> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🖥️ Tech Futures #5 - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/tech-futures-5/ - Published: 2024-08-26T11:30:01.000Z - Updated: 2024-10-17T08:33:37.000Z - Description: HolonIQ's Tech Futures Newsletter covers the latest developments in 5G Network Advancements, AI Model Innovations, and Next-Gen Semiconductors and highlights the week's top tech deals. - Author: QS - Tags: AI & Digital Skills **Happy Monday 👋** In recent Tech developments, Turkcell [successfully](https://www.rcrwireless.com/20240820/networks/ericsson-turkcell-complete-5g-cloud-ran-trial-deployment?ref=newsletters.qs.com) trialed Ericsson’s 5G Cloud RAN technology, advancing its Open RAN and network virtualization in Turkey. Liquid Intelligent Technologies [partnered](https://www.rcrwireless.com/20240819/private-5g/liquid-targets-african-mining-sector-with-globalstar-private-5g-exclusive?ref=newsletters.qs.com) with Globalstar to offer private 5G networks in Africa and the Middle East, enhancing industries like mining. ICASA is [consulting](https://www.techafricanews.com/2024/08/16/icasa-drives-innovation-with-bold-new-plans-for-satellite-service-regulation/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) on a new satellite services licensing framework in South Africa. Microsoft [launched](https://venturebeat.com/ai/microsoft-releases-powerful-new-phi-3-5-models-beating-google-openai-and-more/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) new Phi 3.5 AI models, while OpenAI's GPT-4o fine-tuning allows [developers](https://www.artificialintelligence-news.com/news/openai-delivers-gpt-4o-fine-tuning/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to customize responses, and Condé Nast's [deal](https://www.wired.com/story/conde-nast-openai-deal/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) grants OpenAI media content access. FPT [invested](https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Vietnam-s-FPT-invests-200m-to-launch-AI-services-in-Japan?ref=newsletters.qs.com) $200M in Japan for AI data centers. Nvidia [launched](https://www.mk.co.kr/en/it/11098479?ref=newsletters.qs.com) StormCast and Earth-2 to offer advanced weather simulations. Xmems Labs [introduced](https://venturebeat.com/ai/xmems-labs-introduces-tiny-fans-on-chips-for-micro-cooling/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) innovative cooling chips, Mitsubishi Electric [announced](https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/Mitsubishi-Electric-to-mass-produce-next-gen-optical-chips-in-January?ref=newsletters.qs.com) mass-produced optical chips, and the European Commission [approved](https://thenextweb.com/news/tsmc-first-chip-factory-europe-state-aid-germany?ref=newsletters.qs.com) $5.56B for TSMC’s Dresden chip plant. Grafana Labs raised [$270M](https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/deals-digest-grafana-labs-postex-409427?ref=newsletters.qs.com), Onebrief [$53M](https://www.finsmes.com/2024/08/onebrief-closes-series-b-funding-total-funding-to-53m.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com#google%5Fvignette), Encord [$30M](https://pulse2.com/encord-ai-data-development-company-raises-30-million-series-b/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), Agilysys acquired Book4Time for [$149M](https://betakit.com/american-hospitality-tech-firm-agilysys-acquires-book4time-for-204-million-cad/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), and Bitfarms acquired Stronghold for [$125M](https://cryptobriefing.com/bitcoin-miner-acquisition-bitfarms/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). ## **🌐** 5G Network Advancements **📡 Turkcell successfully trialed Ericsson 5G Cloud RAN technology.** Turkcell, in [collaboration ](https://www.rcrwireless.com/20240820/networks/ericsson-turkcell-complete-5g-cloud-ran-trial-deployment?ref=newsletters.qs.com)with Ericsson, conducted a trial of 5G Cloud Radio Access Network (RAN) technology, advancing its cloud-native network strategy. This trial supports Turkcell’s transition to Open RAN and network virtualization, enhancing connectivity in Turkey. **📶** **Liquid Intelligent Technologies partners with Globalstar for exclusive 5G solutions in Africa and the Middle East.** The partnership provides private 5G networks using Globalstar's XCOM RAN system, aiming to[ revolutionize industries like mining](https://www.rcrwireless.com/20240819/private-5g/liquid-targets-african-mining-sector-with-globalstar-private-5g-exclusive?ref=newsletters.qs.com) with advanced connectivity and AI-driven applications. 📚 **ICASA initiated consultation for a new satellite services licensing framework in South Africa.** The proposed framework aims to modernize regulations, clarify guidelines, review spectrum fees, and [enhance international coordination](https://www.techafricanews.com/2024/08/16/icasa-drives-innovation-with-bold-new-plans-for-satellite-service-regulation/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). ## **🖥️** AI Model Innovations **🤖 Microsoft expands AI capabilities with new Phi 3.5 models.