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In the Malaysian
National Budget for the year 2018, the Government has announced a series of
measures to prepare the country for the fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and
driving the growth of the digital economy.
To support IR 4.0 businesses and
investment activities, the Government will provide a matching grant of RM245
million (USD 58 million) under the Domestic Investment Strategic Fund to
upgrade Smart Manufacturing Facilities.
The Futurise Centre in Cyberjaya
will be strengthened as a one-stop centre for corporations and universities to
develop product prototypes as well as to boost innovation.
Tax incentives will also be
provided. The incentive period for Accelerated Capital Allowance of 200% on
automation equipment is being extended from year of assessment 2018 to year of
assessment 2020. In addition, capital allowance for ICT equipment, which
includes spending on computer software development, is claimable for the period
of four years, beginning year of assessment 2018 to 2020, including for small
and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Encouraging venture capital investments
To encourage venture capital
activities, a sum of RM1 billion (USD236 million) will be provided by major
institutional investors for investments in main selected sectors, co-ordinated
by the Securities Commission (SC).
The minimum investment limit in
venture companies will be reduced from 70% to 50%, effective year of assessment
2018 to 2022. Companies or individuals investing in venture capital companies
will receive a tax deduction equivalent to the amount of their investments, limited
to a maximum of RM20 million per year. Moreover, income tax exemptions
equivalent to the amount of investments by angel investors in venture companies
are being extended until 31 December 2020.
Digital Free Trade Zone
Malaysia will
become the first country in the world outside China to establish a Digital Free
Trade Zone (DFTZ). The DFTZ comprises an
e-Fulfillment Hub (to help SMEs and businesses in exporting their goods easily),
a Satelite Services Hub (which will be the region’s digital hub for global and
local internet-based companies facilitating end-to-end support) and an
e-Services platform (for managing cargo clearance and other processes needed
for cross-border trade).
The first phase is
expected to generate RM700 million worth of investment and create 2,500 job
opportunities. The Government provided RM83.5 million to construct then required
infrastructure for the first phase in Aeropolis, KLIA (Kuala Lumpur
International Airport).
In a commentary on the budget, MDEC
CEO, Datuk Yasmin Mehmood wrote that DFTZ will “Go Live” on 3 November and
1,900 export-ready SMEs will begin their export journey with the launch,
compared to a previous target of 1,500 SMEs.
Education
For the education of the TN50 (Transformasi Nasional 2050)
generation, the Government is allocating RM250 million.
Out of the this, 190
million will be directed to upgrade 2,000 classes into 21st century
Smart Classrooms, in order to enhance creative-based learning and innovative
thinking. Skills
such as
coding, app development, robotics, embedded programming and creative technology
would be imparted.
Computer science modules in primary
and secondary schools, including coding programmes, will be enhanced.
The sum also includes funding for
setting up a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Centre to
develop the latest learning methods for training STEM specialist teachers, utilising
existing facilities at teachers training institute in collaboration with
Academy of Science, Malaysia.
Job creation and income generation
The Government has allocated RM 100
million to expand the eRezeki,
eUshawan and a new flagship initiative
called eLadang, under the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
eUsahawan is a digital entrepreneurship program aiming to
help the public enhance business growth via online sales. The eRezeki
initiative, based on the concept of crowd-sourcing aims to connect low-income
households to digital income opportunities. Participants are trained, qualified
and matched against suitable available tasks and/or work, helping them earn
additional income and acquire new skills, equipping them to cope with an
increasingly digital world.
Datuk Yasmin Mahmood wrote in her commentary that around 150,000 people would be trained
in 2018 under these two programmes, resulting in 341,745 people participating
in both programmes with an estimated total income and revenue of RM544 million.
eLadang aims to encourage farmers to leverage the latest
smart farming technologies such as IoT (Internet-of-Things) and BDA (Big Data
Analytics) to improve yield and income.
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The development of telehealth has revolutionised the healthcare system by facilitating the remote delivery of medical services and expanding access to care. In Singapore, telehealth has received a great deal of attention and recognition as a vital instrument for enhancing community care services.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been actively supporting and implementing telehealth initiatives, recognising the need for additional resources and efforts to make these changes a reality.
Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, stated at the AIC’s Community Care Work Plan Seminar that recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals is one of the greatest challenges facing the community care sector.
“The high-touch nature of the sector limits the extent to which digitalisation and productivity improvements can address the increasing demand,” Minister Ong said. To address this concern, the MOH is committed to providing funding support through the community care salary enhancement exercise, thereby ensuring that healthcare professionals receive competitive salaries.
Additionally, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) is actively engaged in sectoral job redesign initiatives, transforming the workforce through improved task allocation, and increasing manpower across support care, nursing, and therapy.
Consistency of financial support is crucial in attaining care coordination across settings. To facilitate seamless access to healthcare financing, two initiatives have been implemented. Subvented home medical and nursing providers will be able to submit MediSave claims for homebound patients eligible for subsidies but unable to visit polyclinics or hospitals due to limited mobility beginning on 1 October 2023.
This modification allows patients to access MediSave for home medical and nursing care. In addition, the financial support for telehealth services will be gradually increased. From 1 July 2023, subsidies and MediSave will be available for teleconsultations for chronic disease management.
The community care sector requires additional resources to address diverse requirements, including recruitment of personnel, expansion of the work scope, promotion of volunteerism, and integrated services.
Additionally, the advent of digitalisation has made it possible to build the infrastructure and obtain the resources required for the successful implementation of telehealth.
It also provides the infrastructure and technologies essential for effective telehealth adoption; and assists healthcare practitioners in providing remote therapy, reaching patients in remote locations, and improving access to healthcare services while maintaining patient privacy and security.
For seamless communication between healthcare providers and patients, robust and dependable digital infrastructure, such as high-speed internet connectivity and mobile networks, is required. These digital networks’ availability enables real-time audio and video consultations, data interchange, and remote monitoring.
Likewise, digitalisation allows for the production and maintenance of electronic health records (EHR), which hold medical information about patients in a digital format. EHRs make it easier for healthcare practitioners to share medical history, test results, and other relevant data, providing continuity of treatment in telehealth settings.
Wearable sensors, remote monitoring equipment, and home monitoring kits collect and send health data from patients to healthcare providers. This data digitisation enables healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients’ vital signs, track symptoms, and spot potential health risks.
Telehealth-specific digital platforms and applications provide secure and convenient communication between healthcare providers and patients. Video consultations, chat systems, appointment scheduling, and connectivity with EHR systems are common elements of these platforms.
Further, the importance of data security and patient privacy in telehealth is highlighted by digitalisation. To protect patient information in telehealth transactions, robust cybersecurity safeguards, encryption procedures, and adherence to data protection rules are required.
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Vietnam and Italy plan to advance collaboration in synthetic aperture radar technology and applications. A workshop was held in Hanoi to discuss the partnership as a commemorative activity for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Italy.
The primary objective of this programme is to foster extensive dialogues regarding the prospective uses of synthetic aperture radar technology, with a particular emphasis on crucial domains such as climate change monitoring, water resource management, and agricultural data collection.
By 2024, the Vietnam National Satellite Centre is anticipated to introduce LOTUSat-1, the inaugural synthetic aperture radar satellite of Vietnam. LOTUSat-1 possesses the capability to capture high-resolution images of the Earth, unaffected by weather conditions, during both day and night.
The image data obtained from this satellite will offer precise information to address the pressing requirement for reliable image sources. With the data, experts will be able to provide timely responses aimed at mitigating the impacts of natural disasters, climate change, resource management, and environmental monitoring. These efforts will contribute to the advancement of socioeconomic development.
The workshop was attended by Pham Anh Tuan, Associate Professor and General Director of Vietnam National Satellite Centre (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), and Italian Ambassador to Vietnam, Antonio Alessandro, along with experts and leading scientific researchers.
Speaking at the event, Tuan said that the strategy for the development and application of space science and technology to 2030 was approved by the Vietnamese government in 2021. The strategy aims to leverage space technology for the effective management, monitoring, and support of natural resources and the environment, with the aim of mitigating the detrimental effects of natural disasters. The government identified the promotion of international cooperation as an important role in the successful implementation of this strategy.
