Latest news with #digitalera
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Anwar urges pondok teachers to embrace AI, digital skills to meet new era's challenges
MACHANG, Aug 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged pondok school teachers in the country to master information technology and AI to meet the challenges of the digital era. He said failure to grasp the latest technologies could cause the traditional religious institution to be overwhelmed by 'a new wave of attacks' of the mind that have replaced past forms of colonisation. 'If we do not master it, others will, and our children will adopt AI based on the frameworks of the United States or France. So, how do we change the approach to this AI framework? It is by ensuring our children have resilience, an understanding of Islam, intelligence and wisdom in knowing what they want to achieve,' he said. He made this statement while delivering a speech at the opening of the Madani Ijtimak (Assembly) of Kelantan Islamic Scholars and Pondok Teachers 2025 at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Machang campus, here today. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud. Anwar also said it was time to rebuild the pondok institution as a stronghold of Islamic history to counter secular influences. 'Last month, I called in officials from the Finance Ministry to find a way to rebuild pondok (schools) as strongholds. Only then will Madani be realised in its true sense,' he added. Earlier, Anwar presented a contribution totalling RM1.03 million to representatives of pondok schools attending the National Umara'-Ulama Pondok Dialogue (UMRAN) 2025. Previously, Anwar was quoted as saying that the government would restore and elevate the country's pondok institution so that it can remain a bulwark for safeguarding the faith, morals, and character of the Muslim ummah in line with current needs. He stated that this initiative involves collaboration between the Finance Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to ensure that religious and pondok schools can be upgraded with new facilities and technology. — Bernama
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Generations argue over who has endured the most tech changes, from flip phones to AI: ‘No wonder Baby Boomers get so cranky'
It's the ultimate digital bragging rights battle — which generation witnessed the most tech changes in their lifetime? A viral Threads post from @iblamekaixin lit the fuse on July 31, racking up over 353,000 views and nearly 30,000 likes: 'THERE'S A GENERATION THAT WITNESSED THE WORLD GO FROM NO INTERNET, TO BUYING THEIR FIRST COMPUTERS, TO USING FLIP PHONES, TO ADOPTING THE IPHONE, AND NOW, EXPERIENCING THE RISE OF AI. THAT'S CRAZY.' Cue the generational cage match. 'It's called GenX,' snarked one user. But Gen Z wasn't letting that slide. '…it's Gen Z. majority of Gen Z too. gen z wasn't born yesterday like older people think,' fired back another. Boomers had their receipts — and their reasons to be cranky. 'And we have had to reassemble our music collections half a dozen times. No wonder us Baby Boomers get so cranky these days,' an older person fired back. Others turned nostalgic. 'We watched the world go from analog to digital in real-time,' an additional commenter wrote. 'From burning CDs to streaming everything on demand. From landlines to smartphones that replaced 10 different devices.' Some are even rewinding. 'And I am now reversing it all. Going back to flip phone, CDs in the car, getting rid of social media and entertainment apps, and regulating my nervous system,' declared someone else. Experts say millennials might have the strongest case for the crown. 'What's unique about this generation's relationship with technology is that they didn't grow up with the expectation that every interaction would be mediated by a screen—and yet they have become deeply fluent in it. That fluency is both a bridge and a burden,' Elika Dadsetan, executive director of VISIONS, Inc., told Newsweek in a recent interview. Christina Muller, an elder millennial and licensed workplace mental health strategist, agreed, telling the outlet, 'We're the only generation to have straddled both an analogue and advanced technology world.' Unlike Gen Z, she said, there was no digital map — only constant pivoting. Millennials, Muller noted, 'know the thrill of laughing with friends more often than typing 'haha' on our devices.' And as one commenter reminded everyone: 'The peak irony is that it's the same generation that grew up with all apocalyptic sci-fi movies where humanity gets controlled by artificial intelligence and robot.' From cassette tapes to ChatGPT, the generational scoreboard may never be settled — but at least everyone can agree on one thing: nobody misses the sound of dial-up. And speaking of things that make older generations clutch their pearls, Gen Z's latest workplace stunt has the internet in a full-blown comment war. As previously reported by The Post, Gen Z has already built a rap sheet of office crimes — mumbling into phone calls, showing up dressed for laundry day — but one intern just raised the bar. A young hire at an AI startup told their boss they were taking a vacation because their 'energy felt off,' according to a viral Reddit post from the stunned supervisor, who even shared the last-minute email for proof. Supporters hailed the blunt message as peak Gen Z confidence and a step toward healthier work-life boundaries, while critics slammed it as unprofessional and entitled, warning such moves could sink future job prospects. The dustup reflects a broader generational clash over workplace norms, with Zoomers unapologetically prioritizing well-being — even if it ruffles corporate feathers. whether you're Team Flip Phone or Team AI, one thing's clear — the tech wars aren't over, and neither is the battle for office etiquette. Solve the daily Crossword
