Day: September 13, 2025

The advertising world is at a breaking point. Generative AI is no longer a novelty – it is reengineering how campaigns are imagined, built, and delivered.

At the centre of this shift are three competing philosophies: replacement, where platforms like Meta aim to automate entire ad pipelines; empowerment, where Google DeepMind’s ACAI (AI Co-Creation for Advertising and Inspiration) seeks to scaffold human creativity; and insight, where platforms such as SOMIN and Nielsen focus on explainability and strategy over automation.

For agencies, this isn’t just another wave of technology. It’s a reinvention of their very DNA.

New skillsets: From storytellers to AI strategists

The first visible shift is in talent. Traditional creative roles – copywriters, designers, and media planners – are no longer enough on their own. Agencies now demand hybrid professionals who can pair human imagination with AI literacy.

WPP CEO Mark Read recently said it bluntly: “Even with AI, you still need traditional storytelling skills.” But the caveat is clear: you also need to know how to prompt, train, and critique AI outputs. New job titles like prompt engineer, AI trainer, and AI ethics officer are emerging alongside creative technologists who bridge code and content.

This isn’t speculation. In 2025, a global survey found that 66 per cent of business leaders would not hire a candidate without AI skills, and 71 per cent would prioritise AI fluency over experience. Agencies are responding by retraining at scale – WPP alone reported 150,000 AI training sessions in the past year. The next generation of marketers will be judged not only on their creative portfolios but also on how effectively they collaborate with machines.

Also Read: Pre-launch marketing is a tease that works, how to get it right?

Hybrid agencies: The rise of creative-tech hybrids

The second transformation is structural. The traditional lines between creative, media, and digital agencies are dissolving, replaced by hybrid models that combine storytelling with engineering.

Take Accenture Song, now branding itself as the world’s largest tech-powered creative group. With billions invested in AI talent and proprietary platforms, it exemplifies the hybrid agency: part consultancy, part production studio, part data lab. These firms offer end-to-end solutions – from brand-trained language models to omni-channel campaign orchestration – capabilities once spread across multiple agencies.

Hybrid agencies are “talent magnets,” attracting professionals eager to stretch across creative and technical domains. They are also reshaping client expectations: why juggle five specialist agencies when a single partner can ideate, analyse, and execute with AI at its core?

The talent war: Meta vs everyone

Perhaps the most consequential shift lies outside agency walls. Meta has declared war for AI talent, and the stakes are staggering.

In 2025, reports surfaced of Meta offering US$100 million+ packages to lure researchers from rivals, alongside perks like unlimited access to cutting-edge AI chips. The company has already poached top names from Apple and OpenAI to build Super-intelligence Labs, a unit explicitly tasked with merging AI into content creation and advertising. Mark Zuckerberg has been clear: the goal is not incremental improvement, but a “redefinition of the category of advertising.”

Also Read: Empathy-first algorithms: The marriage of AI and human psychology in marketing

This puts agencies in a precarious spot. They cannot match the compensation arms race of Silicon Valley giants. Instead, their competitive edge must come from culture, creativity, and agility. Agencies can still offer what platforms cannot: brand intimacy, cultural nuance, and human authenticity. But they must position themselves as AI facilitators – curating and guiding AI tools rather than resisting them.

What this means for startups and marketers

For startups and scale-ups in Southeast Asia and beyond, the implications are twofold. First, AI-driven advertising is about to become dramatically more accessible—tools from Meta and Google will let even the smallest teams deploy campaigns at scale. But second, differentiation will depend on how creatively you use these tools, and whether you have access to talent that can bridge human and machine.

The future agency is not obsolete – it is transformed. The winners will be those who lead AI rather than follow it, blending human insight, brand authenticity, and AI-enabled efficiency. As one industry leader put it: “No part of marketing will AI not touch.”

The talent war is on. The question is: who will win – the platforms, the hybrid agencies, or the startups nimble enough to play both sides?

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AI headlines warn us of job losses, machines replacing humans, and a dangerous future. Yet, in daily life, we midlifers are already enjoying AI — through beauty filters, TikTok mermaids, Netflix suggestions, and online shopping recommendations.

