The Confluence of Metalworking And Digitalization

Metalworking companies have long provided critical support to major sectors—from semiconductor and aerospace to heavy industrial and construction. “Metalworking companies are actually one of our best-fit industries,” says Wee. “A lot of our customers come from this sector.”

A key success factor, especially in Singapore, is the ability to link operations across complex production lines and serve high-tech verticals such as semiconductor manufacturing. Where once metal fabrication was primarily about machining and finishing, modern-day metalworking must cater to intricate, nanometer-scale tolerances and advanced materials.

Wee observes:

“Metalworking shops that serve the semiconductor industry need to manage extremely fine tolerances. They want the shop-floor data to flow seamlessly back into their ERP system, ensuring real-time visibility into materials usage, process parameters, and cost structures. That’s where the power of a fully integrated software platform becomes indispensable.”

Industry 4.0 And ERP Interconnectivity

Traditionally, ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems were siloed, limiting manufacturers’ ability to glean timely insights from the production floor. Today, manufacturers demand integrated connectivity from sensors, automation systems, and supply chains through to the top-level financial dashboards. As Wee puts it:

“Integration or interconnectivity used to be a major barrier to adoption of technology. But now, with Industry 4.0, open protocols, REST APIs, and platforms like our Automation Studio, manufacturers can ‘snap in’ new software tools quite easily. They no longer have to worry about the complexities of older ERP structures that were never built for real-time data collection.”

This flexibility allows high-mix, low-volume shops (common in Singapore’s precision engineering ecosystem) to rapidly scale or pivot—crucial if they are handling contract manufacturing projects across aerospace, oil and gas, or consumer electronics.

Shifting From Siloed Data To Actionable Insights

IoT devices, collaborative robots, and advanced process controls can generate an avalanche of machine data. The real challenge is separating the “signal” from the “noise” and using that data to guide decision-making.

Wee explains how Epicor’s ERP solution helps:

“The data collection on the shop floor—whether it is cycle time, machine usage, quality checks, or scheduling—feeds directly back into the ERP. Previously, teams were reluctant to adopt new technology because they feared the complexity of integration. But with modern solutions, you gain a single source of truth. And that single source of truth is what powers actionable insights.”

For metalworking companies, those insights might include better real-time scheduling (e.g., re-routing a job to another CNC machine if a lathe is nearing capacity), more accurate job costing (capturing every step in the production process), and improved traceability of materials.

Addressing Common Pain Points

Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle to fund large capital investments in digital infrastructure while also grappling with workforce upskilling. “Manufacturers face multiple pressures right now,” says Wee. “At the SMF Summit, I sensed a genuine urgency around adopting the right technologies and also training their employees to handle these systems.”

In parallel, environmental and sustainability demands are intensifying. Government initiatives, such as Singapore’s commitment to net-zero by or around mid-century, challenge companies to track carbon footprints, waste management, and energy usage more closely. This data, too, is best tracked through comprehensive, integrated software.

“Sustainability, AI, interoperability—everything is converging at the same time,” Wee notes. “And the manufacturers we speak to are seeing that an advanced ERP system helps them thread all these issues together. When you have end-to-end visibility, you can build accurate audits, reduce waste, and optimize production flows.”

Global Ambitions And Local Footprints

For local Singaporean or ASEAN metalworking outfits eyeing new markets, advanced ERP solutions can accelerate expansion. When a domestic shop secures a contract from overseas, it faces the immediate need to scale planning, warehousing, and compliance reporting.

“Internationalization is also a conversation,” Wee says. “As companies branch out from Singapore, they’re often dealing with multi-site operations, multiple currencies, and complex shipping channels. An ERP system that handles compliance in various jurisdictions while offering a unified operational view can literally open doors for them.”

SMF’s Role And Forward Momentum

The Singapore Manufacturing Federation’s Manufacturing Day Summit 2025 served as a focal point for these discussions. SMEs, MNCs, and government bodies alike shared best practices and tackled urgent questions about productivity, AI, and workforce development.

Wee commends the SMF’s efforts:

“I think they have a lot of influence on manufacturers, especially in conveying the right message about where Singapore’s industrial base needs to be headed. This year’s theme is absolutely on-point because 2025 is indeed a turning point. With multiple disruptions coming together—technology, skilled labor, and sustainability—it’s critical for the entire ecosystem to be aligned.”

