AI & Tech

What happened

Chinese robots have reportedly run the 100-metre sprint faster than Usain Bolt's world record, a feat that has drawn attention from both robotics and sports communities.

Experts, however, caution that such superhuman athletic performances do not necessarily translate into practical real-world capabilities, leaving the significance of the achievement open to debate.

Why it matters

The headline-grabbing speed showcases raw engineering progress, but real-world usefulness depends on more than fast, straight-line movement — factors like agility, adaptability, and energy efficiency matter just as much.

If these robots can only shine in controlled sprinting conditions, their impact on everyday tasks may be limited. The gap between spectacle and substance is a key consideration for investors and industries.

Key facts

Chinese robots have beaten Usain Bolt's 100-metre record.

Experts say it remains an open question whether such feats translate into real-world applications.

What to watch next

Will these robots move beyond simple sprinting to demonstrate more complex, practical skills?

The next steps may reveal whether this record is a one-off experiment or a sign of broader robotic capabilities.

Sources

• The Business Times

What happened

Sandhya Devanathan, who leads Meta's operations for India and Southeast Asia, is stepping down from her role, according to the company's announcement.

In a statement, Devanathan reflected on her early days at Meta, noting that she joined when the company had around 300 employees in Singapore.

Why it matters

The departure marks a significant leadership change for Meta in one of its key growth regions, where the company has invested heavily in commerce, messaging, and AI-driven advertising.

Her comment about the initial Singapore team size highlights how much the regional footprint has expanded since she joined, underscoring the scale of Meta's current operations there.

Key facts

Sandhya Devanathan is stepping down as Meta's head for India and Southeast Asia.

She said she joined Meta when the company had about 300 employees in Singapore.

What to watch next

Attention will turn to who succeeds Devanathan and whether Meta adjusts its regional strategy in India and Southeast Asia.

Observers may also look for more details about her future plans and the transition timeline.

Sources

• Tech in Asia

What happened

Jakarta-based fintech Ajaib has closed US$270 million in equity financing, a Series C led by Japan’s SBI Holdings.

The round was significantly oversubscribed and priced above Ajaib’s 2021 unicorn valuation, according to the company.

This marks the largest sum raised by an Indonesian tech company in over four years, bringing Ajaib’s total funding past US$500 million.

Why it matters

The deal signals renewed investor confidence in Indonesia’s tech sector, which had seen few mega-rounds in recent years.

A valuation above the 2021 unicorn mark suggests Ajaib has grown its business sufficiently to command a premium despite broader market headwinds.

SBI’s leadership of the round could open doors for further Japanese investment into Southeast Asian fintech.

Key facts

Ajaib raised US$270 million in a Series C led by SBI Holdings.

The round was oversubscribed and priced above Ajaib’s 2021 unicorn valuation.

Total funding now exceeds US$500 million, with prior backers including DST Global.

It is the largest funding round for an Indonesian tech company in over four years.

What to watch next

How Ajaib deploys the new capital to expand its retail investment platform and compete with regional rivals.

Whether other Indonesian startups can attract similar mega-rounds as investor appetite returns.

Potential follow-on investments from SBI or other Japanese firms into the region’s fintech ecosystem.

Sources

• e27

What happened

MiniMax has set a new spending ceiling for Alibaba Cloud services in 2025, planning to allocate up to US$300 million for the year.

This revised cap represents a substantial rise from the previous limit of US$115 million, marking a 220% increase in planned cloud expenditure.

Why it matters

The significant jump in MiniMax's cloud budget signals the company's growing reliance on Alibaba Cloud to support its AI operations, likely reflecting higher demand for compute-intensive workloads.

It also underscores Alibaba Cloud's role as a key infrastructure partner for AI startups, with large spending commitments potentially strengthening its market position in the competitive cloud sector.

Key facts

MiniMax plans to spend up to US$300 million on Alibaba Cloud services in 2025.

The new spending cap is up from US$115 million.

The increase amounts to 220% over the previous level.

What to watch next

Will MiniMax fully utilize the expanded budget, and could further increases follow if demand continues to grow?

How this spending commitment affects Alibaba Cloud's positioning against other cloud providers in the AI space may be a trend to monitor.

Sources

• Tech in Asia

What happened

Ajaib has raised US$270 million, marking the largest technology funding round in Indonesia since 2022.

The Jakarta-based company was founded on the idea that young Indonesians would invest if opening a brokerage account felt as simple as downloading an app.

Seven years on, Ajaib has grown into one of Indonesia's biggest consumer fintech platforms, offering local equities, US stocks, crypto, payments, savings, and stablecoin infrastructure.

Why it matters

This landmark funding round signals strong investor confidence in Indonesia's digital economy and its consumer fintech sector.

It validates Ajaib's early bet on young retail investors and its evolution from a brokerage app into a broad financial services ecosystem.

Key facts

Ajaib raised US$270 million.

This is Indonesia's biggest tech funding round since 2022.

Ajaib is based in Jakarta.

The company's platform covers local equities, US stocks, crypto, payments, savings, and stablecoin infrastructure.

What to watch next

How Ajaib allocates the fresh capital to expand its platform and user base.

Whether this funding round signals a broader rebound in large-scale tech investments across Indonesia.

Sources

• e27