The real question isn’t “should we use AI?” but “why are we so afraid when we’re already living with it?”

The other day, I showed off my TikTok. With one tap, I became a mermaid — hair sparkling, skin glowing, underwater magic all around.

Before I could say anything, my friend shouted, “I have that too!”

That’s when it struck me: we were both enjoying AI. Not through coding or technical know-how, but through filters that made us laugh. Yet ask the same group of friends what they think about AI, and the mood shifts — worry, fear, uncertainty.

How did we get here? How did AI become a word loaded with fear, while in practice, it’s already woven into our joy?

The fear we’ve been sold

Midlifers didn’t grow up with AI. For us, technology was often serious, formal, and sometimes intimidating. Now add the steady drumbeat of headlines:

• “AI is stealing jobs”
• “AI is replacing humans”
• “AI is dangerous”

This narrative creates a shadow — as if AI is something waiting to take from us, not give. It’s no wonder midlifers hesitate. Fear has been sold louder than reality.

Also Read: The 10x ROI advantage: How AI can supercharge your business growth

Generationally, that fear makes sense. Younger people grew up testing new apps fearlessly, while many midlifers were told not to “break the computer.” When headlines reinforce that unease, it’s easier to distrust than to explore.

The reality we’re already living

Now contrast that with everyday life:

• At family art jamming sessions, aunties insist on beauty filters before every photo.
• Friends giggle as they swap mermaid or princess versions of themselves on TikTok.
• Netflix quietly suggests the perfect show for a Friday night.
• Online shopping carts “magically” recommend items we didn’t know we needed.

Every single one of these is powered by AI. Yet none of them feels like a threat. They feel normal, useful, even delightful.

Why the disconnect?

The disconnect lies here: fear is abstract, but fun is concrete.

• Fear comes from big, distant headlines.
• Fun comes from small, lived experiences.

We fear the idea of AI. We enjoy the application of AI.

It’s a bit like being scared of flying while happily enjoying your holiday, forgetting that a plane got you there.

Yes, there are risks

Of course, the fear isn’t baseless. AI will change jobs. It will raise questions about privacy, bias, and ethics. These concerns matter. But they’re not the whole story.

The other side of the story is that AI also makes our lives lighter, faster, and sometimes even more joyful. That balance is often missing from public conversations — and midlifers are left with fear, not perspective.

Also Read: Up-skilling in the AI era: Why passive learning will not cut it anymore

From fear to possibility

The good news is: once we notice this contradiction, we gain clarity. If AI is already part of our joy, why not explore how it can also be part of our growth?

• Confidence: If we can trust AI to touch our faces with beauty filters, maybe we can trust it to help us polish a CV.
• Connection: If we can laugh at a mermaid version of ourselves, maybe we can use AI to share life stories or family memories.
• Curiosity: If AI makes us creators with one tap, maybe it can also help us discover second-act careers or new passions.

Wrapping up

The truth is, midlifers have already welcomed AI into our lives. We just haven’t named it. What we’ve named instead is fear — a fear planted by noise, not by experience.

So maybe the next time you see yourself as a mermaid, or refuse a photo without the beauty filter, you can pause and laugh. AI isn’t just in the headlines. It’s already in your hands, making life easier, sparklier, more connected.

The real question isn’t “Should we use AI?” but “How can we use it better?”

Because once we see past the fear, we realise: we’re not being replaced by AI. We’re already dancing with it.

Why do you think fear is louder than fun when it comes to AI?

—

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.

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Vietnam’s e-commerce market is entering a new chapter–one defined less by discounts and more by dependability.

Milieu Insight’s latest survey underscores a striking behavioural shift: while affordability still matters, Vietnamese consumers are prioritising consistent service, reliable delivery, and clear accountability. In a market that has just crossed the US$25 billion mark, this pivot is significant.

The data reveals a rising middle class that is no longer satisfied with bargain hunting alone. Shoppers want platforms to take ownership of the entire experience, from accurate product listings to last-mile logistics.

