Since I got my hands on ChatGPT, I’ve been fascinated with AI. Okay, Black Mirror is probably one of my favourite series on Netflix, but I don’t like watching it alone because it scares me. I don’t think we’re that far from a Blade Runner 2049 world.

One thing I noticed when I started using ChatGPT for a week was that my brain was getting sluggish. The various AI applications such as ChatGPT, Rytr and Grammarly’s AI have made writing and editing articles much easier.

The brain is a muscle like every other body part, and we need to keep it working out. I like improv because I call it mental gymnastics. So I had to find other ways to sharpen my brain — I started doing crossword puzzles that week and decided to learn Bahasa in Duolingo. Nothing like learning a new language to keep your brain moving.

In an era where artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT provide instant answers, there’s growing concern that reliance on these platforms might dampen our cognitive abilities. The question is, how do we leverage these powerful tools without losing our edge? In this article, we’ll explore actionable strategies for balancing the convenience of AI with the development of human intellect.

Set clear boundaries: Know when to use AI

• Determine when to use AI and when to think independently.
• Use AI for complex queries and personal effort for simpler ones.
• The balance between convenience and cognitive effort.

Engage in regular mental exercises: Stay sharp

• Participate in activities that challenge the brain, such as puzzles, reading, and writing.
• Explore creative pursuits like storytelling and stand-up comedy to enhance cognitive function.

Also Read: Should ChatGPT chat with your customers?

Apply what you learn: Make it practical

• Utilise the information gathered through AI in practical scenarios.
• Teach others to reinforce learning and maintain cognitive sharpness.

Incorporate physical exercise: A healthy mind in a healthy body

•  Regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain, enhancing mental function.
•  Physical health is an essential part of maintaining mental acuity.

Leverage AI as a collaborative tool: Partner with technology

•  Engage with AI tools in a way that complements your thinking.
•  Use AI to inspire new ideas and insights rather than merely as an information provider.

AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard are undoubtedly revolutionising how we access information. But they should not be seen as a threat to human intelligence. By adopting a balanced approach and implementing these strategies, we can maintain our cognitive edge and harness the full potential of AI.

Not only can we preserve our intellectual abilities, but we can also foster growth and creativity. The future is not about AI versus human intellect but how we can wisely integrate the two to forge new paths in understanding, innovation, and personal development.

I treat ChatGPT as both a sounding board and a springboard for idea generation for posts, articles, and, surprisingly enough, even jokes and stories when I’m stuck.

I use Canva’s AI to kick off slide creation, as I am not a big fan of slides.

Now dear reader, was this piece written by me or by AI?

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The era of artificial intelligence (AI) is here, and one function that could quietly reap its benefits is HR: specifically recruitment within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

SMEs continue to be blighted by talent shortages, with one global study of SME leaders revealing that talent acquisition and retention is a key challenge for nearly half of all businesses, only behind survival and expansion. An apparent challenge for smaller firms in Singapore is that they are recruiting from a shallow pool of candidates and, within that, competing with large, well-established businesses for talent. 

Given that SMEs are key drivers of economic growth, addressing these issues at a policy level is important and must be done consistently and continuously. Equally, though, it is time for small businesses to reimagine the hiring process entirely.

Exploring AI solutions to tackle talent gaps

Small business owners typically spend too much time writing job descriptions and sifting through hundreds of résumés, speaking to interested applicants, and establishing meaningful connections with talent for future recruitment. It is a tedious and expensive undertaking under normal circumstances – but especially so in today’s economic climate where business costs are rising and fears of a recession are looming.

In a recent survey we conducted among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), 81 per cent of Singaporean SME business leaders believe they can’t compete with multinational corporations for talent given the rising costs of recruitment. In order to expand and grow, employers need to find an easier, more seamless way to secure and maintain talent. 

Once considered an expensive, futuristic tech investment, AI solutions are now well and truly within the reach of small businesses. From sourcing and screening candidates to scheduling interviews and even reducing bias in the process, there are sophisticated AI tools that are increasingly improving recruitment results for businesses on a small budget. 

Also Read: What can local companies do in 2023 for workplace mental fitness?

This was one of the key considerations that went into developing Swag – our own AI-powered solution that’s specifically designed to level the playing field for SMEs in the current employment landscape. Conversations with several small businesses made it clear that finding and retaining employees due to increased overheads and limited resources hinders their productivity, growth and oftentimes their survival in a challenging macroeconomic environment. 

Reaping rich rewards 

The return on investment for AI-driven recruitment solutions can be tremendous. New, emerging studies already point to remarkable returns for businesses using AI-driven solutions in the form of cost and time savings as well as strategic business benefits. 

What’s more, these solutions are punching above their weight to drive value beyond talent acquisition. For example, Swag is also a primary interface for work-related tasks, offering features like shout-outs, time and attendance management, leave tracking and rostering, which plays an important role in retaining and engaging talent.  

