Asia Tech Podcast

Michael Waitze Media
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Asia Tech Podcast

All Things Asia, All Things Tech

  1. The 19 FinTech Innovations You Need to Know - Singapore Fintech Festival 2024 Highlights

    5 DAYS AGO

    The 19 FinTech Innovations You Need to Know - Singapore Fintech Festival 2024 Highlights

    Discover the best FinTech ideas that are reshaping Southeast Asia's financial landscape. The Asia Tech Podcast attended the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024 to learn more about the most innovative ideas in FinTech and Financial Services. We spoke to 19 of the most exciting FinTech innovations showcased at the SFF 2024. From revolutionary embedded finance and insurance solutions transforming our daily interactions to AI-driven tools poised to empower everyone, these innovations are setting the stage for a new era in financial services. Join us as we unpack the highlights of SFF 2024, the breakthrough ideas poised to reshape finance, empower consumers, and drive global financial inclusion. Get ready to be inspired by the future of FinTech and the incredible possibilities it holds for everyone!

    23 min
  2. EP 344 - Is AI Killing Our Push to a Sustainable Future? - Richard Farrell - Eaton

    NOV 10

    EP 344 - Is AI Killing Our Push to a Sustainable Future? - Richard Farrell - Eaton

    In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, we dive deep into the world of AI and data centers with Rich Farrell, APAC Director of Digitalization, Cybersecurity, and Data Centers at Eaton. Rich reveals how AI is one of the most transformative technologies of our time, but many businesses rushing to adopt it don't fully understand why. Some of the big topics Rich covered in more detail: We highlighted that AI could be the most significant technological transformation we’ve seen. AI is not just a topic for tech insiders anymore; it has entered public consciousness and is driving conversations at the highest levels of business and government. The fear of falling behind competitors and customer expectations often drives the decision to adopt AI. Yet, without a well-defined purpose, companies risk implementing AI without seeing tangible benefits. Despite AI’s growing importance, there’s a glaring gap in expertise. This talent shortage makes it difficult for companies to implement and manage AI solutions effectively. One of the biggest dilemmas is the tension between AI's growth and sustainability goals. When big tech companies committed to being carbon-neutral by 2030, AI wasn’t on the radar. Data centers, the backbone of the digital world, are undergoing a transformation to support AI’s energy demands. New designs are incorporating renewable energy sources like nuclear and grid-aware devices that can optimize power usage and even sell energy back to the grid.

    28 min
  3. EP 343 - Can Open Source Save Hong Kong? - Peter Man - Red Hat

    OCT 29

    EP 343 - Can Open Source Save Hong Kong? - Peter Man - Red Hat

    In the Asia Tech Podcast’s conversation with Peter Man, General Manager for Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau at Red Hat, we explored the complex landscape of digital transformation in Hong Kong and how open source technology plays a pivotal role in its future. Some of the topics that Peter covered in detail: Geopolitical challenges drive the need for open source. Peter explained that open source technology offers a politically neutral, transparent solution in an increasingly polarized world. Digital transformation is Hong Kong is less about speed and more about leveraging technology to tap into new markets and customer bases, particularly through expanding into the Greater Bay Area. Open source, by its nature, is transparent—there are no hidden backdoors or trojan horses in the code, and businesses can audit and compile the code themselves. One of the biggest advantages of open source software is that it frees companies from the potential of vendor lock-in. Open source software fosters a collaborative approach to innovation, where the entire community benefits from shared knowledge and contributions.

    29 min
  4. EP 342 - Is Hong Kong the Best Place to Build a Tech Startup? - Jayne Chan - Head of Startups at Invest Hong Kong

    OCT 22

    EP 342 - Is Hong Kong the Best Place to Build a Tech Startup? - Jayne Chan - Head of Startups at Invest Hong Kong

    In a dynamic conversation with Jayne Chan, Head of Startups at Invest Hong Kong, I had the privilege of exploring the intricacies of Hong Kong's startup landscape. Our discussion touched on the city's role as a financial hub, the impact of global talent, and the evolving tech environment that continues to shape its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Some of the topics that Jayne covered in detail: Hong Kong's startup ecosystem is international and diverse. 27% of Hong Kong’s startup founders hail from outside the city, representing a rich blend of ideas and innovations from places like Mainland China, the UK, the US, France, and Australia. Hong Kong's status as one of the world’s leading financial centers provides a natural foundation for a thriving fintech sector. Ranked third globally, just behind New York and London, the city attracts financial professionals who often pivot into FinTech entrepreneurship. While FinTech dominates, Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem is increasingly diversifying into deep tech, biotech, and green tech...standing as the second-largest fundraising hub for biotech globally. Hong Kong’s unique geographical and economic positioning as a conduit to Mainland China could be a distinct advantage for startups. With a population of 86 million and a combined GDP of $2 trillion, the GBA offers immense market potential for both B2B and B2C startups. Invest Hong Kong doesn’t just promote Hong Kong as a destination for startups—it plays an active role in helping startups scale. Invest HK's connection initiatives act as a marketplace where startups can showcase their solutions and find the resources they need to grow.

