Hailed as a practice that can lead to longer life and curing diabetes; Intermittent Fasting or “IF” has recently gained more popularity where celebrities such as BBCs Mike Mosely and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Phil Libin has espoused the benefits of routinely fasting.

Like many Asians, I was brought up constantly praised and encouraged to eat voluminously and frequently – so when I first heard about fasting over 4 years ago I was naturally sceptical.

But I first started experimenting with fasting after reading “Eat Stop Eat” written by Brad Pilon in 2015.

Although he presented some interesting body composition data supporting the benefits of fasting it was some fairly simple anecdotes and logic that initially appealed to me. Firstly, fasting is one of the oldest practices followed by many religions suggesting that there is some benefit associated with it.

Secondly, before the age of modern medicine both Hippocrates and Paracelsus, a German-Swiss physician, advocated and prescribed fasting as a way to a healthier life and cure certain illnesses.

Lastly, ‘eating three meals a day’ is a relatively recent phenomenon and even the Romans are understood to have only eaten once a day.  That said, the food industry is one of the largest global industries and how we eat is potentially driven more by marketing and the need for growing profits and revenues than human necessity.

Fasting then had a natural appeal to me as there appeared to be a very little monetary incentive to promote it. The concept is relatively simple, abstain from eating. This does not require detailed explanations, a special diet or any equipment whatsoever. There was nothing to purchase at all or any medicine or tests to prescribe.

Also Read: Scale up your productivity, scale up your business

This indeed could be one of fasting’s greatest limitations to widespread adoption. The fact that it is very hard for anyone to make money out of it! Take for example the use of fasting to treat medical disorders – from diabetes to obesity.

How willing would you be to pay a doctor to simply tell you that your best medicine would be to abstain from food regularly?

So my journey in fasting began half out of curiosity and half from relishing a challenge of something I had never done before.

As someone who ‘lives to eat’ and used to believe that not eating regularly could induce stomach cramps and hunger to the extent of hospitalisation, I was slightly fearful.

But surprisingly I got through my first 24 hours from dinner to dinner the next day with relative ease, simply drinking plain water when I felt hungry. I practised this once a week from 2015 to the end of 2016.

Then in 2017, I decided to step up my practice moving from doing 1 x 24 hour fast a week to 2 – which I generally do every Monday and Thursday.

This time I tracked some high-level body weight, composition and size metrics and in the period of 9 months, I lost around 7 kgs, reduced my waist to just under 30 inches and my body fat from 16.0 per cent to around 12 per cent. I did this all while continuing my regular Ironman training clocking in some of the best 70.3 times I have ever done yet with less training.

Experiencing both mental and weight-control benefits I was curious about the medical research that had been done on fasting. So I read a book by Dr Jason Fung, a Canadian doctor, who had conducted research into the health impact of fasting and uses therapeutic fasting to cure type II diabetes.

The science behind fasting

According to the research regular fasting can have the same impact as a caloric restriction which in mice has been shown lead to a longer life. In addition IF also has the benefit of inducing a ketogenic state in the body.

By allowing the body to run through all of its ready glycogen stores our body switches to stored fat to create energy. In the process of burning fat chemicals, ketones are released into the bloodstream.

Ketones trigger the release of a molecule BDNF in the brain which can build and strengthen neurones contributing to brain health. Ketones can also reduce inflammation, blood pressure and a hormone known as IGF-1 all of which has been shown to have an association with longer life and less age-related disease.

Also Read: Feeling like a fraud? Here is how to fight Impostor Syndrome and improve team productivity

So how does one do it? There are a variety of approaches such as BBC medical journalist Michael Mosely’s 5:2 approach which includes fasting 2 days with a small <500 calorie meal in between to alternate-day fasts and eating within a window of 4-8 hours each day.

Personally, I have found fasting every Monday and Thursday, which also happens to be the Muslim fasting routine, from dinner to dinner (a Monday fast would mean not taking any calories from Sunday after dinner until Monday start of dinner) to work best for me.

Also Read: How to stop working late and increase productivity : do your most exhausting task first

Beyond the researched health and physiological benefits, I’ve found fasting to also help reinforce a regular discipline in my weekly routine. This includes reinforcing discipline in my exercise (I continue to train during my fast days) as well as my work routine. Finally, after going through several hours of ‘feeling hungry’ on Monday and Thursday I feel immense gratitude when I break my fast.