Italy is one of the few countries with a leading research force in various aspects of the space field, including developing satellites, launching Earth observation satellites, and locating and exploring life in space. Given Italy’s expertise in the field, the collaboration represents a significant opportunity to foster the advancement of space technology within Vietnam, Tuan noted. Moreover, it serves to strengthen the existing strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy.
Last December, the Italian Embassy in Hanoi and the Vietnam Space Centre (VNSC) at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology launched the “Vietnam-Italy Space Technology and Applications. Looking Beyond” exhibition.
During the exhibition, attendees had the opportunity to view 23 high-definition images of the Earth captured by the COSMO-SkyMed satellite system from Italy. These images encompassed various locations, including two showcasing the city of Hanoi and the Mekong Delta. Additionally, participants engaged with nine panels presented by the Vietnam National Satellite Centre (VNSC), which highlighted the applications of satellite images in remote sensing and disaster prevention within Vietnam.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the exhibition presented scientists and researchers in Vietnam with enhanced opportunities for collaboration with their Italian counterparts in the realm of space science and technology. It also provided them with a platform to explore and apply the outcomes of space technology towards achieving socio-economic objectives and fostering sustainable development.
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Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Mahfud MD, revealed during a meeting with the Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives at the Nusantara II Building, Senayan Parliamentary Complex, Central Jakarta, that digitalisation had played a crucial role in sustaining the digital economy, educational activities, and healthcare services.
The digital economy has become a driving force for economic growth with the presence of e-commerce platforms that enable local businesses to reach a broader market. Digital technology has significantly transformed educational activities as well, enabling remote learning and access to various educational resources. Moreover, digital technology has benefited healthcare services, allowing remote medical consultations, real-time patient monitoring, and more effective health data management. “The presence of digital technology has bridged the needs of the Indonesian society,” he explains.
According to Minister Mahfud MD, by harnessing digital technology, the government strives to achieve Indonesia’s vision by 2045. “The presence of digital technology plays a crucial role in the efforts to achieve Indonesia’s vision of becoming an advanced and digital country by 2045. Therefore, mastery of digital technology is one of the crucial things in realising this vision,” he stated.
Furthermore, digital technology disrupts a policy more efficiently and effectively by improving digitally based public services. One of the government’s efforts to enhance public services is the upcoming launch of the SATRIA-1 Multifunctional Satellite.
“The SATRIA-1 satellite is planned to be launched this month into the 106 East Longitude orbit and will commence operations in the fourth quarter of this year,” he stated.
“Furthermore, the utilisation of the Palapa Ring backbone infrastructure stands at 45%, with a 95% Service Level Agreement for Palapa Ring operational services,” he explained.
It is one of the implementations of President Joko Widodo’s directives regarding accelerating access expansion and improving digital infrastructure to accelerate digital transformation. SATRIA-1, equipped with Very High Throughput Satellite (VHTS) technology, can deliver internet speeds up to 150Gbps. The SATRIA-1 Multifunctional Satellite is one of the government’s efforts to provide equitable high-speed internet access across Indonesia.
To enhance public services through the launch of the SATRIA-1 Multifunctional Satellite, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) has undertaken comprehensive preparations. Secretary General Mira Tayyiba revealed that as part of these preparations, Kominfo has established supporting communication aspects for the satellite, namely ground segment earth stations, in 11 strategic locations throughout Indonesia.
These ground segment earth stations are located in various regions, ranging from Cikarang, Batam, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Pontianak, Kupang, Ambon, Manado, Manokwari, and Timika to Jayapura. The placement of these ground segment earth stations demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing adequate infrastructure to support satellite connectivity and ensure optimal coverage and service quality across Indonesia.
With the presence of these ground segment earth stations, the communication quality through the SATRIA-1 satellite is expected to be well-maintained. Communities in various regions, including those in the mentioned locations, will enjoy the benefits of improved internet connectivity, including faster and more stable access. It will positively impact various sectors of life, including business, education, healthcare, and government.
Moreover, placing ground segment earth stations in various regions of Indonesia emphasises the importance of regionalisation in technology and infrastructure development. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology will also conduct periodic training and monitoring to ensure that personnel involved in operating the earth stations have sufficient knowledge and skills to maintain and optimise the performance of this communication infrastructure.
