Itamar Friedman, founder of Codo and former Alibaba machine vision head, shares insights on China's AI revolution, highlighting the rapid rise of the DeepSeek chatbot and its global implications. Helena Legese, Deputy GM at Dodai, discusses an innovative battery-swapping system for electric vehicles in Addis Ababa, aimed at transforming urban mobility. The conversation also touches on groundbreaking self-healing asphalt technology, designed to tackle pothole problems, showcasing the intersection of sustainability and innovation in transportation.
The emergence of DeepSeek in China's AI landscape highlights intense competition with U.S. firms, sparking fears over intellectual property and data security.
Ethiopia's innovative battery-swapping system for electric motorcycles addresses adoption barriers while promoting sustainability in transportation amid rising fossil fuel concerns.
Deep dives
Chinese AI Surge
Recent advancements in Chinese artificial intelligence have raised eyebrows globally, particularly with the emergence of the DeepSeek AI chatbot. This model notably outperformed established competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT in terms of downloads and cost efficiency, achieving similar results with less powerful technology. The rapid rise of DeepSeek has initiated a wave of anxiety among American tech firms, leading to debates over intellectual property and data security implications. The intense competition in the AI sector is shifting perceptions, prompting investors to question the previously unquestioned dominance of the U.S. in this field.
Innovative Battery Solutions in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, a company named Dodai is tackling the barriers to electric vehicle adoption by implementing a battery-swapping system for motorcycles. This approach allows users, particularly gig workers, to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones at dedicated stations, significantly reducing downtime. The initiative stems from a broader effort by the Ethiopian government to transition to electric vehicles amid concerns over fossil fuel imports. As a result, this innovation not only addresses practical challenges but also aligns with the nation's energy capabilities and sustainability goals.
Self-Healing Road Technology
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking self-healing asphalt designed to address the persistent issue of potholes. By incorporating recycled cooking oil into the asphalt, the material can autonomously seal cracks when subjected to heat, preventing future pothole formation. This innovative approach leverages AI and material science to create a potential game-changer for road maintenance, which has global implications as potholes remain a common infrastructure problem. Currently, real-world applications of this technology are in progress, showing promise for enhancing road durability and reducing repair costs significantly.
As DeepSeek shocked the world, we speak to an AI expert who worked at a Chinese AI firm. We hear about a new battery exchange system for EVs in Addis Ababa. And imagine a world without potholes - we've got a scientist on who is working on self-healing roads.
Get in touch by emailing techlife@bbc.co.uk or sending a Whatsapp to +44330 1230 320.
Presenter: Chris Vallance
Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones
Editor: Monica Soriano
(Photo: The logo of the Alibaba AI model Qwen, a blue triangle with Chinese characters beneath. Credit: Getty Images.)
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