I’ve found fasting to be super flexible (if I have work lunches I simply switch my fast days). It costs nothing and saves time as I can work through mealtimes on my fast days.

For busy entrepreneurs it’s not unusual to end up missing meals now and then but doing it purposefully and benefiting from regular fasting is an additional bonus. In fact, several of our portfolio founders and our team members have taken it up as well.

The hardest part was getting started and overcoming years of habitual eating but for me, since starting 4 years ago I’ve not looked back and have found fasting to be as necessary a part of the week as eating.

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Image Credit: vetre / 123RF Stock Photo

This article was first published on September 11, 2019.

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FishLog, an ecosystem enabler for Indonesia’s fisheries cold chain industry, has announced the completion of its pre-Series A extension round of funding.

The investors in this round include Mandiri Capital Indonesia, BNI Ventures, Accel Partners, Insignia Ventures Partners, and Saison Capital.

Also Read: How Fishlog aims to revolutionise Indonesian fisheries with cutting-edge tech solutions

The size of the deal has not been disclosed.

FishLog will use the capital to empower and elevate fisheries businesses and stakeholders to strengthen its cold chain ecosystem.

The startup also announced the appointment of finance veteran Dimas Wikan Pramudhito as its Chief Financial Officer. Pramudhito has a rich background in esteemed banking institutions such as Rabobank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Standard Chartered Bank, and NOBEL Capital Investment, including a notable stint as CFO at PT Antam Tbk from 2015 to 2019.

FishLog was established in 2020 by Bayu Anggara, Reza Fahlepi, and Abdul Halim to solve the fragmentation in cold chain fisheries in Indonesia. A seafood platform, FishLog enables the national fisheries cold chain network through community involvement. It empowers cold storage to increase its utility by connecting it with more fishermen, distributors, and buyers.

It offers FishLog Trace and FishLog Smart Contract, powered by blockchain technology. While FishLog Trace guarantees seafood comes from responsible sources, leveraging a traceable sourcing system and providing quality insurance coverage, FishLog Smart Contract handles financing, enhancing transparency.

A portion of the newly raised funds will be used to strengthen its traceable products in the US. FishLog distributes over 60,000 kg of seafood products and connects over 60 domestic and international buyers, helping them expand their businesses.

“The US is one of the largest markets in the world. Based on data from the US Department of Agriculture, US seafood imports exceed exports by US$20.3 billion in 2023. The latest data indicates that there is such a significant potential open for FishLog to strengthen its ecosystem in the US. This can accelerate the profitability of product distribution such as Blue Swimming Crab, Tuna, Shrimp, and many more as Indonesia imports products to FishLog’s B2B international buyers,” stated Bayu Mukti Anggara, co-founder and CEO.

Also Read: FishLog raises US$3.5M to empower cold storage warehouses in Indonesia to improve utility

Sustainability is also a key focus for FishLog as it claims to have achieved a 40 per cent increase in cold storage productivity through sustainable supply and technology, managing over 4,000 tons of seafood inventory per month.

Furthermore, FishLog has empowered over 800 workers, 38 per cent of whom are women. As part of its sustainability initiative, FishLog has recently closed a grant of US$100,000 with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia.

The company also collaborates with the BNI Xpora programme to support Indonesian seafood SMEs in expanding exports. FishLog has channelled around US$950,000 to empower export fisheries and business partners.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

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DigiFT, a DeFi exchange for on-chain real-world assets, has expanded into Hong Kong.

The company has also announced the appointments of Kevin Loo as CEO of DigiFT (Hong Kong)and Shen Hao as MD and Chief Development Officer of the parent firm.

Both executives bring over twenty years of global experience respectively, having held senior leadership roles across corporate and commercial banking, investment firms and digital asset areas.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)-licenced DigiFT has also obtained membership in the Cyberport Incubation Programme, a flagship for digital technology and entrepreneurship in Hong Kong with over 2,000 members.