Hence, establishing ground segment earth stations in these 11 locations is a strategic step by the government in preparing the necessary infrastructure to support the successful launch of the SATRIA-1 Multifunctional Satellite. It is a substantial effort to ensure that digitally based public services can be accessed effectively by all Indonesian citizens, connecting them to broader opportunities and enabling sustainable progress in various sectors of life.
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Australia and Singapore have begun conversations regarding potential areas of collaboration in green and digital shipping, hence, a Singapore-Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor will be established by the end of 2025.
This development is consistent with the Green Shipping Cooperation initiative outlined in the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement, which was signed in October 2022 by Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, and Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell.
This collaboration is being led by Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts (DITRDCA) and Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), a Statutory Board under Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT).
These agencies are collaborating closely with port operators, appropriate governments, and marine and energy value chain players on both sides of the Atlantic to galvanise action to decarbonise and digitise the shipping industry. DITRDCA and MPA intend to begin by identifying areas of common interest and partnership to minimise carbon emissions in the maritime industry through coordinated initiatives.
This includes developing low- and zero-carbon fuel supply chains, as well as greening port services and shipping operations to speed the development and adoption of green marine fuel sources. Collaboration would also entail the discovery of digital shipping solutions to promote effective port calls and the flow of products, as well as paperless handling between the ports of Australia and Singapore, all of which would assure system interoperability.
Given Australia and Singapore’s extensive cross-border trade, this collaboration is an important step towards determining how both partners can take a worldwide leadership position in streamlining their shipping routes to test and trial green and digital solutions. This highlights the critical role of international cooperation in decarbonising shipping and the maritime economy.
Collaboration supports environmental sustainability by embracing green shipping practices such as using cleaner fuels, optimising routes, and decreasing emissions, lessening the industry’s impact on climate change and maritime ecosystems.
Digital technology provides for more efficient fleet management, route optimisation, and real-time monitoring, leading to fuel savings, lower operational expenses, and increased profitability for shipping businesses.
Digital solutions improve overall efficiency in areas such as logistics, supply chain management, and cargo handling by streamlining operations, automating procedures, and enabling data-driven decision-making.
Collaboration in digital and green shipping makes it possible to use advanced safety measures like remote monitoring systems, predictive maintenance, and better cybersecurity procedures to protect assets, crew, and cargo.
Acting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that Singapore and Australia are very important in making the area a place of stability and growth. To stop international rules from falling apart and regional blocs from forming, it is important to keep and improve multilateralism.
He also said that both countries can keep a rules-based system by taking an active role in making global digital trading rules and norms for international trade.
Australia and Singapore have a lot of strategic trust in each other, so their projects can be used as models for wider regional cooperation. By making deals about the digital and green economies and setting new rules for trade in these areas, they can go beyond bilateral agreements and help the whole region.
The collaboration helps bring about stability and growth, which is good for Asia’s future. Singapore and Australia can help keep the region stable and growing while staying true to their shared values and interests if they work together and take an active role.
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The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy have launched a National Mission to identify emerging technologies within the power sector and indigenously develop them on a large scale. These technologies will be deployed domestically and internationally.
The collaborative National Mission, titled the Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR), will facilitate indigenous research and development, and demonstrate cutting-edge technologies in the power sector. Its focus is to identify emerging technologies and advance them to the implementation stage. By harnessing these technologies as the key drivers of future economic growth, the Mission aims to establish India as a global manufacturing hub.
Scheduled to commence from the fiscal year 2023-24 and continue for an initial period of five years until 2027-28, the Mission will adopt the technology life cycle approach, progressing from the conceptual stage to the development of a final product.
The Mission has identified eight specific areas for focus. These areas include exploring alternatives to Lithium-Ion storage batteries, adapting electric cookers/pans to align with Indian cooking methods, developing green hydrogen for mobility through high-efficiency fuel cells, advancing carbon capture technologies, harnessing geothermal energy, enhancing solid-state refrigeration systems, utilising nanotechnology for electric vehicle batteries, and promoting indigenous technology for CRGO (Cold-Rolled Grain-Oriented) materials.
