March 2, 2025
Tech News
Genting Simon Sdn Bhd has announced ambitious plans to install 500 EV chargers at Johor Premium Outlets, positioning the location as Southeast Asia’s largest EV fast-charging hub. With the capability to provide DC charging output up to 1MW, this initiative promotes sustainable mobility and caters to a growing demand for EV infrastructure.
In conjunction with this launch, visitors to Johor Premium Outlets will enjoy free EV charging until the end of the day on February 28, 2025. This move emphasizes the importance of accessible charging options as the region shifts towards greener transportation solutions, further supported by partnerships with Yinson Greentech’s ChargEV and DC Handal.
As part of its broader sustainability strategy, Genting Simon plans to electrify JPO’s fleet of shuttle buses, enhancing connections to Johor Bahru checkpoints and other major transport hubs. This initiative aims to provide a more eco-friendly travel experience for both local and international shoppers frequenting the complex.
Meanwhile, researchers have uncovered previously unknown vulnerabilities in the Android operating system, allowing authorities to unlock devices using forensic tools. Amnesty International’s report highlights a sequence of zero-day flaws identified in a student protester’s phone, revealing potential risks affecting over a billion Android devices globally.
These zero-day vulnerabilities occur when software bugs are exploited before developers are aware of them, posing significant security threats. Amnesty International connected with Google’s anti-hacking unit, resulting in the identification and patching of three critical flaws that had allowed unauthorized access to user data.
On the tech front, OpenAI has introduced its latest iteration, GPT-4.5, enhancing conversational AI capabilities. This model signifies a shift towards more natural, human-like exchanges, with the ability to engage in warm conversations and better understand user intents. The technology aims to elevate user interaction with AI systems significantly.
Tech Explained
EV – Electric vehicles (EVs) are automobiles powered by electricity instead of conventional fuels like gasoline. They play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable transportation, and are increasingly supported by charging infrastructure, such as that being developed at Johor Premium Outlets.
Zero-day – A zero-day vulnerability is a software flaw that is unknown to the developer and has not been patched yet. This allows hackers to exploit the flaw to gain unauthorized access, posing severe risks to user privacy and security, evident in the Android flaws uncovered by researchers.
Forensic Tool – Forensic tools, like those developed by Cellebrite, are specialized software used to extract and analyze data from devices during investigations. They have raised ethical concerns, especially when used to unlock devices without user consent, as reported in the recent Amnesty International study.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI involves creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding language and generating responses. OpenAI’s advancements in AI technology, such as GPT-4.5, illustrate the evolution of these systems towards more natural interactions and reasoning.
Reinforcement Learning – Reinforcement learning is a type of machine learning where algorithms learn to make decisions through trial and error. This process enhances the ability of AI systems, including OpenAI’s models, to understand and perform complex tasks over time, making them more effective in real-world applications.
