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Comprehensive report by 21st Century Business Herald New Productivity Research Institute

Good morning, a new day has begun. What interesting things have happened in the technology industry in the past 24 hours? Let's take a look with 21tech.

【Giant weathervane】

1. Google Gemma 2 series adds a 2 billion parameter model.On July 31, local time, Google announced that the Gemma 2 series added a small model, Gemma 2B (2 billion parameters). In the large model arena LMSYS Chatbot Arena, Gemma 2B scored higher than GPT-3.5-Turbo. Released with Gemma 2B are the security content classifier model ShieldGemma and the model explainability tool Gemma Scope. In June this year, Google released the Gemma 2 series, including Gemma 2 27B and 9B.

2. Microsoft includes OpenAI in its list of artificial intelligence and search competitors.Microsoft listed OpenAI as a competitor in its Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The list also includes companies such as Amazon, Google and Meta. In the document, Microsoft identified OpenAI, the creator of the ChatGPT chatbot, as a competitor to artificial intelligence products as well as search and news advertising. Last week, OpenAI released a prototype of a search engine called SearchGPT. An OpenAI spokesperson said that there has been no change in the relationship between the two companies, Microsoft is still a good partner of OpenAI, and the two parties reached a consensus that competition might occur when the partnership was established. (Interface)

3. GAC Group plans to launch a flying car demonstration operation plan in 2027.GAC Group said on the interactive platform that it has achieved key technological breakthroughs in the mass production of automotive-grade, high-safety, large-capacity all-solid-state power batteries, which are expected to be installed on Haobo models in 2026. GAC Group's independently developed flying car GOVE has carried out more than 300 flight verifications so far, and plans to launch a flying car demonstration operation plan in 2027 to create a model of inter-city three-dimensional travel in 2-3 cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

4. In July, the delivery volume of Xiaomi SU7 exceeded 10,000 units.According to Xiaomi Auto's Weibo, the Xiaomi SU7 delivered more than 10,000 units in July, and the delivery volume will continue to exceed 10,000 in August. It is expected to complete the annual delivery target of 100,000 units in November ahead of schedule. According to the Xiaomi SU7 delivery volume previously released by Xiaomi Auto, 7,058 units were delivered in April, 8,630 units were delivered in May, and more than 10,000 units were delivered in June.

5. 360 cooperated with 15 major model companies to launch a new generation of AI product "AI Assistant".On August 1, at the 12th Internet Security Conference ISC.AI 2024, 360 released a new generation of AI product "AI Assistant", which cooperated with 15 large models and was fully built into 360's national entry products, without the need to install plug-ins to obtain scenarios. Zhou Hongyi said that this product can experience the 15 most powerful models in China in one stop. Users can choose from multiple models, compare the effects, and cross-validate to select the best solution.

6. It is reported that Tata Group’s plan to acquire a majority stake in vivo’s Indian business has been shelved.It is reported that Tata Group's plan to acquire a majority stake in the Indian business of Chinese smartphone giant vivo has stalled due to Apple's opposition. Sources said that due to the Indian government's pressure on foreign companies such as vivo to localize their operations, vivo originally wanted to sell 51% of its Indian subsidiary to Tata Group to achieve "Indianization" operations, but Apple was not satisfied with the deal, and Tata, as a partner, had to consider its opinions.

7. Fengfei Aviation's Shengshilong flies over the Yangtze River.On August 1, Fengfei Aviation Shengshilong eVTOL electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft completed its first flight across the Yangtze River. It took off from the Nanjing UAV Base in Pukou District, Nanjing, flew over the Yangtze River and circled along the river before returning to the base. The flight distance was 25 kilometers and the round-trip flight time was 10 minutes. This flight achieved the first cross-Yangtze River flight of eVTOL above tons. This is also a new development of typical eVTOL scenarios. There are more than 20 central cities along the Yangtze River, and each city has a Yangtze River Bridge, but there are still many areas that cannot be covered. eVTOL cross-river flight can make travel on both sides of the Yangtze River more efficient and convenient.

