I have no regrets. Just as in Web3, sometimes a calculated risk doesn’t pay off. We all knew going in that success isn’t guaranteed even if we do all the right things. My doctor, wife and I could not have predicted that my individual reaction would be so drastic and that I would suffer from the more severe yet unlikely and even rare side effects. 

If it had worked, I would have won big. But taking risks means also being willing to accept and move on from failure, and continue living with the consequences. 

During my last confinement, when I was battling my ongoing immune system attack, my wife finally convinced me that we should hire a caregiver to help me. Again, another bitter pill to swallow for someone as proud and independent as I was, but that was me before cancer.

Many of the simplest things I took for granted are now something that require some form of assistance. I now know firsthand what it feels like to be categorised under Persons With Disabilities, who in Malaysia are referred to as Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU).

Thankfully, Malaysia strives to be OKU-friendly, from the government implementing the laws protecting us; to providing tax relief; to disability friendly malls, hotels, restaurants, trains, and so on. Certainly, Malaysia is far more disability friendly, I’m sad to say, than my native Philippines.

That’s just how life is. Sometimes, bad things happen to us through no fault of our own. Sometimes, we fail, no matter how passionate and hardworking we are. Living with cancer means accepting that some things are just beyond my control, but I can choose how to react to them. It means being more mindful of my time and energy.

Do I really want to waste my precious time moping and asking why I had to get MEITL? Self-pity won’t make this cancer go away. I choose to focus on becoming a better husband and father. It makes each new moment spent with my wife and daughter more meaningful. Each new memory we create together is more precious.

Also Read: What living with the Big C has taught me about Web3 (Part 1)

Whenever things go wrong, and you feel discouraged, whether you’re in Web3, a startup founder, an entrepreneur, or, in fact, in any industry, remember the people who truly matter to you. Remind yourself that you are working hard and making sacrifices because you have people you care about and people who care about you. That others are depending on you.

This will keep you grounded in the midst of uncertainty. 

Be kind and keep your sense of humour

I’ve also found that my quirky sense of humour is helping me cope with cancer. When I was starting out my chemo treatment, I bought a T-shirt with the funny statement: “Secretly Hoping Chemo Gives Me Superpowers.” After all, I’m literally a mutant now. Plus I’m a comic book geek and the X-Men have been my favourite superhero team since childhood.

While I was disheartened at first at having to be pushed around in a wheelchair, I’ve learned to have fun by pretending I’m Professor X using his psychic powers whenever we go through an elevator or an automatic door. Silly, I know, but it keeps me entertained.

My wife and I also keep joking that since I’ve received so many blood transfusions here, including packed red cells, platelet concentrate, and plasma, I already have a lot of Malaysian blood and should be considered an honorary Malaysian.

We know, of course, that technically, the donated blood cells circulating in me will die and be replaced by the blood cells my own body is producing. Depending on the age of the blood donated, this could be a matter of days or over a period of weeks. At most, three months. Also, non-citizens who meet the requirements can donate blood. But it’s our sense of humour that has always allowed my wife, daughter and me to cope with any situation.

Getting MEITL still feels unreal. Since this cancer journey began, I’ve felt like I’m in an episode of the American medical drama series “House”. Thankfully, unlike Dr Gregory House, none of my doctors is misanthropic and addicted to pain medication. Also, I’m the only patient in each episode.

MEITL, however, has no standard medical treatment and keeps evolving by presenting different vague and nonspecific systems. This is why it’s a stubborn beast that stumps doctors and keeps them guessing.

What are the actual symptoms? What are the side effects of chemo and other drugs? What are your individual reactions to the medication used to treat the side effects? And then, of course, my doctor has to help me deal with every complication that arises from my weakened immune system.

As he said from the start, we have a clear game plan, but at the end of the day it boils down to trial and error. We can’t stick to the original plan and hypotheses if the results have shown that the methods have failed. Believe me, since July we’ve experienced so many plot twists that we could keep this going for several seasons. 

Fine by me. I don’t want this show to get cancelled. Instead, give me the best series finale in TV history when I’ve finally been cured.

These days, I appreciate Web3 culture and humour even more. The GMs, LFGs, HODLs, GIFs, memes, friendly trolling and shitposting, and battle cries (“Ribbit!” “LFGRR!” “Power to the gamers!”) might seem silly to outsiders. But they allow Web3 people to bond with their community and other Web3 people while encouraging each other to hang on even during the long, dark and cold Crypto Winter.