Looking Ahead: Transform Or Be Left Behind

Even as economic headwinds rise and global supply chains remain volatile, the consensus is that digitalization will define the winners in the manufacturing arena. Many of Epicor’s customers have realized that adopting an ERP system is not a “nice-to-have” but the backbone of future growth and competitiveness.

Wee sums it up well:

“Metalworking companies are right at the crossroads. They need to adopt technologies, upskill their workforce, and incorporate sustainability measures—all at once. That can be daunting. But with the right integrated solutions, it’s entirely achievable. And the companies that get it right now will shape the next decade of manufacturing.”

This vision resonates strongly with the objectives of APMEN, which has consistently championed advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, and best practices in the metalworking ecosystem. As we continue to highlight stories of industrial innovation, it’s clear that software-driven solutions—in everything from AI-based scheduling to shop-floor IoT—are rapidly becoming the linchpin of future-ready metalworking.

Conclusion

The takeaway from our discussion with Lorraine Wee is that digital integration is not a one-time investment—it’s an iterative journey that must be embraced holistically. With open APIs, cloud capabilities, and automation platforms readily available, integration hurdles have been lowered considerably. By leveraging these modern ERP solutions, metalworking shops can gather real-time data, unify disparate operations, and position themselves for global competitiveness.

Yet this shift demands more than just tech spend; it requires upskilled talent, top-down leadership, and ecosystems of support from organizations like the SMF. The manufacturing sector is indeed at a turning point—one where technological enablement, sustainability mandates, and workforce readiness converge. Companies that harness the power of integrated ERP stand poised to evolve beyond mere metal shops to become agile, digitally driven innovators.

APMEN will continue to track these transitions, celebrating the companies that embrace digital transformation and highlighting solutions that pave the way for Industry 4.0. Keep an eye on our upcoming features for more deep dives into real-world applications, lessons learned, and success stories from the metalworking frontlines.

The post Driving Digital Transformation In Metalworking: Insights From Epicor’s Lorraine Wee appeared first on Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News | Manufacturing | Automation | Quality Control.

Source: McMaster University

New antibiotics are needed with the worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacteria but even modern AI methods are limited at isolating promising chemical compounds, especially when researchers must also find ways to manufacture these new AI-guided drugs and test them in the lab. 

In a new study, published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence, researchers report they have developed a new generative AI model called SyntheMol that can design new antibiotics to stop the spread of Acinetobacter baumannii, which the World Health Organization has identified as one of the world’s most dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  

Notoriously difficult to eradicate, A. baumannii can cause pneumonia, meningitis and infect wounds, all of which can lead to death. Researchers say few treatment options remain.  

“Antibiotics are a unique medicine. As soon as we begin to employ them in the clinic, we’re starting a timer before the drugs become ineffective, because bacteria evolve quickly to resist them,” says Jonathan Stokes, lead author on the paper and an assistant professor in McMaster’s Department of Biomedicine & Biochemistry, who conducted the work with James Zou, an associate professor of biomedical data science at Stanford University.  

“We need a robust pipeline of antibiotics and we need to discover them quickly and inexpensively. That’s where the artificial intelligence plays a crucial role,” he says. 

Researchers developed the generative model to access tens of billions of promising molecules quickly and cheaply.  

They drew from a library of 132,000 molecular fragments, which fit together like Lego pieces but are all very different in nature. They then cross-referenced these molecular fragments with a set of 13 chemical reactions, enabling them to identify 30 billion two-way combinations of fragments to design new molecules with the most promising antibacterial properties. 

Each of the molecules designed by this model was in turn fed through another AI model trained to predict toxicity. The process yielded six molecules which display potent antibacterial activity against A. baumannii and are also non-toxic.  

“Synthemol not only designs novel molecules that are promising drug candidates, but it also generates the recipe for how to make each new molecule. Generating such recipes is a new approach and a game changer because chemists do not know how to make AI-designed molecules,” says Zou, who co-authored the paper. 

The research is funded in part by the Weston Family Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Marnix and Mary Heersink.    

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As the country scrambles to execute search and rescue, automakers might need to brace themselves for more impact coming from disruptions of suspended port operations till further notice. According to Statista.com, Japan imported ¥269.94 billion (US$1.78 billion) of auto parts from ASEAN last year for its domestic assembly. These automakers often source various components such as engines, transmissions, electrical parts, and body parts from Southeast Asian countries. 