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Retailers should embrace the rise of digital payment methods
While payments may not literally make the world go round, the world certainly functions through the transfer of value for goods and services. As we all know, the world is on a one-way express train into a fully digital era. What was once a straightforward process — cash or card — has evolved into a complex, dynamic ecosystem with evolving technology, shifting consumer expectations, and global economic forces. This evolution isn't happening for its own sake; it is driven by a simple truth: consumers want (more) choice, and merchants who fail to provide that choice risk being left behind. Anyone who is involved in the payments space, in any capacity, be that a retailer or a software partner, understands that today's payments environment is no longer defined by a handful of options. Many of today's consumers are digital natives, while a good portion have adopted a digital way of life, relegating their analogue histories to memory. A digital consumer is accustomed to seamless, instant transactions in every aspect of their lives that require payment. This has seen the rise of alternative payment methods, such as digital wallets, QR code payments and, increasingly, cryptocurrency. Until recently, and possibly still prevalent in some circles, a mere mention of the word cryptocurrency invoked images of an investment bubble – think about the hype surrounding Bitcoin over the past few years. Photo by Leeloo The First via However, more and more people have shifted their mindsets. They no longer see crypto as a savings or alternative investment, but as a better type of money. Yes, there are hardcore advocates who would like to shun all of fiat currency – that is, the money we all use all the time. However, there are also those who keep cryptocurrency in various wallets and platforms, in addition to their rands and cents, and are actively seeking ways to spend this money. How big is the trend? Statista estimates that, in 2025, more than 10% of South Africans own cryptocurrency. It anticipates that there will be more than seven million local crypto users by 2026, most of them millennials. Many of these young, tech-savvy people are already using crypto to make purchases, in line with a global shift towards crypto becoming a mainstream payment method. South Africa is not an island. This rapid uptake of crypto reflects a broader shift toward democratisation and inclusion in financial services. This is not just about convenience; it's about access, empowerment, and the ability to participate in a global digital economy. Put simply, cryptocurrency, once the domain of early adopters and technophiles, is rapidly becoming mainstream. Across Africa and the rest of the world, stablecoins and other digital assets are being used for cross-border payments, remittances and everyday purchases. The reasons for this rapid upsurge in popularity are clear: lower fees, faster settlement, and the ability to bypass traditional banking barriers. For millions, crypto is not just an investment — it's a practical tool for managing and spending money. Merchants need to be ready. Consumers in the driving seat Consumers are driving this change. We have known for a long time that consumers want to pay how, when, and where they choose. This has seen the proliferation of different payment methods. However, in our extensive engagements with retailers, it has become abundantly clear that, for some, it goes further. Beyond just using crypto to send money to family members in another country quickly and affordably, they want to spend their digital assets directly at the point of sale, without the friction of conversion or the risk of card fraud. We are no longer in the age of 'talking about future trends'. This demand is not theoretical. In markets where merchants have enabled alternative payments, adoption has been swift and significant. The data shows that when given an option, consumers will use new payment methods — especially when those methods offer tangible benefits such as lower costs, greater security, and more control. The opportunities for merchants Expanding payment options is no longer a nice-to-have; it's a strategic imperative. By enabling alternative payments, merchants tap into new customer segments, increase basket size and reduce transaction costs. There's also an opportunity for them to future-proof their businesses against the next wave of innovation, whether that's in digital assets, loyalty programmes, or embedded finance. The benefits go beyond the bottom line. By embracing new payment paradigms, merchants become part of a broader movement toward financial inclusion and empowerment. The talk about Finance 3.0 is gaining momentum. There is a big drive, globally, towards decentralisation. It's in this context that a merchant can become an attractive option for consumers, as they become part of the ecosystem supporting the growth