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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

DeepSeek launches new AI model as Trump cautions of ‘wake-up call’ to US industry

DeepSeek (Chinese: 深度求索; pinyin: Shēndù Qiúsuǒ) is a Chinese artificial intelligence company that develops open-source large language models (LLM). Based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, it is owned and solely funded by Chinese hedge fund High-Flyer, whose co-founder, Liang Wenfeng, established the company in 2023 and serves as its CEO.

deepseek

Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek on Tuesday launched a new open-source multimodal model, following the buzz generated by its cost-effective open-source reasoning model, DeepSeek-R1, which competes with rivals like OpenAI but at a significantly lower cost, sending ripples through the US stock market the day before.

According to information on the AI community platform Hugging Face on Tuesday, DeepSeek has released the open-source multimodal AI model Janus-Pro, an upgraded version of its earlier Janus model, which significantly enhances multimodal understanding and visual generation capabilities.

Its Janus-Pro-7B AI model outperformed OpenAI's DALL-E 3 and Stability AI's Stable Diffusion in a leaderboard ranking for image generation using text prompts, Reuters reported on Tuesday, according to a DeepSeek's technical report the Global Times read on Github, a proprietary developer platform.

The latest development came after earlier in January the company released the latest open-source model DeepSeek-R1, which has achieved an important technological breakthrough - using pure deep learning methods to allow AI to spontaneously emerge with reasoning capabilities.

As a rapidly growing competitor to leading AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and others, the Chinese AI startup has garnered runaway attention in recent weeks.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Chinese startup DeepSeek's technology should act as spur for American companies and said it was good that companies in China have come up with a cheaper, faster method of artificial intelligence, Reuters reported Tuesday.

"I've been reading about China and some of the companies in China, one in particular coming up with a faster method of AI and much less expensive method, and that's good because you don't have to spend as much money. I view that as a positive, as an asset," Trump said, according to Reuters.

"The release of DeepSeek, AI from a Chinese company should be a wakeup call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win," Trump said in Florida, according to the report.

The remarks also came as the news around DeepSeek sent shockwaves through the AI industry, with Nvidia bearing the brunt of the sell-off. The chipmaker, a linchpin of the AI supply chain, lost over $500 billion in market value, plummeting 16.86 percent in a single day. Other major tech players, including Alphabet and Microsoft, also declined, though Meta managed to trade in positive territory, Xinhua reported.

Nvidia issued a statement on Monday after its shares tumbled, noting DeepSeek's advances show the usefulness of its chips for the Chinese market and that more of its chips will be needed in the future to meet demand for DeepSeek's services.

"DeepSeek's work illustrates how new models can be created using that technique, leveraging widely-available models and compute that is fully export control compliant," Nvidia said in its statement.

OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman welcomed the debut of DeepSeek's R1 model in a post on X late on Monday. "Deepseek's r1 is an impressive model, particularly around what they're able to deliver for the price. we will obviously deliver much better models and also it's legit invigorating to have a new competitor! we will pull up some releases," Altman said.

The success of DeepSeek showed that the Biden administration's four-year crackdown on China's AI and computing power has not only failed but has also spurred the country to forge a unique path for AI development, achieving significant progress in autonomous AI development, Ma Jihua, a veteran telecom industry observer, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"While the global AI community has been focused on increasing computing power, China has been pioneering a path through algorithm optimization, opening up a new approach that is cost-effective and equally efficient. This development holds significant importance for the global AI landscape," Ma noted.

"However, with the emergence of DeepSeek and the rapid advancement of China's AI industry, there is now greater potential for complementary cooperation between China and the US. Both countries can leverage their unique strengths, making collaboration more promising than ever before," Ma said.

Industry observers reached by the Global Times previously said while China and the US, as the two leading powers in the global AI field, compete in the AI industry, there is also significant room for cooperation, especially in AI governance.

