MONEY FM 89.3 - Workday Afternoon with Claressa Monteiro

Every day in Singapore, thousands of people wrestle with legal questions they don’t understand, and traditional legal help can cost hundreds of dollars an hour or leave people lost in jargon and paperwork. So Lawify serves as an AI-powered legal guidance platform that is designed to make legal help accessible, affordable and human-centred, with total confidentiality and privacy. On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Kiran Mohan Bodhapati, Lawify to find out how it helps to close the legal literacy gaps for Singaporeans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Budget 2026 pushing AI adoption across the economy, what does that mean for the infrastructure underneath it, and how is AI reshaping the internal design and operation of data centres? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Ali Badreddine, APAC Vice President and General Manager, Johnson Controls to find out how Singapore’s role is shifting in a more distributed regional network supporting AI growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia is getting wealthier but is it healthier? New research from AIA Group suggests that even as economies across Asia grow, long-held beliefs around emotional restraint and “silent resilience” remain widespread — potentially shaping how people manage stress and seek help. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer to find out what are insurers observing across the region, and whether behaviours can shift fast enough to close the wellbeing gap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel habits are shifting as people move away from long, once-a-year holidays toward shorter, more frequent trips. As such, travel is becoming more fragmented with hotels and cities now competing for travellers with just 48 to 72 hours to spare. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Edmund Ong, General Manager, Trip.com to find out what this means for the tourism sector in the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“If there’s a time to invest in AI and advanced manufacturing, it’s now.” That was the message from Lennon Tan, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, as Singapore’s Budget 2026 placed AI firmly in focus with plans for a National AI Council and a dedicated mission for advanced manufacturing. On Industry Insight, The Afternoon Update's Lynlee Foo speaks with Lennon about the realities manufacturers are navigating today — mixed demand, cost pressures, and the growing role of AI inside factory operations. They unpack why upgrading is happening in stages, how firms are moving at different speeds, and what that means for Singapore’s competitive edge. For more Budget 2026 insights:https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence featured prominently in Singapore’s Budget 2026, with expanded support measures and new initiatives aimed at embedding AI across the economy. But announcements are only one part of the story. The bigger question is: are Singapore SMEs ready to move beyond pilots to meaningful adoption? In this Budget-special edition of Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Kelvin Koh, Co-Chair, Singapore Enterprise Chapter of SGTech on rising SME interest, common scaling barriers, the role of change management and partnerships, and what would signal a national tipping point for AI adoption. For more Budget 2026 insights:https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lunar New Year is traditionally one of the first major stress points for global supply chains with factory shutdowns across Asia, front-loaded exports, and potential shifts in freight rates. But in 2026, the signals are more nuanced. Is global supply chain demand stabilising — or beginning to soften? On Industry Insight, The Afternoon Update’s Lynlee Foo speaks with Andrew Coldrey, Vice President for Asia Pacific at C.H. Robinson, about what early 2026 freight patterns are revealing about global trade. They discuss softer retail demand and evolving inventory strategies, air freight dynamics including semiconductor and technology cargo, ocean capacity and carrier pricing decisions, manufacturing diversification across Southeast Asia, as well as the impact of tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty on global trade flows. Listen for a measured look at how resilient global supply chains really are, and the indicators to watch in the months ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the changes in Budget 2026 is the halving of the maximum Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) rebate for early deregistration of cars - from $60,000 to $30,000. But on the surface, this looks technical. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to Lee Nian Tjoe, Senior Transport Correspondent at The Straits Times to find out how this change could reshape behaviour in meaningful ways for car owners and the second-hand market. For more Budget 2026 insights:https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI isn’t just for tech companies — law firms are using it too. From smarter contracts to automated research, AI is changing the rules of legal work. Some teams are seeing faster turnaround times, while others struggle with uncertainty on how to adopt AI safely, and how to upskill lawyers effectively. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Shanice Choo, Asia Pacific Innovation Lead, Clifford Chance to find out what law firms and legal professionals need to know to stay ahead in an AI-driven era.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major digital infrastructure transaction has made headlines — but beyond the deal itself, what does it reveal about Southeast Asia’s next phase of growth? As power constraints tighten, regulatory landscapes differ sharply across markets, ownership and operational control are becoming critical strategic advantages. