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Articles by Simon Ma
[Commentary] The Use of AI: How Employees Learn to Trust AI
Most companies are now more open to artificial intelligence (AI). Almost every large company is experimenting with the technology in some form, including many organisations across Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. According to BCG, 78% of surveyed employees in APAC, including Singapore, said they use AI at work, compared to 72% globally. Nevertheless, integrating the technology into everyday work remains difficult. What is holding it back?
Next-gen Customer Support Agents – AI-Savvy And Emotionally Intelligent - BusinessToday
By Simon Ma Today’s most effective customer service agents are both AI-conversant and have high EQ The customer service market is experiencing rapid reinvention. According to Freshworks’ 2024 Global AI Workplace Report, 83% of customer service teams currently leverage AI tools to manage online self-service portals and monitor customer interactions, showcasing how deeply AI is embedded in modern customer experience (CX) operations.
The relationship between renal function indicators and preeclampsia in the second trimester of pregnancy: a retrospective study
The relationship between renal function indicators and preeclampsia in the second trimester of pregnancy: a retrospective study 1Medical Affairs Department, the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China 2Department of Breast Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China 3Research Center for Clinical Medical Sciences, the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China 4Department of Public Health, the Fourth...
Sri Lanka Secures Debt Deals with China, Sets Stage for IMF Bailout
Sri Lanka has reached a significant milestone by finalizing long-awaited debt agreements with its bilateral lenders, including China, a crucial step towards fulfilling conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package. The announcement was made by government spokesman Bandula Gunawardana on Tuesday, noting that a treasury delegation is en route to France to sign agreements with creditors on Wednesday.
Mitsui & Co.'s Green Ammonia Plant in UAE Targets Lower Emissions by 2030
Mitsui & Co, in collaboration with partners including ADNOC's TA'ZIZ, Fertiglobe, and South Korea's GS Energy, has commenced the construction of an ammonia plant in Al Ruwais, UAE. This initiative is part of Mitsui's strategy to bolster global supply chains for cleaner fuels like hydrogen and ammonia, contributing to efforts aimed at mitigating climate change. The plant, scheduled to begin operations in 2027, aims to produce 1 million metric tons of ammonia annually.
Chinese AI Firms Pivot Amid OpenAI Access Restrictions
Following reports that OpenAI plans to restrict access to its API in China and other countries, Chinese AI companies are swiftly moving to attract users who rely on OpenAI's technology for building AI products. OpenAI, known for creating ChatGPT among other AI technologies, has notified users in China that it will block API access starting July 9 for regions it does not support, including China. This move has prompted Chinese AI developers to seek alternatives and reassure existing users.
AWS Partner Axrail Launches Malaysia and SEA's First AI Laboratory
Axrail, an Advanced Tier Services Partner of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Malaysia, has launched the first Generative AI (Gen AI) Lab in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. This lab highlights cloud and edge solutions to meet the rising demand for AI technologies and support the nation's digital economy goals. The Gen AI Lab serves as a collaborative hub, leveraging the expertise of AWS, Phison, and Axrail.
ByteDance and Broadcom to Jointly Develop AI Processors
ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, is collaborating with Broadcom, a US chip designer, to develop a cutting-edge artificial intelligence processor. This partnership aims to ensure ByteDance has reliable access to high-performance chips amidst ongoing tensions between the US and China. The 5-nanometer chip in development is a customized ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) designed to comply with US export regulations.
India's Electronic Manufacturing to hit $500B Valuation by 2030
India needs to take critical actions to transform its electronics sector from an "import-dependent, assembly-led manufacturing" model to "component-level, value-added manufacturing," according to a report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). In 2023, the demand for components and sub-assemblies reached USD 45.5 billion, supporting USD 102 billion worth of electronics production.
BOJ Deputy Governor Hints at Rate Adjustments
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida said on Friday the central bank will "adjust the degree of monetary support" if the economy and prices move in line with its forecasts, signalling readiness to raise interest rates further. "Japan's economy is recovering moderately, although there are some weak signs," Uchida said in a speech at an annual meeting of trust unions. Uchida delivered the speech on behalf of governor Kazuo Ueda.
Mitsui Boosts Funding in EKA Mobility To drive EV Innovation
EKA (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions) declares Mitsui & Co., Ltd. ("Mitsui"), a worldwide trading and investment firm with a rich history of contributing to industrial innovation, has performed a second tranche funding as a part of the preliminary announced phased investment, further solidifying their dedication to the quickly emerging electric vehicle (EV) firm.
SUEZ Secures Three New Water Projects in Asia
At the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), SUEZ, a global leader in circular solutions for the management of waste and water, declared three new projects in Asia, showcasing its innovative approach to water management in the industrial and municipal sectors.