A resounding 90 per cent expect platforms–not couriers–to enforce delivery standards, signalling that passing blame will no longer fly. Reliability now outranks low fees, and 70 per cent of shoppers say they are willing to pay more for sellers who deliver on time.

This evolution is reshaping the competitive equation for Southeast Asia’s e-commerce sector. Transparency, trust, and seamless service are emerging as the true differentiators, challenging incumbents and opening doors for challengers who can meet these expectations.

For startups and established players alike, the message is clear: in Vietnam, the race is no longer to the cheapest, but to the most reliable.

REGIONAL

Southeast Asia startup capital falls 21 per cent, lowest in over six years
Investor caution was particularly pronounced in early-stage funding | Transactions up to Series B declined to 219, the lowest level in six years, with proceeds falling to US$1.1B–a mere fraction of the H1 2022 peak of US$4.54B | This trend reflects a heightened emphasis on capital efficiency and profitability over rapid expansion for younger companies.

Germany logistic tech firm Rhenus to invest US$20M in Philippines
The Germany-based logistics provider will open a new head office in Pasay, consolidating its air and ocean freight, warehousing, and shared service operations | The facility spans nearly 1,000 sqm and is located near major transport routes and business districts.

Accion Ventures closes US$61.6M fund to back inclusive fintech startups across emerging markets
The fund secured backing from Dutch bank FMO, Proparco, the Ford Foundation, MetLife Asset Management, Mastercard, and ImpactAssets | Accion targets startups that leverage next-gen technologies—including embedded finance, alternative data, and Generative AI—to create accessible financial solutions.

Tevo secures seed funding, strikes partnership with Vietnam’s MobiFone
The Tevo-MobiFone collaboration aims to jointly introduce mobile applications to global markets, with the short drama application, Dramini, being their inaugural joint venture.

Siam Validus taps NCB to accelerate SME credit access in Thailand
Becoming an NCB member will enable Siam Validus to access credit bureau reports in real-time with SME consent, drastically reducing current turnaround times from two weeks to almost instantly | Crucially, the platform will also be able to report SME exposures and payment records back into the national system.

REPORTS,FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

As Vietnam’s e-commerce market surpasses US$25B, shoppers are no longer satisfied with low prices alone
A fresh analysis by consumer research firm Milieu Insight finds that Vietnamese shoppers are increasingly driven by product variety (52 per cent) and emerging features such as livestream shopping (50 per cent) and AI-based recommendations (32 per cent).

From Bain to Bluente: Daphne Tay’s mission to fix the “last mile” of translation
Bluente is an AI-powered translation platform designed to solve that last-mile pain point | Its one-click engine translates to and from more than 120 languages while preserving exact formatting (text, images, numbers, tables, and units) across contracts, PDFs, and PowerPoints.

INTERNATIONAL

Global EV sales rise 15 per cent in August: report
This marks the slowest growth rate since January, with the slowdown mainly due to tougher comparisons from last year | Sales in China, which accounts for over half of global EV sales, increased 6 per cent in August after averaging 36 per cent monthly growth in the first half of the year.

OpenAI, Microsoft agree on restructure with US$100B nonprofit stake
OpenAI, which began as a nonprofit, plans to form a public benefit corporation controlled by the existing nonprofit, according to chairman Bret Taylor | The nonprofit is set to hold at least a US$100B stake in the new entity, a figure that could rise, according to a person familiar with the matter.

S Korea targets mass production of humanoid robots by 2029
A new alliance has been formed that brings together major firms including Hyundai, LG, Samsung, and Posco Group to promote AI adoption in manufacturing | The alliance will oversee ten areas, including AI factories, AI manufacturing services, self-driving cars, humanoid robots, autonomous ships, AI home appliances, AI defense products, AI-powered facilities for the biopharmaceutical industry, and AI chips.

Indian online gaming firm Zupee lays off 170 employees
The online gaming company is restructuring operations after the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 | Zupee is among several firms that have shut down real-money gaming services due to the new regulation.

