MONEY FM 89.3 - Workday Afternoon with Claressa Monteiro

Technology doesn’t have to be flashy to be powerful. In this Good Tech Highlights edition, The Afternoon Update's Lynlee Foo and producer Nazirul Asrar reflect on three standout conversations that show how technology, when guided by purpose, can genuinely improve lives in Singapore. From assistive wearable technology designed to support people with visual impairment, to a home-grown AI medical scribe built to ease doctors’ workloads, and an education-focused AI tool helping students think more critically - these innovations share one thing in common: they start with real human problems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part Two of this Industry Insight special, we go inside Singapore’s vernacular newsrooms to see what digital transformation looks like in practice. Lynlee Foo speaks with Venga Subramaniam, Audience & Growth Editor at Tamil Murasu and Editor of tabla!, about how AI is being used responsibly, where editorial boundaries are drawn, and the new multilingual, multimedia skill sets journalists now need. The conversation also looks ahead to what success means over the next two to three years, as vernacular media balance speed, trust and deep community relevance in a digital-first world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s vernacular newsrooms are navigating one of the most complex shifts in the media landscape, serving deeply diverse cultural communities while adapting to English-dominant consumption and digital-first behaviours. In Part One of this Industry Insight special, Lynlee Foo speaks with Venga Subramaniam, Audience and Growth Editor at Tamil Murasu and Editor of tabla, about how changing language use among younger readers, the rise of new migrant audiences, and evolving community needs are reshaping editorial and product strategies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As satellite networks, autonomous vessels, and global flight operations become increasingly interconnected, the final frontier is fast becoming the newest front line. So why is space emerging as the next major cyber battleground? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Patrick Trinkler, CEO & Co-Founder of CYSEC to find out what this shift mean for Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore just hit a major deep-tech milestone: Horizon Quantum has unveiled its very first in-house quantum computer. This new technology will not just give Horizon a competitive edge, but it will also bring light to the importance of tight hardware-software integration, and even speed up real-world quantum applications for enterprises and developers. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Dr Joe Fitzsimons, Founder and CEO of Horizon Quantum to find out what this milestone signals for Singapore’s growing quantum and deep-tech ecosystem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Design isn’t just about making things look good — it’s about making life better. From creating products that are accessible to all, to tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges, humanity-centred design is redefining how we interact with technology and each other. On this special episode of Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Professor Emeritus Don Norman, Founder of the Design Lab, University of California San Diego to find out how do we ensure that design keeps people at the centre, as technology becomes more capable and more embedded in daily life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Singapore pushes toward a safer and more mature digital asset ecosystem, the next big security challenge isn’t the technology — it’s the human behind the screen. UX-driven security is becoming the new frontline and rising scam losses in Singapore are shifting user expectations. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Julien Neree, Chief Product Officer at Ryder to find out how these trends fit into MAS’ push for safer digital token services, and what “mainstream-ready” crypto security could look like as Singapore prepares for its next stage of adoption.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of money is being built in Asia — and it’s happening faster than many expected. Major players like Mastercard are repositioning themselves in a world where every company wants to become a payment rail. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Sandeep Malhotra, Executive Vice President, Core Payments, Asia Pacific at Mastercard to find out why Asia-Pacific has become the world’s testbed for real-time, tokenised and programmable payments, and what this means for the global financial system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Singapore Furniture Industries Council rolling out its 2026–2030 roadmap, the furniture industry is navigating a new era. Consumers are also re-defining how they live and work — choosing modular, space-savvy, and sustainable designs. At the same time, digital tools and AI are reshaping how products are imagined, customised, and produced. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Marcus Wong, Vice President of Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) to find out how can local brands scale globally and what skills and technologies are essential for the next-generation designer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever felt lost staring at the fine print of a loan, insurance policy, or investment document? But what if there was a tool that could flag the risky bits, translate the jargon, and verify the details in real time — giving you confidence before you sign on the dotted line? On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Teo Yi Ki & Jonus Ho from Redflags to find out how is their web-based tool making financial decisions smarter, simpler, and a lot less intimidating?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore is rapidly becoming a proving ground for next-generation supply chain leadership. As businesses shift from focusing solely on systems and technology to building human skills, leadership capabilities, and adaptive mindsets. