Tech Talk

Last Friday, a Microsoft-Crowdstrike update error caused one of the worst IT outages in history and this impacted over 8.5 million Microsoft devices around the world. To provide more scope on this, more than 3,000 flights within, into, or out of the US were cancelled on July 19, with more than 11,000 delayed. Planes continued to be grounded in the days since, with nearly 2,500 flights cancelled wi...

Today Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage discuss the growing fear and anger surrounding unchecked advances in artificial intelligence (AI): the potential impact of AI on the job market, the ethical implications of AI-generated content, and the lack of regulation in the AI industry. Matt references the movie "Surrogates" to illustrate the potential dangers of relying too heavily on tech...

In this episode of Tech Talk, we address the pressing issue of deepfake fraud in the financial sector with Frederic Ho, the Vice President of Asia Pacific at Jumio. Based on Jumio's 2024 Online Identity Study, we explore consumer confidence in banking fraud-protection measures and their specific concerns about deepfakes. Frederic will discuss how deepfakes pose unique threats to financial services...

Join hosts Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage for a fascinating journey through the latest in weird and wonderful scientific breakthroughs. In this episode, we explore: • Bionic legs with neural interfaces that are changing lives and blurring the line between human and machine • Fish-friendly hydropower turbines that could revolutionize renewable energy • Why night owls might just be smarter than...

Today on Tech Talk, we speak with David Holland, Managing Director of Swag at Employment Hero on the intricacies of AI-driven recruitment platforms, their possible integration with existing and traditional HR systems as well as their role in predicting and meeting future hiring needs. We’ll also discuss the benefits these platforms bring to businesses and job seekers alike along the challenges and...

Join Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage as us as they discuss the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence and explore the radical geoengineering projects that tech giants are betting on to power our future. From Microsoft's dream of harnessing the power of the sun to controversial schemes to manipulate our planet's climate, they delve into the complex world of energy consumption,&...

As Malaysia prepares to roll out e-invoicing nationwide, there is a pressing need to address the cybersecurity risks that come with this transition. From the shift from private to public network environments to the integration with government solutions, the landscape is fraught with potential vulnerabilities. On this show, we aim to shed light on these issues and provide actionable insights for bu...

In this episode, we will explore the vulnerabilities of current facial recognition systems, the advancements needed to counteract deepfake attacks, and how AI can be both a tool and a threat in biometric security. We will also discuss the integration of multi-factor authentication systems, the role of public awareness, and the future directions in this critical field. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Once again, Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage explore the world of weird science. Matt looks at the potential anti-aging effects of space travel on billionaires, the use of AI to decode dog vocalizations, and the accidental broadcast of a NASA training exercise. Returning to the theme of innovative energy solutions, they discuss a new material from MIT that uses soot, carbon black, in concrete to st...

Matt Armitage and Richard Bradbury explore exciting breakthroughs in cancer treatment, focusing on the shift from viewing cancer as a singular entity to understanding it as an ecosystem. They discuss the potential of mRNA vaccines for personalized cancer treatment, the promising results of a melanoma vaccine trial, and the development of engineered viruses to target and kill cancer cells. The host...

The hydrogen goldrush is the latest frontier of the energy wars. Rich and Matt examine the latest breakthroughs in hydrogen energy technology and look at its green credentials. Join them as they unpack the science behind green, blue, and even geologic hydrogen, and explore its potential to power our cars, trucks, and even airplanes of the future. The pair also dive into the exciting possibility of...

Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to both Malaysia and the global community. In Malaysia, the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-induced events, such as the devastating floods in 2021 which displaced approximately 400,000 individuals, underscore the nation's vulnerability and the urgent need for robust adaptation and resilience strategies. We speak with Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad,...

In today’s green hued instalment, Rich and Matt delve into the exciting world of superconductors and the ongoing quest for room-temperature superconductivity, which could pave the way for a future of limitless clean energy. Matt gets particularly fired up by a groundbreaking alternative to pesticides, inspired by the ingenious traps of carnivorous plants. Yes. Spraying plants with glue. AI forces...

The Amazon Web Services “Finance Forward Series: Data, AI & Agility - Thriving In The New Insurance Landscape” event concluded on 14 May 2024, with a panel session featuring Gianluca Bernacchia, Senior Partner, Consulting & Analytics Asia, and Global C&A Insurance Community Lead with DXC Technology; and Nipun Grover, ASEAN Insurance Specialist with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The conver...

We speak with Dr. Ian Tan, an Associate Professor in Computer Science and the Head of the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia. We discuss the profound changes artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing to the world of programming and computer science. From Jensen Huang’s vision of a future where traditional programming languages are no longer necessary to...

Join us as Dr. Mohammad Sherafatmand from Hydroleap discusses innovative solutions to Malaysia's critical water challenges. With the nation's ageing infrastructure and rising water demand set to increase by over 100% by 2050, the need for sustainable solutions is more urgent than ever. Dr. Sherafatmand explains how his company's proprietary electrochemical engineering technology offers an environm...

Rich and Matt dive into the complex intersection of technology, security, and information warfare. Starting with TikTok's recent controversies and the US government's push to force its sale, the discussion explores the challenges of regulating social media platforms amidst geopolitical tensions. Moving to the battle against misinformation, an MIT study is using AI chatbots to counter conspiracy th...

We sit down with Sanjay Sarma, the newly appointed CEO and Dean of the Asia School of Business, to explore the transformative impact of AI on education. With AI technologies like ChatGPT on the rise, tertiary education is at a pivotal moment of change. Sarma will share his insights into how AI will influence educational practices, and the challenges and opportunities these technologies pose for fu...

As we mark World Password Day, we reflect on recent findings that highlight a concerning trend in Malaysia – the persistence of weak passwords like ‘123456’ and ‘password’, which remain alarmingly popular. This year, the launch of Pangkalan Data Utama (Padu) has underscored the chaos weak passwords can create, shaking public confidence in critical national databases meant to improve government pol...

On this episode, Rich and Matt delve into the surprising potential benefits of anxiety. You might think anxiety is purely negative, but what if it could actually be harnessed as a powerful tool? Recent research suggests that reframing how we view anxiety could unlock its hidden advantages. Instead of seeing it as a hindrance, scientists are finding that the heightened awareness and energy that anx...

During an M&A, companies are not only acquiring a new business, but they are also getting access to whole new business systems and data, which could easily become a significant asset or a substantial liability if not managed properly. In this episode, we are going to take a look at the world of M&A and how organisations can address potential data integration challenges before, during and a...

Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage discuss a recent open letter signed by 200 music stars, including Nicki Minaj, REM, and Stevie Wonder, urging technology companies to refrain from developing AI technologies that could replace human songwriters and artists. Do artists who have profited from their music but now fear AI encroachment on their livelihoods deserve our sympathy or is the profit of a few d...

In this episode, we looked into the transformative impact of AI on the future of work, with guidance from KPMG Malaysia's Executive Director of Business Transformation, People & Change - and lead for human rights Sharmini Ann Jacob.  We unpacked the key findings of KPMG's recent report, exploring how AI was integrated into daily operations, the critical role of upskilling, and the adaptat...

On this week's episode of weird science, Matt and Rich discussed killer worms (nope not those ones), super frequencies and tay-tay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an era where AI is increasingly integrated into every facet of our world, it has now emerged as a transformative force in redefining the mobile experience. Through a range of AI-powered features, including Live Translation, Chat Assist, Photo Assist, and Circle to Search with Google, we see the widespread influence of AI in shaping our daily lives and how we create, connect, and engage in leisu...