Alibaba launches Qwen3-Next AI model, ten times cheaper to train
The company also said the model’s performance matches its larger flagship Qwen3-235B-A22B model and is optimised for use on consumer-grade hardware | Alibaba has made the model’s code available on platforms including GitHub and Hugging Face, allowing third-party developers to use, modify, and distribute it.

Ant Group debuts R1 humanoid robot
The robot was demonstrated cooking shrimp at Berlin’s IFA 2025 event, and later appeared at the Inclusion Conference in Shanghai | The company said potential uses for R1 include kitchen assistance, healthcare support, and tour guiding.

SEMICONDUCTOR

South Korea unveils US$108B fund for AI, robotics, chips
The fund, called the Public Growth Fund, increases the government’s earlier proposal of US$72B | It aims to support sectors including semiconductors, secondary batteries, biotechnology, energy, hydrogen, defense, vaccines, and robotics over the next five years.

OpenAI, Nvidia to invest billions in UK data centres
The companies are reportedly working with London-based data centre operator Nscale Global Holdings, with OpenAI preparing to spend billions of dollars as part of the plan | That site is designed to host up to 45,000 Nvidia GB200 super chips for AI workloads, though no customers were named | Nscale’s Loughton facility can host up to 45,000 Nvidia GB200 super chips for AI workloads, though no customers were named.

Alibaba, Baidu start using own chips to train AI models: sources
Alibaba has deployed its in-house chips for smaller AI models since early 2025, while Baidu is testing its Kunlun P800 chip for training new versions of its Ernie AI model | The shift comes as US export controls limit Chinese access to advanced AI chips, prompting local firms to increase development of domestic alternatives.

Nvidia to launch new AI chip for video, software creation
Rubin CPX will be available as cards for integration into existing servers or as standalone units for data centres | The company said the chip is intended to improve efficiency in tasks like video generation and software creation by separating the process of understanding input from generating responses.

AI

Singaporeans embrace AI convenience but still demand the human touch: Sinch
While 45 per cent of Singaporean respondents said they would use AI-powered customer support if backed by credible brand information, only four per cent would choose AI or chatbots as their first choice for resolving issues—underscoring ongoing concerns around privacy and accuracy.

Singaporeans are wary of trusting AI with financial or mental health advice: Report
A fieldwork, conducted in June with 1,000 respondents aged 16 and above, underscores how quickly AI has permeated Singaporean lifestyles | Younger people, particularly those aged 16 to 24, are leading the charge: 40 per cent report regular use, and half of that group say they employ AI for creative tasks such as writing or image generation.

From smart rings to health coaching: AI and the new preventive healthcare paradigm
Modern wearables keep a constant finger on the pulse of our well-being. Unlike an annual check-up or occasional lab test, a smart ring or smartwatch can monitor your body 24/7 and alert you to subtler changes.

AI, authenticity and the future of founder storytelling
The most successful founders are those who know how to strike the right balance between delivering efficient content while ensuring it is authentic, credible and most importantly relatable to your audience | At the end of the day you need to remember who is seeing your content in the first place.

Singapore’s AI revolution and how SMEs can win in a high-risk landscape
The prevailing cause of AI failure is not technology but execution | Many companies treat AI as plug-and-play magic, expecting flawless results from initial pilots or demos | However, real business environments are complex: inconsistent data, shifting metrics, and operational exceptions challenge AI models.

Navigate in a cookie-less world, leverage AI and think community-first
Product-led communities are a business already; they’re created as organisations with a purpose and culture | These communities also happen to be one of the most effective forms of marketing and help businesses achieve their goals | Therefore, product-led community managers approach community building with strategies to build this synergy.

From bits to atoms: How AI is shaping Southeast Asia’s food future
AI can analyse millions of data points across reviews, social media posts, and even call centre transcripts, in multiple languages and dialects, with cultural nuance intact | Instead of just asking what consumers want, AI makes it easier to uncover the why behind their choices.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

From pilot to scale: Why traditional VC metrics don’t work for climate deep tech
Raising money for deep tech isn’t about selling upside; it’s about de-risking, layer by layer, milestone by milestone | Successful founders understand they must systematically peel the “risk onion” for investors: from technical feasibility to product functionality, market readiness to team execution.