of local and global digital economies. They can position themselves as leaders in a shifting landscape. MoneyBadger, by way of example, is already deployed across Pick n Pay stores, enabling the chain to accept Bitcoin payments without any burden of needing to manage complex conversions. The consumer pays with crypto using a QR code, and the retailer is paid in rands. The volume of transactions and sustained growth prove that we are in the midst of another paradigm shift. Regulations and technology None of this would be possible without the parallel evolution of regulation and technology. In recent years, the regulatory environment for digital assets has matured significantly, providing greater clarity and security for both consumers and businesses. At the same time, advances in payment infrastructure — such as QR code-based systems and unified reporting platforms — have made it easier than ever for merchants to integrate new payment methods with minimal disruption. These developments are levelling the playing field, allowing retailers of all sizes to compete with corporates to offer the same cutting-edge payment solutions. It's precisely this demand that has driven our own partnership with MoneyBadger, because we understand that the outcome is a more open, competitive, and innovative payments ecosystem — one that benefits everyone. Back to the future We often read about 'the future of payments'. The future is not about any one technology or trend. It's about meeting consumers where they are, anticipating their needs, and providing the flexibility and choice they demand. For merchants, this means embracing change, investing in new capabilities, and viewing the ability to offer diverse payment options as a competitive advantage. The time to accept cryptocurrency payments and have them converted into rands instantly has well and truly arrived. If a customer has some crypto available and can spend it in your store, or even buy more at your store by using it, then the time has arrived to make that capability available. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Japan Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
The AI arms race with China demands scale. The West must think bigger.
Size matters. Economists have long known that; economies of scale are among the building blocks of their science. In the digital era, it quickly became apparent that value was directly proportional to the size of the network (the number of users linked by a particular technology or system). The race to create scale is critical amid the sizzling geopolitical competition over leadership in new technologies. It has assumed even greater urgency in Western capitals in the wake of China's success in that race. They've had to reconceptualize scale to overcome the advantages China has a result of the size of its economy and its population. It's a work in progress and the results are mixed, at best. For those who've forgotten their introductory economics, economies of scale are cost advantages created by expanding operations. As companies build more products, they become more efficient, reducing cost per unit. This allows them to produce even more of that product, reinforcing their competitive advantage and keep the virtuous circle turning. Importantly, size is not the same as scale. Size helps achieve scale, but scale requires efficiencies. Scale is size made meaningful. Some 40 years ago, another economist concluded that the (financial) value or influence of a network — communication devices that could talk to each other — was proportional to the square number of connected users of the system. It's a positive feedback loop: the more users there are, the merrier, and the more money comes in, since consumers pay more for more connections. The two phenomena — economies of scale and network effects — are often confused, but there is a fundamental difference between them: economies of scale are a function of production, while network effects reflect demand. The demand for scale has become an imperative in the age of artificial intelligence. Working AI demands massive amounts of compute — millions of servers running algorithms nonstop to process data — and McKinsey, a global management consulting firm, estimates that it will cost $6.7 trillion worldwide to meet that demand by 2030. Bigger isn't better: it's required, not only to produce good outcomes but to pay for them. Small companies are inherently disadvantaged in this competition since they don't have the deep pockets. The competition to develop that capacity is often likened to an arms race. Spending mirrors that dynamic, as do the consequences of coming up short. (The shock of the DeepSeek AI breakthrough was triggered as much by its cost — a fraction of what the principal AI companies were spending — as its computing success.) Pick your perspective. In the U.S.-China race, the World Economic Forum estimates that the U.S. is winning as a result of $300 billion in AI infrastructure spending in 2024, six times Chinese investment. As a result, the U.S. has 10 times as many data centers as does China and spends nearly four times more on AI servers. In the U.S.