DXWeek 2024 Explores AI’s Transformative Power
Henry Huang, Ph.D. — Investment Director, TDK Ventures
Not since the emergence of the internet itself has so much buzz accompanied the maturation of a technology as we’re currently seeing with artificial intelligence. AI permeates every aspect of human existence, from entertainment and social interaction to business productivity, artistic creativity, and global connectivity.
As an enabler of impact scalers around the world, TDK Ventures has both born witness to AI’s disruptive capabilities and become an active participant in the harnessing of its power to make the world more equitable, secure, and sustainable. That is why TDK Ventures, in collaboration with B Capital, is proud to present its annual Digital Transformation Week 2024, June 18–19 in Singapore. Like its previous editions, the invitation only DXWeek24 brings together a distinguished list roster of thought leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to examine AI from every angle.
The conference agenda has been meticulously curated to encompass both the software and hardware aspects of AI, guaranteeing attendees a deep dive into the latest trends that unpack the challenges and unveil the opportunities that lie within the AI industry.
TDK Ventures in the AI Startup Ecosystem
TDK Ventures continues to explore deep tech applications with investments several startups and technologies that leverage AI solutions.
· AI Accelerator IC: (Groq; Analog Inference) Generative AI applications drive demand for robust GPUs and ASICs that pack substantial computational power.
· FPGAs: Field Programmable Gate Arrays are programmable and reconfigurable silicon chips that can be programmed to perform specific tasks like AI inference that demand low latency and high throughput.
· Silicon Photonics: (Nubis Communications) Using light manipulation and detection systems to transfer data among computer chips. This technology is crucial for AI and ML servers, where rapid growth in training dataset sizes necessitates light-speed scaling.
· Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing: (Silicon Box) Chiplet architecture provides the flexibility, low-cost, high speed and energy efficiency required by AI applications.
· Data Center Cooling: As AI applications become more power-intensive, traditional cooling methods in data centers are being pushed to their limits. Innovations such as liquid cooling and immersion cooling are being developed to manage the heat generated.
Many of these technologies will accelerate the convergence digital and energy transformation, as they enable more connected, intelligent, efficient, dependable, and sustainable power systems. Advances in data, analytics, and connectivity are fostering new digital applications that can transform energy, making them more responsive to the needs of users and reducing their environmental impact — areas that hit the sweet spot for TDK Ventures.
Singapore: The Ideal Setting for Innovation
DXWeek24 could not enjoy a more fitting backdrop. The modern metropolis of Singapore is a beacon of innovation and demonstrating a commitment to digital excellence through its Smart Nation initiative, which harnesses technology to improve the lives of its citizens and enhance business productivity. This forward-thinking approach ensures that Singapore remains at the forefront of digital innovation, providing fertile ground for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas.
Singapore’s strategic location in the heart of Southeast Asia makes it an accessible nexus for international delegates. Its world-class infrastructure and research institutes coupled with a robust business-friendly environment and highly educated talent pool combine to make it an emerging startup superpower. It is poised to bolster its leadership in AI applications for electronics, aerospace, and shipping.
DXWeek24 — A Clearinghouse for Ideas
Singapore’s diversity mirrors the global impact of AI. DXWeek24’s dialog will be as just as multifaceted as the city and the technology. Scheduled highlights include:
· Fireside chat with Prof. Tsuhan Chen, deputy president of innovation and enterprise and distinguished professor at the National University of Singapore. Professor Chen is a recognized expert in pattern recognition, computer vision and machine learning. He is a driving force behind the university’s dramatic rise in research funding and mentorship programs. A tireless proponent of collaborative research, he launched the Reimagine Research Initiative in 2021 to provides seed funding for interdisciplinary projects that encourage researchers to work across diverse fields to find solutions to the most pressing problems of our time.
· Fireside chat with Russell Tham, head of emerging technologies at Temasek Holdings. Tham leads Singapore’s state-owned investment company, which takes positions in global deep tech ventures grounded in STEM innovation. He has over two decades of experience in developing and scaling and scaling new markets for ST Engineering and Applied Materials. As president of Applied Materials Southeast Asia, he oversaw the company’s Singapore infrastructure expansion into manufacturing, supply chain, R&D, and product development.
· Panel Discussions on Advancements in AI Applications Hardware and Software, featuring B Capital Partner Arijit Sengupta, Agility Robotics CEO Peggy Johnson, Andrea Pisoni, Head of AI, B Capital, Zi Yong Chua, COO, Carro, Aparna Kapoor, Partner, The Boston Consulting Group, Phoebe Tan, Partner, Xora Innovation, Sunita Kannan, Global Lead AI Strategy at Microsoft and TDK Qeexo CEO Sang Wan Lee.
· Networking breakfast, lunches, and evening reception.
Presented by TDK Ventures and B Capital
TDK Ventures, the venture capital arm of TDK Corporation, champions hard-tech innovation by investing in early-stage startups. Its global outreach, directed from offices in key tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Boston, the London, Tokyo, and Bengaluru, underpins its mission to discover and support the “King of the Hill” entrepreneurial organization in material science, computing, cleantech, mobility, and more. TDK Ventures believes in building a sustainable world where digital, energy, and environmental transformations improve billions of lives. It aims for significant financial outcomes while introducing transformational business opportunities to TDK.
B Capital is a multi-stage global investment firm that partners with extraordinary entrepreneurs to shape the future through technology. With more than $6 billion in assets under management across multiple funds, the firm focuses on seed to late-stage venture growth investments, primarily in the technology, healthcare, and climate tech sectors. Founded in 2015, B Capital leverages an integrated team across nine locations in the U.S. and Asia, as well as the consulting expertise of its strategic partner, the Boston Consulting Group, to provide the value-added support entrepreneurs need to scale fast and efficiently, expand into new markets, and build exceptional companies.
