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• China has emerged as a real-time testing ground for mass AI adoption, with major tech companies like Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu racing to commercialize AI tools at scale across consumer and enterprise markets. • DeepSeek's V4 AI model preview last month introduced Huawei-made chips, reducing dependence on US chipmakers like Nvidia, while Stanford's Human-Centred AI Institute reports the US-China gap in top AI model performance has "effectively closed." • Chinese leaders have pledged an annual average growth of at least 7% in nationwide R&D spending through 2030 and invested heavily in talent development and affordable electricity infrastructure to support power-hungry AI systems.

• A growing measles outbreak in South Carolina, reported in recent days, has seen case numbers rise amid low vaccination rates in certain communities. • Public health officials note multiple exposures and urge unvaccinated individuals to seek MMR shots immediately. • The outbreak underscores U.S. vulnerabilities with national MMR coverage at 92.7%, below herd immunity thresholds, risking wider spread.

• Singapore‑headquartered AI‑analytics company NexaAnalytics raised $120 million in a Series B round led by Temasek Holdings on May 8, 2026, valuing the firm at $1.1 billion. • The startup, which specializes in real‑time marketing‑attribution and supply‑chain‑demand‑prediction models for ASEAN retailers, says it will allocate 60% of the capital to expand its GPU‑cluster footprint in Singapore and Malaysia and the rest to R&D and regional hiring. • NexaAnalytics reports current ARR of $49 million, up from $18 million a year ago, with its prediction models deployed across more than 850 enterprise clients including major e‑commerce and logistics networks in Indonesia and Thailand.

• Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) dropped 20.06 points or 0.4% to close at 4,921.90 on May 8, 2026, amid a broader regional retreat. • Hongkong Land was the worst performer among STI constituents, plunging 5.2% or US$0.45 to US$8.25. • OCBC bucked the trend, rising 0.2% to S$21.92 after reporting a 5% quarterly net profit increase to S$1.97 billion for Q1 ended March 31.

• Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced on May 8 a major initiative to upskill 40,000 tech professionals over the next three years, including final-year information and digital technologies students, to help them stay current with rapid AI advances. • The program expands the TechSkills Accelerator Programme (TeSA) launched in 2016 and falls under the National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP), with strategic partnerships with industry partners to develop AI fluency courses. • AIxTech, a flagship program created by IMDA and AI Singapore, will equip professionals with technical and responsible AI skills throughout the software engineering life cycle, providing access to AI coding tools like Claude, Codex, and Gemini.

• Disney revealed D23 Asia: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will debut in Singapore in 2027, following the announcement of Disney Cruise Line's regional launch. • The three-day convention will feature Hollywood stars, storytellers, live showcases, behind-the-scenes presentations, performances, interactive experiences, and exclusive merchandise. • No specific dates, locations, or ticket information have been released yet; updates will come via the Singapore Tourism Board on Instagram.

• Chinese semiconductor equipment makers CCtech and Nextool Technology are deepening presence in SEA's OSAT centers as Malaysia and Singapore emerge as packaging and testing hubs. • Expansion driven by global supply chain shifts, southbound strategies, surging AI demand, and power electronics growth. • The moves signal a new upcycle for test and packaging equipment amid regional semiconductor boom.