Energy & Technology

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have acquired strategic stakes in Anthropic, the artificial intelligence (AI) company behind the Claude AI models, as part of a major funding round that valued the US startup at US$965 billion. The investment makes Anthropic the world’s most valuable AI company, surpassing OpenAI, which was valued at US$852 billion in March. The two South Korean chipmakers joined the funding round as strategic infrastructure partners, alongside US memory company Micron, Anthropic announced last week. The investment comes after Anthropic completed a US$65 billion Series H funding round, more than doubling its valuation from US$380 billion in February. The move has also sparked speculation that Samsung could secure future AI chip manufacturing orders from Anthropic, potentially supporting growth in its foundry business. In a statement, Anthropic said technologies from its memory partners play a critical role in the supply of memory, storage, and logic chips, helping the company scale computing capabilities to meet customer demand. Industry attention has focused particularly on the mention of logic chips, which are produced through foundry manufacturing. Among Anthropic’s memory partners, Samsung is the only company with a foundry business, raising expectations that its role may extend beyond memory supply to manufacturing custom AI chips for Anthropic. Such a development could benefit Samsung’s foundry unit, which has faced losses in recent years but is expected to return to profitability next year. Samsung has recently secured chip orders from major technology players, including Tesla’s next-generation AI5 and AI6 chips, and is producing Nvidia’s Grok3 inference processor. According to industry data, Samsung ranked second in the global foundry market last year with a 7.2 per cent market share, although it remains behind market leader TSMC. An industry official described the investment as more than a financial move, saying it signals Samsung’s growing strategic ties with leading AI companies as demand for AI-related hardware continues to expand. The funding round was co-led by Capital Group, Coatue, and Singapore’s GIC, with participation from investors including Blackstone, Fidelity, Baillie Gifford, and Temasek. Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees, Anthropic said its annualised revenue exceeded US$47 billion earlier this month and expects to achieve its first operating profit in the second quarter.

Gold Medal and Best Young Inventor Award for Minedu AI Primary : AI Avatar Tutor Teaching Science. Two young Malaysian siblings, aged just 12 and 10, have brought home the highest invention awards at the World Young Invention Exhibition (WYIE) 2026 after winning the Champion Excellence Cup and a Gold Medal for their AI-powered learning platform, Minedu AI Primary. The brothers, Mohammad Parsa Parhizkar, 12, and Mohammad Rohan Parhizkar, 10, received the awards for “Minedu AI Primary”, an AI-driven educational platform that uses conversational avatars to support primary school science learning through interactive and personalised engagement. Champion Excellence Cup is the highest recognition for Secondary Category in World Youth Invention Exhibition for the best invention. Held as part of the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) Malaysia 2026, WYIE is among the region’s leading invention competitions for young innovators, attracting participants from multiple countries and showcasing hundreds of innovation projects across science, technology and education sectors. The event was held from May 18 to May 19, 2026. The victory also qualifies the Malaysian team to represent the country at the Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF) 2026 in South Korea later this year. Mohammad Parsa & Mohammad Rohan the Co Founders and inventors of Minedu AI Primary. Minedu AI Primary was developed to make learning more engaging for children by combining artificial intelligence, voice interaction and immersive educational experiences. The platform allows students to communicate directly with AI-powered avatars that can explain science concepts, answer questions and personalise lessons according to the student’s level of understanding. The project reflects the growing global focus on AI-driven education technologies as governments and schools increasingly explore digital learning ecosystems capable of supporting personalised education at scale. Supported by educators, mentors and technology industry collaborators, the young innovators are continuing to expand Minedu AI Primary beyond competition prototypes into practical educational applications, including potential school programmes, AI workshops and future classroom integration initiatives. The latest recognition further strengthens Malaysia’s visibility in the international innovation and education technology landscape, particularly in the area of youth-led AI development.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is accelerating its RM43 billion grid modernisation programme to support Malaysia’s rapidly growing data centre industry and rising energy demand. Speaking at the Datacentre and Cloud Infrastructure Expo 2026, TNB chief grid officer Hasmarizal Hassan said the utility is strengthening its grid infrastructure to support the expansion of digital infrastructure across the country. He said future energy requirements from data centres have already been incorporated into national generation planning to ensure long-term system readiness and reliability. A key initiative highlighted was TNB’s Green Lane Pathway, which has reduced grid connection timelines for data centre projects from 36 months to as little as 12 months. As of March 2026, TNB has successfully delivered 33 projects under the framework, reflecting the company’s efforts to improve connection speed and position Malaysia as a regional data centre hub. “To manage large-scale demand growth, TNB is also adopting a cluster-based grid strategy, concentrating transmission infrastructure investments across identified growth corridors,” Hasmarizal said. He noted that Johor remains one of the key active clusters under the strategy, with plans for further expansion nationwide to support scalability while maintaining grid stability. According to TNB, the initiative is aimed at ensuring the national grid can continue supporting the increasing demand from data centres and other high-growth industries as Malaysia attracts more digital and technology investments. The company added that the government’s MADANI economic agenda continues to prioritise industries that create high-value jobs, encourage innovation and support long-term economic growth.

