In this episode of Tech Conversations with Grace Chng, Grace speaks with Ben Tan, a senior executive at Gartner with over 30 years in the tech industry, about the rippleeffects of recent U.S. tariffs on the global tech landscape. Will tariffs reshape trade flows and increase costs for both companies and consumers. Ben outlines possible future scenarios and stresses the need for companies to rethink long-term planning, balance cost and risk, and adapt to changing political dynamics.

Peter Schwartz is still rehearsing the future - with AI at centre stage

Futurist Peter Schwartz sees AI as a potent ally inthe scenario planning toolkit. Generative AI can rapidly prototype dozens of scenario narratives, compressing what used to take months into days. But he cautioned: speed must not come at the expense of depth. AI excels at horizontaldata synthesis, but true strategic insight still demands vertical, human judgment.

As an MBA student in 2000, this book was requiredreading for the strategy module. I found the work fascinating as was my interview with the author. It opened a new world of how organisations and governments planned ahead. It was during his time at Shell that Schwartz began visiting Singapore regularly from the 1980s to update the late Prime MinisterLee Kuan Yew on developments in the oil industry and their consequences.

Currently the chief futures officer at Salesforce,Schwartz visited Singapore in early June as a speaker at the ATx tech event.

Listen to him as he discussed AI’s impact on work.AI is the biggest tech revolution the world has ever seen and it can be best harnessed for education and in healthcare. The most valuable application of AI today is as a decision-support engine not as a decision-maker. As an example, AI could function as the super tutor for the less fortunate anddisadvantaged, providing them with the best education.

Hitachi Vantara CTO Matthew Hardman on cybersecurity and advanced analyticsAI is transforming finance organisations, strengthening cybersecurity, and preparing for quantum-safe security, says Matthew Hardman, chief technology officer for Asia-Pacific of Hitachi Vantara. In the podcast, emphasises AI's role in improving cybersecurity by detecting anomalies and enabling real-time responses to threats like ransomware, shifting the focus from prevention alone to recovery and cyber resiliency.

He also explains that while GenAI offers an accessible entry point, the true value of AI lies in its broader applications like machine learning, advanced data analytics, and predictive capabilities for product development, recommendations, and sentiment analysis.Follow us for more:Website: https://newsontech.asia/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newsontechasia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newsontechasia/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/news-on-tech X: https://x.com/newsontechasia

This episode explores AI inference, the critical step where trained AI models solve real-world problems. Expert Soo Mei May clarifies the difference between training and inference, and discusses key challenges for businesses: use case definition, cost management, and handling "hallucinations." She emphasizes the importance of data privacy and the growing role of AI PCs in enabling on-device inference.

Are cloud costs crushing your AI? You may be doing it wrong

Dr Geraldine Wong of GXS Bank and Nick Eayrs, Databricks vice-president of field engineering in Asia-Pacific and Japan, discuss whether businesses are paying too much for data in the cloud and the business value of AI models.  

Large language models may not suit businesses.  

Businesses developing GenAI applications need to have a data set. Often, they don’t need a large language model. Ai Kiar, cognitive solution developer and master inventor, IBM, explains the use of small language models that can be used by businesses in a cost-effective manner. 

Can AI agents spawn other agents on its own?

AI agents are the new buzzword, but what do they really mean? Gavin Barfield, CTO of ASEAN Salesforce, demystifies the concept, outlining the benefits and drawbacks of AI agents and their potential to automate repetitive tasks in customer service, HR, sales, and procurement.

As intelligent, autonomous programs, AI agents can learn and adapt to optimise task completion. They can even create other AI agents to do this. However, human in the loop is essential to ensure ethical use, prevent unintended consequences, and maintain control.

Beyond the screen: The power of Digital Twins

Ever wondered how scientists test cutting-edge tech like human implants before they're inside us? Enter digital twins - virtual replicas of real-world systems.

Join Miles Upton of Capgemini and Grace Chng as we dive into how these digital doppelgängers are revolutionising safety testing, from simulating extreme conditions to optimising human-machine interaction.

The emergence of synthetic biology is poised to revolutionise healthcare, unlocking new possibilities for regenerative medicine, tissue repair, and personalised treatments. What are the key advancements reshaping this field, and how can businesses harness its potential?

In this episode, we’re joined by Miles Upton, Regional General Manager for Asia at CapGemini, as he shares insights on the promise of synthetic biology, discussing groundbreaking applications such as skin grafts, cartilage repair, and gene therapy. We’ll also examine ongoing research in Asia, highlighting ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and the challenges of accessibility.

Join us as we uncover how synthetic biology could redefine healthcare and the broader implications for society and industry.

The convergence of AI and Quantum technology is reshaping the landscape of digital transformation, offering both unprecedented opportunities and challenges for businesses.

How can organisations leverage these advancements to stay ahead?

To explore this exciting topic, we’re joined by Miles Upton, Regional General Manager for Asia at CapGemini. With over two decades of experience in various tech sectors—including mobile, wireless, and medtech—Miles has been instrumental in driving digital transformation across China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

In this episode, he shares insights on the synergy between AI and Quantum technologies, discussing how AI can optimise quantum algorithms and enhance error correction, while quantum computing accelerates machine learning and tackles complex optimisation problems. We’ll also delve into the latest developments in Asia and their implications for the future of technology.

Tune in to discover how businesses can harness these innovations for success.