Also Read: Joseph Schooling quits competitive swimming, turns VC investor

“At DigiFT (HK), we believe this is an opportune moment to provide global Web3 financial solutions to continue helping Hong Kong and APAC stay at the forefront of global finance. We look forward to working closely with the regulators and industry players to pave the way for a tokenised future that is scalable, secure, and sustainable,” said Loo.

“Our expansion into the market is a natural next step in our growth plans as we look to facilitate broader access to tokenised real-world assets,” said Henry Zhang, Founder and CEO of DigiFT.

In February this year, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) set out the supervisory standards regarding the sale and distribution of tokenised products.

Founded in 2021, DigiFT is an exchange for on-chain real-world assets approved as a Recognised Market Operator with a Capital Markets Services license by the MAS. It enables asset owners to issue blockchain-based security tokens, facilitating continuous liquidity trading through an Automated Market Maker.

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Image credit: DigiFT

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One of the biggest concerns that millennials have is the idea that they’re not making a difference in their workplace. The reason why this is so troublesome for them is due to the fact that some of them have the unrealistic expectation of making a difference from the first day in their workplace.

Needless to say, the only way to make this work is to actually be the person in charge, which is why millennials seem to be showing a surprising amount of entrepreneurial spirit.

Still, the business world often turns out to be a place unlike what they’ve expected it to be. Therefore, here are six things they need to know to be ready for what lies ahead.

Understand why so many people fail

The first thing you need to do is figure out why so many enterprises fail.

For instance, there could be no market need for your business, you might lack a competent team or your competition might be too tough.

Also Read: The millennial force: changing the workplace and its culture

One of the ways to look at this from the right perspective would be to take a look at the list and try to see if any of these concerns would be true in your particular case. Once you get this out of the way, you’ll drastically increase the odds of your own business making it.

Invest in proper education

Another thing you should think about is your investment in education.

One of the biggest problems that millennials (even non-entrepreneurs) face when it comes to financing, is the fact that they’re both confident and lack knowledge in the field.

Therefore, you need to invest in your own education by either looking for a competent mentor or by finding the right online course to embark on. Even the concept of microlearning can turn out to be quite beneficial for an aspiring entrepreneur.

Become more resourceful

Perhaps the most important thing for making it in the business world is the concept of being resourceful. What this means is being able to achieve a maximum effect with what you’ve got.

Also Read: This app helps Indian millennials enhance their mind and soul wellness

You see, when it comes to boosting the profit of your enterprise, the majority of people heavily focus on increasing income. What they fail to realize is that reducing the costs of running a business can get you there just as fast (sometimes even faster). You can do this by saving power, embracing more effective business practices and reducing the cost of office supplies.

Drop deadweight

Making the right team is incredibly important, however, sometimes, when hiring, you’re not looking at all the right traits of potential employees.

For instance, in your quest for ideal candidates, what you’ll be looking at is their performance, their work experience and their education.

Still, this doesn’t reveal their personality. There are some types of people who can run your business into the ground by just… well, being themselves. We’re talking about emotional vampires, backstabbers and more.

Don’t wait for too long

By waiting for too long, you risk missing your window of opportunity. You see, any data that you’ve gathered has an expiry date, which means that if you do your research, determine that it’s not the right time to start your own business at the moment and wait for a year or two, the validity of the data will become quite questionable.

Factors change and keeping track of them might become harder and harder as the time progresses. Why? Well, because you will carry your prejudices (from previous research sessions) with you. Planning is great but eventually, you need to get into the middle of things.

Prepare for the unexpected

As Mike Tyson once said, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.

The same thing will happen to your business. Even if you do everything right, prepare enough cash, do a survey on your target demographic and hire the most competent of teams, you’ll have to face a scenario where things don’t go according to plan.

Also Read: An entrepreneur should lay down annual milestones, it helps break down your vision into clear targets

The most important thing here is that you understand just how normal this is and try to adjust, rather than waste too much energy trying to steer everything back on the previous track. Flexibility is the key to surviving in any industry.

By embracing these points, you’ll ensure that you’re not as easily surprised, startled or caught off-guard. Sure, it’s impossible to be ready for all that lies ahead, nonetheless, by remaining flexible and proactive you’ll become a lot more resilient.

The most important thing you need to understand is that just because things are not doing as you’ve expected, this still doesn’t mean that they’re going in the wrong direction.

