Technology 7/21: China catches up with the US in brain connection technology

China catches up with the US in brain-connection technology

China is making rapid progress in the field of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, with a chip called Beinao-1 said to be catching up with – and possibly even surpassing – prominent US efforts like Elon Musk’s Neuralink.

In a recent clinical trial, a 67-year-old woman with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was able to communicate by transmitting thoughts into Chinese text, thanks to a chip implanted in her brain.

Beinao-1's chip is the size of a coin. (Source: CNN)

According to the China Institute of Brain Research (CIBR), Beinao-1 has been implanted in five patients – the same number as Neuralink – and the team is now planning to expand the trial to 50-100 people in the near future. Notably, Beinao-1 uses a “semi-invasive” method, which records brain signals without the need for complex surgeries like some American companies are doing.

One of the test participants – who was previously unable to speak – was able to speak simple sentences for the first time using the technology, leading experts to say that China is not only catching up but could also lead in some aspects of brain technology. The main driving force is strong government support and increasing investment in scientific research.

Forum on e-commerce and digital technology will take place in Ho Chi Minh City

The Forum “Application of E-commerce and Digital Technology in Vietnam 2025” organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade will take place from September 4 to 6 in Ho Chi Minh City. This is an activity within the framework of the Exhibition and Event connecting the international supply chain of goods Vietnam International Sourcing 2025.

The forum “Application of E-commerce and Digital Technology in Vietnam 2025” will take place from September 4 to September 6 in Ho Chi Minh City. (Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

The forum is expected to be an important bridge, gathering experts, policy makers and e-commerce and digital technology businesses from many countries to share knowledge, experience and orient breakthrough solutions for the development of e-commerce and Vietnam's digital economy in the coming time, focusing on 4 main areas including: E-commerce, cross-border e-commerce, e-commerce operations; Logistics; Digital technology solutions for businesses; Digital financial solutions.

According to the representative of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy - Ministry of Industry and Trade, the upcoming E-commerce and Digital Technology Application Forum 2025 is not only a place to update technology, for businesses to dialogue with experts, but also an important forum for businesses to connect and cooperate in business, develop solutions as well as an opportunity for domestic technology businesses to call for investment capital from foreign investment funds.

Israel to Double AI Hiring in First Half of 2025

Israel’s high-tech market is booming with a wave of hiring in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). To attract candidates in a short time, many technology companies in Israel have restored the policy of “signing bonuses” for “strategic” positions, with bonuses equivalent to one to six months’ salary.

According to the semi-annual report of GotFriends – the country’s largest technology recruitment company – the number of AI job openings in the first six months of 2025 is expected to double the total for the whole of 2024. The reason is attributed to the rapid development of generative AI in products and marketing campaigns, along with the rise of startups focusing on agent AI and large language model (LLM) infrastructure.

The top six positions in the AI talent race are: AI researcher, LLM specialist, AI security specialist, generative AI programmer, AI data engineer, and AI product manager. The average salary at AI-focused companies is currently around 43,085 shekels/month (equivalent to about $11,500) – the highest in the Israeli tech industry.

Minh Hoan

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cong-nghe-21-7-trung-quoc-bat-kip-my-trong-cong-nghe-ket-noi-nao-bo-ar952222.html