Staring the apocalypse in the eye, Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage dissect the highs and lows technology, science and culture in 2024. There’s the obligatory explosion of AI, NVIDIA's trillion-dollar triumph, and the cyber-insecurity chaos that has plagued the year.

There are upsides too, as they memorialize mind-blowing scientific discoveries, like how humans age in bursts and the surprising versatility of new medications. They revisit to head-scratching world of DNA computing, the benefits of stranding astronauts and the strange rise of prebunking.

It's a Happy New Year from MattSplained and a ‘see you in the wreckage’ of 2025.

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Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the financial services industry, but with great innovation comes great responsibility. On this episode of Tech Talk, we explore the challenges and opportunities of implementing ethical AI in a sector where trust and transparency are paramount.

We examine the complexities of AI governance, discussing how financial institutions can tackle bias, ensure transparency, and build frameworks that keep pace with evolving regulations. We’ll also look at how public-private collaborations can strengthen AI ecosystems, balance innovation with security, and embed sustainability into AI initiatives.

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Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage take a much-needed break from doom-scrolling to celebrate some of the best things technology has ever done.

As befitting a pair of uber geeks, there’s a love letter to the Internet, a passionate defense of spectacles, and Rich’s solo swim in the waters of gaming.

They also dissect their biggest tech disappointments, from the unfulfilled promises of space travel to the stagnation of smartphones. And the need for temperature-regulating clothing!

Lastly, they gaze into their crystal balls (or maybe just their smartphone screens) and give Cyber Santa a wish list that includes talking to animals, 15-minute cities, personalized health care and, of course, Matt as a Battle Bot.

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On this episode of Tech Talk, we’re joined by Khalil Nooh, Co-Founder and CEO of Mesolitica, a Malaysian startup at the forefront of developing large language models (LLMs), who have recently built MaLLaM, a generative AI LLM specifically designed to understand and process local linguistic nuances like slangs, colloquialisms, and diverse dialects. The LLM is focused on Bahasa Malaysia and 16 other regional languages which is said to transform industries across the country.

We’ll dive into the technical intricacies behind MaLLaM, which has been trained on nearly 200 billion tokens from 197 datasets of Malay-specific content. Khalil will also discuss how this powerful LLM is already revolutionizing AI applications in customer service, content generation, and data analysis. Plus, we’ll explore the challenges of embedding cultural relevance into AI systems, and Mesolitica’s exciting plans for the future as they continue to enhance MaLLaM.

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This week Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage explore one of the latest developments in disaster relief: the cyborg cockroach army. Fitted with electrodes, antennae and battery packs, semi-autonomous insect cyborgs could help to reach people under buildings and structures flattened by natural disasters.

Those same insects are on the menu as the pair journeys to Mars to uncover what could be new forms of life under the planet’s surface. And discuss the possibility of humans becoming Martians too, as they debate the challenges of surviving on the Red Planet. From toxic soil and cosmic radiation to the psychological impact of living in a confined habitat, what would the reality of living in Elon Musk’s mooted Marstopian paradise be like?

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We spotlight Dr. Kong Xin Ying, the only Malaysian honoured with the 2024 MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific Award. Dr. Kong’s groundbreaking work in sustainable energy and environmental remediation has turned heads globally, as she pioneers methods to upcycle plastic waste into valuable chemicals and fuels within a single day.

We explore how her research, which combines cutting-edge catalysts and photocatalytic upcycling techniques, is addressing plastic pollution and advancing sustainable energy solutions. Dr. Kong also shares insights into her journey as a scientist, her recent recognition as one of the World’s Top 2% Scientists, and her upcoming collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

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Matt Armitage and Richard Bradbury dive into the chaotic world of modern music and content creation. From the staggering rise of independent artists to the murky waters of copyright theft, they explore how technology is reshaping creativity—and the challenges that come with it.

From cheap music-making tools to AI that literally places your voice in some of the world’s biggest hits, there are now more than 75 million independent music creators around the world.

But as we enter the Brolocene, an age of aggression and contemptuous content theft, a new breed of scammer is emerging. One that pilfers, reuses and monetizes the work of content creators with large enough audiences to steal from, but who they gamble are too small to fight back.

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We hear from Suresh Sankaran Srinivasan, Group Head of Cyber Security at Axiata Group Berhad, as we discuss developments in the sphere of cybersecurity.

A seasoned expert, Suresh shares with us his 20 year journey in the field of cybersecurity, along with insights on emerging cyber threats. We’ll also discuss the role of AI and quantum computing in shaping the future of cybersecurity, and Suresh’s passion for mentoring the next generation of cyber talent.

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On this week’s episode, Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage are taking on more of your burning questions in another wide-ranging AMA. Topics veer from the sustainability of EV and lithium-ion battery cell production to the geopolitics of rare earth metals to the battle for food.

Is population growth outpacing food production, or is climate instability the bigger threat? How will AI reshape education, jobs, and society itself? And on a lighter note: which sci-fi dystopia do we seem to be replicating in real life?

Click now for a healthy dose of future shock.

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In this episode of Tech Talk, we explore CelcomDigi’s unique approach to driving digital transformation across Malaysia’s diverse business landscape. Afizulazha Abdullah, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at CelcomDigi, shares insights about innovative solutions designed for every stage of business growth, from small SMEs to large enterprises.

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