Witnessing Finance Transformation Across Sectors at CFO STRATECH 2024
Delegates from diverse organizations had gathered yesterday at Conrad Bengaluru to attend the CFO STRATECH conference organized by Netnex Global that was aimed at highlighting the transformation of finance in different sectors. CFOs of organizations like Schneider Electric, Alstom, Manipal Hospitals and others spoke about how the role of CFO is changing in their respective industries.
AsiaPac Group: Steering Businesses to Succeed with Performance Driven Digital Marketing Solutions
Certified Team Of Experts “Our digital marketing consultants hold various certifications and qualifications from key international platforms, including Google, Meta, Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Taboola, The Trade Desk, Meituan, Grab, TikTok/Douyin, KAKAO, Line. These certifications validate their expertise and knowledge of platform-specific best practices, features, targeting options, and optimization techniques.
Saudi Leads Growing Markets in Bond Issuance, Surpasses China
Saudi has surpassed China as the key issuer of international debt among growing markets, ending Beijing's 12-year dominance in the same. This year, the Gulf nation is borrowing at an unprecedented rate, with an increase in new bond sales driven by both government and business entities. The rise is due to the growing support for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan among global debt investors. In the meantime, Chinese borrowers are seeing a lot of demand in local-currency bonds.
UAE To Remain Rapid Growing Economy in GCC in 2024 and 2025
The UAE will keep up with its situation as the quickest developing economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in 2024 and 2025 as it will actually want to raise oil yield sooner than other oil-delivering nations in the Opec+ bunch, financial experts said. Mena region economist James Swanston predicted that the UAE's GDP would rise by 5.5% in 2025, surpassing that of its Gulf peers and the rest of the wider regional nations.
India and USA Strengthen Alliance via Technological Collaboration
US and India, two pivotal nations in advanced technologies, must fortify their positions at the forefront to safeguard their respective value systems amidst the era of artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and biotechnology. This assertion was underscored by India's National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, during his address at the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) roundtable organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi.
Malaysia Formalizing Application to BRICS Alliance
According to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia is getting ready to become a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies. “We have made a decision; we will be placing the formal procedures soon. We are just waiting for the final results from the government in South Africa”, Anwar said in an interview with Shanghai-based new site Guancha. Originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the BRICS group derives its name from these member nations.
India's NBFC Sector Ascends to Third Spot in Global Rankings
India’s non-banking financial sector has ascended to become the third largest in the world, following only the United States and the United Kingdom, according to a recent report by the State Bank of India (SBI). This surge underscores India's financial sector's growing strength and resilience, which has shown remarkable adaptability in the face of various economic challenges over the past decade.
CFO StraTech 2024 Bengaluru: Unveiling the Future of Financial Leadership
In a time marked by unparalleled transformation, the position of the CFO has surpassed conventional limits, ascending to a pivotal strategic role within companies. With a focus on propelling innovation, cultivating efficiency, and shaping forthcoming stra- tegies, financial leaders now carry a multifaceted array of duties.
Webtoon Entertainment Seeking $2.6 Billion via IPO in USA
Online comics platform Webtoon Entertainment announced on Monday that it is targeting a valuation of up to $2.67 billion in its initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. The company, which is majority-owned by South Korean tech giant Naver, aims to raise up to $315 million by offering 15 million shares priced between $18 and $21 each.
South Korea's Economic Situation Demanding Rate Cuts
Prices are stabilising, creating an environment for rate cuts in South Korea, according to a senior presidential official on Sunday. "(South Korea) is one of the countries with the most stable price levels when compared to other countries globally," Sung Tae-yoon, policy chief for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, told public broadcaster KBS. "Therefore, I believe an environment where rates can be lowered is being created," Sung stated.
Adani Signs MoU with Bhutan's DGPC for Installing Hydroelectric Plant
Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani recently met with Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the country's Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) for the development of a 570 MW hydroelectric plant in Chukha province. This collaboration aims to leverage Bhutan's hydroelectric potential and contribute to sustainable energy development in the region.
South Korea Facing Economic Situation Demanding Rate Cuts
Prices are stabilising, creating an environment for rate cuts in South Korea, according to a senior presidential official on Sunday. "(South Korea) is one of the countries with the most stable price levels when compared to other countries globally," Sung Tae-yoon, policy chief for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, told public broadcaster KBS. "Therefore, I believe an environment where rates can be lowered is being created," Sung stated.
Enhancing Predictive Capabilities for Agile Supply Chains
TVS Supply Chain Solutions has entered into a long-term agreement with Daimler Truck South East Asia Pte Ltd to provide integrated chain supply solutions (ISCS) services in Singapore. The partnership's main focus is to accomplish a robust logistics solution for distributing spare parts while streamlining supply chain activities across the Asia-Pacific landscape.
