TECHNOLOGY
Huawei’s Sabrina Meng: Embracing 5G transformation
June 28, 20237:30 p.m.
SHANGHAI — At the opening day of MWC Shanghai 2023 today, Sabrina Meng, Huawei’s Rotating Chairwoman and CFO, gave a keynote titled “Embracing 5G transformation”.
“5G has been in commercial use around the world for four years now. It’s driving new value creation, and 5.5G is the next step forward,” said Meng. “Science and technology are moving towards large, complex systems. This requires matching technology to specific scenarios and performing systems engineering, in order to pave the way for 5G’s ongoing success.”
5G is creating value along three different fronts
Science fiction can only sketch the future. But science and technology can turn imagination into reality.
5G has been in commercial use for four years now. Across all industries and countless households around the world, it’s changing the way we work and live, creating tremendous economic, industrial, and social value.
For consumers, 5G, cloud, and AI have set off a chain reaction, creating an environment where all buyers can also be sellers.
For industries, 5G has become a new driver of productivity. There’s greater alignment than ever between technology suppliers, their partners, and customers on where 5G can provide the most value. Strategic patience, in-depth understanding of industrial scenarios, and ongoing improvements to ROI have given 5G a foothold in industrial applications.
Moving ahead, 5G will give rise to new devices and applications that deliver a more immersive experience, like 5G New Calling and naked-eye 3D. 5G is also ushering in a new era of super-connectivity between things, bringing new strength to IoT networks and driving new forms of productivity.
5.5G is the next step forward for 5G. 5.5G will feature 10-gigabit downlink speeds, gigabit uplink speeds, the ability to support 100 billion connections, and native AI. It will not only connect people better – it will also create incredible new business opportunities with more targeted support for industrial needs in domains like IoT, sensing, and advanced manufacturing.
Taking 5G to the next level and paving the way for ongoing success
The ladder to success isn’t built on ongoing progress with a single technology. It’s built on matching technology to specific scenarios and real-world needs. And systems engineering is key to taking the next step up.
The commercial deployment of 5G has created a growing appetite for more groundbreaking, leapfrog innovation. So what will take 5G to the next level, and how will it provide greater value in different vertical markets?
This will require finding the right technology for different scenarios and performing more comprehensive systems engineering. This will also require diving deeper into industrial scenarios, truly understanding customers’ pain points, and adopting a more holistic systems engineering mindset.
The industry needs to work more closely together both up and down the value chain – with peers and partners, customers and developers – on solution modeling and optimization, as well as tools and methodologies. The industry also needs to pave the way for ongoing success throughout the entire product lifecycle, from R&D and procurement, to supply and marketing.
Building up integrated capabilities and exploring the future of communications
The digital infrastructure of the future intelligent world will be deeply integrated into every aspect of people’s lives, industry, and society. It won’t be based on advancements in individual technologies, but rather on incredibly massive, complex systems – the convergence of multiple elements. It’s going to require systems-level thinking and design.
When watching a chess game, you can see the big picture. But when you’re playing chess, you focus on the details. Likewise, systematic capabilities to integrate technology and transform management are critical for the future success of 5G.
Meng spoke about two specific types of integrated capabilities. “The first is integrating different technologies. We can achieve greater synergy across cloud, networks, edge, and devices through systematic design and cross-domain innovation. When coupled with optimization across software, hardware, chips, and algorithms, we can address the challenges associated with developing complex solutions for vastly different industrial scenarios.”
“The second,” she continued, “is the ability to integrate different approaches to management. Digital and intelligent transformation is not just about technology itself. It’s more about transforming your approach to management. Going digital requires redefining the relationships between people, events, things, and theory, and adopting a more open, forward-looking management approach to address future challenges.”
Meng concluded: “Information technologies like 5G, 5.5G, AI, and cloud will help us rise with the tide and take us forward to an intelligent world. The best scenery is always ahead. Let’s create a bright future together.”
In the Philippines, the three major telecommunications service providers have rolled out 5G networks nationwide to offer better network services and optimize the potential of innovative technology.
TECHNOLOGY
AI can do that?! 5 ways AI is changing the game for communicators
12:30 p.m. March 8, 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniably here, transforming how communication professionals create content, engage audiences, and predict trends.
But while AI can do a lot, it’s not here to replace human creativity, strategy, and judgment. The real advantage lies in knowing how to use AI as a tool to work smarter and more efficiently.
Whether you’re in PR, marketing, media, or even a student, here are practical ways how AI can enhance your output and make you more effective.
1. Next-Level Personalization
A social media team for a fashion brand uses AI to analyze customer data and segment audiences based on their style preferences. The result? Hyper-personalized email campaigns that suggest products each customer is actually interested in.
2. Real-Time Brand Sentiment Tracking
A crisis communication team at a telecom company notices a sudden spike in negative tweets about a network outage. Thanks to AI-powered sentiment analysis, they react in minutes — crafting a strategic response before things further escalate.
3. Trend Prediction Like a Pro
A political campaign team taps AI to analyze past election data and social media conversations. They predict the key issues voters will care about and fine-tune their messaging before the conversation even starts.