In 2022, the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) noted Japan imported US$7.93 billion worth of motor vehicles parts and accessories from China (US$3.38 billion), Thailand (US$831 million), Germany (US$501 million), South Korea (US$447 million) and the United States (US$423 million).

Apart from auto parts, ASEAN enjoys a trade surplus of more than US$250 billion – the majority of which are due to exports of electrical machinery. The bloc exported some US$73 billion of electrical machinery and equipment in 2021, which makes up 28% of all ASEAN exports to the US. United States also imports other electrical machinery from Malaysia (US$1.73 billion), Indonesia (US$1.05 billion) and Thailand (US$1.04 billion).

What Does It Leave The Automakers?

Ford CFO John Lawler told Bloomberg TV the incident will have a negative impact on deliveries of parts. He said Ford is looking to reroute car parts to other east coast ports and it would draw on its experience with COVID-related supply chain disruptions, but that the supply chains will inevitably be lengthened. 

“It’s a large port with a lot of flow through it, so it’s going to have an impact. We’ll work on the workarounds,” he added.

GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said GM uses the port to ship some vehicles “to select export markets”. GM exports the Chevrolet Corvette, built in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to the United Kingdom through Baltimore as one example. Kelly said GM is working with its logistics providers to find shipping options at other ports, but GM expects only a minor impact on operations.

Stellantis spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in an emailed statement, “The Port of Baltimore is an important waterway for the automotive industry. We are initiating discussions with our various transportation providers on contingency plans to ensure an uninterrupted flow of vehicles to our customers and will continue to carefully monitor this situation.”

Port of Baltimore issued a statement giving no definite date of vessel traffic resumption, which says a lot about verticals affected. If these equipment cannot make into the US, that might just mean another episode of supply chain issues and freight price gouging. Japan has officially entered a recession  with one export sector forcefully paused, the ripple will reach ASEAN suppliers.  

Although there are other ports on the East Coast, it does not translate directly to business as usual. Port capacities would be a question in terms of port throughput, and the stranded cargo contends with waiting time or even diverting further to the West.

Kevin Linderman, Professor and Supply Chain Expert at Pennsylvania State University, said: “They will likely have to reroute shipping to other ports on the East Coast. However, this will put additional demand on these ports, and shippers may not be able to access US markets.”

Apart from auto parts, construction machinery is also affected. Reuters noted at least 40 ships are now more or less trapped inside the port, and some 30 others planned to arrive there.

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Source: Chosun.com

Southeast Asia enjoyed increasing popularity of Chinese brands, and it caused Samsung’s shipment volume and market share to decrease compared to the same period last year. Canalys’ findings revealed a total of 7.26 million smartphones were shipped in January from five Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. It marks a 20% increase in shipment volume compared to the same period last year.

Among these, Samsung Electronics has shipped 1.5 million units, fueled by the popularity of the Galaxy S24 series. As a result, the company has achieved a market share of 20% , securing the first rank. Samsung had lost the top spot in Southeast Asia to the Chinese company Transsion in December last year but managed to regain it within a month.

According to market research firm, Canalys, the overall economic recovery in Southeast Asia has led to an increase in smartphone demand. Rising interest in Galaxy’s AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology has been a positive factor as well. Xiaomi secured the second spot in the market with a share of 18%, followed by Transsion and Oppo, both with a share of 15%. Vivo came in fifth with 12%.

However, Samsung Electronics is lagging behind Chinese companies in terms of growth. In January, Samsung’s smartphone shipments in Southeast Asia declined by 11% year-on-year, and its market share dropped by 7 percentage points to 20% from 27% in January of the last year. 

On the contrary, Xiaomi’s shipment volume surged by 128% during the same period, and Transsion’s shipments exploded by 190%, challenging Samsung Electronics.

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Rösler and automation specialist Teqram addressed the demands with the universally usable rotary table Easy Shotblaster RDT 150, equipped with a stationary “intelligent” robot. This robot places the work pieces on the rotary table in a manner that optimally utilizes the entire table area without requiring any “teaching” operation.

OTTOSTAHL in Magdeburg produces up to 30mm thick, highly precise plasma-cut and up to 300mm thick flame-cut components. The company’s service portfolio includes the customised production of the components with CAD technology and detailed work plans for the respective manufacturing method.

