During his recent visit to Singapore, e27 met with Robert Young, Vice President of Strategic Innovation at Aicadium, Temasek’s global AI centre of excellence.

We discussed the role of AI in enabling SMEs to scale efficiently and compete in the evolving tech landscape, a process that begins with quality and productivity, according to Young.

“If you are going to assess how well it works, you need to have a structure, a framework. A lot of things look really nice in a brochure, but how do you measure before you start implementing a new thing, before you change your processes and behaviours around it? With that whole process, an SME can actually evaluate the performance of a technology, not just based on feelings,” he says.

“It is an area of maturity for SMEs.”

Young brings over 15 years of experience successfully delivering solutions to customers in various industries. He joined Aicadium after founding Lab Insights. At the company, he was the principal owner and principal consultant leading dozens of laboratory informatics projects over the last 15 years.

In this interview, Young explains how SMEs can maximise the advantages of AI in their operations. The following is an edited excerpt of the conversation.

Is there any other challenge that SMEs face when it comes to getting this technology on board?

One is data literacy, which means being able to understand data and the technology that is also moving so fast. How can we differentiate between the science and the science fiction of these technologies?

Also Read: AI tutors are co-pilots, not replacements: EDGE Tutor CEO Henry Motte

I will give you an example. We are at a restaurant. When they are making food here, as a person running the restaurant, they might think, “Sometimes I get hair in my food, but I do not want that to happen anymore.”

[Understanding] how often this happens is the data literacy part. How often does it happen? How much does it cost to your reputation and bottom line? How can you assess the value of fixing that problem as compared to the cost?

Is there any advantage that SMEs have compared to big corporations when it comes to AI adoption?

They had the expertise of their data decorations, which I have experienced in my journey to technology.

Coming from an SME point of view allows you to approach problems differently. First of all, you are not thinking about these problems academically; you are approaching them practically. Because you understand the entire business process or the entire science behind what you do on a daily basis, you actually have more insight into the things that are important.

How can SMEs begin the process of adopting AI without affecting their existing process?

So, “you cannot” is the short answer.

It is a combination of people, process and technology. You have the technology that can analyse and summarise all of your notes for the day while before, you have to write this down by hand. If I do not change what I am doing, I cannot make the most of its usability.

Another way to think about it is this: back then, we were using typewriters, and then all of a sudden, we had to move to printers and computers. If you just tried to replicate what you were doing with typewriters in the age of the computer, then there would be a lot of value that you were not able to grab.

In terms of people, you also have to bring them along with you. Yes, you can have a leader. You can have top-down thinking about where the most valuable pieces of AI use cases could be. But if you do not go down to understand the day-the-day of SMEs workflows, then you might be limiting their ability to do their best work.

They will have to change something, but you do not want to completely overturn everything they do.

Also Read: The future of work with AI: 2025 and beyond

Now, while we are on the topic of the people … there has been a lot of buzz about workforce upskilling. Do you have any ideas about how SMEs can do this?

It is important to first create a framework for the acceptable use of AI and provide tools and education for people who want to adopt it. As I said before, it starts with data literacy, being able to understand the right language to describe AI’s performance and outcomes. I think that is really important.

You also need to provide a welcoming culture for discovery and the right tooling and framework for SMEs to discover how to use these technologies constructively and contain them so that they do not unknowingly harm operations.

For example, many people nowadays are coming up with frameworks for the appropriate use of chatbots. What are the do’s and do n’ts? What information am I, as a company, allowed to put in there? How do you create the right framework for exploration? How do you create a community inside organizations where lessons learned from one team can be shared with others so the knowledge grows exponentially?

Balancing automation and human expertise. So, how do these two work together?

I think there are ways that you can use AI to codify some of the human expertise, but there are things that you always have to think about intended use. So, any AI that you build, there is a certain amount of capability that it has.

You have to understand what it can and cannot do, and put in processes and controls around the AI so that it is doing what it is supposed to do. You are able to monitor what it is doing and make sure that the human is always in the driver’s seat.

What are the upcoming trends in the next few years?

Predicting the next few years is tough. Five years ago, we did not think of Generative AI as this transformational technology that would revolutionise the world.

Also Read: Transforming tech performance: A brain-friendly growth approach

In the current year of 2025, all the way to 2026, I see us starting to unlock things that are actually useful. People are familiar with the Hype Cycle curve; I think we are just coming out of the trough of disillusionment.

In the next few years, we are going to start to see which of the hype was real and which are going to be put aside. Agentic AI has the opportunity to be transformative in a lot of areas in ways that our smartphones have revolutionised how we live every day … but there will also be things that we spend way too much investment on that did not work out. And that is just the nature of new technology adoption.

