and ever-evolving career landscape. These programmes cover various domains within the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as well as Multimedia and Entertainment Technology (MET). By offering a wide array of courses, the IT Discipline aims to ensure that learners stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and acquire the relevant expertise required in these dynamic industries.
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Researchers at MIT McMaster University have identified a new antibiotic that can dispatch a type of bacteria responsible for many drug-resistant infections using an algorithm based on machine learning.
If the drug is formulated for patient usage, it could potentially aid in combating Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacterial species commonly present in healthcare facilities and associated with severe infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and other critical ailments. Furthermore, this microorganism is a primary cause of infections among injured military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan back then.
Jonathan Stokes, a former MIT postdoc who is now an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University, explained, “Acinetobacter has the ability to persist on hospital doorknobs and equipment for extended durations, and it can acquire antibiotic resistance genes from its surroundings. It is increasingly prevalent to encounter A. baumannii strains that resist nearly all available antibiotics.”
The scientists employed a machine-learning model to examine approximately 7,000 potential drug compounds and identify the new medication. The model was trained to assess whether a chemical compound could effectively hinder the growth of A. baumannii.
James Collins, the Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering and Science at MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) and Department of Biological Engineering, said, “This discovery further reinforces the notion that AI has the potential to greatly accelerate and expand our quest for innovative antibiotics. I am thrilled that this research demonstrates the utility of AI in addressing challenging pathogens like A. baumannii.”
During the initial experiment, the researchers educated a machine-learning algorithm to recognise chemical compositions with the potential to impede the growth of E. coli. Employing this algorithm, they screened over 100 million compounds and discovered a molecule called halicin. Their investigations demonstrated that halicin could eliminate not only E. coli but various other bacterial strains that resist conventional treatment methods.
To gather training data for their computational model, the researchers initially exposed A. baumannii cultivated in a laboratory dish to approximately 7,500 distinct chemical compounds to identify those capable of impeding the microbe’s growth. Subsequently, they input the structure of each molecule into the model while providing information regarding whether each structure could inhibit bacterial growth. It enabled the algorithm to grasp the chemical characteristics associated with growth inhibition.
Once the model was trained, the researchers employed it to analyse a set of 6,680 compounds, which had not been previously encountered by the model. This analysis selected several hundred top candidate compounds within less than two hours. Among these candidates, the researchers handpicked 240 for experimental laboratory testing, focusing on compounds possessing distinct structures from existing antibiotics or molecules within the training data.
From the test’s results, the researchers discovered nine antibiotics, one of which exhibited exceptional potency. Interestingly, this particular compound, initially investigated as a potential treatment for diabetes, showcased remarkable efficacy in eliminating A. baumannii while having no impact on other bacterial species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
The ability of this antibiotic to exhibit a narrow-spectrum killing effect is a highly desirable characteristic as it reduces the risk of bacteria swiftly developing resistance to the drug. Additionally, this attribute offers the advantage of potentially sparing beneficial bacteria in the human gut, which play a crucial role in suppressing opportunistic infections like Clostridium difficile.
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The digital economy of China has long played a significant role in enhancing work prospects, streamlining the employment hierarchy, and generating fresh approaches to resolving labour market challenges.
The recent publication “Research Report on China’s Disability Care (2023)” made note of the fact that the emergence of the digital economy era has given rise to the prospect of changing the job structure for the disabled.
Reports cited that with the rise of the Internet, the digital economy has created a lot of new jobs, and the ability of related businesses to take on workers has grown quickly. This has also made it easier for college students with disabilities to find work.
On one side, it illustrates the significance of the digital economy for high-quality employment. The digital economy has currently given rise to a substantial number of new industries, formats, and business models, as well as a significant number of new employment types.
The number of jobs supported by the digital economy will reach 449 million in 2030, according to the report “2023 Frontiers of China’s Digital Economy: Platforms and High-Quality Full Employment” published in February of this year.