 

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Editor’s note: e27 publishes relevant guest contributions from the community. Share your honest opinions and expert knowledge by submitting your content here.

Join our e27 Telegram group here, or our e27 contributor Facebook page here.

Image Credit: Brooke Cagle.

This article was first published on September 11, 2019.

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Alternō, a Vietnamese startup providing a thermal energy storage solution utilising sand battery technology, has secured over US$1.5 million in an oversubscribed seed investment round co-led by The Radical Fund (Singapore) and Touchstone Partners (Vietnam).

Antler (Vietnam), Impact Square (Korea), and Glocalink (Singapore) also participated.

Previously, Alternō received grants from international foundations, including US$200,000 from the Temasek Foundation, US$350,000 from P4G, and US$40,000 from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Also Read: How Alternō’s vision is changing the energy landscape with sand batteries

Alternō provides an innovative thermal energy storage solution utilising sand battery technology tailored for agricultural applications across drying, warming, or heating needs. This technology comprises insulated sand with custom heat-conducting tubes. It ensures a “seamless” transition to low-carbon agricultural practices while enabling cost savings for customers in a price-sensitive sector, compared to conventional grid energy and lithium-ion batteries.

“With the upcoming carbon tax (CBAM) by the European Union on imported products, our vision not only contributes to reducing carbon emissions in agriculture but also enhances the competitiveness of Vietnamese companies on the international market with products meeting global green standards,” said Hai Ho, co-founder and chief commercial of Alternō.

The company is now developing industrial versions of its sand battery systems with capacities ranging from 250 kWh to up to 1.8 megawatts. This will significantly save energy and reduce annual carbon emissions for farms and agricultural enterprises worldwide.

It was one of the three winners at Net Zero Challenge 2023, a climate innovations competition in Vietnam organised by Touchstone Partners and Temasek Foundation.

Also Read: Balancing act: Carbon Balance’s quest to tackle climate crises with tech-driven sustainability

In recent years, green environment, green economy, and green growth have become a priority for global investors. According to PwC’s “Global Investor Survey,” over 75 per cent of investors have identified or decided to invest in businesses focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Furthermore, the report highlights that green startups and businesses are becoming focal points and preferred investment trends among global investors.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

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Asia, known as “the continent of contrast”, is one of the most diverse continents in the world.

Entering such a diverse nation can be scary at first, but it is also one of the best locations in the world to do business due to its availability of land, labour, and capital. Many manufacturing and tech companies are based in Asia because of its affordable labour costs.

The Asian market has plenty of room for innovation and growth.

It’s a family affair

The first point is more of a mindset for doing business in Asia.

One of the major characteristics of Asian culture is its collectivist nature. People are very close-knit and attached to one other.  Therefore, if you want to be a part of the family you have to be the family.

That means not being afraid to explore people’s unique tastes, forming close bonds with locals or business partners, and learning everything about the culture.

For example, “giving gifts” in general is a major part of Asian culture. It is something that brings people together.

Believe it or not, in India, businessmen receive gifts from one other, for example, sweets during festivals or occasions. India itself has more than 20 festivals in a year.

All the events can be difficult to remember sometimes, but its all part of blending in with the culture.

In the Japanese work culture, drinking with a work colleague is seen as part of work which is usually not the case in Western society, where people frequently go out for “after work” drinks.

This is because the Japanese sometimes tend to keep their opinions to themselves without voicing it out, so if your Japanese employee has agreed with you during a conference, you might find out that he has a completely different opinion just after a few drinks.

Keeping up with the trends

Asia is the most populous continent in the world, with an incredibly large and diverse market. To serve a market like this, a business must be constantly on their tiptoes.

One example is the incredible rise of the Korean boy band BTS recently. In no time everyone started talking about them ; not just in Asia but also in the US.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Soko Glam, a Korean skincare and beauty brand, started making BTS sheet masks for the face. At a glance, it seemed like a pretty ordinary facial mask, but with the images of the boyband group on the cover, it was sold out in a matter of few hours.

Simply, knowing what was happening in the market helped Soko Glam create this opportunity for their business.

Two ways to do this can be to befriend locals or hire an expert who knows the emerging trends.

