At e27, our mission is to nurture inventive thinkers and offer a space where exceptional individuals can disseminate their distinct perspectives and know-how. Our Contributor Programme stands as a gateway for fervent contributors to engage in rich dialogues about entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.

Weekly, we showcase articles from our community members. These pieces showcase dives into emerging patterns, sector studies, and new notions. Join us as we aim to expand your horizons and pique your interest.

The wave of layoffs in 2023 and the Vietnamese market

By definition, the cause of layoffs is not a performance issue but rather a problem with the internal hiring plan. This leads to redundancy of personnel, waste of resources, and company costs.

CEO and Co-Founder of Adamo Software, Kevin Nguyen’s article highlights the challenges faced by major tech companies following the COVID-19 boom. As of 2023, many report disappointing growth rates and consequent large-scale layoffs. Notable firms like Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon have reduced thousands of employees, while Asia’s tech industry, including companies like GoTo Group and Kakao, experience similar reductions. Vietnam’s tech sector, heavily dependent on outsourcing, is impacted as well. While layoffs pose challenges, they also present opportunities for adaptation, growth, and resilience in the face of economic uncertainty.

From chatbots to therapists: How AI break ground in bridging the mental health care divide

One of the most pressing concerns is the ability of AI to empathise at the same depth as a human therapist. Empathy, after all, is a distinctly human trait, one that’s critical in therapy. Can a machine truly understand the subtleties of human emotions and react accordingly?

Web3 and AI Journalist, Harshajit Sarmah’s article highlights the global mental health care gap, with many facing barriers such as cost, distance, and stigma. The World Health Organisation notes that one in four people will experience mental health challenges. As a potential solution, the rise of AI therapists like Mind-r.ai’s Solace is discussed. These offer more accessible and affordable mental health support. However, challenges like replicating human empathy and ensuring data privacy in AI remain. The ultimate goal is to make mental health care universally accessible.

How Southeast Asian brands are reimagining the future of digital experiences

Trust is paramount in the digital economy, especially when customer expectations are heightened during uncertainty. In pushing the envelope of their digital-first strategy, brands must also strive to scale up trust in the digital economy.

Vice President and MD at Adobe (Southeast Asia and Korea), Simon Dale’s article explores the evolving role of the digital economy in Southeast Asia. Adobe’s Future of Digital Experiences report indicates that 60 per cent of Southeast Asian consumers see the digital economy as pivotal in their lives. The ascent of generative AI offers unprecedented opportunities for businesses to enhance efficiency and tailor customer experiences. With 73 per cent of SEA consumers showing a preference for online shopping, the demand for brands to ensure top-notch omnichannel experiences is growing. Yet, as businesses innovate, the study underscores that trust remains paramount, with 36 per cent of consumers ranking it as their top consideration when making purchases in a digital-first world.

Feeding the future: Innovation, entrepreneurship, and the rise of food tech in Asia

For food tech startups, there is no better place to be. But it’s a crowded marketplace with intense competition for the attention of investors and potential partners. Creating a strong and compelling profile is key to making your startup stand out from the crowd.

Corporate Communications Manager at Nurasa, Diane Fermin Roeder’s article highlights Asia’s pivotal role in food innovation due to population growth, emerging food technologies, ethical considerations, and increased investment. Innovations like plant-based and precision-fermented meats are poised to revolutionise food production.

Also Read: Voices of innovation: Showcasing e27’s top contributors of the week

The crowded food tech startup arena demands a strong profile, achieved through crafting an authentic, customer-focused brand story, humanising the business with relatable experiences, and leveraging networking opportunities for growth. The article underscores the importance of standing out, fostering partnerships, and communicating a sustainable future in the alternative protein industry.

Securing tomorrow’s metaverse today: Why safety in the new frontier must leverage on hardware

I personally look forward to delving into this digital universe, but not before we are able to implement proven solutions that secure our data in this new and exciting realm. Hardware solutions offer real-time protection against cyber threats, ensuring that users can enjoy immersive experiences without compromising their data security.

