Abe conceives of establishing a framework for negotiating the rules among members of the World Trade Organisation and hopes to reach an agreement to launch talks when leaders of the Group of 20 nations meet in Osaka in June, the sources said.

Abe wants to take a leading role in drawing up the rules at the summit, which will be chaired by Japan.

In his speech in Davos, Abe will emphasise the importance of the movement of data.

“The engine of growth no longer runs on gasoline but on digital data,” he plans to say, the sources said.

The free flow of data across national borders is seen as essential to economic growth driven by artificial intelligence and the internet. Big data — information on consumers’ online browsing histories and purchase records — has even been called “modern petroleum.”

Japan, the United States and the European Union agree that interested WTO member nations should embark on creating new rules.

They believe there should be sufficient safeguards on the flow of data to prevent problems such as |leaks of secret or personal information.

In contrast, China is strengthening its restrictions on transferring data outside the country, as well as taking other steps that benefit its domestic information technology industry, such as demanding foreign companies transfer their technology when doing business in China.

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To create an environment where data can move freely around the world, Abe has resolved to call for the negotiations not only involving the United States and Europe, but a |wide range of WTO member nations, including China, India and |African countries. The Trans-Pacific Partnership commission, made up of ministerial officials from TPP countries, was held in Tokyo on Saturday.

Abe told the ministers at the meeting that the trade pact’s “clear provisions on the free flow of data will serve as a model for future international rules.”

The TPP prohibits excessive restrictions on the movement of data.

Abe also aims to incorporate such a provision into the new rules, the sources said.

However, even if Abe succeeds in launching the negotiations, China and other countries will likely insist on maintaining their own rules on data movement, which might make reaching an agreement difficult.

In its roadmap announced last week, the government said it would diversify the hydrogen supply portfolio, increase the supply volume to 5.26 million tons in the next 20 years and lower the |market price of the energy source to less than 3,000 won per kilogram.

The Seoul government will also support the industrial and domestic use of fuel cells for electricity and develop ships, trains and construction machinery powered by hydrogen, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement.

The roadmap was announced in Ulsan, a southeastern industrial city with President Moon Jae-in in attendance.

According to the plan, the number of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the country will reach 80,000 in less than four years and 1.8 million by 2030.

The government will start providing subsidies for fuel-cell electric taxis and trucks while working with local governments to increase the number of fuel-cell electric buses to 2,000 by |2022.

It also plans to start replacing all 820 police buses with fuel-cell electric buses in 2021.

The subsidies, the government believes, will drive up production capacity and lower costs to around 30 million won, half the price of an FCEV sold on today’s market, by 2025.

Stressing the government’s determination to pursue a |hydrogen economy, President Moon said fuel cell technology would lead the country’s future growth.

“For us, it is a golden opportunity that could fundamentally transform the state energy system and secure new growth engines (at the same time),” said Moon.

“We can take the lead in (creating) a hydrogen economy by connecting (the technology) with traditional manufacturing sectors including the auto, shipping and petrochemical industries.”

The rationale behind the Korean government’s rather drastic hydrogen economy plans lies in the strong potential of hydrogen fuel to create new jobs and revive sluggish manufacturing businesses, including small and medium-sized companies.

The aim of the government’s road map is to bring in fresh investment and create jobs |in traditional industries such |as steel production, petrochemicals and mechanical engineering, according to industry watchers.

By 2040, the government expects to generate 43 trillion won worth of added value a year and create 420,000 new jobs in the market.

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Korea’s shift toward hydrogen as an energy source is also based on hopes of decarbonizing the country’s entire transportation fleet and reducing its heavy reliance on imported oil.

The country relies on oil imports from the Middle East for most of its energy needs.

Asia’s fourth-largest economy is among a few countries vying to secure the top position in hydrogen technology.

Both China and the US have set their 2030 targets for hydrogen vehicles at 1 million, while Japan plans to provide 800,000 FCEVs across the country in the same year.

Korea’s Energy Ministry believes the country could become a first mover in hydrogen technology, overtaking competitors such as the US and China.

“We have world-class technology for hydrogen cars and fuel cells and also have (a significant) production capacity for hydrogen byproducts from petrochemical complexes as well as a (strong) supply network for natural gas across the country,” said |Vice Energy Minister Jeong Seung-il.

Both mass production and the goals in the road map are feasible, he asserted.

Ulsan, where the announcement was made, is home to major petrochemical and auto manufacturing complexes as well as to the Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor.

The carmaker takes the lead in the hydrogen car market with the Nexo, which can go up to 609 kilometers on a single charge, giving it the longest range in the world for a green car.

The government in Wenzhou, a city known as the country’s cradle for private entrepreneurship, has joined with Ant Financial, operator of China’s biggest online payment platform Alipay, and e-commerce giant Alibaba through an agreement signed in May 2015 to jointly develop “a smart business area.”

The city’s iconic Wuma (Five-horse) Street took priority in expanding the innovative way of “paying with your face”. Some 20 stores along the street have been equipped with the Alipay system called Dragonfly.

At a local store, customers can look at the iPad-sized Alipay device to complete payment in less than 10 seconds. Store manager Nan Hai said mobile payments have become very popular and save the trouble of counting pennies. Mao Xinqin, director of the street’s administration, said facial recognition payments can improve efficiency during the peak season for tourism and shopping.