Also Read: What living with the Big C has taught me about Web3 (Part 2)

Strange behaviour and slang can be ways to stay sane and build tribes. We tend to forget that every subculture and movement, whether in real life or online, creates its own special language and rituals. It wasn’t too long ago, after all, when the original Web seemed hopelessly bizarre before the Internet completely changed the way we worked and played.

Look for meaning, not happiness

Lastly, when you feel that everything you have been working hard for is being taken away from you and your whole world seems to be crumbling, that’s precisely when you should learn to be kind. Kinder to yourself, and kinder to others.

The real purpose of life is not happiness. Happiness is fleeting if by this we mean joyful moments and pleasant feelings. Every day, good and bad things will happen, and our mood will change depending on what we experience.

The true purpose of life is to create meaning.

Something that makes your life worth living and keeps you centred no matter what happens along the way. It’s the meaning that you create for yourself, but, even more importantly, that motivates you to help others and create real value for people.

I’m grateful that Web3 is filled with kind people. Call me naive, but while the spotlight is often on the bad actors, who are a vocal and toxic minority, good people abound in Web3. The space itself encourages people to be kind, authentic, passionate, and collaborative.

Take the example of avid gamer and NFT philanthropist TQ (from her gaming moniker Trap Queen). She firmly believes in Web3 gaming as a platform for gamers to give back to others. Through her charity program TQ Aid, she works with her fellow gamers and partners to distribute food, toys, and other supplies to underprivileged people in the Philippines.

Or Luis Buenaventura, one of the world’s first NFT artists, launched Curio Cards, the first art show of NFTs on Ethereum, on May 9th, 2017. He also made history as the first Filipino NFT artist to have work sold at Christie’s and Sotheby’s. But instead of being content with his own success, in September 2021, Buenaventura founded Cryptopop Art Guild (CPAG, pronounced “see-pag” like “sipag”, the Filipino word for diligence). This metaversal guild is a non-profit for underprivileged Filipino artists, helping them sell their NFTs in foreign markets that were once out of reach.  

If we want more people to use technology for good, then we must accelerate the evolution of the Web and put an end to the toxic Web2 era. 

Even the inventor of the World Wide Web himself, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who generously gave it away to the world for free and forever changed human history, has admitted during its 35th anniversary this year that the “Web is broken”. Though he believes it can still be fixed.

We who are passionate about Web3 believe that it is precisely what will fix the broken Web.

Through decentralisation, we can fulfil the Web’s original promise of giving power to individuals instead of institutions.

Web3 can correct the long-existing power imbalance in society that the internet simply perpetuated. It can finally bridge the digital gap by offering equal access to the benefits of technology to those who remain marginalised.

My dream is for all of us to build a world in which Web3 has forever changed for the better. 

I won’t let a small thing like cancer stop me from helping make this come true.

—

The last of three parts.

Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Join our e27 Telegram group, FB community, or like the e27 Facebook page.

Image courtesy of the author.

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Zypp Electric, an EV-as-a-service platform based in India, has raised US$15 million in its Series C round, led by Japanese firm ENEOS.

Existing investors 9unicorns, IAN fund, venture catalysts, and WFC also participated in the funding round.

The company’s goal is to secure US$50 million for the round, with US$40 million in equity and US$10 million in debt.

The fresh capital will drive Zypp’s growth in the last-mile delivery sector with sustainable EV solutions. It will fuel the expansion of Zypp’s fleet from 21,000 to 200,000 electric scooters and the scaling of its services to 15 cities across India by 2026.

As per some reports, Zypp Electric also plans to expand into Southeast Asia, with initial targets being Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The Middle East is also another target market for the firm.

Also Read: Vietnam’s proptech startup WeSale bags seed capital from Hitseries Capital

Founded in 2017 by Akash Gupta and Rashi Agarwal, Zypp aims to make India carbon-free by leveraging Electric Vehicles and EV-based technology for sustainable last-mile logistics. Their business model prioritizes carbon-free delivery services for local merchants, e-commerce giants, and delivery executives, reducing both delivery costs and pollution.

Gupta, also the company’s CEO, stated, “We are eager to expand our fleet and enhance our tech platform, driving significant growth across India. These funds will be utilised to drive the company towards the full path of growth along with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) profitability.”