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Related:

Nasdaq futures slide on new AI model concern

DeepSeek drags down YTL, tech stocks

DeepSeek's AI should be a 'wakeup call' to US industry, it unveils hidden US market risk, top free downloads, effect on M’sia
Trump: China's low-cost AI should challenge American firms

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Landlords left to foot millions in electricity bills due to tenant's illegal crypto mining

In a press conference yesterday, Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing revealed that over 30 property owners had reported the issue to their service centres, with efforts underway to gather information from more than 30 additional owners. Also present were Simpang Pulai assemblyman Wong Chai Yi, and Astaka assemblyman, Jason Ng. - Pic credit Facebook/Tan Kar Hing

Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing (in white) mingling with the bitcoin victims during a press conference at his service centre. -Ronnie Chin/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 60 shoplot owners in Ipoh are facing millions of ringgit in electricity claims after their tenants were found to be involved in illegal bitcoin mining activities.

The claims range from RM30,000 to RM1.2 million per case.

Tan highlighted that these incidents exposed loopholes in the current legal framework.

"Under the Electricity Supply Act, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) bases its claims on revenue losses from electricity theft. However, the law does not require TNB to prove that the registered account holder is responsible for the theft.

"This creates a legal loophole, allowing illegal mining activities to go undetected while innocent property owners bear the financial burden," he said.

Tan also pointed out that illegal electricity connections could cause power outages, resulting in losses not only for homeowners but also for TNB and the country.

He urged the Energy Commission, under the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and relevant enforcement agencies to take action against illegal bitcoin mining activities to prevent further crimes.

In the meantime, Tan said he would continue to raise these cases during the upcoming parliamentary session.

He also advised landlords to transfer TNB accounts into their tenants' names when renting out properties to avoid such incidents.

According to China Press, one property owner, Yen Pit Yun, said that the pressure of facing RM1.2 million in unpaid electricity bills from TNB could drive her to bankruptcy.

Yen explained that the upper floor of her two-storey shop lot in Panorama Lapangan Perdana, Simpang Pulai, was rented out to a tenant in July while she operated a hair salon on the ground floor.

"On Aug 30, I noticed the tenant carrying a large bag of thick electrical cables upstairs, which raised my suspicions and led me to file a police report. The next day, the tenant moved out unexpectedly.

"When I went upstairs to inspect the unit, I found it empty, with holes in the walls and damaged partitions, causing significant losses," she said.

She reported the incident to TNB, but two months later, she received a notice informing her of outstanding electricity bills exceeding RM1.2 million, leaving her feeling helpless.

Yen said her only hope now is the assistance of the Gopeng MP and others to resolve the debt issue.

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Landlord left with RM1.2mil TNB bill

'I Might Go Bankrupt' — M'sian Woman Gets RM1.2mil Electricity Bill Ove

https://weirdkaya-com.webpkgcache.com/doc/-/s/weirdkaya.com/msian-woman-gets-rm1-2mil-electricity-bill/

Billed RM695,598 for electricity; beware of illegal cryptocurrency/Bitcoin mining operations Billed RM695,598 for electricity

New tribunal can help with rogue tenants and issues like ...

Parents brace for higher kindergarten and daycare rate

746, Jalan Sungai Dua, Penang , Contact Person: Ms. Ling Ling mobile 012-4059013

Parents are bracing for the increase in fees for private kindergarten and daycare centres this year, but most generally understand the financial burdens faced by operators.

Private sector employee Nisa Diana Halim, 36, said sending her four-year-old to a private centre is her only option as there are no nearby government kindergartens in her area.

Right now, she has to pay RM750 monthly for kindergarten and daycare services at a centre in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.

She currently pays RM495 per month for kindergarten fees and the rest for daycare services.

The fees have yet to be increased, but she was notified that for the 2025 term, they would be higher, she said.

“I have tried getting more details, but the school has not responded. For now, I will remain with the centre for my second born, as my eldest is already attending school and only stays at a transit centre before school.

“I prefer to send my daughter to a place I am familiar with and will prepare for the fee increase because I want the services from the school, which is close to our house,” said the mother of three.