Know your lingo

Knowing the lingo is so important because every country has a different lingo in Asia and knowing it helps in developing a bond between the customer and the brand.

There are tons of examples of businesses who have leveraged on this point.

One of my favourites is Singapore’s leading taxi-hailing service which managed to override the popular international ridesharing app Uber.

By using popular Singlish phrases like “Yay, driver here liao!” and  “Wait ah, finding driver”, Grab has managed to entertain and create a sense of belonging within its customers.

Another example is a study done by Raj Raghunathan, a professor in the Department of Marketing in the University of Texas, who attempted to answer the question about whether participants would show more liking to familiar objects rather than unfamiliar ones.

When participants were shown two sets of Japanese alphabets, one to which they had been previously exposed and another to which they hadn’t, participants reported greater liking for the ones they were familiar with, even though they couldn’t recall seeing them.

And what can be more familiar than language?

Conclusion

Sometimes people can get overwhelmed by the diversity in Asian culture, however, it is important to remember to embrace the uniqueness, and convert the challenge into an opportunity.

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This article was first published on September 16, 2019.

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Carousell Group, a multi-category platform for secondhand in Greater Southeast Asia, has acquired the business of Singapore’s luxury bag reseller and consignment platform LuxLexicon for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition will help Carousell grow its ‘Luxury’ category with an omnichannel strategy and expanded premium luxury offerings. “By joining forces with LuxLexicon’s expertise, we could help each other supercharge our luxury bag business in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan over the next few years,” said Marcus Tan, co-founder of Carousell Group.

Also Read: Carousell partners with YEAP to address challenges in e-waste

LuxLexicon will leverage Carousell’s expertise in online recommerce and overseas expansion for future growth. “LuxLexicon and Carousell Group share a common goal of providing a trusted and accessible platform for buying and selling authenticated luxury bags. Additionally, we both see similar strong consumer demand for popular brands such as Hermès, CHANEL and Louis Vuitton. This acquisition allows us to offer more variety of bags and recommend interested consumers to each other,” added founder Florence Low, who will continue to lead LuxLexicon as a separate brand, retaining its name, retail space, and team.

Founded in 2019, LuxLexicon has one of the largest resale Hermès bag selections in Southeast Asia. Each item goes through a rigorous due diligence examination by their in-house authentication expert before being listed for sale.

Founded in 2012, Carousell is a recommerce marketplace with a diverse range of products across a variety of categories, including cars, lifestyle, gadgets and fashion accessories. Last year, Carousell launched programmes to make buying and selling authenticated luxury bags more trusted and convenient. The firm claims its Certified Luxury, which allows users to buy authenticated luxury bags, has quadrupled transaction volumes since its launch — while ‘Sell to Carousell Luxury’, which allows users to sell or consign their bags directly to Carousell, has more than doubled in leads.

Carousell is available in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan.

The group is backed by investors, including Telenor Group, Rakuten Ventures, Naver, STIC Investments, 500 Global, and Peak XV Partners.

This acquisition follows Carousell Group’s 2022 acquisition of Laku6, an electronics recommerce platform in Indonesia, and REFASH, an omnichannel fashion recommerce retailer in Singapore.

Also Read: Carousell acquires Ox Street to double down on its re-commerce efforts in Greater SEA

“We have been strengthening our recommerce foundations to drive our multi-category approach on our top growth categories. Part of these efforts were acquisitions for fashion, mobiles and autos over the years. Beyond growing organically as a top priority, we will continue to seek acquisition opportunities with the right partners across our focus categories and markets to accelerate the future of secondhand in Greater Southeast Asia,” added Tan.

The total luxury resale market in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan combined is projected to grow to US$7.5 billion by 2026, based on research by RedSeer Strategy Consultants. The Group has observed similar organic growth over the past few years and is set to cement its recommerce leadership. This is mainly organically driven by Carousell where its luxury bag category listings in Singapore have grown monthly by 71 per cent over the past two years.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

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Singapore-based epigenomic (the science of how genes are expressed) research and innovation company Auristone has announced the completion of its US$4 million seed funding round, led by Elev8.vc.

SEEDS Capital and Genedant also participated.