WRISE and Kingkey to Jointly expand their footprint in Asian Markets
WRISE Prestige, a subsidiary of WRISE Group, has revealed its strategic partnership with Kingkey Privilege Wealth Management (Kingkey), a prominent financial institution. This collaboration aims to strengthen cooperation and provide a wide range of services, including life insurance, over-the-counter (OTC) securities, and funds. This initiative underscores WRISE’s commitment to building an integrated wealth ecosystem that caters comprehensively to its clients.
Amazon Funnels $230 Million in AWS Credits for AI Startups
Amazon is making a significant investment in artificial intelligence startups by allocating $230 million in Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits. This initiative aims to attract early-stage generative AI startups by offering them free access to AWS's computing power, AI models, and infrastructure, provided they develop their companies on AWS. This new investment is part of Amazon's broader strategy to support startups, adding to the $1 billion in cloud credits it already offers annually.
Basics of Large-cap Mutual Fund
When you make a decision to invest in mutual funds, what are the basics of that journey? You would just start with the kind of mutual fund to choose right. From the different forms of classifications of mutual funds, the basic classification is large, mid, and small capitalisation funds. In this post, we are going to understand large-cap funds in detail and how they work. What are Large Cap Funds? Let us first answer the question of how large-cap funds work.
Guide to Selecting Overhead Cranes for Paper Mills
When it comes to selecting the right overhead crane for a paper mill, the decision can be complex, given the unique working environment and the specific needs of the industry. Paper mills operate under challenging conditions and handle heavy and awk- ward loads, making it essential to choose a crane system that ensures safety, efficiency, and longevity. This guide will help you understand the key factors to consider when selecting an overhead crane for a paper mill.
GitHub to Launch Center of Excellence in India
On June 10, GitHub, owned by Microsoft, announced a partnership with Infosys to establish its first GitHub Center of Excellence (CoE). This collaboration aims to expedite the software production process by partnering with Global System Integrators (GSIs).
South Korean Chip Developers Rebellions and Sapeon Korea Seeking Merger
South Korean AI chip developers Rebellions Inc and Sapeon Korea Inc are pursuing a merger, according to an announcement by Sapeon's parent company, SK Telecom Co, on Wednesday. This merger represents South Korea's latest effort to challenge Nvidia's dominance in the global AI chip market amidst the ongoing boom in artificial intelligence.
Utilize Forex Expert Advisor to Elevate Your Business Strategy: Key Insights for Asian Entrepreneurs
Global commerce means Asian companies face unpredictable currency markets that can hammer profits. Yet the savviest leaders now quietly weaponize volatility itself through algorithmic trading tools known as Expert Advisors (EAs). Could systematically harnessing currency fluctuations propel your organization to the next level too?
Japanese Equity Markets Witness Outflows worth $7.2 Billion
Investors significantly withdrew from Japan-focused equity mutual funds in May as a long market rally lost steam and the potential for interest rate hikes loomed. Data from LSEG Lipper indicates that domestic and global equity mutual funds investing primarily in Japanese stock markets saw outflows of US$7.2 billion, the highest in eight years.
How generative AI can break down siloes and boost customer experience
In today’s highly competitive landscape, businesses looking to win customers and stay ahead of the competition, seamless and personalized experiences are a key differentiator. For instance, generative AI (GenAI) platforms that are powered by advanced large language models (LLMs) can allow employees to brainstorm new customer engagement strategies.
Skin bacterial community differences among three species of co-occurring Ranid frogs
Additional Information and Declarations Competing Interests Christopher Nagy is the Director of Research & Education at the Mianus River Gorge Preserve. Author Contributions Zachary Gajewski conceived and designed the experiments, performed the experiments, analyzed the data, prepared figures and/or tables, authored or reviewed drafts of the article, and approved the final draft. Leah R.
Why exceptional customer service requires both humans and bots to unite forces - BusinessToday
The advent of digitization has spurred the emergence of novel advancements that enable businesses to offer rapid and distinctive customer interactions. Our analysis of the customer service landscape in the Asia Pacific region revealed an impressive feat: the region achieved the quickest issue resolution compared to other regions, with an average time of 20.89 hours.
SweetMama: Usability Assessment of a Novel Mobile Application Among Low-Income Pregnant People to Assist With Diabetes Management and Support
Save citation to file Format: Add to My Bibliography Your saved search Name of saved search: Search terms: Frequency: Which day? Which day? Report format: Send at most: Send even when there aren't any new results Optional text in email: Create a file for external citation management software
Finding A Down-To-Earth Approach to AI Chatbots
In recent weeks, artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT, OpenAI's chatbot, has been making headlines for its memorable responses and distinct ability to write impressive content. At around the same time, Microsoft made a stunning announcement that they will incorporate the AI chatbot into their search engine. In Asia Pacific, chatbots have already been popularised on ecommerce platforms and consumer-facing applications, and experts are predicting that their utility is expected to grow further.