As India’s last-mile delivery market is set to reach US$7 billion by the end of 2024, Zypp capitalises on this growth by offering delivery services for groceries, medicines, food, and e-commerce packages. Using fully automated IoT and AI-enabled scooters, the firm ensures efficient point-to-point delivery with low maintenance and high performance. Its clients include industry giants like Flipkart, Uber, and BigBasket.

According to Zypp, it completed over 50 million deliveries using its EVs between January 2023 and March 2024, resulting in the saving of 31 million kilograms of carbon emissions, while also recently launching operations in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

Zypp’s latest fundraise builds upon its US$25 million Series B round in 2023, led by EV major Gogoro.

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Image credit: Zypp Electric

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On May 23, the first day of BEYOND 2024, at The Venetian Cotai Expo in Macau, entrepreneurs working in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector revealed in a panel discussion how the technology will impact traditional businesses in Southeast Asia (SEA).

According to William Zhou, vice president at iFLYTEK Group, chatbots are popular in the region, though their adoption was relatively slow. However, the quality of the service these chatbots provide has improved in recent years.

Apart from chatbots, captioning is a popular use of the technology, Zhou said, pointing to the use of captioning technology by the event organiser, which was provided by iFLYTEK Group.

However, the increasingly widespread use of AI does not mean there are no barriers to adopting it for businesses in SEA. In the same. panel, Imagine AI Founder & CEO Edwin Loh said that barriers to adoption are mostly experienced by small to medium-sized enterprises due to the lack of resources.

“So, we set out to provide an AI-as-a-service [platform] instead of customised projects that we usually do for companies. We provide a SaaS model [tailored] for them; essentially, a tool for them to develop their own applications,” he said. “It’s great because the businesses know themselves best; they know their pain points.”

Also Read: Artificial intelligence and the art of building presentations

Based on the company’s experience, Zhou stated that a lack of knowledge and understanding is the main barrier to AI adoption. This is followed by fear of business loss. “‘This is going to be very complex; do I need to hire engineers to do this?’” he said, giving an example.

“To overcome these two challenges, the first one is that we need to simplify the process, make it so easy to adopt that we do not need any programming; they can simply implement the target,” Zhou said. “The second step is to allow concurrent use of the technology at the same time … It’s not as simple as ‘how many workers can I save’ by using this.”

How AI helps advertisers reach their audiences

At the same panel discussion, Khanh P. Ngo, Head of Monetisation Strategy & Operations, APAC & MEA, at TikTok, revealed how the popular social media platform uses AI to help advertisers reach audiences.

“The challenge faced by our advertiser clients who want to work with platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram is the difficulty of creating good enough creative content for them to advertise in,” he said.

“This is not just a SEA region problem. We have seen it across the board, especially in the developed world, where creative production costs are very high. So, we- and many other companies in the space- have been investing in solutions to help advertisers reduce that.”

Also Read: How Transparently.AI uses Artificial Intelligence to detect accounting manipulation, fraud

Advertisers in SEA are looking forward to these solutions, especially given the rising popularity of live commerce in the region.

“We have many case studies of sellers in remote areas using this service [to do their business],” he said. “Here we are playing the role of data analytics platform that can help small businesses make decisions.”

The post Addressing barriers to AI adoption in SEA: What tech entrepreneurs can do to help businesses cross that bridge appeared first on e27.

Philippine fintech startup Beppo has closed a pre-seed financing round led by Wavemaker Partners, with the participation of undisclosed angel investors.

The capital will enable the company to acquire JuanTax, an online tax platform accredited by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The money will also be used to acquire five bookkeeping firms: Tala Buluran and Co. Accounting Firm, MBH Online Accounting and Business Solutions, KJA Compliance and Tax, Konsepto Business Process Solutions, Inc., and PayRun.

Also Read: AI is not slowing demand for software developers in the Philippines

The fintech startup is also considering expanding to other parts of the country by partnering with other service providers. International expansion is also in the offing.

Beppo automates accounting and tax compliance for Filipino businesses and the self-employed. Its AI technology uses OCR (optical character recognition) software to capture data from receipts and categorise transactions, saving time and reducing errors. JuanTax’s acquisition will help Beppo become a one-stop shop for Filipino businesses to manage their finances and navigate tax filing requirements.

