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☆ Teen who wowed China in Alibaba math contest got help from teacher, organizers say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A vocational school student in China who wowed the public in June by finishing near the top in the preliminary round of a math contest was helped by her teacher in violation of the rules, the organizers said this week. An investigation found that the math teacher’s assistance broke a rule of “no discussion with others,” the Alibaba Global Mathematics Competition Organizing Committee said Sunday. For this, we express our sincere apologies,” the organizing committee said. The teacher, Wang Runqiu, also entered the contest and finished 125th in the preliminary round. Damo Academy, the contest organizer, didn’t respond to an email, and a call to the vocational school was unanswered on Tuesday.

Persons: Jiang Ping, Jack Ma, Wang Runqiu, Jiang, Wang, didn’t Organizations: Cambridge, MIT, Caltech, Jiangsu Lianjiang Vocational, Damo Academy Locations: China, China’s Jiangsu, Jiangsu

☆ Jiang Ping: Rural Chinese student sparks awe and suspicion after beating math elites in global contest
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Yuxuan Jiang | Joyce Jiang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Launched in 2018 by Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba, the free online contest is open to math enthusiasts worldwide, though Chinese math majors typically dominate the top places. She was later trained by math teacher Wang Runqiu at Lianshu Secondary Vocational School, where she studies fashion design. Social stigma for vocational studentsAmong the cacophony of commentary, some suspect the harsh public scrutiny of Jiang is rooted in social prejudice against vocational students. But structural discrimination in China’s schools, universities and workplaces means society still favors academic degrees over trades. Jiang considers math her “Plan B,” prioritizing fashion design for future study, according to The Beijing News.

Persons: Jiang Ping, Alibaba, –, Wang Runqiu, Wang, Jiang, Richard Xu, China’s, Yin Wotao, ”, Yin, there’s, “, Zhao Yong, ” China’s, Einstein, Zhao Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Harvard, Oxford, MIT –, DAMO Academy, Xinhua, Secondary Vocational School, Weibo, Harvard Business School, CNN, University of Kansas, Beijing, Communist Party, Zhejiang University Locations: Hong Kong, China, China’s Jiangsu, Xinhua, Lianshui, Beijing, Hangzhou, Jiangsu, Germany, Finland

☆ Young Palestinians with amputated and injured legs find care in US — but face uncertain future
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Aditi Sangal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Celina OdehShe is one of three Palestinians who received PCRF’s help to come to the US for leg injury treatment. At least 1,000 children in Gaza have had one or both legs amputated, UNICEF reported in December. Doctors feared that she may have needed both legs amputated, but with adequate care and treatment, she has avoided that outcome. An anxious wait to return homeEvacuating to the United States is not the obvious answer for all injured children, Hailat said. “We’re trying to limit how many people we bring to the United States.

Persons: Ahed, “ Ahed, Bseso, ”, Tareq Hailat, Celina Odeh, Joe English, —, Israel —, Ahmed Damo, PCRF, PCRF Ayham, ’, Musalm, Hailat, Amber Alayyan, Alayyan, there’s, PCRF’s Hailat, “ We’re, malnourishment, worriedly, “ Organizations: CNN, Shriners Children’s, Palestine Children’s Relief, UNICEF, ”, Children’s Locations: Gaza, Greenville , South Carolina, United States, Israel, Chicago, Greenville

☆ Damo Suzuki, Singer Who Ignited the Experimental Band Can, Dies at 74
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Mike Rubin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Damo Suzuki, a Japanese vocalist best known for his role with the revered and influential German experimental rock group Can during its most crucial period, died on Feb. 9 at his home in Cologne, Germany. No cause was given, but Mr. Suzuki had been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2014. Initially given a 10 percent chance of recovery, he endured more than 40 surgeries in the ensuing decade. Mr. Suzuki was a free spirit who left Japan as a teenager for a nomadic life in Europe. “If you’re a creative person,” he said in a 2013 interview with The Japan Times, “it’s important to break rules.