Also Read: ‘We aim to make early cancer detection accessible on a global scale’: Mirxes CEO

This infusion of capital will be strategically deployed to enhance Auristone’s capabilities through clinical collaborations and to drive market adoption of its flagship molecular profiling test, EPI-CALL, by working closely with regional genomic companies.

Auristone harnesses the power of epigenomic insights to transform the field of precision medicine. Using epigenomics, Auristone can predict patients’ likelihood of response to different treatment options, helping doctors determine patient treatment plans.

EPI-CALL is designed to help doctors and patients navigate the complexities of therapy selection for late-stage cancer patients.

Auristone’s other products are Signomax (a sample-to-report ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq service to support research endeavours) and EPI-Tome (an epigenomic-driven novel biomarker and drug discovery engine).

Also Read: Harnessing the power of AI to help improve gastric cancer detection

“In order to continually deliver value for the community, we will partner with regional genomic companies to offer EPI-CALL and deepen clinical collaborations to gain new epigenomic insights,” said Chew Jing Ming, CEO and co-founder of Auristone.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

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It is a tumultuous time for creators. There is no denying that. ChatGPT is only approaching its first birthday, and arguably, it has already changed the world more than any other technology since the Internet.

And because of the Internet, the aggressiveness of the impact of generative AI is that much stronger. This leaves many people from the creative economy, people like me, journalists, writers, artists, authors, and really anybody with an artistic streak who has sought to make their work public, affected by the innovations.

With that premise, I have seen and read several statements that have come out recently, the most recent one entitled “For an Innovation and Creator Friendly AI Act”. You can find it here.

It was published on 23 November, and 12 groups representing over 500,000 writers, artists, journalists, musicians, and other creatives signed it. As a supporter of collective action, I am really pleased to see this.

In the statement, the organisations are urging European policymakers to focus on transparency for their upcoming EU AI Act, specifically regarding the training data used for large language models. The statement takes a somewhat ambivalent position on whether damage has already been done or could be done by those models and the AI tools built on them. That is a missed opportunity, I think.

There is certainly room to say unequivocally that damage has been done and that forms of compensation for copyright holders should be discussed. OpenAI, Microsoft, Google and the like have deep enough pockets to pay their dues. We should not be shy in asking for them.

Then, we get into other areas with this statement that are more problematic. One is the labelling of the content produced with generative AI tools. Without wanting to intentionally hurt the feelings of these well-meaning artists, I have to be honest: this is wishful thinking.

We have to acknowledge that creativity comes from many places, and that is certifying creative products as “100 per cent human” versus “AI-supported” or “fully AI-generated”, whatever that means, considering the initial prompts or inputs are ALWAYS human-led, it’s just not doable.

Clearly, the intent of these writers is to lobby European policymakers as they approach the completion of the negotiations on this EU AI Act. I am European but have not lived in Europe for about 15 years, and I am not a pro-EU ideologue. To me, imperialism is imperialism, no matter its colour or nationality.

That being said, there is certainly an opportunity here. Just as I strongly believe in the worker’s right to unionise to protect their livelihoods and their human rights, there is certainly a lot that can be done through collective action like this to ensure that creatives are not disproportionally harmed by this new technology.

I have also been very vocal about the fact that many industries within the creator economy are simply outdated and ready for disruption, whether from AI or elsewhere. I will stick here with publishing because it is the one that I have worked in for the longest time, and it is impossible not to see resistance to change and the desire to avoid rocking the boat of the status quo as a fundamental driver here.

That I am 100 per cent not supportive of.

Also Read: AI is not almighty: Why the ‘magic tool’ still needs human help

It is very clear to me that most channels for the commercialisation of creativity today do not favour creators beyond a narrow niche of geographically, gender, and culturally-defined subsets of creators (i.e. mostly white dudes like me). Traditional publishing, where pathetic royalties and outdated business models kill any chance for the average writer to make a living out of their writing, does not help creators.

That is also the case with self-publishing. As it currently stands, self-publishing equals Amazon, and Amazon is a monopolistic, abusive superpower with way too much lobbying and regulatory influence to give a damn about really supporting the millions of creators, and in particular writers, who use platforms like Amazon Kindle.

So, creators have been getting ripped off for the longest time, and now AI comes along, threatening to unleash even more chaos on creators.