The company said its revenue has surged over 600 per cent since December 2023, fuelled by a surge in web and mobile users and new client acquisitions.

Jenny Galang, CEO of Beppo, said: “With the acquisition of JuanTax and seasoned partner firms, we’re set to redefine the bookkeeping and tax compliance experience for businesses and the self-employed, so they can focus on what’s really important–driving sustainable growth.”

Also Read: A deep-dive into Wavemaker Impact’s decarbonisation strategies in SEA

Eric Manlunas, co-founder and General Partner at Wavemaker Partners, added: “By automating repetitive and time-consuming bookkeeping tasks, Beppo enables businesses to efficiently manage their financial records and allocate their resources where they’re most needed—in growing their business.”

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Cybercriminals always seem to find new ways to steal data or make financial gains, but now they’re using images to try executing a new form of phishing — quishing. Just when you thought not clicking on links and checking response email addresses was a good start in becoming cyber-safe, now you need to be wary of QR codes, too.

QR codes (or Quick Response codes) are square barcode-like images that serve many legitimate purposes — allowing quick access to internet-based resources such as websites, products, event information and payment facilities. While QR codes have existed for over two decades, the use of QR codes has increased as more consumers began owning and using smart devices. This was especially evident during the pandemic when QR codes were used as a form of contact tracing.

Despite its funny-sounding name, the intent is still malicious. QR code phishing attacks (“quishing”) use physical or digital QR codes to lure users to fake websites designed to steal sensitive information or to infiltrate a device and infect it with malware.

This is just one of the many types of phishing attacks, a type of scam where attackers attempt to get users to reveal personal information — such as login details or credit card numbers. In fact, a phishing attack takes place every 39 seconds, and an estimated 3,809,488 records are stolen daily due to phishing related breaches.

Like other forms of phishing, quishing relies on trust — trust in the QR code and the organisation attached to it. A characteristic of a phishing scam is that it also relies on creating a sense of urgency (e.g. this limited discount offer ends today!) or there’s a ‘consequence’ of not taking action (e.g. your account will be locked in 24 hours).

Different forms of quishing

QR codes are available in physical and digital formats, so being exposed to quishing attacks can happen wherever there is a QR code. This is why it’s critical to be cautious and mindful when scanning QR codes to ensure the source is trusted.

There have been some interesting cases being reported in Singapore. In one, a woman visited a bubble tea shop and saw a QR code sticker on the business’ glass door, encouraging customers to complete an online survey to receive a free cup of milk tea.

When the person scanned the QR code, it downloaded a third-party app onto her Android phone to complete the “survey.” The scammers used their ‘app’ to take over the user’s device and stole US$20,000 from their bank account later that evening as they were sleeping.

A similar scenario can take place with a digital QR code whereby the user receives an email from a retailer that contains a QR code to sign up for a new loyalty program or receive a promotional offer. When the user scans the code on their computer screen with their smart device, they are prompted to enter their personal details, including name, address, username and password.

Identifying quishing scams

It is easy to be tricked by quishing attacks, which is why we’re seeing this method of attack continue to grow. With text-based phishing attacks, it is ‘easier’ to verify a link is legitimate before you click it, but it is naturally more difficult to do so with physical QR codes.

The Australian Signals Directorate highlights three key challenges in trying to identify a quishing scam:

• The limited ability of some email security tools to detect and block malicious links embedded in images.
• Hiding the link in an image limits your ability to check its legitimacy prior to scanning the QR code.
• For business environments, users receiving quishing emails sent to their work email address may scan a malicious QR code using personal devices, which may not be subject to the organisation’s cyber security controls and monitoring environments, making it difficult to prevent, detect and track potential compromises.

Nefarious QR codes stemming from quishing attacks are hard to spot, so in this case, Yubico recommends being cautious and protecting yourself by doing the following:

Verify the source is legitimate

QR codes are everywhere, so if you see one in an unexpected place, inspect the URL before opening it, especially if the source is unknown. If the QR code displays a link, make sure you recognise the URL, and even if you do, look for misspellings or a switched letter, just in case.

If you think that the message looks legitimate, you can also verify the validity of the sender by using a phone number or website that is confirmed to be authentic to verify the information. Placing a new fraudulent QR code sticker over a legitimate one is very easy. Be cautious if you come across physical QR codes that are sticker-based, unbranded, or placed in unusual locations.

