Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Tech Talk

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.

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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: Shutterstock

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 region

• What businesses must do to build trust-first AI experiences

• Why AgentFlow could evolve the way Southeast Asia shops going forward

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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An awkward clinch on a jumbotron is an odd place for Matt and Rich to start their thoughts, but, in 2025, the world of tech is a strange place to be.

Is this case of inopportune infidelity a teachable moment? Is it an illustration of the pervasive power of surveillance capitalism? The swift justice of netizens? The tone-deaf detachment of tech elites? All or none of the above?

Matt and Rich take their digital paranoia a step further, covering border controls, burner phones and authoritarian apps. And Matt argues that polluted skies are somehow better for us. Or something.

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As Singapore rolls out its National AI Strategy 2.0, the region is signaling a strong focus on AI as part of its economic and digital future. SapiensAI, creator of Agnes—an AI-powered workspace designed to streamline tasks traditionally handled by tools like Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, and Visual Studio. Bruce Yang, Co-Founder of SapiensAI, joins us to discuss what goes into building an AI-native workspace and what the future of AI-assisted work might look like.

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Grok. It’s the best AI out there.* If you want a crash course in what AI should and shouldn’t be, Grok is the model to head for. At least that’s the opinion of resident crackbot…crackpot, Matt Armitage. Matt claims that Elon Musk’s gaffe-prone politically incorrect chatbot may be the most teachable example of the abilities and limitations of AI models. 

*Richard Bradbury would like to make it clear that he in no way echoes Matt’s views on this subject. Because he is a rational and sane human being.

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When it comes to health tech, most of us think gadgets, not gut bacteria. But what if the future of medicine isn’t wearable, it’s microbial?

We dive into the cutting-edge world of the gut microbiome with Professor Francis Chan, gastroenterologist, scientist, and co-founder of GenieBiome. From AI-designed probiotics to region-specific gut databases, discover how our microbes could hold the key to tackling everything from long COVID to colorectal cancer, and why the next health revolution might just be growing inside you.

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We’re no strangers to flights of fantasy here. So, it makes a change to be explaining scams rather than apologizing for them. Or so Matt keeps telling Richard. 

This week we look at the murky innards of a company that was, until recently, one of Silicon Valley’s billion-dollar unicorns. The LCNC (low-code no-code) app developer Builder.ai filed for bankruptcy in June after a turbulent year. 

But this is no ordinary startup flare out.  Amid allegations of fraud and questions over the efficacy of its core AI technologies, a huge question remains: how did Builder.ai persuade companies like Microsoft to invest hundreds of millions of dollars and develop strategic partnerships that would integrate its services with their own?

And we wonder, how commonplace is fraud in the startup arena?

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They promise to check your grammar and boost your productivity, but are your browser extensions a hidden backdoor for data theft? A recent wave of attacks saw even popular, verified extensions on Chrome and Edge compromised, turning trusted tools into surveillance weapons that can monitor your activity and steal your data.

Cybersecurity expert CF Fong, Executive Chairman of LGMS Berhad, joins us to break down this underestimated threat. He explains why we must stop seeing extensions as harmless add-ons and treat them as "full-blown software" that require a "zero trust" approach.

We discuss:

• Why browser extensions should be treated with the same caution as any software.

• The "zero trust" principle: if it's not essential, don't install it.

• Why even small businesses are targets for automated, large-scale cyber attacks.

• Key preventative measures businesses can take beyond just technology.

• How to spot suspicious permission requests before you click "okay."

  For business owners, IT managers, and everyday users, this is an essential guide to understanding and mitigating a commonly overlooked cybersecurity risk.

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Malaysia’s fintech scene is booming on the surface, but underneath, many startups are still stuck at the MVP stage, blocked by legacy systems, fragmented infrastructure, and regulatory red tape. Despite the KL20 vision of becoming the Silicon Valley of Asia, the disconnect between banks and startups remains a serious bottleneck.

We speak with Mike Breen, Chief Commercial Officer at Audax, as he talks to us about how real transformation begins inside the banks themselves. Backed by Standard Chartered, Audax helps turn slow-moving financial institutions into scalable, secure platforms that fintechs can plug into. We explore what it takes to bridge the gap between ambition and infrastructure, and what Malaysia must do to turn a thriving ecosystem into a truly integrated digital economy.

