BYD has moved to reassure drivers over assisted-driving safety by pledging to cover some crash-related losses linked to its God’s Eye system, a step that could reshape expectations in China’s fast-moving smart-vehicle market while leaving key liability limits firmly in place. The Shenzhen-based carmaker said users of God’s Eye A, God’s Eye B and God’s Eye 5.0 would receive one year of cover for accidents occurring while […]
Cash App has opened USDC payments to eligible customers, giving one of America’s largest consumer finance apps a stablecoin payments rail while keeping Bitcoin at the centre of its digital assets strategy. The Block-owned platform now allows users to send and receive USD Coin without managing a separate stablecoin wallet. USDC sent into Cash App is converted automatically into US dollars, while outgoing payments can be made […]
Russia-linked cyber operators tracked as GREYVIBE have used generative artificial intelligence tools including ChatGPT and Google Gemini to widen cyber-espionage operations against Ukraine-linked targets, signalling a shift in how lower-skilled threat groups can build lures, malware and infrastructure at speed. The activity, active since at least August 2025, has targeted military, government, civilian and business-related organisations through phishing emails, fake verification pages, fraudulent websites and custom malware. […]
Google has made Device Bound Session Credentials generally available in Chrome for Windows, widening access to a security feature designed to blunt one of the most common routes into compromised online accounts: stolen session cookies. The move gives Chrome users and organisations a stronger layer of protection after login, where many account takeovers now occur even when passwords and multi-factor authentication have already been passed. DBSC links […]
Portugal’s economy expanded 2.3 per cent year on year in the first quarter, accelerating from 1.9 per cent at the end of last year as domestic demand offset pressure from trade and weather-related disruption. The first-quarter reading confirmed that the economy entered 2026 with firmer underlying demand than much of the euro area, even though output was flat compared with the previous quarter. The annual pace matched […]
Huawei has appointed GAPP as its official cloud solutions distributor in Saudi Arabia, widening access to cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence tools and disaster recovery services as the kingdom intensifies its push to build a locally anchored digital economy. The strategic partnership gives GAPP’s network of enterprise clients and secondary distributors a formal channel to Huawei Cloud’s portfolio, including cloud-native systems, AI platforms, backup services and business continuity […]
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is working with the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, state electricity company PLN and other agencies to identify land, grid links and storage systems needed for the programme. About 24,000 hectares on Java Island have been earmarked for verification, with the authorities seeking to match project sites with transmission lines, PLN substations and battery storage capacity.
Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Yuliot Tanjung said the government’s first priority is to push ahead with an initial 17 GW phase, supported by around 33 GW of battery energy storage systems. The early phase is expected to test the country’s ability to turn a national target into bankable projects at scale, particularly in areas where land acquisition, grid connection and tariff design have slowed renewable energy investment.
The wider 100 GW plan is designed to reduce Indonesia’s reliance on diesel and gas-fired generation, particularly in regions where imported fuel and high operating costs have weighed on the state budget. Officials have estimated that converting fossil fuel-based generation to solar power combined with battery storage could cut electricity generation costs by up to Rp73.9 trillion, or about $4.18 billion, a year once implemented at scale.
The programme also reflects Jakarta’s attempt to close the gap between Indonesia’s large solar potential and its modest installed capacity. The country has abundant sunshine across its islands, yet solar has remained a small part of the electricity mix compared with coal, gas, hydro and geothermal power. Rooftop and utility-scale solar deployment has been constrained by regulatory uncertainty, procurement delays, grid limitations and the financial position of PLN.
Indonesia’s latest electricity supply plan for 2025-2034 calls for 69.5 GW of new generation capacity, with renewable energy making up a large share of future additions. Solar is expected to play a central role in that expansion, with PLN’s planning framework pointing to 17.1 GW of new solar capacity by 2034 alongside hydro, geothermal, wind and storage projects. The 100 GW programme goes beyond that planning baseline and signals a more aggressive policy push from President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
A key feature of the solar strategy is its decentralised design. Earlier planning discussions have described a model that could combine large centralised solar plants with smaller village-level systems, many paired with batteries. Such an approach could help remote communities replace diesel generation, improve supply reliability and reduce exposure to fuel price volatility, while also creating demand for locally produced panels, batteries, inverters and grid equipment.
