Tech Talk

In this episode of Tech Talk, we explore CelcomDigi’s unique approach to driving digital transformation across Malaysia’s diverse business landscape. Afizulazha Abdullah, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at CelcomDigi, shares insights about innovative solutions designed for every stage of business growth, from small SMEs to large enterprises.

The day has arrived! Matt Armitage takes on the questions you've been dying to ask. With Richard Bradbury at his side, Matt fields questions on everything from the dawn of Skynet to why he refuses to be the "boring one with the laser eyes." They dive into the complexities of AI, algorithms, and whether we should expect a future filled with rogue robots or a green-energy tech paradise. Ever wondered if an AGI will grow up like a human, or if simple algorithms could be doing the heavy lifting in finance and medicine? Matt and Richard tackle these questions with a mix of awe, skepticism, and a fair bit of existential dread. Join Matt and Richard for part one of this AMA session where no question is too big, too small, or too strange.

Mobile fraud is a growing threat, and nowhere is it more pressing than in the APAC region, where digital fraud attacks are rising faster than the global average. With a 17% increase in fraud incidents within the financial services sector alone in 2023, it’s clear that businesses need to stay one step ahead to protect themselves. In today’s episode, we’re joined by two experts at the forefront of the battle against mobile fraud: Joanna Fong, Chief Risk Officer at SHIELD, and Simon Revich, Head of Fraud Prevention at inDrive. Joanna will share how SHIELD is using AI to outsmart fraudsters, while Simon will offer an insider’s look at securing the fast-paced ride-hailing world. Together, we’ll explore the latest tools and strategies for fraud prevention, from device intelligence to early detection systems that can spot suspicious activity before it escalates. Plus, we’ll also discuss how mobile fraud tactics are evolving and the innovative solutions that could redefine the future of fraud prevention.

In today's episode of Tech Talk, we’re joined by Marcus Low, General Manager and VP for APJ at Sonar, a global leader in clean code solutions. With software development playing an increasingly critical role in Malaysia's digital economy, Marcus shares insights on the concept of Clean Code, why it’s essential in modern software, and how it contributes to reducing technical debt and minimising project risks. Marcus discusses the unique challenges Malaysian developers face in implementing Clean Code practices and the evolving role of software companies in Malaysia’s economy, especially as the nation becomes a hub for data centres, cloud services, and other digital infrastructure. As AI-generated code becomes more prevalent, he addresses the governance measures needed to ensure quality and security in software, as well as the repercussions of poor code quality in a highly interconnected IT ecosystem.

This week Matt Armitage and Richard Bradbury dive into the future of 3D printing. A 3D-printed housing development in Texas promises to transform the building of affordable housing, leading the way in building durable, eco-friendly homes. Later in the show, Matt shares new research showing that even advanced AI models like GPT-4 can fall for the same scams as humans, exposing risks as these systems increasingly support sensitive business operations. And the pair discuss new guidelines for password use. Wrapping up the show, they explore a new frontier in robotics with an ultrasensitive robotic finger that can check pulses and detect lumps. Could this be the future of medical diagnostics, allowing precision palpation without a doctor’s hands?

We've hit a big milestone: 300 episodes! And in typical fashion Matt Armitage and Richard Bradbury have decided to celebrate it next week with an AMA-style episode diving into your biggest fears about the future. From AI taking over jobs to the role of Big Tech, healthcare, climate change, and the future of streaming services – nothing's off the table! So, what are they on about today? Tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft turning to nuclear power, for starters. Matt seems strangely happy about the idea of small modular reactors (SMRs), if only to meet the massive energy needs of AI data centres. Most of all, they spend most of the episode avoiding the real topic, thus outlining the effort paradox: why we avoid effort even when it’s good for us. TLDR re:effort? Don’t forget to drop us your burning questions about the future on our socials. We’ll do our best to ease your existential tech dread!

We dive into the transformative power of 5G and how it’s reshaping Malaysia’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Our guest, Mohamad Yusman Ammeran, Vice President of Unifi Business, shares insights on how 5G is transforming MSMEs’ digital journeys. We explore how this next-gen technology enhances productivity, customer experiences, and tackles barriers like financial constraints and limited digital adoption. Yusman also discusses Unifi Business's initiatives to make 5G more accessible and support MSMEs in their digital transformation.