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Malaysia’s fintech scene is booming on the surface, but underneath, many startups are still stuck at the MVP stage, blocked by legacy systems, fragmented infrastructure, and regulatory red tape. Despite the KL20 vision of becoming the Silicon Valley of Asia, the disconnect between banks and startups remains a serious bottleneck.

We speak with Mike Breen, Chief Commercial Officer at Audax, as he talks to us about how real transformation begins inside the banks themselves. Backed by Standard Chartered, Audax helps turn slow-moving financial institutions into scalable, secure platforms that fintechs can plug into. We explore what it takes to bridge the gap between ambition and infrastructure, and what Malaysia must do to turn a thriving ecosystem into a truly integrated digital economy.

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We’re talking about a term that’s been making its way into boardrooms and vendor pitches alike: Agentic AI. It’s being positioned as the next leap forward in how businesses operate – helping teams make faster decisions, improve productivity, and streamline processes across departments, from finance to customer service. But as excitement grows, so does the confusion.

To help us make sense of it all, we’re joined by Yash Thakker, APAC Director of Solutions Consulting at Searce. We’ll explore what Agentic AI actually means, how it’s being used in real-world settings, and what business leaders need to consider before diving in.

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If you are fluent in Windows 95, if you can transfer files to and from a floppy disk, if you can write notes on paper, there may be exciting career opportunities for you in air traffic control.

As the world (aka Matt) gets ready to go on its holidays, our thoughts turn to the remarkably analogue world of the world’s air traffic management systems. Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage marvel at the resilience of antiquated air technology. And wonder if we’re nearing the cliff edge of its obsolescence.

Plus, technology that lets you see through walls with a smartphone, which could upend privacy and society as we know it.

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Environmental, Social, and Governance, or ESG, gets thrown around a lot. But for many businesses, it still feels confusing, costly, and out of reach. But what if ESG wasn’t just about ticking boxes to impress regulators? What if it could actually be a strategic advantage and technology made it practical?

We speak with Benjamin Soh, founder of ESGpedia, a platform born from fintech firm STACS that’s now helping businesses across the region turn ESG data into real action. From fund managers to regulators, they're working to make ESG less about talk, and more about doing.

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As Apple quietly pivots from AI to UI, and a lawsuit from Reddit challenges the do no harm credentials of ethical AI developer Anthropic, Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage are left wondering if words mean anything anymore?

As the machines get more complex, it becomes ever more important to understand that when the tech industry talks about emotional intelligence and understanding, they don’t mean it in a human sense.

And if you can have emotional intelligence in a non-human sense, what on earth is it?

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What does it really take to build cyber resilience in a world where the threats are smarter, faster, and evolving in real time? We speak with Dr Craig Martell, Chief AI Officer at Cohesity about the changing nature of risk, the role AI can play in response and recovery, and why treating data like just another asset might be the most dangerous mindset of all.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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A little over 100 years ago electric vehicles were everywhere. They outsold petrol machines, were faster, cleaner and more reliable. And then, in the space of a few years, they went away generations.

Rich and Matt look at this remarkable rise and fall and ask if the continued rise of the EV in the 21st Century EV is inevitable and unstoppable? Or if it could become a historical footnote? Again.

And how could the ideological battle over the engines in our cars shape the geopolitical and technological innovation centres of the future?

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Microsoft’s Cyber Signals report suggests that the company blocks about 1.6 million bot signup attempts per hour, and has already stopped over $4 billion in fraud in just a span of a year. To fight fire with fire, the company is also rolling out new tools, from digital fingerprinting to typo protection in Microsoft Edge, and plan to evolve their large-scale AI detection systems. But, are these tools adequate enough to protect consumers from AI-assisted scams and overall, what does all this mean for the everyday internet user?

We explore what’s happening behind the scenes, the countermeasures that work, and how consumers can stay one step ahead in this AI era with Adilah Junid, Director of Legal and Government Affairs at Microsoft Malaysia.