I understand the fear, I really do, but I also have a deep belief in the duty of creators to explore and experiment as a core component of their identity as creators.

Is it possible that there is a schism brewing within the creator community? Yes, it is possible. Some creators I speak to, shier than I am in making their positions on AI known, have already talked to me about “AI positive” and “AI negative” creators and organisations. So, it is possible that statements like these will further formalise a divide.

But I also believe that it is too early for that. In fact, I am almost certain that a lot of the fear being expressed in these statements also arises from the very simple fact that most creators don’t know how to use this technology. As someone who spent the last three years exploring generative AI, I can attest to the fact that it is a complex technology to master, although it is deceptively simple to approach because of the chatbot format.

AI has helped me kill and bury writer’s block. It has helped me visualise fantastical locations and events for my speculative fiction that I would never have imagined before. It has helped me edit, draft and iterate on novels that had been stuck on the back-burner for years because of family and professional commitments. These are just a few examples, and they are a topic for other conversations, ones that I am thrilled to have with those willing.

What is relevant to today’s topic are positions like those expressed here.

This is a group of well-meaning writers speaking out against “Writoids” — meaning AI systems that attempt to imitate human writing. They argue these systems violate copyright laws by training on copyrighted content without permission. They view Writoids as a threat to human creativity and livelihoods.

Also Read: These Artificial Intelligence startups are proving to be industry game-changers

They quote Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics in their manifesto, questioning whether copyright infringement qualifies as “harm” under the first law.

On this, I cannot agree. It is not the technology infringing copyright but the businesses building the technology with illegal data collection practices. I do not think there is anyone who understands what is happening within the field of artificial intelligence who would agree with the statement that these large language models and the tools built on top of them are just regurgitating copyrighted content, at least so far as text is concerned.

There were certainly justified concerns around image generation and that it was very easy in the earlier days to see watermarks and signatures from copyright holders as fragments of the generated images. Compensation should be obtained for those violations. But the technology has already moved past that issue, even though better safeguards for the styles and techniques of living artists must be further explored. This is a great example.

The Writoid manifesto criticizes the fact that intelligence seems to be very much just a facade for this tech, and they criticize the tech for lacking “true” intelligence or creativity (I’d love to hear their “definitive definitions”).

This is quite naïve. As many people in the AI industry note, the current AI is the dumbest that AI will ever be. It is getting smarter literally week by week, so basing any argument on the current limitations of this tech misses the point.

We should certainly ensure that these systems are and will be built without plain old-school robbery, something that capitalism is fantastic at, from slavery to colonialism and so forth. However, we should not confuse capitalist dynamics with technology itself. Steam engines and electricity caused plenty of social changes, but ultimately, it was the exploitation that surrounded those technologies that caused societal harm, such as displacements, pollution, child labour and more. Certainly not the technology itself.

Technology is and will remain a net positive for society.

Ultimately, there is no turning back. Technologies are here to stay, and the percentage of humanity that will come to rely on AI for many things, including their creative needs (of both creation and creative consumption), is only going to skyrocket from here. So, burying our heads in the sand and blaming technology for the exploitation of the surrounding area is not the way forward.

I believe the way forward is to ensure there are proper safeguards for copyright-holding creative, which should be achieved through collective action to protect the livelihood of authors and make sure proper compensation is given for any exploitative appropriation of copyrighted material that has already taken place.

So, let’s have fairness and compensation where it is due, but let’s also have better, more informed opinions on the other side based on a deeper understanding of this incredibly fast-moving technology.

To me, those should be the two guiding principles going forward for all creators, writers and artists worldwide.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Code Red for Writers.

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As the world recently commemorates International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024 and will continue to do so throughout the entire month of March, it is a fitting moment to reflect on the strides made in promoting diversity and inclusion (D&I) within the corporate landscape.

Having delved into this crucial topic extensively in previous articles and media interviews, the discussion predates the formal celebration of International Women’s Day. In the ever-evolving dynamics of workplace culture, these initiatives have evolved from mere aspirations to becoming the bedrock of progressive and forward-thinking organisations.

Setting the stage: Company goals and principles

Diversity and inclusion are not just corporate buzzwords (I truly hope organisations will stop capitalising on this for self benefits); they represent the foundation upon which thriving, innovative, and harmonious workplaces are built.