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Mosaic Solutions, a business technology provider in the Philippines, has announced the acquisition of e-commerce enabler HelixPay alongside a strategic partnership with payment solutions startup PayMongo.

This move aims to create the Philippines’s first unified commerce platform, connecting in-store and digital operations for businesses across all consumer sectors.

The integrated platform seeks to eliminate the complexity of managing multiple systems by incorporating point-of-sale (POS), payments, and digital commerce into a single solution. Through one platform, local businesses can now manage operations, from in-store sales to digital payments and business intelligence.

Also Read: Multichannel vs DTC marketing: What works better for e-commerce players?

According to Brett Doyle, CEO of Mosaic Solutions, this integration marks a fundamental shift in how Philippine businesses operate. By bringing together Mosaic’s enterprise technology, HelixPay’s commerce capabilities, and PayMongo’s payment infrastructure, the partnership aims to remove the complexity that has held businesses back.

He added that the integration promises simplicity in business operations. Businesses can process any payment through a single POS terminal—from tap-to-pay to QR payments—without additional hardware.

This unified system connects with online operations, providing a complete view of inventory and customers across all sales channels. The platform’s analytics offer real-time insights into business decisions.

PayMongo’s payment infrastructure ensures transaction processing across payment methods, from cards to e-wallets to online banking.

This technology integration is already transforming business operations across the Philippines. Restaurants can process tableside payments instantly while updating inventory systems. Retail stores can unify in-store and online operations. Entertainment venues can streamline ticketing and concessions through a single platform.

For businesses with multiple locations, the system provides consolidated reporting across all branches and channels, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Luis Sia, Chairman of PayMongo, believes that the future of commerce in the Philippines is being reshaped through this partnership, enabling businesses to sell smarter, get paid faster, and scale without friction.

Mosaic Solutions provides end-to-end commerce and business management solutions that help businesses optimise operations, enhance customer experience, and drive growth through technology-driven efficiencies. Its clients include F&B brands, such as Pickup Coffee, Pan de Manila, Wildflour, The Moment Group, BBK, and The Grid Food Market.

Also Read: Why live commerce is here to stay in Asia

HelixPay is a commerce enablement platform that provides ticketing, venue management, marketing analytics, and digital sales solutions. Its clients include Warner Music Philippines, Anjo World Theme Park, and Newport World Resorts.

PayMongo empowers online businesses to accept the full range of payment options, including credit cards, e-wallets, and over-the-counter payments. It provides an easy-to-integrate PayMongo API and e-commerce plugins.

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Southeast Asia is at the cusp of an extraordinary transformation. With its digital economy projected to exceed US$1 trillion by 2030, the region is becoming a global hub for innovation and technology. Among the many forces driving this growth, AI stands out as a game-changer. AI is reshaping industries and empowering businesses of all sizes to automate repetitive tasks, personalise customer experiences, and foster creativity in problem-solving.

However, AI’s potential in Southeast Asia will only be fully realised if businesses embrace transformation—beyond just adopting technology. This requires a shift in strategy, how success is measured, workforce readiness, and the fundamental role of trust in AI.

To harness AI’s transformative potential, organisations must commit to a holistic transformation at every level—strategic, operational, and cultural.

Here are four key strategies that leaders can consider when planning their transformation journey.

Balancing short-term gains with long-term vision

The urgency to adopt AI is palpable—85 per cent of mid-market leaders in Asia Pacific fear losing their competitive edge without rapid adoption. However, rushing into fragmented implementations can undermine scalability and long-term value.

Businesses need a cohesive AI roadmap to act as their “north star.” This roadmap should align AI initiatives with strategic business goals, ensuring that adoption is both sustainable and impactful. By adopting an agile, iterative approach, companies can refine AI applications based on real-world outcomes, balancing immediate wins with long-term objectives.

Redefining the measurement of AI ROI

Traditional metrics like headcount reduction or cost savings are no longer sufficient to capture AI’s true value. AI is not just about automating tasks; it’s about redefining work itself. Metrics should focus on how AI enhances decision-making, drives customer satisfaction, and fosters new revenue streams.

Business leaders must embrace a broader definition of ROI that reflects AI’s impact on productivity, innovation, and workforce empowerment. Organisations that rethink productivity and success will be better positioned to sustain gains and thrive in an AI-driven economy.

Workforce transformation

Up-skilling employees is critical for businesses to stay relevant. The Avanade Trendlines report found that a notable 79 per cent of organisations plan to grow investment in AI training and fluency, recognising that people need the knowledge and tools to work alongside AI.

