With the rapid advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, is a human-level AGI inevitable, possible or desirable? More importantly: who gets to decide?

In the second episode of Tech Talk in collaboration with CelcomDigi, Rich interviews Afizulazha Abdullah, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of CelcomDigi, about the impact of 5G technology on Corporate Malaysia.They discuss 5G's faster speeds, lower latency, and higher capacity, exploring its effects on industries like smart city management, autonomous vehicles, and smart farming.Afiz explains that jobs won't disappear, but need to be reimagined and redesigned to match technological advancements.He also touches on the role of network providers like CelcomDigi in promoting 5G's economic and societal benefits and helping businesses implement digital solutions.

Experiments with AI, the best place to survive the zombie apocalypse, what a chemical smell at a swimming pool really means, and a sweaty cure for social anxiety. That’s weird science.

In the first episode of our fintech series with Boost, the regional full spectrum fintech arm of Axiata, we managed to spend some time with Sheyantha Abeykoon, the Group CEO of Boost, where we discussed how they managed to grow to become one of Malaysia’s emerging fintech giant with a regional presence across Southeast Asia.In the discussion, he shared some insider insights on how Boost has been able to scale its business in a sustainable manner, as well as the learnings along the way. He also offered a glimpse into Boost’s continuous aim to further close the gap in financial inclusion across markets that they are present in, along with a potential market expansion in the works.

Dive into the first of four special episodes in collaboration with CelcomDigi.In this episode, Afizulazha Abdullah, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of CelcomDigi, discusses the role of 5G technology in driving growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Explore the impact of 5G technology on various industries and learn how adopting a mobile-first approach can create new opportunities for businesses. Afizulazha shares his perspectives on how 5G technology can transform the way SMEs operate.This series with CelcomDigi, will equip you with valuable insights into the transformative power of 5G technology in Malaysia, and inspire you to explore the possibilities it holds for your business.

Is there anything we don’t rely on electricity for in a digital age? A little bit of current could also be the solution to a happy and healthy life.

Data is the new oil, the lifeline of both digital and phygital economies. But data is broken. Big Tech controls most data. Leaks and unauthorised sales and exchanges of data are rampant. Regulatory bodies are in an arms race with Big Tech & businesses to minimise the risk exposure to the average person. While government regulations provide some protection, they are not tackling the root of the problem. Opinion leaders are increasingly driving for reform at the source - for individuals to take charge of their own data through data self-sovereignty. We hear from Dataswift’s CEO, Professor Irene Ng about the transformative and disruptive concept of decentralised, self-sovereign data.

Can machines know our thoughts? Does time stop on the moon? Is Keanu Reeves going to be the Last of Us? That’s some Weird Science.

Incite Foodtech Sdn Bhd, a fast-growing food tech venture, recently acquired Eatcosys Sdn Bhd, a homegrown retail technology solutions provider that was recently recognised by KPMG and HSBC as one of the “emerging Malaysian unicorns.” Together they are looking to create ASEAN's First Retail Tech Ecosystem. Combining their expertise, Incite Foodtech and Eatcosys aim to provide diverse solutions for both B2B and B2C segments.

Forget Skynet. The machine invasion is already here. It’s you search engine. Bot-assisted search is the future. But what kind of future will that be?

Due to evolving economic pressures, ADB revised its 2023 growth forecast to 4.7 percent for ASEAN as global demand weakens. As such, the financial services sector must pivot their digital transformation efforts to lower costs, boost operational efficiency, and provide modern user experiences while maintaining strict regulatory compliance.Modernising IT infrastructure is a vital step in digital transformation- but it is known to be a costly, time consuming, and risky project. How can the financial services sector move to modernise their IT landscape successfully and cost-effectively?

History is a wild and savage place. And one day that wild and savage place will be us. Will future societies cringe at our selfies, food shots and obsession with screens?