Ace Turtle Raises $34 Million In Series B Funding Lead By Vertex Growth And SBI Investment
Ace Turtle, which has a licence to operate Lee, Wrangler, Toys 'R' Us, and Babies 'R' Us in India, has raised USD 34 million (Rs 293 crore) in Series B funding. The Series B round was led by Vertex Growth, SBI Investment Co. Ltd., Farglory, Lesing Nine, Stride Ventures, Tuscan Ventures, and Trifecta Capital. Existing investors Vertex Southeast Asia and India, as well as InnoVen Capital, also participated in this round.
Asia Digital Engineering Raises $100 Million For A New Hangar
Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), Capital A's engineering and maintenance subsidiary, announced a US$100 million investment from OCP Asia Ltd. for the construction and operation of a new state-of-the-art 14-line aircraft maintenance hangar facility in Sepang. The investment will also be used to expand ADE's operations in other sectors and geographical markets, highlighting the company's commitment to long-term growth and success.
McLaren Automotive Names Robert Holtshausen As Market Director For MEA
McLaren Automotive, the British manufacturer of ground-breaking supercars, has appointed Robert Holtshausen as Middle East and Africa (MEA) Market Director. Holtshausen, who has over ten years of experience at McLaren Automotive and over six years of experience working in the Middle East and Africa (MEAF), will oversee the company's regional operations from the brand's office in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
IMF Heaves Asia's Economic Forecast and Tells Banks to Tighten Their Policies
On Tuesday (May 2), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised Asia's economic forecast as China's recovery supported growth, but warned of risks from persistent inflation and global market volatility caused by Western banking sector woes. According to the IMF, the reopening of China's economy will be critical for the region, with the spillover to Asia focusing on consumption and service-sector demand rather than investment.
World Bank To Announce New Methodology To Calculate Business Climate
The World Bank will announce on Monday a new methodology for assessing the business climate in up to 180 countries, following the cancellation of the "Doing Business" rankings two years ago due to embarrassing revelations of data irregularities and favouritism towards China.
China Witnesses 2% Increase In Trade, Amounting to CNY 3.94T
In March 2023, China's total international trade exceeded 3.94 trillion yuan ($570.5 billion), an increase of 2% year on year (YoY). According to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, goods exports reached around 1.85 trillion yuan during the same period, while imports approached 1.51 trillion yuan, resulting in a surplus of 344.1 billion yuan.
KKR To Invest In Serentica Renewables Which Will Fund Their Clean Energy Ambitions
Serentica Renewable Energies announced that it has signed a definitive contract for a $250 million investment from KKR, a leading global investment firm. This new investment builds on KKR's $400 million investment in November 2022, bringing the total KKR investment to $650 million. The funds will be used to build 4,000MW of renewable energy capacity, which will help deliver clean energy to large-scale industrial customers.
Japan And South Korea Holds First Bilateral Finance Leaders Meet After 7 Years
On Tuesday (May 2), Japan and South Korea held their first bilateral finance leaders' meeting in seven years, indicating that relations between the two are warming amid shared challenges such as geopolitical tensions and slowing economic growth. The resumption of bilateral financial talks comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's upcoming visit to South Korea for talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol next week.
Japan's Kyushu Electric Issues JPY 200 Billion In Preferred Shares To Aid in Green Transformation
Japan's Kyushu Electric Power Co will issue 200 billion yen ($1.5 billion) in preferred shares to help fund its green transition at a time when high fuel prices are weighing on the sector's profitability, the company said. Japanese utilities were hit by high fuel costs last year as a post-pandemic energy crisis was exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Why Asia is Becoming a Hub for Innovative Architecture Education Programs
Architecture, the profession of high creativity, plays a pivotal role in designing the rough idea of a building with a blueprint print, which is used as a reference for a spectacular building. They have great demand irrespective of the region, as construction cannot even commence without getting fruitful advice from an architect. Buckminster Fuller, the well-known architect from the USA, was quoted in this way: "When I’m working on a problem, I never think about beauty.
A Recap On What Happened This Week: Asian Startup News Overview (April 21st - April 28th)
Asian startups are thriving today for a variety of reasons, including a large pool of young and educated workers, an increasing number of tech-savvy consumers, supportive government policies, and a growing network of investors and incubators.One of the most significant factors contributing to the success of Asian startups is the large and rapidly growing market for tech products and services in the region.
Singapore SWF To Acquire Japanese Logistics Assets From Blackstone For $800 Million
Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC announced on Friday (April 28) that it would purchase a portfolio of six logistics assets in Japan from Blackstone Inc for more than US$800 million, indicating a strong appetite for logistics real estate. According to Refinitiv data, the transaction, which includes 4 million square feet of warehouse space spread across Japan, is the largest real estate transaction in Japan this year in terms of value.
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