The digital economy is inextricably linked to the actual economy. Through the coordinated growth of the digital industry, production efficiency is increased, scale expansion is supported, and old occupations and positions are endowed with new implications, such as online doctors and online vehicle drivers. Workers’ freedom of choice opens additional opportunities for different groups to find work.
At the same time, there are some issues that the nation has addressed immediately in the process of promoting employment in the digital economy. For example, there is a significant shortage of digital talent, inadequate protection of labour rights and interests for new types of employment groups, and employment services that adapt to labour mobility and diversification of employment methods must be improved.
In this regard, it is critical to capitalise on the digital economy’s potential to create new jobs, update the labour structure, and encourage higher quality and fuller employment of relevant talents.
Also, encourage the rapid development of the digital industry and the development of digital skills. Continually promote new formats and models of digital production, cultivate new economic growth points, and create more emerging employment opportunities in emerging industries such as the Internet, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI).
For China, promoting the deep integration of the Internet, big data, AI, and the real economy, encourage the digital transformation of traditional industries, and encourage more workers to switch careers to increase employment. In addition to promoting digital knowledge and skills education at all school levels and establishing and enhancing a multi-level and multi-type digital talent training system.
Alternatively, strengthen the construction of digital employment service platforms and enhance the employment security system that conforms to the laws of the digital economy. Through legislation that clarifies the labour relationship identification mechanism for new employment forms of workers, improves their labour rights and interests protection measures, and adapts the social insurance system to the characteristics of digital work.
Also, making detailed regulations on standard working hours and social insurance payment for digital practitioners, solving problems such as account transfer connection issues and risk compensation issues faced by flexible employees, and strengthening social security for new employment forms.
The nation also implemented “Internet +” public employment and entrepreneurship services that resulted to strengthen the construction of national public employment information service platforms, enhancing mobile terminal applications, developing an intelligent service system that combines policy interpretation, business management, and consultation as well as enhancing digital public employment and entrepreneurship service capabilities.
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The ASTRI Technovation Centre (ATC) was launched in the presence of the Secretary for Security; the Commissioner of Police; the Director of Crime & Security, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF); the Commissioner of Correctional Services; the Director of Fire Services; the Deputy Commissioner of Customs & Excise (Control and Enforcement); and the Assistant Director (Information Systems) of Immigration Department.
The event showcased the collaboration between ASTRI and the disciplined services, as they join forces to advance research and development initiatives, with the ultimate goal of establishing Hong Kong as a leading international smart city.
The opening events of the state-of-the-art ASTRI Technovation Centre (ATC) brought together the Security Bureau and Disciplined services, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of the smart city agenda. ASTRI has consistently demonstrated its dedication to transforming Hong Kong into a globally recognised smart city, while disciplined services play a vital role in shaping the city’s fabric.
Through this collaborative effort, both entities aim to leverage their respective strengths effectively. By combining the disciplined services’ extensive experience in law enforcement with ASTRI’s expertise in technology development and transfer, a comprehensive range of smart research and development applications will be introduced. This joint endeavour will undoubtedly contribute to the accelerated development of Hong Kong as a smart city.
ASTRI presented joint projects developed in collaboration with the disciplined services, showcasing remarkable accomplishments that have received prestigious recognition. One such achievement is the 5G communication technology. Another is the “HoneyNet – Early Threat Hunting and Anticipation Network,” aimed at enhancing proactive threat detection capabilities.
Additionally, ASTRI has developed a state-of-the-art speech-to-text recognition engine named “飛謄,” specifically designed to handle voice records of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). Furthermore, a document processing system has been implemented to streamline administrative procedures, resulting in increased efficiency.
Moving forward, ASTRI and the disciplined services are committed to further strengthening their research and development collaborations, with a particular focus on key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, Internet-of-Things (IoT), and blockchain.