-Europe competition, the WEF reckons Europe in 2023 invested $1.7 billion in GenAI, a tiny fraction of the $23 billion spent in the U.S. The EU developed a plan to support development of the European cloud infrastructure and ponied up €1.2 billion. Hold the applause: Amazon Web Services invests more than $30 billion annually. And Japan? Stanford research put its private sector AI investment in 2024 at just under $1 billion, trailing not only the main players but regional countries such as Israel, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. The race for scale matters. Big companies have more to invest in the R&D that keeps them at the frontiers of the tech competition. The McKinsey Global Institute found that large European firms with more than $1 billion in revenue collectively invest $400 billion a year less than their U.S. counterparts and spend only half as much on R&D. As a result, they grow one-third the speed and generate 4 percentage points lower returns on capital. It should come as no surprise that in one list of 10 critical technologies of the future, Europe leads in just two. MGI estimated that €500 billion to €1 trillion of value added could be at stake annually by 2030. That aligns with the thinking of Microsoft President Brad Smith, who warned that 'AI and cloud data centers represent the next stage of industrialization.' Mary Meeker, one of the first analysts of the digital era, and her colleagues explained that the world's biggest tech companies are spending heavily on AI, 'not just to gather data, but to learn from it, reason with it and monetize it in real time. It's still about data, but now the advantage goes to those who can train on it fastest, personalize it deepest and deploy it widest.' But remember that scale is about making innovation effective. Lab rats aren't enough; their work must be deployed and integrated into the wider economy. Here, China's industrial model matters. Pushan Dutt, professor of economics at INSEAD, the preeminent European business school, explained that 'China's AI ecosystem — marked by a lower cost structure and the availability of open-weight models — lowers barriers and enables rapid scaling and diffusion across consumer and industrial sectors.' China's pragmatic approach — one that focuses on application — facilitates the spread of technology. Its AI policies prioritize solving problems from manufacturing to services. The success of that policy is evident from its domination of new technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels. The explosive growth of China's manufacturing generally is another reflection of its scale. It has a 32% share of global manufacturing, more than five times its share at the turn of the century. In five years, the United Nations estimates that China's share will be four times that of the U.S. — 40% vs. 11%. Sure, there are complaints about overcapacity and China exporting its inefficiencies, but that is just another expression of scale. This poses singular geopolitical challenges. Rush Doshi, a China hand who served in the Biden White House, studied the global U.S. role since World War II and warns that 'China represents the first competitor with true size and scale advantages against the United States.' Writing in Foreign Affairs, Doshi and Kurt Campbell, one of the original Democratic Party Indo-Pacific strategists, promote 'allied scale' as an alternative grand strategy for the U.S. Their logic is simple: 'Strategic advantage will once again accrue to those who can operate at scale. China possesses scale and the United States does not — at least not by itself.' Working with allies and partners, the U.S. can outpace China. Collectively, the U.S. and its allies have approximately three times China's nominal gross domestic product, twice China's purchasing power adjusted for GDP and more than twice China's defense spending. They would have 1.5 to 2 times China's share of manufacturing and would dominate in patents and top-cited publications. And while China currently is the number one trading partner to as many as 140 countries, a collective of the U.S. and its allies would supplant Beijing in those rankings, with the exception of North Korea. Scale is a bipartisan solution. Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Republican National Security Council staffer, is on board. She writes that 'without allied assistance, the United States cannot adequately surveil and protect its networks or physical infrastructure, orchestrate an elective economic penalties campaign, project power across the vast Pacific Ocean, launch high-intensity combat operations, resupply its forces or produce necessary munitions.' For some of us, this logic is obvious and unassailable. Making it work, however, requires a new approach to partnership and cooperation. At this moment, it's hard to see a recognition of the need for scale driving decision-making in the West. Barriers to cooperation are proliferating, not decreasing. During the Cold War, the West didn't scale. It didn't need to. The U.S. had allies and partners, but America did the heavy lifting on security — the new reality is reflected in today's demand for bigger contributions — and for much of that time the United States was the unquestioned economic power. Allies and partners contributed manpower, territory (for forward bases) and legitimized U.S. leadership. That wasn't scale as we think about it now. This new world demands a new perspective. Scale is an essential element of that framework: We ignore it at our peril. Brad Glosserman is a senior adviser at Pacific Forum and the author of "Peak Japan." His upcoming book on the geopolitics of high-tech is expected to be released by Hurst Publishers this fall.