How does audience intelligence help startups make informed decisions?
By dedicating time and resources to understanding their target market, validating business ideas, identifying and analysing competition, and spotting emerging trends, startups can make strategic decisions that foster growth and profitability.

Why community building has replaced lean startup approach to lurk investors?
Over the past few years, changing dynamics of audience engagement and go-to-market strategy have led to incredible results for product-led businesses that engage actively in community building | Audience and community are two different things, many organisations are realising the difference post-pandemic.

What makes a great customer experience?
A lot of customers now consider companies’ level of environmental sustainability and morals in their purchasing decisions | An Aflac research supports this by showing almost eight out of 10 of consumers believe companies that stay true to their ethics/values outperform others in their field.

The Fed, tariffs, and digital assets: What investors are watching
The current market environment demonstrates a remarkable capacity for adaptation in the face of adversity | Equities reaching records despite downward data revisions and tariff escalations point to a collective bet on central bank support and economic resilience.

Why startups need mobile apps to thrive in today’s competitive market
As many people have traded in their home computers and laptops for smartphones and tablets, websites have taken a backseat to mobile applications in recent years | Therefore, for a startup in today’s society, it makes sense to harness that energy on building a good app for their business.

SEA startups are bleeding talent: Here’s how AI can stem the flow
AI won’t replace your employees ,but bad leadership might | The startups that survive this era won’t be those that chase the latest tools, but those that retain, retrain, and re-skill their people — building companies where AI and humans grow stronger together.

The fintech ‘Wild West’ in SEA is over and maybe that’s a good thing
Fintech app penetration has seen a multifold increase over the last five years or so, led by the Philippines and Indonesia | Digital payments, a cornerstone of the region’s fintech success, continue to surge. These aren’t just random highlights | They represent a fundamental rewiring of how individuals and businesses in the region interact with money.

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As the calendar flips to September 12, 2025, financial markets around the world hum with a mix of optimism and caution, driven by recent economic data that has solidified expectations for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy moves.

Global risk sentiment remains broadly positive, with Asian equities edging close to all-time highs in early trading sessions, buoyed by encouraging signals from US inflation figures and labour market indicators. Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets have taken the lead in this upward push, reflecting renewed investor confidence amid hopes for monetary easing.

Meanwhile, US stock futures point to a flat opening, suggesting a pause after the previous day’s gains, where the S&P 500 climbed 0.9 per cent, the Nasdaq advanced 0.7 per cent, and the Dow Jones surged 1.4 per cent. This rally in US equities stems largely from growing anticipation that the Fed will deliver an interest rate cut at its September 17 meeting. This move could inject fresh liquidity into risk assets and extend the current uptrend.

Looking into the latest US economic releases, the August consumer price index revealed a nuanced picture of inflation dynamics. Core prices, which strip out volatile food and energy components, increased by 0.3 per cent monthly and 3.1 per cent year-over-year, aligning closely with economist projections and signalling that underlying inflationary pressures remain contained but persistent.

Also Read: The calm before the surge: Fed easing, crypto clarity, and markets at a crossroads

Headline CPI ticked up by 0.4 per cent in August, marking an acceleration from prior months and pushing the annual rate to 2.9 per cent, the highest since early 2025. This uptick can be attributed in part to businesses preemptively passing on costs related to anticipated tariffs under the Trump administration’s trade policies, which have begun to ripple through supply chains and consumer goods pricing.

Concurrently, weekly jobless claims surged to 263,000, the highest level in nearly four years and exceeding market forecasts, highlighting emerging softness in the labor market. This jump in unemployment filings, combined with a slight rise in the jobless rate to 4.2 per cent in August, underscores a weakening employment landscape that has pulled the Fed in conflicting directions: persistent inflation argues for caution, while labor market fragility demands stimulus.

Despite these tensions, the data has cemented bets on a rate reduction, with markets pricing in a 100 per cent chance of at least a 25 basis point cut next week, and roughly 50 per cent odds of a more aggressive 50 basis point move.

