Tech Talk

Spongebob for President. As our social media feeds fill with the examples of OpenAI’s experiment in synthetic cinema, the quite shocking Sora 2 text to video engine, Matt and Rich debate how quickly AI has reached the threshold of deniability: the reality remix. Where what you see with your eyes is lying to you.It's not all bad news though. OpenAI is planning an entire, agentic app layer driven by third party developers. And to develop it all, is partnering with AMD in a deal that gives the chip-maker a 10% maker stake in the AI giant. Sorry, did we say it’s not all bad news? Our bad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, marketing used to be about clever slogans and good lighting. These days, it’s about data pipelines, consent forms, and algorithms that know you’re out of coffee before you do. Welcome to the world of MarTech, where marketing meets technology, and everyone pretends to understand what a customer data platform actually does.But here’s the question, does Malaysia have a digital edge when it comes to MarTech? Between new data laws, AI investments, and the looming e-invoicing wave, could all this regulation and innovation actually become our competitive advantage?Joining me to decode the buzzwords and bring it all back down to earth is Jan Wong, Founder and CEO of OpenMinds, a digital consultancy that’s been helping brands navigate this ever-shifting landscape long before “omnichannel” became a word people said with a straight face.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the existential threat of the office cubicle replacing traditional horror movie fixations like zombies and monsters? As workplace horror sweeps the Emmy’s, Rich and Matt wonder if it’s time to fortify that cubicle or resist return to work mandates with your life. Elsewhere, there’s the entirely uncomplicated matter of quantum money, some stuff about babies that Matt really doesn’t want to talk about, plus the not exactly welcomed arrival of AI in the world of body art. Science is so weird.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cybersecurity conversations often focuses on phishing, ransomware, and data breaches, but a less obvious threat is growing into households through illicit streaming devices. According to a new report by Cyberstronomy, titled Residential Proxying and Illicit Streaming Devices, these devices are often exploited as part of residential proxy networks — exposing consumers and small businesses to serious legal, reputational, and financial risks. To shed light on what the numbers really mean and what businesses and households should watch out for, we speak with Dr. Paul Watters, CEO of Cyberstronomy and Honorary Professor at Macquarie University, Sydney. Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we talk about startups in Malaysia, we usually think of e-commerce, fintech, or SaaS. But deep tech and AI startups are a different story and quite frankly, are becoming more common. Besides funding, they need strong research, access to labs, industry partnerships, and the right people to make things work.That’s what Sunway iLabs and Cradle Fund are trying to tackle with the new Startup Deep Tech Ventures Lab, or DTVL. It’s a six-month programme to help build and grow high-impact AI and deep tech startups here in Malaysia.Matt van Leeuwen, Chief Innovation Officer of Sunway Group and CEO of Sunway iLabs tells us more about the programme, the gaps it’s trying to fill, and why collaborations like this are important for our startup ecosystem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can money buy you time? If breakthroughs in epigenetics continue, the only thing between you and a lifespan of 150 years might be the ability to pay for it.Richard ‘Crab Claws’ Bradbury and Matt ‘The Panda’ Armitage have a look at the technologies, the companies and the billionaire obsessives willing to pour hundreds of millions into life extensions research. And ask: Should we? Really?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kavitha Mariappan has spent her career helping organisations navigate technology shifts, from driving customer transformation at Zscaler to her current role as Chief Transformation Officer at Rubrik. Now, she’s making the case that cyber recovery belongs in the boardroom, not just the server room. We talk about why identity-driven threats are changing the resilience playbook, how regulation is shaping preparedness, and what leaders need to do today to ensure their organisations can bounce back tomorrow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From uncanny valleys to Big Willie style, Rich and Matt leave no metaphorical stone unturned as they pour a hefty bucket of AI slop over themselves.Are social sharing platforms using AI to "improve" creators’ content? Who actually profits from this deluge? And why are AI companies suddenly approaching traditional media companies with armfuls of cash?If you’re fond of feedback loops, digital enhancement and spaghetti, this might be the slop you’ve always dreamed of.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Belizaire has gone from architecting systems at Intel to selling two tech companies and now building data centres powered by renewable energy that would otherwise go unused. As CEO of Soluna Holdings, he’s making the case that computing for AI, crypto, and beyond can be clean, flexible, and profitable. We talk about why he made the leap from software to solar, how to turn wasted energy into opportunity, and what it really takes to build a business with purpose at its core.