Also Read: Navigating the capital winter: Strategies for successful fundraising in a slow market

Tailored programs, which include practical, role-specific applications of AI, can help employees build confidence and see the relevance of AI in their daily work. Visible leadership is also vital. Internal champions who advocate for AI adoption can inspire teams and ensure that transformation initiatives are embraced across the organisation. By embedding a culture of learning and collaboration, businesses can turn resistance into enthusiasm.

Cultivating a culture of trust

Trust is the cornerstone of successful AI adoption. To build it, businesses need to implement responsible AI practices, including transparency in decision-making, robust governance frameworks, and continuous monitoring.

Creating safe spaces for experimentation is equally important. Leaders should empower teams to test AI solutions on non-critical tasks, encouraging innovation without fear of failure. This fosters resilience and accelerates the path from experimentation to competitive advantage.

Conclusion: Shaping Southeast Asia’s AI-powered future

The future of Southeast Asia’s digital economy depends on its ability to embrace AI with purpose, innovation, and integrity. The question is no longer whether AI will transform the region — it’s how prepared organisations are to lead that transformation. The region’s dynamic businesses are particularly well-positioned to lead the AI revolution, leveraging their ambition to shape the future of industries.

By addressing challenges like data readiness, workforce fluency, and trust, organisations can create environments where AI doesn’t just complement human ingenuity but amplifies it. Leaders who take bold, decisive action today will not only unlock new opportunities but also set a powerful example for how businesses worldwide can thrive in the AI era.

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The customer engagement landscape is rapidly evolving. AI-driven innovations, shifting consumer expectations, and a dynamic business environment are fundamentally changing how brands connect with their audiences. Businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind—just as Kodak, Blockbuster, and Yahoo did when they ignored industry shifts. To stay competitive, organizations must embrace new strategies and technologies to engage customers effectively. This new eBook from CleverTap explores five critical customer engagement trends for 2025 that businesses cannot afford to ignore.

From push to pull: The next wave of customer interaction

First, traditional marketing methods, such as push notifications and email campaigns, are losing their effectiveness. Consumers are overwhelmed by excessive notifications, leading to engagement fatigue. Instead of brands pushing content onto users, customers now prefer to take control, actively seeking out information when needed and on the channel they want it.

To stay relevant, businesses must integrate AI-powered chatbots and interactive interfaces that facilitate dynamic, two-way interactions. These intelligent systems should respond contextually to customer queries, providing relevant information on demand rather than relying on disruptive push-based engagement tactics. The shift from “push” to “pull” will define the next era of customer engagement.

Balancing personalization and privacy

Second, consumers want personalized experiences, but they are also increasingly aware of data privacy concerns. With stricter regulations such as GDPR and a growing emphasis on first-party data collection, businesses must strike a balance between personalization and ethical data practices.

Transparency and trust will become the foundation of customer relationships. Companies need to prioritize explicit user consent, provide clear data usage policies, and ensure that personalization efforts genuinely add value to the customer experience. The future of personalization will focus on delivering meaningful, contextually relevant interactions without compromising customer privacy.

Also read: Ecosystem Roundup: SEA’s insurtech funding drops 61% in 2024 | Grab’s revenue grows 19% to US$2.8B | Kiren Tanna steps down as Una Brands CEO

The rise of AI agents in customer engagement

Third, AI-powered digital assistants and copilots are revolutionizing how businesses interact with their customers. These AI agents go beyond simple chatbots by providing real-time sentiment analysis, optimizing product adoption, and offering hyper-personalized customer support.

By leveraging AI-driven tools, businesses can enhance operational efficiency while improving customer satisfaction. AI agents will play a crucial role in automating customer engagement, enabling brands to provide 24/7 assistance, predict customer needs, and deliver seamless user experiences across multiple touchpoints.

Customer retention remains the number one priority

Finally, as economic uncertainties persist, acquiring new customers is becoming more expensive and challenging. Businesses must shift their focus from aggressive acquisition strategies to strengthening customer retention. Those who don’t adapt to this trend will fail to grow their brand.

Personalized loyalty programs, predictive analytics, and data-driven engagement strategies will be key to keeping customers engaged and reducing churn. By investing in customer experience and building long-term relationships, businesses can ensure sustained growth and profitability.

Why this matters for your business

These trends are clearly reshaping customer engagement across industries, including retail, fintech, BFSI, ecommerce, gaming, and hospitality. Businesses that adapt to these shifts will not only stay relevant but also foster stronger customer relationships, enhance engagement, and drive revenue growth.