Bond markets have reacted accordingly, with US Treasuries posting gains overnight. The 10-year yield dipped 2.5 basis points to 4.02 per cent, while the 2-year yield edged down 0.2 basis points to 3.54 per cent, reflecting investor flight to safety amid the mixed economic signals. The US Dollar Index consolidated with a modest 0.3 per cent decline, as traders weighed the implications of looser policy on currency strength.

Commodities presented a more varied picture: gold slipped 0.2 per cent, maintaining its role as a hedge against uncertainty, but Brent crude tumbled 1.7 per cent below US$67 per barrel, pressured by ongoing oversupply fears from OPEC+ production and sluggish global demand. These movements illustrate a market in transition, where the promise of Fed easing supports equities and bonds, yet commodity weakness hints at underlying economic headwinds that could temper the enthusiasm.

Turning to the cryptocurrency space, Bitcoin has captured particular attention with its 1.55 per cent rise over the past 24 hours, outpacing the broader crypto market’s 1.83 per cent gain. This daily uptick aligns with a weekly advance of 3.82 per cent, though it trails behind monthly and quarterly averages, down 3.1 per cent and 3.6 per cent, respectively.

As of September 12, 2025, Bitcoin hovers around US$114,290, having rebounded from recent lows near US$111,500 but still testing resistance at US$115,000. This price action occurs against a backdrop of several bullish catalysts. Foremost among them is the heightened probability of Fed rate cuts, which historically boost risk-on assets like cryptocurrencies by lowering borrowing costs and encouraging investment in high-growth sectors. Markets now assign 50 per cent odds to a 50 basis point cut on September 17, a scenario that could flood the system with liquidity and propel Bitcoin higher.

Additionally, regulatory tailwinds from the SEC’s proposed generic listing standards for crypto ETFs promise to streamline approvals for altcoin products, potentially accelerating inflows and broadening market participation. The agency has already greenlit in-kind creations and redemptions for crypto exchange-traded products in August 2025, aligning them with traditional commodity funds and reducing operational frictions. Complementing this, stablecoin reserves on exchanges have swelled to a record US$70 billion, indicating ample dry powder for buying but also raising concerns about potential selling pressure if sentiment sours.

However, beneath this surface buoyancy lurk technical signals that suggest Bitcoin’s uptrend may be faltering. The cryptocurrency has formed a rising wedge pattern on its charts, characterised by two ascending and converging trendlines that often precede bearish reversals. As these lines approach their apex, the risk of a breakdown intensifies, with analysts warning of a potential drop below US$100,000 if support levels give way. The Average Directional Index, a key trend strength indicator, has retreated from a year-to-date peak of 60 to around 24, pointing to diminishing momentum in the current rally.

Also Read: The calm before the surge: Fed easing, crypto clarity, and markets at a crossroads

Compounding this, the Relative Strength Index exhibits a bearish divergence, where the oscillator forms a descending channel even as prices climb, a setup that frequently heralds strong downward breakouts. Recent analyses highlight this divergence on weekly timeframes, with RSI flashing triple bearish signals that echo historical fragility points in equities, such as the 1998 LTCM crisis or the 2008 financial meltdown.

Moreover, Bitcoin’s price action mirrors patterns from past cycles, including a potential double top reminiscent of 2021, which preceded a 77 per cent correction. September’s historical underperformance, averaging negative returns since 2013, adds another layer of caution, with some projections eyeing a dip to US$108,802 or even US$88,000 in a deeper pullback.

Sentiment on social platforms like X reflects this dichotomy, with users debating the Fed cut’s implications. Some warn of a “sell the news” event, where Bitcoin rallies in the lead-up to the announcement only to crash afterward, as the cut, whether 25 or 50 basis points, may already be fully priced in by participants.

Posts highlight JPMorgan’s caution that easing might not trigger a uniform risk-on surge, potentially sparking a broader market dump. Others point to whale selling pressure, with over 100,000 BTC offloaded recently amid frozen corporate buys, and miner outflows turning bearish post-halving.