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Cool don’t pay the bills. Unless you’re Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage. After slapping themselves on the back for tapping into a Gen X zeitgeist trend – a level of self-satisfaction that only two Gen X males would consider socially acceptable – the pair looks at a recent LinkedIn report that exposes the risks that AI poses to young graduates and the entry level positions they depend on.

What lessons are there for Gen Z in the midlife career meltdowns of the slacker generation? And how do you achieve financial security, wealth accumulation, stability, mobility and health in a world without solid foundations?

And why should anyone take the word of two old geezers who congratulate themselves for successfully scanning a QR code?

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In today’s episode, we explore the evolving role of market research to see what happens when artificial intelligence intersects with human insight. With fast-changing consumer behaviour and an overwhelming flow of data, timely and culturally grounded research has never been more critical for decision-makers. Joining us is See Toh Wai Yu, CEO of Central Force, a Malaysian-based research intelligence firm. We discuss how businesses can avoid the common pitfall of building in isolation, especially startups, and why misreading your market is more than just a data problem.

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We live in a world of digital rent where FOMO about the latest IAP, streaming service or text-to-video generation tool is already creating a constant pressure on incomes. Is Fortnite’s return to the Apple ecosystem a victory for the little guy or a different landlord collecting rent we already pay?

At the same time Netflix bucks trends by charging users and subjecting them to ads. And Google launches a US$250 a month service that could deliver on its financially exorbitant promise.

And where does that leave financially pressured consumers battling a cost of living crisis in the middle of a global trade war. And why does anyone think that Matt and Rich could possibly have those answers?

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Everyone’s talking about AI, but few are talking about how to lead through it. We speak with Joe Atkinson, the newly appointed Global Chief AI Officer at PwC, about what it really takes for businesses to adopt AI responsibly and effectively.

Fresh off PwC’s AI Leadership Conference, Joe shares insights on the ground-level realities companies are facing, from FOMO in the boardroom to the infrastructure and trust gaps that can derail even the most ambitious AI strategies. We also explore PwC’s billion-dollar partnership with Microsoft and OpenAI, the risks of moving too fast, and why the future of work isn’t about replacing people, but empowering them.

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Every generation has its thing. Artisan toast. Screaming for the manager. Existential crises in the organic food aisle. For Gen X it’s simpler. The world is simply a place to skate through and be cool.

Despite this inherent cultural superiority, media reports suggest they’re also the most invisible and the most cursed of modern generations. Rich and Matt, card carrying members of the Gen X Greying Massive, tilt their baseball caps and peer over their indoor sunglasses to weigh the imponderable depth of their suffering, the soul-healing power of sliced bread and throw in some stuff about technology, too.

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Everyone’s racing to adopt AI, but what if your systems can’t keep up?

In this episode of Tech Talk, we speak with Tammy Tan, Country Manager at Red Hat Malaysia, about the infrastructure gap that’s holding many businesses back. They explore why cloud alone isn’t enough, how virtualization and hybrid cloud can help, and what companies need to get right before scaling AI.

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If you’ve ever wanted to create images of your cat in front of the seven wonders of the world, or create sonnets that would make Shakespeare blush, there has never been a better time to be alive. Cheap, accessible AI tools are changing our relationships with information, facts and content generation.

But today we look at a much more basic question. What if this earth shattering technology isn’t earth shattering at all? What if the AI we fear losing our jobs to is all a bit mid?

Today, Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage pose the most explosive question of all and ask: AI, ya basic?

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A Microsoft employee recently tweeted a cheeky dig at Windows, and instead of getting fired, he got attention. Ten years ago, that would’ve been unthinkable. But in today’s tech world, self-deprecating humour, platform agnosticism, and even public criticism are no longer career-ending moves. They’re part of the culture.

In this episode of Tech Talk, Rich Bradbury speaks with Matt Armitage from Kulturpop about what this moment reveals about Microsoft’s evolution, and what it says about Big Tech more broadly. Have we moved past the age of tech evangelism? Are meme-literate CEOs and collaborative platforms the new normal? And how are companies navigating the thin line between transparency and chaos?