The proposed investment scale underlines the financing challenge. A $71.3 billion programme would require state support, PLN procurement commitments, private sector participation, concessional finance and possibly blended funding from climate-related investment platforms. Indonesia has already attracted international attention through its Just Energy Transition Partnership, but converting pledges into project-level funding has remained difficult, particularly because coal continues to dominate power generation and captive industrial power demand is rising.
Land availability will be another decisive issue. Java, the country’s most populous island and main electricity demand centre, offers stronger grid connectivity but also intense competition for land. The identification of 24,000 hectares is a first step rather than a final allocation, as each site must still pass verification covering ownership, spatial planning, environmental suitability and connection feasibility.
Grid readiness may prove equally important. Large volumes of intermittent solar power will require stronger transmission networks, flexible generation, storage systems and updated dispatch rules. Battery storage is central to the plan because solar output peaks during daylight hours while demand often rises in the evening. Without adequate storage and grid upgrades, high solar penetration could create curtailment risks and weaken project economics.
The programme could strengthen Indonesia’s industrial policy if it succeeds in building domestic solar manufacturing capacity. Officials have linked the plan to demand for locally produced panels, a move that could support factories, create jobs and reduce exposure to import barriers in global solar trade. The strategy comes as several countries seek to capture more of the clean energy supply chain, from polysilicon and wafers to modules and battery systems.
Indonesia’s energy transition remains complicated by its coal-heavy electricity system, long-term power purchase agreements and the need to provide affordable energy to households and industry. Coal plants still anchor baseload supply, while nickel processing and other industrial sectors have increased captive power demand. Those pressures make the solar programme both a climate policy instrument and an energy security strategy.
Work on floating solar projects, rooftop systems and village electrification schemes has already begun to build momentum. PLN’s Saguling floating solar project in West Java, scheduled for commercial operation in late 2026, is one of several projects intended to demonstrate technical and commercial viability. The larger 100 GW plan, however, will require faster procurement, clearer tariff rules and stronger coordination across ministries, PLN, regional governments and investors.
The California-based server maker said the equipment had first been sold through an authorised reseller before being deceptively acquired and targeted for illicit diversion. Its statement framed the case as a successful intervention rather than a failure of internal controls, stressing that it had worked with Taiwan authorities to stop the movement of high-value systems used in artificial intelligence data centres.
The case has drawn attention because Supermicro sits at the centre of the AI infrastructure boom, supplying servers that integrate advanced graphics processors and networking components used to train and run large AI models. Such systems have become strategically sensitive as Washington, Taipei and allied governments tighten oversight of technology flows to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Taiwan prosecutors have been investigating suspects accused of falsifying export documents for high-end AI servers containing Nvidia chips. The servers were allegedly routed through Japan as part of an attempt to move restricted technology onwards to China-linked buyers. The seizure of 50 systems, though small compared with global AI server demand, is significant because it shows authorities are now pursuing hardware diversions beyond the better-known routes through Southeast Asia.
Supermicro’s response is also shaped by a separate and larger US criminal case that has placed the company under scrutiny. In March, US prosecutors charged three people linked to Super Micro Computer, including co-founder Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw, in an alleged conspiracy to divert about $2.5bn worth of AI server technology to China in violation of export controls. Liaw and another defendant were arrested, while a third defendant was listed as a fugitive. Super Micro Computer itself was not named as a defendant.
That case alleged a sophisticated scheme involving shell companies, false shipping documents, repackaging and dummy servers designed to mislead compliance checks. Prosecutors said controlled AI server technology was moved from the United States to Taiwan before being redirected through intermediary locations to reach Chinese customers. The allegations intensified questions over how manufacturers, distributors and resellers monitor the final destination of advanced hardware once it leaves controlled channels.
Supermicro has denied institutional wrongdoing and has said the conduct alleged in the US case violated company policies. The latest Taiwan-linked statement attempts to reinforce that message by presenting the firm as a partner to investigators. It thanked law-enforcement and legal officials, while saying industry and government must work together to strengthen safeguards and improve supply-chain visibility.