Bingbots, algo-cheating, taped-up batteries, aliens and Neanderthals are just some of the topics Mattsplained is weirding out with todayPhoto Credit: Kulturpop | MidJourney

With his recent appointment to CEO at Pertama Digital, Saify brings with him a multitude of experience in the tech business space. He has built and expanded technology enterprises around the globe, beginning with Uber's entry into Malaysia's market in 2014 and GrabCar's entry into Malaysia's market in 2015. We discuss the Malaysian tech-space – what we have and don’t have, and how to fill in the gaps, Neobanking, and trending tech topics

Web3 promises to democratise the Internet, and return control to users at the expense of Big Tech. But is it a problem masquerading as a solution?Photo Credit : Kulturpop | MidJourney

The world as we know it is fast changing. As telecommunications network equipment becomes more IP-based, energy consumption requirements have also increased steadily. There is a need to develop new, inexpensive, clean energy sources to fuel the growth of the industry.With demand for wireless infrastructure on the rise accelerating to meet the growing bandwidth for 4G and 5G networks, we may be heading into a world where we would have to build telcos every 500 metres and more antennas on building tops.But, is this solution viable? Is there no better way to reach ultimate connectivity and reduce the carbon footprint in the process?

Smart homes, smart buildings, smart hospitals - The internet of things (IoT) is changing the way that we interact, and live, within these spaces. Automation, energy management, security management and even entertainment, can ultimately simplify your life and give you more free time to do the things that you want to do. But what technology do we need to ensure that we’re getting the automated lifestyle that we desire, and how can this technology be applied to public spaces? We hear from Tharma G, Founder and CEO of bWave.

Does the idea of shape-shifting T-1000 robots terrify you? Science create a robot that can shift from metal to solid, as this week’s Weird Science takes in comets, aquatic dairy farms and more ChatGPT. Photo Credit : Kulturpop | MidJourney

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that some implemented systems such as remote learning were shown to be a viable addition or replacement to traditional school systems. BeLive Technology is the leading provider of live-streaming solutions in Southeast Asia, and their platform employs advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning developed specifically for live video analysis, live shopping and interactive live-streaming. Kenneth believes that adopting live streaming solutions may be a better option for e-learning platforms, as it allows for user interaction and makes the class more dynamic - rather than having students watching a pre-recorded lecture. 

It’s the first Weird Science of 2023. Inside our almanack of insane ideas are an elixir of youth, an insulating superwood and a system that creates a 3D surveillance system from your WiFi box.Photo Credit : Kulturpop | MidJourney

We’ve been talking about digitalisation for months, years even, but why do we still feel the need to talk about it? It’s simple. Adoption. There are still companies out there that still don’t realise, in 2023, that digitalisation is vital to their survival. So why aren’t they adopting? What’s the holdup and how might a holistic approach help sway the naysayers? We’ll be hearing from Jheeva Subramanian about some real life strategies that might help.

Over the past few years, 3D printing has developed significantly and can now perform crucial roles in many applications, with the most common applications being manufacturing, medicine, and architecture. In today’s digital era, Ka Bina believes that 3D printing could help benefit the construction industry and help to provide homes for the B40 group. 

Electric cars, lies and the metaverse. As far as Mattsplained is concerned, it’s all you need to know about 2023. Photo Credit : Kulturpop | MidJourney

Mattsplained went goblin mode in 2022. How else do you cope with Twitter warfare, quiet quitting and crypto collapses? Oh yeah, there was some good stuff about the year, too.Photo Credit : Kulturpop | MidJourney

You’d go to a drinks stall when you’re thirsty, and the clinic when you’re sick. But where do you turn to when you’re recovering from an injury that will change your life forever — like a limb that no longer works? Prosthetics seem to be an answer for most people, but what if you could take that prosthetic and enhance it with robotics? No, this is not a scene from a movie, but very real life.Photo Credit : Shutterstock | 22Images Studio

The buzzwords over the last couple of years have been 'digitalisation', 'pivot', and 'digital transformation'. We managed to sit down with Ben Lim, the Senior Country Manager for Epicor Software to hear how these buzzwords have been turned into action. He also explains how important ERP systems (Enterprise Resource Planning) are to smaller enterprises as we move into 2023. And just what is 'Human Centric Industry 5.0' all about?Photo Credit : Shutterstok | Wright Studio

