Welcome to The Prompt, your Monday dive into the world of AI that puts Asia front and center. From Big Tech’s power players to the region’s scrappy disruptors, we cover it all. Want full access to all our AI reporting? Subscribe to us here.
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Imagine a world where lie detectors are easy to use and don’t require the subject to be physically present. That might help prevent another eFishery fiasco or keep founders from faking their degrees.
Such devices might seem more suited to sci-fi movies, but a Singaporean startup is on its way to making that a reality – more on this later from my colleague Melissa.
Speaking of truth and deception, the AI industry could use one of those lie detectors right now. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently called out Anthropic for being “dishonest” in its Super Bowl ad skits that mock ChatGPT for introducing ads. Altman went so far as to call it “on brand” for Anthropic to be deceptive.
That’s a bold accusation, especially coming from someone whose own candor has been publicly questioned. It left me wondering: Which AI providers can we actually trust?
Made by Miguel Cordon/Tech in Asia with the help of AI
Meanwhile, Elon Musk announced that xAI is merging with SpaceX. While he framed it as a move to create a “vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) Earth,” industry analysts see it as a convenient way to prop up cash-burning, so heavily indebted xAI could lean on SpaceX’s healthy business.
But as outlandish as Musk’s vision of space-based data centers sounds, he makes one valid point: “Global electricity demand for AI simply cannot be met with terrestrial solutions, even in the near term, without imposing hardship on communities and the environment.”
Our first top story today proves exactly that. Southeast Asia’s data center boom is straining local water supplies, with some facilities consuming up to 50 million liters daily. It forces regulators to choose between foreign investment and ensuring residents have enough water at home.
We’re also introducing something new this week: a spot for some weird AI developments that cross our desks. To kick things off, we’re starting with having AI agents as teammates. But before you panic about machines taking our jobs, consider this: AI agents are also now hiring human workers.
Talk about a full circle. I’d make a joke about this, but I’m worried an AI agent is already drafting a better one for my replacement.
Glenn Kaonang, journalist
TOP AI READS FROM OUR DESK
1️⃣ Southeast Asia’s data center boom has a water problem
WHAT WE THINK
A NEW AI STARTUP WORTH WATCHING
TL;DL
WHEN AI GETS WEIRD
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