4. AI Ethics 101: Sticking to Facts
A news agency integrates AI-driven fact-checking tools to ensure their reports stay credible and unbiased. They also train their team to detect AI-generated misinformation—because integrity still matters.
5. Instant VO with Zero Studio Time
A content creator needs a last-minute voiceover for a campaign video but has no time for a studio session. AI-generated voiceovers save the day—delivering pro-level narration from the comforts of their own home.
These are just some of the ways AI is transforming the way we communicate, market, and engage with audiences. As AI continues to evolve, everyone needs to upgrade their skills—learning how to adapt, think critically, and integrate AI tools strategically to stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven world.
If you want to future-proof your skills, don’t miss the AI Centre of Excellence (ACE) Workshop: Power of AI for Communications & Beyond, led by AI expert and India’s Director and CEO of the School of Communications & Reputation, Hemant Gaule.
Happening on March 21, 2025, 1:00 to 5:00 PM, at the Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, this workshop will give you valuable insights into leveraging AI tools to boost efficiency, engagement, and results.
Limited slots available — secure yours now at www.centreofexcellence.ai.
TECHNOLOGY
Say hello to Whisk, Google’s innovative answer to generative AI image creation
1:12 p.m. February 20, 2025
Generative AI opens up a world of creative possibilities with its ability to make unique content. Following the success of Google’s AI tools, it’s taking another significant step with Whisk, the newest experiment that explores the capabilities of gen AI.
Whisk is a fun and engaging tool that makes AI image generation more accessible, especially to those without prior AI knowledge. Instead of typing out long, detailed text prompts, it allows people to use image prompts. They simply drag images and start creating.
Generative AI utilizes deep-learning models to make high-quality content based on existing data. Sometimes, certain design elements get lost in text prompts. But with Whisk, anyone can easily customize how the image will come out. It allows specific image inputs for the main subject, the scene, and preferred art styles.
Behind the scenes, the Gemini model automatically writes a detailed caption of chosen images. It then feeds those descriptions into Google’s latest image generation model, Imagen 3. This process captures the subject’s essence, and doesn’t create an exact replica. This further allows people to remix their subjects, scenes, and styles in novel ways to create something that is uniquely theirs, from character concepts to enamel pin designs.
It’s also important to highlight that Whisk extracts only a few key characters from images, so generated content may differ from one’s expectations. Fortunately, it allows users to view and edit underlying prompts at any time to get the output they want.
Play with Whisk here: https://labs.google/fx/tools/whisk.
TECHNOLOGY
Love begins at home with Beko
5:22 p.m. February 17, 2025
As we finally embrace the love month, the pressure to find the perfect gift can often feel overwhelming. However, there’s no need to break the bank just to express your feelings. After all, it’s the thought that counts!
This love month, create lasting memories in the place you cherish most—your home. Beko, Europe’s number 1 home appliance brand, is here to help you make the perfect Valentine’s plan through meaningful, practical gifts that enhance everyday life.
Show your love in a cup
There’s nothing quite like a warm cup of coffee in the morning to express love. When it’s made by someone special, it means even more. Start your day with a delightful breakfast by pairing your coffee with a hearty meal. Experiment with different coffee blends and recipes for future breakfast dates!
Feel like a barista at home with the Beko espresso machine. The Beko CaffeExperto® Espresso Machine features an integrated milk frother, allowing you to create delicious cappuccinos and lattes right at home. Its user-friendly touchscreen interface lets you make coffee with just a tap, while the easy-to-clean design simplifies maintenance.
Acts of Service
Sometimes, it’s the simplest acts that have the biggest impact in showing how much you care, such as helping your loved ones with household tasks to create a more harmonious home. Lend a hand by volunteering to clean surfaces, wash the dishes, or do the laundry. Your loved ones will truly appreciate the effort!
Make laundry easier with Beko’s line of washers and dryers. These powerful appliances provide the gentle care your clothes need. One of Beko’s top washer-dryers has an Xpress Super Short 14-Minute Program that allows you to wash up to 2 kg of laundry in just 14 minutes. While 2 kg might not sound like a lot, it’s enough to wash around 20 T-shirts! That means more quality bonding time with your loved ones.
Cook Up Some Romance
Cooking is a way to someone’s heart, especially when it’s made with love. Instead of waiting in long reservation lines at a restaurant, consider having a simple yet intimate dinner date at home. Elevate the experience by setting up the table beautifully and creating a personalized menu that features your loved one’s favorite dishes.
Unleash your cooking prowess in the kitchen with Beko refrigerators featuring the innovative NutriFreeze technology. Imagine preparing for steak night or dishes with delicate fish—now you can keep your meats fresh, without deep freezing!
This unique feature freezes fresh foods like meat, shrimp, and fish at a precise temperature of -3°C, which helps to keep the natural texture and taste intact while slowing down bacterial growth. With NutriFreeze, you can reduce nutrient loss and extend the shelf life of your meats, making it easier to store food and enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home.
This Valentine’s season, show your loved ones how much they mean to you with Beko’s high-quality European appliances. Transform your home into a more love-filled space. Visit your nearest leading appliance store, or shop online at Beko Philippines’ official stores on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
For more details, visit our official website at www.beko.com/ph-en and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at @bekoph.
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