** The Phi-3.5-mini-instruct, Phi-3.5-MoE-instruct, and Phi-3.5-vision-instruct models, available on Hugging Face, provide advanced reasoning, vision tasks, and [competitive performance](https://venturebeat.com/ai/microsoft-releases-powerful-new-phi-3-5-models-beating-google-openai-and-more/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) against Google and Meta. **🎟️ OpenAI's GPT-4o fine-tuning launched with free tokens, while Condé Nast's deal allows content use in AI.** GPT-4o will [enable developers](https://www.artificialintelligence-news.com/news/openai-delivers-gpt-4o-fine-tuning/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to tailor responses for specific tasks, and the deal with Conde Nast will allow [OpenAI to use its media content in ChatGPT](https://www.wired.com/story/conde-nast-openai-deal/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). **💻 FPT is expanding its AI business in Japan with $200M investment and Nvidia chips.** The company will [build data centers](https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Vietnam-s-FPT-invests-200m-to-launch-AI-services-in-Japan?ref=newsletters.qs.com) and grow its Japanese staff from 3,500 to 5,000, targeting Japan's financial sector and launching services early next year. **🌪️ Nvidia launched StormCast, a Generative AI model for high-resolution weather simulations, and Earth-2, a digital twin platform for global climate predictions.** StormCast provides [medium-scale weather forecasts](https://www.mk.co.kr/en/it/11098479?ref=newsletters.qs.com), while CorrDiff, another Generative AI coming in June, promises 1,000x speed and 3,000x energy efficiency improvements for disaster prediction. ## **💾** Next-Gen Semiconductors **🌬️ Xmems Labs introduces a revolutionary "fan-on-a-chip" cooling solution for mobile devices.** The all-silicon XMC-2400 µCooling chip, just 1mm thick, enables [active cooling](https://venturebeat.com/ai/xmems-labs-introduces-tiny-fans-on-chips-for-micro-cooling/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in smartphones and tablets, supporting high-performance AI applications with advanced thermal management. **🔬 Mitsubishi Electric announced to start of mass-producing next-gen optical chips.** The company will begin sample shipments in October and plans to [boost production capacity](https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech/Semiconductors/Mitsubishi-Electric-to-mass-produce-next-gen-optical-chips-in-January?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for data center chips by 50% next year to meet global demand. **🌱 The European Commission approved $5.56B in state aid for TSMC's first European chip plant in Dresden.** The factory, a joint venture with NXP, Bosch, and Infineon, aims to [boost the EU's chip production capacity](https://thenextweb.com/news/tsmc-first-chip-factory-europe-state-aid-germany?ref=newsletters.qs.com) and meet the Chips Act goals by 2030. ## **💰** Deals of the Week **🖥️ Grafana Labs**, an IT infrastructure monitoring startup, raised [$270M](https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/deals-digest-grafana-labs-postex-409427?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in a Series B funding round to pursue potential M&A opportunities while expediting its product development. **🛡️ Onebrief**, a software platform supplier for military personnel processes and cooperation with headquarters in Hawaii raised [$53M](https://www.finsmes.com/2024/08/onebrief-closes-series-b-funding-total-funding-to-53m.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com#google%5Fvignette) in a Series B funding round to increase staff size and quicken product development. **🌟 Encord**, a platform for developing AI data for multimodal teams and advanced vision, raised [$30M](https://pulse2.com/encord-ai-data-development-company-raises-30-million-series-b/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in a Series B funding round to support the integration of AI into their enterprise and model development process. **☁️ Agilysys** acquired **Book4Time,** a multinational supplier of an all-in-one cloud-based management solution for spa and wellness companies, for [$149M](https://betakit.com/american-hospitality-tech-firm-agilysys-acquires-book4time-for-204-million-cad/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to allow Agilysys to improve the services Book4Time provides to its customers. **💰 Bitfarms** acquired **Stronghold,** a crypto asset mining company, for [$125M](https://cryptobriefing.com/bitcoin-miner-acquisition-bitfarms/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to increase Bitfarms' mining capability by using Stronghold's energy production resources. --- **Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!** Have some feedback or suggestions? Let us know at hello@holoniq.com [ ](https://newsletters.qs.com/psychedelic-mental-health-treatments-south-asia-health-tech-100-2/)