ChatGPT, a chatbot from OpenAI, has been creating headlines with its incredible ability to generate screenplays, write code and seemingly answer questions on any topic. Sage or snake oil: is it too good to be true?Image Credit: Kulturpop | MidJourney

Often with digitalisation comes something else – disruption. And a company as large and as settled as Petronas will likely have some friction when it comes to adopting some digital practices. However, it seems that with Aadrin helming their digital adoption strategies, that friction is somewhat lessened. But what exactly does a Digital Officer do at Petronas and how can they realistically affect change?

It is estimated that Asia’s digital payments sector is on track to exceed $1 trillion in annual revenue within the next two years. According to a joint survey by The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and global data analytics leader, SAS, only 17% of organisations use artificial intelligence or machine learning analytics to detect fraudulent activities. Clearly there is still a lot of potential for growth in terms of utilising advanced technology to prevent fraud. We hear from Keith Swanson of SAS on how Artificial Intelligence can be used to mitigate fraud in the upcoming holiday season.Image Credit: Shutterstock | U-STUDIOGRAPHY DD59

If the Metaverse is the Internet, where does that leave VR? Exploring the Immersive layer of XR – extended reality.Image Credit: Kulturpop | MidJourney

Many businesses in Malaysia have a multi cloud strategy, while 80% of them are combining the use of public and private clouds to replace traditional storage infrastructure and also help them scale for growth. This further proves that businesses are on the right trajectory, considering the benefits that cloud solutions offer, like improved security, performance, and reliability. But for some companies they still fall into recognisable pitfalls - including making data an afterthought, and the lack of proper data governance. Siva Subramanian, Head of Data & Analytics Practice at Searce, takes us through these and how to prepare accordingly.Image Credit: Searce Official Website

In part one of our simples guide to the Metaverse, we try to cut through the complexity and corporate clutter to delineate what the metaverse is, and when we’ll get to use it. Image Credit: Kulturpop | MidJourney

 In Bangkok earlier this month, the Infocomm SEA event saw vendors and visitors from all over the world gather to display and discuss ideas and products for Hybrid Working. A movement that, based on the event, is very much in full-swing. But is Hybrid Working for everyone? And what are some of the tools available to make Hybrid Working easier, and more productive in the future? And finally, what on earth is 'Flexwashing'? Tune in to find out.

Mass lay-offs, a financial crisis, growing voices of intolerance. And a kitchen sink. No, it isn’t the global economic crisis. It’s Twitter under its new owner, Elon Musk.Image Credit: Kulturpop | MidJourney

There have been a lot of HR topics covering how businesses are struggling to attract talent, shortening of working hours, and the new employment act. CXL, a homegrown HR solutions company believes businesses should hire contingent talent and how they can be used effectively.  What tech are they utilising to streamline this process, and how is it helping, or hindering, onboarding?

Want to swap your smartwatch for a quantum one? Or use quantum lasers to navigate without stars? You’re probably more interested in an AI that can train an army of robots, and a probiotic that can help you lose weight.Image Credit: Kulturpop | MidJourney

Just a few years ago, Caleb was a teacher who had an interest in mechanical keyboards. Today, Caleb is an entrepreneur with a business designing and selling those keyboards. So why the switch? How much love is there for mechanical keyboards anyway? And why would someone with a stable job decide that launching a business in a very niche market, during a pandemic, was a good idea? Image Credit: Monokei Facebook Page

For decades, nuclear fusion – the power of the sun – has hooked us with a promise of unlimited clean electricity. Now, a new generation of star-ups is set to turn academic theory into market-ready reality. Image Credit: Kulturpop | MidJourney

REKA is a research and development company that specialises in facilitating human-technology interaction through IoT sensing, data visualisations, and autonomous systems that are now in use within organisations across a variety of sectors. Haziq Faris, CEO, REKA, explains how the application of autonomous vehicular technology is plentiful and promises great potential — which is what REKA has set out to prove. Image Credit: REKA Facebook Page

100-year-old livers, contact lens build-up and mind-reading AI meet a 50,000 year-old bison and social and SFX generating neural nets.Image Credit: Unsplash | Jackson Simmer

As part of the ongoing coverage of cybersecurity awareness month, we hear from Palo Alto Networks about just what it’ll take for Malaysia to fully become a ‘Cyber-fit’ nation. But what exactly does the term mean? And what are the steps that we need to take to get there?

