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
- Terence Lee on ecommerce adding AI into the mix
- China might be getting this right. SEA? Not so easy
- On another note, here’s how startups can sell to their first 10 customers
Hello reader,
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. This applies to the use of AI, where the desire for efficiency can lead to poor results.
I see this all the time in office settings. Careless usage of AI – sometimes driven by overbearing bosses – results in word vomit dressed up as sophistry. You see this in emails, presentations, and even published content.
Companies, too, are releasing a flurry of AI products – some useful, some not.
Image credit: Ulla
OpenAI’s attempt to integrate apps into its products has been a mixed bag. I enjoy Codex’s plugins, but I can’t say the same for ChatGPT’s app integrations, which I rarely use.
But that hasn’t stopped Shopee from recently integrating with ChatGPT, which is part of a broader wave of ecommerce companies attempting to make full use of AI.
In Southeast Asia, reaping the rewards of the tech won’t be easy, as my colleague Elyssa explains.
One reason is the lack of trust in AI. That’s good news for livestreaming hosts who are finding plenty of open wallets in the region.
Maybe the kids who aspire to be content creators when they grow up are onto something.
Terence Lee, editor-in-chief
Editor’s picks
1️⃣ China lets AI do your shopping. SEA ain’t sold
Short cuts
One data story you shouldn’t miss
Weekend deep dive
Lead the Expert Clinics for enterprise AI executives
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