CleverTap stands out in the customer engagement landscape for its comprehensive solutions and innovative AI-powered capabilities. The latest Gartner Magic Quadrant report outlined several of its key strengths. First is customer appeal, boasting one of the highest growth rates in 2023. This is largely due to its ability to automate customer journeys across multiple touchpoints, ensuring seamless engagement.

Another key strength is embedded AI, which enhances customer engagement through intelligent automation. CleverTap’s AI-driven tools enable businesses to optimize customer journey routing and leverage generative AI (GenAI) for content creation, such as its Scribe feature that generates emotionally relevant messages across multiple channels.

Additionally, CleverTap’s sales viability is a significant differentiator. With a robust reseller network, an established global referral program, and a dedicated customer advocacy initiative, CleverTap has successfully expanded its reach in trusted environments, accelerating its growth and market influence.

Also read: The smarter way to fundraise: How Marquee Equity helps startups secure investment

Conquer the future of customer engagement

Learn more about these trends and get actionable strategies from CleverTap’s 2025 Customer Engagement Trends eBook. Download now to stay ahead of the curve and future-proof your customer engagement strategy!

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by CleverTap

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The government of Indonesia has officially launched its new sovereign wealth fund, Daya Anagata Nusantara Indonesia (Danantara Indonesia), with a massive US$20 billion earmarked for its initial investment phase.

President Prabowo Subianto unveiled the fund, also known as Danantara Indonesia, at a formal ceremony.

According to a Reuters report, Danantara aims to boost Indonesia’s economic growth from approximately 5 per cent to 8 per cent through strategic investments.

Danantara Indonesia is designed to manage over US$900 billion in assets to stimulate development within Southeast Asia’s largest economy. It will operate independently from the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), the country’s first sovereign wealth fund, which currently manages US$10.5 billion in assets with co-investors like the Dutch pension fund APG Asset Management and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

The fund will consist of two units: a holding company to oversee state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and an investment arm.

Also Read: Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah leads US$15.3M Series B round of PolicyStreet

A significant portion of Danantara’s initial investments will target technology and innovation. This includes:

Artificial intelligence development: Specific projects in AI are set to receive funding, signalling Indonesia’s ambition to become a key player in the AI landscape.

Metal processing: Investments in nickel, bauxite, and copper processing indicate a focus on leveraging Indonesia’s natural resources with advanced technologies.

Renewable energy: Renewable energy projects are included in the investment plan, highlighting a commitment to sustainable technology.

The fund will be led by Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani, formerly of Recapital Group, as Chief Executive. Pandu Sjahrir, from Indies Capital and AC Ventures, will head Danantara’s investment arm.

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Aung Kyaw Moe, founder of Singapore-headquartered global payments company 2C2P, has announced his departure from the CEO position after leading the company for 22 years.

Moe announced on LinkedIn that he will be stepping down in the first week of April 2025.

Thai Khun Piyachart, CEO of 2C2P Thailand, will also be stepping down.

“With 2C2P in good hands, I am thrilled to embark on new adventures. As a DBA Candidate at the Sasin School of Management, I will dedicate some of my time to my research: How Southeast Asia Startups Succeed and Fail—Understanding the Growth Gap. I am also working on my memoir, “Red Kite,” recounting my personal and entrepreneurial journey. And I can’t wait to spend more time flying my little plane to new places and meeting new people,” Moe said in the post.

Also Read: 2C2P sets up VC arm to make strategic investment in payments firms in Southeast Asia

Moe reflected on the journey, acknowledging the failures, triumphs, setbacks, and encounters that have shaped the fintech firm.

Founded in April 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand, 2C2P emerged even before the term fintech gained widespread recognition. The firm helps businesses securely accept payments across online, mobile and in-store channels.

Headquartered in Singapore, 2C2P operates across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

In April 2022, Ant Group’s international business arm acquired a majority stake in 2C2P to develop integrated products and solutions with its Antom merchant payment and digitisation platform.

In a separate LinkedIn post, Gary Liu, General Manager, Antom, said: “Under Aung’s visionary leadership, 2C2P has achieved remarkable milestones, solving complex payment challenges for enterprise merchants across the region and earning its reputation as a trusted payments partner. These accomplishments stand as a testament to Aung’s unwavering dedication, strategic foresight, and ability to inspire teams to deliver excellence.”

Liu also noted that the company would appoint a capable CEO to guide the team forward, building on the strong foundation Aung has established. “Antom and 2C2P have built on our joint innovation and ecosystem reach to serve leading global and local merchants, driving their transformation and growth in Southeast Asia. Amidst the region’s evolving digital transformation and payments landscape, Antom and 2C2P will remain at the forefront of this evolution as one unified team. Our shared mission is to empower merchants of all sizes with cutting-edge solutions and world-class services, continuously fueling their growth so that they can thrive in a digital era.”