Housewife Low Chiew Yee, 34, said her five-year-old son attends kindergarten while her three-year-old daughter is in daycare.

The kindergarten fees remain at RM405 per month, but miscellaneous charges have increased slightly.

“The increase in miscellaneous charges is less than RM50, but our monthly expenses have risen by almost RM600. However, the kindergarten offers good services, so I don’t mind,” she said.

Low has three children, with her eldest son in Year 2, costing RM500 per month, while her second son’s co-curricular classes costs RM400 monthly.

Due to rising costs, she had to drop some enrichment classes for her children.

“With only my husband working, I stay at home to take care of the children and manage school runs. We save wherever we can,” she added.

Another parent, Lim Li Wei, 38, said she anticipated the increase in fees since the government announced an increase in the minimum wage last year.

She has received a notice on the potential of fee increases from her daughter’s kindergarten, but no amount was specified.

“My daughter’s kindergarten fees were RM380 per month and now, for a five-year-old, it’s RM400,” she said.

A bank employee, Karlye Fong, 35, said her child’s kindergarten fees increased from RM400 to RM420 per month this year, which is still manageable.

“Our child is at the kindergarten from 8am to noon every day. Fortunately, my parents help with pick-ups, saving us transportation costs,” said the mother of one.

Fong said working in a financial institution means her daughter’s medical expenses are covered by the company under the dependant category.

“My daughter’s clinic fees range from RM100 to RM200 per month. If she is hospitalised, even though the insurance covers the expenses, we still pay RM350 monthly for insurance,” she said in emphasising their commitment to their daughter’s education over the long term.

Soleha Amin said it is necessary for her children to attend kindergarten even if the fees are increased.

“Right now, children are advanced due to social media and technology; parents send their children to preschool to compete. As much as I want to educate them myself, I won’t be able to catch up as I need to work.

“I chose private kindergartens because they offer multilingual classes, and this will help them when they enter primary school. If public kindergartens offer similar options, I would have sent them there, but government centres are always full.

“As a parent, I am willing to work extra hard for my children’s future. I am aware there are subsidies, but unfortunately, I am in the middle-income group. I hope the government can consider expanding aid for those of us who are supporting the private education sector,” she said.

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Wednesday, January 22, 2025

RM160mil lost to rogue lawyers over four years

PETALING JAYA: They were supposed to ensure their clients’ best interests, but some rogue lawyers have swindled 167 of them to the tune of RM160.1mil in the last four years.

Since 2021, 113 men and 54 women have been cheated by such lawyers, be it in managing their funds or through property deals, said Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.

ALSO READ: Report bad lawyers, urge the good ones

“In 2021, we recorded 39 cases of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving lawyers, with losses reaching RM56.3mil, followed by 30 cases with RM11.7mil in losses in 2022 and 35 cases in 2023 involving RM29.7mil in losses.

“Last year, 62 cases were recorded – the largest amount of losses so far in a year at RM62.8mil.

“As of Jan 15, a case with RM92,000 in losses has already been recorded.

“So, in the last four years, losses involving crooked lawyers have reached RM160.19mil,” the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director told The Star yesterday.

ALSO READ: Pay attention to attorney background when hiring

Comm Ramli said the police have detained 53 lawyers involved in CBT since 2021.

“A total of 167 victims have been swindled by crooked lawyers since 2021. Those aged above 60 is the largest aged group victimised at 42, followed by those aged 41-50 (39), 31-40 (35), 51-60 (34), 21-30 (16) and one from the 15-20 age group.

“The victims’ occupations ranged from businessmen and teachers to retirees and others working in the private sector,” he added.

Comm Ramli said an example of lawyers swindling their clients would be in mismanaging their funds.

“A dishonest lawyer might use funds or assets belonging to clients for personal use.

“We had a case in September last year where a 47-year-old female company director lodged a report that a law firm in Kuala Lumpur had duped her.

“She had hired the firm to manage four civil suits against her. In early 2023, the courts issued a Mareva injunction against her assets,” he said.