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Stuart Whiting, SVP Global Supply Chain at Schneider Electric to find out what does it take to lead a “human-ready, AI-enabled” supply chain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest 3Q real estate update reveals a striking divergence in global property markets. While commercial real estate in the US and Europe continues to face stress, developed Asia appears to be holding steady, earning a reputation as the “anti-crisis” market. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Regina Lim, Head of Research APAC at M&G Real Estate to find out what is behind Asia’s resilience and what could these trends mean for investors preparing for 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As investors reposition for the next cycle in APAC deal activity, Singapore is fast becoming the region’s capital command centre. So the question is — why money is returning to Asia? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Neil Brookes, Executive Managing Director, Asia Pacific Capital Markets, Savills to find out which markets appear strongest for 2026, and how Singapore has become the deal table for global and regional capital. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singaporeans are used to getting what we want, when we want it, and that includes getting around the city. But behind every tap of the app, there’s a growing tension: drivers say they’re earning less even as demand surges, costs rise, and new rules tighten their take-home pay. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to Kay Woo, Group CEO and Founder of MVLLABS, parent company of TADA, to find out whether our convenience is coming at a real cost to the people behind the wheel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re hearing more young people in Singapore say they’re feeling stressed or emotionally overwhelmed. Yet many still struggle to put those feelings into words and more people are turning to AI for quiet moments of self-reflection, using guided prompts and voice notes to sort through emotions they don’t always share out loud. That’s where a new tool comes in called EBI, the Emotional Baggage Interface, which is a digital tool designed to help you organise your thoughts and make sense of your emotions before reaching out for help. On Good Tech, Nazirul Asrar speaks to the creators of EBI, Jocelyn Teo & Richard Xiong, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyberattacks are getting faster, more automated, and more relentless. And many organisations are hitting the limits of what a tool-heavy or compliance-driven approach can do. A new model appears to be emerging globally. Known as Security Operations as a Service, or SecOps-as-a-Service — companies rely on dedicated, always-on security teams to help them stay breach-ready round the clock. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Steve Hunter, Director of Engineering, APAC at Arctic Wolf to find out what businesses need to prepare for in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) recently launched ALFIN — a new AI engine that delivers clear, verifiable insights for the financial industry. With banks, fintechs, and regulators facing more data than ever, ALFIN offers a transparent alternative to black-box AI tools. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) to find out what this launch means for Singapore’s role in financial innovation, and how ALFIN’s verified data could change the way institutions handle compliance and strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caring for seniors is challenging. Active Ageing Centres work tirelessly, but coordinating requests and follow-ups can take time. And that is how SeniorSync came to be. A homegrown digital platform built to centralise and track senior support needs more clearly so that all requests are seen to. On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Tan Ee Herng and Jordan Mok, Co-founders, SeniorSync to find out how they digitised ground operations for elderly care without losing empathy along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re heading into one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year, better known as the Black Friday Sale. According to Amazon’s latest YouGov survey, nearly half of us now identify as Deal Optimisers — smart, strategic shoppers comparing prices and timing purchases to get the most value. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Peter Li, Head of Amazon Global Store APAC, Amazon Singapore Country Manager to find out how are global platforms like Amazon staying ahead of this curve, and what sort of shoppers can we expect in this upcoming Black Friday sale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s move to acquire a majority stake in Singapore-based kAIgentic signals a major shift in finance: banks are no longer just automating tasks — they’re building intelligence into the core of their operations. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Ahmed Mazhari, Groupwide AI Transformation Advisor, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc and Kazuya Ikeda, Head of AI Transformation, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to find out what this means for the future of banking as institutions race to embed reasoning systems that are both powerful and accountable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Streaming in Asia Pacific is booming — audiences are listening, watching, and bingeing more than ever. From Japan to South Korea and now to Singapore, the region is outpacing global growth, reshaping music discovery, and exporting culture worldwide. Yet despite record adoption, premium subscriptions still lag behind, revealing a vast untapped opportunity. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Scott Ryan, EVP Commercial, Luminate to find out what is driving the region’s streaming revolution, and how is Asia's streaming surge transforming business models?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As digital assets move from speculation to utility, a new wave of platforms is emerging - helping businesses manage payments, payroll, and even treasury functions on-chain. Singapore is becoming a testbed for this next phase of digital finance, with regulated players offering crypto-native business accounts and stablecoin payment rails. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Hassan Ahmed, Country Director, Singapore, Coinbaseto find out what this could mean for SMEs, startups, and the future of everyday business finance in Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many seniors, official letters can be confusing, even intimidating. But what if technology could step in to read, explain, and even guide them through what to do next? That’s exactly what LetterKey is building. This group of people are creating a simple tool that scans physical letters and turns them into clear, spoken explanations — even in local languages and dialects. On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Owen Gan, Product Designer and Cham Li Hui, Product Manager and from Letterkey to how this is bridging the literacy gap among our seniors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when AI starts writing the software that runs the financial system? As banks move from using AI to advise to using AI to build, a new blind spot is emerging: AI-generated code quietly making its way into core banking systems. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Harry Wang, Chief Growth Officer, Sonar to find out what that means for trust, regulation and competitiveness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a weakening US Dollar, shifts in interest-rate cycles, and heightened geopolitical risk, ultra-high-net-worth investors are rethinking where and how they deploy capital. So how does a leading family office advisory connect Asia’s ultra-wealthy to exclusive private-market deals? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Dr Marcus Sasse, CEO & Founding Partner, Club Estate to find out how Asia’s ultra-wealthy are reallocating billions, and what it means for investors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore is working to connect fast payment systems across countries, making cross-border transfers as instant as sending a text, and Nexus is the project linking national fast-payment systems together. So how will this transform finance? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Andrew McCormack, CEO of Nexus Global Payments to find out why Singapore is leading this shift and what this means for banks, businesses, and everyday users.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More travellers across Asia-Pacific are choosing to go it alone — but not in the way you might think. Back in July, Scoot released its Unpacking the Solo Travel Trend white paper which found that solo travel is a fast-growing, with Asia-Pacific projected to expand even faster at over 16 percent a year. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Agatha Yap, Director of Marketing, Communications, Marketing Partnerships and Loyalty, Scoot to find out what’s driving this trend and how will it determine the future of travelling within the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology is transforming how advice, claims, and protection are delivered. But in an AI-driven world, can trust, the cornerstone of insurance, keep up? On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks with Cassandra Wee, Managing Director (Singapore) of Poni Insurtech and CEO of Poni Financial Advisory, about how digital tools are reshaping the insurance experience in Singapore. Listen to the discussion that is focused on AI-powered advisory, faster claims, and why human connection still defines trust in a digital insurance world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Singapore’s population ages, one of the biggest challenges isn’t just providing support — it’s making sure no senior slips through the cracks. And SeniorSays is a home-grown innovation that is reimagining how community outreach works on the ground by turning conversations, emotional cues, and context from house visits into clear, actionable insights. On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Pradnya Nirgun from SeniorSays to find out how this tech creates more empathetic volunteers, while giving staff real-time visibility to act faster and support seniors more meaningfully.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the quantum era arriving sooner than we think? In Part 2 of our Quantum AI special, IBM Quantum Chief Technology Officer Oliver Dial explains why 2029 may mark the commercial turning point for quantum computing, moving it from research labs into real-world business impact. We break down the promising early use cases in chemistry, finance, logistics and climate modelling, why Asia is emerging as a key proving ground, and how Singapore’s deep-tech investments are speeding up the timeline.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first of a two-part special, we explore how the convergence of quantum computing and artificial intelligence - Quantum AI - is redefining industries, investment, and innovation. As the world races to merge quantum computing with artificial intelligence, Singapore is stepping into the spotlight. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Alexandra Beckstein, CEO & Founder, QAI Ventures to take a look at how Quantum AI is moving from theory to enterprise, and how a new accelerator backed by Enterprise Singapore is helping scientists and startups turn breakthrough ideas into scalable business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As global aid and fiscal priorities shift, Singapore’s role as a regional leader in strategic giving is coming into sharper focus. Institutional giants like Temasek Trust and Tote Board are shaping the future of philanthropy as they join the ranks of Asia’s top givers alongside powerhouses like Tencent and The Hong Kong Jockey Club. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Gwendolyn Lim, Partner and Head of The Bridgespan Group (Southeast Asia) to find out what’s driving this new wave of giving, and how Singapore is redefining what it means to give with purpose, scale, and strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump called his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Busan a “12 out of 10”, signalling a desire to cool tensions with China. But beneath the warm optics, tech controls held firm and strategic rivalry remains. What does this moment mean for Singapore and ASEAN? On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks to William Choong, Senior Fellow for Regional Strategic and Political Studies Programme at ISEAS to unpack whether Busan marks a genuine reset or just a tactical pause in great-power competition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Lady Gaga’s concert to Coldplay’s Man In The Moon music video, Singapore has been making more appearances on the global pop-culture stage. As cities across Asia race to define the region’s cultural identity, Singapore is making a high-stakes play: to turn borrowed star power into lasting cultural capital. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive for the Marketing Group at Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to find out how can Singapore stand out in a crowded regional race, and make these cultural flashpoints count for the long term.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From joint R&D and tech co-development to strategic alliances across ASEAN, international collaborations are reshaping how local companies innovate, adopt emerging technologies, and scale regionally. Singapore’s innovation story has long been told through the lens of startups, but a new chapter is being written through partnerships. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Michael Goh, CEO of IPI Singapore and Jumpei Harada, Open Innovation & IP Patent Attorney from Panasonic Japan to find out how this is fuelling Singapore’s next wave of industry transformation beyond the startup playbook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial stress can feel like a cycle that’s hard to break. But what if the real key to lasting financial stability isn’t just about money but about habits, values, and identity? Enter Stride, a tool born out of a citizen engagement initiative that empowers people to make Singapore better through tech. On Good Tech, Nazirul Asrar speaks to Fiona Ng, Co-founder of Stride to find out how they are using values and identity to build sustainable change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As AI takes on a larger role in cybersecurity, the balance between automation and accountability is shifting fast. Once designed to support security teams, AI is now making critical security decisions — from detecting threats in real time to deciding how to respond. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Royal Hansen, VP of Security Engineering at Google to find out how can organisations maintain trust, transparency and human oversight in an AI-driven security landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From AI-powered trip planning and destination matchmaking to intergenerational holidays, travellers are curating journeys that reflect who they are and what they value. According to Skyscanner’s 2026 Travel Trends report, next year marks a turning point — where travel becomes a deeply personal expression of identity, connection, and purpose. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Cyndi Hui, Travel Trends and Destination Expert at Skyscanner to find out how technology is enabling hyper-personalisation, and what can travel brands do to stay relevant in an era where every journey is tailor-made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has moved beyond crypto hype. At TOKEN2049, the world’s largest digital-asset event, thousands gathered to discuss how regulation and technology can finally work hand-in-hand — and Singapore stood out as a model of balance, trust, and innovation. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Gracie Lin, CEO, OKX (Singapore) on how regulation has become strategy, why trust is the new infrastructure, and what the next phase of digital assets means for Singapore and the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From voice-controlled devices to communication software, Assistive Technologies (AT) are transforming independence and opportunity for persons with disabilities (PWDs). As Singapore pushes ahead with its Smart Nation goals, what does digital inclusion really mean — and who might be left behind if we don’t get it right? On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Chong Kwek Bin, Manager for Innovation Division (Accessibility & Assistive Technology) at SG Enable to learn how we can help persons with disabilities live, work, and connect more freely than ever before.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world where employees can now include autonomous identities with operational access and decision-making power, traditional security models are being pushed to the limit. AI agents have become embedded across enterprise operations and they’re unlocking new frontiers of productivity which is exposing unseen vulnerabilities. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Kevin Kirkwood, Chief Information Security Officer at Exabeam to find out why conventional defences are falling short, and what best practices global companies are adopting to safeguard enterprise environments against a new class of AI-powered insider threats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They were supposed to be the freedom generation - digital natives chasing flexibility, passion, and purpose at work. But a new study from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) reveals a surprising shift: Singapore’s Gen Z now ranks job security and financial stability above flexible work. On Viewpoint, Lynlee Foo speaks with Associate Professor Justina Tan, Vice President of Strategic Partnership and Engagement at SUSS, to unpack why this generation is playing it safe in an uncertain world.From the rising cost of living to the growing gap between what employers want and what youths value, we explore how Singapore’s youngest workers are redefining success — and what it means for the future of work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.