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The recent retreat in global risk sentiment, driven by a cocktail of weaker-than-expected US economic data and shifting investor moods. The numbers coming out of the US last week painted a concerning picture: manufacturing growth slowed more than anticipated, services took an unexpected dive into contraction territory, and consumer sentiment, as measured by the University of Michigan, slumped to its lowest level since November 2023.

Add to that the spectre of rising inflation expectations, and it’s no surprise that markets reacted with a collective wince. Major US equity indices ended Friday in the red, with the MSCI US index dropping 1.8 per cent, led by steep declines in Consumer Discretionary (down 2.7 per cent) and Information Technology (down 2.5 per cent). Treasury yields also pulled back, with the 10-year dipping seven basis points to 4.42 per cent and the 2-year falling 6 basis points to 4.20 per cent.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index edged up 0.2 per cent, hitting a high of 106.74 before settling at 106.61. Gold, despite a slight 0.1 per cent dip on Friday due to profit-taking, is still on track for an eighth consecutive weekly gain, buoyed by safe-haven demand tied to uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariff proposals. Brent crude, however, slid 2.7 per cent, reflecting jitteriness over a potential Ukraine peace deal.

Over in Asia, the mood was a bit more upbeat, with the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index climbing 1.76 per cent to notch a sixth straight week of gains, powered by a rally in Chinese tech stocks—Hang Seng soared 4.0 per cent, CSI 300 rose 1.3 per cent, and TAIEX gained 1.0 per cent. Germany’s election results, announced this morning, aligned with polls, with Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc taking nearly 29 per cent and the far-right Alternative for Germany doubling its share to over 20 per cent. Asian markets opened mixed today, but US equity futures suggest a rebound might be on the horizon.

Let’s unpack this a bit.

TheUS data from S&P Global was a double whammy—manufacturing PMI for February came in weaker than economists had hoped, signaling a slowdown in one of the economy’s key engines. Even more surprising was the services PMI, which flipped into contraction after months of resilience. This isn’t just a blip; it’s a red flag that the US economy might be losing steam faster than anticipated.

The University of Michigan’s sentiment index dropping to its lowest in over a year only adds fuel to the fire. Consumers are clearly rattled, and the culprit seems to be inflation expectations creeping higher. With Trump’s tariff threats looming large—potentially slapping hefty duties on imports from China and elsewhere—households and businesses alike are bracing for higher costs. That fear is palpable in the equity markets, where riskier sectors like Consumer Discretionary and Info Tech bore the brunt of the sell-off.

Investors appear to be rotating out of growth stocks and into safer bets, as evidenced by the drop in Treasury yields. Lower yields typically signal a flight to safety, though the modest uptick in the US Dollar Index suggests some lingering confidence in the greenback as a haven currency amid global uncertainty.

Also Read: Navigating the capital winter: Strategies for successful fundraising in a slow market

Gold’s performance is particularly telling. Even with Friday’s slight retreat, its eight-week winning streak underscores how jittery investors are. Trump’s tariff talk isn’t just a domestic issue—it’s a global one. If he follows through, we could see supply chain disruptions, higher input costs, and a ripple effect across commodity markets. Gold thrives in times like these, and its resilience despite profit-taking shows that safe-haven demand isn’t going anywhere.

Brent crude’s decline, on the other hand, reflects a different dynamic. The prospect of a Ukraine peace deal could ease geopolitical tensions and reduce oil supply risks, but the uncertainty is keeping traders on edge. A 2.7 per cent drop isn’t catastrophic, but it’s enough to signal that energy markets are grappling with mixed signals.

Asia’s story offers a glimmer of hope amid the gloom. The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index’s 1.76 per cent bounce on Friday, driven by Chinese tech giants, suggests that some pockets of the global economy are still finding their footing. The Hang Seng’s 4.0 per cent surge was a standout, fueled by optimism around China’s tech sector, which has been clawing back ground after years of regulatory crackdowns.

The CSI 300 and TAIEX followed suit, though gains were more modest at 1.3 per cent and 1.0per cent, respectively. This resilience could be a sign that Asian markets are decoupling—at least temporarily—from US woes. China’s stimulus measures and a weaker yuan might be giving exporters a boost, while tech firms benefit from renewed investor appetite. That said, Monday’s mixed start in Asian equities hints that the rally might not have legs unless US markets stabilise.

Switching gears to Europe, Germany’s election results are worth a closer look. Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc securing nearly 29 per cent of the vote isn’t a shock—polls had been pointing that way for weeks. What’s more eyebrow-raising is the Alternative for Germany (AfD) doubling its share to over 20 per cent. The far-right’s gains signal a growing populist undercurrent that could complicate Merz’s coalition-building efforts.