A Hot Wheels-looking centrifuge that fires projectiles into space, submarine-cloaking stealth rubber, the science behind bullwhips and a full menu of Musk feature on today’s episode.Image Credit: Unsplash | Jackson Simmer

According to the latest whitepaper from Frost & Sullivan titled, “Modern Cyber-resilience The Transformative Power of Cloud-first Security across Asia-Pacific,” only 23% of enterprises integrate cybersecurity with network management. Most enterprises (73%) use hardware-centric network management, relying on manual provisioning or basic configuration and automation capabilities. Only 4% of enterprises report using fully integrated, software-centric, policy-driven networks with automated network provisioning capabilities. George Loo of Infoblox explains how cloud-managed DDI powers the Infoblox model, allowing enterprises to build faster and more reliable network experiences for users at the edge who want instant access to cloud apps.

For up to a third of the population, sleep is a task that never seems to be completed successfully. Thankfully, a new generation of sleep science is creating individualized approaches to sleep therapy that could see millions of people nodding off peacefully at night. Image Credit: Unsplash | David Clode

The pandemic changed our lifestyle, and many of us turned to online services for our daily needs. This led to a surge of 3 million new digital consumers from 2020. But while digital consumption is becoming more permanently ingrained as a way of life in Malaysia, many Malaysian businesses are still ill-equipped to make the transition, therefore unable to engage consumers where they are most present. Guray Ozturk, Business Development Director of Infobip Malaysia, explains how businesses need to understand the importance of digitalisation, especially in utilising available technologies to deliver customer service that is personable and emotional to engage the growing digital savvy Malaysian consumers. Image Credit: Shutterstock | Black Salmon

It’s time to put your backpack on and join the cyber cockroaches as we look at insect cyborgs, robo-Vader, asteroid impacts, ETH mining and the return of Gawker.Image Credit: Unsplash | Jackson Simmer

It's a sad reality that despite an entrepreneur's best efforts, not all businesses survive the harsh pitfalls of the ever-evolving tech industry. So when business owners can bring their companies back from the precipice of failure, it is a testament to their prowess as shrewd entrepreneurs and strategic thinkers. How did digital tools help with such a turn around?Image Credit: Simbiotik Tech Official Website

Are you quiet quitting or quietly doing your job? Do you need a WhatsApp group to tell you? Or is this simply the impact of a new generation on the workplace?Episode Sources: https://www.wired.com/story/janet-jackson-rhythm-nation-crash-hard-drives/Image Credit: Unsplash | benjamin lehman

Established in 2010, Internet Alliance is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing a communal space for entrepreneurs in the tech, digital and Internet industries. The association advocates for a brighter digital economy and a space that fosters meaningful connections among tech leaders and entrepreneurs. TK Tan & Sunny Ooi discuss talent retention and IA’s efforts in pushing for better digital and Internet literacy.Image Credit: Shutterstock | Unitone Vector

Human Resource (HR) digitalisation is one of the most significant changes affecting organisations, and has since gained exponential adoption over the years. What methods and procedures should HR execute to keep up with rapid modernisation of the workforce? How can a superapp help solve these problems? We hear from a supplier of one of these super apps Digi-X, and a client, Todak, for a use case.Image Credit: altHR

Are work notifications ruining your life? Do you spend more time reacting to pings than doing your actual work? Are productivity tools ruining your productivity? Don’t worry. You’re not alone.Episode Sources: https://robm.me.uk/2022/08/efficiency-movement/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/aug/25/ping-phone-notifications-off-whatsapp-instagram https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/06/doomscrolling-linked-to-poor-physical-and-mental-health-study-finds https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/06/success/return-to-office-hybrid-mandates/index.html Image Credit: Unsplash | Ellen Qin 

