Deep Dive

An AI model developed by a little-known Chinese hedge fund that reportedly rivals OpenAI's ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost has triggered a deep “freak out” among the global tech industry. Why was there a big reaction to DeepSeek and what are the implications for Singapore? Dr Leslie Teo, senior director of AI products at AI Singapore and Jianggan Li, founder and CEO of venture outfit Momentum Works break it down for Steven Chia and Crispina Robert.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest SPCA data, the number of confirmed animal cruelty and welfare cases in Singapore reached its highest point in 2024. What’s driving these numbers? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert find out from Samantha Chia, owner of ChubbyBuddy Cats and Sabrina Ng, communications and advocacy manager at SPCA Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will sit on an area four times the size of Singapore, with nine zones covering everything from manufacturing to financial services. What are the opportunities and challenges of this ambitious agreement? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Thilan Wickramasinghe, head of research in Singapore and regional head of financials at Maybank Investment Banking Group and Serina Rahman, lecturer at the department of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nikki Yeo, a savvy Gen Z journalist from CNA TODAY, and Alvin Seng, an addictions counsellor from We Care, delve into the complexities of social media's impact on today's youth. They debate the challenges of implementing social media bans for teens, exploring the fine line between parental control and open communication. The duo discusses alarming trends of screen addiction, emotional struggles like FOMO, and the significant effects on adolescent self-image. They emphasize the need for media literacy and collaborative efforts to ensure a healthier digital environment for kids.

In this insightful discussion, Mak Yuen Teen, a professor of accounting specializing in corporate governance at NUS, and Celeste Ang, a principal in dispute resolution at Baker & McKenzie Wong & Leow, tackle the pressing issue of whistleblower protections in Singapore. They scrutinize the implications of recent executive dismissals at SingPost linked to a whistleblower report, exposing gaps in legal protections. The conversation also explores the importance of anonymity, good faith reporting, and the need for clear policies to foster a safe environment for whistleblowers.

Sean Ng, a MOE Master School Counselor, sheds light on the alarming issue of bullying in schools. He discusses the role of teacher behavior in perpetuating bullying and the emotional toll it takes on victims. The conversation also delves into the impact of viral videos showcasing bullying incidents, exploring why aggressors film their actions. Ng highlights the importance of empowering bystanders to intervene and the need for comprehensive strategies to tackle both traditional and cyberbullying effectively.

A global cybersecurity breach involving the Mobile Guardian app affected about 13,000 students from 26 secondary schools in Singapore in August, with devices being wiped remotely by the hacker. How are IT vendors assessed and who is responsible for ensuring backups are done? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with May Chng, chief operating officer and co-founder of Flexxon, and Ken Soh, chair of SGTech Cyber Security Chapter and CEO of Athena Dynamics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent accident in Tampines which killed two people has raised questions about Singapore's driving culture. Speeding, beating red lights and drink driving are still stubborn issues. Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council and Julian Kho, general manager at Sgcarmart tell Steven Chia and Crispina Robert what needs to change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After privacy concerns were raised over ACRA's new Bizfile portal showing full NRIC numbers in search results, the Singapore government announced it intends to stop masking the numbers. How will this change the way such information is used and how can people and organisations continue to protect themselves from cybersecurity attacks? Crispina Robert speaks to Steve Tan, deputy head of technology, media and telecommunications from Rajah & Tann Singapore and Aaron Ang, chief information security officer at Singapore-based IT services company Wissen International.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Health is looking to curb the "excessive issuance" of medical certificates (MCs), especially by telemedicine doctors, following feedback from employers and government agencies. But is there a deeper issue with an outdated system of needing proof of illness? Would a system of trust work better? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with Dr Shravan Verma, co-founder & CEO of Speedoc and Christine Chan, Senior Professional at Institute for Human Resource Professionals and Chief Human Resource Officer of Nudgyt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.