IT lists

 In November 2022, cryptocurrency exchange FTX suddenly collapsed, marking one of the biggest scandals in the industry’s history. Founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) was found to have secretly funneled customer funds to his affiliated trading firm, Alameda Research, resulting in massive losses. The total damage is estimated to exceed $8 billion, with millions of users losing access to their assets. Initially hailed as a promising entrepreneur, SBF’s downfall dealt a major blow to trust in cryptocurrencies. The incident triggered a global push for stricter regulations and highlighted the risks of centralized exchanges and the need for transparency. It also reignited interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) as a safer alternative. FTX’s collapse has been called the “Lehman Shock” of the crypto world, with lasting impacts on regulatory frameworks and efforts to restore market confidence.

 In May 2025, Hugging Face announced two fully open-source humanoid robots: “HopeJR” and the desktop-sized “Reachy Mini.” HopeJR is a full-body, 66-degree-of-freedom bipedal humanoid developed with The Robot Studio, capable of walking and manipulating objects, priced at around $3,000. Reachy Mini is a tabletop robot costing $250–300, supporting head movement, voice interaction, and AI app execution, intended for educational, research, and AI interaction testing purposes. Both models are completely open-source in hardware and software, allowing anyone to modify or reuse them. Hugging Face, after acquiring Pollen Robotics in April 2025, promotes the “LeRobot” initiative, aiming to merge AI and robotics. Initial shipments are scheduled for late 2025, with a waitlist already available. Compared to expensive rivals like Tesla’s Optimus or the Unitree G1, these new robots drastically reduce costs, making advanced robotics accessible to a broad audience—from educators and researchers to h...

  Overview Under current systems, an AI itself cannot win an election and hold a seat or term. Public-office qualifications in many countries presume a human (a natural person), so AI is positioned as a helper inside government. In practice, more agencies are trying virtual AIs for advice and front-desk support, but accountability always rests with people. The aim of using AI in public administration is to move procedures forward reliably: shorter wait times for residents, faster document handling, earlier detection of fraud and errors, and clearer public disclosure. Benefits First, 24/7 front-desk service. Chat or voice can guide residents in multiple languages and ease burdens on seniors and families with children. Second, application support and format checks reduce rejections and keep reviews moving. Third, anomaly detection in bidding and procurement, conflict-of-interest signals, and cross-checking past cases strengthen the base of transparency. Fourth, public-comment and ...

  What is WEEB / the “Weeb Economy”? “Weeb” originally meant a foreigner who is obsessed with Japanese anime, manga, or pop culture. In recent years, it has often been used more positively. Weebs generate economic activity not only by consuming content but also through tourism, purchasing goods, attending events, and engaging in experience-based services. Types of Economic Impact from Weebs in Japan Sector Economic Impact Tourism “Anime pilgrimage” (visiting real-life locations featured in anime/manga) brings in revenue for local governments via accommodation, dining, and transport. Weebs also drive inbound tourism. Content Exports & Licensing Anime, manga, and games distributed and localized overseas. Weeb demand supports these businesses and provides key revenue streams. Merchandise & Goods Market Demand for character goods, figures, cosplay items, apparel, and related products. Increasingly includes digital goods (e.g. digital art, NFTs). Cultural Services ...

  Overview IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan) is an incorporated administrative agency under METI. Its mission is to build a trustworthy IT society by strengthening cybersecurity, issuing guidance, and developing IT talent. The current president is Hiroshi Saito . Main roles National exams: Operates the Information Technology Engineers Examination (e.g., IT Passport, Fundamental Information, Applied Information, Registered Information Security Specialist/SC). RISS system: Manages registration/renewal/training for Registered Information Security Specialist holders (valid for 3 years; renewal requires online training, etc.). Vulnerability information: Co-runs JVN / JVN iPedia with JPCERT/CC to publish and share vulnerability information in Japan. Incident response & evaluation: J-CRAT for targeted-attack response; JISEC (Common Criteria certification) for IT product security. SMB support: SECURITY ACTION self-declaration program (on...

USEN’s landing page for food service robots. They propose and support multiple brands (Pudu/Keenon/SoftBank/Gausium) end-to-end, including maintenance. Free trials available. Main models & features BellaBot: multi-tier trays and a “cat” design that boosts customer engagement; ideal for serving and bussing. KettyBot Pro: runs in ~52 cm aisles, front display, tray sensors; an upgraded version of USEN’s best-selling unit. PuduBot 2: adjustable 3–7 trays (5+ as option), 360° hand-off. Servi IRIS EDITION / Servi+: prioritizes mobility and ease of operation. Other options: Keenbot T8/T5, Delivery X1, etc. Cost ballpark “About ¥92/hour” is an example: ¥33,250/month ÷ (12 hours × 30 days), assuming a 5-year lease of Ketty with maintenance. Actual costs vary by model and contract terms. Implementation flow Inquiry → 2) Consultation → 3) On-site survey (with live driving test) → 4) Initial setup & operations support. Nationwide maintenance available. ...

 The term “homebrew” varies by context. Below are four major domains and their historical significance, summarized briefly. Computing history (Homebrew Computer Club, 1975–): A venue where individuals brought circuits and code to conduct “open experiments.” Milestones like the Apple I demo helped democratize personal computing and nurtured an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beer homebrewing: In the United States, a 1978 legal change effectively legalized homebrewing, spurring the rise of small regional breweries and accelerating the craft-beer movement—a textbook case of citizen trial-and-error revitalizing an industry. Game console/software homebrew: Development outside official SDKs and the modding scene fostered deep hardware understanding, trained indie talent, and aided preservation of retro games. At the same time, it has long existed in tension with laws like the DMCA, alongside debates over preservation exemptions. macOS Homebrew (package manager, 2009–): By enab...