Malaysian giant freshwater Prawns are known worldwide for their size and taste, and are revered at chef’s tables. Despite this, much of the freshwater prawns consumed here in Malaysia are imported, rather than bred here. The industry here in Malaysia was almost lost - and Giva Kuppusamy and his company are hoping to revive it. We talk to Giva about the tech that's at the heart of this industry, and despite international recognition, why the industry is not growing as fast as it could be.Image Credit: GK AQUA SDN BHD Facebook Page

Nuvei is a payments solutions and platform provider that helps customers accelerate their business with modular, flexible and scalable technology to help integrate next-gen payments services into their offerings. Gaming and its popularity skyrocketed during the pandemic, but how important are things like a well designed UI and UX when it comes to monetisation of games?Image Credit: Nuvei Facebook Page

The secret laptop destruct sequence of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation, a lawnmowing android, social media intrusion and chewing gum make for some very weird science.Episode Sources: https://www.wired.com/story/janet-jackson-rhythm-nation-crash-hard-drives/Image Credit: Unsplash | Kristina Flour

We know going for a regular medical check-up is a crucial way to sustain our health, yet, many people fail to do so. The same can, unfortunately, be said for the cybersecurity of our companies and businesses. Despite us being firmly entrenched in this digitalisation era, many companies in Malaysia are still reluctant to holistically adopt cybersecurity measures which leave their systems and businesses vulnerable to attacks. However, companies like SRKK are continuously working with Malaysia-based companies to enhance business continuity through comprehensive digital transformation accompanied by cybersecurity measures. 

Our minds are crying out for silence in an over-stimulating world. But is silence only for the wealthy? And can too much of it harm rather than help us?Episode Sources: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25533990-700-the-power-of-quiet-the-mental-and-physical-health-benefits-of-silence/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJsuUOuEZ9Q https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2452161304806914 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2019-51174-001 Image Credit: Unsplash | Kristina Flour 

Whilst many of us choose to print documents less often, there are still companies that rely heavily on printed media. Whether it's for marketing materials, business cards or even simple stationery, there’s still a market for it. Now Singapore’s ExpressPrint is entering the Malaysian market with the help of AI – and just what will this AI be doing?

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, and the threat of cybercrime is something that we have to be constantly aware of - especially as many of us are now working from home. But are you proactive or reactive when it comes to safeguarding yours or your company's IT infrastructure?Join us on a special show, as we speak to Dr Saiyid Abdallah Syahir Al-Edrus, the General Manager of Cybersecurity Services at TM One, to find out just how important it is to be proactive.

Headphones that lip read, mouse-rat chimeras, soap-based TV screens and a robot with feelings. With a list like that it must be weird science.Episode Sources: https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/01/smart-glasses-allow-deaf-people-to-see-conversations-with-subtitles-17106685/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/2332193-experimental-earphone-can-hear-commands-user-is-silently-mouthing/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/2332016-mice-produce-rat-sperm-with-technique-that-could-help-conservation/ https://www.newscientist.com/section/news/page/3/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/2332216-home-screening-test-for-oral-or-throat-cancer-has-90-per-cent-accuracy/ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/aug/08/whatsapp-opens-door-silent-exits-annoying-groups-privacy Image Credit: Unsplash | Franco Antonio Giovanella

Air International Thermal Systems was founded in Australia in 1967 by Owen John, after he built an air conditioner for his own Jaguar and discovered a demand for it among other luxury car owners. CEO Rejie Samuel explains how it has evolved over 50 years to various countries. Image Credit: Rejie Samuel | Leaderonomics

Is a smart city a place where digital technology tracks your every move and creates a de facto surveillance state? Or is it simply a place where we use the best of human technology and innovation to create liveable urban spaces? Image Credit: Kulturpop | Substack

Are digital distractions destroying our brains? Are we too detached to remember? Could an Adam Sandler movie have been deeply profound? The disturbing development of digital amnesia.