The timing matters for investors. Supermicro has been one of the most closely watched hardware suppliers during the AI build-out, benefiting from surging demand for rack-scale servers used by cloud providers, enterprises and sovereign AI projects. That growth has made export-control compliance a material business risk. A single enforcement case can raise concerns about sales screening, reseller audits, customer identification and shipment tracking, even when the company is not accused of direct wrongdoing.
Nvidia’s position adds another layer to the issue. Its most advanced AI processors remain central to global data-centre expansion, and restrictions on sales to China have forced chipmakers and server companies to navigate a shifting regulatory environment. Nvidia has repeatedly said it follows export rules and does not support unlawfully exported products. Its chief executive, Jensen Huang, has also underlined that server vendors must maintain their own compliance standards when handling systems containing restricted chips.
The Taiwan action highlights a broader enforcement shift. Authorities are no longer focused only on chip shipments; fully assembled AI servers are now a priority because they can be more difficult to trace after integration. Servers may contain restricted processors, specialised networking, memory and cooling systems that together create the computing power needed for frontier AI workloads. Once such systems are broken into multiple shipments or passed through resellers, detecting diversion becomes more complex.
OpenRouter has raised $113 million in Series B funding, marking one of the strongest investor endorsements yet for the fast-growing layer of artificial intelligence infrastructure that helps developers and companies route work across competing AI models rather than rely on a single provider. CapitalG, Alphabet’s independent growth fund, led the round, with participation from NVentures, the venture capital arm of NVIDIA, as well as ServiceNow Ventures, MongoDB […]
Bitcoin, ether, XRP and dogecoin lost ground as Wall Street’s strongest winning run in more than two years drew capital towards equities, leaving the largest digital assets struggling to benefit from improved risk appetite across global markets. The divergence sharpened after the S&P 500 completed a ninth consecutive weekly advance, its longest winning streak since 2023, while Brent crude stabilised near $92 a barrel on hopes that […]
China-linked hacking groups have used the Middle East war to intensify cyber-espionage attempts against maritime, energy and political targets across the Gulf, exposing how regional conflict is being turned into an intelligence-gathering opportunity for rival powers. The activity, tracked between October 2025 and March 2026, shows threat actors aligned with Beijing moving quickly around geopolitical shocks, particularly after the escalation involving Iran from late February. Maritime affairs, […]
Australia’s Fair Work Commission is overhauling its procedures after generative AI tools helped fuel a sharp rise in workplace claims, adding pressure to a tribunal already dealing with record demand across dismissal and general protections matters. The national workplace tribunal has moved to review how applications are filed, screened and managed as self-represented workers increasingly use AI systems to prepare claims, submissions, witness statements and appeal notices. […]
Paris-based Mistral AI has struck partnerships with BMW and Airbus, marking a significant move by Europe’s best-known artificial intelligence start-up into industrial engineering, aerospace, defence and automotive safety systems. The agreements place Mistral at the centre of a widening European effort to build AI capability around strategic industries rather than relying mainly on US and Chinese technology providers. The company, founded in 2023, is seeking to turn […]
Guan replaces Wang Zhonglin, who has been removed from the posts of Hubei Party secretary, standing committee member and provincial committee member, with a further assignment to be announced. The decision was conveyed at a provincial leadership meeting in Wuhan on May 30, where the central authorities described the change as part of a broader assessment of Hubei’s leadership needs and development priorities.
The appointment gives Guan control of the top political office in a province that sits at the centre of China’s inland transport network and plays a strategic role in advanced manufacturing, water management, grain logistics and Yangtze River economic planning. Hubei’s capital, Wuhan, is a major base for automotive production, optoelectronics, universities, biomedical research and high-end equipment, making the province a testing ground for Beijing’s effort to combine industrial upgrading with regional balance.
Guan, born in December 1969 in Shenyang, Liaoning province, is 56 and a member of the Manchu ethnic group. He holds a doctorate in science and is an alternate member of the 20th Communist Party Central Committee. His career has moved through county administration, municipal planning, provincial government, propaganda work, forestry governance and national resource management, giving him a profile that spans both local economic administration and central regulatory oversight.
