Latest news and trends about tech

From ad overload to sustainability, blockchain is changing the marketing game [Podcast]

From traditional TV advertisements to modern-day social media campaigns, the marketing industry has relentlessly strived to discover novel ways to connect with its intended audience.

Shopee survey shows new generation of Malaysians shop value-based online

New generations of Malaysians are shopping with purpose online as Shopee's marketplace data shows online consumers are three times more likely to buy products that promote smarter consumption in 2023 than in 2020.

Indonesian insurtech firm Qoala raises $7.5M in Series B+ led by responsAbility

Qoala, an Indonesia-based insurtech company, has completed its Series B+ funding round, raising $7.5 million led by responsAbility Investments AG (responsAbility), a European investment firm.

BNPL schemes grow at a more moderate pace in 2022, says Malaysian Central Bank

Malaysian Central Bank said Wednesday that buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) schemes grew at a more moderate pace in 2022 amid tapering customer demand.

Elon Musk, tech experts call for ‘pause’ on advanced AI systems

The open letter came as tech giants and AI startups are rushing to develop better and more powerful AI systems to rival ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by AI startup OpenAI which has gained popularity almost instantly.

Singapore’s Right-Hand Cybersecurity announces $5M Series A funding

Right-Hand Cybersecurity, a Singapore-based human risk management firm for cybersecurity, has on Tuesday announced its successful $5 million Series A led by former PayPal Executive Jack Selby and his firm AZ-VC, the largest venture capital firm in Arizona.

Singapore’s Igloo extends weather index insurance to coffee farmers in Vietnam

Following the success of the weather index insurance for rice farmers, Singapore-based insurtech Igloo expands its blockchain-based parametric index insurance to coffee farmers.

Apple launches ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ service in US

Apple's launch of BNPL service came at a time when some see the hype around BNPL is fading. During or even before the pandemic, BNPL has seen strong growth in Europe, United States, Australia and Southeast Asia, although it is starting to stir concerns among regulators that it could cause youngsters, who are often seen as financially naive, to overspend and…

Alibaba to host conference call on Thursday to discuss split plans – report

It was reported that Alibaba intends to split its operations into six standalone units, each managed by a different chief executive.

Gobi Partners onboards Care Concierge to the Khazanah-backed Gobi Dana Impak Ventures fund

Gobi Partners, an interconnected Pan-Asian venture capital (VC) firm, has onboarded its first portfolio, Care Concierge under its newly established Gobi Dana Impak Ventures (GDIV) fund.