Anubavam is a company that offers consulting and technology solutions that deliver web and mobile experiences to its clients. With over 150 clients spread across 23 countries, their client base range from large enterprises to emerging tech companies. With their product Creatrix Campus, they aim to help transform and thrive in a rapidly changing world through digital learning, student retention and success, with a specific focus on accreditation and assessments for their higher education clients. We speak to Sivakumar Veerapan, Founder and CEO of Anubavam to hear more about their business.

An AI that creates ghost images from our subconscious, a shotgun-wielding man in hot pants, penguins with accents, and photosynthesis in the dark. That’s some weird science.Image Credit: Unsplash | Alexandra Mirgheș. 

For this session of Tech Talk, Joe Lee, Vice President of Asia Pacific Sales at Forter joins us to discuss how his company is making digital commerce safer and more secure. Forter is a trust platform for digital commerce where immediate assessments of trustworthiness are made across every stage of the buying process. Notable brands such as Nordstrom, Sephora, Instacart, Adobe and Priceline have trusted Forter to process more than $500 billion worth of transactions.Image Credit: Joe Lee Linkedin

Is Uber taking us for a ride? The e-hailing company is the latest subject of a whistleblowing data drop. And, the company that didn’t seek a sale is suing the man who doesn’t want to buy it. The strange saga of Elon Musk and Twitter.Image Credit: Unsplash | Alexandra Mirgheș

Instarem is a low-cost payments platform dedicated to serving this group of overseas workers to make their payment transfers to their loved ones instant, seamless, and faster. Michael Minnasian the VP and Regional head of Instarem, explains how Malaysia is one of the largest corridors among Instarem’s users, seeing a large volume of payment transactions both the sending and receiving across the region.   Image Credit: Michael Minnasian Linkedin

On this episode of Weird Science, a missing Crypto Queen, why we like people who smell like us, fasting for your nerves, and a crime predicting AI. And why you shouldn’t drink coffee while shopping.Episode Sources:https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/38309/20220621/want-avoid-impulse-buying-coffee-drink-caffeine-before-shopping-expert.htmhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00222429221109247https://www.newscientist.com/article/2325559-youre-more-likely-to-become-friends-with-someone-who-smells-like-you/https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24933240-700-the-hidden-rules-that-determine-which-friendships-matter-to-us/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2326530-intermittent-fasting-linked-to-better-gut-and-liver-function-in-mice/https://www.iflscience.com/does-intermittent-fasting-hold-the-key-to-nerve-regeneration-64267https://gizmodo.com/national-fecal-sample-bank-health-c-diff-1849130190https://www.newscientist.com/article/2326879-zika-or-dengue-infections-make-you-more-appealing-to-mosquitoes/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2166597-catching-malaria-makes-you-smell-more-attractive-to-mosquitoes/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2326129-artificially-intelligent-robot-perpetuates-racist-and-sexist-prejudice/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2326297-ai-predicts-crime-a-week-in-advance-with-90-per-cent-accuracy/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jul/01/fbi-offers-100000-reward-for-help-finding-onecoin-cryptoqueen-ruja-ignatovaImage Credit :  Steve Harvey |  Unsplash

Founded by a group of friends who started by scribbling their ideas on a piece of paper during the pandemic, Custella today is a workforce optimization tool which has gotten traction from several companies and from markets like Australia and Singapore. 

Automaker Ford recently announced a direct-to-consumer sales model for its EVs. We look at why the car industry islagging behind other retail sectors and highlight some of the advances in hybrid retail. 

Flexi working is here to stay and, with it, the need to stay connected.  Staying connected, however, is contextual and, if one thinks about it, in the current environment, work is not a place where you go to but based on the context of where you are. Recognising this, GoTo (previously known as LogMeIn, Inc), one of the world's largest SaaS companies, offers location agnostic and scalable solutions to help cost-conscious SMEs to connect, engage, and integrate their people, culture, and business in the new environment. 