Likewise, QR codes delivered by email should always be treated with extreme caution. If you are ever in doubt but still wish to find out more, contact the organisation directly to verify the request/offer associated with the QR code. However, until you verify the source, the simplest thing you can do is not scan QR codes.

Think before sharing personal information or making payments

As phishing attacks become harder to identify and use new tactics, such as QR codes, it’s crucial to stay vigilant. Be cautious of websites requesting personal, login, or financial data. Also, avoid suspicious methods of payment, such as PayPal, Venmo or e-Transfer and avoid debit cards, which are not protected. Opt for a credit card with consumer protection for any purchases. Due to a QR code interaction, never disclose banking information or wire transfer funds.

Enable strong, phishing-resistant MFA across your accounts

Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) offers stronger security than relying on legacy systems like usernames and passwords. However, not all MFA methods provide the same level of protection. Enabling MFA wherever possible will help bolster defences against phishing attempts.

Look for MFA solutions resistant to phishing, such as device-bound passkeys, including hardware security keys. Security keys stop phishing attacks by requiring something you know (a password) and something you have (a security key) to insert into the device and physically touch it to gain access to accounts.

Final thoughts

Communicating or engaging with technology has become fraught with potentially dangerous situations threatening our digital identities, but it doesn’t have to feel that way. Remember that if you receive an unexpected email or text with a QR code, don’t scan it, especially if it urges you to act immediately. With the right knowledge or awareness of scams and armed with phishing-resistant MFA tools, navigating the web-based world can become a bit less stressful.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Join our e27 Telegram group, FB community, or like the e27 Facebook page.

Image credit: Canva

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AVPN, a network of social investors in Asia, has launched a US$15 million fund with the support of Google’s philanthropic arm Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to equip Asia’s workforce with essential artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge.

Named ‘AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific,’ the three-year programme aims to provide tools required for the evolving work landscape in the region. It thereby ensures that jobs and roles presented by AI are accessible to more people in the region, specifically those from underserved communities.

Also Read: Amazon to train 15K individuals in AI skills in Singapore

The fund will be available through an open call to identify and select the non-profit organisations, social enterprises, and workforce associations in Asia Pacific that reach the workers impacted by the workforce transitions caused by AI.

Selected organisations will receive guidance, financial support and tailored AI training based on foundational AI courses designed by Google and its external partners.

“AI presents tremendous opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region, but it’s crucial to equip people with the skills to thrive. This new AI Opportunity Fund in Asia Pacific will help empower underserved communities and ensure everyone benefits from the transformative power of AI,” said Scott Beaumont, President of Google Asia-Pacific.

Employers in Asia-Pacific are confident in AI’s potential to boost productivity. Over the next five years, 93 per cent expect to use generative AI tools, with some even offering salary bumps of up to 44 per cent for workers with AI skills.

While AI is perceived positively by employees, 16 per cent of those surveyed by PwC believed AI could replace their jobs. The work uncertainty compounds for those already disadvantaged, where a third of the population does not use the internet and where high job informality persists.

Also Read: Microsoft to empower 2.5M Southeast Asians with AI skills by 2025

Applications for the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific will open soon. Interested organisations can register their interest and be notified when applications open here.

AVPN’s CEO Naina Subberwal Batra said: “Building an AI-ready workforce is an essential social mandate for businesses and governments, and one that can unlock Asia’s full workforce potential, considering this region will have 165 million working-age people by 2030. There is urgency for such an enablement initiative, as the new world work realities unfold, and we start to see the socioeconomic impact of AI work transition on workers who have limited support to adapt and catch up. AVPN is optimistic about leveraging the knowledge and reach of impact organisations that are already actively working on the ground to bridge the gaps for an AI Workplace Just Transition, and to ensure that the benefits of AI work opportunities reach more of our workers.”

AVPN is a network of social investors comprising over 600 funders and resource providers across 33 markets. Its mission is to increase the flow and effectiveness of financial, human, and intellectual capital in Asia by enabling members to channel resources towards impact.