Through the delivery of advanced, efficient, and accurate R&D applications, their joint efforts aim to simplify complex work procedures and empower law enforcement officers to effectively tackle future challenges. This collaborative approach will enhance operational efficiency, elevate service quality, and comprehensively improve the safety and stability of Hong Kong as a smart city.
The Chairman of ASTRI emphasised that the essential element of building a smart city is ensuring the safety and convenience of its citizens. In response to the increasing challenges, it is commendable to witness the disciplined services allocating resources towards the development of new technologies, aiming to enhance law enforcement efficiency and service quality. ASTRI is committed to sustaining its partnership with the Security Bureau and disciplined services, striving to deliver innovative solutions that effectively tackle societal challenges.
The CEO of ASTRI highlighted the past achievements resulting from the collaborative research and development efforts with disciplined services. Looking ahead, both ASTRI and the disciplined services will concentrate on addressing technological requirements related to manpower allocation and law enforcement.
By jointly exploring and developing cutting-edge technologies, their aim is to bolster the law enforcement department’s capabilities and enhance service efficiency through the implementation of smart applications. This endeavour aligns with the goal of transforming Hong Kong into a safe and globally recognised smart city, providing its citizens with an optimal environment for living and working.
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A seminar aimed at providing IT Security knowledge to public health groups, schools, and government sectors was inaugurated by Mr Siraphop Maneerat, Manager of Central Region Sales and Operations at the National Telecommunication Public Company Limited (NT), and Mr Sanae Kamphaeng, Telecommunications Officer of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
The objective of this seminar is to equip IT officers from government agencies, schools, and local government organisations in the province with the necessary knowledge and understanding to safeguard data and mitigate cyber threats.
NT is prepared to offer a range of services and provide guidance in developing plans and budgets to prevent cyber-attack risks that could significantly impact organisational operations and management.
As the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) reported, Thailand witnessed a significant surge in cybersecurity threats, from 135 incidents in 2021 to over 772 incidents in 2022. The majority of these incidents involved data breaches, particularly through educational and public sector websites.
According to Mr Sanae, a Prachuap Khiri Khan Province Telecommunications representative, many organisations often neglect the regular maintenance of database security and lack proper protocols for handling cyber threats. In such cases, they require dedicated professionals to manage their systems, as threats continuously evolve, and new vulnerabilities emerge.
The Thai government has been concerned regarding the effectiveness of their organisation’s security protocols in mitigating data leaks. They acknowledge that insufficient personnel can result in significant damage. Seeing this, Thai government legislation, namely the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and some Thai enterprises, passed the Cybersecurity Act in 2019.
The Cybersecurity Act aims to establish legal protections and measures to safeguard cyberspace security. One significant aspect of this act is implementing a cybersecurity risk assessment plan to prevent and address cybersecurity threats that could potentially jeopardise national security and public welfare. These threats encompass the economy, healthcare, international relations, and other governmental functions. The act aims to ensure the stability and integrity of these areas in the face of cybersecurity challenges.
Additionally, the Cybersecurity Act gives the Thai government the authority to monitor and access digital data if it determines that cyber threats pose a risk to the critical digital infrastructure of the country. Private organisations operating in sectors such as national security, financial services, and public services are obligated to provide the names and contact details of key stakeholders who own, use, or possess computer systems, comply with the code of conduct and cybersecurity standards as mandated by law, conduct comprehensive risk assessments, and notify stakeholders about any incidents involving cyber threats.
Basic protection needs to be improved in the current digital landscape, where online threats come in various forms. A comprehensive defence system is crucial. This law and issue is truly new for Thailand itself, so NT allows institutions or even individuals to dig for information regarding cyber security further. “Interested agencies can reach out to the National Telecommunication Company for inquiries and guidance regarding IT Security services,” said Sanae.
Thailand is more serious about bolstering its cybersecurity systems to create a safe environment in a digital era. Supporting this, NT has introduced IT Security services to provide system and equipment security for government and private sector agencies.