His move to Hubei comes less than two years after he rose to the Ministry of Natural Resources, where he became Party secretary and minister in December 2024. That ministry oversees land use, mineral resources, territorial spatial planning, marine resources, surveying and natural resource supervision, areas closely tied to China’s drive to improve food security, industrial self-reliance, ecological protection and urban development discipline.
Before entering the central government, Guan spent much of his early career in Liaoning, including posts linked to Shenyang’s planning and land resources system, Faku county administration, agricultural affairs and provincial government coordination. He later served on the Liaoning provincial Party standing committee and chaired the provincial federation of trade unions. A transfer to Shandong in 2018 placed him in charge of propaganda work and education-related Party responsibilities before his move to Beijing in 2020 to lead the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.
That background is likely to shape his work in Hubei, where economic policy is intertwined with land redevelopment, ecological protection along the Yangtze, flood control, industrial zoning and rural revitalisation. Hubei has long been central to China’s “Rise of Central China” strategy, but it also faces familiar pressures, including uneven local government finances, competition for investment, the need to raise household consumption and the challenge of moving manufacturers up the value chain.
Hubei’s economy expanded to 6.266 trillion yuan in 2025, growing 5.5 per cent year on year. Wuhan’s output reached 2.215 trillion yuan, up 5.6 per cent, reinforcing the city’s role as the province’s growth engine. Provincial authorities have set a 2026 growth target of about 5.5 per cent, alongside efforts to keep surveyed urban unemployment at about 5.5 per cent, signalling a policy mix focused on steady expansion, employment and industrial resilience.
The province’s leadership team now pairs Guan with Governor Li Dianxun, who has emphasised manufacturing, consumption, technological innovation and service-sector upgrading in this year’s government work agenda. Hubei has sought to attract investment into automotive components, new energy supply chains, digital industries and cultural consumption, while also promoting Wuhan’s role as a national science and education hub.
Guan’s appointment also reflects a wider pattern in China’s cadre management, where central authorities rotate officials between ministries and provinces to align local governance with national policy priorities. Hubei has political significance beyond its economic weight because of Wuhan’s transport links, its university and research base, and its position along the Yangtze River, a corridor Beijing regards as vital to both industrial security and environmental protection.
Wang Zhonglin, Guan’s predecessor, had led Hubei since late 2024 after serving as governor and, earlier, Party secretary of Wuhan during the city’s post-pandemic recovery. His next role has not been disclosed, leaving the latest move as part of an unfinished personnel sequence at provincial level.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 May 2026 – To address the persistent problem of building water seepage affecting Hong Kong property owners, HK Find Surveyor (香港搵公正行網) and Hong Kong Civil Claim Centre (香港民事索償中心) today announced a joint service that combines professional seepage detection with legal claims into a single, end-to-end process — helping affected owners move from identifying the source of a leak to recovering their losses with complete support.
The core difficulty of seepage disputes
Water seepage is a common problem in Hong Kong’s older and high-density housing, yet owners typically face three obstacles: difficulty proving the source of the seepage, responsible parties refusing to acknowledge or compensate, and a lack of sufficient evidence to bring a claim. Many cases reach a dead end simply because there is no professional inspection report.
How the end-to-end service works
The key to the service: the seepage inspection report is precisely the core evidence required for a civil claim. By connecting the two stages, owners avoid shuttling between different organisations and can ensure a complete chain of evidence.
Representatives’ comments
A spokesperson for HK Find Surveyor said: “In many seepage cases, the dispute comes down to the difficulty of pinpointing the source. A rigorous, impartial inspection report provides a clear factual basis for everything that follows.”
A spokesperson for Hong Kong Civil Claim Centre added: “In the claims process, the quality of evidence often determines how the recovery progresses. A professional seepage report gives us a firmer basis to communicate with the responsible party when handling claims for seepage-related losses.”
(Note: This service provides legal consultation and claims assistance; the outcome of each case depends on its facts and evidence.)