Addressing AI critics

As with any technological innovation, but especially with AI – there are plenty of critics. Within the recruitment industry, the reticence to adopt AI solutions has to do with risks of bias and redundancy of recruitment roles. The answer to both issues is the same: regardless of what solutions SMEs choose, recruiters won’t be replaced by AI.

If anything, AI can help recruiters spend time on higher-value tasks, including improving the candidate experience, building on candidate insights and engaging with passive candidates. Importantly, talent acquisition teams can focus on scrutinising bias and demanding greater transparency from the AI platforms they use. 

Small businesses are crucial to the nation’s economy, and today they face challenges on two key fronts: a lack of skilled and qualified staff needed for better productivity and future growth and a serious cost-of-living crisis faced by their employees, leading them to look externally for job opportunities.

AI-based solutions proactively address both these pain points by empowering employers to streamline key parts of the recruiting process, leading to improved talent attraction and retention, saving costs and time in the process.

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In the evolving landscape of the tech industry, diversity and inclusion are more than mere buzzwords – they are essential components driving progress and innovation. While attempts have been made in recent years to increase gender and racial representation in tech, the inclusion of disabled persons remains a pivotal yet often overlooked aspect of this broader conversation.

According to an Adobe study, 77 per cent of employees with disabilities feel their employers have improved support since the pandemic began. Yet, 84 per cent of all respondents, irrespective of disability status, think their colleagues would benefit from enhanced workplace accessibility.

Moreover, 75 per cent of the disability community considers accessibility and inclusivity as crucial when assessing job opportunities. These insights indicate that, despite advancements in the workplace and technological accessibility, there’s room for further improvement.

In the tech sector, leveraging diverse perspectives is essential for innovation. Representation of disabled individuals is not only ethically significant but also drives growth and dynamism. The concept of diversity and inclusion is not only about hiring people from all walks of life but creating an environment where they are valued and appreciated for their unique identities. 

A recent study by McKinsey & Company, Diversity wins: How inclusion matters, revealed that companies excelling in diversity and inclusion see a profitability increase between 25 per cent to 36 per cent. These companies also have superior employee retention and demonstrate a 20 per cent elevated rate of innovation compared to their counterparts.

In July, marking Disability Pride Month, the emphasis was on the importance of embracing individuals with disabilities, offering a moment of reflection on the state of inclusion in tech, and highlighting both challenges and initiatives taken by industry leaders. As a leading player in the tech ecosystem, GitHub shares how they are promoting inclusion and accessibility in their platform.

A commitment to inclusive development

On May 18, which was also Global Accessibility Awareness Day,  GitHub announced several product updates aimed at enhancing inclusivity and accessibility for its 100M+ developers.

Also Read: Building the rainbow bridge: How businesses can foster Diversity & Inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees

GitHub’s first Head of Accessibility, Ed Summers, says, “Today, there are over 650 million people in APAC living with disabilities and more than one billion people globally. I’m proud to be one of them. However, those of us with disabilities encounter barriers every day that we need to work around to live the life we want to live. The World Bank has labelled this situation ‘The Disability Divide’ and acknowledged technology as a ‘disruptive force’ that can enable the inclusion of people with disabilities.

“Technology has the potential to completely transform life for people with disabilities. But, if we want to make a real difference in accessibility, we’ve got to figure out how to get more people with disabilities on board as creators, incorporating their valuable insights and lived experiences into the mix.”

Summers, confronted with a degenerative retina condition, lost his vision twenty years ago and adapted to screen readers and other assistive technologies to navigate computer systems. Committed to furthering accessibility, his primary goal is to assist individuals with disabilities in maximising their potential in both the modern classroom and the 21st-century knowledge economy.

Grounded in his experiences, Summers asserts that involving individuals with disabilities in the software development process stands as a pivotal strategy to enhance accessibility and address the Disability Divide. This principle has underpinned his professional pursuits for the past decade.

“In August 2022, I started my professional journey as Head of Accessibility at GitHub. Every day I’m excited to be here because GitHub has a critical role to play in improving accessibility and disability inclusion for developers globally,” remarked Summers. 

GitHub’s accessibility program aims to support individuals with disabilities in software development. The initiative begins with the company’s hiring practices and includes training for all employees on accessibility protocols. The platform is being adapted to accommodate developers with disabilities, and GitHub collaborates with these developers to understand their specific requirements. 

The GitHub team has implemented several accessibility improvements, including a primary navigation experience designed with accessibility in mind and a fast code search compatible with screen readers. Looking ahead, GitHub Copilot, an AI tool for developers, has introduced an experimental feature called GitHub Copilot Voice, enabling coding through voice and potentially assisting developers with hand-typing challenges.

The company is also working with external partners and the open-source community to further its goals for disability inclusion. GitHub commits to maintaining its focus on accessibility, providing updates on its progress, and addressing community feedback.

Personal triumphs highlight industry-wide potential

While we discuss the advancements in assistive technology and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in software development, it’s crucial to illustrate these points with real-world examples. Let’s consider the story of Becky Tyler to provide a firsthand perspective.