In the modern tech landscape, AI is a constant topic of discussion. It’s crucial to understand how applications are evolving alongside AI, especially considering the real-world challenges businesses face, such as the recent banking issues here in Malaysia. We speak with Chris Harris, Vice President of Global Field Engineering at Couchbase and our conversation will focus on several key areas: - The hurdles businesses encounter when adapting and integrating AI into their mobile applications. - The importance of data quality in these adaptive systems - The necessary safeguards to protect user privacy. Throughout our discussion, we'll also look at real-world use cases and examples of adaptive apps that have made a positive impact. Finally, we'll look ahead to the future of these technologies in the APAC region.

After last week’s existential episode about Google’s NotebookLM and its instant podcast creation tool, Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage are still feeling a little obsolete. This week they dive into the deeper implications of AI’s growing presence in our lives: and wonder whether everything is AI now? They explore AI’s growing creep into every aspect of science and technology. New research suggests AI influences our memories and alters our perception as well as our trust in what we see and hear. A recent study shows how susceptible people are to manipulated images and videos—false realities conjured by AI tools. Could AI change how we remember things, or even alter our sense of truth? And finally, a peek into whether our phones are really listening to us, with some surprising findings about your favorite AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.

In this episode, we speak with Keith Carter, Partner at KDA Capabilities Singapore on the transformative impact of AI as a force multiplier for productivity in both work and home environments, with real-life examples of how it's being applied and addressing concerns about job losses by highlighting historical instances of job creation through technology. Amongst other things, we'll also be touching on the importance of experimentation over bans in organisations, balancing data privacy with AI benefits, and some advice from Keith for parents and educators on setting boundaries and leveraging technology from a young age.

In this reality twisting episode, Matt Armitage and Richard Bradbury explore the cultural tsunami of AI technology reshaping the cultural landscape. our world. Dive into a fascinating world of AI-driven research and content creation with guests Belle and Ben who offer unique their perspectives on humanity and technology. The two pairs grapple with the promises and perils of technologies that are evolving faster than we can comprehend as they explore the mind-blowing transformative potential of Google's NotebookLM. How will these tools affect our memory-making and social interactions? Can we trust the reality presented to us in an AI-augmented world? And what happens when the line between human and machine-generated content becomes indistinguishable?

Cybersecurity today faces an overwhelming number of threats from supply chain attacks and data breaches, which continue to grow in frequency and sophistication. Navigating these challenges is complex, and on Tech Talk today, we explore how companies can balance corporate activism, cybersecurity, and the increasing complexities of supply chains in the face of evolving cyberattacks. From the smallest startups to multinational corporations, the challenges are vast. How do you protect your supply chain from vulnerabilities? How do you secure your data when cyber threats are constantly evolving? How can businesses, especially those with limited resources, build resilience and prepare for the worst? However, with challenges come opportunities. Companies that proactively fortify their defences not only protect themselves but also gain a competitive edge in today’s market. The shift towards managed security services and advancements such as Zero Trust architecture are creating new possibilities for businesses to safeguard their operations. To further understand cybersecurity for supply chain and the possible opportunities, we speak with Kavitha Mariappan, the Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Transformation at Zscaler, and Lee Kuang Yam, the Group Director of Ask4key.

Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage venture into a dangerous world this week: defining the undefinable: common sense. And how we give it to machines. Drawing on recent research from the University of Pennsylvania, the pair explore the challenges of defining and measuring common sense, with relation to how we perceive and evaluate ideas. And even with advances in AI, can we teach machines something we humans struggle to agree on? Join them as they explore the quirks of human reasoning, the false consensus effect, and the potential for AI to surpass us in common sense...or perhaps reveal how little of it we truly possess. Join the Common Sense Project at https://commonsense.seas.upenn.edu

In this episode, we spoke with CL Lee, Managing Director, and Simon Ng, Sales Director at IP ServerOne, about the rise in cyber threats to Malaysian businesses, following the recent CrowdStrike incident. They explained how ransomware can disrupt operations and lead to costly data recovery efforts. CL and Simon also shared key preventative measures and recovery strategies for businesses facing such attacks. Their Acorn Recovery service offers a cloud-based solution specialising in backup and disaster recovery, providing businesses with a Simple, Fast, and Secure way to prepare for cyber threats.

Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage dissect SpaceX's audacious plans to colonize the Red Planet. From the practicalities of getting there to the challenges of sustaining life, they explore how Musk's web of companies is gearing up for the ultimate off-world adventure. Where some see a billionaire’s fantasy, other see the dawn of a new space age and a new chapter for mankind.

Today on the show, we’re diving into the world of Vision AI, a transformative technology that’s reshaping how industries operate and innovate their business operations. Vision AI is the use of artificial intelligence that allows machines to interpret and understand visual data, everything from images and video feeds to real-time object recognition. As technology is becoming ever so prevalent today, this technology is proving to bring change and evolve sectors like retail, transportation, and agriculture by automating processes, enhancing accuracy, and providing actionable insights from visual data. Joining us for this discussion is Lim Chee How, CEO of Tapway, a trailblazer in Vision AI solutions, who have just launched SamurAI, a NO-CODE platform that makes advanced Vision AI accessible to businesses of all sizes. Along the course of the conversation, we'll be discussing how SamurAI aims to address the traditional barriers of high costs and technical complexities of VisionAI, and explore the impact of this technology across various industries, from streamlining retail operations to optimising agricultural practices.

In recent weeks, governments worldwide have been grappling with the challenges of social media, from censorship concerns to age restrictions. But amidst the political posturing and tech company controversies, what's the reality of screen time's impact on young people? Join Richard and Matt as they delve into the complexities of this issue. They explore the historical context of "techno-panics," question the effectiveness of government interventions, and examine the conflicting research on screen time's effects on mental health, physical well-being, and social development. They also discuss the challenges of navigating the digital landscape as parents, highlighting the need for open communication, digital literacy, and a balanced approach that acknowledges both the potential benefits and risks of technology.

In this episode of Tech Talk, we highlight the cutting-edge collaboration between CelcomDigi and Vale in Malaysia, focusing on the deployment of 5G and AI-powered fleet management solutions that aim to improve safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness in the mining industry. Afizulazha Abdullah, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of CelcomDigi and Leonardo Paiva, Chief Executive Officer of Vale Malaysia share insights into the strategic implementation of advanced telematics, discussing the expected benefits, the synergy between the two companies, and the broader implications for the industry. Tune in to discover how these technologies are helping to enhance operations and ensure safer working environments in one of the world’s most demanding industries.

Forget silicon chips, the future of computing could be written in DNA. Scientists have built a groundbreaking DNA computer that can solve chess puzzles and sudoku. This incredible breakthrough could revolutionize how we process information, offering a potential solution to the energy-hungry AI models of today. Join Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage as they try to decode the world of DNA computing and explore the working parts and enzymes of this innovative technology, its potential applications, and the challenges it faces. They discover how scientists are harnessing the power of DNA to create a new generation of computers that are smaller, more efficient, and more storage dense than even Matt’s thick skull.

Join Richard and Matt as they delve into the world of cutting-edge environmental technology and mind-bending quantum physics with the help of some magic pixies. In this episode, you'll discover: - Simple solutions for a cooler planet: How heat-reflective roofs and innovative wall designs can passively cool buildings and combat the urban heat island effect, even in areas without reliable electricity. - The power of eco-driving: How changing your driving habits can make a surprising impact on carbon emissions, and why even a small percentage of drivers adopting eco-driving can have a ripple effect on traffic. - Quantum telepathy and the stock market: How entangled particles could enable near-instantaneous trading and potentially revolutionize the financial world, blurring the lines between science and science fiction. - Laser tweezers and the quantum twin paradox: How researchers are using lasers to manipulate atoms and explore the mysterious relationship between gravity and the quantum realm, potentially unlocking some of the universe's deepest secrets.