Applicable situations
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HK Find Surveyor (香港搵公正行網, hkfindsurveyor.com) provides professional seepage detection and building inspection services in Hong Kong, focused on determining the source and responsibility of seepage through objective technical methods. More: hkfindsurveyor.com
Hong Kong Civil Claim Centre (香港民事索償中心, hkcivilclaim.com) provides the public with legal information and assistance relating to civil claims, covering personal injury, property loss and property-related disputes. More: hkcivilclaim.com
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was represented at the Eurasia Economic Forum 2026 in Astana by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, as Abu Dhabi moved to strengthen commercial links with a region central to new supply chains, logistics corridors and investment flows. The forum, held on May 28 and 29 alongside the Supreme […]
Acer has unveiled the Predator Atlas 8, a Windows 11 handheld gaming PC powered by Intel’s new Arc G-Series processors, marking a deeper push by the PC maker into a fast-expanding portable gaming market dominated by premium devices and performance-focused chip platforms. The device, announced for Computex 2026, will be offered with Intel Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme processor options, paired with Intel Arc B370 or […]
The agreements were signed at the Vietnam-Thailand Business Forum and the Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum, held as part of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s official visits to the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Singapore, and the Republic of the Philippines from May 28 to June 1, 2026.
In Thailand, Vinpearl announced the expansion of its strategic partnerships with Agoda and AirAsia MOVE to strengthen the international presence of its integrated tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem.
Through Agoda, one of the world’s largest online travel platforms, Vinpearl aims to optimize business performance across its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment portfolio while expanding its reach in key markets including Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, Australia, and long-haul international traveler segments. The partnership also marks a new milestone for VinWonders, with its integrated leisure and hospitality products now being offered directly through Agoda’s global platform.
The partnership with AirAsia MOVE is designed to broaden international access to Vinpearl and VinWonders hospitality, leisure, and entertainment offerings in Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang-Hoi An through one of the region’s leading digital travel platforms. Via AirAsia MOVE, travelers can conveniently book flights, accommodations, and attractions within a single itinerary, making it easier to choose integrated Vinpearl and VinWonders experiences when visiting Vietnam.
With access to a network of more than 700 airlines and over one million hotels worldwide, AirAsia MOVE is expected to further strengthen the visibility of the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem among international travelers, while also enhancing Vietnam’s appeal as a destination for visitors from ASEAN and other key global markets.
In Singapore, Vinpearl also signed partnership agreements with BeMyGuest and GlobalTix, two of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading technology and distribution platforms for travel experiences.
Supported by extensive partner networks and some of the region’s most diverse travel product portfolios, these collaborations are expected to strengthen the presence of the VinWonders brand across Southeast Asia, China, and India, while expanding international access to unique experience offerings in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang.
Through these agreements, the partners will leverage their respective strengths in technology, distribution, and customer ecosystems to progressively expand the international footprint of Vinpearl and VinWonders while enhancing the global appeal of Vietnamese tourism.
Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, Chief Executive Officer, Vinpearl, said: “These partnerships not only expand Vinpearl’s network of strategic partners but also create a strong foundation for the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem to connect more deeply with global traveler segments through some of the region’s leading travel, aviation, and distribution platforms. This represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen international competitiveness and position Vinpearl destinations among the top choices for travelers across Asia.”
Mr. Krishna Rathi, Associate Vice President, Supply, Agoda, said: “With its extensive scale of operations, diverse portfolio, and ability to develop integrated destinations, Vinpearl is one of the most outstanding partners in Vietnam’s tourism industry today. We believe this partnership will help the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem engage more deeply with rapidly growing international traveler segments across Asia and global markets.”
Ms. Nadia Omer, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia MOVE, said: “We highly value the opportunity to partner with Vinpearl in unlocking strategic collaboration potential within one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and fast-growing tourism markets. As an OTA platform with a comprehensive travel ecosystem and extensive regional connectivity, AirAsia MOVE is committed to further enhancing travel connectivity and intra-regional tourism flows. Vietnam is emerging as one of the region’s brightest tourism destinations, and we believe the combination of Vinpearl’s leading hospitality and entertainment ecosystem with AirAsia MOVE’s distribution and connectivity capabilities will create significant growth opportunities for the tourism sector in the years ahead.”
The partnerships with Agoda, AirAsia MOVE, BeMyGuest, and GlobalTix mark another milestone in Vinpearl’s strategy to internationalize its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem while expanding the presence of Vinpearl and VinWonders accommodation, leisure, and experience offerings across global travel platforms.