Neural networks can now create photo-realistic images from simple text inputs. As AI makes inroads into diverse professions, ranging from architecture to accounting, are these entry-level AIs displacing the next generation of white collar workers?Image Credit:Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

Malaysia has the 5th most active social media penetration in the world - with over 86% of the population of approximately 28 million users. Meanwhile, a recent retail study indicated as many as 22 million Malaysians are digital customers, and online channels now play a four times greater role than conventional channels when it comes to consumer purchases. All of this has contributed to a rising eCommerce market in Malaysia which is valued at approximately RM11 billion. Qian Yee, Cofounder of KOLHUB, discusses how AI is being utilised in this space.

LaMDA, Google’s experimental conversational AI has claimed it is a sentient person. Could Number 5 be Alive? Or is Autocomplete developing new and mystical powers?

Maintenance costs on properties can be extremely high, especially on some of the newer buildings. But what if there was a way to bring costs down through the effective use of technology? Mandarin Fox is out to revolutionise Malaysia’s facility maintenance industry with its pioneering Centralised Building Maintenance and Monitoring System (C.B.M.S.), digitally transforming existing and new buildings to adapt to an increasingly technologically advanced world.Image Credit: Mandarin Fox

A bionic eye, glaucoma controlling contact lenses, and email writing horses are just some of the alternative health treatments under the Weird Science lens.

Games Bagus is an initiative by the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with Biji-biji Initiative and Synapze, which aims to empower Malaysian game creators to produce socially conscious video games by honing their game design and narrative skills through training and mentorship, providing valuable networking opportunities, and exploring issues of social importance and civic engagement. We managed to catch up with both Lindsay and Margaret during their flying visit to KL, so that we can hear a little about the initiative, the future of gaming, and how SEA fits into the map of the global gaming network.Image Credit: Games Bagus

Hitch-hiking robots, cat-based AI, gene-edited tomatoes and wooden skyscrapers. Weird Science has it all.

Today we’re saying a fond farewell to the mighty iPod as Apple retires one of its most iconic products. And take a look at another cultural icon that technology is threatening: the petrol station forecourt.

HaloCheck is a security onboarding system created with the vision to make the world a safer place. They say that they empower people with the ability to protect themselves by providing them access to their criminal list, blacklist, and watchlist databases over the internet and using mobile devices. But this raises a few questions, should these kinds of lists be made available to the general public for a price? And how do we ensure that the lists are accurate, and what would happen if your name were to appear on one of these lists inadvertently?Image Credit: HaloCheck Official Website

The Internet knows where you live, who your friends and family are, where you work and what you like. How? Because you told it.

Protectors of Melaka is an NFT collection built on championing diversity and representation in the NFT space especially for under-represented majority world PoC, starting with local Malaysian cultures. From a functional perspective, this project aims to bring Dungeons & Dragons to the blockchain, creating a living universe for NFT holders to experience and direct.We take a deep dive into this world and speak with the creator Kelvin about world-building in the NFT and crypto space.

The mannequins making women safer in space, dancing drones detecting radiation at Chernobyl and EVs that fail to comply.

Twitter has a new king and the bird is about to wear new feathers. Will it happen? What should we expect from Elon Musk’s Twitter?

Tissue engineering has been a widely discussed topic for the past 3 decades. However, like many fields of medicine, numerous risks and challenges may surface such as tumours or graft rejection in which the body outright rejects the donated graft and begins destroying the transplanted tissue or organ, among others. Furthermore, the process is complicated, is costly, and is labour-intensive. Enter 3D printing, also known as bioprinting,  an increasingly popular alternative that is safer, more cost and time-effective, and allows patients to receive unique implants that are modelled specifically for them. We speak with the CTO of Osteopore, a global regenerative solutions leader.