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Projesh Banerjea, Managing Director and Head of Southeast Asia Infrastructure, KKR to find out why long-term investors are doubling down on essential infrastructure in Southeast Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if tech wasn’t just about efficiency — but about equity? From digital tools that support job training to real-world partnerships that match candidates with employers, Inclus is reimagining what inclusive employment can look like in the 21st century. On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Anders Tan, Co-founder of Inclus to find out how corporates and communities can build more accessible workplaces, and why inclusive design matters for everyone in a digital economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an era of relentless cost pressure, regulatory scrutiny and market volatility, leadership judgement is being tested in new and uncomfortable ways. Decisions are really made under pressure — when trade-offs are unavoidable and certainty is in short supply. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Rachael Johnson, Head of Risk Management and Corporate Governance, ACCA to find out what boards should now look for when they want genuine assurance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IoT has moved well beyond pilot projects, yet many enterprises still struggle to make connected systems work reliably once they scale — especially across borders. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Syed Natashrul, Head of APAC, Wireless Logic to find out why global IoT deployments are unable to get it right, and what it takes to build IoT systems that are resilient, secure, and scalable across markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cost pressures aren’t going away in 2026, and for service businesses, that’s forcing some tough decisions. But when margins tighten, are operators cutting the right costs — or the ones that quietly weaken the business? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Associate Professor Michael Alexander Kruesi, Business, Communication and Design Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to find out what are the trade-offs businesses often underestimate, and what do recent exits reveal about decision-making under pressure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Asia-Pacific air travel surges, airlines are under mounting pressure to keep fleets operational, compliant, and safe. While industry attention has focused on Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandates and production capacity, a quieter challenge is building behind the scenes: a maintenance and hardware bottleneck. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Ian Lam, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Aerospace Group at Eaton to find out why aircraft maintenance readiness is fast becoming the next major constraint on aviation growth in Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As populations age, mobility loss is becoming one of healthcare’s biggest hidden challenges. QuantumTX is tackling this with patented muscle-activation technology that helps seniors and patients regain strength and movement. On Good Tech, Debbie Yong speaks to Ivan Goh, Founder and CEO, Quantum TX to find out how they are redefining mobility care with their tech.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has long been one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs — but a new challenge is taking off. Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF, promises to cut the industry’s carbon footprint, but scaling it fast enough is no small feat. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Steven Bartholomeusz, Head of Public & Regulatory Affairs, Asia Pacific, Neste to find out why early action on SAF isn’t just green — it’s smart business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world that’s becoming less predictable, leadership judgement matters more than ever — especially for small, open economies like Singapore. In a special conversation on The Afternoon Update, Lynlee Foo sits down with Leo Varadkar, former Prime Minister of Ireland and now a Global Advisor at Penta Group, to talk about decision-making under pressure, public trust, and what leaders need to get right when stability can no longer be assumed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quant investing has moved from a niche financial strategy to a powerful force shaping today’s global markets. With artificial intelligence accelerating everything from signal discovery to risk management, investment firms are rethinking how portfolios are built, and how humans and machines work together. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Ram Rasaratnam, CIO, AXA IM Equity Quant Investing, BNP Paribas Asset Management to find out how investors should judge modern quant strategies, and what the next generation of systematic investing could look like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As ESG faces pushback globally, Southeast Asia is heading into a defining moment. From boardrooms to suppliers, ESG requirements are cascading through organisations, and stakeholders need to prepare for as scrutiny and standards tighten. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Jozsef Acabo, Vice-President at ESGpedia to find out why 2026 is shaping up to be an inflection year for ESG readiness in the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As global markets send mixed signals, commodities are telling a deeper story about where the world economy is headed. Oil reflects shifting energy demand and geopolitical risk while gold remains a barometer of uncertainty. So what do these signals mean for Singapore as a trading, energy-importing, and investment hub? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Marc Ostwald, Chief Economist & Global Strategist, ADM Investor Services International Limited to find out how do these signals serve as early-warnings for supply chain stress, energy transitions, and changing investment flows?