Founder and CEO of Flexxon, Camellia Chan’s article discusses the upcoming metaverse and its cybersecurity challenges. It highlights the risk of cyberattacks due to the convergence of physical and digital systems, emphasising the need for strong security measures. The author suggests utilising AI-embedded hardware for real-time threat detection and protection to ensure a secure metaverse experience.

How can your business benefit from the NFT phenomenon

While the market for NFTs has largely been focused on art, many other potential uses are just beginning to be investigated. Decentraland is one such platform that is leveraging blockchain technology and NFTs to create a user-owned virtual environment.

Founder and CEO of Converco, Moch Akbar Azzihad M’s article discuss the rise of NFTs and their potential as a development opportunity for young businesses. While NFTs initially gained traction, the market saw a decline due to cryptocurrency value fluctuations. However, as the NFT market stabilises and addresses energy inefficiency, opportunities persist. To engage in the NFT sector, a thorough understanding of blockchain technology is essential, as well as evaluating its potential benefits and calculating associated costs.

How to navigate the ethical landscape of Responsible AI

Responsible AI constitutes our greatest chance at cultivating a future wherein AI is wielded for good while mitigating its risks. By embracing the cardinal principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, and human oversight, we craft AI systems that align with our values, working harmoniously alongside us.

President of BeLive Technology, Sunil Nair’s article introduces Responsible AI, guided by fairness, transparency, accountability, and human oversight. It emphasises using AI ethically, ensuring unbiased decisions, transparency, accountability for consequences, and human intervention. Responsible AI rebuilds trust, enhances decision-making, reduces harm, and fuels innovation. It urges industries to create ethical AI practices and envisions a future where AI is a trusted ally, benefiting humanity.

Rising trend in Vietnam: Young professionals embracing social media content creation

Social networking platforms like Facebook or Youtube are always the most attractive communication channels with billions of users. It is easy to understand why businesses and advertisers always look to the characters with the most attractive channels to place their ads to reach more viewers.

Also Read: Community voices: Weekly compilation of expert insights on marketing, AI, and blockchain

CEO and Co-Founder of Adamo Software, Kevin Nguyen’s article highlights Vietnamese youth embracing content creation on platforms like TikTok and YouTube for its income potential and flexibility. Generation Z is gravitating towards non-traditional careers, with 33 per cent working part-time in content development. This trend, driven by social media’s reach and monetisation opportunities, is shaping the creative economy in Vietnam while presenting challenges of consistent innovation for content creators.

Business plans vs business planning: Harnessing the power of both

The business plan, said differently, should showcase your business planning skills more than your great idea. And it should show that because you can think ahead and come up with a convincing strategy, you are worth investigating further.

Business Coach and Co-Founder of Impactified, Antoine Martin’s article talks about how writing a business plan can become a pitfall for entrepreneurs if it lacks substance and strategic thinking. While many focus on presenting a great idea, potential partners, like investors, are more interested in evaluating the entrepreneur’s business planning skills. A solid business plan should demonstrate structured thinking, financial viability, legal considerations, and market validation. Simply having a good idea isn’t enough; the plan should showcase the entrepreneur’s ability to turn the idea into a viable and scalable business.

How to achieve cybersecurity independence in Southeast Asia

Fostering a cybersecurity workforce equipped with the latest skills and knowledge will be paramount in securing the region’s digital sovereignty. Governments and private enterprises should invest in training programs and create opportunities for professionals to specialise in cybersecurity.

Content and Social Media Marketing Manager at ArmourZero, Bernadetta Septarini’s article explores the significance of achieving cybersecurity independence in Southeast Asia during the month of independence celebrations. It highlights challenges, initiatives like the ASEAN Cyber Capacity Programme, best practices, AI’s role, and the importance of a skilled cybersecurity workforce for a safer digital future.

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