Persons: Damo Suzuki, Suzuki, ” Organizations: Can’s, Spoon Records, Japan Times Locations: Cologne, Germany, Japan, Europe

☆ Alibaba's research arm shuts quantum computing lab amid restructuring
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Casey Hall | Thomson Reuters | Casey Has Reported On China'S Consumer Culture Her Base In Shanghai For More Than A Decade | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Alibaba Group sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Chinese tech giant Alibaba (9988.HK) has cut a quantum computing laboratory and team from its research arm, donating both the lab and related experimental equipment to Zhejiang University, the company said on Monday. A spokesperson for Alibaba's DAMO Academy, Alibaba's in-house research initiative which included the lab, said the academy would continue to focus on technology research with the aim of being a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) research. The source said Zhejiang University would try and recruit the affected employees to work on its own quantum research. DAMO Academy was launched in 2017 by Alibaba Group to research advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning.

Persons: Aly, Eddie Wu, Casey Hall, Miral Organizations: Artificial Intelligence, REUTERS, Rights, HK, Zhejiang University, Alibaba's DAMO Academy, Alibaba's, Reuters, DAMO, Alibaba Group, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China

Marcos is then due to deliver a talk about his nation's security challenges and the role of the Philippines-U.S. alliance. Political Cartoons View All 1256 ImagesBut the trip also likely has personal resonance for the leader of the Philippines. Many Filipino immigrants in Hawaii also hail from same part of the Philippines as Marcos and revere him and his family. Marcos' father placed the Philippines under martial rule in 1972, a year before his term was to expire. Imasa, 40, who is part of Hawaii Filipinos for Truth, Justice and Democracy and grew up in the Ilocos province of Pangasinan, said the mindset of many Filipinos in Hawaii is fixed, especially those of older generations.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, John Aquilino, Marcos ’, Rodrigo Duterte, China’s, Ferdinand Marcos, Winfred Damo, Marcos Jr, ”, “, Arcy Imasa, “ They’re, They’re, Duterte, Limaye Organizations: —, U.S, Economic Cooperation, Protesters, Truth, Democracy, Limaye, - West Center, U.S . Locations: HONOLULU, — Philippines, Hawaii, Asia, San Francisco, Philippines, U.S, China, Russia, The Philippines, America, Taiwan, South China, Honolulu, Marcos ’, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos, Pangasinan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Pacific, Washington, Philippine

☆ They built a small house in rural Thailand for $22,500. They don't have debt, but that doesn't mean the lifestyle is easy.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

They built a small house and an outdoor kitchen for $22,500. Ryan and Damo/Life in Rural Thailand"We did that for about a year and a half, and we were growing vegetables here," Ryan said. AdvertisementAdvertisementPhase two: building a small house with an outdoor kitchenThe house has distinctive wooden beams holding up the roof. Ryan and Damo/Life in Rural ThailandWith an eye on permanence, the couple designed a plan for a small home and a freestanding kitchen. Ryan and Damo/Life in Rural ThailandThat made him think about how he and his wife could use their home to make money.

Persons: Ryan, Damo, —, you've, That's, They're, Otis, Hugo, We've, they've, Amanda Goh Organizations: Service Locations: Bali, Thailand, Bali , Indonesia, Damo's, Buri Ram, Rural Thailand, agoh@insider.com

Alibaba Group sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China July 6, 2023. Zhang also handed over the role of group CEO to Wu on Sunday as scheduled. "Alibaba Cloud has lost some ground with government and state-owned enterprise clients, which were previously a stronghold for the company," Li said. "During his leadership tenure, Alibaba Cloud's business did not improve significantly despite his efforts. Zhang likely realised that the challenges facing Alibaba Cloud's lacklustre growth were beyond what he could influence or control as an individual executive."

Persons: Aly, Daniel Zhang, Alibaba, Eddie Wu, Zhang, Wu, Canalys, Li Chengdong, Li, Sern Ling, Union Bancaire Privee, Donny Kowk, Josh Ye, Yelin, Anne Marie Roantree, Brenda Goh, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Artificial Intelligence, REUTERS, China's, Reuters, DAMO Academy, Huawei Technologies, Union Bancaire, HK, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, HK, Alibaba, Beijing, Yelin Mo