8. my country successfully launched a high-orbit satellite for satellite Internet.At 21:14 on August 1, 2024, Beijing time, my country successfully launched the satellite internet high-orbit satellite 02 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using the Long March 3B carrier rocket. The satellite entered the predetermined orbit smoothly and the launch mission was a complete success. This mission is the 529th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

9. The EU's "Artificial Intelligence Act" officially came into effect.The EU's "Artificial Intelligence Act" officially came into effect on the 1st. The act is the world's first comprehensive regulation on artificial intelligence, marking an important step for the EU in regulating the application of artificial intelligence. The act stipulates that artificial intelligence systems such as chatbots must clearly inform users that they are interacting with machines, and artificial intelligence technology providers must ensure that synthetic audio, video, text and image content can be detected as artificial intelligence-generated content. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence systems that are considered to pose a clear threat to users' fundamental rights is prohibited. For companies that violate the rules, the EU will impose a fine of up to 7% of their global annual turnover. The relevant rules of the EU's "Artificial Intelligence Act" will be implemented in stages, and some rules will take effect 6 months or 12 months after the law is passed, and most rules will take effect on August 2, 2026.

【The most core news】

1. Samsung Electronics Union asked Chairman Lee Jae-yong to resolve the strike issue.On July 1, the Samsung Electronics Union held a press conference in front of Lee Jae-yong's private residence in Yongsan District, Seoul, asking him to come forward and resolve the strike situation due to the breakdown of labor-capital salary negotiations. It is reported that Lee Jae-yong is on a business trip in Europe and not at home. The union launched a general strike on July 8 and held three-day negotiations with the management from the 29th to discuss issues such as raising wages and improving the reward system, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement and finally declared the negotiations broken down. The union clarified its position of continuing the general strike and will hold a press conference in front of the National Assembly on the 5th.

2. LGD disclosed the progress of the sale of its Guangzhou factory.On August 1, LGD, a panel company under LG Display, announced that it had selected TCL Huaxing Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. as the preferred bidder for its equity in the Guangzhou LCD factory in China and would start exclusive negotiations. LGD said that as its business structure is transforming from LCD to OLED, it has conducted multiple discussions on the strategic use of LCD assets (including the Guangzhou LCD factory in China). Public information shows that the LGD Guangzhou 8.5-generation LCD panel factory being sold this time is LGD's first overseas panel factory, with a total investment of approximately US$4 billion.

3. Zeekr and Mobileye plan to accelerate the process of technology localization in China.On August 1, Zeekr Intelligent Technology and Mobileye announced that the two parties plan to accelerate the process of technology localization in China, further integrate Mobileye technology into the next generation of Zeekr models, and continue to promote the implementation of both parties' advanced driving safety and autonomous driving technologies in the Chinese and global markets. Since the end of 2021, Zeekr has delivered more than 240,000 Zeekr 001 and Zeekr 009 models equipped with Mobileye SuperVision™ solutions to customers in China and around the world. The two parties plan to accelerate the large-scale deployment and delivery of the core technologies of the Mobileye SuperVision™ platform, and will also work together to localize and customize other key technologies of Mobileye.

4. Currently, Jinghe Integrated's CIS production capacity is in short supply.Jinghe Integrated Circuit stated on the interactive platform that the company currently has sufficient orders, the DDIC market demand is stable, the CIS production capacity is in short supply and the market demand is increasing month by month, and the number of orders for PMIC, MCU, etc. is also growing steadily. The company's 55nm mid-to-high-end BSI and stacked CIS chip process platform has achieved mass production, with a wafer output of nearly 10,000 pieces per month. In the second half of 2024, the company will continue to expand the production of mid-to-high-end CIS products based on market demand.