Furthermore, post-processing operations such as shot blasting, drilling, mechanical chamfering as well as arranging material testing through independent external material testing offices are also offered by the company. An inventory of 4,000 tonnes of different steel grades and qualities, combined with a proven supplier and partner network, guarantees quick and reliable order processing.

Shortage Of Skilled Workers Catalysed The Investment

In its shot blasting department for sheet metal components, the company is utilising three machines (two continuous flow roller conveyor machines with an operating width of 3,800mm and a rotary table blast machine). After it had been used for more than 60 years, the old rotary table blast machine was replaced by a RDT 150 system from Rösler.

Key customer demands for the new system were the achievement of the specified shot blast results for a broad range of different components, short cycle times and high energy efficiency of the entire system.

Read more here at page 24

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Milling as a metal cutting method, originated in the late 18th century and quickly became one of the primary machining technologies today. It is hard to imagine any machine shop without milling machines on the shop floor. It is an essential process in manufacturing.

Today, we are witnessing significant changes in manufacturing that with profound consequences on the development of directions of milling. These changes are driven by various factors such as the increasing accuracy of metal shaping through precision investment cutting and precision forging, the widespread adoption of 3D printing, the growing usage of new composite and sintered materials, the need to enhance productivity in machining hard-to-cut superalloys and titanium grades, and the strong focus on electric and hybrid cars in the automotive industry, contributing to these changes.

Advancements Driving Productivity, Precision, and Sustainability

In addition, advancements in multi-axis machine tools have opened up new possibilities for precise machining of complex parts and enabled implementing new cutting strategies to improve productivity. In modern technological processes, there is a tendency to significantly reduce the amount of machining stock intended for milling operations, simultaneously increasing the requirements for surface finish and accuracy.

Therefore, the advancement in milling is driven by the need for higher productivity, more precision, and sustainability in operations. Consequently, the main developments in can be characterised as follow:

2. Fast metal removal focuses on boosting the metal removal rate (MRR) to achieve higher productivity by significantly increasing cutting speed or feed per tooth. This is achieved through techniques such as high speed milling (HSM) and, in rough operations, high feed milling (HFM).
3. Precision Milling Provides Higher Accuracy
4. Multi-axis milling is characterised by utilising multi-axis machining centres to enable complex milling operations.

Read more here in Page 15.

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According to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)’s Automotive Industry Club’s spokesperson, Surapong Paisitpattanapong, Thailand manufactured 142,102 cars in January, down 12.46% year on year. Production of pickup trucks for domestic sales contracted 50.89% year on year, while that of passenger vehicles for domestic sales went down 14.68% year on year, he added.

Automotive sales in January were recorded at 54,814 units, down 16.42% year on year. Sales of pickup trucks, usually the top seller, totalled only 14,864 units sold, down 43.47% year on year. Meanwhile, the sales of PPV (pickup passenger vehicle) also contracted 43.86% year on year due to the lack of new models released, while its market shares were also partly taken away by affordable SUVs.

“Buyers are facing stricter loan criteria as financial institutes are using the measure to ward off risks from rising household debts,” said Surapong.

Other factors affecting automotive sales include several months’ delay of budget disbursement under the budget bill for fiscal 2024, which has resulted in delayed investment, decreased spending, and a slowdown in economic expansion since the last quarter of 2023. Exports of Thai-made vehicles contracted slightly in January to 86,716 units, down 0.08% year on year. The main reason was the lack of space on cargo ships heading to Asia, Africa and North America, Surapong explained.

However, the export value of vehicles, engines, components and parts amounted to THB 79.63 billion in January, increasing 14.25% year on year. Meanwhile, the Department of Land Transport reported that 15,943 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered to run on Thai streets in January, an increase of 238.71% over the previous month.

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Source: Vietnam Energy

It is one of the key energy projects, contributing to the electricity demand of Khanh Hoa province as well as the Southern and South Central regions. Van Phong 1 BOT Thermal Power Plant was started in 2019 with an investment of nearly US$2.58 billion, including 2 units with a total installed capacity of 1,432 MW, and a net capacity of 1,320 MW. 

The Van Phong plant uses supercritical boiler technology with a series of modern equipment, with high efficiency and strict Vietnamese and international environmental standards. The Van Phong 1 BOT Thermal Power Plant will officially provide the national grid with about 3% of the total national electricity output.