Recently, tech giant Microsoft committed to equipping 2.5 million Southeast Asian people with AI skills by 2025. The skilling initiatives will be implemented in partnership with governments, nonprofit and corporate organisations and communities across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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Pixlr, an AI-powered digital photo editing and content creation tool, was recently recognised as one of the 18 web apps supporting Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) at the Google developer conference Google I/O 2024 for its newly launched “Add to Chromebook” badge. The badge enables users to install the tool from various platforms, including marketing pages and app listings, significantly boosting its discovery ability.

Pixlr Group CEO Warren Leow spoke with e27 about the new feature and its implications for the developer community and Pixlr users.

Edited excerpts:

What specific features make Pixlr stand out as the ultimate AI editing tool for Chromebook users?

Pixlr offers several key features to Chromebook users:

AI-powered tools: Pixlr offers a suite of AI-driven tools to automate complex editing tasks, making the process quicker and more intuitive.

Progressive web app (PWA) support: Its PWA capabilities ensure a smooth, fast, and reliable experience on Chromebooks. Users can install Pixlr directly from their web browser, enjoy offline access, and benefit from performance similar to native apps. This is particularly advantageous for Chromebook users who rely on web-based applications.

Also Read: Inmagine CEO Warren Leow discusses AI’s impact on content creation and ethical considerations

User-friendly interface: Its interface is designed to be intuitive and accessible, catering to both beginners and professionals. The platform includes features like drag-and-drop editing, a vast collection of templates, and easy-to-use AI tools that simplify editing.

Cross-device compatibility: The tool is fully compatible with Chromebooks and other devices, allowing users to seamlessly switch between their desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. This ensures that Chromebook users can access their projects anytime, anywhere.

Comprehensive editing features: Beyond AI tools, Pixlr provides a wide range of editing options, including background removal, object removal, noise reduction, and batch editing. These features offer Chromebook users the flexibility to perform advanced edits without needing multiple software applications.

What benefits do PWAs offer to Pixlr users, and how does it enhance their editing experience?

PWAs offer Pixlr’s 10 million monthly active users several benefits that enhance their editing experience:

Offline access: Users can edit photos without an internet connection, making it convenient for on-the-go editing.

Fast performance: PWAs provide a smooth and efficient user experience similar to native apps.
Cross-device compatibility: Users can seamlessly switch between devices while maintaining their work progress.

Automatic updates: Pixlr automatically updates to the latest version, ensuring users always have the newest features.

Native app-like features: PWAs offer features such as push notifications and easy installation from the browser, enhancing user convenience and engagement.

What are the key advantages of Pixlr’s integration with Google Play for Chromebook users?

Pixlr’s integration with Google Play for the 60 million Chromebook users offers several key advantages: seamless installation and updates through the Google Play Store, optimised performance tailored for ChromeOS, and enhanced accessibility with offline functionality. This integration ensures that users experience fast, reliable photo editing with easy access to the latest features and improvements.

Also Read: ‘Sell things with repeat purchases and uses’: Warren Leow speaks about Amazing Fables shutdown

Chromebook users also have access to a free and price-friendly alternative to Adobe’s design products, namely Adobe Photoshop, which costs 80 per cent less.

A statement says Pixlr’s new tabbed mode for PWAs enhances productivity. How does the new tabbed mode for PWAs on Chrome OS enhance productivity for Pixlr users?

The new tabbed mode for PWAs on Chrome OS enhances productivity for Pixlr users by allowing them to manage multiple editing projects simultaneously within separate tabs. This feature streamlines the workflow, making it easier to switch between tasks, organise workspaces, and access various tools without needing to open multiple instances of the app.

Pixlr also claims it can transform classrooms into creative studios. How does Pixlr transform classrooms into creative studios, particularly in educational settings?

Pixlr’s accessibility and ease of use transform classrooms into creative studios by enabling students to undertake complex visual projects without requiring advanced technical skills. The platform’s suite of AI-driven tools allows creative exploration and experimentation, fostering an engaging learning environment. This capability encourages students to express their ideas visually, enhancing their creativity and collaboration skills in educational settings.

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WeSale, a real estate trade platform in Vietnam, has raised an undisclosed seed investment from Singapore-headquartered Hitseries Capital.

The startup will use the money to develop and upgrade the platform, expand markets and develop new products and services.

WeSale is a proptech platform connecting partners, individuals and organisations to project owners and developers. By applying WeCRM technology, real estate transaction tools, and generative AI, WeSale aims to improve the quality of consulting and transparent and effective real estate transactions for members, brokers, business partners and project development units.