Hashtag: #Vinpearl
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Agoda is a global online travel platform offering more than six million accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, apartments, and vacation villas, as well as flight bookings, travel activities, and related travel services. Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG). The platform operates in 39 languages, provides 24/7 customer support, and employs more than 7,500 people worldwide.
About AirAsia MOVE
AirAsia MOVE (MOVE) is the digital travel platform of Capital A Group and has been recognized by the World Travel Tech Awards as Asia’s Best Travel Booking App for three consecutive years since 2023. Focused on building a comprehensive travel ecosystem, MOVE delivers affordable, seamless, and personalized travel experiences across Southeast Asia and international markets.
The platform currently connects travelers to more than 700 airlines and over one million hotels worldwide while offering a wide range of services including attraction tickets, airport transfers, travel insurance, and integrated travel products. AirAsia MOVE also enhances user experience through its loyalty program and AskBo, an AI-powered travel chatbot.
About BeMyGuest
BeMyGuest is a Singapore-based travel technology company founded in 2012, specializing in booking and distribution solutions for attractions, tours, and travel experiences across the Asia-Pacific region. Its ecosystem includes the Distribution Network and Xplore Booking System, which support sales management, multi-channel distribution, and digital operations for thousands of partners in the experience tourism industry. BeMyGuest is connected to numerous online travel platforms and international distribution partners while providing multilingual solutions and flexible pricing models for integrated systems.
About GlobalTix
GlobalTix is a global technology and distribution platform for attractions, tours, and travel experiences, headquartered in Singapore with operations across multiple Asia-Pacific markets. Founded in 2013, GlobalTix enables attractions and experience operators to connect with travel agencies, online travel platforms, and international distribution partners through a unified platform. Its partners include major brands such as Mount Faber Leisure Group, Taman Safari Indonesia, Mandai Wildlife Group, National Gallery Singapore, and Singapore Airlines.
Vinpearl is Vietnam’s leading hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand, currently operating 60 properties across 20 provinces and cities nationwide. Its ecosystem includes a network of five-star hotels and resorts with more than 17,500 rooms; 15 VinWonders theme parks featuring attractions for visitors of all ages; six world-class golf courses; and three VinPalace convention and performing arts centers. The portfolio also includes two semi-wildlife conservation and care parks, an equestrian academy, and million-dollar live-action performance shows in destinations such as Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old speller from California, won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee after a high-speed tiebreaker that capped one of the competition’s most dramatic finals, correctly spelling 32 words in 90 seconds to defeat 12-year-old Ishaan Gupta of Jersey City, New Jersey. The eighth-grader from Rancho Cucamonga secured the title at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington after the two finalists reached a spell-off following a […]
The unit sits under the president’s office and is evaluating AI start-ups globally, with long-serving executive Zhang Endong leading the effort. The move places investment activity closer to Sea’s top management at a time when the company is trying to convert its scale across Shopee, Garena and Monee into a stronger position in the next phase of consumer internet competition.
The new team is part of a wider internal reorganisation aimed at accelerating AI adoption across Sea’s businesses. Zhang is also involved in projects examining how the technology can be deployed inside the group, from product recommendations and seller tools to game development and financial services. A company spokesperson declined to comment on the investment unit.
The initiative follows a series of signals from chief executive Forrest Li that AI has become central to Sea’s long-term strategy. Li told investors last year that a trillion-dollar market capitalisation could be possible if the company doubled down on artificial intelligence and made the right calls. That ambition is now being tested against tougher operating conditions, heavier competition and investor scrutiny over margins.
Sea’s pivot comes as its core businesses remain sizeable but increasingly contested. Shopee continues to dominate e-commerce across South-east Asia, where price-led competition, live commerce, faster delivery expectations and merchant services have raised both growth potential and operating costs. Rivals including TikTok Shop, Lazada, Amazon and Rakuten are intensifying their own use of AI to personalise shopping, automate seller support and streamline logistics.
Artificial intelligence is already being built into Shopee’s customer and merchant systems. Its applications include recommendation engines, search improvements, advertising tools and seller assistance functions. The strategic logic is straightforward: more effective targeting can increase conversion, better seller tools can deepen merchant loyalty, and automated service functions can reduce costs across markets with different languages, payment habits and logistics infrastructure.