Yang Peng, vice-president of Ant Financial, said Alipay has upgraded the payment system using a 3D structured light camera and can ensure accuracy of 99.99 percent.

Other shopping areas in Wenzhou will also increase the use of facial recognition for payments, according to the plan.

Wenzhou wants to transform traditional business models using advanced digital technology from big companies like Alibaba, said Dai Wenhu, deputy head of the city’s bureau of commerce. The project that uses hardware for merchants to support mobile payments can also gain a precise understanding of customer needs.

The city has also worked with Ant Financial to develop a system to evaluate the financial credibility of small and medium-sized companies.

Ye Xinming, deputy director of Wenzhou Financial Office, said companies enjoying sound business conditions will be given priority in obtaining various preferential policies and services such as loans from banks and marketing subsidies from Alipay.

After being roused from your sleep, you say “Good Morning” and the bathroom lights turn on immediately. As you get dressed for work in front of the mirror, it recognises who you are and starts displaying newsfeed customised for you.

These scenarios were among the numerous artificial intelligence (AI) showcases at the latest CES in Las Vegas, the world’s largest consumer electronics trade fair.

From the pre-show presentation of tech sales and forecasts by CES 2019 organiser Consumer Technology Association (CTA) to the keynotes by different technology firms, AI was a topic constantly mentioned.

 Thomas Husson, vice-president and principal analyst at research firm Forrester, defines AI as “a system of capabilities for machines to interact, think or mimic human intelligence and engagement”, which helps automate tasks and improves employee and customer experience.

“While it is early days yet and there is a lot more innovation to come, AI is increasingly embedded everywhere and will increasingly have many new uses,” said Husson.

On the CES 2019 show floor, there were plenty of gadgets that are utilising AI for better user experience.

For example, wearable company Vuzix’s latest smart glasses, called Blade, is the first pair of Alexa-compatible smart glasses. Vuzix is also looking into adding Google Assistant to the Blade in the future.

Pet-device maker PetCube joined the voice-assistant bandwagon and announced two smart pet cameras that let pet owners use Alexa commands to throw treats to their |pets.

“With customers demanding instantaneous response and easily distracted, AI is seen by companies as a solution to increase engagement and retain customers,” said Loo Wee Teck, research firm Euromonitor International’s head of consumer |electronics.

In fact, in market research firm Euromonitor International’s Industry Insights survey to companies, 58 per cent of respondents believe AI will improve customer engagement in the next 12 months.

For consumers, AI will primarily be in the form of digital voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Assistant and Samsung Bixby, as well as in smart appliances ranging from smart speakers to smart homes.

Digital assistants will be going into everything from home appliances to cars, said Lesley Rohrbaugh, CTA’s director of market research.

There is definitely “a shift in consumer behaviour to voice”, according to a study last year by CTA on US adults about the use of digital assistants.

“Voice is quickly becoming the go-to interface as it is very easy to interact with voice,” said Rohrbaugh.

On the eve of CES 2019, Google announced that Google Assistant is now available in one billion devices, after Amazon declared that it has more than 100 million devices running Alexa.

At the show, Google had a booth three times the size of what it had last year. The booth showed off Google Assistant’s capabilities in a home setting as well as a “Disney-like” ride that features Google Assistant helping.

According to Loo, a key reason for the blossoming of AI is tech giants Amazon and Google making the application programming interface of their AI readily available to third parties.

Amazon has the Alexa Connect Kit, while Google has the Google Assistant Connect Kit for device-makers to implement these voice assistants into their devices.

“AI development is now democratised and available to start-ups, not just for multinational companies with deep pockets,” said Loo.

Industry leader Samsung Electronics Co unveiled its latest wind-free air conditioners that gently disperse cold air through micro air holes and saves energy with advanced inverters.

The new cooling system features Samsung’s Bixby digital assistance to better control temperature, humidity and air quality.

It also allows users to control other Samsung appliances connected via Wi-Fi, such as wall-mounted air conditioners, air purifiers and TVs, the company said.

 “The new wind-free air conditioners based on AI technology upgraded the air purification function and presents a cool design,” Lee Jae-hwan, a senior official at Samsung’s consumer electronics division, said during a media event. “We will step up efforts to develop the air care technologies to help consumers better withstand heat waves and fine dust.”

The company also said its sleek design will seamlessly blend with the interior design to cater to discerning consumers.

Samsung’s new air conditioners will be available beginning next Thursday.

Last week, its smaller rival LG Electronics Inc launched new Whisen ThinQ air conditioners outfitted with AI-based voice assistant and air purifying functions.

The 2019 models improved air purifying filters to address growing concerns of fine dust that chokes South Korea in the springtime, and sometimes even in winter, the company said.

The Whisen ThinQ air conditioners based on “interactive AI” technology allow users to cool or purify their houses with nothing more than their voice, it noted.

LG says the smart cooling devices are more energy efficient, allow users to check outside weather and pollution conditions, and can connect to other home assistants.

“Whisen ThinQ air conditioners will provide differentiated value with interactive AI and a more advanced air purifying system that can be used for 365 days,” Song Dae-hyun, the head of LG Electronics’ home appliance & air solution division, said in a press release.