Also Read: The D&I advantage: How inclusion fuels growth in Vietnamese real estate

Mai Lam Toi, CEO of WeSale, said: “WeSale completes a superior technology platform to build a strong sales force supported by versatile sales tools, supported by a team of knowledgeable sales experts.  experience supports transactions to become fast and transparent.”

Hitseries Capital provides growth-as-a-service (GaaS) to its portfolio. The firm invests in AI/ML, vertical SaaS applications, connected IoT, healthcare, mobility, fintech, and marketplace across Asia Pacific.

The VC firm earlier invested in Tanaakk and icuco.

According to the Vietnam Real Estate Association, the country’s real estate sector will be worth over US$1.23 trillion by 2030. This large market will facilitate the development of technology-enriched platforms as the demands for buying, selling, and managing property become increasingly sophisticated.

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In June 2023, Malaysia-based car e-commerce platform CARSOME announced a funding round that raised its total capital to US$200 million.

Last week, at the sideline of BEYOND 2024 at The Venetian Cotai Expo, Macau, e27 caught up with CARSOME Co-Founder, Chairman & Group CEO Eric Cheng to find out the latest updates from the company since the announcement.

According to him, last year, the company had been focusing more on readjusting its business.

“Much effort has been focused on how we looked at the business in the current market climate, especially since it is not just about growing. It is also about making sense of every single cost line … and that everything translates into your EBITDA profitability. We achieved that in the last quarter of last year. We now have our first profitable quarter in Q1 this year,” he said.

“Because, especially within the used car industry in Southeast Asia (SEA), there used to be a lot of different platforms and competitions in the market. But many of those companies have gone quiet, or do not even exist anymore in the last 12 to 18 months. So, it is safe to say that we have done a really great job in making that achievement, that milestone. Leveraging from last year, we are focusing on building our first profitable year.”

Also Read: Carsome acquires WapCar, AutoFun to strengthen automotive content strategy

During our conversation, Cheng discussed the notable changes in the region’s used car market. While the COVID-19 pandemic led to a pause in car trading for many customers, the situation improved “really quickly” right after that. Pent-up demand accelerated especially in 2021-2022.

“The market for used cars itself has always been growing. For the last two years, what we have seen is that the growth continued to be there. But, of course, it has normalised to the level before the pandemic. It also helps us continue growing as a business because we are not building a business where the market stays stagnant. We are building a business that continues to be growing,” Cheng says.

“Building up on top of our core business transaction is important. We are also rolling out more services to capture the opportunity.”

For CARSOME, this includes including new car offerings in their platform, which used to focus solely on used cars. “This is something that we started immediately post-pandemic because we saw an opportunity to.”

When asked if there has been any change in how they acquire new users with all of these changes, Cheng says the company continues to focus heavily on digital marketing.

“What we see in the last 12 months is that the platform of CARSOME has already built a strong brand equity. That helped us to really establish a good top of mind,” Cheng says.

Also Read: Carsome acquires majority stake in Singapore’s CarTimes Automobile

Shifting gear into the future

When asked about the most valuable lessons the company has learned in its journey, Cheng says that focusing on profitability requires CARSOME to undergo a “big mindset shift.” This can be challenging for a startup, especially as it has been around for a long time as a venture-backed business.

“In the beginning, we have been very focused on expansion and growth. Switching into that mode of thinking of going after profitability requires a big cultural shift. So, I think the biggest achievement so far is successfully adapting to that new environment,” he says.

When asked about what the company wished to achieve in the future, Cheng said that it wants to continue to double the number of car sales, from 150,000 cars per month in 2023 to 500,000 in 2024. It also wants to continue growing its financing solutions services.

“We think there is more room for us to offer financing solutions and insurance as after-sales to our customers, which is still at a very nascent stage of us rolling it out to border markets. These are some of the focuses we are doing now to stay in line with our vision of becoming a full-fledged car ecosystem in Southeast Asia,” Cheng says.

“The Philippines is also a new market that we just went into; we also hope to see scaling opportunity over there.”

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With rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), Malaysia stands at the threshold of a transformative era. As AI technologies permeate various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, the Malaysian workforce is poised for significant changes.

According to a report by Precedence Research, the global AI market is projected to reach approximately US$2,575.16 billion by the year 2032, showing significant growth from the current value of US$454.12 billion in 2022. This translates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19 per cent from 2023 to 2032. 