The key objectives of the Mission are as follows:
- To identify emerging technologies and areas that hold future significance in the global power sector. It will then undertake the indigenous end-to-end development of these technologies.
- To establish a common platform for stakeholders within the power sector to engage in collaborative brainstorming and synergistic technology development. It will facilitate the smooth transfer of technology by devising effective pathways.
- To provide support to pilot projects involving indigenous technologies, particularly those developed by Indian start-ups. It aims to facilitate their commercialisation and widespread adoption.
- To leverage foreign alliances and partnerships to expedite research and development in advanced technologies. It seeks to build competencies, capabilities, and access to advanced technologies through bilateral or multilateral collaborations, promoting knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
- To nurture and scale up scientific and industrial research and development efforts within the power sector. It aims to create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem that supports research and development activities.
An Office Memorandum to this effect has been issued. The Mission will be funded by pooling the financial resources of the two ministries and the Central Public Sector Enterprises under them. In case there is a requirement for additional funding, it will be mobilised from the government’s budgetary resources.
The Mission will have a two-tier structure – a Technical Scoping Committee and an Apex Committee. The Technical Scoping Committee (TSC) will identify ongoing and emerging research areas globally, recommend potential technologies for development under the Mission, justify the techno-economic advantages, provide research outlines, and conduct periodic monitoring of approved research projects.
TSC will survey and identify ongoing and emerging areas of research on a global scale and provide recommendations to the Apex Committee regarding potential technologies to be considered for development. The TSC will also carry out periodic monitoring of the approved research projects.
Meanwhile, the Apex Committee will deliberate on the technology and products to be developed and approve the research proposals. It will approve the research proposals, monitor progress, and look into international collaboration.
Once research areas are identified and approved by the Apex Committee, the Mission will invite proposals for outcome-linked funding from companies across the world. The selection of proposals will be based on Quality cum Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) criteria. The Ministries’ organisations may also collaborate with the selected research agency to co-develop the technologies. The intellectual property rights (IPR) of the developed technology will be shared between the government and the research agency.
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ANSTO has collaborated with scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in studying a promising proton conductor for advanced ceramic fuel cells. Recently published in Communication Materials, a research team led by Prof Masatomo Yashima highlighted the exceptional properties of a newly discovered hexagonal perovskite-related oxide called Ba2LuAlO5.
The material exhibited remarkably high proton conductivity without requiring any additional chemical alterations. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind this phenomenon. These valuable insights could potentially lead to the development of safer and more efficient energy technologies.
Prof Max Avdeev, the Neutron diffraction group manager at ANSTO’s Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering and a co-author of the paper, explained that proton conductors are being considered as an alternative to oxide fuel cells for next-generation fuel cells.
The research team at Tokyo Tech, with whom ANSTO has a longstanding collaboration, successfully discovered and characterised a promising new material. To gain insights into the proton transport mechanism and enhance the material’s conductivity, molecular dynamics simulations were conducted using ANSTO’s computing cluster. This knowledge is crucial for further improvements and the development of new compositions in this field.
Scientists worldwide are actively engaged in the development of energy technologies that are environmentally friendly, safe, and highly efficient. Fuel cells have emerged as a particularly promising solution for generating electricity directly through electrochemical reactions, garnering attention since the 1960s.
Nevertheless, conventional fuel cells based on solid oxides suffer from a significant drawback: they require high operating temperatures, typically exceeding 700 °C. In contrast, protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) utilise specialised ceramics capable of conducting protons instead of oxide anions. This distinctive feature allows PCFCs to operate at substantially lower temperatures, typically ranging from 300 to 600 °C.
However, the current knowledge base includes only a limited number of proton-conducting materials that exhibit reasonable performance.
During their research, the team specifically investigated compounds with a significant number of intrinsic oxygen vacancies when they made the discovery of the new conductor. Through experimental analysis of samples, they observed that this material exhibited remarkable proton conductivity within its bulk at low temperatures, without requiring additional chemical modifications like doping.
By employing molecular dynamics simulations and conducting neutron diffraction measurements, the researchers determined that the oxide had a substantial capacity to absorb water due to its abundant intrinsic oxygen vacancies. The higher water content played a crucial role in enhancing the material’s proton conductivity through various mechanisms.