Bullish voices counter with observations of institutional accumulation, including 1,417 entities holding over 1,000 BTC each, and daily corporate purchases averaging 1,400 BTC, signaling long-term confidence. Threads discuss Bitcoin’s resilience, noting hidden bullish divergences in RSI near oversold levels and a flattening MACD, which could catalyse a rebound if liquidity flows resume. One prominent analyst frames the setup as a consolidation phase, with the Network Value to Transactions ratio at 1.51, well below overvaluation thresholds, suggesting sustainable growth driven by utility rather than speculation.

In my view, while the bearish technical indicators and historical September weakness pose genuine short-term risks, Bitcoin’s trajectory remains fundamentally upward over the longer horizon. The Fed’s impending cut, even if it triggers a knee-jerk selloff, will ultimately enhance liquidity in a way that benefits high-beta assets, such as cryptocurrencies, especially as dollar weakness from policy easing drives capital into alternatives like Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold.”

Regulatory progress on ETFs, coupled with surging stablecoin reserves, underscores growing institutional adoption that could absorb any temporary dips. Historical parallels, such as post-halving Septembers leading to Q4 surges, suggest this correction might be a buying opportunity rather than a prelude to collapse.

Also Read: The fed just changed everything: Why bitcoin could surge before October

That said, a failure to hold US$113,500 support could accelerate downside toward US$100,000, validating the wedge breakdown. Investors should monitor the Fed’s decision closely: a 50 basis point surprise might ignite a rally to US$120,000, as some inverse head-and-shoulders patterns imply, while a cautious 25 basis point trim could extend the choppiness.

Overall, the interplay of macro easing and crypto-specific tailwinds tilts the scales toward optimism, provided global growth holds steady amid tariff uncertainties. This moment feels like a pivotal inflection point, where patience and data-driven positioning will separate winners from those caught in volatility’s grip.

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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.

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PepsiCo has crowned Beijing AIForce Technology as the winner of its 2025 Greenhouse Accelerator Program in Asia Pacific (GHAC), recognising the startup’s autonomous, low-carbon electric tractors as a promising solution for the future of sustainable agriculture.

Selected from 10 finalists across five countries, Beijing AIForce Technology stood out for its fusion of robotics, data, and automation to address urgent agricultural challenges, including labour shortages, rising operational costs, and climate impacts. AIForce’s e-tractors can operate day and night with minimal human intervention.

The technology aligns with PepsiCo’s broader PepsiCo Positive (pep+) strategy, a global commitment to sustainability through regenerative agriculture and low-emission supply chains.

AIForce’s pilot took place on PepsiCo-affiliated farms in Wuwei, China. The tractors demonstrated emissions reduction and cost savings—critical proof points for broader commercial adoption.

“Our strategy has been sharpened thanks to this program,” said Dr. Han Wei, Founder & CEO of Beijing AIForce Technology. “The mentorship and connections have opened doors we never imagined. We’re excited to scale our solution further”.

Also Read: From pilot to scale: Why traditional VC metrics don’t work for climate deep tech

Each of the 10 finalists, hailing from Australia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea, received a US$20,000 non-dilutive grant, five months of mentorship with PepsiCo experts, and access to the company’s value chain for pilot testing.

GHAC’s model includes non-dilutive funding, real pilots, corporate partnerships, and visibility across a global network. This can be a blueprint for scaling with impact for startups in climate tech, circular economy, and agri-innovation.

As Ashley Brown, PepsiCo’s Chief Sustainability Officer for APAC & India, puts it: “Each edition expands the pipeline of innovators who align with our region’s sustainability priorities. These startups are moving from vision to viability—and changing the industry along the way.”

This year’s finalists explored diverse sustainability solutions, from PHA-based biodegradable packaging by Beijing PHAbuilder to Bali Waste Cycle’s plastic regeneration centres.

Past participants such as Enwise and X-Centric have gone on to raise funding and expand operations across China and Southeast Asia.

Applications for the 2026 edition will open “soon”.

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Image Credit: PepsiCo

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