    32 min
  5. EP 341 - Is Asia the Next FinTech Hub? - Jon Stona - VP Global Marketing at Airwallex

    OCT 15

    EP 341 - Is Asia the Next FinTech Hub? - Jon Stona - VP Global Marketing at Airwallex

    In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast featuring Jon Stona, Vice President of Global Marketing at Airwallex, we explored how the company has revolutionized global payments by addressing real business pain points. Some of the topics Jon covered in detail: How the company founders, who were running a cafe in Melbourne, were constantly frustrated by the complexity and cost of paying international suppliers. Airwallex's global reach has been built on the foundation of deep local knowledge, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. While tech is essential, real transformation happens when technology is combined with human relationships. How Airwallex is creating a modular financial operating system that is built for scale. Building a challenger brand requires trust, credibility, and cultural connection.

    31 min
  6. EP 340 - Are We Ready to Chat with AI Avatars Instead of Humans? - Igor Hofman - D-ID

    OCT 8

    EP 340 - Are We Ready to Chat with AI Avatars Instead of Humans? - Igor Hofman - D-ID

    In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, we dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI-generated avatars. We discuss how hyper-realistic avatars are transforming marketing, sales, and customer service by mimicking human interaction in ways that feel almost real. We spoke with Igor Hofman from D-ID and he covered: How humans are wired to interact with other humans. This interaction, however, does not always have to involve a real person. If avatars are highly realistic and mimic human behavior closely enough, they can satisfy the brain’s need for human interaction. The pace of technological development in the avatar space is nothing short of astonishing. The advancements are moving so fast that it’s plausible to imagine a future where interacting with avatars could become indistinguishable from real human interaction. How avatars are already transforming marketing and sales. Avatars are increasingly being used to create personalized marketing content, enabling companies to target their audiences with extreme precision. One of the most promising applications of avatars is in customer service. Some companies are now using avatars to enhance or even replace traditional chatbots. Avatars bring a more personal and engaging touch. Igor sees the future in natural user interfaces (NUIs), where users interact with AI and digital systems as if they were speaking to another person. NUIs could revolutionize the way we engage with digital content.

    29 min
  7. EP 339 - Is the Metaverse Already Already Here - Are We Ready for It? - Aaron McDonald - Founder and CEO of Futureverse

    OCT 2

    EP 339 - Is the Metaverse Already Already Here - Are We Ready for It? - Aaron McDonald - Founder and CEO of Futureverse

    As we move further into the digital age, the lines between our physical and virtual lives are becoming increasingly blurred. We already spend a significant portion of our lives in front of screens, and this digital immersion is only growing deeper. The future of the internet lies not just in new technologies but in how those technologies empower users to own and control their data, identities, and content. In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, we dive deep into the future of the internet with Aaron McDonald, Founder and CEO of Futureverse. Some of the topics Aaron covered in detail include: He has a nuanced view of the metaverse, one that challenges the notion that it’s a future concept. He explained that the metaverse is already part of our lives. The digital world and the physical world are tightly intertwined, and the future of the internet is about enhancing this immersion and fostering user ownership of data and content. The concept of self-sovereign identity, where we control our personal data and only share what is necessary, when it is necessary. Making technology feel like magic and creating products that hide the complexity and provide seamless user experiences. How interoperability, particularly in gaming and digital assets, is one of the hardest challenges the metaverse faces. The ability to use digital items across different platforms and experiences is key to making the metaverse a reality. The belief that we’re at a critical juncture where the physical and digital worlds are merging, and the decisions we make now will influence how seamlessly (and safely) they do so.

    36 min
  8. EP 338 - Will Blockchain Make Banks Obsolete? - Tianwei Liu - co-Founder and CEO of StraitsX

    SEP 27

    EP 338 - Will Blockchain Make Banks Obsolete? - Tianwei Liu - co-Founder and CEO of StraitsX

    Blockchain technology is poised to reshape the future of payments and finance through its unique programmability and decentralized nature. One of its most significant advantages is the ability to settle transactions instantly, eliminating the delays and risks typically associated with traditional payment systems, especially in cross-border scenarios. In this episode of the Asia Tech Podcast, Tianwei Liu, a co-Founder and CEO of StraitsX, discusses the evolving landscape of digital currencies, including stablecoins, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and tokenized bank deposits. Some of the topics Tianwei covered in detail: Emphasizing how vital it is to empower developers with the right tools to innovate. By building better APIs, StraitsX opened up a world of possibilities for other entrepreneurs and engineers to create more efficient payment systems. Working closely with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to ensure StraitsX' operations met regulatory standards. Tianwei explained how StraitsX was the first fintech in Singapore to be granted the widely accepted stored value facility license, which allowed them to scale operations. Stablecoins represent a significant evolution in the payment ecosystem, offering the benefits of blockchain technology while maintaining the stability of traditional currencies. Tianwei highlighted the immense potential of programmable money, which allows for the automation of business logic—such as expiration dates, discount vouchers, or conditional payments. Despite the complexity of blockchain and the technologies behind it, Tianwei believes the ultimate goal is to make these innovations invisible to the end user.

    42 min
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About

All Things Asia, All Things Tech

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  • Creator
    Michael Waitze Media
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    348
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Waitze Media
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    Asia Tech Podcast

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