AI-powered technologies have garnered widespread recognition for their ability to revolutionise various industries. From enhancing operational efficiency to driving innovation and improving customer experiences, AI holds the promise of reshaping how businesses operate and compete in the modern landscape. Its applications span across diverse domains, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail, and beyond.

However, despite these staggering numbers, only 13 per cent of organisations in Malaysia are fully prepared to deploy and leverage AI-powered technologies. This statistic underscores a significant gap between the potential benefits of AI and the readiness of businesses to embrace them. 

Several factors contribute to this gap, including a limited understanding of AI’s applications and benefits, concerns about implementation costs and complexity, a shortage of skilled talent proficient in AI, and organisational inertia or resistance to change.

Addressing concerns of professionals: AI as a threat

As Malaysia delves deeper into the AI landscape, it’s clear that despite its growing accessibility, there remain substantial concerns impeding its widespread adoption in workplaces. These include technological limitations, risks to privacy and security, resistance stemming from cultural factors, and a shortage of AI-skilled professionals. In light of these concerns, it’s reasonable that many businesses approach AI cautiously, thus limiting the realisation of its full potential.

Also Read: Embracing AI’s promise: Navigating the future of marketing

A study showed that 62 per cent of respondents in Malaysia are worried that AI will replace their jobs, but 84 per cent would delegate as much work as possible to AI to lessen their workloads. This indicates a complex mix of fear and acceptance towards AI in the workforce.

It suggests that while there is concern about job security, there is also recognition of the potential benefits of AI in increasing efficiency and productivity. This underscores the evolving landscape where individuals grapple with the prospect of automation reshaping traditional employment structures, even as they recognize its potential to enhance operational effectiveness. 

Assessing the level of awareness among Malaysians regarding AI technologies is crucial. Understanding the perceived benefits and concerns surrounding AI adoption helps shape public discourse. The role of public discourse, education, and media in shaping perceptions cannot be overstated. Increased understanding and adoption of AI can propel Malaysia towards its goal of becoming a high-income nation.

Enhancing productivity, innovation, and competitiveness through AI integration is key. Leveraging AI for inclusive growth and addressing socioeconomic disparities is imperative. Aspirations for AI education and skills development in Malaysia include promoting AI literacy and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

AI technologies and how they’re shaping Malaysia’s AI landscape

The adoption of AI technologies has the potential to significantly contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth by unlocking new sources of productivity, efficiency, and innovation across various sectors. AI-powered solutions can automate repetitive tasks, optimise processes, and enable data-driven decision-making, thereby enhancing overall productivity and competitiveness. As businesses leverage AI to streamline operations and create value, they can drive economic expansion, attract investment, and stimulate job creation.

AI technologies have the potential to revolutionise productivity across a wide range of sectors in Malaysia, including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, agriculture, transportation, and services. By leveraging AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent decision support systems, businesses can optimise processes, improve resource allocation, and deliver more personalised and efficient services to customers. This increased productivity not only drives economic growth but also enhances the quality of goods and services available to consumers.

Also Read: Human-AI collaboration: The key to unlocking Gen AI’s potential

Collaboration with educational institutions, government agencies, and industry partners is crucial for progress. For us at Ever AI Technologies, this collaborative spirit, aiming to break down traditional barriers to AI access and knowledge, is what drives our mission to democratise AI in Malaysia and beyond. By fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity, we believe that Malaysia can truly harness the power of AI for sustainable growth and development. 

Towards a bright future with AI and innovation

As Malaysia embraces the AI revolution, it faces both challenges and opportunities to reshape its workforce and economy. By fostering awareness, addressing concerns, and promoting education and innovation, Malaysia can harness the transformative power of AI to drive sustainable growth and prosperity. Many companies stand at the forefront of this journey, committed to empowering Malaysians with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the AI-driven future.

In conclusion, Malaysia’s journey into the AI landscape is characterised by potential, challenges, and opportunities. With the right strategies and collaborations, Malaysia can navigate this revolution successfully, transforming its workforce, economy, and society for the better. As the nation moves forward, embracing AI with awareness and foresight will be key to unlocking its full potential.

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The post How can Malaysia leverage AI for growth and not see it as a threat? appeared first on e27.