The electricity market is undergoing a crucial transition, with renewable and clean energy technologies becoming increasingly vital. Australia recognises the significance of innovation in clean energy technology to sustain economic prosperity and contribute to global emission reduction efforts.
The Australian Government is actively supporting clean energy innovation in research, development, demonstration, and deployment. As a participant in Mission Innovation, a global initiative for advancing clean energy technology breakthroughs, Australia is leading the development of a ‘mission’ focused on clean hydrogen. This mission aims to lower hydrogen production and usage costs throughout supply chains.
In addition, the government has invested AU$ 1.4 billion in the development of reliable renewable generation and storage solutions. This investment encompasses various initiatives, including support for the advanced expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme.
Moreover, funds have been allocated to the construction of the Marinus Link, which is the second interconnector across the Bass Strait. This interconnector is crucial for transforming Tasmania’s ambitious Battery of the Nation vision into a tangible reality.
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Researchers have developed a logic-aware model that outperforms counterparts 500 times larger in specific language-understanding tasks without human-generated annotations. This model excels in performance while ensuring privacy and robustness, addressing concerns related to the inefficiency and privacy of large AI models.
Although Large Language Models (LLMs) have demonstrated promising abilities in generating language, art, and code, they come with high computational demands, and utilising application programming interfaces for data upload can pose risks to privacy. Smaller models have historically exhibited lesser capabilities, particularly in tasks involving multitasking and weak supervision, than their larger counterparts.
The researchers introduced the concept of “textual entailment” to aid in comprehending various language tasks by these models. In textual entailment, if one sentence (the premise) is true, then it is likely that the other sentence (the hypothesis) is also true. For instance, if the premise states “all cats have tails,” then the theory “a tabby cat has a tail” would be entailed by the premise.
The team’s previous research revealed that this approach, known as an “entailment model,” exhibited less bias than other language models. To leverage this concept, the researchers developed prompts that enable the models to determine if specific information is entailed by a given sentence or phrase across different tasks. This technique enhanced the model’s adaptability to diverse functions without requiring additional training, a phenomenon referred to as zero-shot adaptation.
In the domain of “natural language understanding,” numerous applications rely on discerning the relationship between two text pieces. For instance, in sentiment classification, the statement “I think the movie is good” can be inferred or entailed from a movie review stating, “I like the story and the acting is great,” indicating a positive sentiment. Similarly, in news classification, the topic of a news article can be inferred from its content. For example, the statement “the news article is about sports” can be entailed if the article’s main content reports on an NBA game. The researchers realised that many existing natural language understanding tasks could be reformulated as entailment tasks involving logical inference in natural language.
“Our research focuses on enhancing the capability of computer programs to comprehend and process natural language, which mimics the way humans speak and write,” explains Hongyin Luo, lead author of a new study from MIT CSAIL.
The study introduces entailment models with 350 million parameters that outperform supervised language models with 137 to 175 billion parameters without human-generated labels. This breakthrough can potentially revolutionise AI and machine learning, providing a scalable, reliable, and cost-effective solution for language modelling. Demonstrating the comparable performance of smaller models in language understanding opens avenues for sustainable and privacy-preserving AI technologies.
The model’s performance was enhanced through self-training, learning without human supervision or annotated data. This approach significantly improved results in sentiment analysis, question-answering, and news classification tasks. It surpassed Google’s LaMDA, FLAN, GPT models, and other supervised algorithms in zero-shot capabilities.
The research addresses the challenge of self-training in language models by developing a novel algorithm called ‘SimPLE’ (Simple Pseudo-Label Editing). By reviewing and modifying the initially generated pseudo-labels, the algorithm improves the overall quality of self-generated labels. CSAIL Senior Research Scientist James Glass emphasises that this study introduces an efficient approach for training large language models (LLMs) by framing language understanding tasks as contextual entailment problems and employing a self-training mechanism with pseudo-labelling. It enables the incorporation of substantial amounts of unlabeled text data during training.
“This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing relatively compact language models that excel in benchmark language understanding tasks when compared to models of similar or even larger sizes,” he concludes.