☆ Alibaba founder Jack Ma gives first class as visiting professor at University of Tokyo
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Alibaba founder Jack Ma gave a lecture as a visiting professor to the University of Tokyo, as the high-profile Chinese entrepreneur retreats further from his business empire following Beijing’s regulatory crackdown. His return was a symbolic move and probably a “planned media event” by Beijing intended to appease private sector fears, according to analysts. In April, the University of Hong Kong announced that Ma would join its business school for the next three years. Ma became a professor at the University of Tokyo on May 1, and his period of stay is until October 31, a profile page of Ma shows. Beijing needs the private sector more than ever to shore up growth and create jobs.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Jack Ma, Ma, –, Masa Son, Ma chatted, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, University of Tokyo, Alibaba Group, University of Hong Kong, Damo Academy Locations: Hong Kong, Japan, China, India, Malaysia, Shanghai, Beijing, Spain, Hangzhou

☆ Jack Ma appears at an Alibaba event in China days after an executive says he's 'alive' and 'happy'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ma taught his first class at the University of Tokyo last week, per the South China Morning Post. Jack Ma has popped up at an Alibaba event, just a few days after its president described him as "alive" and "happy." Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported he took his first class on June 12 at the institution. He's well, he's happy. He's teaching at a university in Tokyo, spending more time in China," he said, per CNBC.

Persons: Jack Ma, Ma, Michael Evans, Jack Organizations: Alibaba, Bloomberg, University of Tokyo, China Morning, Damo Academy, China Morning Post, CNBC Locations: Hangzhou, Thailand, Bangkok, Beijing, China, Tokyo

☆ Factbox: How Alibaba's six new business units stack up
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The company's CEO Daniel Zhang said the business units will each be free to pursue funding and IPOs independently, which points to a possible carving out in the future. Below are the six divisions:TAOBAO TMALL COMMERCE GROUPThe Taobao Tmall Commerce Group will cover Alibaba's domestic-facing e-commerce marketplaces, which make up over two-thirds of Alibaba's total revenue. Despite the scale of Alibaba's e-commerce operations, growth in the business has slowed. Taobao Tmall Commerce Group will remain wholly owned by Alibaba Group after the restructuring, the company said, even as the other units will be free to seek fundraisings and listings. Daniel Zhang, current chairman and CEO of Alibaba Group, will serve as CEO of the Cloud Intelligence Group.

☆ Factbox: Chinese tech firms working on ChatGPT-style technology
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A response in Chinese by ChatGPT, an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, is seen on its website in this illustration picture taken February 9, 2023. Like Microsoft and Google，Chinese tech giants such as Baidu and Alibaba (9988.HK) as well as smaller start-ups have been working on AI projects for years. The e-commerce giant said large language models and generative AI have been areas of focus since it formed its research institute Damo Academy in 2017. NETEASEGaming firm NetEase (9999.HK) plans to deploy large language models technology to serve its education business, a source familiar with the company told Reuters on Feb. 8. 360 SECURITY TECHNOLOGY INC360 Security Technology Inc (601360.SS) said on Feb. 8 it possessed language model technology but that it could not give a clear indication on when it would launch any related products.

☆ ChatGPT frenzy sweeps China as firms scramble for home-grown options
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] A response in Chinese by ChatGPT, an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, is seen on its website in this illustration picture taken February 9, 2023. OpenAI or ChatGPT itself is not blocked by Chinese authorities but OpenAI does not allow users in mainland China, Hong Kong, Iran, Russia and parts of Africa to sign up. Dozens of bots rigged to ChatGPT technology have emerged on WeChat, with hobbyists using it to make programmes or automated accounts that can interact with users. ChatGPT supports Chinese language interaction and is highly capable of conversing in Chinese, which has helped drive its unofficial adoption in the country. CENSORSHIPReuters' tests of ChatGPT indicate that the chatbot is not averse to questions that would be sensitive in mainland China.

☆ Alibaba is launching an AI bot to rival ChatGPT, sending its shares up
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Alibaba says it will launch its own ChatGPT-style tool, becoming the latest tech giant to jump on the chatbot bandwagon. It did not share details of when it would launch or what the application would be called. This week, Google (GOOGL) and Chinese search engine giant Baidu (BIDU) both unveiled plans to launch similar services of their own. Bard suffered an embarrassing setback this week, however, after producing an incorrect response during a public demonstration. The company is also investing billions of dollars in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT.

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