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An auto repair shop owner in Indonesia once told me that in order to succeed, a good boss must understand all the technical aspects of the business.The shop’s mechanics could underperform simply because the boss cannot assess if the work is being done properly.
Management is just a small part of the job, he argued, and it’s better to have adequate experience as a field mechanic instead. To prove his point, he told his son that he can only inherit the business after working as a junior mechanic for at least 10 years.
This particular memory came to mind as I was reading today’s featured piece by my colleague Putra, which spotlights an AI researcher-turned-entrepreneur who hopes for more doers and fewer talkers in Singapore’s AI scene.
It parallels the need for people who have direct experience in the field rather than those who simply manage from afar.
Today we look at:
- What Singapore’s AI scene needs to thrive
- Project Strawberry, OpenAI’s new secret project
- Other newsy highlights such as the end of quick commerce service Tokopedia Now and Stripe’s valuation jump
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Walk the walk
Image credit: Timmy Loen
Reka, a startup founded by ex-Google Brain and DeepMind staffers, is making waves in the AI industry despite its newcomer status. The company’s chief scientist, Yi Tay, recently sat down with Tech in Asia to discuss how AI can flourish in Singapore.
- Ground force: To become a global AI hub, a “paradigm shift” in the city-state’s approach is key. He also emphasized how more hands-on contributors and fewer “management-style people” are necessary for AI to have a meaningful impact. In this space, “nobody should not write code,” Tay said.
- Less is more: With just 22 employees and US$60 million in funding, Reka’s small size has been a competitive advantage. The company focuses on building strong relationships with clients and maintaining a team-oriented approach to AI research and product development.
- Abstract future: While Tay views artificial general intelligence (AGI) as a technical breakthrough that could lead to significant job displacement, he noted that progress in these areas remains difficult to measure or predict.
Read more: Singapore’s AI scene needs more doers and less talkers, says Reka founder
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