A Merz-led government might lean toward fiscal conservatism and tougher trade stances, which could clash with Trump’s tariff agenda and add another layer of uncertainty to global markets. For now, though, the immediate market impact seems muted—Asian equities didn’t flinch much this morning, and US futures are pointing to a higher open, suggesting traders are more focused on domestic data than Berlin’s political shuffle.

Then there’s the crypto angle, which feels like a subplot that’s gaining traction. Deribit’s push into Hong Kong is a fascinating development. The city, alongside Singapore, is racing to become Asia’s crypto hub, and Trump’s pro-crypto rhetoric is fanning the flames. Deribit’s chief commercial officer, Jean-David Péquignot, hit the nail on the head—Hong Kong’s appeal lies in its status as a financial nexus and its growing pool of family offices and asset managers dabbling in digital assets. This isn’t just about retail speculation anymore; institutional interest is picking up, and Hong Kong wants a piece of the pie.

Also Read: Looking at the global market dynamics: Cryptocurrencies, regulatory challenges, and the potential for market abuse

Singapore’s in the game too, with both cities rolling out regulatory frameworks to lure crypto firms. The broader market, however, is showing some cracks—AI Agents like ai16z, Fartcoin, and Turbo tanked over five per cent in the last 24 hours, though AIXBT bucked the trend with a 4.06 per cent gain. Ethereum’s holding steady, up 0.58 per cent, thanks in part to buzz around the Ethereum Ecosystem Conference.

But the real wild card is Ye’s “Swasticoin” stunt. His now-deleted posts teasing a token launch next week—after years of slamming similar projects—reek of provocation. Whether it’s a serious move or just Kanye being Kanye, it’s a reminder of how chaotic and hype-driven the crypto space can be. Investors would be wise to steer clear until the dust settles.

So, what’s my take on all this?

The retreat in global risk sentiment feels like a natural response to a US economy that’s flashing warning signs. Manufacturing and services data don’t lie—growth is slowing, and consumers are spooked. Trump’s tariff threats are amplifying the unease, pushing investors toward gold and away from equities. Asia’s resilience is a bright spot, but it’s fragile—dependent on China’s tech momentum and broader market stability.

Germany’s election adds a political twist, though it’s not the main event yet. And the crypto boom in Hong Kong and Singapore? It’s exciting, but the Ye drama underscores the sector’s volatility. We’re in a choppy phase—markets hate uncertainty, and there’s plenty of it to go around.

My gut says we’ll see more turbulence before any clear trend emerges, but if US futures are right, a short-term bounce could be in the cards. Long term, though, it’s anyone’s guess until we get more clarity on Trump’s policies and the US economic trajectory. Stay sharp—this ride’s far from over. Hope you like my observations for 24 February 2025.

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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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Let us pause and reflect on some of the shifts and changes that we have have experienced over the past five years:

• We were jolted from a seemingly calm pre-COVID-19 world to one of chaos while navigating a global pandemic and are now still in the midst of adjusting to a post-COVID-19 reality.
• War, inflation, migration, and global disruptions have reshaped markets and supply chains.
• The rapid rise of AI over the past two years has caught many off-guard.

While this paints a chaotic picture, there is a silver lining: human adaptability. Despite the relentless pace of change, we have continued to adjust, proving that resilience is our greatest asset in shaping the future of work.

The rise of AI at work

When discussing the impact of AI at work, there tends to be an uncomfortable mix between fear, awe, excitement, and anxiety, from “Wow, it’s amazing!” to “Is AI going to replace my job?”.

According to Singapore’s second National AI Strategy (NAIS 2.0), AI has progressed “from opportunity to necessity”, and people “must know” AI, not just see it as a “good to have”. The strategy goes on to add that rather than seeing AI as a threat, it can be the great equaliser, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them.

According to Gartner, by 2028, 50 per cent of organisations will replace traditional bottom-up forecasting with AI-driven autonomous planning. Organisations should prioritise piloting such solutions in small pockets so that users will become more comfortable with AI in their decision-making process. This would benefit in guiding the culture change.

Based on the World Economic Forum’s “Start vs Scale” model, “successfully deploying and scaling GenAI in the workforce is not about the technology but ensuring people are open to change and experimentation. Therefore, it is important to create a people-centred approach that empowers employees to adapt and promotes the right mindsets and behaviours across the organisation”.

AI can no longer be seen just as a tool; it is a fundamental driver in reshaping industries, organisational structures, ways of working and decision-making processes.