The plant is expected to ensure electricity supply for production, business, and household consumption for Khanh Hoa province, the southern region and the entire country. This is the largest FDI project in Khanh Hoa province, invested by Japan’s Sumitomo Group.

The Van Phong Power Company Limited (VPCL) is an enterprise established by an investor with 100% capital. The project is invested in build-operate-transfer (BOT) under the BOT contract signed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (representation of the Vietnam Government), and will be handed over to the Vietnam Government after 25 years of operation.

The project’s general contractor is a consortium of contractors such as IHI Corporation ESSC, CTCI Corporation and Doosan Heavy Industries & Corporation. After more than four years of construction, the entire plant has been completed and officially put into commercial operation from 24 January 2024 (before the deadline committed to the Vietnam Government).

The VPCL and a consortium of contractors achieved this success after overcoming a series of difficulties during the COVID-19 epidemic. During construction, the project achieved more than 27.8 million safe labour hours. The investor always seriously applied the international safety standards in construction work. Social responsibility was also known for many practical livelihood support and social security programs.

In 4 years, VPCL contributed more than 16 billion VND to social security programs, taking care of 7,000 people each year, including nearly 70% of the children and elders. In addition, during the construction phase, the project created jobs for nearly 2,000 workers in Khanh Hoa province, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc emphasised the Van Phong 1 BOT Thermal Power Plant coming into operation will contribute to ensuring electricity supply and maintaining national energy security, as well as improving relations between Vietnam and Japan to “Comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world” within the framework of visit to Japan by Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong in November 2023.

The Deputy Minister expressed hope that Sumitomo Group’s investment projects in Vietnam will strengthen cooperation with domestic businesses to increase the localisation rate and expand the domestic supply chain associated with transfer technology for Vietnamese businesses, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to participate in the global supply chain.

At the same time, creates conditions for Vietnamese workers to learn, to be trained and to participate in important stages in the production process of projects.

“On the side of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, we commit to closely coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies and Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee in removing obstacles and supporting the Group to effectively implement the projects in the Van Phong economic zone in particular. At the same time, we continue to successfully implement investment and business activities in general in Vietnam,”  Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc affirmed.

The Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Tan Tuan said that Van Phong 1 BOT Thermal Power Plant is the largest-scale industrial project in Khanh Hoa province (up to this point), and dynamic project with important significance in the socio-economic development of Khanh Hoa province in generally and Van Phong Economic Zone particularly.

The project will have the power to spread, promote and attract investment into the Van Phong Economic Zone, develop local industry, and create momentum for the economy of Khanh Hoa province and South Central region while creating many jobs and contributing to the local budget with an estimated VND 1,000 billion per year.

“From today’s achievements, Khanh Hoa believes and hopes that Sumitomo Group, domestic and foreign corporations and businesses will continue to research, propose and implement new industrial, infrastructure and service projects in the province. The Khanh Hoa province commits to accompany, engage and fully support investors to achieve common goals,” Nguyen Tan Tuan shared.

General Director of Van Phong Electric Co., Ltd. Hirokazu Tsuru affirmed that strong supports from the Central and Local governments are the most important factors for the project, contributing to the completion of the plant construction in the schedule. The company especially appreciates and appreciates all the support and assistance from the Vietnam Government of and Khanh Hoa province during the project development and construction process.

In particular, the company must mention the reliable support and cooperation of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) when completing the 500 kV Van Phong – Thuan Nam line and Van Phong transformer substation in a short time, as well as close coordination of EVN companies during the process of building and testing the plant.

“The collective of Van Phong Electricity Co., Ltd. is confident in being able to contribute to Vietnam’s economy and society through the stable operation of the plant, as well as actively deploying and participating in the support activities of the community and local social security,” Hirokaru Tsuru said.

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For the Singapore-based subsidiary of TOPPAN Holdings Inc., a Japanese pioneer in printing technologies and a leading supplier of high quality Flip Chip Ball Grid Array (FC-BGA) substrates, this factory will be the first in Singapore to manufacture high-end FC-BGA substrates used in bleeding edge semiconductor products such as Network Switches and Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) devices.

The production ramp-up is part of TOPPAN’s strategic growth plan to address the increasing global and regional demand for advanced substrates and complements its main production hub in Japan. Research and development (R&D) on advanced substrate technologies to meet the future performance demands of products for such applications also will be conducted at this facility by AST.