(A Mareva injunction is a court order which effectively freezes the assets of a defendant to prevent them from being disposed of, pending the outcome or completion of a legal action.)

“The suspect, who is the firm’s owner, offered to transfer her assets and cash temporarily to the firm while the civil suits were going on.

“She then transferred her funds and luxury items worth RM19mil to the suspect. However, towards the end of 2023, she decided to no longer retain the lawyer’s services and asked the suspect to return her cash and valuables.

“The suspect failed to do so and gave various excuses, leading the victim to suspect he had misused her funds and assets,” he added.

Another victim was a 51-year-old property consultant who lost RM833,473, said Comm Ramli.

“He lodged a report in Johor on Aug 6 last year. In 2013, the victim had hired a law firm as a stakeholder to receive service fees charged to his clients. A bank account under the law firm’s name was created, and RM833,473 in fees were transferred to the account.

“In 2017, the victim was investigated and charged by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the bank account was frozen. However, the victim was acquitted in May last year, and the account was unfrozen.

“In June last year, the victim demanded that the law firm return his funds, but they failed to do so. In fact, in July, the lawyer claimed to be having financial troubles,” he said, adding that both cases were investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code for CBT.

Comm Ramli said the police are seriously looking at CBT cases involving lawyers.

“While the number of cases seems small, the losses suffered by the victims are quite significant.

“A criminal act committed by a professional individual, entrusted to safeguard funds or assets, should not happen,” he said.

While the police will focus on enforcement, Comm Ramli urged the Bar Council to review procedures, work processes, their ethical code and other aspects to close any loophole that could be exploited, to curb and prevent such cases from occurring.

“We had a few meetings and discussions with the Bar Council, and we hope they are making improvements.

“Such efforts are crucial to ensure clients are not victimised,” he said.

Stricter enforcement by the authorities and disciplinary action by the Bar Council against lawyers who have committed offences must be consistent, he added.

“This includes scheduled audits on funds management and documents handled by lawyers to ensure no abuse is occurring.

“A simple-to-use reporting system must be provided to enable clients or a third party to report any wrongdoing or suspicious behaviour by a lawyer,” he said.

Comm Ramli also called on the Bar Council to take sterner disciplinary action against lawyers who go against their professional ethics.

“Those convicted of fraud or CBT must be handed a heavy punishment such as suspension or revocation of their licence to practise law,” he said.

Comm Ramli said awareness and education for clients on their right to legal services are also important.

“Clients must be given detailed explanations such as ways to check the background of their lawyer and ensure they are choosing one registered with the Bar Council.

“They must also understand the legal agreements they are signing,” he added.

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Understanding vitamin D

This ‘sunshine’ vitamin is particularly important for a growing child as it is essential for bone and immune health.

As a parent, you may have heard of vitamin D in passing, often linked to healthy bones or sunlight.

However, vitamin D is more than just a nutrient; it’s a vital component of your child’s overall health.

This “sunshine vitamin” helps regulate calcium in the body, supports bone development and plays a crucial role in immune function.

But what happens if your child doesn’t get enough of this vitamin?

In today’s column, let’s explore the importance of vitamin D, the risks of deficiency and how to ensure your child gets enough of this essential nutrient.

Why it is important

Vitamin D is actually a prohormone, which is a precursor to a hormone.

It is mainly produced in the skin upon exposure to sunlight.

It comes in two main forms: > Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Produced in the skin after sunlight exposure, it is also found in fortified foods like milk, dairy, fatty fish, liver and egg yolks, as well as many supplements.

Vitamin D3 is more effective than other forms of vitamin D. > Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol)

Found in plant-based foods, fortified foods and some supplements.

Once consumed or produced by the body, both forms of vitamin D are converted into an active form known as calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D).

This active form is essential for:

Regulating calcium and phosphorus

Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract, both of which are necessary for healthy bones.

Without enough vitamin D, the body can’t absorb adequate calcium, leading to weakened bones.

> Promoting bone health

Vitamin D is crucial for building strong bones.

Without it, children can develop rickets, a disease that leads to soft, weak bones, and deformities like bowed legs.

