AGP Executive Report

AI Access: Malaysia’s communications minister warned that unequal access to computing power could deepen a new “compute divide” between rich and developing countries. AI Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington and Beijing have held technical talks on AI safeguards, but reached no announcement; the issue may feature at upcoming Asia-Pacific and G20 summits. Climate Tech Finance: Singapore launched a programme to mobilise up to US$500 million for climate resilience in Southeast Asia’s food systems, including support for investment-ready projects and agri-tech. AI Skills: A new phase of the Asia-Pacific AI Opportunity Fund will train teachers, students and workers across 19 markets. Market Watch: Nvidia shed about US$430 billion in market value over two days as it investigated allegations that CEO Jensen Huang was targeted in a foreign intelligence effort; China called the claims a smear. Digital Competitiveness: South Korea rose eight places to 10th in a 70-country AI and digital ranking, with Singapore second, China seventh and Japan 19th.

China’s Tech Trade: The CIIE closed with a record US$85.45 billion in intended deals and 485 product debuts, including a 6G terminal prototype. China’s trade surplus topped US$1 trillion in the first 10 months, as AI infrastructure demand boosted high-tech exports despite weak domestic demand. Southeast Asia’s Energy Shift: The IEA says the region must more than triple renewable generation by 2035 to meet rising electricity demand and cut fossil-fuel imports, alongside major investment in grids and storage. Clean-Tech Impact: Chinese clean-energy exports could prevent 450 million tonnes of carbon emissions worldwide this year, according to a new analysis. Building Local Capabilities: Malaysia’s prime minister urged industry, researchers and government to develop home-grown technologies, citing a local 3D concrete-printing initiative. The Philippines says talks on a proposed US-backed AI industrial hub are progressing, with a framework signing expected by year-end.

AI Infrastructure: SoftBank, Grab and Sarawak’s Petros plan to invest an initial US$1.85 billion in Malaysian AI capacity, with a long-term target of at least five gigawatts — a major bet on Southeast Asia’s computing demand. China’s Tech Exports: China’s trade surplus hit US$1.04 trillion in the first 10 months, as AI-related demand helped drive October exports up 35.2%. The surge supports growth amid weak domestic consumption, but risks worsening trade tensions. Chip Industry Scrutiny: Nvidia’s board has opened an independent inquiry into reports involving CEO Jensen Huang and a suspected Chinese intelligence link; a shareholder lawsuit adds pressure as questions grow over export controls and corporate disclosure. Automated Trade: Ahead of APEC in Shenzhen, China is showcasing ports using driverless trucks, remote-controlled cranes and AI systems — technology that could reshape global shipping, while raising concerns about reliance on Chinese infrastructure.

Cybersecurity: The South Asian-linked Bitter group is targeting regional organizations with PapRAT, a newly identified backdoor that can steal files, capture screenshots and run commands. AI for Farmers: A $10 million grant will help a University of Chicago team improve AI weather forecasts for smallholder farmers; its tools have already reached more than 50 million people in South Asia and Africa with rainy-season guidance. Deep-Sea Robotics: An autonomous robot selectively collected seabed nodules at 4,000 metres in the Pacific for scientific study, leaving visible marine life untouched. Nvidia Probe: Nvidia has opened an inquiry after CEO Jensen Huang acknowledged an affair with a Chinese business executive accused by US officials of espionage. China rejected the claims, and Nvidia’s board said it had no reason to believe company secrets were compromised. Cleaner Industry: At ITMA Asia in Shanghai, Brückner will showcase textile-finishing systems designed to recover heat and reduce energy use and emissions.

AI and Markets: Asian shares rebounded after a steep tech sell-off, but doubts over AI spending and data-centre profits remain. Nvidia’s board is investigating whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence effort; the allegations have not been proven. Embodied AI: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and robotics firm Unitree plan joint research and training, with a possible shared lab. Clean Energy: Chiba Prefecture is testing lightweight perovskite solar panels over farmland, using iodine produced locally. Pacific Autonomy: Australia, the UK and US tested autonomous air, surface and underwater systems in their largest maritime demonstration yet.

Digital Sovereignty: Malaysia urged countries to set their own telecom policies and warned against “technology colonialism.” Its shift from a single to a dual 5G network reflects efforts to balance competing providers. China’s Innovation Push: At Shanghai’s import expo, companies showcased China-developed technology for global markets, including Qualcomm’s 6G terminal prototype, tested with China Mobile. The expo is also drawing regional partners into deeper manufacturing and supply-chain ties. Smarter Farming: Chinese researchers are using AI and drones to spot crop diseases early and speed up sugarcane breeding, with similar tools emerging for banana, cassava and oil palm. Clean-Tech Manufacturing: Oman is planning its first solar-inverter factory through a proposed $100 million partnership with Chinese and local firms, aiming to build domestic capacity and serve regional markets. AI and Local Values: Bhutan’s Asia Visionary Summit raised questions about how the country can ensure AI reflects its culture and priorities as use of the technology grows.

