Enterprise Explores

Your posts, comments, and even memes could be training the next generation of AI,and often without your knowledge or consent.Now, a lawsuit between Reddit and AI company Anthropic has sparked global debate: who really owns the content we put online, and what rights do users have when platforms and AI developers use it?While the case is playing out in the US, it raises important questions for Malaysians too, especially as our data laws, like the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), don’t yet cover publicly available content or AI training use.Joining us is Dr Lau Cher Han, CEO of LEAD and member of Konsortium AI Negara (Malaysia Artificial Intelligence Consortium), to help us break down the legal, ethical, and policy tensions shaping the future of online data and AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As US-China trade tensions reshape global supply chains, a quiet boom is happening in Malaysia’s industrial real estate market. Multinationals are increasingly looking beyond traditional hubs, seeking resilient, cost-efficient, and high-tech operational bases that are fit for the future. So, is this momentum sustainable or just temporary hype?Keith Ooi, Group Managing Director of Knight Frank Malaysia, joins us to break down the forces driving this shift. He explains why Malaysia is emerging as a key beneficiary of the "China+N" strategy and details the growing demand for purpose-built industrial spaces that are ESG-compliant and automation-ready.We discuss:How US-China decoupling is driving foreign direct investment (FDI) into Malaysia.The demand for "purpose-built" spaces with ESG and automation features.Why the current market is demand-driven, not speculative, mitigating oversupply risks.How policies like the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 are key catalysts.The spillover opportunities for local SMEs and the wider ecosystem.For business leaders, investors, and developers looking to understand the forces reshaping Southeast Asia's industrial landscape, this interview provides a crucial deep-dive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From evolving stamp duty rules to revised timelines for e-Invoicing and a major expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST), Malaysian businesses are navigating a flood of critical compliance updates.To cut through the complexity and potential confusion, Thenesh Kannaa, Executive Director at Tratax, discusses:Stamp duty enforcement changes and what it means for businessesThe revised timeline and practical implications of e-Invoicing.New restrictions on consolidated e-invoicing and how to prepare.The expanded scope of the Sales and Service Tax (SST).For business owners, C-suite leaders, and finance teams, this conversation offers some clarity needed to navigate Malaysia's evolving tax landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With World Food Safety Day showing how important it is to apply science and prevention to protect consumers, the question is — how safe is our food before it hits the shelves? Suzanne Mooney, Founder of The Lost Food Project joins us to explore what food safety looks like in practice, the current gaps in the F&B industry and the risks that follow if we just treat food safety as a checkbox, rather than an imperative business culture.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many gig workers want to grow, but without a boss, training, or a clear path, building a career can feel out of reach. So, how do you take charge on your own?These days, more people are turning to gig work, whether it’s freelancing, ride-hailing, food delivery, or tutoring, to earn a living or enjoy more freedom than a regular 9-to-5. But while the flexibility is appealing, many find themselves stuck doing the same kinds of jobs, unsure how to move forward.Eklavya Bhave, Head of Asia Pacific at Coursera, shares how gig workers can take control of their own development using microcredentials, online learning, and simple strategies to open doors to bigger opportunities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The OECD recently urged Malaysia to boost competitiveness, while neighbours race ahead with bold reforms and investor wins. So what’s holding us back and what needs to change?Dr Carmelo Ferlito, CEO of the Center for Market Education, takes a hard look at Malaysia’s economic fundamentals, the limits of SME-driven growth, and what it will take to remain regionally relevant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IATA's latest financial outlook suggests an improved profitability for the airline industry over 2024 and resilience in the face of global economic and political shifts. But what does this mean for Malaysians who are travelling abroad or for travelers entering the country? We explore that and dive deeper into the state of the travel industry amidst these industry shifts with Nigel Wong, President, The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA).Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Too many businesses still treat accessibility as a checkbox. But they may be overlooking a growing market and a chance to build smarter solutions for everyone.On the first-ever World Day for Assistive Technology, we explore how inclusive design can move from the margins to the mainstream, shaping better tech, products, and services for all.Joining us is Stevens Chan, Founder and CEO of Dialogue Includes All, a social enterprise shaped by his own experience of losing his sight. Today, he’s a steadfast advocate for accessibility, not as charity, but as a right and a business advantage. We discuss what assistive tech really means, why inclusive design still struggles to take root in Malaysia, and how businesses can move from designing for people with disabilities to designing with them at the table.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re exploring the decline in consumer confidence and global reputation of the United States. This is based on Ipsos’s Consumer Confidence and Impact on U.S. Reputation survey that highlights for the first time, more people are claiming China to have more of a positive influence than the United States at this current point. With that in mind, there's still an optimistic feeling among Malaysians about the state of the economy but what’s driving this optimism amidst this geopolitical uncertainty and how will it impact Malaysia in the long run? We’ll explore that and break down the factors affecting consumer confidence with Ganesan Periakarruppan, Principal at Ipsos Strategy3 Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia now tops Southeast Asia for grocery spending — even ahead of Singapore. In 2023, Malaysians shelled out nearly USD 2,000 (over RM8,000) per person on food, according to the USDA. The numbers may not be inflation-adjusted, but the pain at the checkout counter is very real.We speak with economist and policy analyst Professor Geoffrey Williams to break down why food is becoming so expensive in a country famous for its affordable, diverse cuisine.We dig into the structural inefficiencies driving up prices — from currency depreciation and overreliance on imports to outdated policies and underdeveloped local production.Is this just the new normal? Or are there levers we can pull to bring costs down? It’s a hard look at Malaysia’s food economy and what’s at stake if we continue on this path.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.