Companies, guided by principles of fairness and equal opportunity, aspire to cultivate a workforce that mirrors the rich tapestry of the communities they serve. The core principles involve embracing differences, eliminating biases, and ensuring equitable treatment for all.

Initiatives to bridge the gap

Translating these admirable goals into tangible actions is crucial for our success. Diverse hiring practices, unconscious bias training, mentorship programs, inclusive leadership training, and regular diversity audits on pay equity are among the essential initiatives. These measures transform diversity from an abstract concept into a living, breathing part of the organisational culture.

Also Read: Invest in women, accelerate progress: Why gender equality matters now more than ever

Real-life triumphs: Shaping the future of work

With a career spanning over 13 years in the human resources sector, I have been an active participant in the unfolding narrative of diversity and inclusivity within various organisations. The stories that emerge from these experiences weave a tapestry of transformation, illustrating the profound impact of initiatives to foster diversity.

Prioritising diversity in talent management has proven to be a beacon of creativity and innovation. By intentionally hiring employees from diverse backgrounds, I have seen companies that have not only expanded their talent pool but have also witnessed a surge in fresh perspectives and creative problem-solving. The workplace becomes a melting pot of ideas, each contribution unique and valuable in its own right.

I have also seen organisations that are committed to impact sourcing and hiring, where they set specific percentage targets as yearly objectives and find themselves undergoing a remarkable metamorphosis. The deliberate pursuit of diversity, reflected in the tangible commitment to change, fosters an environment where inclusivity is not just a goal on paper but a lived reality. This commitment propels organisations toward a more vibrant and diverse future.

With the advent of Women in Tech programs, designed to support the growth of women in technology, they extend beyond empowering individual female employees. They become catalysts for a more inclusive and innovative tech industry, breaking down barriers and reshaping the narrative of a traditionally male-dominated field. The success stories of women thriving in tech roles inspire a new generation of talent, transcending gender stereotypes.

In the context of leadership, providing opportunities for women and ensuring proportional representation on the board becomes a pivotal plotline. As organisations embrace diversity at the highest decision-making echelons, the impact is profound.

The boardroom transforms into a space where various voices and perspectives are heard, leading to a more balanced and effective decision-making process. The empowerment of women in leadership becomes a beacon, guiding organisations toward a future where leadership is synonymous with diversity.

Amidst these stories, a common thread emerges – the commitment to equitable salary structures. Implementing fair grading and benefits reinforces the fundamental principle of treating all employees fairly and equally. It becomes a cornerstone of an inclusive workplace, where everyone, regardless of background or identity, is recognised and rewarded based on merit and contribution.

Also Read: Buy from her: Elevating women’s entrepreneurship

These stories collectively serve as tangible evidence that diversity is not merely a lofty goal but a tangible catalyst for creativity, innovation, and, ultimately, business success. As we navigate the evolving landscape of workplace culture, these narratives underscore the importance of embracing diversity as an ongoing journey, one that transforms organisations into vibrant and inclusive spaces where every individual can thrive.

Sustaining the momentum: Practical advice for organisations

The journey toward diversity and inclusion is perpetual, requiring organisations to strive for improvement and evolution continually. To maintain and grow these initiatives, I recommend the following key steps:

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics: Establish a range of KPIs and metrics to assess D&I efforts. This could include workforce diversity metrics, retention, attrition, and promotion rates, representation in leadership roles, pay equity assessments, and regular employee surveys.
• Diversity in recruitment: Regularly assess and improve diversity in recruitment processes, ensuring that the talent pool represents the broader community.
• Commitment to inclusivity: Embed the commitment to creating an inclusive work culture into the organisational DNA. This involves not only setting policies but also fostering an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered.

In conclusion, embracing diversity and inclusion is not just a moral imperative but a strategic business decision. By fostering an inclusive culture and continually refining strategies, organisations can create workplaces that not only reflect the world’s diversity but also drive innovation, creativity, and sustained success.

March celebrates women’s voices and drives change globally, from Women’s History Month to International Women’s Day. In conjunction with that, let us recommit ourselves to the journey of creating workplaces where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.

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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

The post Nurturing diversity: A roadmap to lasting workplace inclusivity appeared first on e27.