Evolution Exchange Singapore

In this episode of Let’s Talk Evolution, Jonathan Chan, Global Co-Head of AI and Data Innovation at Julius Baer, shares deep insights into how financial institutions can move beyond experimental AI projects toward scalable, enterprise-wide adoption. He explains why companies must evolve from an “AI by business case” mindset to an “AI by conviction” approach, treating artificial intelligence as a core enabler of future growth rather than a collection of small projects.Jonathan discusses the essential skill sets that drive successful AI implementation, including AI engineering, data science, product design, and strong governance. He also emphasizes the growing importance of understanding ethics and regulatory compliance in a highly regulated sector like finance. According to Jonathan, organizations that can blend technical expertise with business knowledge will have a clear advantage as AI becomes an everyday utility, similar to Excel, while true competitive power will lie in applied AI systems that generate unique business value.This episode provides a balanced perspective on AI adoption, combining optimism about innovation with a realistic view of the cultural, strategic, and operational challenges financial services must overcome to achieve sustainable transformation.

In this episode of Let's Talk Evolution, Kevin Aubry, CTO of PALO IT Singapore, offers a grounded and insightful take on what it truly means for companies to become AI ready. Drawing from hands-on experience, Kevin explains that AI readiness is not just about technology, but also about data quality, process redesign, and cultural change that influences collaboration and mindsets.He explores the common pitfalls companies face when they try to implement AI without changing how they operate. Real success, Kevin explains, comes from building a culture of experimentation, empowering internal AI champions, and securing leadership support that drives consistent change. He also shares how organizations can achieve remarkable results, including faster project delivery, cost savings, and stronger innovation pipelines that directly benefit both businesses and customers.Kevin also discusses the future of work, where AI acts as a powerful partner that enhances human capability instead of replacing it. To thrive in this new environment, professionals need to develop skills in problem framing, lifelong learning, and guiding AI tools with precision and creativity. He advises teams to cultivate a diverse AI toolkit and learn to select the right tools for the right tasks to maximize impact and agility.This episode is essential for anyone who wants to understand how to build an organization that is truly ready for AI, combining strong technical foundations with adaptable leadership and a culture that looks toward the future.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Evolution, Damien Kopp, a global AI and innovation leader with over 25 years of experience across Europe, North America, and Asia, shares his insights on the realities of AI adoption beyond early experimentation. He discusses why so many AI initiatives fail to scale, emphasizing the need for clear business objectives, data governance, and trust-building across organizations.Damien explains that the real value of AI lies not in accelerating existing processes but in fundamentally rethinking how businesses operate to unlock exponential growth. He also addresses common misconceptions about AI and jobs, stressing that automation targets tasks, not entire roles, and that human adaptability, ethical reasoning, and continuous learning will remain essential in the AI era.The conversation extends to the risks of over-collecting data, the emerging threat of quantum computing, and the importance of preparing for a fragmented global AI landscape. Damian’s perspective highlights how thoughtful leadership, ethical design, and strategic readiness can help organizations and individuals thrive in a world where technology and society evolve side by side.

In this episode of Let's Talk Evolution, Jin Lee, Co-Founder of TicTag, shares how traditional industries are embracing AI and what it truly takes to move from raw data to full-scale AI deployment. Starting as a pandemic-era startup focused on crowdsourced data annotation, TicTag has grown into a company delivering complete AI solutions across retail, manufacturing, mining, and logistics. Jin explains how the company integrates social impact by employing diverse groups, including people with disabilities, while maintaining world-class data accuracy through gamification and multi-layer quality checks.Jin also explores the challenges that traditional businesses face when adopting AI, including data readiness, workforce education, and translating insights into real business value. He highlights how TicTag’s end-to-end approach allows companies to integrate AI into existing processes without requiring deep technical expertise. The discussion also touches on the global AI talent landscape in Southeast Asia, emphasizing communication skills, adaptability, and continuous learning as key traits for success in an ever-evolving industry.This episode offers valuable insights into how AI innovation, social impact, and human adaptability can work together to drive transformation in legacy industries. If you're keen to learn more about Jin and his company Tictag check them out here: https://www.tictag.io/ai-solutions