Entrepreneur
09-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Can't Get an Email Back? These 7 Tips Will Make Sure You Get a Response Every Time
Whether you're trying to get someone to email you back, slide out of the DM void or simply have a real human moment amid all the noise, these tips will get people to actually respond. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Hey there! Let's be honest. We're living in a world where emojis are replacing handshakes, "likes" are the new nods of approval and emails or DMs feel like shouting into the abyss (and hoping someone hears you). Sound familiar? Trust me, you're not alone — but the good news is, you can stand out. Today, I'm going to coach you through seven practical and fun ways to build genuine connections in a digital era. Whether you're trying to get someone to email you back, slide out of the DM void or simply have a real human moment amid all the noise, these tips will get people to actually respond. My Instagram DMs get filled up with so much spam that sometimes it's hard to detect the good from the bad. Learning how to forge trust and connect digitally isn't rocket science, but it does take a pinch of strategy and a splash of effort! 1. Make your messages pop with personalization Here's the deal. If you're still opening your emails or DMs with, "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To whom it may concern," STOP. RIGHT. NOW. People can sniff out a generic message from a mile away, and nobody wants to feel like just another box on your to-do list. Instead, personalize it. Use their name (it's much better). Reference something specific about them, like a recent project, a shared interest or even their stunning Instagram feed. For example, instead of "Hi [Name]," try "Hey Tonia, I saw your recent article about saving money on travel for business, and it really clicked with me!" See how personal that feels? When we show we've taken the time to truly "see" people, they're much more likely to engage. Related: 9 Ways to Feel Human Connection in a Virtual World 2. Be clear about your "why" The easiest way to have your email or message ignored is to make the recipient go, "Why are they even reaching out?" Before you hit send, ask yourself, "What's my reason for connecting?" Be upfront about your "why" and make it relevant to them. For instance, don't just say, "Hey, I'd love to connect!" Instead, add purpose to your message, like, "I admire your work on sustainable design and would love 15 minutes to pick your brain about a similar project I'm brainstorming." Specific. Clear. Purposeful. 3. Inject some fun and personality I know what you're thinking. "What if I sound weird or too casual?" Look, there's this myth that professional communication has to be boring. It doesn't. Trust me, injecting a little personality can work wonders. For example, think about a fun opening line or clever sign-off. Or make light use of emojis (don't overdo it, though). If I'm connecting with someone I admire, I might throw in something like, "P.S. If being your No. 1 fan isn't a thing yet, I'll happily apply for that position." It's a simple way to break the digital ice, grab attention and make people smile. 4. Build trust by giving before you take If I could only give you one piece of advice, it's this: Lead with value. One of the easiest ways to connect with someone in a meaningful way is to show them that you're not just taking from the relationship right off the bat. Offer something first. Maybe it's sharing a helpful article, giving them a shoutout on social media or simply expressing genuine interest in helping them. For example, if you're reaching out to a mentor, you could say, "I noticed you mentioned looking for new marketing interns in your last LinkedIn post. I know someone perfect for the role. Happy to connect you!" Trust me, giving before you take builds goodwill, which almost always results in better (and more genuine) connections. Related: The Power of Building Offline Connections in a Digital World 5. Timing is everything Here's something that doesn't get talked about enough in a digital-first world. Timing matters. If you're sending an email at 11 p.m. or DMing someone during lunch, chances are they won't respond until much later (if at all). The sweet spot? Right during "active hours." For email, mid-mornings (around 10 a.m.) or early afternoons (2-3 p.m.) tend to get the best response rates. For social media DMs, post in chunks of time when people are most likely scrolling (hint: think mornings, evenings or weekends). 6. Follow up without being annoying Ever send an email and get no reply? Cue the tumbleweeds. Here's the thing, though… Sometimes silence isn't rejection. People are busy, emails get buried and sometimes, follow-ups are necessary. But here's the catch. You want to be polite, not pushy. If you're following up, keep the tone friendly and offer an easy exit. Something like, "Hi Tonia, just following up on my last email. I completely understand if now's not a great time!" leaves the door open without making them feel pressured. Bonus points if you tie in something specific to jog their memory, like referencing the original subject or one of their recent updates. 7. Create communities and stay engaged Finally, if you want to be remembered in this hyperconnected world, go beyond one-off messages. Build relationships that last by creating or joining communities where consistent engagement happens naturally. Whether it's a LinkedIn interest circle or even a book club, making regular efforts to engage within a shared interest keeps your network alive in a way that sporadic DMs can't. My golden rule? Be a communicator — not just a connector. Show up, be genuine and prove that you're in it for the long haul. The wrap-up Connecting with people in a world of endless screens isn't always easy, but trust me, it's entirely possible (and can even be fun). The key is to start small, practice consistency and always lead with authenticity. Whether it's personalizing your emails, injecting humor or being that person who always "gives first," you're guaranteed to see results. Now, it's your turn to take action. Who are you reaching out to this week? Whatever you do, don't hesitate. The world is digital, but with the right approach, the possibilities are limitless. Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success.