With a target to start production by the end of 2026, AST‘s factory will implement state of the art factory automation to produce substrates of highest quality and yield. This factory, with a ~95,000 sqm floor area, will also employ over 200 high-tech engineers and skilled technicians, besides other operators, providing them with an opportunity to learn and lead in the field of FC-BGA substrate manufacturing and development.

TOPPAN will bring their most advanced substrate manufacturing know-how for implementation in AST’s production lines. TOPPAN’s large-body and high-layer-count substrate technology is proven in the products of several well-known large semiconductor companies worldwide. AST’s initial and key hires for FC-BGA substrate manufacturing will undergo intensive training in TOPPAN’s Niigata factories in Japan.

Broadcom Inc., a global technology leader that designs, develops, and supplies a broad range of semiconductor, enterprise software and security solutions, is also supporting the establishment of this world class manufacturing facility in Singapore.

“AST will be our first ever FC-BGA manufacturing facility outside of Japan,” said Mr. Tetsuro Ueki, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Head of TOPPAN’s Electronics Division. “AST will provide high-end FC-BGA substrates that are essential for cutting-edge semiconductor products. By leveraging the design and manufacturing expertise developed at TOPPAN Japan’s Niigata Plant and combining it with state-of-the-art automation technology, AST will achieve the highest quality and production efficiency. We sincerely appreciate the unwavering support from the Singapore government agencies, EDB and JTC, and the invaluable assistance from our esteemed client, Broadcom, which made this project possible,” he added.

Mr Beng Kong Pee, Executive Vice President of the Economic Development Board of Singapore, said, “AST’s new facility is a significant addition to Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem, which today already hosts a diverse range of manufacturers and suppliers. Singapore continues to strengthen our business-friendly environment, innovation ecosystem and connectivity to the world to remain a critical global node for semiconductors. We are therefore glad to be chosen to host TOPPAN’s first FC-BGA substrate manufacturing facility outside Japan. This is one of Japan’s largest investments overseas in the past decade for a key component in the semiconductor supply chain. EDB remains keen to partner with semiconductor companies globally across the value chain, and we look forward to achieving future milestones with partners like Broadcom and TOPPAN.”

“As TOPPAN’s largest customer for FC-BGA substrates, we welcome the additional capacity AST brings for large body, high layer count substrates,” said Dr. Charlie Kawwas, President of Broadcom’s Semiconductor Solutions Group. “We are also delighted that this factory is getting established in Singapore with a world class talent pool, a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem and outstanding support by the Singapore EDB and government agencies.  Advanced technologies developed at AST will be strategically important for us to differentiating our next generation Networking and AI/ML products and sustaining our market leadership,” he added.

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The world raved about AI last year, even Jensen Huang from Nvidia famously praised the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He went as far as to say anyone can be a programmer with AI softwares. This was during the period where ChatGPT got into trouble in various shapes and forms— from data security breach to fabricated content by a high ranking editor.

Now, the chip titan finds itself joining the group of defendants accused of copyright infringements via OpenAI. Three authors reportedly took Nvidia to court over using their copyrighted material without permission to train its NeMo AI platform.

Brian Keene, Abdi Nazemian and Stewart O’Nan said their works were part of a dataset of about 196,640 books that helped train NeMo to simulate ordinary written language, before being taken down in October “due to reported copyright infringement.“ In a proposed class action filed in San Francisco federal court, the authors said the takedown reflects Nvidia’s having “admitted” it trained NeMo on the dataset, and thereby infringed their copyrights.

They are seeking unspecified damages for people in the United States whose copyrighted works helped train NeMo’s so-called large language models in the last three years. Among the works covered by the lawsuit are Keene’s 2008 novel “Ghost Walk,” Nazemian’s 2019 novel “Like a Love Story,” and O’Nan’s 2007 novella “Last Night at the Lobster.”

The lawsuit drags Nvidia into a growing body of litigation by writers, as well as the New York Times, over generative AI, which creates new content based on inputs such as text, images and sounds. Nvidia touts NeMo as a fast and affordable way to adopt generative AI.

Other companies sued over the technology have included OpenAI, which created the AI platform ChatGPT, and its partner Microsoft. AI’s rise has made Nvidia a favourite of investors. The Santa Clara, California-based chipmaker’s stock price has risen almost 600% since the end of 2022, giving Nvidia a market value of nearly US$2.2 trillion.

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