Philippines–US Tech Ties: The US envoy says no Pax Silica announcement is planned at this month’s ASEAN summit, with any decisions to follow talks with Manila. China Market Access: Singaporean businesses say the China International Import Expo helps them reach Chinese partners and markets in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. India Startups: Funding slipped 5.3% from the previous quarter to $3.86 billion in Q3, though it rose year on year; electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy led with a $180 million round. Pacific Readiness: Meteorological teams in the Cook Islands and Samoa are applying tsunami-warning lessons from international training to improve procedures and community alerts. Ocean Science: Satellite data show a shift toward cyan in waters around the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a possible sign that microplastics are changing how the ocean reflects light. AI Market Shift: A global tech sell-off has put Asia’s chipmakers in the spotlight as investors reassess AI spending and diversify into less AI-dependent markets.

Online Safety: The Philippines’ education secretary urged tech and social media firms to strengthen age checks and remove content promoting violence, as officials respond to a series of school shootings. China’s Innovation Push: At the China International Import Expo, more than 480 products and technologies are making global, Asian or China debuts. Jungheinrich plans to take a warehouse-planning platform developed partly by its China-based engineers to Asia-Pacific and Europe. AI Governance: Nearly 500 delegates from 112 countries and regions adopted the Beijing Consensus at a summit on AI’s use in media, calling for standards that protect accuracy and public trust. Health Research: HKUST president Nancy Ip won a UNESCO life sciences prize for neuroscience work, including a blood-based technology to detect and monitor Alzheimer’s disease. Agricultural Science: A review found research into silica nanoparticles for improving crop resilience has grown rapidly, with potential applications against drought, salinity and temperature stress. Regional Tech Ties: Andhra Pradesh will host a summit on trade and technology on November 12–13, bringing together delegates from 59 countries to pursue investment and business partnerships.

AI Market Shock: Asian chip shares remained under pressure after fears of tighter US AI rules triggered a global tech sell-off; Wall Street’s Friday rebound offered only partial relief. South Korea’s Kospi fell 6%, while SK Hynix dropped more than 10%. Chip Race: TSMC is studying a move into 3D DRAM at Nvidia’s request, potentially challenging Samsung and SK Hynix. No investment decision has been made. Autonomous Transport: Singapore has received six buses for a pilot project, including a new Level 4 electric model adapted to local roads and heavy rain. The trial aims to help address a shortage of bus drivers. AI Cooperation: Ahead of the APEC leaders’ meeting in Shenzhen, a robotics researcher argues that international partnerships can help turn advances such as humanoid AI into real-world applications. New Technologies: More than 480 products are making global, Asian or China debuts at Shanghai’s CIIE, including AI hearing aids and a closed-loop insulin pump.

AI Market Shock: A US tech rout tied to fears of tighter AI rules and slower data-centre spending spilled into Asia, battering chip-heavy markets in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. US shares began to rebound, but Asian investors remained on edge. India’s Chip Push: India opened applications for its Semicon 2.0 programme and approved 12 electronics-component projects worth ₹7,503 crore, expected to generate ₹39,045 crore in production and 7,127 jobs. Driverless Transit: Singapore’s transport authority selected a partnership involving MKX Technologies, MOGOX and BYD for an autonomous-bus pilot; the companies unveiled a Level 4 electric bus as the city faces a shortage of drivers. South Korea AI Investment: Nvidia plans to invest $1 billion in Naver, becoming the Korean company’s third-largest shareholder. Pacific Science: Researchers suspect microscopic plastic may be changing how parts of the Pacific reflect sunlight, potentially offering a new way to detect pollution from space.

AI Market Shock: Asian chip and tech shares plunged as investors questioned AI infrastructure spending and feared tighter US scrutiny. South Korea’s Kospi fell as much as 9%, while Taiwan’s TSMC hit its daily trading limit; doubts about returns on massive AI investments added to the sell-off. Singapore AI: Tencent Cloud unveiled enterprise AI tools, private-cloud options and new partnerships in Singapore to expand adoption across Southeast Asia. Taiwan’s Creative Tech: New Zealand’s Weta FX will invest in Moonshine Studio and work with Taiwan’s creative agency on AI technology, projects and talent development; the investment amount was not disclosed. Cancer Diagnostics: New Zealand firm Pacific Edge won US Medicare coverage for two bladder-cancer urine tests, a boost to efforts to grow their use among American doctors. Smarter Farming: Precision-agriculture tools are helping farmers improve spraying and field management, while Vietnam’s coffee sector is developing disease-resistant, water-saving varieties for local growing conditions. Urban Mobility: Singapore’s Urban Mobility Week brought industry and government leaders together to explore autonomous transport and smart infrastructure.

