Welcome to Tech in Asia’s Sunday newsletter, your weekend brief on the biggest moves in Asia’s tech and startup world. Not on the mailing list? Register here. Got a story tip? Send it to editors@techinasia.com.
In focus
- Thu Huong Le on why human-written journalism like this still matters in an AI-first world
- A quick fireside chat with Arnold Sebastian Egg, founder and CEO of Toco, the central figure in our top editor’s pick this week
- A data story on the under-the-radar Chinese founders quietly shaping Southeast Asia
Hello reader,
June 21 was the 100th anniversary of national press day in Vietnam. But marking it this year hits different as our profession is at its most pivotal juncture in decades. The fear of being replaced by technology and shifting business models is no longer an abstract worry. It’s now the reality playing out in newsrooms everywhere, every day.
Like many others, I got into journalism because it felt exciting to meet new people, chase stories, and build narratives. And like a lot of journalists, I thrive under the constant sense of suspense that comes with the job. Most of my training happened in the US, shaped by the rituals and rhythms of a traditional newsroom: paper-strewn tables, the buzz of the metro desk, the discipline of working a beat.
Back in my home country and across much of Asia, journalism demands different skills and broader instincts. But some things remain the same, like getting a high from pursuing stories and that love-hate relationship with looming deadlines.
Image credit: Timmy Loen
These days, most believe that AI can replace much of what human journalists do. While there’s some truth to that, I’m not entirely convinced. AI can’t talk to our sources. AI can’t be on the ground and have firsthand experiences. AI can’t tell whether someone was misquoted.
AI can certainly help us be better at all of those tasks, but how we make use of this tool is up to us. At Tech in Asia, our reporters still byline the most important stories you see – stories with character and depth. Meanwhile, AI supports other aspects of our newsroom operations.
Read on for my editor’s pick this week. For more stories written by our team, click here, and consider subscribing if you haven’t yet.
Thanks for reading and staying curious.
Thu Huong Le, managing editor
Editor’s picks
1️⃣ Toco was a ghost town. Then Tokopedia’s sellers showed up
Short cuts
Quickfire Q&A
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