This is a conversation about brand reinvention, employee voice, and why the ability to laugh, even at yourself, might just be Big Tech’s new superpower.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Could AI be the bottleneck that leads to the end of humanity? With more than 8 billion of us on the planet, even the world’s greatest doomsayers, Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage have their doubts. If it loses interest before it finishes a book report, how is AI going to hunt us all down and murder us?

However, along the way they discover that 6.66 is the multiplier of the beast, at least when it comes to AI. And they try to solve an age old pickle: how many Bransons are there in a Grok?

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Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage are shooting off to the stars to meet their new friend Mackenzie, aka exoplanet K2-18b. Does alien life exist somewhere within Mackenzie’s deep dark eyes – erm - oceans? Or is it hopeful hyperbole in an increasingly hopeless world?

They also take a tour of Revivification, a musical exhibition that blurs the lines between automation and creativity, which uses laboratory grown stem cells of deceased composer Alvin Lucier to create an ever-morphing soundtrack. And they round it off with a tirade from Richard concerning the ills and evils of the young.

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AI is changing how ads are planned, targeted, and measured — far beyond just creating content or automating tasks. In this episode, we explore how AI is helping brands connect with people in smarter, more privacy-conscious ways, especially as the industry moves away from third-party cookies. From contextual advertising to campaign optimisation, we cover what’s working, what’s often overlooked, and where AI is taking the industry next with insights from Niall Hogan, General Manager for Asia Pacific at GumGum.

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It’s a smorgasbord of sorcery in the latest Weird Science. Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage strain to hear the sound of ultrasonic waves making private communications possible in public places.

Matt celebrates Tokyo’s attempts to make shared spaces less social. Or something. While Richard is trapped in a potentially demonic ASMR playlist, as Matt warps time with a treadmill.

This ball of confusion starts to make more sense once they get onto the subject of DNA to wonder if our source code is up for grabs to the highest bidder.

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In this episode of Tech Talk, Josh Gier, Chief Marketing Officer of Coliseum, a Kraken-backed competitive gaming platform, join us to explore the economic impact of grassroots gaming in Malaysia, the country's growing role as a high-growth esports hub, and how the RM20 million government investment is shaping the future of competitive gaming. We also discuss how the grassroots-to-pro pipeline is developing local talent as well as creating new job and business opportunities across the region.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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In an always-on world, taking a break from technology is no longer a luxury—it’s becoming a necessity. From burnout to digital fatigue and revenge bedtime procrastination, our hyper-connected lives are taking a toll on our mental well-being.

We speak with John Pinto, licensed counsellor and Head of Counselling at digital mental health platform ThoughtFull. We explore what a digital detox really means in 2025, why even well-intentioned “focus modes” might not be enough, and how individuals and workplaces alike can set healthier boundaries with technology.

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How secure are your messaging apps? Before the scandal dubbed Signal-gate in the US, relatively few people had tried the security-focused messaging app let alone used it regularly.

Are commercial messaging apps secure enough to handle sensitive communications for your family, friends or business? Richard Bradbury and Matt Armitage try to untangle the knot of modern apps and the legacy media they’re built on to sort the leaky vessels from the tight ships. And sink a couple of conspiracies in the process.

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From powering smart farms to automating construction sites and enabling AI-driven aerial surveillance, industrial automation is no longer the future. It’s happening now, and it’s changing the way businesses operate.

One company leading this charge is Aonic, a Malaysian-born drone and automation firm that’s rapidly growing its footprint across Southeast Asia. At Aonic Day 2025, the company rolled out a suite of next-gen solutions, from CHCNAV’s precision machine control systems to DJI’s latest enterprise drones — all designed to make automation smarter, faster, and more accessible.

Joining us today is Cheong Jin Xi, Founder and CEO of Aonic, to share what these innovations mean, why accessibility matters, and how automation is redefining industries from the ground up.

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Rich Bradbury and Matt Armitage explore the complicated relationship between the technologies of tomorrow and the legacy systems that play an outsize role in maintaining the world of today.

Following an ‘app for that’ side quest, they take a quick look at COBOL, the 60-year-old programming language that underpins global trade and explore the surprising volume of legacy code, systems and technologies that keep our high-tech world moving. From Python to energy grids to industrial control systems, ageing systems are reliably and efficiently resisting calls for their replacement.

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