Becky Tyler’s journey in coding began uniquely: she navigates the digital world entirely with her eyes, from live streaming and drawing to writing code. Her interest originated from gaming, especially Minecraft. While studying computer science at the University of Dundee, she explored open-source software and collaboration.

Initially, Becky interacted with video games through Special Effects, a nonprofit focusing on accessibility. However, the assistive equipment’s limitations led to her seeking enhanced tools. In response, developer Kirsty McNaught, in conjunction with Special Effect, integrated OptiKey’s eye gaze tracking with EyeMine, an interface tailored for players with disabilities. As a beta tester, Becky’s passion for coding was kindled, realizing she could address many accessibility challenges firsthand.

Also Read: How and why you should embrace neurodiversity at the workplace

Becky’s story is similar to that of many other developers, but with one exception – the standard way of using a computer was inaccessible to her. Her journey underscores the transformative potential of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities and the importance of their involvement in the development process.

The intersection of tech and inclusivity

Diversity and inclusion are evolving past mere social responsibility markers. Companies increasingly understand that aiding employees with disabilities through necessary infrastructure and assistive technology not only boosts credibility but also spurs innovation. 

A diverse and inclusive organisational culture augments value and productivity while opening doors for a broader talent pool. This results in a new ecosystem that enables fresh ideas and encourages a progressive approach to roadblocks.

“I hope to see more advances in assistive technologies in the coming years. This includes more sophisticated and accessible tools that cater to a wider range of disabilities, enabling seamless participation in various aspects of life and work. I also hope to see even more opportunities open up for disabled individuals in the tech industry.

“By taking proactive steps like implementing accessible workplace design and inclusive policies, organisations can enable disabled individuals to have more meaningful and fulfilling careers in tech. My vision is a future where people with disabilities play a vital role in shaping technological innovations, making society more inclusive and prosperous for everyone,” said Summers.

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Singapore-based VC firm Jungle Ventures has announced the addition of HealthXCapital to lead its healthcare investments in Southeast Asia and India.

Seemant Jauhari, a seasoned leader with 22 years of experience in healthcare investments who has led HealthXCapital since its inception, will be joining Jungle Ventures as a Partner for healthcare.

HealthXCapital has engaged with more than 1,200 founders across a wide range of healthcare segments, including home care, ambulatory care, insurtech, data sciences, and brain health. Their portfolio features names such as RED.Health, Homage, Medfin, and THB.

Jungle Ventures specialises in early to growth-stage investments in Southeast Asia and India, with a focus on nurturing businesses from their inception through their journey to becoming unicorns and eventually to IPO.

The firm’s portfolio includes regional and global category leaders such as Kredivo, Moglix, Pomelo, Livspace, Builder.ai, and Sociolla.

Also Read: Boost Capital lands US$2.5M for its chat-based bank client onboarding platform

The digital transformation in the healthcare industry, spurring innovations in advanced diagnostics, personalised medicine, big data, and AI, offers a significant opportunity for founders and investors to partner with innovators aiming to impact healthcare for the two billion people in Southeast Asia and India.

“I believe that by converging outside-in perspectives derived from investing across sectors and our nuanced understanding of healthcare, we shall be able to bring forth a unique strategic and operational value add to healthcare startups in the region,” said Jauhari.

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Singapore-based IoT transaction platform, Beep, has announced the launch of what it claims to be Southeast Asia’s largest electric vehicle roaming (eRoaming) network. Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre in Singapore (HMGICS), Tribecar, EVFY, Singapore Electric Vehicles, and Quantum Mobility are among the initial entities to use the network.

Beep also announced the successful completion of its seed funding round, led by GGV Capital and Wing Vasiksiri. NUS Technology Holdings, SUTD Venture Holdings, XA Network, and prominent angel investors also took part in the funding round. The amount of funding is undisclosed.

Beep will utilise the fresh funds to improve technical connectivity and deploy the largest roaming network in Southeast Asia as part of expansion plans into Malaysia, Thailand, and beyond. The company will continue to collaborate with additional charge point operators, vehicle OEMs, and fleets to grow the network on a permission basis.

Also Read: We need to accelerate progress at the frontier of innovation

Founded in 2018, Beep seeks to transform the traditional vending machine industry by enabling cashless transactions through its innovative IoT platform.

Beep’s platform functions as a universal translator, connecting various charging systems used by different operators, eliminating the need for extra integration efforts. Rather than developing a proprietary Voltality charging app, Beep provides a white-label website or API, enabling vehicle manufacturers, charging operators, and fleets to incorporate charging connectivity into their current applications or interfaces.

After collaborating with the Singapore Government during the pandemic, Beep launched Voltality in 2021, an eMobility platform for businesses and drivers. In 2022, it initiated the region’s first eRoaming pilot with five operators.

Spanning over 1,350 charge points, the network is a collaboration with 11 operators in Singapore, including the nation’s three largest operators — SP Group, ComfortDelGro ENGIE (CDG ENGIE), and Charge+, as well as strategic providers like QuickCharge, MNL Solutions, and Go by City Energy.

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Image credit: Beep

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