We’re talking about a world of chatbots on Mattsplained today. How the implementation of screenless technologies could shape our world. And the dangers of Search as a sentence.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the second part of its sixth assessment report on the state of the climate recently. The latest report has for the first time assessed the regional effect of climate change. According to the assessment, several big cities of the world are at risk. To add to the mix, the energy demand in Southeast Asia is expected to increase by 60% by 2040, in line with the region's rapid economic growth, led by increasing industrial activities, growing population, and rising incomes. Governments are putting in measures previously such as reducing carbon emissions across the region, but do these measures go far - and fast - enough? We speak with Thomas Baudlot, CEO Energy Solutions APAC & Southeast Asia Head of ENGIE about how organisations can adopt better green measures and sustainable business practices.

In an effort to industrialise and better the economy of nations, it is reported that the energy consumption is approaching 150,000TWh on yearly basis. However, with 80% of the energy coming from fossil fuels such as oil, natural gases, and coal, the question remains – How sustainable and efficient are fossil fuels for businesses in the long run? We’ll be speaking with Manish about how Malaysian businesses are able to benefit from transitioning from fossil fuels to a renewable energy source and taking a look at renewable energy’s potential in achieving Malaysia’s green economy target.

Are the trolls taking over Twitter? Are slimy robots the future? Can solar panels work at night? It must be time for some Weird Science.

For decades, a handful of brands dominated the consumer retail landscape. Whether it was Gillete razors, or Kodak in cameras - the top brands in the US remained unchanged from 1923 to 1983. And then the Internet came along and democratised the tools required to start and scale a business. New startups emerged, DTCs (Direct to Consumer); and they were very, very successful. But with so many new brands joining the rank and file, how do you ensure that your product or service stands out? We take a deep dive into the tech of DTC and B2C marketing with RPG Commerce.

Billions of dollars are pouring into start-ups focused on reversing the effects of time on our cells. Could a cure for old age be within our grasp?

In our second show on Staying ‘Cyber-Safe’ we’ll be getting serious about Cybersecurity as we get the lowdown on how changing technology affects the cybersecurity sphere, what to do if you’re a victim of a cybersecurity breach, and why a telco company is now providing cybersecurity services.This conversation is powered by Celcom.

Mattsplained celebrates its 200th episode with a look back at our tech obsessions past, present and future.

Why are some companies the target of cyber-security breaches? Why do they get hacked? What motivates a hacker to target a certain company over another, and what tools and methods might they use to do so? We’ll be hearing from former white hat hacker CF Fong, about what it takes to keep you, your data, and your business safe from cyber-attacks.This conversation is powered by Celcom. Image Credit: Shutterstock | goodbishop

Could robot bees be the future of pollination? Will a resurrected T-Rex look like a T-Rex? Can we game our way to a cure for cancer plus the secret to more accurate moon walking?

Aye Solutions is a Malaysian startup which provides AI-powered tools to advance the transformation of retail stores. Through the integration of AI and other technologies, their AI-powered Autonomous Retail Solution (Aye Retail) enables a frictionless and contactless retail experience with minimal physical touchpoints and no checkout needed. We catch up with founder and CEO Yee Yun Lim, to see what the future has in store for computer vision.

Who will we be in the metaverse? Obviously, an avatar. But what will that avatar mean for the person in the real world. Has digital technology already eroded our identities?

The need for having data sharing in healthcare through electronic records is more prevalent than ever. For the healthcare industry, big data can provide several important benefits, including a lower rate of medication errors, facilitating preventive care, more accurate staffing etc. However, due to the increasing number of cybersecurity attacks on healthcare systems, there is going to be more scrutiny regarding health data sharing, consent, and monetisation after at least two over-aggressive incidents exploiting interoperability.

SAT.Asia, believes in making improvements to the working conditions and operations of farmers through the use of tech-driven solutions. While we may have witnessed a surge in the adoption of digital technologies and solutions over the last 2 years, Malaysia’s agriculture scene has been relatively slow on the uptake. By leveraging state-of-the-art IoT technology, SAT.Asia’s tools provide farmers and plantation owners with the most in-depth and comprehensive information on crop management. Can tech really help our gardens grow?

The battle for control of the metaverse is pitting companies that want to create a corporate-curated Ready Player One experience against those who want it to develop with the organic chaos of the current Internet. And no one has even built it yet.