Enterprise Explores

We discuss the growing concerns of digital artists over the use of their work in AI-generated art, Apple's potential price hike for its upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models, Elon Musk's bold move to rebrand Twitter as X.com , and Spotify's decision to increase its subscription prices for the first time in 12 years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our lives, particularly for the younger generation. However, this influence can be a double-edged sword, providing platforms for connection and self-expression, while also exposing young users to potential risks. Recent controversies involving social media influencers and the marketing of certain products to a young demogra...

In a bid to raise venture capital funding to continue growing, Malaysian startups sometimes have to make the hard choice of relocating to Singapore. A famous example here is Grab. In this edition of Biz Bytes, we explore whether this is an inevitable story for Malaysian startups as they grow or whether they raise money from global investors without having to move. Weighing in on this was Dr Sivapa...

The global significance of artificial intelligence (AI) has been underscored by two recent events. The United Nations Security Council held its inaugural meeting on AI, where concerns about the technology's potential as a "runaway horse" were raised by China, while the U.S. warned against its use for censorship or repression. Meanwhile, at the AI for Good conference in Geneva, nine advanced humano...

It’s Tech Tuesday here on Enterprise Biz Bytes and this week we delve into the gripping Black Mirror narrative that has actors worried about AI taking over their roles. We'll also explore the surge in student interest in computing, driven by the unstoppable rise of digital trends and AI. Next, we set our sights on India, where the newly implemented GST on online gaming could stifle a flourishing i...

“Cash isn’t king. Cash flow is king.” Last week we learnt that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is looking to introduce Account 3 which allows savings withdrawals to be made at any time, which is a particular concern, given the data point that “50% of Malaysian households can’t even raise RM1,000 to cover emergencies”, as noted by EPF Chief Strategy Officer Nurhisham Hussein. One key aim here is...

Last week, HELP International School organised a Demo day, where Year 12 students were given the opportunity to present innovative ideas to real-world problems. This was carried out in partnership with 1337 ventures, an accelerator programme that has invested in over 50 startups across diverse areas spanning big data, fintech and social enterprises. This Demo Day was the final act of Project Purpo...

The internet is currently undergoing a significant transformation, with major social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit facing decline and upheaval. Twitter's downfall has been particularly noticeable since Elon Musk's acquisition of the company, while Reddit has been alienating its developers and users. Meanwhile, TikTok's popularity continues to rise, despite potential bans, and Instagram h...

A total of 4,000 companies with revenue of more than RM100 million are set to become the first group to implement the Inland Revenue Board's (IRB) new e-invoice system from June 1 next year. Following this, in 2025 it will be mandatory for businesses with turnover of more than RM50 million; then in 2026 for businesses with over RM25 million turnover and finally in 2027 for all businesses. E-invoic...

OpenAI’s ChatGPT gained 100 million users in just 2 months. Just when we thought that was impressive, Threads has blown the record out of the water, as it gained 100 million users - in just 5 days. Today on Biz bytes, we discuss if Threads is winning the war with Twitter, and we will be looking into ChatGPT’s new feature as well as the Apple App Store’s 15 years journey and its impact. See omnystu...

In June, the robot takeover took another step forward as IKEA assembled its own AI chatbot called Billie. Yes, they named their AI chatbot after their bookshelves. Billie will be taking over routine customer queries and IKEA says it has handled 47% of these kinds of inquiries to call centres over the past two years. Now one of the key concerns when we hear something like this, is job losses, but I...

Once the domain of gig workers, freelancers, and start-ups, co-working spaces are now attracting interest from large companies and multinationals. Increasingly, these shared spaces are bridging the gap between property owners and businesses seeking office space, functioning much like a middleman. According to industry insiders, this shift is driven by businesses' desire to avoid managing or expand...

Earlier this year, the Securities Commission (SC) registered two initial exchange offering (IEO) operators, Kapital DX Sdn Bhd and Pitch Platforms Sdn Bhd. The two registered IEO operators will be able to provide an alternative avenue for eligible companies to raise funds via the issuance of digital tokens in Malaysia. An issuer may raise funds up to RM100 million from retail, sophisticated, as we...

Yesterday Former Fave executives Audra Pakalnyte and Joel Neoh officially launched First Move, a founder-led early stage fund for consumer-focused startups across Southeast Asia. The fund is backed by 500 Global and will be providing pre-seed funding of up to US$100,000 (RM466,000) and already has a portfolio of seven companies in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In addition to providing direct...

Twitter is now restricting the number of tweets users can read daily, to combat the aggressive ‘data scraping’ by third party members on its site. Why the concern? Because they are doing it - for free We take a look at this and other big news in the world of tech with Mr Matt-splain himself, Matt Armitage. Photo Credits: Shuttershock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent reports have revealed a startling prediction: as many as 4.5 million Malaysians could be out of work by 2030 if they don't upskill or reskill. This startling forecast arises from the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) across a variety of sectors, from manufacturing to healthcare and customer service. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What startups know about PR that large corporations seem to forget. Sometimes being scrappy and innovative does win the race. We’re helped through this conversation by Eugenie Chan from Suppagood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A World Bank report revealed that only 54% of Malaysian micro and small enterprises use digital solutions, with this issue particularly prominent amongst women-led businesses which face additional barriers, including access to technology and financing. In line with this concern, earlier this week, The Asia Foundation in partnership with Mastercard launched Strive Malaysia, which wants to support t...

As the world becomes increasingly competitive, internships serve as a vital springboard for students to transition from academia into the professional world. Internships offer an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience, develop key skills, and build valuable networks. But in Malaysia, are they achieving what they promise? A recent working paper by the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI)...

Last week, Carsome announced that following its new financing round, its liquidity position rose to US$200 million (around RM922 million). This announcement comes after the Malaysian Unicorn received backlash and criticism for apparently petitioning the Ministry of Finance to recommend Malaysia's sovereign wealth funds, government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and GLCs to invest in Carsome....

Direct-to-Consumer brands are all about going direct to the customer and acquiring them, bypassing middlemen and traditional distribution channels like agency forces and retailers, but this may have been much tougher than anticipated. While DTC brands like Warby Parker and Spotify were some of the hottest names in tech, in recent times the tone has become more pessimistic, even B2C fintech compani...

The food and beverage sector is no stranger to hardships and obstacles, but a looming potential challenge in the form of rent increases threatens to stir the hawker industry pot. A recent situation involving hawkers in Penang, highlights the enormous implications of such a move, painting a concerning picture for food stall owners everywhere. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you are a fan or not, the buzz and growth of AI doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon, especially with the money being pumped in. Today on Biz Bytes, we take a look at this topic from 2 angles - how we can tap into AI to improve productivity, but also a look at the potential downsides of using AI at work. We start the show by exploring the potential downsides of AI on the back...

Last week, the Malaysia Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF) announced that it had co-invested RM638 million in 3,635 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in 2022, helping fuel their growth and development In the last few years, ECF and P2P platforms have continued to grow its presence here in Malaysia, seeing an increase of 26% on-year to RM1.7B in 2022, as noted by the Securities Commission (SC)...

Plenty of money is being thrown at AI startups as shown by PitchBook data released in March, but last week’s announcement from Mistral AI has blown all those deals out of the water. Last week French technology and AI company Mistral AI announced that it raised a $113.4 million seed round, just a month after being set up. Sources close to the company that spoke to American tech and portal Techcrunc...