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past few years, industrial AI has moved from boardroom buzzword to factory floor reality. It’s now being deployed to streamline operations, cut energy costs, reduce waste, and strengthen supply chains. And as other nations double down, Malaysia finds itself at a crossroads: move fast or risk being priced out and left behind.The recent launch of the National AI Office signals ambition, but real impact will depend on whether industries here can move beyond pilot projects and into full-scale transformation. And with geopolitical pressures like upcoming US tariffs on the horizon, the clock is ticking.So what does it take for Malaysia’s industries to seize the industrial intelligence edge?Joining me to explore this is Saadi Kermani, Vice President of Digital Business Operations at AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software. We’ll discuss where Malaysia stands, what’s working globally, and how we can prepare our people, our plants, and our policies for what’s next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this oddly timed edition, Matt and Rich hike into the uncanny valleys of machine music. From the Laurel Canyon folk rockers that never existed, to featured artist scams, AI generated music is heading to a playlist near you. Is Mattsplained’s new country anthem AI slop or simply the best? Does Richard really own a sequined jumpsuit or have his own intro music to announce it? These are questions that no one ever thought to answer before the advent of AI.Slop, scams and copyright strikes. We’re truly halfway to hell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is producing more tech graduates than ever, yet many still struggle to land the right jobs. Hackathons are changing that — evolving from coding contests into platforms for peer learning, coaching, and real-world problem solving. Alex Liew, Chairman at PIKOM, and TK Choo, Director at Kabel, join us to unpack how hackathons are bridging the employability gap while helping businesses attract and retain digital-savvy talent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like a hungry Pac-Man after too many power ups, AI is coming for the career ladder itself. The grunt work is gone, replaced by break-free LLMs, while coffee machines ping mournfully ping inside empty office spaces.This week Matt and Rich explore the empirical implications of AI in the workplace. A generational hollowing out of talent. The $10,000 search for work. The grey ceiling facing Gen X execs. And wonder whether it could all be solved with a little empathy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is reshaping industries worldwide, but Malaysia’s digital journey has its own challenges and opportunities. We speak with Prateek Pashine, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Maxis, about a new IDC Infobrief study commissioned by Maxis Business, the B2B arm of leading integrated telco Maxis, on AI adoption and digital transformation among Malaysian enterprises. They discuss how Malaysian businesses compare with our regional peers, the barriers holding us back, and how we can move from small-scale pilots to impactful AI-driven transformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decades of mid-morning mania, questionable (sleep) hygiene and an anesthetist’s worst nightmare, Matt Armitage is the closest thing to being professionally awake we can imagine. Coherence is a separate issue. Rich and Matt explore the contradictions and myth of that eternal essential: sleep. Looking at the scale of sleep problems, the emerging science and policy around sleep and the sometimes questionable products and industries that exploit our fear of insomnia and somnolence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI isn’t just helping us shop anymore—it’s starting to decide how we shop. In Southeast Asia, and especially in Malaysia, consumers are embracing AI but still asking the big question: Can we trust it?In this episode, we unpack SleekFlow’s latest Southeast Asia AI Whitepaper and explore the launch of AgentFlow, their new sales-first AI agent designed to power the next generation of e-commerce omnichannels. Joining us is Asnawi Jufrie, Vice President & General Manager for Southeast Asia at SleekFlow, to discuss:How AI is changing buying behaviour in the regionWhat businesses must do to build trust-first AI experiencesWhy AgentFlow could evolve the way Southeast Asia shops going forwardSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The brain worms might be slowing him down this week, but Matt Armitage is no stranger to parasites. This week we’re back inside the world of startups, fraud and outright scams. From the accounting magic of Enron to the gilded isles of FTX, Matt and Rich explore the threads that tie them together. Is it greed, FOMO, a hero in a half shell (it’ll make sense once you listen)? As AI enters the mix, have we left the world of observable reality behind and traded it for the alternative facts of the snake oil sellers?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online safety has always been a concern, but in a world increasingly shaped by AI, scams, and digital manipulation, it’s become a critical public issue. New Zealand-based NGO Netsafe has been working on the frontlines of online harm for over two decades, empowered by the Harmful Digital Communications Act to receive complaints, investigate abuse, and mediate digital disputes.We speak with Brent Carey, CEO of Netsafe, about how the organisation balances a tech-positive approach with real-world harm reduction. We dive into how youth-led initiatives like the Youth Action Squad are reshaping online safety, how online scams are evolving, and what Malaysia can learn from New Zealand’s model of digital governance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s episode might sound like a Flaming Lips album title but robot bunnies really are fighting Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades. With the help of heat pads, perfumes and good old Florida Man.We bust the myth of the 10k step count and unlock new health loot boxes, and we trace the success of mRNA vaccines during the pandemic to new developments to create a universal vaccine for cancer. There’s scarier stuff inside. But you’ll have to tune in to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Tech Talk, we dive into how CelcomDigi is helping businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Ts.Afizulazha Abdullah, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at CelcomDigi, and Keane Leong, Group CEO of Bridgenet, share how scalable, NACSA-certified solutions are empowering businesses of all sizes to stay secure, compliant, and ready for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.