5. North Huachuang, Shanghai Integrated Circuit Research and Development Center and others established a partnership.Aiqicha App shows that Shanghai Xinshi Neng Enterprise Management Consulting Center (Limited Partnership) was established recently. The executive partner is Shanghai Lingang New Area Science and Technology Innovation Industry Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., with an investment of RMB 18 million. The business scope includes technical services, technical development, technical consulting, technical exchanges, technology transfer, and technology promotion. The partnership is jointly funded by Shanghai Integrated Circuit Research and Development Center Co., Ltd., North Huachuang Technology Group Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Lingang New Area Science and Technology Innovation Industry Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd.

6. ASE increases its investment in the Japanese market.Semiconductor packaging and testing company ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. announced that its subsidiary ASE Japan Co., Ltd. has decided to acquire land in Hibikinokita, Wakamatsu District, Kitakyushu City, Japan, with an area of ​​159,899.12 square meters, and the total transaction amount is approximately 3.415 billion yen (approximately NT$701 million). The acquisition of land in Kitakyushu City, Japan is mainly for the expansion of production capacity in response to future market demand. The relevant transaction must be approved by the Kitakyushu City Council before it takes effect. ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. previously stated that it does not rule out expanding advanced packaging production capacity in Japan, the United States, Mexico and other places.

7. Agency: Global silicon wafer shipments in the second quarter of 2024 increased by 7.1% month-on-month.The quarterly analysis report on silicon wafers released by SEMI's Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) shows that global silicon wafer shipments in the second quarter of 2024 increased by 7.1% month-on-month to 3,035 million square inches (MSI), but decreased by 8.9% year-on-year. Li Chongwei, chairman of SEMI SMG and vice president of GlobalWafers, said that the silicon wafer market is recovering, thanks to strong demand related to data centers and generative artificial intelligence products. Although the recovery of different applications is uneven, 300mm wafer shipments increased by 8% month-on-month in the second quarter, performing best among all wafer sizes.

【Listing Capital Flow】

Samsung participated in a new round of financing for security and artificial intelligence startup Protect AI.Security and artificial intelligence startup Protect AI Inc. announced that it has raised $60 million from investors, betting that the intersection of artificial intelligence and security will be a big business. The round of financing was led by Evolution Equity Partners and the company's post-financing valuation reached $460 million. New investors in this financing include 01 Advisors, Samsung Electronics Co., Salesforce Ventures, etc. (Cailianshe)

【Technology Financial Report View】

1. Greater China was the only market where Apple's performance declined in the third fiscal quarter.Apple released its third-quarter financial report, showing revenue of $85.78 billion, up 5% year-on-year; net profit of $21.45 billion, up 7.9% year-on-year. In terms of revenue composition, iPhone revenue was $39.3 billion, and wearable devices, home and accessories revenue was $8.1 billion. These two businesses declined year-on-year in the quarter; Mac revenue was $7.01 billion, iPad revenue was $7.16 billion, and service revenue was $24.21 billion, all of which increased year-on-year. Apple's service revenue has set a new record for six consecutive quarters, jumping along with iPad revenue and driving total revenue growth beyond expectations. From a regional perspective, Greater China's revenue in the third quarter was $14.73 billion, down 6.5% year-on-year, making it the only declining market among all regions.

2. Intel suffered a sharp loss in the second quarter and plans to lay off more than 15% of its employees.Intel's financial report shows that in the second quarter, revenue was $12.83 billion, down 1% year-on-year; net loss was $1.6 billion, compared with a profit of $1.5 billion in the same period last year; gross profit margin was 35.4%, down 0.4 percentage points year-on-year. In terms of specific businesses, in the second quarter, data center and artificial intelligence (AI) revenue was $3.05 billion, client computing department revenue was $7.41 billion, wafer foundry (Intel Foundry) revenue was $4.32 billion, and autonomous driving business MobilEye revenue was $440 million. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger admitted that the financial performance in the second quarter was disappointing, the trend in the second half of the year was more challenging than expected, and the company will improve profitability. The company announced a plan to lay off more than 15% of its employees; dividends will be suspended from the fourth quarter of 2024, the first time dividends have been suspended in the past 32 years.