How AI is reshaping the future of work

The biggest misconception about AI in the workplace is that it will replace humans. But the reality is quite different. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025:

• Generative AI will empower less specialised employees to perform expert-level tasks, expanding roles in fields like accounting, healthcare, and education.
• AI will augment skilled professionals, equipping doctors, engineers, and electricians with cutting-edge knowledge to solve complex problems more efficiently.
• However, without the right governance and ethical frameworks, there remains a risk that technological development will be focused on replacing human work, which could increase inequality and unemployment.

What might this augmentation of AI-human work look like? Humans currently handle 47 per cent of tasks, with 30 per cent augmented by AI and 22 per cent fully automated. By 2030, automation will climb to 34 per cent, reshaping industries, creating an almost equal one-third mix of human-driven, augmented and automated.

The disruptor is not AI, it is the human mindset.

Those who cling to “I can do this on my own” will struggle. Those who embrace ambiguity and shift towards a “We can do this better, with AI” will thrive.

Also Read: Can AI truly connect? The emotional dilemma of virtual influencers for women

What can organisations do?

• Invest in re-skilling and up-skilling employees to keep up with AI advancements.
• Start small and scale: Run small experiments in different parts of your organisation, not just in your tech teams. 
• Re-design Workflows with Human-AI Collaboration, but always have a human in the loop.
• Adopt an adaptive, scenario-based strategy. We have to assume that the current version of AI is the worst, so we need to use scenario planning to anticipate the unexpected. Two drivers of these scenarios would be our level of Trust vs Ability in relation to AI.
• Continuously refine mental models to balance analytical and experimental thinking.

Shaping the future

As AI reshapes work, it will also redefine learning. The complexity of future problems demands radical new approaches:

• Experimentalism: Encouraging risk-taking, ambiguity, and trans-disciplinary knowledge
• New mental models: Rethinking how we develop skills in a constantly shifting landscape
• Human-machine partnerships: Leveraging AI to enhance, not replace, human intelligence

To prepare ourselves for an AI-augmented future, we need to think not just about work, but education as well. The way we develop skills and mindsets must evolve to meet the demands of a world where analytical thinking, adaptability, critical thinking and AI fluency are essential. This shift is not just the responsibility of a handful of organisations; it is global. These 4 models developed by UNESCO it will help us shape our world responsibly:

• Learning to study, inquire and co-construct together

Learning is no longer meant to be an individual activity; it is a collective process of discussing and creating knowledge together. A commons-based approach to education emphasises connecting individuals across generations to co-create shared knowledge of humanity. Education must be framed as a shared endeavour, where knowledge is not just accessed but continuously refined through collaboration.

• Learning to collectively mobilise

The future of work is not about learning to do what within a narrow, task-based scope. A core skill and competency that would help individuals thrive in the future of work would be developing collaborative capabilities that enable collective action. Trans-disciplinary learning would be one way to begin collectively mobilising individuals and organisations.

Also Read: Accelerating financial inclusion with AI: Unleashing potential with prudence

• Learning to live in a common world

With the disruptions over the past 5 years, humanity has been reminded just how closely we are linked to one another biologically, politically, and socially. New forms of learning must prepare individuals and organisations not just for coexistence. The challenge for humans living on planet earth today and in the future is to make healthy, sustainable ways of co-living: with one another and with the planet. This change enables us to reshape common living as intertwined and a fundamentally shared experience.

• Learning to attend and care

While autonomy, critical thinking and innovation remain essential, they must be balanced with a deeper understanding of relational and self-responsibility. We have seen the dangers of acquisitive individualism and diminished empathy that appear when autonomy comes at the expense of an understanding of relationality. Learning to attend and care would entail understanding ourselves as persons who are simultaneously capable and vulnerable. It would force us to reflect on how we affect and are affected by others and the world.

Considering this as one of the fundamental pillars of education would put our relationships with one another and with a more-than-human world at the centre of educational practice, which is crucial at an inflection point of human vs AI.

Let us create a more-than-human world.

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Sonar, a Swiss provider of code quality and security solutions, has acquired AutoCodeRover, a Singapore-based autonomous AI agent platform for software development, for an undisclosed amount.

According to a press release, the acquisition aims to enhance developer productivity and improve software development processes using AI.

Also Read: The DeepSeek debate: Opportunity or overhype for startups in ASEAN?

AutoCodeRover, a spin-off from the National University of Singapore (NUS), uses large language models (LLMs) for coding and code maintenance. It has demonstrated results on the SWE bench, a benchmark for automatically evaluating systems’ ability to fix software issues. The platform infers developer intent from project artefacts to evolve software projects.