Sea has also expanded its partnership with Google to develop AI-powered tools across e-commerce and gaming. The companies are exploring an agentic shopping prototype for Shopee, designed to move beyond basic search and recommendation functions towards digital assistants capable of helping consumers complete tasks across the shopping journey. Garena is expected to use AI to improve game development productivity, an area where faster content cycles and lower development costs can carry significant commercial value.
Financial performance has given Sea room to invest, though not without pressure. First-quarter revenue rose 46.6 per cent year on year to US$7.1 billion, while gross profit increased 40.7 per cent to US$3.1 billion. Net income reached US$438.2 million, up 6.7 per cent, and adjusted EBITDA rose 9.3 per cent to US$1 billion. The figures showed continued momentum, but also reflected the cost of defending market share and expanding services.
Shopee delivered gross merchandise value of US$37.3 billion in the quarter, up 30.2 per cent from a year earlier, while gross orders climbed 29.3 per cent to 4 billion. Revenue from the e-commerce arm rose 45.1 per cent to US$5.1 billion, though adjusted EBITDA fell to US$223.2 million from US$264.4 million a year earlier, underlining the margin trade-off behind its expansion strategy.
Monee, Sea’s digital financial services unit, has become another pillar of growth. Revenue rose 57.8 per cent to US$1.2 billion, while consumer and small-business loans outstanding reached US$9.9 billion. Non-performing loans more than 90 days past due remained at 1.1 per cent, a key metric as the company expands credit services across emerging markets where risk controls are critical.
Garena, once Sea’s dominant profit engine, also showed stronger momentum. Bookings rose 20.1 per cent to US$931.4 million, while quarterly active users stood at 666.5 million. The unit remains anchored by Free Fire, but Sea’s AI push suggests management sees broader potential in development tools, content generation, player engagement and operational efficiency.
Sea’s AI Centre of Excellence in Singapore adds another layer to the strategy. The centre is intended to strengthen local AI capabilities, support enterprise adoption and develop talent in areas such as engineering, research and product development. Its launch aligns the company with Singapore’s broader ambition to become a regional AI hub and gives Sea a clearer institutional base for experimentation.
The investment team could give Sea access to external innovation at a time when start-ups are moving faster than large platforms in areas such as autonomous commerce, generative game design, fraud detection, credit scoring and AI-enabled logistics. The challenge will be distinguishing durable business models from inflated valuations in a crowded funding environment.
Investors will be watching whether Sea’s AI spending produces measurable gains in revenue growth, user engagement and margin improvement. The company has already shown that it can rebuild profitability after years of expansion-led losses. Its next test is whether AI can become more than an efficiency tool and help create the next major growth curve for one of South-east Asia’s most valuable technology groups.
Linux Foundation has launched DNS-AID, an open source project designed to let AI agents discover, verify and connect with one another through the internet’s existing Domain Name System rather than through private registries, vendor directories or hardcoded configuration files. The project, initially developed at Infoblox, is being positioned as a neutral discovery layer for the emerging agentic web, where software agents are expected to act across websites, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sony’s Bravia 7 II has emerged as one of the clearest signs yet that RGB LED television technology is moving from demonstration floors into premium living rooms, with the company using its latest 4K HDR set to challenge OLED’s colour reputation while retaining the brightness advantage of advanced LED displays. The new television sits below the flagship Bravia 9 II but carries the […]
Arc Raiders secured Nordic Game of the Year at the Nordic Game Awards in Malmö, strengthening Embark Studios’ position as one of the region’s most influential developers after a breakout year for the extraction shooter. The title, developed by the Stockholm-based studio, won the top award at the ceremony held on May 28 during the Nordic Game conference at Slagthuset in Malmö. It also took Best Technology […]
Japan’s biggest automakers lost momentum in April as weaker demand in China, the Middle East and parts of the global export market pulled down combined sales, even as Suzuki delivered a sharp rise on the strength of demand in India. Eight major Japan-based carmakers sold 1,936,042 vehicles worldwide during the month, a 1.3% fall from a year earlier. The decline highlighted the uneven conditions facing an industry […]