Helping immune function

Vitamin D helps the immune system function properly, enhancing the body’s ability to fight infections.

A deficiency may increase the risk of childhood respiratory infections like colds and coughs.

Importance of getting enough

A lack of vitamin D can lead to several health issues:

In severe deficiency

The most well-known consequence is rickets, a condition that causes soft and weak bones.

This leads to deformities like bowed legs, a curved spine and a bulging chest.

severe deficiency may also result in hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels), leading to muscle spasms, heart failure or seizures in infants and children.

In mild deficiency

Less severe deficiency can still have lasting effects.

Children with low vitamin D levels may have weakened bones, making them more prone to fractures.

symptoms like muscle aches, fatigue or general tiredness can also indicate insufficient vitamin D.

Additionally, there are studies linking vitamin D deficiency to other health conditions like respiratory infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases (e.g. type 1 diabetes), and even cancer, though more research is needed in these areas.

While sunlight is the most natural source of vitamin D, other sources include food and supplements.

Here are some ways to ensure your child gets enough of this vitamin:

Sunlight exposure

Vitamin D is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight.

For fair-skinned children, 10 to 15 minutes of daily sun exposure on the face, arms and legs is typically sufficient.

Children with darker skin may need more exposure as their skin contains more melanin, which reduces the ability to synthesise vitamin D.

However, excessive sun exposure is not recommended due to the risk of skin damage.

Even in tropical regions like Malaysia where sunlight is abundant, many children still suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Factors such as indoor lifestyles, wearing clothes that block sunlight, air pollution and the use of sunscreen can limit vitamin D synthesis.

Dietary sources

Although sunlight is the main source, foods can supplement vitamin D intake.

Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish (e.g. salmon, mackerel, tuna), fortified foods (e.g. milk, dairy products, breakfast cereals), egg yolks and beef liver.

Supplements

In many cases, especially when sunlight exposure and dietary intake are insufficient, vitamin D supplements are necessary.

The general recommendations for daily vitamin D intake (from food and supplements) are: 400 IU for babies aged up to 12 months, and 600 IU for children aged one to 18 years.

A much higher initial dose might be needed if a child has vitamin D deficiency as confirmed with a blood test, or in thosewhoareatriskofsucha deficiency.

supplements come in various forms, including liquid drops, chewable tablets and gummies, making it easier for children to take.

If you suspect your child may not be getting enough vitamin D, consult with their paediatrician.

While calcitriol can be prescribed, it should not be given to replace simple vitamin D deficiency due to the higher risk of side effects as it is already activated.

It should only be prescribed for specific medical indications with advice from a paediatric endocrinologist.

Those at risk

Certain factors increase the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency in children:

Limited sun exposure

Children who stay indoors most of the time or live in places with long winters may not get enough sunlight.

Dietary restrictions

Children who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may lack adequate vitamin D.

Chronic illnesses

Children with conditions like coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, obesity or other medical conditions may struggle to absorb vitamin D properly. >

Medications

Certain medications, including steroids and anti-epileptics, can interfere with vitamin D absorption.

> Dark skin

Children with darker skin tones have higher melanin levels, which reduces the body’s ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight.

If you suspect your child has a vitamin D deficiency due to inadequate sun exposure, poor diet or any other risk factors, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.

Blood tests can measure vitamin D levels in the body, and if a deficiency is found, your paediatric endocrinologist or paediatrician will recommend a treatment plan.

In conclusion

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, a strong immune system and overall health.

Ensuring that your child gets enough vitamin D through a combination of sunlight, food and supplements can help them grow strong, healthy and resilient.

If you suspect your child may have a deficiency or if they fall into a high-risk category for vitamin D deficiency, it’s important to consult with their healthcare provider.

Through proper prevention and treatment, vitamin D deficiency can be easily managed to support your child’s long-term health.

Dr Jeanne Wong Sze Lyn is a consultant paediatrician and paediatric endocrinologist. For more information, email starhealth@ thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.