In this episode of Let’s Talk Evolution, Daniel Yu, CEO and Co-Founder of MetAI, shares how his Taiwan-based deep tech startup is transforming industrial AI through digital twins and synthetic data. Drawing from his journey from finance to AI entrepreneurship, Daniel explains how MetAI tackles the “AI adoption gap” by building high-fidelity virtual environments that replicate factories and warehouses in detail. These digital twins generate synthetic data used to train robotics and AI systems faster, safer, and more efficiently than real-world testing.Daniel also discusses the misconceptions surrounding digital twins, emphasizing that they are not just 3D models but behaviorally accurate environments with real operational logic. With support from Nvidia, MetAI developed algorithms that can turn CAD blueprints into simulation-ready environments, drastically reducing time and cost. Taiwan’s strong manufacturing ecosystem gives MetAI access to real-world insights, enabling the company to produce highly relevant synthetic data for industrial applications.By treating synthetic data as a core product rather than a byproduct, MetAI is building the foundation for a new era of physical AI infrastructure. This episode dives into how digital twins, simulation, and AI training converge to shape the future of smart factories and robotics innovation.

n this insightful episode of Let's Talk Evolution, Patrick Tang, Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships at Beyondsoft, shares a practical roadmap for organizations seeking to begin or accelerate their AI adoption journey. With over 26 years of experience in technology and telecommunications, Patrick explains how businesses can assess their AI maturity and take strategic, low-risk steps toward building scalable, human-centric AI capabilities.He introduces a four-stage AI readiness model that guides companies from early experimentation to full AI integration, emphasizing leadership commitment, data governance, and measurable pilot projects as key success factors. Patrick also discusses how leadership teams, including CEOs and department heads, play a crucial role in shaping AI culture and ensuring alignment with business goals. His insights reveal that success in AI depends not only on technical capabilities but also on clear vision, collaboration, and continuous learning.Patrick highlights the evolving relationship between humans and AI in the workplace. He explains that AI will not replace people outright but will instead replace those who are unwilling to work with it. Rather than being a threat, AI is emerging as a powerful tool for augmentation that enhances human creativity, productivity, and strategic decision-making. He outlines a three-tier skill framework for professionals that focuses on mastering AI literacy, strengthening human abilities such as empathy and creativity, and developing AI-augmented specializations within their respective industries.The episode also features practical insights from Beyondsoft’s internal AI training programs, including effective prompting techniques and the use of tools like Microsoft Copilot to enhance productivity. Patrick’s approach delivers a clear and inspiring message: success with AI comes from preparation, adaptability, and a human-first mindset.

In this thought-provoking episode of Let's Talk Evolution, Luke Soon, Partner at PwC and a veteran computer scientist specializing in AI ethics and governance, explores the critical balance between innovation, safety, and responsibility in artificial intelligence. With more than three decades of experience, Luke reflects on AI’s evolution from narrow, financial applications to its current role as a transformative yet potentially dangerous global force. He explains how AI has become the new “arms race,” driven by competition among nations, the erosion of trust, and the absence of strong international regulations. These challenges raise profound ethical and geopolitical questions about how humanity can maintain control over its own technological creations.Luke discusses the importance of human leadership in the emerging era of hybrid workforces, where AI agents will operate alongside people across a wide range of industries. Rather than replacing jobs, he envisions AI as a powerful enabler that enhances productivity and creativity. This shift will require humans to focus on uniquely human abilities such as ethical reasoning, problem-solving, and strategic oversight, which are skills that machines cannot genuinely replicate. The conversation also explores the rise of embodied AI and humanoid robots, which are expected to transform industries and move society closer to the long-anticipated goal of artificial general intelligence (AGI).Through his insights, Luke emphasizes that responsible innovation, ethics-driven governance, and global collaboration are crucial to ensuring AI remains a force for progress rather than a source of instability. This episode offers valuable guidance for leaders, technologists, and policymakers who want to navigate the future of AI safely, ethically, and intelligently.

In this episode of Let's Talk Evolution, Tung Vu, Chief Revenue Officer at GreenNode and an experienced engineering leader, delves into the evolving landscape of AI infrastructure across Southeast Asia and Australia. He discusses how companies can scale AI responsibly while addressing the region’s complex mix of regulatory, geopolitical, and operational challenges. Tung Vu explains GreenNode’s localized approach to serving diverse markets, emphasizing the importance of building data platforms that align with each country’s compliance standards and digital maturity.The conversation explores how organizations typically begin their AI journey through external APIs for rapid experimentation before transitioning to private or local cloud setups to strengthen security and control. Tung Vu also highlights several high-impact AI use cases, including code generation, marketing automation, and internal data integration, which help enterprises achieve quick ROI and operational excellence. In addition, he outlines how modular, cross-functional team structures enable innovation without compromising governance, and how tools such as GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT are reshaping productivity across industries.This episode provides practical strategies and real-world insights for leaders and innovators who want to build scalable, compliant, and future-ready AI ecosystems across fast-growing regional markets.