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paperwork is the worst part of any job—but for veterinarians, it can take up to 40 hours a month. But what if there was a way to spend less time on forms and more time with furry patients? That’s where Broby comes in. Two Singapore Polytechnic students banded together to build an AI-powered medical scribe that listens to a vet’s examination and instantly creates fully formatted consultation notes. On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Kuramochi Hyuga & Caleb Yap, Co-Founders of Broby to find out how this tech is changing the way vets work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quick commerce isn’t just about speed and convenience anymore. Shoppers are buying bigger baskets, choosing housebrands, and cooking smarter at home, and this signals a shift in how grocery shopping fits into daily life. As shoppers buy more intentionally, changing consumer habits are pushing platforms to rethink what “fast” really means. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Axelle Guibert, Director of Quick-Commerce, foodpanda Singapore to find out more about the next phase of on-demand grocery delivery for shoppers, riders, and the business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the Ericsson Mobility Report (Nov 2025), Singapore is seen as a reference market for next-generation connectivity. While the world looks ahead to 6G, Singapore is already testing the future through real-world 5G Standalone deployments. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Daniel Ode, Head of Ericsson Customer Unit Singapore, Philippines & Brunei, and Head of Global Customer Unit Singtel to find out what today’s network investments mean for long-term competitiveness — and for businesses on the ground.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s electric vehicle market is starting to mature — and that's raising the bar for new brands entering the space. Beyond importing cars and opening a showroom, what does it really take to launch a new EV brand today? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Soh Ming, Founder and Managing Director of Volt Auto, and the exclusive distributor for Dongfeng Singapore to find out how has the distributor’s role fundamentally transformed in the EV era.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regenerative tourism is changing the way we travel in Southeast Asia. It is a movement where tourism doesn’t just sustain local communities and ecosystems but actively restores them. More than just visiting, travelers are now contributing directly to environmental restoration, community development, and cultural preservation. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Jef Moons, Founder of Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West to find out how businesses are shaping experiences that benefit both visitors and the places they visit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2026, the workplace is transforming faster than ever. From AI-driven productivity to hybrid and flexible work models, Asia Pacific’s top executives are rethinking how work gets done, how talent is retained, and how costs are managed. So what strategies are driving growth in the new year? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Lars Wittig, Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific, International Workplace Group to find out how C-Suites can future-proof their businesses in an uncertain economic landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rehabify is reimagining physiotherapy for an ageing society. Using computer vision and AI, the Singapore-based startup turns rehabilitation and senior fitness into interactive, game-like experiences that track movement with just a camera — no wearables required. On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Lim Jian Ping & Reyes Ng, Co-Founders of Rehabify to find out how they are making healthcare more engaging, scalable, and accessible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI video analytics is rapidly moving from experimental technology to everyday business tool — powering smarter cities, safer workplaces, more efficient retail, and real-time operational decision-making. But behind every intelligent video system lies a less visible — yet increasingly critical — foundation: data storage. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Melyssa Banda, Senior Vice President, Edge Storage and Services, Seagate to find out why storage is no longer just an IT backend concern but as a strategic enabler of real-time insights, business resilience, and competitive advantage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has been ranked among the world’s most liveable cities for tech workers — and surprisingly, the clue lies in a cup of matcha. Savills’ inaugural Matcha Index assesses urban liveability through café culture, matcha affordability and quality, revealing how lifestyle amenities signal a city’s ability to attract talent and sustain long-term competitiveness. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Charlotte Rushton, Associate from Savills World Research to find out how these lifestyle indicators influence office and mixed-use development strategies and what differentiates successful tech cities going forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Joint Admissions Exercise now closed and posting results due out in early February, many families — and working adults — are reflecting on a bigger question: how much does a diploma choice really shape a career over time? On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks with The Straits Times reporter Teo Kai Xiang, whose analysis shows that most polytechnic diploma programmes in Singapore last less than a decade before being renamed, merged, or phased out. The conversation explores why courses evolve so quickly, the shift from specialised to broader programmes, and what actually endures — from transferable skills and adaptability to career flexibility in a fast-changing economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore consumers say they want brands that stand for meaningful local issues, yet buying decisions here still pivot quickly to promotions and price. Most SMEs are investing in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), but market almost none of that intent, leaving purpose invisible at the point of sale. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to Jaslyin Qiyu, Founder of Mad About Marketing Consulting to find out the answer to a hard question: When prices rise, is purpose the first thing to go?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI dominated headlines in 2025 but for many organisations, it stayed stuck in pilots. In 2026, AI becomes operational. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Nick Eayrs, APJ Vice President of Field Engineering, Databricks about why AI is moving into core business systems — driving decisions, performance, and accountability. From agent-driven workflows to invisible AI embedded into everyday operations, this conversation explores what leaders must get right as AI becomes business-critical. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Landed homes are often seen as the final upgrade in Singapore’s property journey — but they are also among the most complex decisions buyers make. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Julian Yip, Managing Director of Realstar Premier Group, to examine how landed home decisions unfold over time — from buyer psychology and life-stage planning to maintenance realities and limited supply. Drawing on more than 25 years across multiple market cycles, Julian explains why fundamentals like layout, orientation, adaptability, and long-term livability matter more than design trends or timing — and why many buyers only realise this after moving in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As cities expand and nature becomes harder to monitor, technology is stepping in with a new way of listening to the environment. In our forests and nature reserves, countless animals communicate all around us — but many of their calls go unnoticed. So what if we could ‘listen in’ and let technology do the identifying for us? On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Indraneel Paranjape from Koel to find out what sort of improvements does it bring to those working towards the future of environmental conservation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venezuelan oil is back in the headlines — but Jaime Brito, Executive Director for Refining and Oil Products at OPIS (part of Chemical Market Analytics by Dow Jones) explains why politics alone won’t move markets. On Industry Insight, Jaime cuts through speculation to unpack the hard realities of oil markets — from refinery design and heavy-crude economics to trade flows and logistics. A clear-eyed look at what Venezuelan crude really means for Asia, and why Singapore’s role as a global energy and maritime hub is shaped more by infrastructure and timing than headlines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As US foreign policy becomes more transactional—from Venezuela to trade and territorial influence—Asia faces growing uncertainty. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks with Pushan Dutt, Professor of Economics and Politics at INSEAD, on what these shifts signal for Asia, Singapore, and the future of global rules, and why managing uncertainty now matters more than managing risk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small businesses in Singapore are entering 2026 with a surprising amount of momentum despite global uncertainty. New research shows that entrepreneurship is accelerating, and that AI is becoming a powerful equaliser, helping smaller firms compete with much larger players. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Elsie Ng, Head of LinkedIn Talent Solutions (Singapore & Malaysia), LinkedIn to find out where should Singapore’s small and medium-sized businesses really be investing their limited time and resources in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine a world where the AI on your phone can shop, invest, negotiate, and even sign contracts for you — all without asking. The productivity gains are huge, but a critical question arises: when your AI makes a decision, who is really accountable? Right now, we are seeing the emerging concept of KYA — Know Your Agent — which could potentially change the game altogether. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Philipp Pointner, Chief of Digital Identity at Jumioto find out why linking every autonomous action to a verified human is becoming essential for the future of the digital economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the things you own could earn you money instead of gathering dust? From cameras to camping gear, SnapRent makes renting simple, safe, and rewarding—helping users save money, earn extra income, and reduce waste. On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Leng Zong Shun & Ebenezer Tay Jin Fong, Co-Founders of SnapRent to find out how two poly students build smart technology that enables trust while creating a new way to think about what we own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s fastest-changing consumer markets, especially now with the advent of e-commerce platforms. Shoppers here are becoming more deliberate with every dollar they spend, balancing affordability with the desire for smarter, and even ‘better-for-me’ products, while local brands are keeping up with global ones, thanks to digital disruption reshaping how people discover and buy. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Praneeth Yendamuri, Partner at Bain & Company, Singapore to find out what these shifts mean for brands competing in this dynamic region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of precision medicine and transforming genomic research lies in the critical role of AI. The growing gap between massive genomic data collection and its clinical interpretation are now essential for complex analysis at scale. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Dr Ilya Burkov, Global Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences Growth, Nebius to find out how Singapore’s strong AI ecosystem can position the country as a global leader in genomic medicine and biomedical research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.