Artificial intelligence-driven workplace hardware company viaim has secured a funding round worth about 100 million Chinese yuan, with Transsion Holdings joining as a strategic investor to support the development of AI-powered assistant hardware. The partnership will focus on creating a new generation of AI hardware equipped with autonomous perception, decision-making and execution capabilities. In a statement, viaim founder and chief executive officer Ma Xiao said the collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of AI-enabled hardware in both workplace and consumer environments. viaim said the partnership combines its expertise in workplace AI and speech technology with Transsion’s global distribution network, manufacturing capabilities and local market experience. Transsion is widely known for its strong smartphone presence across Africa and other emerging markets, while viaim currently serves more than 1.5 million registered users across over 50 industries and 200 countries. The company’s product lineup includes OpenNote, RecDot and NoteKit, which offer AI-powered translation across more than 78 languages and 145 dialects. viaim added that it is expanding beyond recording and transcription devices into a broader office AI agent platform.

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has started shipping test samples of the “TW007D120E”, a 1200-volt (V) trench-gate silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET designed for power supply systems in next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. In a statement, Toshiba said the rapid growth of generative AI, along with increasing use of high-power AI servers and 800V high-voltage direct current (HVDC) architectures, is driving demand for more efficient power supply systems. The company said the newly developed TW007D120E is designed to reduce power consumption while improving the miniaturisation and efficiency of power systems for next-generation AI data centres. Built using Toshiba’s proprietary trench-gate structure, the device achieves industry-leading low on-resistance per unit area, helping to reduce conduction loss while also lowering switching loss. Compared with existing Toshiba products, the new device is expected to enable higher efficiency operation and reduced heat generation in data centre power systems, improving overall system performance. The product is packaged in a QDPAK package with top-side cooling, allowing higher power density and improved thermal performance in power stages. Toshiba plans to begin mass production of the TW007D120E in fiscal year 2026 and expand its product lineup, including development for automotive applications. The product is based on results from JPNP21029, a project subsidised by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