AI and Chips: Asian chip shares fell as investors weighed whether a newly empowered US Congress could tighten oversight of AI development and data-centre construction. Startup Funding: Indian firms AltM and Peppermint Robotics raised a combined roughly US$20 million to scale agricultural-waste materials and autonomous robots. Clean Shipping: Arc has begun designing a battery-electric conversion for a Long Beach harbor tug, with a 12-month demonstration planned after commissioning. Digital Infrastructure: Microsoft is expanding its cloud infrastructure in Malaysia, while China Telecom announced new AI and satellite partnerships across Asia-Pacific. Nuclear Technology: Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful nuclear applications, citing uses including medicine, food irradiation and environmental monitoring. Ocean Science: A global assessment warns 96% of shallow-water coral reef systems are critically endangered and could disappear by 2075; meanwhile, The Ocean Cleanup secured US$121 million to target plastic pollution in 30 cities, including across Southeast Asia.

Payments and AI: Visa is establishing six technology hubs in Singapore, bringing more than 1,500 staff together to develop AI-powered commerce, cybersecurity, quantum computing and next-generation payments. Clean Technology: Australia’s ClearVue won a US$500,000 US Energy Department grant to advance solar-generating building façades with partner Silfab Solar. Resource Efficiency: China’s new plan targets 10% cuts in energy and water use per unit of GDP by 2030, alongside a 15% reduction in construction land use and expanded recycling. Biotechnology: Merck is investing about US$338 million in a new biopharma production centre in Daejeon, South Korea, its largest life-sciences investment in Asia-Pacific. Water Innovation: Korea Water Resources Corporation is promoting AI-powered treatment, digital twins and smart distribution systems in Thailand, where utilities face flood and drought risks.

Malaysia’s Data-Centre Push: Google plans to invest US$15 billion to expand data-centre operations in Malaysia, adding to the region’s fast-growing AI infrastructure build-out. Digital Economy: Digital activity contributed 9.8% of the Philippines’ economy in 2025, but small businesses still face gaps in financing, productivity and technology adoption. Cybersecurity: ESET says a China-aligned group exploited insecure communications in Tencent’s Sogou input app to distribute malware, targeting users and organisations across several Asian countries. Separately, a breach involving travel technology firm Amadeus exposed about 46,000 Singapore Airlines booking records. AI Governance: ASEAN leaders are urging stronger media cooperation and responsible AI rules to tackle misinformation, privacy risks and manipulation. Tech Diplomacy: The Philippines is awaiting Washington’s response to a draft Pax Silica framework, a proposed US-linked technology initiative whose signing remains uncertain.

Data Centre Power: Melaka plans to build an integrated data-centre ecosystem with Edra Power, aiming to scale capacity to 2 gigawatts as high-tech industries drive electricity demand. The state says reliable supply and more sustainable generation will be crucial. Regional AI Cooperation: South Korea urged APEC members to strengthen energy supply chains and widen access to AI, including through proposed regional innovation platforms. Smarter Ports: South Korea’s Smartchain is combining transport data, IoT, AI and digital twins to help ports improve operations and track emissions; it is shifting to a subscription model and plans to expand, starting in Vietnam. Cooling and Climate: With a potentially powerful El Niño looming, experts warn Asia must expand access to cooling without worsening peak electricity demand, putting efficiency and affordable clean power in focus. Biopharma: China’s push for five homegrown blockbuster drugs by 2030 is gaining ground: two already exceeded US$1 billion in annual sales, with more projected to reach that mark.

Chipmaking: Taiwan plans a new Tainan science park from 2027 to support a prospective 1-nanometer fab, though TSMC has not confirmed it will operate the site. AI Security: Singapore-based AIM Intelligence placed second among 5,100 startups at SLINGSHOT 2026, winning three awards worth S$430,000 for work on AI safety and security. AI Rivalry: Nvidia is reportedly asking overseas cloud partners to direct most services to non-Chinese customers, potentially limiting Chinese developers’ access to advanced computing power abroad. University Rankings: Six Indian institutions made Asia’s top 100 in QS 2027, but all slipped; IIT Delhi led at 66th. Malaysia had 11 universities in the top 100, with Universiti Malaya at 17th. Digital Health: Pune’s Clinics On Cloud raised $12.5 million to expand its AI healthcare tools and connected microclinic network, including overseas markets.