Key benefits:

AI-driven automation: AutoCodeRover automates key tasks in the software development life cycle (SDLC), such as debugging, issue remediation, and code refactoring.

Enhanced code quality: The integration of AutoCodeRover with SonarQube is expected to expedite code reviews and instantly remediate issues, ensuring the agile delivery of high-quality applications.

Reduced development costs: AutoCodeRover helps lower development costs by autonomously handling laborious coding tasks.

Focus on innovation: Developers can spend less time on fixing issues and more time on creating innovative business solutions.

Tariq Shaukat, CEO of Sonar, stated that AI agents provide developers with powerful new tools to build better and faster. He noted that developers spend significant time fixing bugs and addressing technical debt, which impacts productivity and happiness. Agentic AI can work alongside developers to free them up to focus on writing code, creating new products, and driving innovation.

AutoCodeRover’s LLM-agnostic design ensures compatibility with various language models, including those from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta. This allows users to select the best solution for their specific needs. Sonar plans to integrate AutoCodeRover with its SonarQube offerings later this year.

Also Read: Beyond the hype: Taking Gen AI mainstream with next-level automation

Ridwan Shariffdeen, CEO and co-founder of AutoCodeRover, believes that combining their advanced agent technology with Sonar’s code quality and security solutions will have a greater impact on developers and organisations.

Sonar’s solutions support over 30 programming languages, frameworks, and infrastructure technologies and are used by over 7 million developers and 400,000 organisations worldwide. The acquisition of AutoCodeRover underscores Sonar’s commitment to investing in AI to help developers and organisations build high-quality, secure applications more effectively.

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In a recent episode of the Startup Project podcast, I spoke with David Blumberg, a seasoned investor with decades of experience funding early-stage tech companies. Blumberg, who began his investment journey in the 1990s and was an early investor in the Israeli ecosystem, shared his insights, successes, and lessons learned over the past three decades.

Blumberg’s path to venture capital was anything but typical. Initially drawn to government service, his experiences in Washington, D.C., coupled with the entrepreneurial spirit he discovered running a student business at Harvard, led him to the world of finance and technology.

Early investments and the rise of Israeli tech

Blumberg’s early investment experience at T. Rowe Price exposed him to the burgeoning tech scene. He recalls one of his first investments, Sitex, an Israeli company, at a time when Israel was still perceived as a socialist economy. Blumberg’s contrarian view that the perceived risks were already priced into the stocks led T. Rowe Price to begin investing in Israeli companies.

He also discusses his involvement in the Yozma program, a government initiative that incentivised venture capital investment in Israel. While acknowledging the program’s role in fostering collaboration between international and local investors, Blumberg emphasises that the key to Israel’s tech success was the government ultimately “getting out of the way” and allowing entrepreneurs to flourish.

Also Read: Yoshiaki Murakami’s daughter launches early-stage VC firm Kadan Capital in Singapore

The importance of strong teams and repeat founders

Blumberg’s investment philosophy centres on the importance of strong teams, particularly at the pre-seed stage. He believes that a great team’s ability to adapt and pivot is crucial in the unpredictable world of startups. He cites examples of successful repeat founders like Oren Netzer (Double Verify, Data Heroes) and Dan Sanker (CaseStack, SupplyPike) whom he has backed multiple times, highlighting the value of long-term relationships and trust built through shared experiences.

Bloomberg Capital’s investment strategy: Data-intensive companies in leading democracies

Blumberg Capital focuses on pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds, typically investing US$1-5 million initially, reserving half for follow-on investments. They also manage a growth fund focused on late Series A and early Series B rounds, with investments ranging from US$5-15 million.

The firm’s current investment thesis centres on data-intensive companies leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms within specific vertical domains. Their portfolio includes companies like Vair-AI (AI for mining), Imogene (cancer detection), Joshua (insurance policy writing), and Telen (automated receipt inspection).

Blumberg’s personal investments and mentors

Beyond his work with Bloomberg Capital, Blumberg invests personally in diverse areas, including real estate and, unconventionally, oil and gas. He describes himself as an “energy humanitarian,” emphasising the need for reliable energy sources to address global energy poverty.

He acknowledges the influence of mentors like Fred Adler, Abby Joseph Cohen, Alan Patricoff, Charles Bronfman, and, notably, the entrepreneurs he’s worked with over the years.

Key takeaways for aspiring investors

Blumberg’s advice to young investors is simple yet crucial: “Get everything signed up front.”  Ensure clear contracts and agreements to avoid future disputes and protect your hard work.

The episode offers a wealth of insights from a seasoned investor, spanning his journey into venture capital, the evolution of the tech landscape, and the enduring principles of successful investing.

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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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