U Mobile, together with partners EasyStore, FeedMe and Sunmi, mark the launch of ULTRA Business Merchant 360 — an integrated solution enabling F&B and retail businesses to operate smarter and more efficiently. From left to right: Mr. Alan Kok, Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer, EasyStore, King Wei Lo, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, FeedMe, How Lih Ren, Chief Business Officer, U Mobile, Victor Tan, Regional Managing Director, Sunmi. U Business, the enterprise arm of Malaysia’s newest 5G network provider U Mobile, has launched ULTRA Business Merchant 360, an integrated business solution catered especially for F&B and retail businesses. The bundle provides business owners a one-stop solution for POS hardware, business-related software, and U Mobile’s ULTRA 5G connectivity. This latest innovation seeks to address key pain points faced by small and medium F&B and retail businesses. Among the benefits of ULTRA Business Merchant 360 include: 1) Simplified bundle selection process ULTRA Business Merchant 360 is a one-stop solution for POS hardware, F&B and retail enterprise solutions, as well as connectivity. It saves business owners the time and effort required if they were to go to different providers for the same requirements. 2) Caters to diverse business needs It gives end-users the flexibility to select their preferred POS hardware and software solutions from a curated ecosystem of industry-leading partners. This includes Point-of-Sale (POS) hardware from SUNMI, as well as business solutions such as FeedMe, which supports restaurant ordering and front-of-house management, and EasyStore, which enables businesses to manage sales channels, inventory, and customer touchpoints seamlessly across online, offline, and hybrid retail environments. 3) Lowers barriers to entry for SMEs ULTRA Business Merchant 360 helps small and medium enterprises aiming to digitise their businesses, as it is the first integrated solution offering a monthly subscription model available through a flexible 24-month instalment plan, with upfront fees as low as RM265 per month. “At U Business, we believe in innovating digital solutions, made possible by our ULTRA 5G connectivity. In the case of ULTRA Business Merchant 360, we have addressed key pain points of SME F&B and retail outlets. “By bundling our reliable, seamless and quality connectivity with industry-leading POS hardware and business software together, and by offering a flexible subscription model via a flexible 24-month instalment plan, we have removed obstacles for F&B and retail businesses to digitise their operations for long-term sustainability,” said How Lih Ren, Chief Business Officer of U Mobile. Upon subscribing to ULTRA Business Merchant 360, F&B and retail outlets will be e-invoice ready and will be able to support delivery platforms across online, offline, and hybrid retail environments, from key marketplaces to social media and messaging platforms. Apart from that, they will also benefit from ready access to logistics and delivery providers, payment gateway providers, as well as key accounting software, helping businesses manage operations more efficiently through a centralised platform. On top of that, F&B and retail outlets will be able to establish an online presence more easily through this integrated digital solution. It will also enable a more automated approach, real-time visibility, better workflow, and decision-making, further supporting scalability while reducing costs. The solution will also improve efficiency in servicing customers more effectively, a vital sector factor for F&B and retail outlets. “ULTRA Business Merchant 360 reflects our commitment to empowering Malaysian SMEs with enterprise-grade digital capabilities through a seamless and integrated ecosystem. “By combining U Mobile’s high-performance 5G connectivity with intelligent POS hardware from SUNMI and trusted business platforms such as FeedMe and EasyStore, we are enabling merchants to modernise operations, strengthen customer engagement, and build scalable businesses for the future economy,” said Victor Tan, Regional Managing Director of SUNMI. “FeedMe was built with one belief: great taste should last forever. Many F&B merchants create amazing food but struggle with digital operations, compliance, reporting, and day-to-day workflow complexity. “Through ULTRA Business Merchant 360, we are proud to work with U Business and partners to make restaurant digitalisation more accessible, practical, and sustainable for SMEs. “By combining reliable connectivity, POS hardware, and FeedMe’s restaurant management platform, merchants can run their operations with better visibility, efficiency, and confidence, so they can focus on what matters most: serving great food and growing their business,” said King Wei Lo, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of FeedMe. “Building a commerce platform is not only about technology — it is about understanding the daily challenges merchants face. Every feature, integration, and partnership we build at EasyStore is designed with the goal of helping businesses grow more efficiently and sustainably,” said Alan Kok, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of EasyStore. To mark the launch, U Business is offering exclusive promotional pricing for the F&B bundles for the first 150 sign-ups, as well as value-added offerings such as an additional one-year POS device warranty, one-time complimentary POS onsite support, and other benefits.

Gentari’s senior leaders recently led a site safety visit to the Large-Scale Solar 5 (LSS5) project in Kuala Muda, Sungai Petani, Kedah, reaffirming the company’s commitment to safety, execution discipline, and responsible project delivery as construction progresses on the 150MWp facility. The visit comes as Gentari, through Gentari LSS Lima Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gentari Renewables Sdn Bhd, advances construction following a successful bid under Malaysia’s fifth LSS programme in December 2024. The project reinforces Gentari’s position as a utility-scale renewables player, supporting national efforts to expand renewable energy capacity and accelerate progress under Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). With a total national target capacity of approximately 2,000MWac, LSS5 is the largest large-scale solar quota introduced to date and represents a key implementation pillar under the NETR, which aims for Malaysia to achieve 70 per cent renewable energy generation capacity by 2050. Once completed, Gentari’s large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) facility is expected to supply up to 150MWp of clean electricity to Malaysia’s power system under a 21-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Gentari Group Chief Operating Officer and Country Head of Malaysia, Shah Yang Razalli, said: “This transition from planning into execution reflects Gentari’s commitment to deliver utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure that supports Malaysia’s long-term energy transition. This project aims to build resilient, future-ready energy assets that strengthen national energy security and accelerate decarbonisation under the NETR. “As we move into the construction phase, our priority is to ensure the project is delivered on-time, on-scope, and on-budget, to the highest technical, environmental, and safety standards. This will further cement our position as a trusted long-term clean energy partner, translating national ambition into tangible impact for industries, businesses, and the wider energy ecosystem.” Once operational, the project is expected to contribute towards reducing Malaysia’s reliance on fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions by an estimated 166,766 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) per year, and enhancing long-term energy resilience. It is also anticipated to generate positive local economic impact through job creation during the construction phase, as well as for longer-term operations and maintenance activities. LSS5 supports the Northern Corridor Economic Region by delivering reliable clean energy that attracts higher-value investments and drives sustainable regional growth. The project aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030) and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, enabling advanced manufacturing, technology-driven industries, and resilient green infrastructure. In doing so, LSS5 advances Malaysia’s energy transition while strengthening local communities and the wider regional economy.

Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) arm of Capital A Bhd, has secured a US$100 million financing facility from QNB Group, a financial institution based in the Middle East and Africa. In a statement, ADE said the financing will support its continued expansion and capacity growth as it strengthens its position as one of the region’s fastest-growing MRO providers. The company said the additional funding will enhance its ability to serve a growing portfolio of airline customers, while also supporting its long-term anchor client, the AirAsia group. ADE said the financing reflects strong confidence in its track record, growth momentum and long-term expansion potential. Chief executive officer Mahesh Kumar said ADE has already completed more than 300 C-checks, highlighting the scale and consistency of its maintenance capabilities. “These funds will accelerate our expansion plans, invest in additional capacity to meet strong and growing demand for MRO services, and strengthen our ability to deliver efficient, world-class maintenance that minimises downtime and maximises performance for our airline customers,” he said. Capital A CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said ADE has evolved from an internal engineering unit serving AirAsia into a growing aviation services provider supporting multiple international airlines, including Air France. “I’m confident ADE will move even faster, expand further and seize the huge opportunities in the MRO space, ultimately becoming a regional powerhouse,” he said. QNB Group senior executive vice president of Group Corporate and Institutional Banking Khalid Ahmed Al-Sada said the deal supports the growth of the aviation MRO sector in Asia and expands the bank’s international footprint across the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. ADE provides end-to-end engineering and maintenance services across the region, with a line maintenance network covering 20 airports across ASEAN and base maintenance capability of up to 16 lines, along with specialised workshops in Kuala Lumpur. The company is also an Approved Maintenance Organisation in 18 countries and holds certifications from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Japan-based electronics company TDK Corp plans to acquire Malaysia-based lithium-ion rechargeable battery start-up Linergy Power Sdn Bhd for US$241.1 million as part of its strategy to expand its core energy solutions business. In a statement, TDK said its Singapore-based subsidiary, Amperex Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd, will fully acquire Linergy Power following approval from the group’s board on Wednesday. The agreement is expected to be signed on the same day, with the share transfer scheduled to be completed by June 15. Following the acquisition, Linergy Power will become a wholly owned subsidiary of TDK. According to the Companies Commission Malaysia, Linergy Power is wholly owned by China-based lithium-ion battery supplier Ampace Technology Ltd. The company was established on Dec 19, 2024. TDK said the acquisition complements its energy solutions business, where the company has focused on developing high-value battery products for a diverse customer base. The group added that the acquisition would strengthen its global supply chain capabilities and improve its ability to meet growing customer demand. “Through the acquisition of shares, the company will be able to offer a flexible global supply structure capable of responding to the diverse needs of customers. This will further strengthen customer trust, propel further growth in the business, and accelerate the realisation of ‘TDK Transformation’,” the company said. Linergy Power recorded consolidated net assets of US$217.31 million as of end-March 2026. For the financial year ended March 31, 2026, the company posted a net loss of US$22.67 million and net sales of US$178,030.

Meta Bright Group Bhd is acquiring a 70% stake in TTOP Industrial & Engineering Sdn Bhd (TIESB) for RM9.29 million as part of its expansion into higher-margin electrical engineering services. The acquisition will be funded through RM1 million in cash and RM8.29 million via the issuance of 51.8 million new shares priced at 16 sen each, according to the group’s statement on Wednesday. The deal includes a cumulative profit guarantee of RM15 million over five years. This follows a Heads of Agreement signed in March with vendor Teo Hin Wee to acquire stakes in several electrical engineering-related businesses, including TIESB. TIESB specialises in low- to high-voltage electrical works for distribution and transmission services, supporting industrial plants and commercial facilities across maintenance, upgrading and expansion projects. Meta Bright, formerly known as Eastland Equity Bhd, said the acquisition marks a strategic move to transform the group from a green energy asset investor into a fully integrated energy solutions provider. The group said the acquisition would enable it to expand beyond conventional solar projects into higher-margin segments such as substation design, EV charging infrastructure, transmission engineering solutions and electrical infrastructure maintenance. TIESB currently has an active secured contract book worth RM23.6 million. The company also holds several Petronas licences covering 15 categories of work and equipment, including a Petronas Sarawak Bhd licence, which broadens its project opportunities in East Malaysia and the oil and gas sector. Meta Bright executive director of corporate and strategic planning Derek Phang Kiew Lim said the acquisition strengthens the group’s position in the fast-evolving energy transition space. “The global energy landscape is changing quickly, and the push for energy transition is stronger than ever. By bringing TIESB into the group, Meta Bright is no longer just investing in renewable and energy efficiency assets; we are now a complete service provider capable of handling electrical-related projects,” he said. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026.